Sunny days: A CP guide on how to make the most of your summer in the Lowcountry

If you’re still looking for ideas for how to spend these hot, sunny summer months, look no further. Whether you’re looking for a place to sit in the sand and enjoy a cool, salty ocean breeze or a place to sit indoors and escape the heat with a cold drink in your hand, we have you covered.

Here’s our 2024 guide on the best places to spend your beach days, grab your summer sips, hit a local farmers markets and more. These lists are far from exhaustive — and longtime locals may probably have totally different experiences and bars from ours. More than anything, we encourage you to get out, explore and find your own hidden gems across the Lowcountry this summer.

Beat the heat

The Isle of Palms, known to locals as IOP, is home to a long stretch of public beach as well as a popular resort and golf course. The “isle” proper is nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway — a 3,000-mile inland waterway that runs from Massachusetts to the southern tip of Florida before following the Gulf Coast to Texas.

Whether you’re looking for a staycation at Wild Dunes (check out its “experiences” like eco-excursions and stand-up paddleboarding) or a relaxing day trip to take in everything the island town has to offer, IOP can check all your boxes — if you can brave the parking.

Isla Surf School can teach you how to ride Folly waves | Photo provided

Sullivan’s Island, a two-and-a-half-mile long barrier island across a bridge from IOP, was settled in the 17th century by Captain Florence O’Sullivan while he was stationed as a lookout. The beach town has a strong military background and is the site of the first patriot naval victory during the Revolutionary War. (We celebrate that day, now called “Carolina Day” on June 28.)

Beach parking is available on most streets — be sure to pay close attention to posted signs — and we’re partial to the southernmost tip of the beach. Drive past Fort Moultrie for street parking and walk down the dedicated beach path to find a more secluded stretch of beach, offset by breakwaters.

Folly Beach, lovingly referred to as “the edge of America,” is a 12-square-mile barrier island located just nine miles from downtown Charleston. Six miles of beaches are surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and Folly River, and outdoor recreation is a big draw for folks visiting the town.
If you’re surfing inclined — or would like to be — make your way to the Washout, the best area for surfing on Folly, and possibly all of Charleston County. This part of the beach got its name after Hurricane Hugo washed out several homes and, according to Folly’s official website, “created unobstructed wind flow that is perfect for surfing.” Contact Isla Surf School for lessons.

Also be sure to bring a bucket to collect shells. Folly recently made Southern Living’s list of “The Best Southern Beaches For Avid Shellers.” According to SL, “what makes Folly Beach really special is the abundance of fossils, urchins, sand dollars and starfish.”

Sip in the sun

The Ryder Hotel’s poolside bar, Little Palm, is as Instagram-worthy as it sounds. Belly up to the bar for a drink or reserve a set of sun loungers or a poolside table to take advantage of the pool. Poolside reservations start daily and can be made on Resy.

Little Palm’s coastal-inspired menu features light and bright share-able plates, like salt potatoes, chicken croquettes and jerk wings. Fill up on larger dishes like the Cuban sandwich and double cheeseburger, too. And don’t sleep on the inventive cocktail list (that’s why we’re here, right?), with fun beverages like the Late Checkout, made with Lunazul Blanco, vanilla, smoked peach and strawberry soda and the Fresh Sheets, made with Pisco, chamomile, pineapple, lemon, green tea and toasted rice.

The Terrace bar at The Mills House seems to check all the boxes when it comes to oasis requirements (pro tip: check out our past coverage of the glory of hotel bars to learn more about why they’re so damn inviting).

Sip drinks poolside at The Terrace bar at the Mills House | Photo courtesy The Mills House

The Terrace offers a variety of seating options, from bar seats to a lounge area to cabanas (available to rent if you want to dip in the pool, too). Large patio umbrellas offer some shade, and things really start to cool off when you dive into the cocktail menu, which includes a variety of both frozen drinks and signature cocktails.

Renovated last summer, Satellite Bar, formerly known as Stars Rooftop Bar, offers a place for folks looking to, quite literally, rise above hectic Upper King Street. In an interview with Charleston City Paper last fall, Stars Restaurant’s director of operations, Heather Greene, said that the reno-ed space was a “level up” from the previous rooftop bar.

Satellite Bar (above), formerly called Stars Rooftop Bar, is a great spot to cool off and people watch | Photo courtesy Satellite Bar

Featuring Brazilian hardwood, fruit trees and colorful awnings, Satellite Bar feels a bit like an escape from downtown. The fun, though, is that the panoramic views allow visitors to still sightsee (and people watch).

Summer safety tips

In the middle of summer fun, experts say it is important to keep in mind summer safety tips to avoid sunburns, bruises and worse.

Keep a close eye on children near the water. Summer vacation is a popular time to surf, water ski and spend time near the ocean. Drowning is a major concern when close to the water and one of the most common preventable deaths. A child can drown in the time it takes to reply to a text, according to the American Red Cross.

Folly Beach Pier | Ruta Smith file photo

Suggestion: It is best to have a designated adult “water watcher” to focus on children and weak swimmers in the water. The Red Cross advises that children take swimming lessons and always wear lifejackets.

Be mindful of firework laws and dangers. If you are inclined to shoot off fireworks, the Red Cross recommends you set off fireworks away from buildings or trees. Always wear eye protection and store fireworks in a cool, dry place away from children and pets. Buying or shooting fireworks is illegal inside the city of Charleston and many other cities year-round. It is best to check local fireworks laws before you celebrate July 4 with a bang. Pro tip: Pets really don’t like fireworks. Consider their welfare when you’re firing off popping rockets.

Apply sunscreen properly. The American Academy of Dermatology advises people of all ages to use water-resistant sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher that offers broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays.

Watch out for heat stroke. Charleston’s extreme summer heat can cause your body temperature to rise past the point of being able to cool itself. If you experience dizziness, confusion or muscle cramping, immediately go inside or into shade and drink water.

Respect shorebirds’ nesting sites. The South Carolina Audubon Society says to keep local wildlife safe this summer by staying a safe distance from nesting sites. Pro tip: Pick up trash.

Explosive events set for July Fourth

There’s no shortage of exciting places and ways to enjoy this year’s Fourth of July fireworks. The City Paper has put together a collection of several events and opportunities to watch the display. Wherever you choose to celebrate, make sure to don your red, white and blues and bask in the glow by the water with your fellow Americans.

Charleston Symphony at The Joe
June 29. 6 p.m. Free with reservation. Joseph P. Riley Park. 360 Fishburne St. Downtown. charlestonsymphony.org

Independence Day Celebration with the Charleston RiverDogs
July 4 to July 6. 7 p.m. Ticket prices vary. Joseph P. Riley Park. 360 Fishburne St. Downtown. milb.com/charleston

Isle of Palms Fourth of July Celebration
July 4. 6:30 p.m. Free. 21st Avenue.
Isle of Palms. iop.net

Patriots Point Fireworks Blast
July 4. 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. $95/person. Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum. 40 Patriots Point Road. Mount Pleasant. patriotspoint.org

Fireworks and Freedom Festival
July 4. 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Free. Gahagan Park. 184 W. Boundary St. Summerville. summervillesc.gov

Fourth of July Festival at Riverfront Park
July 4. 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Free. Riverfront Park. 1061 Everglades Ave.
North Charleston. northcharleston.org

Fabulous Fourth in the Creek
July 4. 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Free.
Goose Creek Municipal Center.
519 N. Goose Creek Blvd. Goose Creek. cityofgoosecreek.com

Fourth of July Fireworks on Folly Beach
July 4. Dusk. Free. Folly Beach.
visitfolly.com

Sullivan’s Island Fourth of July Celebration
July 4. 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Free. Sunrise Presbyterian Church. 3222 Middle St. Sullivan’s Island. sullivansisland.sc.gov

Red, White and Blue Festival at Kiawah Island Resort
July 4. 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Reservation
prices vary. Kiawah Island Golf Resort.
1 Sanctuary Beach Drive. Kiawah Island. kiawahresort.com

Fourth of July at The Watch
July 4. 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. $75/adult; $30/ages 12 and under. The Watch Rooftop.
75 Wentworth St. Downtown. therestorationhotel.com

Local markets and farms

Get a taste of the Lowcountry’s fresh produce at a farmers market or pick-your-own-produce farm. The Charleston Farmers Market in downtown’s Marion Square runs from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. every Saturday and highlights offerings from local farmers, tasty bites from food trucks, artisan items, live music and kids activities such as an inflatable bounce house.

The Sunday Brunch Farmers Market offers fresh produce, artisan goods, live music and more | Photo courtesy Sunday Brunch Farmers Market

The Charleston Pour House opens its backyard and back deck to the public for the Sunday Brunch Farmers Market. Visitors can peruse the many goods for sale while sipping a cold drink from the bar and grooving along to the band on the deck. Other markets take place on varying days throughout the area including West Ashley Farmers Market, Holy City Farmers Market, the Folly Art Village Market and more.

For an even fresher experience, pick your own produce at area farms including Boone Hall Farms in Mount Pleasant, Bugby Plantation U-Pick on Wadmalaw Island and Champney’s Blueberry Farm in Ravenel. This is an excellent activity for the whole family, just be sure to plan your trip according to the weather and temperature as a summer afternoon in the field can get very hot.

Pet-friendly beaches

Kiawah Island: Pets must be leashed at all times from March 16 to Oct. 31. Starting Nov. 1 until March 15, pets can roam off-leash from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., except in the critical habitat area, and on-leash from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.

Edisto Beach: From May 1 to Oct. 31, this beach requires animals to be leashed at all times. Outside of these specified months, pets can enjoy the beach without a leash.

Folly Beach: To ensure pet safety from crowds and extreme heat, animals are prohibited from accessing the beach between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. from May 1 to Sept. 30. Pets are welcome the rest of the year during the off-season but must remain leashed at all times.

Isle of Palms: Pets are permitted on Isle of Palms between 5 a.m to 9 a.m. from April 1 to Sept. 14, and between 4 p.m. and 10 a.m. from Sept.15 to March 3. During these hours, they can be off-leash. All animals who visit should be vaccinated and pet owners must carry the vaccination certificate.

Sullivan’s Island: Summer hours for pets on the beach go into effect from May 1 to Sept. 30. During this period, pets are allowed off-leash from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. and must be on-leash from 6 p.m. to 5 a.m. Animals are not allowed on the beach between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.