Why Locals Love Mount Pleasant, South Carolina (And You Will Too)

Every evening as the sun sets over the Cooper River, “Charleston Hat Man” David Yount ends his day with a scenic drive home to Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. After closing up shop at his downtown hat store, the Charleston mainstay he’s owned for more than 35 years, Yount hops on South Carolina’s iconic cable-stay bridge and drives over towards home. Door-to-door, his commute takes about 20 minutes, and Yount knows he’s arrived when he passes boats bobbing in the waterways and residents and tourists mingling along the harbor.

“Mount Pleasant has a little of everything,” Yount says. “Not in the middle of the hoopla, but it’s close to Charleston. It’s the best of both worlds.” From outdoor activities that take advantage of the city’s coastal landscape to museums exploring a culturally significant past, there are plenty of reasons for you to cross the bridge, too.

Stretch your sea legs

You’ll find pristine beaches (and maybe spot a sea turtle nest) on the Isle of Palms.

With century-old oak trees shading miles of trails and creeks waiting to be explored by kayak, canoe or paddleboard, Mount Pleasant is heaven for outdoor enthusiasts. Perhaps the most impressive of these paths is the Palmetto Trail, a 425-mile route that stretches from the ocean all the way across the state. For a quick nature walk through a typical Lowcountry forest, try the Edisto Nature Trail. There, you can take a 1.5-mile loop through mature pines, hardwoods and bald cypress trees.

You can even take a jog over to Charleston—literally, notes Yount. The Ravenel Bridge, which connects the two cities, has a footpath, making it easy to get back and forth without a car.

And to the east of the city, the nearby tiny Isle of Palms provides miles of pristine beach so you can sunbathe and swim to your heart’s content. Parking on the island is limited, so look for a spot at the Isle of Palms County Park, and walk over to the beach from there.

Embark on a historical journey

Run, walk, bike or drive across the Ravenel Bridge footpath, which connects Charleston to Mount Pleasant.

To explore the history that shaped Mount Pleasant’s culture, plan for two essential stops. Start at Boone Hall Plantation and Gardens, which may be best-known for its famous, oak-lined driveway said to have inspired the famous Twelve Oaks in Gone With the Wind. You can take a 30-minute guided tour of the mansion’s Georgian-inspired first floor, where you’ll see period antiques and get insight into the history of the plantation, which goes back as far as 1681. “There’s also a great farm where you can pick fruits and vegetables to take home with you,” says Yount.

Just across from Charleston at the mouth of the Cooper River, Patriots Point grandly flanks the Charleston Harbor. “Where honor, pride and adventure unite,” boasts the tagline for the Patriots Point naval museum, where you could spend hours exploring a fleet of National Historic Landmark ships, the Cold War memorial and a Vietnam Experience exhibit. Grab a map to get a game plan when you arrive—there are five self-guided tours around the enormous aircraft carrier.

Relax over a seafood dinner

If you don’t get a chance to kayak down Shem Creek, enjoy the view from the docks.

After a day of exploration and exercise, spend your evening creekside. Shem Creek flows right through town and is lined on both sides with excellent Mount Pleasant restaurants and bars. “It’s atmospheric and romantic—a great place to have an evening drink and watch the sunset,” says Yount. For the best views, try Vickery’s, where you can eat out on the deck overlooking the water. Locals will all urge you to try the made-to-order oyster bisque, which won first place at the Charleston Oyster Festival.

A bit further inland, Page’s Okra Grill is another local favorite. “It’s where everyone in town goes for a good Southern meal,” Yount says. And for something sweet to cap your night, order a cone at Ye Olde Fashioned Ice Cream & Sandwich Cafe, a local chain that has been scooping classics like Black & White Sundaes and banana splits since 1972.

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