Recreation in the Charleston Lowcountry

Parks and Beaches

The Charleston County Park & Recreation Commission runs most of the public outdoor spaces locals use every week, including James Island County Park, Folly Beach County Park, and the fishing piers. In Mount Pleasant, Shem Creek Park’s boardwalk is an easy evening walk over the marsh, and in West Ashley the Greenway gives runners and cyclists a long, flat path away from traffic.

On the Water

Tidal creeks are the best way to see the Lowcountry. Coastal Expeditions runs guided kayak trips and boat rides to spots like Morris Island and Bulls Island. On Folly, the small, friendly breaks make it a good place to learn to surf, and Folly Beach Surf Lessons keeps a directory of local instructors.

Gardens and History

Along Ashley River Road, Middleton Place and Magnolia Plantation & Gardens offer long garden walks under old oaks. Across the harbor, Patriots Point anchors the USS Yorktown, and the ferry to Fort Sumter National Monument is a half-day worth doing at least once.

Rainy Day Options

When the weather turns, the South Carolina Aquarium on the downtown waterfront covers coastal habitats from the mountains to the sea and runs a sea turtle care center that locals return to often.