Tour Prep: What You Need to Know Before You Go

Preparing For Charleston Weather

🌦️ Weather in Charleston: What to Expect

Charleston weather is a dramatic artist—sun, humidity, breezes, surprise rain, & sudden temperature drops. It changes quickly, so plan for variety.

Summer: hot + humid
Spring/Fall: breezy, warm, gorgeous
Winter: mild but chilly at night
Rain: appears suddenly, leaves quickly

I adjust the route as needed to keep everyone comfortable.

🧥 Dress for the Weather (Layers = Lifesavers)

Charleston temperatures can shift quickly, especially near the water.

Warm weather

Breathable clothing, sunglasses, and hydration.

Cooler weather

Sweater or jacket, something wind-friendly.

Rainy weather

Rain jacket/poncho recommended; umbrellas may flip dramatically in the wind.

General Items that are Good to Have

👜 What to Bring

Your I.D. if you have chosen a tour with drinking stops.

Optional but helpful:

Water
Phone/camera
ID for bar stops
Weather-appropriate layers
Small bag

🚶‍♀️ Accessibility & Comfort

Your route can be customized for:

Pacing needs
Standing breaks or sitting breaks
Mobility concerns
Bike taxi ride-alongs
Kid-friendly or dog-friendly needs

Just give me a heads-up so I can design the perfect path.

Walking Distance & Physical Expectations

• About 1 mile total
• Flat, slow, and conversational pace
• Multiple stops

👟 Shoes: Please Wear Comfortable Ones

The historic terrain includes crooked slate, uneven bricks, & cobblestone.

It’s beautiful, photogenic, and occasionally hostile to ankles.

Sneakers or supportive sandals = excellent.
Heels = regrettable.

🎒 Commonly Forgotten Travel Items

These are the things guests wish they had:

Sunscreen
Hair ties / clips
Water bottle
Bug spray (warm months)
Portable phone charger
Band-Aids
Rain gear
Cooling wipes / portable fan (summer)

Forgot something?

The Five & Dime (268 Meeting St.) has nearly every little essential you could need—chargers, ponchos, drinks, sunscreen, snacks, and rain gear.

Charleston Alcohol Laws (Quick & Important)

You can’t drink alcohol on the street
- You can eat alcohol (wine slushies, frozé, pops)

Most bars serve until 2 a.m.

Please bring your I.D. Some bars will not serve you or permit entry if you do not have your I.D., no matter your age.

Guests who are under 23: Some bars will not serve you or permit entry. Please let me know if you have guests under 23 so that I can design your route and bar stops to not hinder your experience.

🕰️ Timing & Meeting Details

You’ll receive your exact meeting location before your tour.

Arrive a few minutes early to settle in and get ready for the adventure. I will plan to arrive 10-15 minutes early.

Running late? Just message me — private tours = flexibility.

📱 Pre-Tour Group Safety Tip

Create a group chat and have everyone share their phone location before meeting me.

Charleston is gorgeous but full of twisty streets, courtyards, and distractions.

This helps us keep everyone together—even if someone wanders into a boutique or bar.

🧂 Dietary Needs, Restrictions & Allergies

If anyone in your group has dietary restrictions, allergies, or specific concerns, please let me know before your tour.

That way I can prepare:

Recommended dining options before or after your tour
Bar choices with safe drink options
Locations that accommodate gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, vegetarian, nut-free, shellfish-free, etc.
Recommendations near your meeting point or ending point

Charleston has incredible food, and I want to make sure you feel informed, safe, and excited—not stressed.