Charleston Memorial Day Weekend: Top Activities & Things To Do

Memorial Day weekend is nearly that signal that summertime is close at hand, and what better spot to kick it off than in historic Charleston? This charming southern town really brings a bunch of warmth, character, and an almost palpable sense of history to the table. The thing is, if you want to genuinely soak it all in, it’s good to have some sort of a plan. So, here are some really cool ideas to pack your long weekend in Charleston with just a little bit of magic, history, and fun.

Pay Your Respects at Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum

Alright, the first thing on the list and so it has to be said, is Memorial Day. It’s, like, about remembering and honoring those who gave it all for our country. There’s barely a spot that gets this more right than Patriots Point. You get the chance to climb around on the USS Yorktown, a humongous aircraft carrier with a super cool story to it, take a gander at. Just wandering the decks, reading up a bit on the exhibits, and thinking about the people who served there is, you know, pretty impactful. They usually also do some sort of special ceremony for Memorial Day, to where it makes the visit really quite meaningful.

Take a Stroll Through Historic Charleston City Market

The City Market, spanning numerous blocks, has almost everything in it and it’s been going strong since way back in the 1790s. Nowadays, is that you can find just anything there. I’m saying there’s everything from sweetgrass baskets made just by local artisans which I think are totally a Charleston must-have, and you are just really spoiled with choices between paintings. Memorial Day weekend brings crowds to this place and it is a real scene, with all of these folks browsing, buying, and just generally drinking it all in. Go grab a bite from one of the food vendors, and watch people.

Explore Fort Sumter

Now, so this is like Charleston 101. Fort Sumter, is where the Civil War started, like a bit of a landmark. The tours they give out there? Actually, is that they are given out by the National Park Service. What that comes down to is they know exactly what they are yapping on about and provide all the info about the story of the place and Charleston’s. That short ferry ride on over there delivers some really killer views of the harbor, too. Just something to take into account is that it will definitely pay off to reserve your spot on the ferry ahead of time, seeing that things can get pretty wild during a long weekend like Memorial Day.

Wander Rainbow Row

If there ever happens a really Instagram-worthy location, that is what Rainbow Row is. These bunch of houses that are all, like, painted different pastel tints have that cool history to it, is that it was previously a place to show everyone their colorful Caribbean personality. Anyway, now? Well, nowadays they do give it that amazing pic that everyone would appreciate capturing. Just roaming all over East Bay Street is totally a cool thing, just stopping and staring at those homes. It’s a real great spot to snag a bit of an aesthetic that’s really Charleston. Aim to come, say, pretty early or sort of later on so there’s less tourists and, therefore, a better snap.

Relax on the Beaches

So, it will be a holiday weekend, is it not? Just, think about chilling out. Thankfully, Charleston happens to be real darn near several amazing beaches. You see, Isle of Palms tends to be a favorite for those wanting that more laid-back sort of vibe. So, you have that super big beach and a cute little downtown bit. And the Sullivan’s Island has Fort Moultrie there; in other words, lots of historical moments took place there too. People with families often like Folly Beach, is that they say there’s heaps to do there, including spots for fishing and all manner of shops and places you could get a bite. Take into account this is going to be a really bustling weekend, be sure to arrive early so you grab a good parking spot.