10 Things to Do in Charleston in November

November is a very interesting month in the United States on a cultural level, so it's not unexpected to know that there are several things to do and see in Charleston if you happen to visit the city at this time of year.

The city's tourist buzz makes it a favourite destination for those looking for a place that balances the historical and architectural beauty of the South's past with the modernity that defines modern-day tourism.

I invite you to continue reading this informative compilation if you want to have a couple of ideas to keep you busy when you're visiting this corner of South Carolina.

Autumn is the last season of the year for growing food crops before winter sets in and solidifies the soil across most of North America. As such, it is a time when local farmers' markets, known as Farmers Markets, abound in vibrant, bustling cities like Charleston.

The most famous one in the city is the one that takes place in the vicinity of Marion Square every Saturday of the month. Hours are during the first half of the day, with vendors typically ready to greet their clientele at around 8am and beginning to pick up their stalls at 2pm.

Fresh, packaged artisan food, seasonal produce such as pumpkin and pecans, arts and crafts, autumn flower arrangements and live entertainment with lots of community activities. Those are just some of the things you might find if you head to this weekly event happening right in the heart of the city's historic district.

November, in the autumn season, is even more appropriate to visit this place because of the fact that Thanksgiving starts to influence the gastronomic offerings early in the month. This may be of interest to you as a tourist if you unfortunately do not have the opportunity to coincide your visit with this important American holiday.

The United States is a country of cultural melting pots. So it's not surprising to learn that a Scottish Olympics is one of the most interesting traditions to see or do in Charleston during the month of November.

It's an event where up to 8,000 people gather to drink beers, participate in games like log toss ing and celebrate Scottish heritage. As well as the influence of the Scottish migrant community on the regional identity of modern Charleston.

The famous bagpipes, festival-goers dressed in Kilts and a wide range of traditional Scottish-style food are other hallmarks of this community event, which has been held almost continuously since 1971.

It is sometimes held at special venues in Charleston County, such as the expansive grounds of Boone Hall Plantation. More commonly, however, a more accessible, urban location is chosen, such as Riverfront Park, which is located directly across the Cooper River in North Charleston, off the peninsula from the city's older neighbourhoods.

Details of interest

• Price: General admission tickets usually cost around 25 euros per person, while VIP tickets are also available for up to 100 euros per participant.
• Dates: The first or second weekend of the month is almost always chosen to celebrate these festivities.
• Duration: this is an activity that can take up half of your day, so it is advisable to find another plan to complete the day. For example, a sightseeing bus tour of Charleston would be fun without the need to participate in physically strenuous activities.

Basketball has a significant influence when it comes to sports that are dear to the hearts of southern audiences in the United States. That's why it's an excellent idea to attend the Charleston Classic, which is a college league tournament held every year in late November in this important city.

It is a three-day competition with 8 teams and the TD Arena is the sports centre for the thousands of fans who come to the city to support their college teams.

It's a good plan to see or do in Charleston at night during the month of November because of the fact that basketball games are festive atmospheres where you can consume alcohol, eat and have fun for a couple of hours. It's also a great way to prepare before partying at some of the city's most happening bars.

Harvest Day is the term used by Americans to describe the feast celebrated by native tribes and early settlers for the cultivation of the food they had spent many months harvesting with much collective effort.

There are several ways to experience this holiday in the greater Charleston area. The first is at the Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site, which is a county park located on the site of the permanent settlement of the first English settlers. They eventually founded this post-independence state of the federal union.

Here you will meet interpreters in realistic costumes who will tell you the story of how life worked in this emerging society. You'll also get to eat in a traditional way and overall you'll be living a once in a lifetime experience.

You also have the option of attending the Johns Island County Park, which usually hosts a harvest day festival. But keep in mind that it's a totally different kind of festival, more focused on the sale of crafts and food with live music and autumn decorations in the background.

Tours to Charleston's finest plantations are another alternative if you're looking to experience Harvest Day celebrations, with many offering special tours.

Details of interest

• Price: In the case of the event at Johns Island County Park, there are convenient rates of 8 euros per adult and free admission for children under 12.
• Date: All of these events are usually held at different times of the month. So you'll almost certainly always have a choice during your visit.

Art has always been a reflection of the beauty of a place on a much deeper level than what you can perceive walking through its buildings and streets. For this reason, on the first Friday of November there is an event called Artwalk which consists of a free route planned by the city council to visit exhibitions in different galleries and museums in the city.

This is significant considering that it is a good opportunity for quality entertainment during your visit. This while at the same time it can be a source of inspiration for your life if you feel that visual art is something you value deeply.

To continue with your day you have several alternatives taking into consideration that these routes usually take place in the historical neighbourhoods of the city.

Charleston' s best carriage tours are one of those options because they're fun, the cool November atmosphere doesn't make them uncomfortable, and they take you to iconic places like Rainbow Row and some of the 5 oldest churches in the peninsular south.

November's cultural scene is a busy one in the city of Charleston and you can check it out if you decide to attend the YALL festival. It's an event focused on young authors and stories that captivate young readers.

It takes place every year in the middle of this month and offers everything from lectures with experts and literary personalities to autograph signings. Of course, there are also film screenings and the occasional special launch of a book that is eagerly awaited by the American public.

At the same time, as this is a city associated with river and maritime transport, it is logical that many of the events more oriented towards socialising and celebrating these authors take place on boat trips along Charleston's shores. Which are also a good entertainment alternative for you, even if you don't feel at all interested in attending the events of this important festival.

On Thanksgiving morning in Charleston, a 5k race with more than 100 years of history takes place.

The course is through the historic city centre and the most interesting thing about the whole thing is that its name, the Turkey Day Run, is directly inspired by the main course of the meal that all Americans dine on the night of this treasured holiday.

If you want to participate you should know that you can usually sign up until the day before, as registration is open until the event is completely sold out. This means that even on the morning of the race there is a chance that you can try and get your place in the race.

It's one of the favourite things to see or do in Charleston for two days when it comes to a trip to visit for the Thanksgivings festivities thanks to the playful nature of the race.

Plus, you should know that Marion Square usually celebrates the participants' efforts with all sorts of activities like live music, beer and hot food. And there are plenty of other vendors with a wide range of local produce on offer.

Details of interest

• Price: 12 euros is the usual registration fee for a couple of two people and 20 euros for a family group of up to 4 people.
• Duration: The celebrations I mentioned can last all afternoon in Marion Square, but the race as such usually lasts 1 or 2 hours at the most depending on the number of participants.

Thanksgiving Day is undoubtedly the holiday of choice when you think of events that define American culture beyond Independence Day. So if you're visiting Charleston during the last two weeks of November you're almost certain to coincide with Thanksgiving Day on Thursday.

Mashed potatoes, baked and stuffed turkeys, cornbread with raspberry and cranberry dressing. These are some of the iconic dishes in the culinary universe associated with the holiday. For your convenience, the southern United States is a region that stands out from the rest of the country for the spice of its food.

So the best thing to do is book a reservation at a restaurant in the French Quarter for a multi-course Thanksgiving-style meal. If your hotel has a restaurant, you'll probably feel more comfortable there to experience this day of gratitude and family love.

This is a good day to book some of the best guided tours in Charleston as the streets will be relatively empty, allowing you to experience the day in a more exclusive and private way.

As shopping is another cornerstone of American culture, it's imperative that you take advantage of your stay during Thanksgiving week to shop for impressive Black Friday discounts on the shopping streets of historic downtown Charleston.

There you'll find designer boutiques with luxury apparel that bring prices down to some very captivating rates. If you're looking for a more moderate investment, you can also head to some of the shopping centres in the more residential areas of the city.

Northwoods Mall is the largest in the city and is home to more than 130 different shops selling every conceivable product imaginable for human consumption and clothing. It is open-air and this is another feature that can make it an even more interesting alternative.

The Public Market, in the city's downtown, is another good place to take advantage of Black Friday discounts. At least if you're interested in buying jewellery, local art and clothing from regional brands.

In the evening you can attend one of Charleston' s best ghost tours if you're interested in balancing the mysticism of the spooky stories with the commercial objectivity of a day of unbridled shopping.

November is the continuation of autumn and the approach of winter, which begins just before Christmas. That's why seasonal foods, such as nuts and mushrooms, are featured in all kinds of culinary preparations. Just like the famous pumpkin pie and custard of southern cuisine.

Start a quest at every coffee shop you know is one of the things to do or see in Charleston during the fall. For your convenience, in November you'll find them at much cheaper prices due to the fact that Halloween has passed and consumption of the vegetable has dropped dramatically in the local market.

If you're visiting Charleston in November, it's advisable to pack warm coats and a couple of umbrellas to protect you from the rain.

This is due to the fact that this autumn month tends to have more significant rainfall than the rest of the year. Either way, temperatures will be between 20 degrees Celsius and 12 degrees Celsius and that means it will be moderately chilly for most nights of your trip.

If you like to visit a place when the influx of tourists is moderate, November is an excellent month for your trip to Charleston. This is due to the fact that the Christmas season has not yet begun, but at the same time the tourists who were excited about the southern celebrations of Halloween have already left.

Keep in mind that the picture may change by Thanksgiving weekend, at least with the amount of people you can get in a restaurant or walking the streets of the city. The whole month is usually pretty much free of mass tourism, though.

You should know that Charleston is a much cheaper destination than other major cities in the southern US tourist industry, such as Miami or Savannah. This means that keeping a balanced budget is not a big effort if you know how to manage your wallet.