There are a plethora of summer events and activities on the Charleston Coast. To help you narrow down which activities fit your vacation the best, we have created a list of summer events in late June and July.
Charleston Riverdogs
Head to The Joe for a night of baseball, hot dogs, and gorgeous sunsets! The Joe, the nickname for Joseph P. Riley Stadium and home of the Riverdogs, sits on the Ashley River. This location provides views and sunsets that rival any in Charleston.
The Charleston Riverdogs are a minor league baseball team known for fun promotions and giveaways. The Riverdogs provide an afternoon or evening of fun and games for the whole family. Be sure to check out the bouncy castle and don’t forget to get your face painted! Like many ballparks these days, The Joe offers a wide selection of hot dogs that vary each season. This year’s hot dog options include an all wagyu beef hot dog wrapped in edible silver leaf topped with pork belly, lobster, and champagne garlic aioli in honor of the ‘Dogs 25th anniversary – which is this year!
The Riverdogs regular season goes through August. Be sure to make a visit to The Joe a can’t miss on your Charleston to do list!
Fourth of July Celebrations
July 4th will be here before we know it. The Charleston Coast is home to numerous Fourth of July celebrations. Each beach town usually has their own fireworks celebration. Here are a few additional events around town for fireworks watching!
Charlestonians all have their own reasons for loving the Holy City and one reason everyone can agree on is the love of food & cocktails. The Charleston Margarita Festival brings together some of the most popular restaurants for a day of friendly competition. This year the festival is at Brittlebank Park (right next to The Joe!). Spend the evening sampling 20+ margaritas, enjoying delicious food and good music, and you will likely have a front row seat to a breathtaking sunset. The Charleston Margarita Festival is a 21+ event – so hire a babysitter and get ready for a night out!
Photo: Charleston Margarita Festival
Party at the Point
This family-friendly concert series happens every Friday from April to June. The waterfront location provides the perfect setting for a laid-back, Lowcountry Happy Hour. Live music along with good food & drinks make this a fun event for the entire family. Party at the Point is hosted at the beach at Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina. Kids love playing in the sand and dancing along to the bands! You are welcome to bring in beach chairs, towels, and blankets to set up the perfect spot to enjoy the festivities. There are only a few Fridays left in June – don’t miss your chance to enjoy this fun summer event!
Photo: Instagram User @mtplife
Heading to one of these summer events? Let us know what you think!
We love spring on the Charleston Coast! The weather is perfect for spending a day at the beach or exploring all the Charleston Coast has to offer. We have compiled a list of outdoor activities on the Charleston Coast so you can take full advantage of the beautiful weather!
Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge
The gorgeous Ravenel Bridge, as it is locally known, has quickly become a Charleston Icon. The Ravenel Bridge opened in July 2015 and connects Peninsular Charleston with Mt. Pleasant. The bridge has a pedestrian and bike path that provide outstanding views of the Charleston Harbor, Peninsular Charleston, and Mt. Pleasant. Walk, run, or bike your way across this Charleston Icon!
Fort Sumter
While we’re talking about the Charleston Harbor, why not take a tour of Fort Sumter? The tour includes a ferry ride of the Charleston Harbor filled with Charleston History and beautiful views. If you keep your eyes peeled, you will likely see a dolphin or two (or three!). Fort Sumter is where the Civil War began and holds an important place in American History. See where the first shots were fired and learn about Charleston’s important, and lengthy, place in American History.
Charleston City Market
The Charleston City Market is a mix of open air and enclosed stalls. Vendors sell everything from sweetgrass baskets and handmade jewelry to homemade sweets and local art. If you’re looking for a gift for your family or friends (or yourself!) be sure to stop by. The Charleston City Market is open daily year round and opens for a night market on Fridays & Saturdays.
Charleston Tea Plantation
While in Charleston, visit the only tea plantation in North America. A visit to the Tea Plantation is free! Tour the tea production building, visit the gift shop, and marvel at the acres upon acres of tea plants. The only charge (besides a souvenir from the gift shop!) is for the trolley tour. The trolley tour takes you through the tea fields and stops by the greenhouse. The closest tea plantations are in Asia, Africa, and South America making this a once in a lifetime visit!
Photo: Instagram user @petermicu via @charleston_tea
King Street
King Street is a wonderous street that can be considered the Main St of Historic Charleston. The lower end of King Street is known for its outstanding shopping. You can spend the entire day just on this half of the street! Upper King Street (north of Calhoun Street) is home to numerous galleries, delicious restaurants, and fun bars. If you’re in town for it, we highly recommend Second Sunday on King. Taking place every second Sunday of the month throughout the year, Second Sunday on King shuts down the lower half of King Street to vehicle traffic. Pedestrians, dogs, vendors, and restaurant tables line the street for the day. Enjoy open-air dining, shopping specials, and more dog sightings than you can imagine!
Photo: Instagram user @charlestonlivability
What are your favorite outdoor activities on the Charleston Coast? Let us know! We are always looking for fun outdoor activities for ourselves, our families, and our guests!
Last week, we discussed when and how to renovate your vacation property. This week, we are featuring the most amazing Transformation Tuesday we have ever seen! 1215 E Arctic Ave on Folly Beach, formerly known as “The Blue Lagoon”, underwent a total renovation between September 2017-March 2018.
1215 E Arctic Ave Before!
Now know as “Saylors’ Malibu”, 1215 E Arctic is a stunning oceanfront home which provides not just oceanfront views, but on the beach feels. The renovation was completed by one of the Lowcountry’s best teams and boy can you tell!
After! Check out the gorgeous new windows!
Custom pieces are plentiful in the home. From the custom 10-seat dining table to the live-edge hardwood custom bar in the kitchen, no piece of the home was left untouched. In the bathrooms, unique tiles on the floors and in the showers help make each room a little different from the next.
Custom Dining Table with breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean.
“Saylors’ Malibu” is a home you will want to vacation in year after year. Secure your 2018 and 2019 vacation today!
The cozy living room lacked cohesion before the renovation. Now, the living room radiates perfection. The sectional sofa ensures seating for the whole family while you watch tv, read your favorite book, or just stare out the gorgeous new windows!
The designers kept a similar, mostly white, open and airy feel in the kitchen. But, the custom cabinets and custom live-edge hardwood bar top enhance the natural beauty of the space. The new windows leave you feeling like you’re on the beach from the comfort of the kitchen.
New furniture and simple, understated accent pieces tie together one of the guest bedrooms.
The master bedroom feels more sophisticated now. The new floor to ceiling windows provide natural light that balances the dark wood of the furniture.
In the master bathroom, a change in paint color and opening the walk-in shower changes the entire feel of the room. The textured tile in the shower provides depth to the space.
Updating the railings and porches, along with painting the exterior, makes the outside living spaces more desirable. Take an afternoon nap in the hammock “on the beach” without getting sandy!
Renovations are all the rage these days. From the endless number of tv shows highlighting home renovations to the posts on social media by interior designers and bloggers, the renovation ideas are endless! So, that begs the question, when should you renovate your vacation home?
The simple answer to the question is: as soon as you can! Renovations are best done during the offseason when guests are not disturbed. This way, your vacation home is in pristine condition for peak season.
1695 E Ashley Ave “The Scandinavian” underwent a total renovation!
We have found the days of kitschy beach decor and wicker second-hand furniture are behind us. Guests are looking for modern, updated and top of the line for their vacations. The two areas that really show a guest the vacation home is renovated are the kitchen and bathrooms.
3502 Palm Blvd “Sea Star” has a brand new kitchen!
Renovated kitchens are so important for guests when booking their vacation. Guests opt for a vacation rental so the family has the option to cook meals in the house and not eat every meal out. So, kitchens with sleek, modern appliances stand out. Especially if these kitchens have beautiful custom cabinets and countertops. Little touches like a chalkboard wall or a built-in drink fridge can make or break a guests decision to rent the property.
We love the chalkboard wall touch at 211 Charleston Oceanfront Villas “Saylor’s Folly.”
A renovated bathroom shows the guests that the homeowner cares about the property. Clean lines, tiled showers and tub surrounds, and walk-in showers really grab the guests attention. For properties with more than one bathroom, it is important to remember that families, possibly with young children, will be vacationing at the home. Families with young children often look for a vacation rental that has at least one tub in the property. This way, the kids can still take their evening bath.
The pop of color in the guest bath at C419 Shipwatch Villas is perfection!
Check out the photos below for some design inspiration!
The fun tile backsplash and chic, modern bar stools are perfect in 219 Charleston Oceanfront Villas “The Swan Dive”212 Charleston Oceanfront Villas “Sea Folly” has a gorgeous master bathroom! The glassed-in, walk-in shower perfectly balances the room.The guest bathroom at C420 Shipwatch Villas “Royal Dune” is perfection! The neutral colors allow the homeowner to add a pop of color with a bath mat or artwork.What isn’t gorgeous about the kitchen at 1408 E Ashley Ave “Estate of Folly”? The blue lower cabinets, sleek appliances, and upper white cabinets balance the room.Guests love seeing the large fridge in D431 Shipwatch Villas “Xanadune”. A large fridge is ideal for families traveling together.
Looking for things to do on the Charleston Coast this April? We’ve gathered some of our favorite local events and activities. Check them out and let us know which one is your favorite!
Migratory Bird Walk
April 14 & 21, May 12
Photo: Instagram user @centerforbirdsofprey
Visit the Center for Birds of Prey for a Migratory Bird Walk with experienced birding guides. Recreational birdwatching is becoming a favorite past time across the country. Be sure to bring your binoculars and camera!
Charleston Outdoor Fest
April 21-22
Photo: Instagram user @charlestoncountyparks
April is the perfect time to enjoy the outdoors in the Lowcountry. Head to the James Island County Park for a weekend of canoeing, stand-up paddleboarding, rock climbing, and more! Enjoy live music and vendors all weekend. And even try your hand at archery or mountain biking with the Try It Pass!
Shaggin’ on the Cooper
April 28
Photo via Facebook: Charleston County Parks & Recreation
Put on your dancing shoes and head over the Mt Pleasant Waterfront Park for an evening of shag dancing and live music. The Carolina Shag is a descendant of the Jitterbug and originated in Carolina Beach, North Carolina. You don’t want to miss this fun-filled evening!
Blessing of the Fleet & Seafood Festival
April 29
Photo via Facebook: Experience Mt Pleasant
Join locals and visitors alike for the Blessing of the Fleet. Spend the day celebrating the local fishing and shrimping industry. Watch the Boat Parade, enjoy delicious seafood tastings, and participate in a shag dance competition
The Charleston Coast is full of things to do year-round but things really amp up in Spring. What are some of your favorite Lowcountry events and things to do? Let us know in the comments!
Isle of Palms is a family-friendly beach destination offering everything you need while on vacation. Restaurants, fishing, watersports, and relaxation are abundant on the Isle of Palms.
The Isle of Palms is connected to Mt. Pleasant, SC via the Isle of Palms connector. The connector (as it’s known locally) crests over the Intracoastal Waterway as you arrive on the island. Head straight through the one and only traffic light to go to the Isle of Palms County Park. Parking prices vary depending on the time of year. Most noteworthy, once inside the park, you have access to bathrooms, changing areas, and a playground! The County Park beach has lifeguards during the busy season.
The Front Beach area of is located on Ocean Blvd. Classic beach restaurants and shops abound here. For oceanfront dining, visit Coconut Joe’s or the Coda del Pesce. Enjoy pizza at Luke n’ Ollie’s and at breakfast time, swing by Sea Biscuit Cafe for traditional southern fare. When heading to the beach, take one of the many beach accesses along Ocean Blvd. or Palm Blvd.
The Isle of Palms beach is expansive and just went under a renourishment project. At low tide, and often even at high tide, the beach is perfect for bike rides and long walks. Take your time wandering the beach to look at the different shells, driftwood, and sea stars that call this slice of paradise home.
Photo: Instagram user @cityofisleofpalms
If you enjoy water sports, head to the Isle of Palms Marina. At the marina, you can rent jet skis, go parasailing, and rent paddle boards or kayaks. You can head out on a fishing charter for the day or rent a boat to enjoy the Intracoastal Waterway. And if you forgot your snacks, water, and sunscreen, stop by the Marina Store for local character and everything you need! At the end of your day at the Marina, pop up to Morgan Creek Grill for dinner and the sunset!
Whether you are visiting the Isle of Palms for a day, a week, or a lifetime, we invite you to relax, unwind, and stay a while.
Feature Friday highlights one spectacular property each week! This week we feature 88 Water’s Edge, My Blue Heaven. 88 Water’s Edge is located in the Water’s Edge community of Folly Beach and is tucked just one block off Center St. Water’s Edge provides the best of all worlds: a quiet community just a short walk to the hustle & bustle of Folly life and just 7 blocks from the beach. The walk to the beach is about seven minutes, not too long, not too short.
Positioned at the front of the community, 88 Water’s Edge provides plenty of parking to guests with two spaces available in the garage in addition to guest parking just across the lot. As you walk up the gorgeous front staircase and open the front door, you are welcomed home with the muted interior colors and understated beach decor. Continuing into the house, the foyer opens up to the open kitchen, dining, and living areas.
The kitchen is completely renovated to include granite countertops, top of the line appliances, and a cute chalkboard sign – every kid’s favorite! Enjoy breakfast at the island bar or the dining room table. The living room features a large, comfortable leather sectional. Perfect for relaxing after a day at the beach, this sectional offers the perfect napping spot or the perfect place for the whole family to gather! A large screened porch overlooking the Folly River sits off the living room. The comfortable seating on the screened porch is perfect for watching the boats go by with an evening cocktail.
88 Water’s Edge boasts three bedrooms and each bedroom has its own bathroom. The bathrooms are gorgeous! All of the bathrooms underwent renovations in the winter of 2017-2018. The understated beauty of the bathrooms will have you and your guests talking about them your entire vacation. Now, the first bedroom is located on the first floor, to the right as you walk in the front door. This bedroom holds a queen bed and a large bay window for plenty of natural light.
The second two bedrooms are upstairs, along with the washer and dryer closet. The first bedroom is perfect for kids, or those who are kids at heart! This bedroom offers two bunk beds, each with a double on the bottom and twin on the top. The private, renovated bathroom provides a tub/shower combo. The master bedroom overlooks the Folly River with a private balcony. The private balcony is the ideal spot for early morning relaxation, with or without coffee! The master bedroom holds a king bed. The master bathroom is the showcase of the home: featuring a beautiful walk-in glass shower and separate claw foot tub.
If you decide you’re not quite ready for the beach, head over the community pool. The pool is a short walk from the home and overlooks the Folly River. Just off the pool area is the community dock, perfect for watching dolphins, paddle boarders, and sailboats alike.
88 Water’s Edge offers a luxury vacation at a fraction of the price. Guests who stay in Water’s Edge come back year after year to enjoy the quiet community that has it all.
Book your stay today with one of our guest service representatives. We are local and here to answer all your questions about Water’s Edge, Folly Beach, and the Charleston Coast!
February 7th is national Book Direct day. What does this mean? Well, when you book directly through a property management company, like Charleston Coast Vacations, you get the best price and the best service available. Third party sites, like Airbnb and VRBO, upcharge your reservation 10%-20%! This equates to hundreds, sometimes even thousands, of dollars extra on your vacation. Save that money so you have more to spend during your Charleston Coast vacation!
Booking through local companies means you get an insider’s knowledge of the area you are visiting, along with the property you are renting. Local property managers visit the properties they manage regularly, often once a week, and can tell you everything you want to know about the property! Does the house have a crockpot? Is there a grill? How many pillows are in the house? At Charleston Coast Vacations, our local property managers are here to help you have the best vacation ever.
But there is more to booking a vacation rental than the property. You must consider the area you will be staying in and what there is to do. If you’ve never visited the Charleston Coast before or if you’re a regular to our lovely seaside towns, booking directly through a local company ensures you get the best recommendations on things to do. At Charleston Coast Vacations, our guest services representatives are here to help you plan your vacation. We have restaurant recommendations, we know the best tours in town, and can tell you all the best spots for surfing on the Charleston Coast.
The properties we manage are listed on some of these third-party sites. This is so our homeowners receive national, and sometimes international, exposure. But, we are a local, family-run company serving the Charleston Coast for over 28 years. Our goal is for our guests to enjoy the Charleston Coast while creating beach memories to last a lifetime. So sit back, relax, and book direct today.
When booking a vacation on the Charleston Coast, one rarely thinks of snow, even in the colder winter months. But, a snow-filled beach vacation is exactly what our guests received to start 2018.
Snowstorms on the Charleston Coast are rare, but not unprecedented. Typically the storms consist of small flurries, leaving only a light dusting of snow and never lasting more than a day. However, there have been three record-breaking snowstorms in Charleston’s history. The last big snowstorm followed just months after hurricane Hugo, arriving over Christmas in 1989. The ‘89 snow storm dumped a record eight inches of snowfall over a two day period. Southerners not used to plummeting temperatures or frozen water were treated to their first white Christmas.
1989 Christmas Snow. Photo: The Post & Courier
This year, the Charleston Coast rang in the New Year with a storm. Snow began falling on the first Wednesday of 2018 and left the Lowcountry buried under five inches of snow! Now, since the Charleston Coast is not used to even minor snowfall, let alone five inches, roads, businesses, and schools, were all shut down. Putting safety first, our small but buzzing city came to a complete halt.
Most of our guests that stayed with us through the storm were visiting from much colder areas of the US. For many of these “snowbirds,” escaping to the Charleston Coast is a means of evading the freezing temperatures back home. Boy, were these guests in for a surprise this year! Here’s what one lucky guest had to say about the unexpected snow:
“We actually had a GREAT time. There was something about expecting 60 degree weather (or better) and then instead spending a week at a cold beach that turned out to be perhaps our best vacation in Folly ever. We come fairly often (right after Christmas), to get away from cold Virginia (and Colorado for my dad). Instead, we (and everyone else) struggled with terrible weather and we had a blast:…Making snow angels on the beach…Making little snowmen on our balcony…We’ll be back next year…we would be a very lucky family to have half as much fun as we did this year.” – Karen E
Photo credit from left to right: Facebook User Dave’s Dogs, Facebook User Logan D.Photo Credit (clockwise): Janice J., Karen E., Paul B.
Wish you were Beer:A semi-regular posting on charleston’s hoppin’ craft brewery scene
This week’s feature: Low Tide Brewing on John’s Island.
Photo: Facebook User @Lowtidebrewing
20 years ago, John’s Island had one stop light. It was the way to get to Kiawah but was overlooked as a destination in its own rite. Now, John’s Island is on the up and up with real estate development through the roof, and a restaurant scene that draws crowds away from the famous eateries of downtown Charleston. This rural island is quickly becoming home to many must-do attractions. Recently, we went to one of our favorite craft breweries, Low Tide, for a lowcountry oyster roast and the opportunity to talk to the owner, Mike, about what makes this destination so special.
Charleston’s love for oysters is as deep rooted as our live oaks and southern hospitality. Anyone lucky enough to visit our lovely city during the “off season” is in fact visiting during peak oyster season. Low Tide Brewery takes advantage of this, hosting a monthly, all-you-can-eat oyster roast with live music and unique beer pairings at an unbeatable price of $15 – $20 per ticket. The time tested rule with oysters: they’re best to eat during months that contain the letter “r.” This means September through April, you’d be hard pressed to visit during a weekend when there isn’t a lowcountry oyster roast somewhere. While Low Tide is not the sole venue to catch a great oyster roast, it stands out from the crowd as a guaranteed good time with great drinks.
Photo: Facebook User @Lowtidebrewing
Lowtide is unique in how their beer connects and exemplifies the things that make Charleston great: the people, the food and the environment. From the conception of the brewery’s name (which came to Mike while kayaking in Charleston’s tidal rivers), to the everybody’s-a-local atmosphere in the taproom, to the packed events and sought-after food trucks, the connection to this great city is enhanced by their beer. It’s a can’t miss destination for locals and newcomers alike.
Reflecting the mix between classic styles and fusions of flavors that the Charleston culinary scene is known for, Low Tide has produced over 120 distinct beers since opening. Mike gives a lot of credit to the “liquid engineer” of the operation, his partner, Andy. After accepting resumes from across the globe, Andy stood out from the crowd. Receiving a 4 year degree in fermentation, brewing was never a hobby to him but a profession. Because of Andy’s expertise, he is no one beer pony and a key ingredient in Low Tide’s success.
Photo: Facebook User @Lowtidebrewing
While other breweries might have one or two experimental beers that are good or focus all their attention on one variety of beer, Low Tide strives to provide a range in styles and ace every one. They are constantly rotating and releasing new brews with names like “Gingerly Squeeze My Lemons”, “Coconut Pete’s Chai Ale”, and “Hush Your Mouth Triple IPA”, but typically only 12 or so are on draught in the taproom at a time. This keeps things fresh in the tap room, there is always something new to try.
Andy’s prowess allows Mike’s vision for Low Tide to become a reality through their beer. The “Coastal Harvest Gose” was a great example of the ingenuity going on behind the scenes. A gose is a sour beer originating in Gosland, Germany dating back 1000 years. While the original gose historically owes its unique flavor profile to the River Gose’s high saline content, Low Tide used “sea pickles” harvested by Mike from some of Charleston’s salt marshes to emulate the salty element of the classic. The beer was a unique twist on the classic and emphasized Low Tide’s ties to Charleston’s environment.
Photo: Facebook User @Lowtidebrewing
While there has been talk about future plans for bottling, currently, you can only get their beer at the brewery itself or at restaurants lucky enough to have it on tap. It isn’t particularly rare to find them on tap at restaurants featuring craft brew selections because they ship kegs statewide. If you’re looking for a restaurant in Charleston that has them on tap we would recommend trying Bohemian Bull, Bay Street Biergarten, or Loggerheads. There are even some restaurants around Charleston that are lucky enough to have their exclusive, signature brew created by Lowtide as a compliment to their menu and atmosphere. So, only at Triangle Char & Bar can you find the delectable “Triangle Char & Bar Welcome Wheat” and out on Kiawah, the infamous Ocean Course Clubhouse features its very own “Ocean Course Ale”.
Mike’s original concept was to create a brewery to cater to Charleston’s rich restaurant scene focusing on creating those signature brews and the taproom was meant to be more of a bonus. Less than two years after opening the doors of the large converted warehouse that calls home, there are times when Mike wishes that there was more space. As the brewery evolved, it gained a dedicated following of both locals and visitors alike. The extent of their popularity is most astounding during their events, like their Oyster Roasts, when the whole front lot is closed off to allow for the crowds overflowing out of the taproom.
Apart from great beer and great times, the crowds grow because everyone is welcome here. No matter where you’re from you are treated like a local. Mike mentioned how important it is to him to make everyone feel comfortable, and it shows. When scanning the crowd at the oyster roast there wasn’t an obvious archetype for the typical low tide patron. Young, old, a number of families with their kids, people who have lived on John’s Island their whole life, others visiting for the first time, and (in the Charleston way) everyone brings their dogs. While Mike admits that he never thought that he would be so happy to have dogs and kids running around his brewery, it means a lot to him to see that there is such a sense of community that has developed around the taproom and their brews.
Photo: Facebook User @Lowtidebrewing
Take a trip out to John’s Island and stop by Low Tide Brewing next time you’re in town. You can follow them and check out all their upcoming events on their facebook page and find more information about them on their website. Hope to see you there!
