Weekend Trip Idea: Isle of Palms and Charleston, SC

By TMoM Team Member Suzy Fielders

Isle of Palms and Charleston are my two favorite places in South Carolina. There is so much to do and it’s a great destination for either a family vacation, couples’ getaway, or girl’s weekend. 

Since they are only about a 15-minute drive from each other, which happens to lead you across the beautiful Cooper Bridge, we always combine the two places on our trips. I’ll cover some of our favorite stops in but trust me when I say there are so many other options beyond that too. You could turn either or both into a weeklong trip during the summer or breaks too!

Isle of Palms and Charleston, SC Food Guide

As with any good trip, great food and dining options is a must so I’m going to start there. Below are the ones in the area that I highly recommend, but one of the best things about this part of SC is there are tons of great dining destinations to explore and try!

• Toast! All Day – multiple locations in the area (Breakfast food here is divine)
• Coconut Joe’s – 1120 Ocean Blvd, Isle of Palms (Great views and the fun kids meals)
• The Windjammer – 1008 Ocean Blvd, Isle of Palms (Beautiful views with rooftop seating)
• Burton’s Grill – 1875 North Highway 17, Mount Pleasant (Great menu and options)
• Charleston Crab House – 41 South Market St, Charleston (Cocktails and seafood are amazing)
• Fleet Landing Restaurant & Bar – 186 Concord St, Charleston (Pretty waterfront patio and good seafood)
• Magnolias – 185 E Bay St, Charleston (Great upscale dining choice)

Don’t Miss Activities

No matter your age or your kid’s ages there is always something to do in this area! Here are some of our favorites. 

• Isle of Palms Beach – The sand is soft and the waves are usually calm so it’s perfect for kids of all ages. 
• Charleston Waterfront Park & the Pineapple Fountain – Fun to see and great views of the waterfront, plus splashing or wading in the fountain is welcomed.
• South Carolina Aquarium – Great choice if it rains or you love sea life. 
• Walking or harbor tour – There are plenty to pick from that will fit your family or group and needs, including haunted tours. 
• Firefly Distillery Tour – This is one for 21+ only, and the sweet tea vodka is so good.
• Architectural sightseeing – You can spend an entire day just walking around and admiring the architecture in Charleston. 
• Angel Oak Tree – Located about 13 miles south of Charleston on John’s Island is a beautiful and almost magical tree that is worth visiting. 
• Rainbow Row – A trip to Charleston is not complete without visiting this gem. 
• College of Charleston Tour – Even if you don’t have college-aged kids yet this is a fun and beautiful campus to walk around. 
• Carriage Tour – similar to Wilmington, there are some opportunities to take a carriage tour around Charleston. 
• Sullivan’s Island Visit – In addition to great beaches, there are delicious dining options here (be sure to check out Poe’s Tavern). 

Where to Stay

If you are looking for a place to stay closer to the beach versus Charleston, then I highly recommend Residence Inn Charleston, located in Mt. Pleasant. We’ve stayed here several times. It’s always clean, the pool is never crowded, and we love that they are suites with kitchenettes. 

Whereas, if you want to stay in Charleston there are a number of boutique hotels that are fun. I’ve also stayed at a few of the Marriott (and their brands) within Charleston and enjoyed them all. 

There are plenty of Vrbo rentals closer to the beaches on the various islands as well. Isle of Palms has hotels on or near the beach if you want something that’s steps away from the beach!

No matter where you stay, choose to eat, or what you plan to do, a visit to Isle of Palms and Charleston is sure to be a hit with the entire family!