Charleston is charming AF. If you haven’t been, go, if you have, you know. It’s a cute coastal town with loads to offer, so much so that you might just need an easy weekend. For those of us with time to explore, below are some options if you want to leave downtown Charleston and its colorful historic district. Whether you’re looking for a picnic night with music by the water, a beach day, or a charming small town to stroll through, I’ve got you covered!

I’ve said before that I can see why Charleston has been voted the #1 city in the United States (can’t say it’s my number one but I SEE it OK). The historic district alone brings a vibe to the city that makes it all the more unique and is often the main place people visit (myself included). I grew up just north of Charlotte, NC so taking a day or weekend trip down to Charleston was an easy few hours drive. Since we had limited time and often visited in warmer months - aka the sun was BEATING and it wipes you out quickly - we would beeline for the historic area with its picturesque cobblestone streets, rainbow row, waterfront, market, and more. After spending four weeks in the area, I decided to venture out a bit more and see what this revered southern city had to offer outside of what I was familiar with. 

Here are a few of the places I came across, that make noteworthy stops for your next trip down south.

1. Sullivan’s Island

   If you’re looking for a beach town with beautiful homes, boutiques, restaurants, and more - Sullivan’s Island is that girl. It’s the perfect spot to take a casual stroll, grab a bite, and ooohh and ahhhh over the gorgeous houses that we wish we could afford. One particular house I admired had one of those “Proud parent of a 5th grade graduate” staked in the front lawn and I thought to myself “I wonder if this kid appreciates that he’s living in my dream home?” Probably not. Not that I want to live near the beach cause, to be honest, the bugs and humidity are a hard pass for me BUT if I could plop that house somewhere else? Dream!

   This section also boasts Sullivan’s Island beach, which is obviously a requirement for the aforementioned “beach town.” It’s a standard east coast beach if we’re being perfectly honest. I love a beach hang, but if you’re looking for a fluffy white sand beach then you should visit… 

2. Isle of Palms Beach

   This beach! To be frank, I went to this beach fully expecting it to match Sullivan’s Island’s but it felt so different the me. S.I. definitely wins on beach town vibes as the area I witnessed around Isle of Palms was much more commercial and suburban - which makes sense as it seemed to house a lot more people. This all added up to me driving in expecting to be unimpressed but… ‘twas the opposite. I found the street parking to be much easier (though that really depends on the day for any given place lbh) but I also found the houses to be more jaw-dropping. My family often goes to the Outer Banks in North Carolina for an annual vacation but it’s got nothing on Isle of Palms. The yards themselves are a work of art. But back to the point, the sand of the beach was oh-so fluffy and the water seemed much more blue. I’m sure a S.I.-er would argue back but, I said what I said. Personally, I would stay in Isle of Palms and beach there but drive the less than 10 minutes down the road to Sullivan’s Island for a walkaround.

3. Shem Creek

   There is Shem Creek Park, where you can walk along a quiet boardwalk and look out over the marshy, classic South Carolina landscape, watching folks kayak through some of the “waterways.” This will lead you to a few pathways one of which will take you around a dock, featuring many a boat with big pelicans (I think? Idk I’m not a bird person)  perched atop, down to a few bars and restaurants. You can also rent kayaks to be one of the said folks above, showing off your core muscles paddling through the waters. There is also an overpass connection to the other side of Shem Creek featuring more bars and restaurants. Sadly, I didn’t see a single dolphin though I’ve seen many videos where they appear in the water nearby. If you’re someone who wants to sit, have a drink, and watch rich and/or fit people on the water. Shem Creek is a great stop for you. 

   HEADS-UP: Parking sucks. The lots nearby are all pay-to-park and start around $20-$25 with minimum time limits of 4 hours. I’d recommend going during off hours or getting there early and parking on a nearby street for free and walking over. 

4. Daniel Island

   I took the Daniel Island ferry one evening as a fun way to visit the historic area of Charleston. Even though I could have driven myself there, I’m a sucker for a boat ride, even if it’s shared with a few strangers, and I wanted a new experience. Highly recommend! As a fun bonus, I learned that Daniel Island is cute as hell. There were big swings looking out over the water, walking trails, and they have live music on certain nights so many were out with picnics to listen to the free jams. I love a fun, easy evening outside!

5. Summerville

   A little further outside of Charleston, probably about a 25-30 minute drive, is this stroll-able small town. It has an old theatre, a cute main street bookshop, and lots of little shops to peruse. There is also a decently sized art gallery that makes for a great a/c break from the sunshine. I was also really impressed by their farmer’s market on Saturdays, which featured an array of produce, food, art, flowers, and more stalls! I still can’t get over the ginger lemonade (both the flavor - YUM - and the price - not so yum). There are also a number of antique shops, which I can’t resist, like the Summerville Antique Gallery. Overall, a great spot to spend an easy morning or afternoon.

I hope I have even slightly inspired you to expand your Charleston horizons. Lay on the sunscreen, fill a large water bottle, and get to exploring! 

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