Charleston’s April is that period when things start getting exciting again. The tourists from winter have gone, the sweltering hot summer sun has not quite reached the Lowcountry, and there are so many food festivals, flower garden tours, art walk events, and street festivals throughout the month of April that you will have a good reason to be outside almost every day of your visit.
Mother Nature is on your side as well. Temperatures typically reach the mid to upper 60s with an occasional cool morning that requires a light jacket yet by lunchtime, you’re outside on the patio enjoying the warm midday sun. If visiting Charleston SC this spring and you have an open date to schedule your trip in April. It will provide you with the most activity options of any month.
Just one short block off King St., you can find Iris Charleston’s apartment-style suites, complete with full kitchens. This downtown location makes everything happening this month within close walking distance from your suite.
April Events Worth Building a Trip Around
Charleston’s spring event calendar is stacked, and April is where it kicks off. These are the ones that draw the biggest crowds and the most buzz.
Charleston Wine + Food Festival
This is the city’s biggest culinary event. It runs for five days in early April and pulls in top chefs, winemakers, and food writers from across the country. The festival spreads across multiple venues downtown with tastings, cooking demos, panel discussions, and multi-course dinners. Even if you skip the ticketed events, the restaurant scene across the city ramps up during festival week. Reservations fill fast, so book early.
The Charleston Festival
The Historic Charleston Foundation has run this event since 1947, so it’s a Charleston tradition for those of you interested in viewing some of (and/or who own) Charleston’s most beautiful homes and gardens.
Throughout the month of April, you will be able to take part in several self-guided tours of homes and gardens, as well as experience many different walking tours, historical lectures, and special events throughout the month. If you are an architecture lover (or just want to peek into homes you would not otherwise see), this is your chance. Otherwise, it only happens once a year!
2nd Sunday on King Street
Every second Sunday of each month, King Street is closed off to vehicles and transformed into a walking plaza filled with people in town. Tables and chairs are moved onto sidewalks by restaurants, shops set up outdoor displays, music plays in every direction, and per usual, the weather in April is great, making this one of the best days of the year! Iris Charleston is located just one short block from King Street, so regardless of how far you have to walk home after a night of shopping or dining out on 2nd Sunday, you will only be minutes away!
St. Patrick's Day Parade
Charleston’s St. Patrick’s Day celebration consists of a parade through the Historic District and a block party-type atmosphere along King Street. Many of the restaurants and bars offer special pricing, and with more entertainment happening throughout the downtown area, it is a fun place to be. If you do not want to be a part of the crowd, you have many other options to avoid being with the crowd.
Charleston City Night Market
Beginning in April, the Charleston City Market Night Market takes place on Friday and Saturday evenings with 100 plus vendors rotating every weekend selling handmade items, local art, jewelry, specialty foods, and more! A Night Market is a fun way to spend an evening and find something that is not available in regular retail stores.
What's in Season: Spring Food and Dining
April is when Charleston’s food scene shifts gears. Menus change, patios open, and seasonal ingredients start showing up everywhere.
What's Fresh in April
- Local shrimp season is starting, and restaurants across downtown feature it heavily
- Strawberries from local farms begin appearing at markets and on dessert menus
- Spring greens, radishes, and early-season vegetables show up at the Charleston Farmers Market in Marion Square starting mid-April, but some vendors and farm stands begin selling earlier
- Lowcountry staples like she crab soup hit their stride as blue crab becomes more available
Where to Eat Near Iris Charleston
Iris Charleston sits in a pocket of downtown that puts you within a short walk of some of the city’s best food. A few worth knowing about:
Husk on Queen Street built its reputation on Southern ingredients prepared with real technique. The menu changes daily based on what’s available locally. The Ordinary on King Street is a seafood hall set inside a former bank building. Known for oyster platters, creative cocktails, and a raw bar that draws a crowd. Babas on Cannon Street serves Middle Eastern food that locals line up for. It’s casual, affordable, and close to Iris Charleston.
Upper King Street has a growing number of newer spots worth exploring on foot. Most are walkable from Iris Charleston in under ten minutes.
Cook in Your Suite
One of the advantages of staying at Iris Charleston is the full kitchen in every suite. If you hit the farmers’ market or pick up fresh shrimp from a local vendor, you can cook dinner without leaving your room. A simple shrimp and grits with local ingredients and a bottle of wine costs a fraction of what the same meal runs at a downtown restaurant.
Outdoor Activities That Work Best in April
April weather in Charleston is made for being outside. Temperatures sit in the mid 50s to low 70s range, rain is occasional and usually short, and the humidity that makes summer uncomfortable hasn’t kicked in yet.
Walk the Historic District
South of Broad, the Battery, White Point Garden, Rainbow Row, and the streets around Church Street and Meeting Street are all best explored on foot. In April, you can spend a full afternoon walking without overheating or fighting for sidewalk space.
Waterfront Park
The park along Charleston Harbor has paved paths, benches, the iconic Pineapple Fountain, and views across the water toward Fort Sumter. April mornings are cool enough to make a waterfront walk comfortable, and afternoon light on the water is hard to beat.
Day Trip to Magnolia Plantation
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, about a 20-minute drive from downtown, is at peak bloom in April. The romantic style gardens are famous for azaleas, camellias, and moss draped oaks. It’s one of the oldest plantations in the South, and the gardens alone are worth the trip. Middleton Place, nearby, also shows well during April with its formal landscaped gardens.
Cooper River Bridge Run Prep
The Cooper River Bridge Run happens in April each year, drawing around 30,000 participants for a 10K across the Ravenel Bridge. Even if you’re not running, the energy around the event is noticeable downtown. The after party takes place at Marion Square with live music and food vendors.
What to Wear in April
Pack for layers. Mornings start in the low 50s, and afternoons can push into the low 70s. A light jacket or sweater for morning, comfortable walking shoes (Charleston has a lot of uneven brick and cobblestone), sunglasses, and sunscreen. For dinners, smart casual works at most restaurants. You won’t need a heavy coat.
Why Iris Charleston Works for an April Trip
Trips to Charleston during April typically include much more than simply a weekend trip. With lots of exciting events taking place, delicious food options available, mild weather, and a walkable city, there’s a great opportunity to spend 3 to 5 nights and make the most of your time there.
Iris Charleston was designed specifically for longer stays. Every one of our suites includes a full-sized kitchen, spacious, separate living areas, and comfortable bedding to ensure your stay is as enjoyable as possible during your length of stay. In addition, fiber optic wifi is provided throughout the building, so that, should you wish to work from Charleston, you’ll have a reliable internet connection. With an on-site parking carousel, parking won’t be a problem. Our location is also ideal for accessing everything happening in Charleston during the month of April, as we are located at 84 Line St., just one block from King St., meaning you can get to most places without worrying about driving.
When booking your stay at Iris Charleston, you may receive the lowest possible rate (guaranteed) by booking directly through Iris Charleston. We will also match the rate you may find on other travel sites, and we provide some exclusive perks to those who reserve direct.
Conclusion
You can experience all that Charleston has to offer in April, as the weather is generally good, the event calendar is full of numerous things going on, the food scene is transitioning from winter to spring with all of the new items hitting menus, and life on the streets is alive without being overwhelmed with people. Everything comes together in April!
Ready to plan your April trip? Call to check availability and lock in the best rate when you book direct.
FAQs
What is there to do in Charleston SC, in April?
April brings the Charleston Wine + Food Festival, the Charleston Festival with house and garden tours, 2nd Sunday on King Street, St. Patrick’s Day parade, the City Night Market, and ideal weather for walking the Historic District, Waterfront Park, and plantation gardens.
What is the weather like in Charleston in April?
Expect highs in the upper 60s to low 70s and lows in the low 50s. Rain is possible but usually brief. Most days are sunny or partly cloudy and comfortable for being outside all day.
Is April a good time to visit Charleston?
April is one of the best months. The weather is mild, spring blooms are starting, the event calendar is packed, and crowds are lighter than April through June.
Does Iris Charleston have a kitchen in every room?
Yes. Every suite at Iris Charleston comes with a fully equipped kitchen, which is great for cooking with fresh local ingredients from nearby markets and vendors.
Where is Iris Charleston located?
Iris Charleston is at 84 Line Street in downtown Charleston, one block off King Street. Most major attractions, restaurants, and events are within walking distance.