Everyone knows Kiawah Island is famous for our miles and miles of gorgeous beaches, 5 golf courses that have been the host of major tournaments, meandering bike trails, and breathtaking nature, but what Charleston offers outside of the gate is also wonderful. Many of our vacation rental guests take a break from the beach to drive into the city to see what the Lowcountry is really all about.
Charleston is famous for its Southern charm, beautiful homes, vast history, live oak trees, and Spanish moss. One place where you can see all the above is a plantation. The city has many plantations from which to choose, so it might be hard to narrow down your choice. Magnolia Plantations and Gardens, Middleton Place, and Drayton Hall are all located in West Ashley and are just a few miles from each other so visiting all 3 in a day is definitely do-able. Magnolia Plantation has the oldest public gardens in America and is open 365 days a year; Middleton Plantation has America’s oldest landscaped gardens, stable yards, and a house museum; Drayton Hall Plantation is known for its history about enslaved Africans and offers an interactive program to learn about those who worked on the plantation many years ago.
There is a lovely tree called the Angel Oak on Johns Island. What makes this tree so special is that it 400-500 years old and covers 17,200 square feet. We love visiting the Angel Oak because it is a very short drive from the island and free of charge.
Charleston Tea Plantation is the closest plantation to Kiawah Island. It is located on Wadmalaw Island and is a tea lovers dream! Tea bushes can be seen for miles and miles, plus they offer a 45-minute educational trolley ride. Don’t forget to grab a box of tea from the gift shop to take home! If you are wanting to make a day out of visiting Wadmalaw Island, go take a tour of the Deep Water Vineyard and see the 48 acres of grape vines. They encourage guests to bring food and picnic gear. Wadmalaw is also home to Firefly Distillery where Firefly Spirits are made. They created the first ever sweet tea vodka and any Charleston local would recommend trying this southern staple with a twist.
Downtown Charleston offers hours of entertainment just by walking the streets of the city. Take a stroll down to the Battery where the first shots from the Civil War took place, go see the bright colored houses on East Bay Street known as Rainbow Row, or take a photo of our famous Pineapple Fountain at Waterfront Park. The downtown area offers plenty of ways to learn the history of the city - carriage tours, walking tours, and even bus tours. Ghost tours of the old city jail, provost dungeon, and graveyards are very popular in Charleston, especially with October right around the corner. You can even see the South Carolina Aquarium. If you look at our website, you will see a promo code to receive 20% off your ticket purchase.
You can some of the activities and more listed on our Guest Information Guide or Things to Do. If any of these Charleston activities interest you but you don’t want to stay right in the hustle and bustle of the city or you want to be close to the beach, we think Kiawah Island is the perfect place for you. Check out our availability or give us a call! We would love to host your stay and recommend some Charleston activities to make your trip simply unforgettable.
