15 Best Places Off The Beaten Path In Charleston SC 2025

The road less traveled. It is always fun to find hidden gems. I have always found it fun to find treasures where there are fewer people. Living in Charleston since 2007, I have been on a mission to find hidden gems and the best places off the beaten path in Charleston SC.

Charleston has many great places to visit that are less traveled. There are many great places in Charleston that you can visit and see. Getting off the beaten path in Charleston SC is a great way to experience the city. Many people visit Charleston every year and visit the same places but hidden among the popular places are some lesser-known spots.

Off The Beaten Path In Charleston SC: Beaches

There are many beach options around the Charleston, South Carolina area. The 3 most popular ones are the easiest to get to. The areas have plenty to do besides taking in the sun and surf. You will notice that these Charleston beaches make you feel like you are in an entirely different place.

With Charleston being a coastal city, there are many more beaches around. Take your time to study the area. Enjoy your time at these Charleston beaches! You may be wondering, how are beaches off of the beaten path? The beaches are not a part of the city area of Charleston and will have to be driven to. This is why I have added them to this list.

1. Isle of Palms

Isle of Palms is a great beach. To get there, you will have to travel through Mount Pleasant, which is on the eastern side of Charleston. Once you are on the Isle of Palm Connector, you will quickly see beautiful marshes. Once you are on the Intercostal Waterway bridge, you will get one of the most beautiful sights ever. Just the ocean and the vast openness of the sea. Isle of Palms is such a great place to lay on the sand and forget about the worries of the world.

Besides the beach itself, there are some great activities to do such as golf, kayaking, fishing, paddleboarding, and much more. If you time it right, you will see Sea Turtle Nesting, but make sure to turn out the lights for it! Check out a good local band, grab a bite to eat, get a great drink, or play some beach volleyball at The Windjammer. Make sure to check out everything that this area has to offer to fully enjoy your day.

2. Sullivan’s Island

Located just southwest of Isle of Palms is Sullivan’s Island. When you get here, you feel like you are in a whole different town. It feels just separated enough from everything. Once here, you will see that you can easily spend a whole day here. It feels like the beach isn’t as packed here as the other two. You will enjoy the quietness while laying out and taking in the sun. I highly recommend taking some time to drive around and just look at the houses. Driving around you will be in awe of how everything looks. Take some time to check out Ft. Moultrie while here. Jump over to my page that talks about Ft. Moultrie more. When spending time in the car, you will notice that there is plenty to do on Sullivan’s Island.

There are lots of different restaurants around here to enjoy your time. Make sure you check out The Co-op. They have some great sandwiches but are known for their frozen frosé. If you want a great laugh, look them up on Facebook. After a long day of being in the sun, head out for some great BBQ at Home Team BBQ. Once you try their BBQ, you will agree they have some of the best BBQ in the Lowcountry. Another great place right next to Home Team BBQ is Mex1 Coast Cantina. The food has a Southern California/Baja Mexico theme. It feels like true beach food to eat right after surfing. Finally, I highly recommend heading to Poe’s Tavern. I feel like this place has one of the best burgers in the Charleston area.

3. Folly Beach

Now, if you are looking for a full beach town feeling with lots of tourists, Folly Beach is your spot! This is Charleston’s most popular beach destination. Folly Beach is located on the western side of the city just past James Island. Please take some time to drive all the way to the end and check out Morris Island Lighthouse. When you arrive at Folly Beach, you will notice that it is alive. There is so much going on here from all the different restaurants, shops, and hotels. There are going to be lots of people walking around having a great time. You can easily spend 2 or 3 days here because there is so much to do!

So many fun restaurants here! There are too many for me to talk all about. I am going to give you my recommendations here on which ones to check out. These places, to me, are must-visit locations for great food and drinks. Taco Boy is a fun Mexican party atmosphere-style restaurant.  Rita’s Seaside Grille is a great American-style restaurant that has a beach feel to it. Coconut Joe’s is a seafood restaurant with great rooftop seating. Now, of course, there are many more places to check out. Go and discover and see what you like out there!

4. Morris Island Lighthouse

Morris Island Lighthouse stands in the water and is just a couple of hundred feet off of the coast. It has become a major landmark for Charleston.

The brick tower was built in 1767 by the Colony of South Carolina. On May 7th, 1800, Congress granted $5,000 to repair the structure and add improvements. In 1838, the tower stood 102ft tall with there being a revolving light at the top. During the Civil War, The Confederacy took over the lighthouse. In 1862 the tower was reported to be destroyed. During Reconstruction, Congress gave another grant to rebuild the lighthouse on March 3, 1873.

The new lighthouse stands at 161ft tall and was completed in 1876. Things were going very well until the mid-1880s came around. 1885 and 1886 were hard years for the lighthouse. In 1885, a cyclone tore apart parts of the tower and grounds. Then, the earthquake of 1886 did extensive damage to the tower itself. But, the lighthouse persevered. The lighthouse, originally constructed in 1767, stood 1200ft from the coast. In 1889, jetties were built to protect shipping lanes. Because of this, ocean currents coming into Charleston Harbor altered. By 1938, major erosion moved the shoreline within a stone’s throw of the lighthouse. Because of this, the lighthouse was decommissioned in 1962.

Its address is 1750 E Ashley Ave, Folly Beach, SC, 29439. Once you are walking, you will notice a long blacktop walkway filled with graffiti. Take some time to take a look at it.

After a short walk, you will find yourself on the beach and in front of the lighthouse. Enjoy your day, sit back, get in the water, and enjoy the beach and lighthouse. Take time and explore the area. While on Folly Beach, check out the other places that are there.

5. Botany Bay

Only a short hour to an hour and a half drive away, there is a hidden gem, Botany Bay. First, you will want to take Highway 17 towards Savannah, GA. Then after a little bit of time, you will get off and head towards Edisto Island, SC. This is a quiet country drive through rural South Carolina.

This place has walking trails, a great driving trail, and the most beautiful beach in the Lowcountry. In the past, this land was home to two different plantations. Created in the 1930s Botany Bay was two properties that were purchased together.

When you enter the preserve, grab a map of the area with a great overview of the history. This is definitely one of my favorite places. You feel like you are stepping into the past when you are here. There is Spanish moss hanging from trees, fresh ponds with wildlife, and the original foundations of the plantation houses. The smell of the wildflower fields and salt in the air takes you to a special place. You can see why it was home to Native Americans and why settlers wanted to settle here. Once you drive here, you will see why this is a hidden gem just outside of Charleston.

After a short walk, you get to one of the greatest things you will see, a true untouched beach. A couple of things that you will notice immediately are shells, lots of shells, and downed trees scattered along the beach.

Do not forget your camera! There are so many opportunities for a photoshoot here. One thing I love about this place is that every time you come out, it looks slightly different. The reason is because of the natural evolution of this place. Nature decides everything!

6. Pitt Street Bridge

During colonial Charleston, a plank bridge, built on barrels, was erected across this inlet to connect Mt. Pleasant to Sullivan’s Island. In 1898, it changed into a trolley bridge that ran until 1927. The bridge was widened in 1923 to allow automobiles to cross. The Pitt Street Bridge closed in 1945 when a modern bridge was built, the Ben Sawyer Bridge.

Today the area is a recreational park. You will find Palmetto trees lining the walkway out to the bridge. It is a very dog-friendly park, you will see people walking their dogs down the path to the bridge. You will see lots of people fishing off of the bridge. As you walk down the Pitt Street Bridge, there are amazing views of downtown Charleston, Sullivan’s Island, the waterway, marsh, birds, and fish. The smell of salt in the air makes you want to sit down, take in the view, and just get lost in your day.

7. The Williams Mansion

The Williams Mansion is a Victorian house located at 16 Meeting St. in downtown Charleston. The mansion formally called The Calhoun Mansion changed its name in 2020.

Construction of the house started in 1875 for George W. Williams. The plans for the mansion included an attached conservatory, a hothouse, beautiful gardens, and an observatory on top of the mansion. The mansion has 30 main rooms with the main hall that is 50 ft long and 14 ft wide. There is a 45ft high ceiling in the ballroom as well.

In 1903, Williams died, and the mansion was passed on to his son-in-law, Patrick Calhoun, who was a grandson of John C. Calhoun. At this point, it became known as The Calhoun Mansion.

The mansion was purchased in 2004 by a preservationist, Howard H. Stahl. The mansion is open to public tours and shows a display of Mr. Stahl’s collection of artifacts from the Gilded Age. The Gilded Age was set in United States history during 1870-1900. This is a perfect treasure to find while exploring the streets of Charleston.

The Calhoun Mansion was renamed The Williams Mansion in 2020 due to controversy over the history of John C. Calhoun.

8. Hampton Park

Hampton Park is located by The Citadel in Charleston. It is a 60-acre public park and the largest on the peninsula. The park is named in honor of Confederate General Wade Hampton III.

Originally the land was part of a plantation owned by John Gibbes. The plantation is known by two names, The Grove Plantation and The Orange Grove Plantation.

In 1835, part of the plantation was purchased by the South Carolina Jockey Club for horse racing. The Charleston annual horse race in February would attract thousands of spectators. Mary Murry Dr, which encircles the park, is a 1-mile parkway that is in almost the exact location of the horse track.

The land was used as a prisoner-of-war camp during the end of the Civil War. Over 200 Union troops died and were buried in a mass grave at the site. On May 1, 1865, thousands of people, mostly newly freed black citizens, were processed to the site. Members of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry marched around the site. The graves were decorated and speeches were made. This has been cited as the first Memorial Day celebration.

In the 1980s the city started redeveloping the park. It became popular for picnics, gardens, walkers, joggers, walking your dog, and cyclists. Hampton Park is a great way to spend an afternoon relaxing by the pond or walking through the gardens. Make sure to check out the Denmark Vesey monument, who attempted to lead a slave revolt in Charleston.

Off The Beaten Path In Charleston SC: Hidden Alleys

Some of the best hidden gems in Charleston are beautiful alleys that are hiding in plain sight and that most people walk right past. I always love to walk them and get lost in history, thinking about who walked them in the past.

Most people like to walk the streets of Charleton, so if that is you, make sure to check these out. Get lost walking these and take plenty of photos of the houses and other buildings that line these alleys are breathtaking. These are some true hidden gems in Charleston.

9. Philadelphia Alley

You can find Philadelphia Alley located between Queen St. and Cumberland St. and State St. and Church St. The alley is also known as Dueler’s Alley for the history of duels that took place here.

Though the alley is not long, it has a lot of history. The alley was created in 1776 by Francis Kinloch, who had a row of rentals behind his home. It was known as Kinloch’s Court at this time. The Court and area were destroyed in 1796 by the famous fire.

A Revolutionary War Veteran, named William Johnson purchased the court in 1801. Though he owned the area, it was in very poor condition and was neglected. Then things got worse when it burned again in 1810.

The city of Philadelphia sent financial aid to help the city. The street reopened and William Johnson renamed it to Philadelphia Alley to honor the city’s help.

Dueling was a common practice at this time. The most famous duel in Charleston happened in this alley in 1786 when Dr. Joseph Brown Ladd lost a duel to Ralph Isaac. Ladd was known as The Whistling Doctor and some say they can still hear him whistling in the alley.

Today Philadelphia Alley is a beautiful, picturesque lane. Enjoy the sounds of Charleston while taking in one of the best-hidden gems.

10. Stoll’s Alley

You can find Stoll’s Alley between Church St and East Bay St heading towards The Battery. It is located south of Tradd St.

This alley was established in the mid-1700s and has two major parts to it. If you are coming from the East Bay St side, it starts very narrow and then opens up to the photo you see above. There are so many great spots on this short block-long walk to take amazing photos.

Stoll’s Alley was originally called Pilot’s Alley because it is believed that harbor pilots lived along this alley. It was later named after Justinus Stoll #7 Stoll’s Alley sometime around 1745.

11. Longitude Alley

This alley is also located between Church St. and East Bay St. heading towards The Battery. In fact, Longitude Alley is about a “block” north of Stoll’s Alley and a “block” south of Tradd St. These are a perfect 1-2 option when walking around Charleston.

As you stroll down this alley, take notice of the houses that line this area. 89-91 Longitude Alley is a building that was an apartment building and was one of the inspirations for the famous opera, “Porgy and Bess”.

Right next door is 87 Longitude Ally, which was Thomas Heyward Jr’s house. He was one of the 4 signers of The Declaration Of Independence from South Carolina. George Washington actually stayed at his place as a guest in 1791.

12. McLeod Plantation

McLeod Plantation is an important Gullah/Geechee heritage site and is part of the Gullah/Geechee Heritage Corridor in South Carolina. Located on James Island, McLeod Plantation is a former slave plantation. It sits on Wappoo Creek which flows into the Ashley River.

The early days of the plantation until The Revolutionary War was standard. It was a working plantation. When Charleston fell to the British in 1780, the plantation was used as the headquarters for General Sir Henry Clinton. After the war, the plantation went back into the hands of the owners.

In 1851, William W. McLeod purchased the plantation and grounds. The current house that stands on the ground was built by McLeod in 1858. By 1860, the plantation held 74 slaves and 23 slave cabins.

From 1861 to 1865, the house and grounds were held by the Confederates. The house was used as a hospital, headquarters, and commissary. After Charleston was lost to the Union, it was occupied by the 54 New York and 55 Massachusetts (an all-African American Regiment). After the Civil War, it was held by the Freedmen’s Bureau.

In 1878 the plantation goes back into McLeod’s ownership. It would remain this way until 1990 when it was left to the Historic Charleston Foundation. In 2011, it was sold to the Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission. The house and grounds were restored and were opened to the public in 2015.

13. The Cistern at College of Charleston

It is one of the most beautiful parts of the College of Charleston. The College is in the heart of downtown and the Cistern sits for all to see and visit. The Cistern is no longer in use today as an actual cistern. It lies beneath the grass in the grand promenade.

The Cistern was originally built in 1857 as a reservoir to provide water for the firefighters of Charleston. It was in use until the city had a working water system.

The Cistern has been used in many TV shows and movies including The Notebook, The Patriot, Dear John, The Colbert Report, and many more.

14. Gateway Walk

This is exactly what this post is about, secret things to do and see in Charleston SC. Though this path has been around since 1930, it is a hidden gem that many people do not know. Opened by The Garden Club Of Charleston, it was to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the founding of Charles Towne.

The Gateway walk begins on Archdale St. at the gates of St. John’s Luthern Church. It is a beautiful walk through graveyards, gardens, and churches. The walk ends at St. Phillips Church on Church St. You will find yourself walking through sections of iron gates, hence the name. The walk itself is not too long, a little over half a mile. I recommend taking your time and exploring every area you get to see. Make sure you download the map from the website to know exactly where you are going.

15. Park Circle

Park Circle is a small area in North Charleston and only a short drive from downtown Charleston. This area is one of my favorite areas in all of Charleston. You can easily spend an entire day just walking the main road on East Montague Ave.

There is a lot to do in this area that includes restaurants, bars, shopping, and a playground for kids. Enjoy great places just off of the main street like Firefly Distillery, Holy City Brewery, and Jackrabbit Filly. Check out a barcade as well to get your fill of old-school arcade games while you have a few drinks.

Are You Ready To See Charelston? Purchase Your Charleston Tour Pass Today!

With so many other things to do in Charleston, you will want to do some of the popular tourist attractions too. The best way to see Charleston is by purchasing a multi-day Charleston Tour Pass. It will save you money on 40+ attractions throughout Charleston.

Have Your Bags Picked Up While You Explore With Charleston Bag Valet

Don’t want to haul your luggage all around Charleston while waiting for your flight to leave or for your hotel to be ready? Good News! Charleston Bag Valet will help you out with that. As they say, you explore, they store.

Charleston Bag Valet will pick up your bags curbside anywhere in Charleston and secure each item with a customizable tamper-proof lock. They will store your bags in an insured and secured climate-controlled environment while you explore. When you are ready, they will deliver your bags to you where you want them and when you want them. You can even have them delivered to the airport for your ease.

Off The Beaten Path In Charleston SC: Places To Stay

There are many places to stay in Charleston, being this is one of the most popular destinations, hotels are all over the place. I have a couple of hotels that are still in the heart of downtown but they are off the beaten path to stay at.

  • Indigo Inn

This is a great hotel located on Meeting Street. You are very close to the Charleston City Market and the heart of the historic downtown. With this location, you will be in walking distance to so many great places in Charleston.

  • Andrew Pinckney Inn

Another great hotel located in the heart of historic downtown Charleston. This location is very close to the Charleston City Market as well. This is a great location that will give you easy access to many different parts of the city.

Check out many other great Charleston Hotel deals here.

Off The Beaten Path In Charleston SC: In Conclusion

All of these places are great and not many people will be around, except for the beaches. You will find the normal tourist walking around but, they normally do not head to most of these locations. I hope you will enjoy these hidden gems of Charleton. Enjoy your Charleston adventures and find your own hidden gems in this amazing city.

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