Visiting Isle of Palms and Charleston in the Spring
Posted on January 9, 2022
Charleston, South Carolina is a statement city when it comes to the South – you can’t visit the South without hitting Charleston during your travels. The weather is practically perfect all year round, but the spring is the most beloved among locals; the sun warms up the city while the light sea breeze makes the heat more than tolerable, and you can spend days on end lounging at the beach with your family. If you’re looking for a vacation with picture perfect beaches, mouth-watering food, and an endless list of fun activities, Charleston is the place to be.
Staying at your IOP Escapes Beach Rental allows prime access to the beach, along with some other perks that make the trip more than worth your time. First, take the time to soak up the sun. Whether it’s laying by the pool, surfing at the beach or enjoying your cup of coffee on your oceanfront deck watching the sunrise, you can easily take time to relax during your vacation. Charleston’s spring weather is by far the most admirable, so make sure to take advantage of the climate. Along with the great weather, IOP is only a quick drive to the other parts of Charleston, which offers an extensive amount of activities to complete your perfect vacation.
Sight-seeing is a wonderful way to get to know the city, all the while spending time in the sun. If you’re willing to make the drive, visiting the Angel Oak is a must. The tree is over 400 years old, and it’s huge branches flourish with bright green leaves in the spring. It is a beautiful sight, and is definitely worth the drive. The Angel Oak is a staple sight in Charleston, but yes, looking at an old tree for more than ten minutes can get slightly boring. Luckily, Charleston is filled with an extensive amount of history, which makes for a grand scene when it comes to sight-seeing.
Downtown is the most commonly known part of Charleston, as it’s shopping, eating, and art scenes thrive in the spring. If you are planning on visiting the beautiful Downtown area, I heavily suggest walking so that you can take in the views. However, if walking is not preferred, horse-drawn tours are also offered all around the city, and are a great way to see the town and embrace the culture in Charleston, as well as learn the history. After taking the time to look around Downtown, make sure to visit some of the gorgeous parks that are dispersed throughout the area. There are parks located all over Downtown, all filled with beautiful oak trees and benches where you can sit in the shade and enjoy the breeze. My two favorite parks in Downtown are by far the Charleston Waterfront Park and Battery Park, which both offer beautiful views and great photo opportunities.
Waterfront Park is a great location for a midday picnic, followed by a walk along the pier. The splash fountain located near one of the entrances to the park is a great area where young kids love to play in the water and escape the heat, so make sure to pack bathing suits and towels! Along with this water feature, another fountain is located near the middle of the park. Here, you can view the charming Pineapple Fountain, which has been enjoyed by locals since the spring of 1990, and offers a beautiful photo spot for you and your family. For another beautiful photo spot, stop by Pitt Street Bridge in Mount Pleasant during sundown for a gorgeous view of Charleston’s sunset over the marsh.
Battery Park is another great place for a picnic, as the huge oak trees around the park offer a relaxing area to spend your day. The park is filled with lush green grass, bright flowers, and even a gazebo located in the center. After you finish admiring its beauty, take a walk by the ocean and enjoy the fresh smell of the sea. The infamous Rainbow Row is located a quick two minute walk from Battery Park, so make sure to stop by there before leaving Downtown.
If you love shopping as much as I do, spend some time in the many shops and boutiques offered in Downtown. If you are looking to immerse yourself in the culture here in Charleston, shopping in the Historic Charleston City Market is for you! Here you can find amazing local artists who are selling their work as well as some great food to snack on during your visit to Charleston. If you want to take some of Charleston home with you, consider buying one of the beautiful handmade sweetgrass baskets offered in the market
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The Charleston art scene is also amazing, as local artists spend their time painting the beautiful views and places here in Charleston. The extensive number of galleries located around Charleston showcase the talent of local artists, so take the time to walk through them and admire their work. If you get lucky, you might find yourself in town for the Piccolo Spoleto festival, an art festival where artists in Charleston take to the canvas and then sell their work during the event (Piccolo Spoleto usually takes place in May through June).
While all of the sights around Charleston are amazing, Charleston also has numerous activities for travelers who are more get-up-and-go vacationers. If this type of vacation is for you, make sure to spend some time out on the water kayaking, canoeing, and surfing - and don’t forget to wear lots of sunscreen! Charleston also has recreational county parks located all around the city that offer great activities for all ages; you can spend time exploring Charleston’s beautiful marshes, or enjoy a day at the waterpark with your kids. The Charleston Aquarium is a great place to spend the day as well. Here, you can admire the beautiful species of fish, turtles, sharks, reptiles, and so much more that are local to the Charleston ecosystem.
If you find yourself in Charleston during the annual Cooper River Bridge Run, don’t miss out on the fun – join locals around Charleston in cheering on the runners, or if you are a runner yourself, consider entering the 10K! The Cooper River Bridge Run is a great way to see the city, and you even get to run over the popular Cooper River Bridge (this year's Cooper River Bridge Run is April 2, 2022).
After seeing the town and experiencing all of the activities here in Charleston, head back to your home on IOP for dinner. There are numerous options on Isle of Palms when it comes to food, so make sure to check some of them out during your stay at the beach; places like Smugglers Island Eats and Coconut Joe’s Beach Grill are popular restaurants on IOP. While visiting, make sure to eat some local foods to really get immersed in the culture – foods like mac-n-cheese, sweet tea, and shrimp and grits are popular in Charleston for a reason, so don’t miss out on those options while you visit. Sadly, the list of activities in Charleston is very hard to accomplish in one visit, so don’t forget to come back again soon to complete the list. We would love to see you visiting Charleston in the future, and we hope that you are able to take advantage of all of the great events, activities, and views offered in Charleston during the spring.