Best Beaches Near Charleston, SC?

[chicagoans]

We might be sharing a great house in Charleston with another family in August. Although I'm looking forward to seeing the beautiful, historic homes, we're all more the beach vacation types than the cultural types (we'll have our kids along.)

Any locals have some favorite, nearby beaches that we can visit for day trips?

(Yes, we already considered renting a beach house, but the Charleston house is free through my friend's destination travel firm.)

What else would you do in the area, with kids? (ages 9 to 12, all active/like hiking)

Thanks!

[di]

Charleston is a great city with lots of history and a great coastal feel. The restaurant scene is really good for a town of it's size - Johnson and Wales culinary school used to be in town, but they have moved to Charlotte, NC, but the local technical college took over where they left off and have a wonderful culinary program, so there are some very talented chefs in the Charleston area.

There are two beach areas on two seperate sides of town. Folly Beach is more of a hip shabby beach town feel with more restaurants and bars, while Isle of Palms and Sullivans Island is more of a private residential area with less area zoned commercial. You go through the Mt. Pleasant area to get to the Isle of Palms, which is a big upscale suburban area with many shops and restaurants (and lots of traffic - highway 17 can be packed at various times of the day). I love the Isle of Palms with its laid back vibe and palm trees every where (on the street, not on the beach). It is always 5-10 degrees cooler on IOP than in downtown Charleston. It can be brutally hot downtown in the summer!

My favorite restaurant in the area is called the Mustard Seed. It is a local chain - there is one on Johns Island, one downtown near the medical college, and one on Mt. Pleasant. This is the one I frequent. It is not big on decor or atmosphere, but they have wonderfully inventive and healthy specials. My favorite special was a seared tuna with tomatillo sauce served with a sweet potato and bacon salad - odd combination that I would have never put together, but wow did it work! They have amazing desserts as well, save room or get it to go for later!

I hope you have an amazing time. Let me know if I can answer other questions for you.

[Xislandgirl]

I don't have that much information, but we stayed in Folly Beach last year and we loved it.

[pjayer]

Pre-STJ obsession, I obsessed about Kiawah Island just south of Charleston. Kiawah is privately owned and gated, but just before the gate is Beachwalker Park. It's about a 45 minute drive from Charleston depending on the traffic. Here are a couple of links that might help.

http://www.discoversouthcarolina.com/products/4058.aspx

http://www.zimbio.com/+Charleston+SC+Re ... kes+Top+10

I love that area! Have a great trip.

[alw1977]

I agree that Isle of Palms' beach is really nice.

In Charleston, I loved the brunch at High Cotton. Apparently, SNOB (Slightly North of Broad) also has a great brunch set-up.

Charleston is a great place - but be prepared for HOT in the summer! I think the horse-drawn carriage ride is a great intro to the historic district.

[pjayer]

One night while we were downtown, we took a walking ghost tour. They talked about the history of Charleston, ghost "pirates", etc. That's something you and your kids might enjoy. I liked it a lot, but we didn't get to finish because our daughter got scared.

[greyhoundmom]

Just returned from weekend trip taking my Dad to see his brother who lives on Battery Row. We spent Saturday night at Charleston Place - beautiful hotel downtown across from old open air slave market with lots of local vendors. Make sure to take home a sweet grass basket from one of the local ladies if in your budget (they are expensive but beautiful). If you want a wonderful meal, the Charleston Grill inside Charleston Place has won many awards, excellent service and food. Battery Park has a huge fountain with sprinklers, always a favorite with children. The carriage ride is hot, hot, hot in the summer (I always feel so sorry for the horses)! We enjoyed an air-conditioned mini tour bus much more. The visitors center is first class with lots of local history and exhibits about Charleston.

GHM

[chicagoans]

Thank you everyone for the great information! I hope we go, but DH is still up in the air about it due to some big work projects happening around that time. I'm wavering because we're starting an addition/house renovation in a few weeks and have no business going on vacation, especially since it might fall during the time we have to move out. Yikes.

But Charleston is definitely on the list whether we get to go soon or later. Thanks again everyone!

[California Girl]

Sounds like the timing might be perfect! Just move out to Charleston! LOL!

I love Charleston! I also stayed at Charleston Place... what a gorgeous hotel! I found Charleston to be one of the most happening cities around! Every single clothing store I went by, I wanted everything in the window... and I'm not a shopper like that! Like Greyhoundmom said, the sweet grass baskets are really pretty and the open air market is a ton of fun! I hope you get to go!

[sherban]

The aquarium in Charleston is fun...not world class but fun with kids.

We love Seabrook Island for beaches but it is pricy and private...I'd take the free house...

Enjoy SC, it has been our home for 5 years now, the people here are very nice IMO...

Cheers

[pjayer]

Sherban, we stayed at Seabrook the first year we went, and it is very nice too. I forgot about the aquarium. That's a fun stop, also. Isn't an aircraft carrier docked there that you can tour? . The teenage daughter has some friends that attend the College of Charleston and I'm hoping that's one of the schools she considers. I think they offer a marine biology degree that she's expressed an interest in. I'm getting the urge to go back soon! This is bringing back some good memories.

I agree about SC. Nice people and pretty country. You're lucky to live there.

[sherban]

Sherban, we stayed at Seabrook the first year we went, and it is very nice too. I forgot about the aquarium. That's a fun stop, also. Isn't an aircraft carrier docked there that you can tour? . The teenage daughter has some friends that attend the College of Charleston and I'm hoping that's one of the schools she considers. I think they offer a marine biology degree that she's expressed an interest in. I'm getting the urge to go back soon! This is bringing back some good memories.

I agree about SC. Nice people and pretty country. You're lucky to live there.

Yep, that's right Pjayer....we toured the aircraft carrier and a little submarine across the bridge...at a "naval museam" or something...

[chicagoans]

Thank you everybody! I just booked our flights. Hoping DH doesn't have to cancel due to work (although it wouldn't be too bad because that would mean his company won a couple bids he's waiting on.)

The house sounds great; it's described as an "antebellum mansion" (ok I know that could mean anything) on Smith St. 6 blocks from the water, which I'm guessing means the river. This will be our first visit and I'm excited about it! I will be bringing your great suggestions with me.

[ShipwreckPat]

So happy I looked at this part of the forum as hubby and I are heading to Savannah and Isle of Palms when we close Shipwreck for September and October. We have to get a city fix when we leave the island and have never
explored the South. We opted to rent a house in Savannah and get the city fix in first. We are on Jones St made somewhat famous in the Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. Does anyone have any "have tos" for Savannah.
We rented a car since the house has off street parking so I am interested in things even outside the Historic
District.

Being restaurant owners, dining is our first interest so any favorites would be appreciated. We will be there first week in September and then will drive up to Isle of Palms where we rented a beach house. Five bedrooms for two people may seem excessive but it had a pool on the deck! Since we booked it we have two of the extra bedrooms spoken for by family and friends.

If anyone is in the area, let me know as it looks like it will be a party. Look forward to your replys and hope to get the great info you all get on St John on the other forum.

[chicagoans]

Hey Shipwreck Pat, I bet if you started a new thread looking for info on Savannah, you'd get some great information! Just wanted to let you know in case people didn't see your question under this post.

Katie