By Jimmy- The Outsider

Historic downtown Charleston is wonderfully walkable and invites hours of wandering- you can’t go wrong whatever path you take! Surrounding Charleston is a verdant landscape where fresh water meets brine, creating a complex landscape of marshes, islands, inlets, estuaries. Summer and Spring are typically intensely hot and humid, so plan your outdoor activities carefully.

This loop walk was full of lovely sights:

Stroll through Charleston Market along Market Street. Take Meeting Street toward the Battery, along the way enjoy impressive civic structures. Past Broad Street, you’ll enter a quieter residential zone with impressive homes, gardens and rich architectural elements. Leave plenty of time to lollygag and just soak in all the beauty around! Remember these cobbled lanes are home for friendly locals, so resist the temptation to snoop around the homes too closely.

 

Continue down to Whitepoint Gardens where you can enjoy bayside walks and views of sailboats in the bay, lush palm trees and magnificent homes. Follow East Bay Street to Waterfront Park for more semi-tropical gardens and playful fountains including the iconic pineapple fountain. Meander back into the warren of cobbled streets, numerous shops, bars and cafes.

Beaches

Across the striking bay bridge from Charleston, the wide sandy beaches of Isle of Palms were a wonderful spot to relax. The fun shops and casual eateries make this a family friendly spot.

South of Charleston, on the way to Savannah, Folly Island offers plenty of beachy fun and frivolity. Exploring its neighborhood lanes with lush greenery and quaint bungalows with a funky vibe is a blast!

Further down the coast, toward Savannah, Hilton Head Island is a major tourist destination with plenty of lodging options from luxury resorts to simple motels, hotels and condo rentals. Along the main highway, bike trails offer miles of easy-going riding, and bike rental shops are plentiful. The island offers family-friendly activities like miniature golf and touristy beach shops. Public beach access is limited – many are reserved for resort guests. Coligny Beach, with plenty of parking, shops, casual eateries and beautiful wide beaches, was perfect for whiling away the day. Traffic on the island can be heavy, especially on holidays and weekends, so plan accordingly.

Harbor Tours

Experience Charleston Bay on the water by taking a harbor tour . There are many options to choose from, including ferries, dinner cruises and sailing boats. The vessel that caught our eye was the majestic four sail Schooner sailing ship.

Read about our other Charleston adventures, here.