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Charleston, South Carolina
... is
America's most beautifully preserved
architectural and historic treasure, with a
rich, 300-year history just waiting to be
discovered.
Hundreds of
significant and
lovingly preserved structures from the colonial
and antebellum periods grace the Historic
District's narrow streets. Church bells toll the
hour as history unfolds around each and every
corner. In no other place are the past and
present more intertwined.
The entire
Charleston area is a never-ending feast for the
senses, with history
serving as the main course. Visit Charles Towne
Landing, the site where the original settlement
was established in 1670. Explore the Charleston
Museum, our nation's first museum, or
Patriots Point, the world's largest naval and
maritime museum and home of WW II's Fighting
Lady, the aircraft carrier Yorktown. Drive to
Fort Moultrie, scene of the first decisive
American victory of the Revolution, and a
mainstay of shore defense until 1947. Take a
scenic boat tour to Fort Sumter, the man-made
island fortress where the Civil War began.
World-famous plantations
and gardens offer visitors a fascinating
glimpse into life during the antebellum era.
Informative tours
of the Charleston area are offered daily
and are a must for all who want to truly
appreciate this living museum.
The area's lush
sea islands and sun-drenched beaches offer as
much recreation or
relaxation as your heart desires.
Golf is on a
world-class level, with challenging courses
reflecting the natural beauty of the South
Carolina lowcountry.
Charter fishing on the Gulf Stream or
inshore waters is readily available.
Shopping is one of
our Visitors most passionate pursuits. Marvel at
native sweetgrass baskets and handmade crafts
found in Charleston's famous open-air market, or
browse through
inviting boutiques, art galleries and antique
shops found throughout the Charleston area. When
it comes to dining,
your biggest decision may just be what to try
next. Every meal is a celebration of tastes,
with variety that ranges from traditional oyster
roasts to fine continental dining. If festivals
strike your fancy, you have come to the right
place. You will be dazzled by a diverse array of
special events.
At any time of
year, you will always find more to see, do and
experience than you ever imagined... in a place
where warm welcomes have been a treasured
tradition for over 300 years.
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Sullivan's Island
Sullivan's Island -- Visitors
and Residents enjoy the historic
charm of Sullivan's Island, which
includes Ft. Moultrie, originally
built during the Revolutionary War.
Edgar Allen Poe wrote his famous
story The Gold Bug while stationed
here, and it is the burial site of
Seminole Indian Chief Osceola. Other
historic sites include the
Sullivan's Island lighthouse and
numerous shore batteries that
provided defense until the end of
World War II.
Return to a bygone era and
experience the quaint charm of
Sullivan's Island with it's
lighthouse that beckons the ships
into Charleston Harbor and Historic
Fort Moultrie.
Sparkling sunny beaches and sweeping
marshlands make Charleston's Eastern
Barrier Islands a true paradise.
Here you can find the magic and
serenity of an island retreat with
the comforts and amenities you'd
expect from a world class resort
community...all just minutes from
historic downtown Charleston.
Contact us to explore the casual
lifestyle of these enchanting
islands!
Sullivan's Island offer miles of
public beaches, mostly bordered by
beachfront homes. Windsurfing and
jet skiing are popular here. Take
U.S. 17 East to S.C. 703 (Ben Sawyer
Blvd.). South Carolina 703 continues
through Sullivan's Island to the
Isle of Palms.
Fort
Moultrie -- Only a palmetto-log
fortification at the time of the
American Revolution, the
half-completed fort was attacked by
a British fleet in 1776. Col.
William Moultrie's troops repelled
the invasion in one of the first
decisive American victories of the
Revolution. The fort was
subsequently enlarged into a
five-sided structure with
earth-and-timber walls 17 feet high.
The British didn't do it in, but an
1804 hurricane ripped it apart. By
the War of 1812, it was back and
ready for action. Osceola, the
fabled leader of the Seminoles in
Florida, was incarcerated at the
fort and eventually died here.
During the 1830s, Edgar Allen Poe
served as a soldier at the fort. He
set his famous short story "The Gold
Bug" on Sullivan's Island. The fort
also played roles in the Civil War,
the Mexican War, the
Spanish-American War, and even in
the two World Wars, but by 1947, it
had retired from action.
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Isle of
Palms
Beginning in
the latter part of the 19th century, the Isle of
Palms began welcoming visitors. At that time,
the
island was accessible only by water and a single
railroad bridge. Today, visitors can receive
complete information on the Isle of Palms at the
Mt. Pleasant/Isle of Palms Visitor Center,
conveniently located in Mt. Pleasant at the
corner of US Hwy. 17 and McGrath Darby Blvd.
As the years
have passed, the Isle of Palms has become
increasingly popular with its appeal spreading
far beyond the boundaries of the Lowcountry.
Ease of access to this resort island has played
an important role in its popularity. I-26
intersects with I-526, which leads directly to
the island via the Isle of Palms Connector (SC
517). While becoming an ever more popular
vacation destination, the Isle of Palms has lost
none of the charm for which it is famous!
Moderate year-round temperatures and seven miles
of wide, sparkling beach combine to make the
Isle of Palms the perfect vacation destination
throughout the year. Many visitors are
discovering the island's special charm during
the spring, fall and winter months.
The Isle of
Palms offers every activity imaginable. Whether
you are the adventurous type, or prefer to relax
under the warm South Carolina sun, you're sure
to find your own special kind of fun. If salt
water is your passion, you will love the Isle of
Palms! Great surfing, swimming, windsurfing,
surf casting and offshore fishing are yours for
the asking. You'll also enjoy crabbing and
shrimping in the beautiful creeks and deep green
marshes that separate this semi-tropical island
from the mainland. There is also a beautiful
family-oriented park located directly on the
beach!
Although
separated from the mainland, the Isle of Palms
is in no way isolated! It is both a residential
and vacation island, featuring numerous shops
offering a full complement of goods and
services. You'll find a complete selection of
retail and specialty shops, as well as real
estate offices, a grocery store, numerous
restaurants, banks, schools and churches. The
Isle of Palms hosts several annual events such
as the Isle of Palms Connector Run/Walk and the
Sand Shark Run.
The Isle of
Palms offers a wide range of accommodations that
stretch from one end of the island to the other.
Choices include the Ocean Inn, Sea Cabins, and
Seaside Inn, along with villas and private homes
available through rental agencies.
Wild
Dunes
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Wild
Dunes Resort -- A bit livelier
than Kiawah Island, its major
competitor, this complex is set on
landscaped ground on the north
shore. The 1,600-acre resort has not
only two widely acclaimed golf
courses, but also an array of other
outdoor attractions. Many families
settle in here for a long stay,
almost never venturing into
Charleston. Guests are housed in
condos and a series of cottages and
villas. Many accommodations have
only one bedroom, but others have as
many as six. Villas and cottages are
built along the shore, close to golf
and tennis. Furnishings are tasteful
and resortlike, with kitchens,
washers and dryers, and spacious
bathrooms with shower-tub
combinations and dressing areas.
Some of the best units have
screened-in balconies.
 Golf
Wild
Dunes Resort, Isle of Palms (tel.
803/886-6000), offers two
championship golf courses designed
by Tom Fazio. The Links is a
6,722-yard, par-72 layout that takes
the player through marshlands, over
or into huge sand dunes, through a
wooded alley, and into a pair of
oceanfront finishing holes once
called "the greatest east of Pebble
Beach, California." The course
opened in 1980 and has been ranked
among the 100 greatest courses in
the United States by Golf Digest and
among the top 100 in the world by
Golf Magazine. Golf Digest has also
ranked the Links as the
13th-greatest resort course in
America. The Harbor Course offers
6,402 yards of Low Country marsh and
Intracoastal Waterway views. This
par-70 layout is considered to be
target golf, challenging players
with two holes that play from one
island to another across Morgan
Creek. Greens fees at these courses
can range from $60 to $165,
depending on the season. Clubs can
be rented at either course for $25
for 18 holes, and professional
instruction costs $50 for a
45-minute session. Both courses are
open daily from 7am to 6pm
year-round.
Boating
A true
Charlestonian is as much at home on
the sea as on land. Sailing local
waters is a popular family pastime.
One of the best places for rentals
is Wild Dunes Yacht Harbor, Isle of
Palms (tel. 843/886-5100), where
16-foot boats, big enough for four
people, rent for around $185 for 4
hours, plus fuel. A larger pontoon
boat, big enough for 10, goes for
about $300 for 4 hours, plus fuel.
Marina
No trip to Wild Dunes is complete
without at least one boating
excursion. The Isle of Palms Marina,
an active, full-service marina
adjacent to Wild Dunes Resort, has a
wide variety of fun-filled
waterborne activities for island
visitors and residents. The marina
features a complete fleet of boats
for rent, charter and daily
excursions and tours offering an
unlimited variety of outings for
individuals, families or groups.
For guests who arrive by boat, the
marina the marina is located just 7
miles north of the Charleston
Harbor, at Marker 116 on the
Intracoastal Waterway. It can
comfortably accommodate yachts of up
to 200 feet. With a minimum depth in
all slips of 8 feet, some docks can
handle boats with drafts up to 10 to
12 feet. Floating docks are equipped
with all the amenities a yachtsman
expects from the finest marinas. For
information on charters, excursions
and docking, call the marina office
at (843) 886-0209.
Fishing
Freshwater fishing charters are
available year-round along the Low
Country's numerous creeks and
inlets. The waterways are filled
with flounder, trout, spot-tail, and
channel bass. Some of the best
striped-bass fishing available in
America can be found at nearby Lake
Moultrie.
Offshore-fishing charters for reef
fishing (where you'll find fish such
as cobia, black sea bass, and king
mackerel) and for the Gulf Stream
(where you fish for sailfish,
marlin, wahoo, dolphin, and tuna)
are also available. Both types of
charters can be arranged at the
previously recommended Wild Dunes
Yacht Harbor, Isle of Palms (tel.
843/886-5100). A fishing craft
holding up to six people rents for
around $750 for 6 hours, including
everything but food and drink.
Reservations must be made 24 hours
in advance.
Dining
Morgan Creek Grill, located in
the Isle of Palms Marina, offers an
unparalleled panoramic view of the
Intracoastal Waterway and
surrounding Lowcountry marshes from
waterfront dining rooms and the
Upperdeck Bar & Grill, on the roof
of Morgan Creek Grill. Enjoy the
freshest local seafood, steaks,
chops and an array of appetizers
prepared in an eclectic style.
Musical entertainment and deep draft
dockage provide a lively local
atmosphere whether you come by land
or sea. Their southern hospitality,
casual ambiance, outstanding food,
and unforgettable scenery is what
makes Morgan Creek Grill the perfect
destination. If you are looking for
a unique dining experience that you
won't soon forget, visit them on the
creek. Dinner reservations
recommended, 843-886-8980.
Located in the Links Clubhouse,
Edgar's Restaurant and Bar has
become a well-known local favorite.
Chef Kevin Bruntz has taken time
honored ingredients and recipes to a
new level of Lowcountry dining. You
can enjoy Edgar's Restaurant & Bar
for breakfast, lunch and dinner
daily in a relaxed, casual
atmosphere. Dinner reservations
recommended, 843-886-2296.
Edgar's Bar features your favorite
cocktails, a friendly atmosphere and
dancing to the sounds of Ronnie
Johnson and his entertaining
repertoire of tunes, from Beach to
Country, Jimmy Buffett to classic
Rock 'n Roll. Ronnie is proud of his
open mic policy so if it moves you,
get up and join him!
The
Sea Island Grill at the Boardwalk
Inn is located in
The Boardwalk Inn, and is Wild
Dunes' newest dining experience.
Chef Enzo promises the Freshest in
Lowcountry Seafood available! Sample
offerings are She Crab Soup with
Crab Fritter, Fresh Poached Mussels,
a Raw Bar Platter, Fresh Shucked
Oysters or Clams, Boardwalk
Flounder, or your favorite
preparation of Black Grouper,
Atlantic Salmon, Yellowfin Tuna, and
more. For the land-lubbers, Black
Angus Filet of Beef and a 22 oz
Porterhouse Steak make the list.
And for dessert, the Sea Island
Grill offers a selection of souffl鳠and
the Ultimate Chocolate Cake!
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner is
served daily from 6:30 am to 10 pm.
The Bar, adjacent to The Grill,
offers a selection of choice
scotches, bourbons and the like.
Dinner reservations are requested,
ext. 2200 or 843-886-2200. The hotel
in Wild Dunes also maintains a
lounge, which stays open until 2am.
Facilities
3 restaurants; 2 bars; 2 pools; 2
18-hole golf courses; 18 tennis
courts; fitness center; Jacuzzi;
sauna; room service; massage;
babysitting; laundry/dry cleaning.
The Fitness Center offers a healthy
workout as well as a selection of
professional health and fitness
services. Their staff will assist
with your choice of massage therapy
appointments, personal
training/sport specific strength
training and steam or sauna
sessions. Advanced cardiovascular
and weight training equipment is
available. |
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