Best Things to Do Near the 2021 PGA Championship
Here on Seabrook Island, we are full of eager anticipation and excitement. Why? Because, as golf aficionados already have marked in their calendars, the PGA Championship will be coming to the Lowcountry from May 20-23, and practice rounds have already started! If you booked your stay on Seabrook Island, SC, in preparation for this world-class event, we can’t wait to have you! To help you maximize your time here on Seabrook Island, there are a few fun experiences we recommend adding to your PGA trip to-do list!
10 Things to Do Near the 2021 PGA Championship
Just 7 miles away from Kiawah Island, you can explore uncrowded beaches and beautiful marshlands at Seabrook Island. Our oceanfront community, a Certified Member of the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program, is immersed in secluded natural splendor with world-class amenities waiting for you to enjoy. Not to mention, we are just a short drive away from the heart of Charleston, which is ranked one of the best small cities in America. Here, you can explore all of the rich history Charleston has to offer, along with shopping, fine dining, and more. So, here are the 10 best things to do while in Seabrook Island for the PGA!
Hit the Links on Our Charleston Golf Courses
If you can’t play with the pros, you can still play at Seabrook Island’s two championship golf courses. Both Seabrook Island courses will exceed your expectations in beautiful, undisturbed natural surroundings with challenging play. Our Ocean Winds course takes you to the Atlantic Ocean where swirling salty breezes, water hazards, and bunkers provide a challenging test of ability.
The Crooked Oaks Course is a 6,780-yard, par 72 course that winds through marsh, maritime forests, and moss-hung, century-old live oaks, which are perfect for hot days when you need some shade. Our luxurious locker room facilities for men and women offer shower areas, towels, private lounges, and a full-service bar with refreshments. If you have any questions about fees, dress code, tee times, and private or group lessons, our staff of PGA golf professionals can assist you at The Vanguard Golf Pro Shop next to the main clubhouse. To book your tee time or learn more about our golf courses in Charleston, SC, click here.
Play Tennis or Pickleball at the Racquet Club
If golf isn’t necessarily your thing, test out your skills on our top-tier tennis and pickleball courts! The Seabrook Island Racquet Club features state-of-the-art facilities, top-quality court conditions, and a balance of year-round social, instructional, and competitive options for all levels of tennis enthusiasts.
Ranked as a “Top 25 Tennis Destination” nationwide by Tennis Resorts Online, our state-of-the-art facility is home to 15 Har-Tru clay courts, including 4 lit tennis courts and 2 lit pickleball courts for those who want to enjoy a match after sunset. In addition to a clubhouse with a private lounge area, our full-service Racquet Pro Shop has everything you need, from tennis shoes to apparel. And, if you’ve never even heard of pickleball, we have lessons and equipment available for rental! Click here to learn more or make your reservation.
Ride Horses Along the Beach or the Marsh
Seabrook Island is the only private island community where you can go horseback riding on the beach near Charleston, SC. Advanced riders can gallop along the North Beach, through the gentle waves of the Atlantic Ocean. We also offer more laidback beach rides for beginner riders.
If you want to explore the heart of Seabrook Island, our 22-acre Equestrian Center offers scenic nature trails which spotlight the maritime forests, marshland, and tidal creeks, too. If you don’t have any riding experience, but would like to learn, we also offer private and group lessons! The Seabrook Island Equestrian Center provides an experience like no other and is one of our most popular amenities. If you are interested, click here to make a reservation as soon as possible!
Look for Local Charleston Wildlife
As an Audubon International Cooperative Sanctuary, Seabrook is home to a diverse variety of wildlife including many mammals such as bobcats, red and gray foxes, and white-tailed deer that you may see along the scenic route. Our barrier island is also a sanctuary for more than 80 species of birds, including bald eagles, roseate spoonbills, pelicans, egrets, osprey, and many more.
Among the most popular species on Seabrook are the bottlenose dolphin and the loggerhead sea turtle. Often found strand-feeding near along and near Cap’n Sam’s Inlet during low tide is our population of resident dolphins (about 25 in total). Another magical phenomenon commonly seen here on the island is the hatching of loggerhead sea turtles, who make their way to the ocean from our beaches. To spot some of these magnificent creatures around the island, try hiking one of our serene nature trails!
Explore One of Our Pristine Beaches
With nearly four miles of peaceful beachfront waiting to be uncovered, you certainly won’t get bored exploring Seabrook. Whether you want to lounge oceanside with a good book or go on a hunt for interesting shells, there is plenty to do on the beach. Beach access is made easy, with over nine boardwalks conveniently placed around the island. The North Beach, the first place touched by sunlight every day, is the best place to enjoy an inspiring sunrise (and maybe even spot a resident dolphin) while taking a morning stroll from Cap’n Sam’s Inlet to the North Beach Lagoon.
And if you’re looking for the best place to catch a vibrant sunset, Pelican Beach is where you’ll want to be. Make sure to take a picnic dinner with you to make the evening even more enjoyable. For those who prefer to enjoy the ocean from our resort-style amenities, we offer an oceanfront Beach Club with two pools, a full-service bar, open-air dining, and plenty of space to bask under the sun.
Take a Tour of the Charleston, SC
If you have time to take a day trip during your stay, we recommend heading to the nearby city of Downtown Charleston. There are plenty of ways you can explore this charming destination, from haunted tours and walking tours to horse and carriage rides. Not only are these fun ways to see the city, but you can also get some history lessons, too.
If you opt to save some money and explore on your own, make sure to visit famous historical attractions like the Aiken-Rhett House, Marion Square, the Old Exchange, and Provost Dungeon, the SC Aquarium, and the Joseph Manigault House. If you want to snap a good shot in front of Charleston’s famous pastel-colored homes, make sure to visit Rainbow Row. While you are in the area, stop by the Ravenel Waterfront Park, which boasts beautiful views of the harbor, and the beloved Pineapple Fountain, which is a welcoming symbol of southern hospitality.
Experience Charleston’s Unique Art Scene
In addition to colorful antebellum homes, Charleston is also lined with a variety of different art galleries for those who are interested in experiencing more of our local culture. And there definitely isn’t a shortage of art to look at, from the Gibbes Museum of Art to the Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art to the City Gallery at Waterfront Park. With an astonishing collection of over 10,000 American works, the Gibbes Museum, in particular, offers many exhibits from the Renaissance era to Japanese prints.
The Gibbes Museum also offers a variety of classes and workshops for artists of all ages and skill levels. The Reinert Fine Art Gallery on King Street features contemporary impressionist artworks by Rick Reinert and more than 50 other artists of diverse styles. This art gallery is one of the most unique in Charleston, with an outside courtyard where you can relax. You might even get a glimpse of the artist working on one of their current pieces! If you are a fine arts enthusiast and plan on lingering in the Charleston area for a few days after the tournament, make sure to check out the Spoleto Festival, which is held from May 28th to June 13th! This renowned event brings together some of the most well-known and emerging performers in opera, theater, dance, and music to put on a show around Charleston’s beautiful historic theaters, churches, and outdoor venues.
Shop at the Historic Charleston City Market
If you are looking to experience Charleston like a local, you need to check out the historic open-air market, which is located just around the corner from King Street. The Charleston City Night Market showcases the work of more than 100 talented (and 100% local) artists and craftspeople. Here, you can find everything from home accessories to handmade jewelry to the famous Lowcountry sweetgrass baskets.
The Historic Charleston City Market is a great place to snag a thoughtful souvenir for loved ones or a unique piece of artwork to remind you of your trip for years to come. If you find yourself wondering where the day went, not to worry! Those who spent the day exploring the rest of the city can still enjoy the artisanal vendors, live music, and food every Friday and Saturday evening from 6:30 pm to 10:30 pm. After all, it is the largest handmade market in the southeast!
Catch a Charter at Bohicket Marina
Bohicket Marina is the best way to get onto the water while you’re here. Whether you want a day of sailing or a fishing tour, this is the perfect place to find a guide and glide off into the Atlantic. Bohicket Marina offers a variety of rental options, so if you feel like exploring, take a vessel, hit the water, and find your happy place. They also have charters available, with experienced local captains who can steer you toward your day’s entertainment. Whether you’re looking for the best fishing, the clearest water, or a secluded view of the beautiful coast, Bohicket’s tours can make sure you find the best of Charleston.
After an exciting day out on the water, it’s time to unwind. Visit the Synergy Day Spa or Glitz and Glam Hair and Nails, both located conveniently at the Marina. Of course, after such a productive day of sea, sun, and style, you deserve to unwind with your friends and family at the Salty Dog Cafe or Fischer’s Sports Pub and Grill. Sip your drink on the marina balcony as you watch the setting sun, and congratulate yourself on a day well spent.
Visit Charleston’s Landmark Parks and Gardens
The Lowcountry is a naturally lush area, and the Charleston community has taken great care to allow that Carolina beauty to shine through. Take a trip down to the tip of the downtown peninsula to visit the Charleston Battery Park, with its traditional cannons mirrored by lines of great oaks. Relax on the benches and in the historic gazebo, or picnic on the grasses. You get a great view of the water all around you and across the Atlantic, you will see Fort Sumter, where the first shots of the Civil War were fired. You can visit Fort Sumter through a guided ferry boat tour. Then visit one of the oldest gardens in America, Magnolia Gardens.
You can spend the rest of the day strolling through the massive property with its bursts of colors and floral arrays. Check out the hidden gem of the Park Circle Butterfly Garden, and sit among the serenity of the butterflies. On your way back toward Seabrook Island, stop by James Island County Park to go crane-spotting by the marshes and the tidal creek trails. A tour of our parks and gardens is a great way to take in both the history and the modern, natural beauty of the Charleston area.
We are counting down the days until the 2021 PGA Championship in South Carolina and can’t wait for Club members and guests to join us here on Seabrook Island. We truly have something for everyone to enjoy, from hitting balls on the greens to playing pickleball on one of our luxurious courts and lounging at one of our oceanfront resort-style pools. For more visitor resources, check out all of our Guides and Tips For Visiting Seabrook Island here! And don’t forget to golf, relax, explore, and repeat!