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Lowcountry Author Shares Charleston Beach Vacation Tips

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Mary Alice Monroe
Mary Alice Monroe

Guest blog by Mary Alice Monroe

I not only write about the Lowcountry, I’m a long-time resident. So when you vacation here, you’re enjoying the same picturesque views, breathing the same intoxicating air, and living in the same natural landscape with creatures that inspire my novels.

Most important tip
Get on island time the moment you arrive. Put away the to-do list. Make decisions based on weather and your inclination. Even a rainy day can be wonderful! On slow days, enjoy the beach. Look for shells. Build sandcastles. Tell the kids that sea turtles come to this beach and then show them how to prep your plot of sand for the turtles before you leave – pick up your trash and fill in holes you dug. These simple acts will teach your kids about the environment and support our local wildlife.

Hungry?
Sea Biscuit Café bakes up the best tomato pie you’ll ever have. For a drink or salad, head over to Coconut Joe’s. Its beachfront location offers a nice view. And keep a lookout for the “kite man”. He’s often nearby, gracefully maneuvering his long row of colorful, long-tailed kites that dip, flip and twist in hypnotic fashion.

Sullivan's Island
Sullivan’s Island

For an adult evening, The Boathouse at Breach Inlet is unmatched. Absolutely the best place to catch a Lowcountry sunset. This is where the dolphins cavort, and you’ll likely see them if you go.

For a meal with the kids, Sullivan’s Island Middle Street hosts a fabulous selection of restaurants. Poe’s has the best burgers. Taco Mamacita serves up corn on the cob that I dream of! Home Team BBQ dishes out great barbecue and memorable hushpuppies. Word of advice though—go between 5 and 5:30 p.m. to beat the drinking crowd.

Make sure to visit Sandpiper Gallery while on Sullivan’s too. It’s a menagerie of local fine art. From jewelry to paintings, glass to pottery, I’m sure you’ll find the perfect something to buy as a memento of your island vacation.

Seeking adventure
Look no further than the Barrier Island Eco Tours. Dolphin boat cruises, creek fishing or crabbing, and salt marsh tours with trips to the pristine Capers Island Preserve. All the captains are naturalists who will both educate and charm you. It’s fun for all! (See Traveler’s list of tours.)

Off the island

Photo/South Carolina Aquarium
Photo/South Carolina Aquarium

The South Carolina Aquarium is a must-see attraction. Get up close and personal with local marine life.  A very kid-friendly location! Next door to the aquarium, catch a boat to Fort Sumter for a trip to where the Civil War began. It’s fun to get into the Charleston Harbor and see the city from a different perspective.

The options for fun both off and on the island are many. I assure you no one will ever be bored. One trip to my islands and you’ll be planning your next return even before you head home.

Mary Alice Monroe is an Isle of Palms resident and New York Times bestselling author of 14 novels.  Her latest, “The Summer Girls,” is out now. Learn more at www.maryalicemonroe.com. 

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Charleston FAQ's

Choosing a hotel and where to stay in Charleston all depends on your budget and goals. Do you want to stay Downtown, at the beach or in the outer areas such as North Charleston where you have to drive to get everywhere? For more help on deciding: https://travelerofcharleston.com/articles/hotels/

Charleston has 3 main public beaches which are: Folly, Isle of Palms and Sullivans. Each beach has it’s own atmosphere. The most common beach that people visit is Folly Beach and then Isle of Palms followed by Sullivans Island. For more info on Charleston’s beaches visit: https://travelerofcharleston.com/guide-charlestons-beaches/

Charleston, SC is full of historical things to do. Everything from museums, to public sites and free landmark sites such as Rainbow Row and the Battery can be seen. For more info on Charleston’s top historical sites visit: https://travelerofcharleston.com/places-to-learn-about-charleston-sc-history/

There are many things that will keep the kids and family entertained and educated in Charleston. There are historic sites such as Fort Sumter, a Children’s Museum, Aquarium and the USS Yorktown…a WWII era aircraft carrier you can tour. For more info visit: https://travelerofcharleston.com/charleston-family-fun-activities/

There’s so many  things you could do in Charleston it can be overwhelming. We recommend that first time visitors, checkout the ultimate first-time visitor guide here: https://travelerofcharleston.com/charleston-first-time-visitors-guide/

Spring in Charleston, SC is an amazing time of year to visit. The flowers are blooming and the weather is mild and sunny. For more info, check-out our spring guide to Charleston here: https://travelerofcharleston.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-springtime-in-charleston/

Summer in Charleston is a great time to visit. There’s plenty of things to keep you busy and visiting the beach will probably….or should be on your short-list. Also water-based activities and tours are popular. Checkout this summer guide to Charleston for more info: 

Our 10 Favorite Summer Activities in Charleston

Fall is one of the best times to visit. The weather cools down a bit and the skies are typically blue and clear. In addition there are many great events, festivals and the large crowds of summer have gone back to school or work. For more info on visiting in the fall, checkout this article: https://travelerofcharleston.com/charleston-12-things-to-do-fall/

There are so many great things to do that it’s difficult to narrow the list down. This article does a great job with figuring out the must do things to do in Charleston

7 Can’t Miss Reasons to Visit Charleston, SC Now

The consensus is a minimum of 3-days is needed to settle in and experience Charleston. For instance, many people take 2 days exploring downtown and another day visiting sites outside of downtown such as the plantations, Angel Oak Tree or beaches. Checkout this page for a list of tours and attractions: 

Charleston’s Top Tours & Attractions | Things to do

Downtown Charleston was made for walking and for sure one of the best way to soak up and experience the history first-hand. This article goes over getting around Charleston with and without a car as well: 

Getting Around Charleston, SC

We’re of course partial to Charleston, but here’s the truth. There are many similarities however there are some differences in our opinion: 

  • Both cities are historic and beautiful. 
  • Both cities are extremely walkable. Savannah, with it’s park-like squares maybe more walkable than Charleston. 
  • Charleston has a more established and food scene with many more options. 
  • Charleston has better hotels and shopping.
  • Both cities have equally good tours.
  • Charleston has better beach options. Savannah has Tybee which is great, however it’s 1 beach vibe versus Charleston which has 3 beaches with different vibes. Checkout this Charleston beach guide article: https://travelerofcharleston.com/guide-charlestons-beaches/
  • In Savannah you can walk with alcoholic beverages on the street. This is not allowed in Charleston. This can be good or bad depending on your stance. 
  • Savannah is more affordable.
  • TourPass offers all-inclusive passes in both cities: https://tourpass.com

There are always great and world-class events happening in Charleston. For a calendar of events and things to do in Charleston, checkout our online calendar of events: https://travelerofcharleston.com/events/

Of course there are free money-saving coupons that you can use. Visit the coupons page for a bunch of ways to save: https://travelerofcharleston.com/coupon/

Charleston has some fantastic can’t miss tours such as Fort Sumter, carriage, ghost, harbor, historic and culinary tours. For a full list with more info visit: https://travelerofcharleston.com/attractions/

Checkout the Charleston Relocation Guide page which will guide you during your move: https://travelerofcharleston.com/charleston-sc-relocation-guide/

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