The City of Charleston already has so much to do and how lucky is it that there are also three beaches just a stone’s throw away? Here’s what you need to know about all of the Charleston beaches.
Folly Beach is definitely one of the more well-known beaches in Charleston and for good reason. It is located below the Charleston peninsula and is a tourist hot spot. There’s a few hotels but the largest one is called Tides and sits right on the Folly Beach Pier. This area of the beach is the busiest housing a strip of multiple restaurants and bars.
The northern most end has an area with petrified wood scattering across the sand which makes for some stellar pictures. But before that is a long road of pavement that no cars drive on. Instead, it is home to a ton of spray paint art from the past decade. Best of all, it’s completely legal.
A local favorite is a Hall’s Chop House branch off joint called Rita’s. Rita’s is a restaurant and bar that hosts an array of live music. It’s a great atmosphere for everyone and the perfect way to end a long day in the sun. Another fan favorite is Taco Boy who also hosts bands and has a fun tropical tree house feel. It has a top floor cabana bar that looks over the ocean.
Another place worth checking out is Snapper Jack’s as they have a rooftop bar. They make drinks called a fishbowl that they serve in an actual fishbowl. There’s different mixes of drinks and flavors you can get them to put in it but one thing’s for sure that it’s going to be a great night with one of those in your system. You won’t make a bad choice finding somewhere to eat.
One of the downsides, however, is the traffic. There’s only one road going in and out of Folly and when the two lane road merges into one right before the bridge, it makes for a brutal drive. So if you’re not actually staying on Folly, best set your alarm clocks for an early hour to get the day started. This beach is also a hot spot for college students as College of Charleston is very close by. There is a “no alcohol consumption on the beach” rule so as long as you are careful about that when law enforcement passes by, Folly can still be the scene.
Sullivan’s Island is the staple southern cozy beach town. It’s absolutely stunning and definitely one of the more scenic places in Charleston. It is considered a suburb as many occupants are full-time residents but Sullivan’s still gets a good amount of visitors most of them being families. Not only is the beach a fun thing to look at but the houses are astounding. If you’re going to bring a golf cart to any Charleston beaches, Sullivan’s definitely has the most worthy drive around potential.
The beach access walkways are also something to rave about as some of them are almost like a nature trail. The sand dunes in Sullivan’s take up a good amount of square footage but it adds to the excitement of finally seeing the water after a quick journey next to an abundance of flowers. Not to mention the iconic light house you can see from miles away. It offers a great way to know your bearings on the Island.
Food wise, Sullivan’s has a barbecue place, Mexican cuisine, an Irish Pub, etc. There’s even a restaurant and other buildings inspired by or dedicated to the famed writer, Edgar Alan Poe who was stationed in the army there and used Sullivan’s as a background setting in his famous work, “the Gold Bug.” One of the most recommended places on the island is known as the Co-op. It’s great for brunch offering gourmet sandwiches, coffees, and their World Famous Frozé which comes in a giant adult juice box.
Speaking of alcohol, Sullivan’s Island is definitely more strict than the other Charleston beaches with their community rules. The beach is constantly patrolled by officers in cars and golf carts to make sure everyone is safe. There are some peculiar rules too like having to have a certain collar with a permit from the city for every dog which leads to a massive fine if violated. If you can avoid a bad run-in with the law, Sullivan’s is a great time.
Next door neighbor to Sullivan’s Island, Isle of Palms is another great vacation spot. A lot of residents are retirees and family’s renting out houses for a week at a time. It’s littered with cute beach stores with your stereotypical shell necklaces and t-shirts. While this may seem touristy, it’s nothing over the top and the atmosphere is still relaxing, nothing like Myrtle Beach. Isle of Palms is the more quieter beach of the Charleston beaches.
Isle of Palms is home to a very established resort known as Wild Dunes. It’s a very secluded area with lots of housing, condos, and a hotel. There’s an abundance of pools and two golf courses. The area has a lot of bike trails swirling around the course and through nature. On top of all that, there’s multiple places for fine dining.
Isle of Palms has an array of dining. A lot of the little beach shops are accompanied by ice cream parlors. There’s also ice cream trucks and smoothie trucks as well which are very convenient on a hot day. There’s also a few different places featuring beach front dining for a meal with a view. The Windjammer is a bar that hosts concerts in their outdoor stage area. They’ve had artists such as Darius Rucker and Vance Joy play there. What’s better than a concert on a beach?
Same rules apply to Isle of Palms in terms of alcohol consumption. You cannot use glass or cans for any beverage. However, they are not as strict as Sullivan’s as it is less of a suburb. Parking and traffic aren’t typically an issue as it is not nearly as crowded as the other two Charleston beaches. If you are looking for a less bustling and more relaxing beach destination, Isle of Palms is for you.
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