What to do in Charleston when it rains
Don't let the rain stop you in Charleston — the museums, galleries and indoor markets are the dry, unhurried heart of the city on a wet day.
Museums
Spend a few hours in the city's museums — many are free, and a rainy day is the perfect excuse to take your time.
- Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum 40 Patriots Point Rd, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464, USA
- International African American Museum 14 Wharfside St, Charleston, SC 29401, USA
- Old Slave Mart Museum 6 Chalmers St, Charleston, SC 29401, USA
- USS Yorktown CV-10 40 Patriots Point Rd, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464, USA
- The Charleston Museum 360 Meeting St, Charleston, SC 29403, USA
- Fort Sumter Visitor Center 340 Concord St, Charleston, SC 29401, USA
Art galleries
Duck into the art galleries; they're quiet, warm and rarely busier than on a wet day.
- The Sportsman's Gallery Ltd 165 King St, Charleston, SC 29401, USA
- Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art at the College of Charleston 161 Calhoun St, Charleston, SC 29401, USA
- Best Gift Idea Ever 87 S Market St, Charleston, SC 29401, USA
- Robert Lange Studios Art Gallery 2 Queen St, Charleston, SC 29401, USA
- LePrince Fine Art Galleries 183 King Street &, 184 King St, Charleston, SC 29401, USA
- Principle Gallery Charleston 125 Meeting St, Charleston, SC 29401, USA
Historic sites
Explore the indoor historic sites and their covered galleries.
- Charleston City Market 188 Meeting St, Charleston, SC 29401, USA
- Rainbow Row 79-107 E Bay St, Charleston, SC 29401, USA
- The Battery Charleston, SC 29401, USA
- The Charleston Museum 360 Meeting St, Charleston, SC 29403, USA
- McLeod Plantation Historic Site 325 Country Club Dr, Charleston, SC 29412, USA
- Nathaniel Russell House Museum 51 Meeting St, Charleston, SC 29401, USA
Covered markets
Browse the covered market — street-food stalls, local makers and somewhere dry to graze for an hour.
- Charleston City Market 188 Meeting St, Charleston, SC 29401, USA
- Harris Teeter 290 E Bay St, Charleston, SC 29401, USA
- Publix Super Market at 10 Westedge 10 Westedge St Ste 100, Charleston, SC 29403, USA
- Charleston Farmers Market 329 Meeting St, Charleston, SC 29403, USA
- Rappahannock Oyster Bar 701 E Bay St No. 110, Charleston, SC 29403, USA
- Alcove Market 320 Broad St Suite 155, Charleston, SC 29401, USA
Cafés
Claim a window seat in a cosy café and watch the rain instead of walking in it.
- Carmella's Cafe and Dessert Bar 198 E Bay St STE 100, Charleston, SC 29401, USA
- Harken Cafe 62 Queen St, Charleston, SC 29401, USA
- McDonald's 230 Spring St, Charleston, SC 29403, USA
- babas on cannon 11 Cannon St, Charleston, SC 29403, USA
- Holey City Bagels 43 Cannon St, Charleston, SC 29403, USA
- Porchetta Shop 109 President St, Charleston, SC 29403, USA
Indoor shopping
Hit the covered shopping streets and centres — everything under one roof.
- The Shops at The Charleston Place 205 Meeting St, Charleston, SC 29401, USA
- Charleston Mall 161 King St, Charleston, SC 29401, USA
- Sunglass Hut 248 King St, Charleston, SC 29401, USA
- Sunglass Hut 73 S Market St, Charleston, SC 29401, USA
- James Island Center 1739 Maybank Hwy, Charleston, SC 29412, USA
- Ansonborough Square 334 E Bay St, Charleston, SC 29401, USA
Venue suggestions powered by Google — tap a name for the map, and always check opening times before you go. 36 places listed; the list refreshes regularly.