The Most Instagram-worthy Spots in Charleston

Rainbow Row

Rainbow Row is a display of 13 beautiful homes in downtown Charleston that are famous for their bright colors and Georgian architecture. Located on East Bay Street, Rainbow Row is just a short walk to the waterfront for even more spectacular views.

The Angel Oak Tree

The whimsical Angel Oak Tree is thought to be one of the oldest living things in the country. The Angel Oak is estimated to be in excess of 400-500 years old, stands over 66 feet tall. The winding braches draped in spanish moss really create the most picturesque scenery. Despite being located on John’s Island, the Angel Oak has come to symbolize Charleston and is a must see!

The Pineapple Fountain

The Pineapple Fountain has been a focal point at the Charleston Waterfront Park for almost 3 decades. The pineapple motif represents hospitality and is frequently found all over Charleston. During the hot summers, children cool off and splash around in the fountain, grown-ups are welcome too!

The Battery

The Battery is a historic defensive seawall at the Southernmost tip of the Charleston peninsula. With an abundance of oak trees draped in Spanish moss, this park is easily one of Charleston’s most popular spots. Catch great views of the Ravenel Bridge or snap a pic in front of the many beautiful and historic homes that line the perimeter of the Battery.

Middleton Place

The Middleton Place National Historic Landmark is a place where the past greets the present with scenery more than 250 years old. See history come alive, explore working stable yards and find tranquility in the gardens, Middleton Place has a lot to offer. Middleton is also home to the oldest landscaped gardens in America. The views are amazing, not to mention the historic significance of Middleton. This place is a must see!

Sea Turtle Nesting

Folly Beach is seeing lots of new life this summer with regards to Sea Turtle nesting, and it is projected to be an exciting year in this department!

According to Alissa Holmes with Live5News, The year 2013 currently holds the record for Sea Turtle nesting on Folly Beach with 108 nests found from May to August and 45 nests laid after June. However, 2019 could be the year to beat this record! This May alone has resulted in 47 nests, and coupled with the 53 found in June, this totals at least 100 nests (Holmes). At this rate, the Sea Turtle Nesting season of 2019 is on track to beat the 2013 record.

Unfortunately, Holmes also points out that with these high numbers also comes a high rate of Sea Turtle harassment and “false crawls”. South Carolina Department of Natural Resources has received numerous complaints of people disturbing nests and Sea Turtles which can lead to females abandoning an attempt to lay a nest (“false crawls”) (Holmes). During a time with this many nests being laid, it is necessary to remember that it is illegal to come within 25 feet of a hatchling (Holmes).

With a little space and respect from the humans of Folly Beach, Sea Turtles this season can expect to break records with the number of new lives brought onto the beach!

Holmes, Alissa. “Folly Beach on track for record breaking sea turtle nesting season.” Live5News, 15 July 2019, https://www.live5news.com/2019/07/15/folly-beach-track-record-breaking-sea-turtle-nesting-season/. Accessed 16 July 2019.

July Fishing Forecast

Fishing in Folly Beach charter has been good as deep-sea fishing has produced some big fish and plenty of activity to keep anglers busy! Anglers venturing out 20 miles or more have been catching Snapper, Grouper, King Mackerel, and Amberjack just to name a few. Our Nearshore fishing charters have had good luck with a variety of fish within 3-18 miles off the beach. We have been catching Spadefish, Bonito, Spanish Mackerel and Redfish along with about a dozen other species. Big Redfish are making their home at the jetties right on time along with multiple inshore species being caught along the rocks. Inshore fishing has produced Trout, smaller Redfish, Sharks and Black Drum. Some days we have had to move a lot to stay on the fish and other days we have been able to sit tight in one general area and catch fish all day. Either way, we always had a great time on the water. You can book online, send me a text, call or email to book a trip. Before you do take a look at some of our guest’s great catches!

843-696-4231

July Fishing Report

While the weather has been quite hot, it hasn’t slowed the fishing down. Fishermen can try starting early in the morning where they can find fish chasing bait on the surface as well as lighter winds that allow them to sight fish on the flats. Evenings also offer cooler temperatures and a chance to target tailing redfish on big flood tides.

The redfish bite has been great. The large schools of redfish have now split up but you can still find pods of twenty to thirty fish, especially on the flats. Putting a scent trail in the water and an easy meal in front of redfish is a tactic likely to succeed. We usually put live mullet or cracked blue crab on the bottom with enough weight to hold it in place. Use circle hooks in size 3/0 combined with a heavy test line and watch those rods rip over!

The trout bite is getting steadily stronger. We’ve started catching a healthy number of larger trout mixed in with smaller fish. Fishing mud minnows on jigheads is quite effective and lets you get your bait in front of trout in deeper pockets. I use 1/8 oz. or 1/4oz. jigheads. You can use heavier jigheads but make sure their size is not significantly bigger than the bait. Try alternating the speed of your retrieve as you work through an area.

Spanish mackerel are plentiful and are often best found at first light. If you find schools of fish busting bait on the surface, toss reflective casting jigs and reel them quickly through the school. Move your boat gradually around the school; running through a pod of fish will put them down. If you know fish are present but not up top, try trolling Clark Spoons at different depths and different speeds.

See you on the water!

For over a decade, Capt. Geoff Bennett has operated Charleston Charter Fishing providing light tackle charters. Clients choose from a full menu of artificial and live bait fishing options with charters tailored to their desires. USCG licensed and insured, Capt. Bennett is committed to providing a safe and enjoyable charter to anglers of all skill levels and ages. For more information, call Capt. Bennett at 843-324-3332, visit his website at www.charlestoncharterfishing.com or email him at [email protected].

9 Kid-Friendly Activities in Charleston, SC

1. Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry

This adorable museum includes nine interactive exhibits, including a two-story Medieval Castle, a pirate ship and a dedicated Art Room. It is a must-visit if your kids love to explore arts and sciences through their own imaginative play. The $10 ticket price is hard to beat, but the museum participates in the Association of Children’s Museums Reciprocal Network, so your membership at participating children’s museum gets you in for free!

Ticket Information: http://explorecml.org
25 Ann Street Charleston, SC 29403
843.853.8962

2. Fort Sumter National Monument

A 30-minute ferry ride from the Charleston Harbor will bring you to Fort Sumter where the whole family can enjoy learning more about the Civil War and where the first shots were fired. The island forts have giant cannons to check out, cool historic structures to explore and lots of ground to walk.

Information on Ferry Rides from Charleston Harbor: https://www.nps.gov/fosu/planyourvisit/fortsumtertickets.htm
Ticket and more information: https://fortsumtertours.com

3. Charleston Riverdogs Baseball Game

Come cheer for the hometown baseball team, the Riverdogs! The ‘Dogs play in their fun, compact stadium near the Citadel, and host numerous events and promotions for kids and families throughout the season. If you need a break from the game, you can head out back and look at the beautiful view overlooking the Lowcountry.

Schedule: https://www.milb.com/charleston/schedule/2019-06
Ticket and Promotion Information: https://www.milb.com/charleston/tickets

4. Spend the Day on Folly Beach

What’s better than spending the day at the beach?! Enjoy Folly Beach with your family and play in the surf, build sandcastles, and soak up some sun along the pristine white sand beaches. If you get hungry, you can head up to the beach pier or enjoy lunch at one of our many restaurants.

5. Let’s Roam – Charleston Scavenger Hunt

With this smartphone app-lead outdoor scavenger hunt, you will explore Charleston like never before! Your family can walk the historic streets of Charleston and learn more about art, culture, and history. Buy a ticket online or in-app, and it is valid for two years in any of their 300+ locations.

More Information: https://www.letsroam.com/scavenger_hunt/Charleston_Scavenger_Hunt

6. Cypress Gardens

This beautiful, historic South Carolina treasure was just reopened after it suffered from major flooding three years ago. Children can enjoy the butterfly house, aquarium, and bird exhibit! For $5 you can take a guided boat tour and learn more about the plants and wildlife that live in the swamp. This is also the location where the Notebook and the Patriot were filmed.

More Information: https://cypressgardens.berkeleycountysc.gov
3030 Cypress Gardens Road, Moncks Corner, SC 29461
843.553.0515

7. The South Carolina Aquarium

If you need a break from the hot sun, The South Carolina Aquarium is well worth the visit. It is located on the Cooper River waterfront near the landmark Arthur Ravenel Bridge. Kids can enjoy the touch tank, exhibits about Charleston’s local waterways and marine habitats, and displays like Lego-Alive which recreates some of Charleston’s aquatic animals in little bricks. The aquarium is packed with lots of fun things to do so you should make enough time to spend the whole day here!

Ticket Information: https://bit.ly/317WtEH
100 Aquarium Wharf, Charleston SC 29401

8. Charleston Farmer’s Market

This fun market runs from April to November every Saturday from 8:00am-2:00pm. There are plenty of vendors, arts and crafts, and local artisans who offer delicious treats for the whole family. The market also has live music and special kids’ events as well as a lot of green space great for a picnic!

More Information: http://www.charlestonfarmersmarket.com/about/
Every Saturday 8:00am-2:00pm
Marion Square – 329 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC 29403

9. Patriots Point

At the base of the Ravenel Bridge, the whole family can explore the historic naval warships, climb into fighter planes, take a tour to see what life was like on board during wartime, and even experience a flight simulator! There is plenty of cool things to do here, and you can explore the Ravenel Bridge area when you’re done! Kids under 6 are free.

More Information/Tickets: https://www.patriotspoint.org
40 Patriots Point Boulevard, Mount Pleasant SC 29464

Tideline Tours: Guided Beach Walk

Ever wonder about the shells and creatures you find on the beach? There is so much to learn about Folly’s beautiful beaches and no better way to experience them than by joining in on one of Tideline Tours Guided Beach Walks. You and your family can spend the morning exploring on the barrier islands and listening to stories told by Tideline tours naturalists about all the different types of sea creatures that inhabit our beaches. Between the breathtaking views, roaring ocean, and sand beneath your feet, we really can’t think of a better place to spend your morning.

The walk takes around 45 minutes, all dependent on your findings at the beach. Ticket prices are $10 for adults and $5 for children. Click here to book your tour online today.

4th of July Fireworks Display

Independence Day is right around the corner, and this 4th of July we invite you to a night full of excitement here at folly beach! Thursday, July 4th Folly Beach will be presenting a huge firework show launching from the beach, that you and your family won’t want to miss. Locals and Visitors of all ages are invited to attend. The show starts at approximately 9:20pm but get there early to secure a good spot!

In the case of inclement weather, these details may change. Keep an eye on VisitFolly.com for weather-related updates.

We can’t wait to see you there!

Monthly Spotlight: Charleston County Parks

With the temperatures rising, your Charleston County Park locations on Folly Beach are the places to be! Enjoy your summer on the Folly Beach Pier – the perfect sport for saltwater fishing, seaside views and, of course, ice cream. This is the last summer season of the current pier, as a replacement of the Folly Beach Pier will begin in the next year.

Visit CharlestonCountyParks.com/PierProgress for updates on the construction. And, be sure to take full advantage of the last season of Moonlight Mixers on this pier. Dance to the best oldies and beach music from DJ Jim Bowers during the Mixers, held this year on June 21, July 26, Aug. 16 and Sept. 13. If you’re looking for a serene beachgoing experience, consider Folly Beach County Park, which is equipped with plenty of parking and showers. For details on the Folly Beach Pier and Folly Beach County Park, visit CharlestonCountyParks.com. Happy summer!

Happy Hour Tour: A Collection of the Best Happy Hours on Folly Beach

The Crab Shack

Located in the center of the Folly Beach Business district, you can eat and drink like a local at The Crab Shack’s “crabby hour”. Monday through Friday from 4-7pm, you can head over to their outdoor deck and enjoy delicious happy hour specials. These specials include $2.75 domestic beer and $3.50 well liquor. However, food is a must here as well. So, order some crab legs for the table, kick back, and relax!

Loggerhead’s Beach Grill

At Loggerhead’s you and some friends can enjoy a great happy hour from 4-7pm Monday through Friday. Happy hour here includes $2 Loggerhead Lagers, $3 well drinks, $4 house wines, and $5 1/2 dozen wings. This is “The Spot” for some laid back drinks after a long day, served with fresh seafood and a fun atmosphere. Stay a little later and happy hour takes you right into a live music performance at 7pm!

Planet Follywood

In addition to other daily specials, Planet Follywood invites you to head over for “yappy hour” Thursdays from 4-7pm on their deck. What could be better than a happy hour where dogs are welcome? If this isn’t your scene, you can still enjoy their other specials during the week like $2.50 domestic beers, $3 house liquors, and more on Tuesdays. Either way, be sure to grab a burger alongside your drinks because Planet Follywood boasts one of the best burgers on the beach and stay for some live music or karaoke!

Snapper Jacks

Monday through Friday from 4-7pm you can head over to Snapper Jacks for a rooftop happy hour! Their rooftop deck is ready to host you with a great view, upscale comfort food, and a relaxed atmosphere. Enjoy $4 Titos, $4 Jameson, $4 Espolon, $4 Blue Chair Bay Rums, 1/2 off Fish Bowls, $2 Wells, $2 Budlight, and $2 oysters shooters while overlooking Folly Beach!

Surf Bar

Last but not least, be sure to check out Charleston City Paper’s “Best Folly Beach Bar” for some special priced drinks. With a fun menu and raving local reviews, the Surf Bar is a classic Folly Beach dive bar. You can also stick around or head back over at 10pm to enjoy some great live music (21+). Don’t forget to try one of their “crazy popular” cheese-steak sandwiches and a “Painkiller” before heading out!

June Fishing Report

June is a great time of year to be fishing because there are so many options. The usual suspects, redfish and trout, are plentiful and active. Sharks are readily available to really give your arms a workout while ladyfish make your drag scream as they fly acrobatically through the air. Bait is easily accessible with a quick toss of a cast net. You just can’t go wrong.

Menhaden are redfish candy and our waters are teeming with them. Using a carolina rig, we’ve been fishing with both live and cut menhaden. Make sure to use a heavy enough weight to hold the bait stationary, otherwise your rig will tumble along the bottom until it snags. Try fishing docks and other structure immediately around where you netted your menhaden, you’ll be sure to find plenty of reds!

The popping cork remains the way to go when targeting trout. Fish these corks in front of creek mouths, along grassy banks and over shell rakes. Look for places trout can sit and ambush prey. Live shrimp and mud minnows are very effective but sometimes bait stealers and snapper bluefish make short work of them. When this happens, I’ll switch over to a DOA 3″ shrimp in their glow/gold rush color.

This has been one of the best years for shark fishing in recent memory. Bonnethead sharks have been especially thick and you can see their fins as they slice up and down the banks. We’ve been using carolina rigs here as well. Chunks of ladyfish or live menhaden work well as does cracked blue crab. Look to fish areas where there are sharp changes in water depth.

See you on the water!

For over a decade, Capt. Geoff Bennett has operated Charleston Charter Fishing providing light tackle charters. Clients choose from a full menu of artificial and live bait fishing options with charters tailored to their desires. USCG licensed and insured, Capt. Bennett is committed to providing a safe and enjoyable charter to anglers of all skill levels and ages. For more information, call Capt. Bennett at 843-324-3332, visit his website at www.charlestoncharterfishing.com or email him at [email protected].