MORE Day trips for Adventuring from Isle of Palms, South Carolina, Part 2!

MORE Day trips for Adventuring from Isle of Palms, South Carolina, Part 2!

1- A modern day, day trip into downtown Charleston! Start your morning with a visit to King Street, Charleston’s premier shopping location, all nestled into one chic area.  An energetic vibe pulses through the streets with fashion uniquities, courageous art galleries, and high-end boutiques.

When your feet need a rest, a bite from The Darling Oyster Bar along King St. should wet your whistle and restore your energy!  Located in an old home, with vintage decor and a menu so quintessentially Charleston all the way down to the Sorghum butter Hush puppies - you might be back for their brunch options the next day!  An instant classic - a place to savor, and remember!

Post lunch calls for more relaxed activity than shopping - art appreciation at the Gibbes Museum of Art!   Charleston’s only art museum houses an impressive permanent collection.  More details here:

“The permanent collection of the Gibbes Museum of Art spans four centuries and provides a dynamic introduction to the visual culture of America and the American South from the colonial era to the present. Paintings, sculptures, miniature portraits, works on paper, decorative art objects, and multi-media installations, created by American artists, express the evolving aesthetic tastes of this city. The Gibbes collection has deep roots in history and has grown and transformed along with the city. New research, methods of interpretation, and discoveries of objects continually increase knowledge, promote social inclusion, and fill gaps in our shared culture. The collection contains artworks inspired by this region’s unique landscape and cultural heritage, as well as cosmopolitan works that demonstrate art patronage through the ages.”

The Gibbes Museum also showcases one of the most prestigious Miniature collections in the country.  Rotating exhibits, 6-8 per year, also make this solitary art museum in Charleston, a special place that invites creative thinking, new ideas, and hopefully- surprises of delight.  

For dinner, we recommend The Ordinary.  Located in an old bank building, their menu “celebrates the merroir of the Coastal Carolinas and the East Coast!”

2 - Boone Hall Plantation -  A Cultural Immersion Day Trip

Take a short 15 minute drive to step back in time hundreds of years by exploring the Boone Hall Plantation, home, gardens but most importantly to learn about and experience the Gullah culture and history through live presentations.  You will likely recognize the grand oak entrance lining the approach to the Boone family home.  Check the calendar for special events, such as the Strawberry Festival (April 5-7, 11-14) the Oyster Festival, and many more.  Boone Hall Plantation is a busy place!

For dinner, stop at The Wreck of the Richard and Charlene for Intracoastal waterfront dining, a Seafood boil, and a bowl of their famous banana pudding!

3- Folly Beach - Explore our neighbor to the south!!  Folly Beach is known as “Charleston’s Beach Town” to be one of the premier surfing destinations on the East Coast and you’ll see surfers all over Folly beach, but the most popular place is “The Washout,” the area that catches the biggest waves!  Rent a board at any local surf shop and give it a try!

After you’ve spent the day surfing, exploring the quirky shops and boutiques, we recommend dinner at Rita’s Seaside Grill.  Here you can continue your ocean view while you enjoy gourmet bar food- sticky smoked wings and a spicy Bloody Mary cocktail. Owned by one of the number one steakhouses in the country - Hall Steakhouse in Charleston - The Hall Group- you will not be disappointed!

4- Capers Island - Departing directly from Isle of Palms Marina - another way to step back in <beach> time!  Visiting Capers Island by boat offers the opportunity to see and experience wildlife up close (Tour guide pulls crab traps and tosses fishing nets to bring marine life on board for the touch tank) as well as enjoy the beautiful tidal creeks, salt marsh and Intracoastal Waterway .  Barrier Island Ecotours leads this boat excursion tour and lasts around 3.5 hours.  Dolphins and bird life are also common sightings on tours.

After a day spent exploring the natural and pure Caper’s Island, we recommend dining at one of our IOP Escapes favorites, The Refuge.  The Refuge has been an Isle of Palms (and greater Charleston area) local staple for years.  Their status as a coffee shop and all day food destination leads us to recommend it to all of our guests staying in Isle of Palms.  Read more about it on our blog, and don’t forget reservations for large groups or if you’re not in the mood to pause for a beverage while waiting at the bar for your table!

5 - Shem Creek - A one-stop destination that showcases beauty, variety, and the bustling activity of the area!  Paddleboarding, kayaking, and boat tours are available from Shem Creek for opportunities to explore the area on the water.  For the fishing enthusiast or curious novice - many fishing charters also depart from here.  Or simply stroll and appreciate views of the Charleston harbor, Intracoastal Waterway, and marsh life. Spot the Ravenel Bridge and Fort Sumter.  Unique shops, watering holes, and award winning restaurants are also located here.

Easy to recommend is Red’s Ice House.  Enjoy a cold beer and fresh seafood at a restaurant that has been voted best Waterfront bar for over 20 years in a row!

We hope by following along that you are feeling drawn back to Isle of Palms to explore somewhere new or revisit an old favorite.  We are passionate about our local economy and eager to share our southern charm, cuisine, and culture with others.  Give us a call or visit us online at IOP Escapes to plan your next visit to the Low Country!