Listen, if there was any place that I would be glad our car broke down in, it would be Charleston.
Not just because I have family there now, and it would have been a whole different story without them there, but also because it is a beautiful Outdoor adventure location.
Here are some of my favorite excursions and activities.
Exploring the waterways.
Charleston Outdoor Adventures
Whether you want to experience a guided tour of the marshlands by kayak or explore the tidal creeks on your own by paddle board. There is plenty of ways to experience this less-known view of Charleston.
While working at @famous adventures we took plenty of groups of kids our into these beautiful waters.
They have options for guided and unguided kayaks tours and rental services and also boat and fishing tour.
One of my favorite memories from the summer was getting to go on one of their boat tours to see a close-up view of the Morris Island lighthouse. Located on an uninhabited barrier island.
This lighthouse can be seen from most of Charleston. But this gives you an opporitity to gain a new perspective on it. It is also a great place to find shark teeth and neat things washed up along its waters.
There also is the Bowens Island Restaurant on the same property.
For more information check out their website
https://www.charlestonoutdooradventures.com/
Surfing:
Isle Surfing school:
Offers surf lessons in Charleston, we took our campers there for lessons on Folly Beach and I would listen in on their lesson and then go home and practice on my foam surf board I got off creigtslist. Yeah that is how I learned how to surf this summer.
Huge shout out to this company and to learn more check out the website below:
https://www.islasurfschool-charleston.com/
Beaches:
Folly Beach: Great for surfing, free roadside parking (so come earlier unless you want to pay for parking)
The Folly County Park: is located on the west side of the island on the far right end is awesome. There are facilities, showers, picnic tables and grills.
Cost: Anyways from 5-10 dollars per car depending on the season
They also have cool events like sunset yoga.
For more information check out the site below.
https://www.ccprc.com/61/Folly-Beach-County-Park?PREVIEW=YES
Isle of Palms: No free parking (last area I could find put a sign up for no parking as of Sept. 2022 Great facilities, and waterfront restaurants (ex. Coconut Joes) and live music (ex. WindJammer)
Sallivan’s Island: This beautiful 3 mile barrier island is home to the unique Sullivan’s Island lighthouse. Parking is free, with limited areas, some with long walks, and no bathrooms or facilities. Typically least crowded and I found it to be a great places to go on a walk along the beach looking for seashells.
Cost: Free
Parks:
Cypress Gardens: 10$ a Person entrance fee
There is a Butterfly House, walking paths, and my favorite a beauty-self-guided (or paid option for guided) boat tour through the waterways of the Blackwater bald Cypress swamp. Where in these dark waters trees grow out of and alligators, lily and beautiful bridges can be seen around ever counter.
This beautiful location was where scenes of the Notebook and The Patriot were filmed.
I also want to go back and check out its swamptarium (aquarium for swamps) I think it is one of America’s only swamptarium. Or at least the only one I’ve heard of.
It is Located in Berkley County: about a 25-minute drive from Charleston.
For more information check out their website below
https://cypressgardens.berkeleycountysc.gov/
James Island County Park: 2$ a Person
Highlights include: Concert series, Holiday lights, walking paths, awesome dog park, play area, open field, waterpark, rock climbing wall, paddle boarding, campground. Honestly such an awesome place.
I spend a lot of time here this summer with camp, and honestly one of my favorite parks I’ve ever been to. We want to return and stay at their campground once we move into the van.
For more information check out”
https://ccprc.com/68/James-Island-County-Park
Memorial Waterfront Park: FREE
Located under Charleston famous “Arthur Ravenel Bridge”
nicknamed “Park under the Bridge” has parking, access to a pier into the Charleston Harbor, walking trail along the bridge, open fields, walking paths, a playground and facilities. They also host fun events and are dog friendly.
I also want to go back and check out the “River Watch Cafe”
The Battery
This area at the tip of Downtown Charleston was once a defensive seawall along the Charleston Habor but is now a paved waterfront walkway surrounded by beautiful live oaks and spanish moss.
While you are here, White Point Garden is across the street.
Honestly Daniel and I haen’t been here yet. Our car broke down and we thought we had no way to get there. But now that I’m writing this I realized there actually was a way we could have gotten there. Because there was a ferry that we could have walked that would have taken us to downtown and then we could have walked the rest of the way. But we didn’t do that.
But that just means we need to go back.
But for now, we sold our car for parts, got one way tickets, and start our next adventure.
Charleston was a great chapter, and I hope you get to enjoy it as much as we have.
from the other side 