Visitor’s Guide To Charleston

Each year, Seabrook Island welcomes more and more new families to our close-knit community. If you’re one of our newcomers or if you’re a long-time resident entertaining friends who have never been to Charleston, take a look at our visitor’s guide to Charleston for getting acquainted with the Holy City and other parts of the Lowcountry.

Beaches

Charleston is frequently ranked as one of the top US travel destinations, and our beaches certainly contribute to that record. Each one has its own unique qualities, but you really can’t go wrong. Although Sullivan’s and Isle of Palms (IOP) are worth a mention, we will highlight Folly and Seabrook’s own beaches.

Folly Beach

If you’re looking for a coastal town complete with beachy shops, easygoing restaurants, and watersports rental companies, this is it. Folly’s six miles of beaches are usually packed in the summer months, so try to get there early or late to beat the crowds.

Seabrook Island Beaches

In contrast to Folly Beach, Seabrook is private. Our shores allow you the room to spread out and enjoy the ocean views without peering through a beach store’s entire inventory of umbrellas.

History

Middleton Place

With over 110 acres of land and 65 acres of gardens, Middleton Place is a beautiful area to visit in the spring and summer. This venue offers more than aesthetics, though. One of the major areas of focus is on the history of the land. Visitors can learn about the Middleton family, as and hear the stories of the enslaved and freedmen that served there.

Carriage Tours or Walking Tours

As a destination city, Charleston has plenty of engaging guides who love to talk about their home. Take a historic Charleston carriage ride downtown during the day or wait till the evening to go on a haunted walking tour of the Holy City.

Art & Music

The Lowcountry always has some sort of art event on the calendar. If you’re heading downtown, check out the Gibbes Museum for exhibits from international artists, modern and contemporary art, and art that focuses on the history of Charleston. 

For music, consult Charleston Jazz’s calendar of events. They have regular tributes to influential figures in jazz, like Dizzy Gillespie and Sammy Davis Jr. They also partner with other local musicians, like the Lowcountry Voices, to include programming that speaks to the Gullah traditions of Charleston.

Shopping and Dining

Charleston’s shopping and dining scene cannot be missed. Bring your visiting friends to King Street in downtown Charleston to experience Second Sunday. Every second Sunday of the month from 1 to 5 pm, Charleston’s main shopping street closes to cars. People bring their dogs, local business owners set up shop in the streets, and music fills the air. 

You don’t have to make the drive into downtown Charleston to have shopping and dining experiences worth repeating. Freshfields Village is just a few minutes away from our Seabrook Island community. With more than 30 shops, restaurants, and wellness services, you can get a taste of Lowcountry cuisine and Southern hospitality closer to home. Take a look at Freshfield Village’s calendar of events for more unique things to do. 

If you’d prefer to stay on Seabrook Island, check out our calendar for daily athletic and social activities.