My family recently took a trip to Folly Beach, SC. Folly Beach is by far one of our favorite vacation spots. It’s small and not overly commercialized and less than a 30 minute drive to the action of downtown Charleston.
For places to stay you can find anything from a nice condo overlooking the ocean to a fully loaded beach house. We chose to stay in this beautiful 2nd row condo. The condo was stocked with everything we needed from kitchen gadgets to beach toys. We were walking distance to all of the restaurants, bars and shops Folly Beach has to offer. And best of all every morning we woke up to a beautiful ocean view.
Here are some places you don’t want to miss when you visit Folly Beach:
Lighthouse Inlet
You have to visit Lighthouse Inlet. Take a drive to the very north tip of Folly Island. You’ll have to park and walk down a paved path to get to a quiet beach. Once you get to the beach you’ll find it’s a perfect place for the kids to play in the water with minimal waves. You will see the abandoned lighthouse in the ocean. You will also be likely to see dolphins swimming around close by. This is a place you don’t want to miss.
Angel Oak Tree
Another must see place near Folly Beach is the Angel Oak Tree. This enormous, breath taking tree is said to be 400-500 years old.
Downtown Charleston
You can’t go to Folly Beach without spending a day in Downtown Charleston. This city is full of history. Visit some of the old historic churches, take a stroll down rainbow row and walk around the harbor at Battery Park.
There is tons of shopping to do at the open air market. And you will have a hard time deciding where to eat with all of the amazing restaurants you have to choose from.
James Island Park
James Island Park is a fantastic place to either stay and camp or just spend the day. There are tons of things to do. They have a waterpark, climbing wall, challenge course and disc golf course. If you go to the park between Thanksgiving and Christmas you are in for a treat with the park decorated with Christmas lights.
Charles Towne Landing
Want an immersive history lesson? This is the place for you. Check out hands-on exhibits in the visitors center, walk on the self guided history trail and tour a replica of a 17th century sailing ship. You might even get to see them fire off the canon.
Charles Towne Landing is a relaxing place to spend the day. The beautiful gardens, huge oak alley and Legare Waring House will give you plenty to see and do.
While at Folly Beach you will want to check out some of the restaurants and bars along Center St. Some of our favorites were Folly Beach Crab Shack, Blu Restaurant and Bar, Loggerheads Beach Grill and Folly Beach Brewing Company.
If you have any Folly Beach favorites please be sure to share them in the comments. We are always up for new ideas when we return for our next vacation!
Folly Beach, SC
what a great looking condo. sounds like it was a really fun time
Cheers Sharon…
Sounds like a fun place to visit. I just love beaches.
I’ve never even heard of Folly Beach, let alone been there. I have been to Charleston, though, and it was lovely. How has Folly Beach fared with the recent hurricanes?
We absolutely love Folly Beach! It’s our favorite beach spot in the country for exactly the same reasons you mentioned. We love visiting the pier for the day and then to take a lovely stroll in the evening!
I have never heard of Folly Beach, but it sounds like we definitely need to add this to our bucket list. Thank you for all of the great recommendations.
This looks and sounds like an awesome place! Thanks for sharing this guide.
Wow! I suddenly missed the beach after reading your post.
I have never been to the folly beach but would love to visit and see the angel oak tree. It is very rare to find something so huge and magnificent like that nowadays.
This looks like a beautiful place to visit. I love to see and visit lighthouses. I will have to add this to my bucket list.
Sounds like a Fun place to visit. Would love to visit this beach in summer when I travel to the state.