Located along the South Carolina coastline, just east of Charleston, you’ll find the lively and charming town of Mount Pleasant. Founded in 1680, this Lowcountry town is minutes away from Historic Charleston and only a short bike ride to some of the area’s finest beaches. Here, the landscape is painted as much by its cool, summer breezes as it is by the people and businesses that inhabit it. Whether you’re looking for a weekend respite, an adventurous getaway, or simply a quick bite, there’s something for everyone in Mount Pleasant.
Get Outside!
With mild winters and idyllic summers, Mount Pleasant is a city best enjoyed outdoors. Grab a bike, kayak, paddleboard, or even just your favorite pair of running shoes, and get out and explore more than half a dozen parks Mount Pleasant has to offer.
Called the crown jewel of Mount Pleasant, Memorial Waterfront Park is more than just your average park. Located under the grand entryway to the town at the base of the Ravenel Bridge, this park has a lush lawn perfect for family picnics, a nautical-themed playground, and soft-serve ice cream at the River Watch Cafe. At the River Watch Café, enjoy beautiful views of the Charleston Harbor and the Mount Pleasant Pier, a 1,250-foot-long pier where you can sit and swing a while, or try your hand at fishing. While you’re there, get a feel for the local culture at the Sweetgrass Cultural Arts Pavilion, War Memorial, and Visitor Center.
Those seeking a bit of adventure can head to Palmetto Island County Park, a 943-acre expanse with nature trails, winding creeks, sand volleyball courts, and playgrounds galore. No need to spend the day on foot, kayaks, bikes, and pedal boats are available daily for rental. Cool down at Splash Island Waterpark (open seasonally), and then check out the views from the 50-foot observation tower.
If it’s beach time you’re after, you need not travel far: A five minute drive will take you to the Isle of Palms or Sullivan’s Island, two nearby beach towns perfect for a seaside sojourn. The waterfront views continue at Shem Creek, a working creek known for the many restaurants, pelicans, and shrimp boats that call it home. Here, visitors can take advantage of kayaking or paddling expeditions provided by Coastal Expeditions and Nature Adventure Outfitters.
Let’s Eat!
Beyond frequent dolphin sightings, Shem Creek also offers visitors a look at its many fishing boats, which have been supplying the town’s restaurants and farmers markets with local, wild-caught shrimp and crab for decades. Seafood is a must in Mount Pleasant and can be enjoyed at live music hangouts like The Rusty Rudder and The Southern Bar & Grill. But the culinary options don’t stop there: newcomer Grace & Grit is a favorite for their grit flights and SOL Southwest Kitchen & Tequila Bar is frequented for its lineup of masterful margaritas. Beer enthusiasts are in good company at locally beloved breweries Westbrook Brewing, Two Blokes Brewery, and Ghost Monkey Brewery.
Those seeking less of a buzz and more of a sugar remedy need look no further than the town’s Historic Old Village, where Pitt Street Pharmacy has been serving up sensational milkshakes and malts since 1937. More history exists just outside the drug store’s doors, where a series of stately 19th century homes adorn the neighborhood. Fans of the movie, The Notebook, might recognize the Old Village as one of the settings for the movie’s fictional town, Seabrook.
Where Past Meets Present
More of Mount Pleasant’s deep-rooted history can be discovered at Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum, the state’s number one heritage attraction and the fourth largest naval museum in the country. Here, you’ll find the USS Yorktown, a decommissioned World War II vessel which has become a landmark fixture on the Charleston Harbor since its relocation to Patriots Point in 1975.
On the other end of town rests Boone Hall Plantation, one of America’s oldest working plantations whose history can be dated back to its founding in 1681. Easily recognized for the moss-draped oaks that line the ¾” mile drive up to the house, NBC Daytime television dubbed this natural corridor “a must-see stop on any trip to Charleston, S.C.” The historic property is now a destination for weddings and special events year-round, from autumn’s Taste of Charleston to January’s Lowcountry Oyster Festival, the world’s largest oyster festival.
A haven for foodies, fish enthusiasts, and history fanatics alike, Mount Pleasant offers visitors a place to call home, even if just for the weekend. For more ways to experience Mount Pleasant, visit ExperienceMountPleasant.com.