Folly Beach, just south of Charleston, was our home away from home recently. A lovely getaway from the cold and a special time with family we don’t see often. We were all first time visitors to this South Carolina port city founded in 1670. The weather was mostly perfect for our Charleston and Folly Beach getaway family vacation.
NOTE: I have received no compensations for this post but merely sharing with my readers our time on Folly Beach, South Carolina.
We had the best of both worlds. Folly Beach is a beautiful place to enjoy the crashing waves, warm sun and have fun in the sand. A laid-back beach town and great place with a casual atmosphere perfect for relaxing and meandering.
Just a twenty-minute drive away and we were right in the heart of Charleston with its rich history, well preserved architecture, cobblestone streets and friendly people.
If a southern vacation is something that you might like, take a peek at our adventure.
Charleston and Folly Beach Getaway
Getting there by car and plane
Charleston Airport
Our son-in-law, daughter and four kids drove from upstate New York making the 16-hour drive with just one stop to sleep. The original plan was for them to dive to our home (5.5 hours) then caravan the rest of the way to South Carolina. Wanting no parts of a long drive, John and I flew out of Philadelphia International Airport to Charleston with a layover at Dulles International Airport, Washington, DC. Scheduling their arrival, the kids picked us up at the airport, located in North Charleston and we made the 40-minute drive all together to Folly Beach.
Weather
Our February weather was a delightful surprise. Highs were in the 80’s with lows not going below 59. We had early morning fog a couple of days, just 1 cloudy day with less than 1 hour of drizzle (see the golf cart photo below) then partly sunny to bright sunny days throughout the week. Just weeks prior to our visit, Charleston experienced a rare coastal storm, with the third-largest snowfall recorded in the Charleston area along with ice and freezing temps.
Townhouse Condo
Jill and Brad found a lovely townhouse condo with a nice off-season rate. Water’s Edge 088 My Blue Heaven, with relaxing screened porches and water views is just a block to downtown Folly and within walking distance to the beach. The three-bedroom condo sleeps 10 (king, queen, and two bunk beds, a double and twin, with three baths.
With a full kitchen and washing machine and dryer, we were able to make meals and also do laundry as needed. We headed right for a grocery store the night we arrived to stock up for our stay.
What to see and do
Folly Beach
Folly Beach Pier through a foggy sunset
The sun sets on Folly Beach, South Carolina
Folly Beach is a city on Folly Island, in South Carolina, just south of Charleston. Here you will find Folly Beach Pier that stretches more than 1,000 feet into the ocean. You may fish off of the pier, rent fishing poles, purchase bait and get instructions. There is a gift shop, restaurant, gift shop, snack bar and often hear live music.
Center Street is lined with surf and souvenir shops. Folly Beach County Park has picnic areas and a pelican rookery. Enjoy the beaches, wildlife-rich habitats, Lighthouse Inlet Heritage Preserve and views of Morris Island Lighthouse, completed in 1876. Bird sanctuary located at the eastern end of the island. The Morris Island Lighthouse is at the far eastern end of the park in Lighthouse inlet.
Eateries
Folly Beach has many eateries but I want to highlight one just a short, golf-cart ride away from our condo. Lost Dog Cafe has earned its reputation for “Best Breakfast Ever” and I might add, it is super cute and fun. I could barely check out the menu because my attention was fixed on the hundreds of framed photos of adorable dogs that lined the walls of the cafe.
More than dog-friendly, the super casual cafe has a wide selection of breakfast (and lunch) choices. Brad rented a large golf cart and chauffeured all eight of us to breakfast where we enjoyed fresh-baked muffins and cinnamon rolls, pancakes topped with strawberries, fruit parfait, and eggs Benedict. There are tables inside and out. If you go, take your appetite and pup or just smile at all the sweet canine faces in the photos.
I have lots more to share about our time in South Carolina. Look for upcoming posts in this Charleston Travel Series.
Up next is a recipe indigenous to Charleston Lowcountry. But for now I’ll share a totally unrelated recipe for Sauteed Apples because they are delicious and they are kinda, sorta southern, right? 😉
Other posts in Charleston, South Carolina Travel series
Charleston Lowcountry Lentil Soup
Boone Hall Plantation & Gardens, Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina
First Time Charleston, South Carolina Visit with Kids Guide
Sauteed Apples
FREE gift for subscribers!
If you enjoyed this post, you’ll love my weekly email. Subscribe to have updates delivered to your inbox and receive FREE gifts available exclusively for subscribers. Don’t miss new content with recipes, crafts and ideas to inspire & encourage you. We would love for you to join our community. Just click the subscribe button below.
I’m way behind and trying to catch up! Your beach vacation looks like the perfect get-away. We have been to the Oregon Coast twice since the first of the year with our new travel trailer. It was stormy and we loved it! If we ever get near Folly Beach we will definitely a visit.
~Adrienne~
Seeing this post has reinforced in my mind that I am WAY overdue for trip to the beach myself! What a lovely place! I have never been to Folly Beach since we mostly go to the NC coastline but it is truly beautiful and sure looks like your family had a great time! Now we are having a bit of winter here this weekend still…springtime, where are you?? Blessings!
Looks like a lovely vacation
Amalia
xo
Sounds like a perfect getaway. I like the sounds of those temperatures too