Cold Charleston Day: What to Do When the Temperature Drops
If you live in Charleston, you know that “cold” is a relative term. Most of the year, we’re used to sunshine, warm afternoons and finding any excuse to be outside. So when you wake up and it’s actually cold out, it can be hard to remember what people do all day when they can’t sit on a patio.
A chilly day doesn’t have to mean staying home in sweatpants until the weather warms back up. There’s something nice about seeing Charleston at a slower pace, finding a new favorite spot and doing the things you usually don’t make time for.
We’ve rounded up some of our favorite ways to spend a cold day in Charleston, so you can stay cozy without staying home.
Take a cooking class
Cold weather and comfort food go together for a reason. Instead of ordering takeout and calling it a night, make something yourself.
Charleston has plenty of cooking classes to choose from, whether you want to learn a new cuisine, finally figure out how to make pasta or just spend a few hours doing something different with your friends.
For something a little more unique, check out Bareo’s dumpling-making classes. The new Charleston restaurant is known for its dumplings and Filipino- and Japanese-inspired food, so learning to make them yourself is a pretty good way to spend a chilly afternoon.
And if dumplings aren't your thing, there are plenty of other hands-on cooking classes around the city. Grab a friend, learn something new and end the afternoon with something delicious to show for it.
Go see a movie at the Terrace Theater
There’s something about going to the movies when it’s gloomy outside that just works. The Terrace Theater has that classic movie-house feeling that makes settling in for a few hours especially nice.
As Charleston’s oldest locally owned movie theater, it has a classic charm that’s hard to find at a typical chain theater. The cozy atmosphere, old-school details and local feel make going to the movies feel a little more special.
Grab some popcorn, order a glass of wine or a beer and settle in for a movie. There’s something nostalgic about the Terrace that makes you want to stay awhile, especially when it’s cold outside.
Whether you’re catching a new release, an indie film or one of the theater’s special screenings, it’s an easy way to spend a chilly Charleston day somewhere with plenty of character.
Spend an afternoon at the Gibbes Museum of Art
A cold afternoon is the perfect time to wander through the Gibbes Museum of Art. And if you plan it for a Wednesday, admission is free, which makes the whole afternoon even better.
Take your time going through the galleries instead of rushing from room to room. Look at the paintings, check out the exhibitions and let yourself get a little lost in Charleston’s art and history.
Then make your way somewhere nearby, grab a glass of wine and keep the afternoon going.
Because if there’s one thing that makes wandering around an art museum feel even more sophisticated, it’s ending the afternoon with a drink.
Take a candle-making class
If you’re looking for something a little more hands-on, try making your own candle.
Candle-making classes are a fun way to spend an afternoon with friends, and there’s something satisfying about choosing the fragrance, adding your own touches and leaving with something you made yourself.
At Martini Candle Company, the Midnight Margaritas Candle-Making Class takes its inspiration from Practical Magic and the iconic midnight margarita scene. You’ll make your own margarita candle and get to play around with fall and Halloween-inspired fragrances, garnishes and decorations.
Basically, it’s your chance to channel your inner Sally and Gillian Owens, minus the whole accidentally bringing someone back from the dead thing.
Bring a friend, grab a drink and spend a few hours making something you’ll actually want to light when you get home. Book your spot in the Midnight Margaritas Candle-Making Class and make your own little piece of Practical Magic.
Explore the Charleston City Market
You don't need a strict itinerary for every cold day. Sometimes the best plan is just to wander.
Spend an afternoon at Charleston City Market browsing local vendors and seeing what catches your eye. Look through handmade goods, artwork, jewelry and all the random things you didn't know you wanted until you saw them.
Give yourself permission to take your time. Stop for a snack, pop into nearby shops and make the afternoon feel less like an errand and more like an excuse to explore downtown.
Go on a ghost tour
If you’re in the mood for something beyond dinner and drinks, Blueberry Tours has several ways to explore the city’s darker side, from traditional ghost tours to experiences that take the spooky factor a little further.
A classic ghost tour is a fun way to walk through Charleston after dark while hearing the stories and legends connected to some of the city’s oldest streets and buildings. If you want something a little different, Blueberry also offers experiences like their Ghost Ship, where you can take the spooky atmosphere offshore.
For something even more unusual, their Séance Experience brings Charleston’s fascination with the paranormal to life in a more intimate setting. It’s the kind of night that gives you plenty to talk about afterward, whether you leave convinced or just entertained.
And honestly, cooler weather makes all of these experiences feel a little more fitting. Throw on a jacket, meet up with some friends and see how brave everyone is once it gets dark.
Go antiquing/vintage shopping
If you love the thrill of finding something you’ve never seen before, set aside an afternoon to explore Charleston’s antique shops.
From vintage furniture and artwork to quirky little pieces you’ll immediately convince yourself you need, there’s always something worth digging through.
Start at Second Chance Resale or Bohemian Swan, then keep wandering.
Charleston is full of antique stores, vintage shops and little tucked-away spots where you can stumble across a one-of-a-kind find. You could easily spend an entire afternoon popping in and out of shops and still leave with a list of places you didn’t get to.
Don’t go in with a strict shopping list. The best part is finding the unexpected hidden gem you weren’t looking for in the first place. Give yourself plenty of time to browse, wander and see what catches your eye.
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