Charleston Area Beaches
First-Time Visitors Guide
Our Picks for Rooftop Dining Summer/Fall 2021
TRAVELER of Charleston
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FEATURES 10 14 18 24 28 29
Traveler of Charleston Team
Welcome to Charleston First-Time Visitors Guide Things to Do: Tours + Attractions Maps Rooftop Dining Guide Charleston Beach Guide
e are so glad you decided to vacation in one of the best cities in the world. I’m confident you’ll fill your days exploring historic sites, dining in incredible restaurants, shopping locally owned boutiques and strolling the gorgeous beaches.
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There’s never a shortage of summer fun in Charleston. If this is your first visit to the Holy City, be sure to check out our First-Time Visitors Guide on Page 14 for a list of must-see attractions. If relaxing with a summer cocktail is on your vacation to-do list, visit one of the rooftop bars or restaurants highlighted on Page 28. And no trip to Charleston is complete without a day at the beach. Use our Beach Guide on Page 29 to plan your day of fun in the sun and sand.
TRAVELER
KEITH SIMMONS has an extensive publishing, marketing and advertising background and founded Traveler Magazine in 2005. His purpose was to develop an affordable and effective visitor medium where businesses could advertise their service. Traveler is now one of the leading visitor resources in the city. Keith lives in Mount Pleasant with his wife and three children. He enjoys fishing, kayaking and spending time with his family. HOLLY FISHER is a long-time writer and editor with a love of telling stories. She has lived in Charleston more than 15 years and enjoys sharing the tales of the Holy City with visitors and newcomers to the area. Holly lives in the Mount Pleasant area with her husband, daughter and two dogs. When she isn’t at her computer writing for work and for fun, you can find her reading or doing CrossFit. SALLY HEINEMAN honed her knack for graphic design at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, PA where she received a BFA in Graphic Design. Drawn to the South and the love of everything Lowcountry, Sally opened the doors of her graphic design business, Heineman Design, in 1992.
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of Charleston
Member of: Charleston Convention & Visitors Bureau; Charleston Restaurant Association; Summerville/Dorchester Chamber of Commerce.
Publisher/Founder.................... Keith Simmons Editor........................................... Holly Fisher Graphic Designer...................... Heineman Design Circulation................................. Brian Bean Cheral McCombs Cover Photographer ............... Paula Nelson
info@TRAVELERofCharleston.com | 843-410-2577 | TRAVELERofCharleston.com TRAVELER of Charleston is produced by the Traveler Communications Group, LLC, and is published four times yearly and distributed to various locations throughout the Charleston area, including all visitors centers, hotels, airports, beach rentals, grocery stores, high-traffic areas, advertiser locations and many other points throughout the surrounding area. Concept, design and contents of TRAVELER of Charleston are copyrighted and may not be reproduced. www.travelerofcharleston.com.
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to CHARLESTON HIS AMAZING PLACE ONLY GETS BETTER WITH TIME. Each year more people flock to this historic port city to explore the history, culture and architecture, and bask in Southern goodness. In recent years, Charleston has become a destination for shopping and its incredible culinary scene is attracting global attention.
From arts and theater to fine dining and watersports, this is one city that truly offers something for everyone. But the Holy City has a storied past. An early English settlement, Charleston has survived wars, fires, earthquakes and hurricanes to rise up as one of the country’s top travel destinations. As you’re visiting our beloved city, get acquainted with her history, celebrate her charms and delight in all the amazing beauty Charleston has to offer.
1718
1670 English colonists settle Charles Town on the Ashley River
Blackbeard the Pirate sails into Charles Town Harbor with four ships; takes hostages for ransom
1740 Charles Town becomes most critical port in North America for exporting rice
1783 City renamed “Charleston”
1718 1680
Pirate Stede Bonnet is hanged at White Point
Charles Town relocates to the peninsula; population 1,000
1736 Dock Street Theatre opens; first building in colonial America used exclusively for theatrical performances
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1770
1775-1783
College of Charleston founded
Revolutionary War; Siege of Charleston in 1780
1824
1920
Charleston Museum opens to the public (founded in 1773)
Preservation Society founded to protect historic resources
1828-29 Young Army recruit named Edgar Allan Poe is stationed at Fort Moultrie on Sullivan’s Island
1864
2016
H.L. Hunley sinks U.S.S. Housatonic in Charleston harbor
1989 Hurricane Hugo hits the city and surrounding areas with 135 mph winds
In January Joseph P. Riley Jr. retires after 40 years as Charleston mayor
2006 Charleston Wine + Food Festival founded
1886 1861 1791 President George Washington visits, lodging at what is now the HeywardWashington House and attending a reception at the Old Exchange and a social at McCrady’s Longroom
Confederate troops fire the first shots of the Civil War upon Fort Sumter
Major earthquake hits Charleston, damaging 2,000 buildings, killing 110 people
2005 Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge over the Cooper River opens
1977 Spoleto Festival USA begins
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First-Time Visitors Guide
Charleston has so much to offer that it can be a little overwhelming trying to figure out what to see and do first. If you only have a short time to visit or if it’s your first time in the Holy City, there are a few things you just can’t miss. We’ve compiled a list of the must-visit attractions and tours to experience while you’re here.
CARRIAGE TOUR Book a horse-drawn carriage ride through downtown. Your tour guide is randomly assigned a route and will delight your tour group with stories and facts about Charleston from her earliest days to the present.
BUS TOUR Even if the weather isn’t cooperating, you can still take in the sights with a bus tour. Board a climate-controlled bus to see some of historic Charleston’s best views from architecture to gardens.
HIT THE BEACH There are amazing public beaches in Charleston, each with its own vibe and amenities. Visit Folly Beach, Kiawah Island, or check out Isle of Palms or Sullivan’s Island, both of which are located near Mount Pleasant. 14 TRAVELER ofCharleston.com SUMMER/FALL 2021
SHEM CREEK One of the most picturesque waterways in the area, Shem Creek in Mount Pleasant is a great spot for kayaking or simply enjoying drinks and a fresh seafood dinner with a water view.
PLANTATION TOUR Area plantations have tours and special exhibits that offer visitors an eye-opening understanding and deeper education of slave life in the Lowcountry. Local plantations include Boone Hall Plantation, Drayton Hall, Magnolia Plantation, McLeod Plantation and Middleton Place.
RAINBOW ROW If you’re walking down Market or King streets, take a detour to Rainbow Row and Battery Park starting on East Bay Street. Rainbow Row includes a stretch of 13 brightly colored historic homes that you’ve probably seen in famous photographs. Rainbow Row also sits along the Battery, a Civil War-era defensive seawall and promenade along the Charleston harbor. Continue along the Battery to White Point Garden, a public park on the tip of the peninsula. Walk the park to see several statues and monuments.
WALKING HISTORY TOUR To fully immerse yourself in Charleston culture and history, walk the historic streets on a history tour. These guided tours offer a whole new perspective on the Holy City and afterward you’ll feel like a local with all your newfound Charleston knowledge.
HISTORIC HARBOR Take a harbor tour for a view of Charleston’s skyline and a closer look at the spot where the Civil War began. On April 12, 1861, Confederate artillery opened fire on Fort Sumter in Charleston's harbor. Union soldiers surrendered the fort 34 hours later and tried for nearly four years to take it back.
ANGEL OAK Take the picturesque drive to Johns Island to stand under the branches of the majestic Angel Oak tree. Part of a public city park, its canopy of branches spans 17,000 square feet. The tree is located at 3688 Angel Oak Road.
TO SAVE MONEY, EXPERIENCE ALL OF THESE ATTRACTIONS AND MANY MORE VISIT TOURPASS.COM AND CHOOSE A 1, 2, 3, 4 OR 5-DAY PASS
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THINGS TO DO
Adventure Sightseeing
Bulldog Tours
AdventureSightseeing.com • 843-762-0088 “See it All” with Charleston’s top-rated bus tour company. With over 30 years of experience offering guided tours of Charleston, Adventure Sightseeing is a must do when visiting. 90minute city tours and plantation tours. The most available combination tours offer great savings on the most popular tours and activities. Departing from the Charleston Visitor’s Center. Free downtown hotel pick up available too!
18 Anson St. • Charleston • (Map: H:7) 843-722-TOUR • bulldogtours.com As seen on the Travel Channel’s “America’s Most Haunted Places,” this walking tour company will have you exhilarated and entertained. Choose from four tours: Ghost & Graveyard, The Dark Side of Charleston, Ghost Dungeon and Haunted Jail Tour.
Barrier Island Eco-Tours 50 41st Ave • Isle of Palms Marina • (Map: N:6) 843-886-5000 • nature-tours.com • Naturalist guided boat excursions to Capers Island Preserve. Travel the salt marsh creeks, see dolphins and wildlife up close, explore the “boneyard beach” and walk inland trails. Morning and sunset eco-tours, creek fishing, crabbing, kayaking and beach-side cookouts.
Boone Hall Plantation 1235 Long Point Rd. • Mount Pleasant (Map: L:4) • 843-884-4371 boonehallplantation.com • One of America’s oldest plantations with more than 320 years of history. Located 8 miles north of Charleston. The “Avenue of Oaks,” nine original slave cabins, house tours and shows included in admission. Mon.-Sat. 8:30 a.m.-6:30p.m.; Sun. 1-5 p.m.
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Charleston Crab House Three locations to serve you: Downtown James Island - Mount Pleasant (see ad on page 20). charlestoncrabhouse.com Choose our rooftop dining location downtown on the Market or one of our waterfront dining locations in James Island or our newest location on Shem Creek. Family owned for over 27 years. All menu items are made with the freshest ingredients. Go where the locals go!
Charleston Harbor Tours Charleston Maritime Center. • 10 Wharfside St., Charleston • (Map: J:5/6) • 843-722-1112 charlestonharbortours.com • Board the Carolina Belle for Charleston’s top-rated harbor tour. This 90-minute tour is live narrated by the Captain and covers over 75 points of interest and 300 years of history. See Fort Sumter, Fort Johnson, Fort Moultrie, Castle Pinckney, The Battery, The Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, dolphins, pelicans and much more! Offering great combination packages with other popular attractions saving you time and money!
Charleston Water Taxi THINGS TO DO
Downtown: Maritime Center • 10 Wharfside St. (Map: K:5/6) • Mount Pleasant: Charleston Harbor Marina at Patriots Point • (Map: O:2) Waterfront Park Pier • (Map J:8) • 843-330-2989 charlestonwatertaxi.com • The water taxi runs on a continuous loop around Charleston Harbor between Patriots Point (USS Yorktown) and downtown Charleston with pick-up/ drop-off points at the Maritime Center and Waterfront Park.
Deep Water Vineyard 6775 Bears Bluff Rd. • Wadmalaw Island (Area Map) • 843-559-6867 deepwatervineyard.com • Open: Tue - Sat 10 am - 5 pm • After indulging in a tasting at Charleston's only winery, stay and relax. There are animals, a garden, outdoor games and 50 acres to explore. It's a full day of fun for the whole family.
GrayLine of Charleston 375 Meeting St. • Charleston graylineofcharleston.com • 843-722-4444 Explore 300 years of history with experienced licensed tour guided onboard their min-buses. Get a comprehensive tour of Charleston, do their Land & Sea Combo which includes Fort Sumter or visit a nearby Plantation. Free hotel pickup in the historic district.
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THINGS TO DO
Fort Sumter Tours
Palmetto Carriage Works
843-722-BOAT(2628) • fortsumtertours.com Walk in the footsteps of Civil War soldiers as you visit this National Historic Site. Cost includes tour of Charleston harbor onboard the boat plus an hour to explore the fort. The National Park Service maintains the Civil War era fortifications as well as restrooms, a gift shop and the Fort Sumter Museum. Fort Sumter Tours is an authorized concessionaire of the National Park Service and the only tour that stops at historic Fort Sumter.
8 Guignard St. • (Map: H:7) • 843-723-8145 palmettocarriage.com • Departs from The Big Red Barn every 15 to 20 minutes, rain or shine, beginning at 9 a.m. Tours are one hour long, covering about 25 blocks of residential and historic districts. Guides are city licensed.
Isle of Palms Marina 50 41st Ave • Isle of Palms • (Map: O:6) 843-886-0209 • iopmarina.net • Your one stop shop for all your island needs. Book a boat tour, fishing charter, harbor or dolphin cruise or go jetskiing, rent a boat or stop into our ship store for all your grocery and beer needs.
Nature Adventures 1 Shrimpboat Ln. • Mount Pleasant (Map O:2) • 843-568-3222 kayakcharlestonsc.com • Our focus is on creating experiences! Take a guided kayak or standup paddleboard tour or rent the equipment. Located on picturesque Shem Creek where dolphins and wildlife are all around to experience up-close.
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Schooner Pride – Charleston’s Tall Ship 360 Concord St. • Charleston • (Map: J:5) 843-722-1112 • schoonerpride.com • Board this beautiful, 49 passenger sailing vessel for a unique and breathtaking excursion on Charleston Harbor. Each 2-hour sail is unique as the Pride sails with the wind and tides, but you are sure to have an experience you won’t forget.
Terrace Oaks Antique Mall 2037 Maybank Highway • James Island (area map) • 843-795-9689 • Mon-Sat. 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. • terraceoaksantiques.com A leader in the Charleston area for multidealer antique shops since 1988. The 10,000-squarefoot, climate-controlled shop houses 90+ booths with all different tastes and styles. When it comes to antiques, they have just about anything your heart desires.
Tidalwave Watersports 69 41st Ave • Isle of Palms (Map: N:6) tidalwavewatersports.com • 843-886-8456 Tidalwave offers the ultimate in parasailing, waverunning, wakeboarding, waterskiing, and boat riding in the Charleston area.
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Charleston’s Best Rooftop Dining Spots Enjoy dinner or drinks while taking in Charleston’s spectacular skyline. You will love this selection of rooftop bars and restaurants located in the heart of downtown. Citrus Club at The Dewberry Hotel 334 Meeting St., 8th Floor, Charleston thedewberrycharleston.com/drinks-dining
Pour Taproom Charleston 560 King St., Charleston pourtaproom.com/locations/charleston/
Fiat Lux at Hotel Bennett 404 King St., Charleston hotelbennett.com/dine/fiat-lux
Stars Rooftop & Grill Room 495 King St., Charleston starsrestaurant.com
Pavilion Bar located at Market Pavilion Hotel 225 East Bay St., Charleston marketpavilion.com
The Rooftop at The Vendue 19 Vendue Range, Charleston thevendue.com
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MAPS
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Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, J:1 Battery, G:10 Charleston Museum, G:4 Charleston Place, G:7 Children’s Museum, G:4 Citadel Military College, B:1 College of Charleston, F:6 Dock Street Theatre, G:8 Four Corners of Law, G:8 Gaillard Municipal Auditorium, H:6 Gibbes Museum, G:H King Street Shopping District, G-6:7 Marion Square, G:5 Market Hall & City Market, H:7 Old Exchange & Provost Dungeon, H:9 Old Slave Mart Museum, H:8 Rainbow Row, H:9 South Carolina Aquarium, J:5 St. Philip’s Church, H:8 St. Michael’s Church, G:9 The Powder Magazine, G:8 Visitor Center, G:4 Waterfront Park/Pineapple Fountain, I:8
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Getting Around Some transportation options for getting around downtown Charleston and the surrounding areas. ■ WATER TAXI: Transports visitors from downtown Charleston (Aquarium Wharf or Waterfront Park) to Mount Pleasant (Patriots Point or Charleston Harbor Resort and Marina). Taxi runs each hour; $12 for allday passes, 3 and under are free. No reservations needed. Call 843-330-2989 for pickup. charlestonwatertaxi.com ■ BUS: The CARTA bus system has regular routes that travel to major destinations. The DASH trolley service is available free of charge if you’re traveling around downtown Charleston. ridecarta.com | 843-724-7420 ■ RICKSHAWS AND PEDICABS: Available in downtown Charleston as are taxi cabs for transportation around the Lowcountry.
■ UBER AND LYFT Ride services are available in the area.
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MAPS
Charleston Area Map
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A Day at the Beach
Your guide to Charleston’s beaches by Holly Fisher
FOLLY BEACH This barrier island beach has a laid-back atmosphere and is frequented by locals and surfers. With plenty of restaurants, surf shops, hotels and beach rentals, Folly Beach is a great place to spend some time. Note, summertime traffic can be extra heavy. If you’re not staying on the beach, plan to arrive by 10 a.m. Where to park: Limited parking is available at Folly Beach County Park, 1100 W. Ashley Ave. Parking fees vary by season. You can easily access the beach via the park, where you'll be close to restrooms, outdoor showers, a snack bar and lifeguards. Rules to know: No alcohol or smoking on the beach. Dogs are not allowed on the beach from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Sept. 30. At other times, dogs much be leashed; pick up after your pet. Surfing without a leash is prohibited. Between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. through Sept. 15, surfing is not allowed from 2nd Street East to 3rd Street West (known as the swimming zone). Complete beach rules: cityoffollybeach.com
ISLE OF PALMS Located just a few minutes from Mount Pleasant, the Isle of Palms is a great familyfriendly beach option. This stretch of public beach has a selection of shops, restaurants and bars, plus public restrooms. If you’re not staying on Isle of Palms, plan to arrive early. The Isle of Palms Connector backs up quickly with beach traffic. Where to park: Visitors can park their vehicles for free on any road right-of-way within the Beach Parking District unless it is marked with a “no parking” sign. No permit is required to park along the public rightsof-way of Palm Boulevard between 21st and 40th avenues. Pay close attention to all parking signage. Paid parking is available in the Municipal Parking Lots on Pavilion Drive and on Ocean
Boulevard between 10th and 14th avenues. For access to picnic tables, showers, restrooms, seasonal lifeguards and a playground, you might want to park at the Isle of Palms County Park. Parking fees vary by season.
SULLIVAN’S ISLAND The Town of Sullivan’s Island, a barrier island north of the Charleston harbor, has only about 2,000 residents. With its unspoiled views and terrific dining options, Sullivan’s is a favorite among Charleston area locals. The beach has few short-term rentals and no hotels, so plan a day trip to this beach, also located just a few minutes from Isle of Palms. Where to park: Parking can be a problem if you arrive after 10 a.m. There are no public parking lots, and street parking is allowed only on one side of the street. Be sure to obey posted signs and don’t park in any private yards or driveways. Rules to know: Sullivan’s Island has no public restrooms or showers and there are no lifeguards on duty. Alcohol is not permitted on the beach. All dogs visiting the island must have a dog permit and should wear the town-issued collar while on Sullivan’s Island. Permits and collars are available at Town Hall, 2050-B Middle St.; 843-8833198. Dogs are not allowed on the beach from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Sept. 30. Complete beach rules: sullivansisland-sc.com
KIAWAH ISLAND Another of Charleston’s beautiful beaches is Kiawah Island. Much of the island and its beaches are private, but you can access a portion of public beachfront via Kiawah Beachwalker Park on the west end of the island. It has restrooms, picnic areas with grills, and boardwalks. Parking fees vary by season. Lifeguards are on duty seasonally, and, at the park, dogs must be leashed at all times. SUMMER/FALL 2021 TRAVELER ofCharleston.com 29
