1. Folly Beach
2. Sullivan’s Island
3. Isle of Palms (IOP)

*If you’re looking to book a house for your friends, and you want to party, BOOK FOLLY!*

• Kicking it on the Beach with a group of friends is one of the best ways to spend the day in Charleston.  Each of the three beaches listed above has it’s own flavor.
• Folly is a great beach to party and surf, and attracts a younger crowd, (college – 30+ year olds.)
• Sullivan’s is more of a laid back, older crowd, and a lot of locals.  There are hardly ever any waves, but the beach / shore is much longer and it’s a great place to kite board and windsurf.
• IOP is definitely a family oriented beach, with lots of kids, and really strict police.
• Kiawah and Seabrook are also located in Charleston but those are definitely more of an older retired crowd.  They DO have some really nice golf courses however.

• Click here for a lot more details about Charleston Beaches including:

Surf/Water Sports & Recreation

Restaurants & Bars

Traffic

Alcohol Consumption…

Parking

Pets

What to Bring

 

• Folly Beach @ The Washout is the most popular and consistent spot to surf in Charleston.
• While the waves are nowhere near as big as the Pacific Coast, Charleston does still get pretty decent sized, consistent waves all year long, especially during hurricane season and big storms.
•  You can expect them to be about chest to head high.
•  Because the climate is so warm you can surf about 8 months out of the year without having to wear a wet suit.
•  Grab some friends, rent a few boards, and take turns shreddin some waves brah’!

Surf Board Rentals & Lessons

1. Carolina Salt Surf Lessons
2. Folly Beach Surf Lessons
3. Charleston Surf Lessons

Surf Cam & Resources

1. Surfline Washout HD Cam and Surf Report
2. >Magic Seaweed: Folly Beach Pier Surf Report

 

1. Sullivans Island
2. Isle of Palms
3. Folly

• The most popular place to kite board and windsurf in Charleston is Sullivan’s Island at 28 1/2 block.  On a windy day you may see 30 + people out there catchin’ air and cruisin’ around, it’s a lot of fun to watch even if you don’t try it yourself.
•  Low tide is a great time to go out there, especially for beginners, because the water is very shallow, only a couple of feet deep,  for about 100 yards.  Then there’s also a big sand bar, and more shallow water beyond that.
•  Learning how to kite board is a process that takes several lessons.  If you are really interested in learning I recommend calling one of our local kiteboarding shops well before your trip, so that they can give you the lowdown, and you can be fully prepared when you arrive.
• If you only have a few days, you may want to just surf, paddle board, fish, or wakeboard instead.
• I DO NOT recommend trying to kite board without taking lessons.
• If you’re an experienced kiter, there are lots of options for down winders. You can cruise all the way from Folly –>  Sullivan’s –> IOP if the wind is in the right direction.  However, I’d recommend just sticking to Sullivan’s and IOP because they are easily accessible to each other by car, where as Folly is a really long drive.

Kiteboarding Rentals and Lesson Shops

1. Force Kite and Wave
2. Sealand Sports

 

 

 

1. Shem Creek
2. Folly Beach
3. IOP

Tour & Rental Companies:

1. Charleston SUP Safaris
2. Charleston Outdoor Adventures
3. Charleston Paddler

• There are so many places that are great to go paddle boarding and kayaking all over the Charleston area.   If you’re looking for a place to go barhopping while cruising, I recommend Shem Creek.
•  Otherwise, you can cruise any of the water ways, or even bring the boards to the beach and try to catch some waves.
• Be careful!  There are lots of crazy currents, tides, and riptides all over the place, make sure it’s safe where you plan to go.

Rental Companies:

1.   Folly
   1. FB Watersports
2. Downtown
   1. Charleston Power Boat Rental
   2. The Carolina Girl
3. North Charleston
   1. Velocity Aqua Sports
4. Mount Pleasant
   1. Aqua Safari’s
5. IOP / Sully’s
   1. Tidal Wave Watersports

Fun boating activities:

• Fishing
• Wake Boarding/ Water Skiing
• Tubing
• Party

• If you and your friends have access to a boat, or money to pay for one, DO IT.  In my opinion a boat is the best way to explore Charleston.
•  Navigating through the intercoastal, and tidal creeks and rivers can be very daunting.  Make sure the captain of the boat is extremely familiar with the area, there are sand bars and oyster beds all over the place, just below the surface of the water.

 

 

1. Trophy Lakes
2. Inter-Coastal Water Way + Rivers, and Tidal Creeks

*Check the Boat Rentals Section for more resources.*

• Charleston is a haven for water sports, no matter which direction the wind is blowing, you can always hunt down some glassy creeks to cruise down on a boat.
•  As I mentioned before, if you have access to a boat, do the damn thing.
• If not Trophy Lakes is a sick water sports park located in John’s Island, about a 15 / 20 minute drive from downtown.
• They have a cable park, and a boat that cruises around pulling riders whether you want to wakeboard, water ski, or go tubing.
• Roll out there with a crew and play disk golf while you take turns riding.

 

Charleston is a great place to go fishing. Whether deep sea fishing, or in the marshes, there are tons of places to go, and experienced guides to take you.

1. Avid Angling Fishing Charters
2. Charleston Charter Fishing
3. Charleston Fish Rod Bending Company
4. Exclusive Fishing Charters Day Tours

 

More Info Coming Soon

This is a great leisurely float you can do with big groups of people, and it’s a fairly inexpensive activity so it’s great if you’re ballin’ on a budget.

1. Best Months –
2. Duration – 4 hours
3. Start Point – Givhans Ferry State Park
4. End Point
5. Getting Back
6. What to Bring

1. Hydrofly Watersports

This is a fun thing you can do right from downtown.  They have a little floating Tiki Hut so you and your friends can kick it while you take turns getting your lesson and flying around.  Looks like a blast!

This is the best activity for bachelorette parties who are looking for daytime activities! >>Click Here<< To learn more!!

1. Schooner Pride
2. Charleston Sailing Charters
3. Om Sailing Charters

Charleston has so many options for sailing, rent your own boat or go on a tour.  There is a lot to see right in the Charleston Harbor which is between downtown, and Patriot’s Point.

Areas to explore by bikes /wheels:

1. Downtown Charleston
2. All of the Beaches
3. James Island County Park</li>
4. West Ashley Greenway

 

Rental Companies:

1. Downtown: Affordabike
2. Folly Beach:Bicycle Rental Shops: Folly Beach Adventures
3. IOP / Sullivan’s: Isle of Palms Bike Rentals

• In my opinion, biking is the best way to get around downtown Charleston in the day time.
•  Charleston is such a small city as it is, you could walk from one side to the other in 45 minutes.  However with a bicycle you could get there in ten minutes or less.
• Parking is a pain in the ass, so I recommend biking or walking over a car any day.
• It’s hot as hell in the summer time, so that’s why I prefer biking to walking.
• Take yourselves on a bicycle tour of Charleston, stay tuned for recommended bike routes that I will publish soon!

Charleston is home to some pristine and sought after golf courses,  a great activity for a bachelor party or wedding groups.  Just avoid coming in July, August, or September, it’s way too hot.

Popular Golf Courses

1. Charleston National Country Club
2. Coosaw Creek Country Club
3. Dunes West Golf Club
4. Kiawah Island Golf Resort Cougar Point Golf Club
5. Kiawah Island Golf Resort Oak Point Golf Club

1. James Island County Park Climbing Wall
2. Coastal Climbing

As a city thats sea – level with virtually no hills for miles around, our rock climbing options are limited, however we do have some artificial climbing walls if you’re looking for some exhilaration.

James Island:

1. Wild Blue Ropes Course

This is a newer ropes course that caters to both adults and children.

 

Charleston looks awesome from above.

1. Holy City Helicopter Tours
2. LowCountry Helicopters

More Details Coming Soon!

1. James Island County Park

James Island has great camping facilities and loads of other fun activities right within the park itself.  Due to extremely hot weather, and bugs, I would recommend only attempting to camp during the colder months – December – March.

1. Paintball Charleston
2. Mount Pleasant Paintball

 

1.  Quick Shot Shooting Range
   
2. Boggy Head Rifle Range

• Bay Street Biergarten

• Prohibition
• Warehouse

• Trio
• Mynt
• Henry’s
• Republic

• Cocktail Club
• Social

• Rec Room
• AC’s
• Moe’s Crosstown

• Music Farm

• Carolina Ale House

• Edmunds Oast
• Closed for Business
• Bay Street Biergarten

• Cocktail Club

• Revelry
• Freehouse (N. Charleston)
• Palmetto Brewery

• The Alley

• The Royal American

• The Dollar
• AC’s

• Pantheon

• Snapper Jacks
• The Sand Dollar Social Club
• Surf Bar
• Loggerheads Beach Grill

• Poe’s Tavern
• Home Team BBQ
• Dunleavy’s Pub

• The Windjammer

• Red’s Icehouse
• The Shelter Kitchen and Bar
• Vickery’s

• The Charleston Pour House
  • This is my favorite bar in Charleston because they have live music every day of the week.  During the daytime they have a sweet outdoor patio where bands will play for free during the day time, and then the music moves inside once it gets dark.
• The Barrel
• Bohemian Bull
• Max & Henry’s
• Cha Cha’s Mexican Grill

 

• Tattooed Moose
• Hominy Grill
• The Rarebit
• Jack’s Cafe
• Moe’s Crosstown

• Cru Cafe
• 5 Loaves Cafe
• Park Cafe
• The Daily

• Hominy Grill
• Husk
• Magnolia’s
• Rarebit
• Poogan’s Porch

• Hall’s Chophouse
• Oak Steakhouse
• Grill 225
• The Macintosh
• Magnolia’s

• Leon’s Fine Pultry & Oysters
• 167 Raw
• Coast
• Pearlz
• Hank’s Seafood Restaurant

• Xiao Bao Biscuit
• O-Ku
• Lee Lee’s Hot Kitchen
• Basil
• Tasty Thai & Sushi
• Wasabi Japanese Steakhouse

• Taco Boy
• Minero
• Santi’s Restaurante Mexicano
• Juanita Greenberg’s Nacho Royale

• Star’s Rooftop Bar & Grill
• The Rooftop at Vendue
• Carolina Ale House
• Cocktail Club
• Market Pavilion Hotel

• Butcher & Bee
• Tattooed Moose
• Moe’s Crosstown Tavern
• The Rarebit

• D’ Allesandro’s
• Mellow Mushroom
• Andolini’s
• Desano’s
• Monza

• The Lot
• Two Boroughs Larder
• The Macintosh
• Fig

• Dellz Deli / Dellz Uptown
• CO

• Rita’s Seaside Grill
• Lost Dog Cafe
• Taco Boy

• Poes Tavern
• Hometeam BBQ
• Obstinate Daughter

• The Wreck*

• Red Drum
• Pages Okra Grill
• Coleman Public House

• Hearts Cafe
• The Lot
• Public House
• Zia Tacoria

• King Street
  • If you’re downtown you have to cruise down King Street.  A majority of the excitement begins at the intersection of King and Spring, and continues South.  However there are definitely  happenin’ bars and restaurants in the other direction as well.
  • King Street is well known for it’s shopping, it’s historic architecture, and of course it’s nightlife.
• The Market
  • Another street downtown that you have to check out, with a big outdoor / indoor market with vendors selling authentic Made-In-Charleston souvenirs.  Try some boiled peanuts, and buy a palmetto rose from one of the local City Rose Kids.
• The Aquarium
• Historic Landmarks & Other Point of Interest:
  • The Battery
    • Check out several hundred year old historic mansions, stroll along the water, and kick it in the park.
  • The Waterfront Park
    • Beautiful views along the edge of the Peninsula overlooking the Harbor.
  • Hampton Park
    • This is by far my favorite park in Charleston, it’s beautiful. Lots of really cool trees 🙂
    • Great place for a picnic, some recreation, or a hammock session.
    • It’s not in the heart of town so I recommend biking there.
• Shem Creek
  • This is a beautiful little creek in Mount Pleasant, lined with bars and restaurants.  You can rent kayaks, paddle boards, and other water toys from here and explore the tidal creeks.

1. Special Events / Parties
2. Live Music
3. Sporting Events<iframe src=”https://calendar.google.com/calendar/embed?height=600&amp;wkst=1&amp;bgcolor=%23FFFFFF&amp;src=shakenbake1987%40gmail.com&amp;color=%23AB8B00&amp;ctz=America%2FNew_York” style=”border-width:0″ width=”800″ height=”600″ frameborder=”0″ scrolling=”no”></iframe>

 

Check out this chart of average historic weather patterns in Charleston.

 

• As you can see, in April temperatures start to rise to the 70’s which makes for great beach weather.
• By May you can swim in the ocean comfortably.
• June, July, and August are miserably hot and unbelievably humid, although Summer is in full swing.
• Fall in Charleston is my favorite season.  In September and October the weather is perfect and the water is still warm.  The humidity (and bugs) die down a good bit by this time.
• December the weather is still nice, lately its been a comfortable 70 degrees during this month, but the water gets chillier so it’s not optimal beach weather.  You might as well come to Charleston when you can enjoy the water.  However, it’s a great month for weddings in my opinion.
• During the winter months temperatures are unpredictable.  Some days it’s 60 degrees fahrenheit, and then it can drop down to 30 over night.  Our winter is very moderate but the warm months are when Charleston really comes alive.

 

Any option downtown is suitable because you can walk just about anywhere, however you want to stay as close to King Street as you can.  Be aware of places in North Charleston as there are lots of unsafe areas there. Hotels and rentals downtown can be pricy so you could always stay in one of the surrounding areas and commute.  West Ashley, James Island, and Mount Pleasant are all very accessible to downtown, only a 5 – 20 minute drive in most places.

If you ask me, the most popular party beach is Folly Beach, then Sullivan’s, and then IOP. We locals hope you enjoy our beaches, we just ask that you please treat them with respect and don’t trash them. This is an ongoing issue with visitors lately.  Click here if you want to read about why alcohol was banned on Folly Beach.

1. French Quarter Inn
2. Belmond Charleston Place
3. King Charles Inn
4. Hampton Inn Charleston Historic District
5. Vendue
6. Harbourview Inn
7. Town and Country Inn and Suites
8. Holiday Inn Express Charleston
9. The Mill’s House Wyndham Grand Hotel
10. Francis Marion Hotel

1. 21 East Battery Bed and Breakfast
2. Two Meeting Street Inn
3. 15 Church Street Bed and Breakfast
4. 22 Charlotte Bed and Breakfast
5. The Governer’s House Inn
6. King George IV Inn
7. Zero Water Street Bed and Breakfast
8. Lavender and Lace Bed and Breakfast
9. 1837 Bed and Breakfast
10. Cannonboro Inn

1. VRBO
2. Dune’s Properties
3. Rent a Charleston Vacation Home
4. Historic Smalls Alley Vacation Rentals
5. Walk Away Stays
6. Vacation Rental Charleston
7. Carroll Realty Incorporated
8. Fred Holland Realty
9. Air B n B

Air BnB Charleston – message me to learn about short term rentals.

Not So Hostel

Couch Surfers

Suggested Routes:
Biking /Rolling
Walking
Barcrawls
Sight-Seeing (Pic Spots)
Liquor Stores / Grocery Stores
Crime Zones
Bar Districts
Shopping Districts

You can easily walk, bike,  or take a cab anywhere you would need to go downtown which only occupies a few square miles.  I don’t recommend driving a rental car if you can avoid it, parking is a real pain in the ass!   Any of the beach towns are great for biking, however James Island and Mount Pleasant have a lot of busy streets that lack sidewalks so I wouldn’t recommend planning a bike ride in those areas.

Bicycle Rental Companies

1. Affordabike Bicycle Shop
2. The Bicycle Shoppe
3. B’s Bikes LLC

Suggested Bike Routes

1. Ravenel Bridge
2. Battery
3. Historic District
4. Bar Crawl
5. Long Distance Water
6. Bike to the Beach

Biking Tips and Advice

1. Always Lock Your Bike
2. Park at Bike Racks
3. Lights @ Night
4. Biking Rules
5. One Way Streets

1. Uber
2. Scoop
3. Charleston Rickshaw
4. Charleston Pedicab
5. Charleston Bike Taxi
6. Charleston Green Taxi
7. Charleston Cab Company
8. Yellow Cab of Charleston
9. Charleston Airport Shuttle
10. Express Cab Co.

1. Enterprise Rent a Car
2. Budget Car & Truck Rental
3. National

1. Charleston Beach Bus
2. Carolina’s Executive Limo Line
3. Charleston Black Cab Company
4. Party Bus Charleston
5. SC Bar Car
6. Coastal Limousine of Charleston

1. Carta

1. Charleston Water Taxi

3 day weekend:
Day 1: Explore Downtown Charleston By Bike:

Bike Bar Crawl

 

• Be sure to eat a nice hearty breakfast and then make your way to King Street and prepare for an epic City crawl that will include many stops at various bars / restaurants / and points of interest around town that are worth checking out.
• I recommend renting bicycles from Affordabike

Day 2:

Bachelor Party 3 Days

Day of Golfing :  Play a round of Golf at Patriots Point to get warmed up for the real game of golf: Downtown Bar Golf

 

I hope you and your friends are ready for a full day of golfing.  Bar golfing that is.  Although Charleston has plenty of bars to choose from, the following spots have been selected by local dudes based on their day time atmosphere, their outdoor patios, their dank food and drink selection, and / or their “gaming” selection.  

  We’ve divided Charleston up into two courses: The Back 9, which are all of the bars within a reasonable walking distance in the Upper King Street area, and the Front 9, which are located near The Market.

*Golf Course Map is located below*

go home / shower / party bus or shuttle back downtown- VIP

Shuttle back down town for a night out on the town.  

Dinner Suggestions:

1. Pre-order dinner for your crew so that you can all go home, shower up, and unwind before you head back out on the town.
2. If you think you guys can get your shit together, make dinner reservations.  Afew Good spots for larger groups are:
3. Hit the town, order bottle service at one of Charleston’s popular clubs or lounges:
   1. Trio
   2. Mynt
   3. Republic
   4. NV

 

Day 3:

Other Suggestions: (Check list)

 

Bike Crawl:

Optional – half way up the bridge

1. Royal American – PBR + shot
2. Revelry Brewery
3. Palmetto Brewery
4. The Alley
5. Taco Boy
6. Palace Hotel
7. Biergaaten
8. Stars
9. Carolina Ale House

Embedded Link:

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Rooftop Crawl:

1. Vendue
2. Rooftop Pavilion
3. Henry’s / NV
4. Boons
5. Carolina Ale House
6. Stars
7. Cocktail Club

 

Folly Beach Crawl

1. Tides
2. Logger Heads
3. Snapper Jacks sunset
4. (Irish Bar)
5. Taco Boy
6. Surf Bar night time
7. Chico Feo

 

Champagne Campaign (Party Bus or Shuttle recommended)

1. IOP – Windjammer
2. Sully’s Poe’s Tavern
3. Shem Creek / Mount Pleasant – Red’s Ice House
4. Downtown – Rooftop Vendue
5. West Ashley – Avondale
6. James Island – The Barrel
7. Folly Beach – Snapper Jacks

 

1. Beach Day

• Post up on Folly @ either the washout / or the pier
• what to bring
• Shower up – then time to begin the Folly Bar Crawl
• Dinner suggestion / Dinner and VIP package

 

1. Water Sports Day
   • Epic Brunch
   • Top suggestions *Rent a Boat*
   • Sunday Funday on the water

 

 

 

Bachelorette Party:

Explore Downtown – drinking / shopping / sampling spots
Spa Packages
Champagne Service
Group Dinner
Table Service
Beach Day
Brunch @ Shem Creek + kayak or SUP tour

Group Vacation Concierge Services & Packages:

• Charleston Affair
• Pop the Bubbly
• On Purpose Adventures
• SC Bar Car

Club VIP Packages:

• Trio
• Republic
• Mynt
• NV Dance Lounge

No need to waste precious time running errands when you arrive, you may as well order your groceries ahead of time.

• Groceries Ahead

 

1. Palmetto Brewery
2. Hanks Seafood
3. Rec Room foosball
4. The Alley – bowling
5. Prohibition – moscow mule
6. Hom- ping pong
7. Stars – rooftop selfies *
8. AC’s pool – beer of the month
9. Carolina Ale House

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Ladies and Gentlemen when you go out in downtown Charleston you better dress to impress.  Charleston is a city that is well known for being populated with lots of good lookin’ people according to Time.com among other publications,  so there’s lots of competition if you’re looking to get lucky.  If you plan to go bar hopping down King Street or in The Market, you can bust out the bow ties and stilettos and you’ll fit right in.

At the beaches, the  party scene is a slightly different scenario.  It’s a lot more laid back there so if you want to dress down you can, although girls you can wear heels just about anywhere and  you won’t look over dressed.  In the summer time it’s hot and humid as hell, so wear something light and breathable.

 

Outfit Examples

Additional Things to Bring:

• Beach Stuff
• Fan

 

To maximize your enjoyment in Charleston I recommend you bring the following things:

• Beach gear.
• A hat or visor.
• Light breathable clothes,it gets hot!
• A handheld fan (ladies.)
• A big appetite, our food is delicious.
• A willingness to be sweaty, salty, and sandy all day.

 

Charelston AKA “The Holy City” has some silly liquor laws that are still in effect that can really throw a wrench in your weekend if you’re not prepared.  There are also some other alcohol regulations you definitely need to know.

1. All liquor Stores close at 7:00 pm. (You can still buy beer, wine, and champagne at the grocery store / convenience store, but NO BOOZE.
2. Liquor Stores are COMPLETELY closed on Sundays. As above, You can still buy beer, wine, and champagne at the grocery store / convenience store, but NO BOOZE. If you want to drink liquor on Sunday you need to buy it on Saturday. Of course you can get liquor drinks at the bars, but you can’t purchase it anywhere else.
3. Drinking is not technically legal on any of the beaches thanks to these douche bags.  If you plan on attempting to do so anyways, you need to be very sneaky, or else you can face a hefty fine if you are caught.  Attempt it at your own risk… which lots of people do.

4.  Open container is not permitted anywhere in South Carolina, if you’re caught in public place or street with alcohol you can get fined or even arrested.

5.  All of the bars here close by 2:00 am.  A lot of them will start last call around 1:45 or even earlier.  Try to come out early so you get more time to explore the nightlife.

• If your group is within a 10 mile radius of Charleston, you may be better off just cabbing / shuttling around town than trying to drive or rent a car. This will obviously depend on the size of the group, and distance to your desired destinations.
• Keep in mind – traffic and parking downtown on the weekends is a nightmare. You will waste so much time and energy sitting in traffic, and looking for parking, that it will put you in a bad mood. You’ll probably turn down several one way streets by accident, Charleston is full of them. You will likely have to park a long ways from where you’re trying to go anyways and have to walk for a long time. You’ll arrive sweaty, and exasperated, just Uber.
• If you do drive, just find the nearest parking garage or paid parking lot, and park there.
• If you’re unlucky enough to come during a sudden down pour combined with high tide, several of the streets will flood in a matter of minutes. Avoid driving downtown if this is the case, you’re better off kayaking.
• Parking at any of the meters is free on Sundays.