Mt Pleasant - High Life in the Low Country
By L. Jaye Bell

Just East of Charleston is a beautiful stretch of land bounded by Charleston Harbor, Shem Creek and Cove Inlet. English settlers in 1680 named the area Mt. Pleasant. Today it is still a treasure to behold, but is easy to miss among the modern sprawl of Hwy 17.

As visitors walk the docks of Shem Creek and the streets of Old Town, they connect with the natural beauty of the area that drew settlers here. The marsh spreads out from Shem Creek, opening glistening green and gold arms out to Charleston harbor. In Old Town along Pitt Street, massive live oaks spread moss-laden limbs over narrow streets.

The historic charm hides the underlying battle between the descendants of the early settlers and modern day developers. Locals wish to remember and conserve the area, while developers dream up ways to profit on the ambiance. The fight against progress is ancient, its roots running deep along the shorelines. Low Country residents have a history of fighting for their beliefs, keeping time honored traditions intact. Balanced compromise is called for to accommodate industry and preserve the way of life.

"The Creek" as locals affectionately call it, runs out of the marsh and into Charleston Harbor, beckoning travelers to explore the natural beauty and architectural nooks and crannies. While dolphins cavort in the creek, pelicans and gulls perch on shrimp boats, inviting visitors to pause and enjoy the view. As the sun sets, rays of golden light reach through thunder heads above, bounce off the surface of the water and flash silvery radiance that lights up the marsh grass.

Boats of all sizes and shapes line the docks on each side of the creek. This community has provided much of the shrimp supplied to the Charleston area for 30+ years. Shrimp season opens in late April with the Blessing of the Fleet festival, held at historic Alahambra Hall. Deep sea fishing charter vessels also dock here, as do kayak outfitters. Sail and power vessels tie up to the dock, their passengers encouraged to dine along the quay. The 'no wake' zone makes it easy to pause here for an experience of freshly caught local seafood at restaurants lining "the Creek".

For longer term stays, dock your vessel at Patriot's Point Marina. Located just outside the mouth of Shem Creek toward Charleston Harbor, Patriot's Point is the largest marina in the area, with 459 slips. A majestic view of the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Yorktown offers an opportunity to explore and connect with naval history. An entire day could be devoted to exploring the Yorktown, the Coast Guard Cutter and the Medal of Honor Museum. Tour boats to Ft. Sumpter leave from the Yorktown daily.

Patriot's Point Resort and Hotel is also located here. Nautical themed guest rooms decorated in bright yellows and blues, comfy bedding and spectacular views of the harbor keep guests close to the water with all the comforts of home. The resort also offers an 18-hole championship golf course overlooking Charleston Harbor, Fort Sumter and Shem Creek. Known for its challenging waterfront finishing holes, the course is within minutes of the beaches at the Isle of Palms and Sullivan's Island.

Patriots Point Resort is well acquainted with water lovers. Charleston Race Week is held here in the Spring, and sport fishing tournaments are throughout the season. Black and White photographs of previous tournament winners line the walls in the Reel Bar. A quick bike ride or shuttle from East Cooper Shuttle will transport you over to Shem Creek. For guests preferring to go into Charleston the Water Taxi leaves from Dock A hourly, dropping passengers at the Charleston Maritime Center, within walking distance of the Aquarium. Bikes and pets are welcome on the water taxi. Bring the camera for unique close ups of the hull of the U.S.S. Yorktown and the Arthur Ravenel Bridge.

For accommodations overlooking Shem Creek, check into The Shem Creek Inn. The Inn offers a 10% discount for fishing charters booked with Captain Rick Hiott's Inshore Fishing Charters. Guests booking a fishing charter with Captain Rick Hiott's Inshore Fishing Charters receive a 10% discount on room rates. Captain Hiott's fishing expertise for Red Drum is widely known, both with locals and worldwide. Featured on the Discovery Channel - Europe and in Saltwater Sportsman Magazine, Captain Hiott is highly recommended for finding the best inshore fishing hot spots, and also for his genuine interest in teaching others about the inshore waters around Charleston.

The abundance and experience of local fishermen here provides for the ultimate in fresh seafood. Mt. Pleasant Seafood operates a retail store here at the Creek and has a booth at the Mt. Pleasant Farmer's Market. For fining out, patrons at the Water's Edge Cabana Bar delight at the antics of the playful goodwill ambassadors of the Creek. Arriving daily at 4 pm, the male dolphin makes his appearance, followed by the rest of the pod. Look closely and you will see the baby swimming along with his mother. It's as if these creatures have come to just to welcome guests to the area. It would be difficult not to be infused with wonder as one watches these beautiful beings fish for their supper. Working in conjunction with brown pelicans and seagulls, they dive for fish remains from the charter boats.

Sunsets are an event here. Several restaurants offer outdoor and creekside dining, allowing guests to experience the wonder of a brilliant Charleston sunset with the ubiquitous charm of a small fishing village. Enjoy the view from the outdoor bar and dining area at Vickery's. Watch as the suns rays cast over the marsh as it spreads toward the mouth of the creek. Feel the gentle breezes from Charleston Harbor waft through the palmettos. Even during a storm, the view from the indoor bar is a magnificent way to watch the drama without dampening the spirit. From the indoor bar, one can see the shrimp boats, wings spread out and up as if they were water angels ready to fly.

Looking across the creek offers an opportunity to check out the architectural nooks and crannies lining the docks. Magwoods Seafood still provides shrimp and fish to much of Charleston after 30 years in business. "Live long, Love long, Eat Seafood" is their motto, painted on the walls in red and blue. At The Wreck, Low Country culinary favorites are dished up informally on huge paper plates. The price is well worth the spectacular sunset view from the screened in porch dining room. This is one place the no-see-ums can't reach during dinner.

Looking toward the bridge, R.B.'s and Red's Ice House offer more choices for outdoor dining. RB's is more upscale, and quite serious about proper patron parking, sometimes towing their own customers by mistake. Bright yellow signs warn fines for booting and towing. RB's owns the Shem Creek Towing Company, and keeps a tow truck is parked in view on the lot.

Red's is the casual local hangout with something going on at Happy Hour daily. Offering free parking in a huge gravel lot adjacent to the restaurant, they are more concerned with customers having a great time. Red's is also the local "Yappy Hour" hotspot, so bring your canine buddies to meet and greet the locals. Ice cold buckets of water and doggie biscuits are favorites with the four-legged furry crowd. Upstairs, the view of the sunset is unparalleled. Cushions line the upstairs bar, which can be reserved for private parties. On holidays, this is a prime spot to view fireworks shot from the U.S.S. Yorktown.

Happy hours are special at Red's Ice House. On Sundays, listen to local acoustic/rock/folk singers playing downstairs. On Thursdays, taste the freshly steamed shrimp served up at the bar for free. Best of all, Wednesday evenings feature a sunset cruise on the Palmetto Breeze, a 50' sailing catamaran. This is a great way to watch the CORA (Charleston Ocean Racing Assoc.) races in the harbor, with plenty of photo ops on the trip. Ticket prices include adult beverages and a spread of hors du vours. Captain Ping is always cheerful, ready to take guests out on the water. He will even let you steer the boat, if you ask nicely.

A few blocks away from Red's is the Old Town of Mount Pleasant. Listed on the National Register of Historic places, Old Town is home to quaint churches, colonial and antebellum homes and also the majestic Alhambra Hall, the original site of the Mount Pleasant Ferry Company. Built in 1847 by Charles Jugnot and Oliver Hilliard as a summer retreat and dance hall, Alhambra Hall sits nestled in a grove of massive live oaks. Rebuilt in 1937, it is a popular spot for community events. Located on a waterfront park lined with live oaks, and equipped with a fabulous community playground, this is a quiet peaceful place for an afternoon picnic. Wander over to the Confederate Cemetery, and don't miss the tiny Post Office building on the way back over Pitt Street. Many streets end with a view of Charleston harbor, making it easy to see why the town founders named it Mt. Pleasant. Although there is no mountain per say, it is certainly a pleasant place to be.

A short distance away is the Old Town, where visitors can tap into nostalgia with an old fashioned ice cream soda from the Pitt Street Pharmacy. Down the block, the Old Post House Restaurant and Tavern operates in the building that served as a grocery store. Originally built by German immigrants in 1888, the Post House serves light lunch and dinner, with dining downstairs and a meeting room upstairs for private parties. She Crab soup, tuna, lamb shank, steaks, sauteed sea bass, and shrimp & grits await hungry diners here. The streets of Old Town point toward Charleston

If you're in Mount Pleasant on a Tuesday afternoon, stop by the Farmer's Market, held at the Old Moultrie Middle School on West Coleman Blvd. An abundance of fresh flowers, herbs, local produce, and seafood is found in this tiny market. Local Bluegrass or acoustic musicians perform while you shop. Snow Cones and face painting are available for kids of all ages and a barbeque stand ensures that you won't go hungry before you get back to your floating home. The Market runs through the end of October, with a special Holiday Market and Craft Show scheduled on December 8 from 10 - 3 pm.

Shopping in this area offers a variety of delightful wares both in Old Town and on the Creek, and in some cases, a generous helping of local history. In the village, Utonga Gallery offers a unique collection of Shona (Zimbabwe) sculpture. Next door, Out of Hand Gallery is a feast for the eyes of cards, gifts and treasures to remember your visit. At the Charleston Candle Cottage on West Coleman Blvd., customers can chat with Rachel, the proprietress. A post office is located in the back for mailing art cards to folks back home. The candle selection here is vast as well. Behind the Candle Cottage, watch local artist Steven Jordan as he paints watercolors and oils of favorite Low Country scenery.

Across the way on Mill Street, a variety of shops are located in the Commons. For the right stationery and post cards, check out The Scratch Pad. Sue Tanis offers an appealing selection of quirky, fun locally oriented gifts, stationery and invitations for the right occasion. At the end of Mill Street, proprietress and local history expert Lou Edens offers a collection of select gifts, home furnishings and a generous helping of local history about the area at The Fifth Season. Lou owned and operated the Maritime Museum next door for years, and also owns Rice Hope Plantation Bed & Breakfast on the Cooper River.

Shem Creek Marina is across from The Fifth Season on Mill Street. Sailing vessels can't navigate under the bridge, the marina specializes in long term dry dock storage for smaller power boats. The old Maritime Museum building is next door, now the recent home of Coastal Expeditions kayak tours. Coastal Expeditions offers kayak tours of Shem Creek, and passenger ferry tours to Bull Island year round.

Two more restaurants are on this side of Shem Creek. Shem Creek Bar & Grill has a spectacular view of the marsh from the outdoor dock bar and the indoor back porch. Inside the main restaurant, the bow shaped bar is unique, reminding all who enter that boating is a first love here. With a great selection of seafood and Low Country favorites, this family oriented restaurant has it all. Next door the new Creekside Bar & Grill offers lower priced favorites and outdoor roof seating overlooking the creek.

One could easily spend a week discovering the historic places in this area. Watching a sunset through the shrimp boat wings, strolling along the docks of the creek after dinner, and taking time to explore local shops will endear visitors to this charming spot so close to Charleston. A kayak tour will shed light on conservation efforts on the Creek, and a conversation with locals at Red's will further enhance your visit here. Check out the many wonders of Shem Creek and Old Town Mt. Pleasant soon, before it's too late to remember the way things were.

Sidebar

Lodging
Charleston Harbor Resort and Marina
20 Patriots Point Road
Mount Pleasant, South Carolina 29464
http://www.CharlestonHarborResort.com
843-856-0028
Toll Free: 888-856- 8333
Reservations
Toll free - (888) 856-0028

Shem Creek Inn
1401 Shrimp Boat Ln,
Mt Pleasant, SC
(843) 881-1000

Marinas
Charleston Harbor Marina
24 Patriot's Point Rd.
Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina 29464
Office: (843) 284-7062
Mobile: (843) 297-2949 or (843) 297-2948
Fax: (843)856-8540
Patriots Point Links on Charleston Harbor
One Patriots Point Road
Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464
Phone: 843.881.0042
Fax: 843.881.0044
Toll Free: 877.709.5053

Restaurants
Water's Edge
1407 Shrimp Boat Lane
Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina 29464
Reservations 843.884.4074

Vickery's Bar & Grill
1313 Shrimp Boat Ln
Mt Pleasant, SC 29464
(843)884-4440

Reds Icehouse
98 Church Street
Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464
843.388.000
Shem Creek Bar & Grill
508 Mill St
Mt Pleasant, SC 29464
(843)884-8102

Creekside Grill
508 B Mill Street
Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464
843-856-4803
http://www.CreeksideBarGrill.com

Old Village Post House
101 Pitt Street
Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464
843-388-8935

Tours and Sightseeing
Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum
40 Patriots Point Road
Mount Pleasant, South Carolina 29464
866-831-1720 toll free
843-884-2727
Angie Bennett, Group Business/ Visitor Services
866-831-1720 toll free
groupreservations@patriotspoint.org

Aqua Safaris, Inc. (Palmetto Breeze)
24 Patriot's Point Rd.
Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464
800-524-3444, 843-886-8133

Coastal Expeditions
514 B Mill Street
Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464
843-884-7684

Fishing Charters
Aqua Adventures
Capain Chuck Griffin
843-884-6696
843-860-1664

Captain Rick Hiott's Inshore Fishing Charters
(843) 412-6776 cell
or (843) 554-9386 home

Transportation
East Cooper Shuttle
Elaine: 843-343-0484
John: 843-327-4700

Water Taxi
Charleston Water Taxi
843) 330-CWTX (2989),
One way $5
Round Trip: $8
All day Pass: $12.

Galleries
Steven Jordan Gallery
409 W. Coleman Blvd and
423 W. Coleman Blvd in the Peach Orchard Plaza
843-881-1644

Utonga Gallery
113 Pitt Street
Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464
800 732 4306
(843) 216 7686

Shopping
Out of Hand
113C Pitt Street
Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464
843-856-3585

The Fifth Season
510 Mill Street
Mt. Pleasant SC 29464
843-884-5000

The Scratch Pad
409 Mill Street
Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464
843-884-3433

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http://ljaye.shutterbugstorefront.com

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Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum : Home to "The yorktown

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Entertainment in Mount Pleasant, SC
By Lee Keadle

In this article you'll find things to do in Mt. Pleasant, SC. Some of these options are free entertainment, while others require admission. Whether you are vacationing at one of the nearby beaches, thinking of relocating to Mt. Pleasant, or even if you are simply a Mt. Pleasant resident looking for fun things to do in your area, check out this top ten list!

1) Walk the Ravenel Bridge: The bridge has incredible views of Mt. Pleasant, downtown Charleston, and the Charleston Harbor. And, it's not only good exercise, it's also free!

2) Boone Hall Plantation: Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Boone Hall is probably the most popular of Charleston's many plantations. You could easily spend an entire afternoon there walking through the gardens, taking a tour (there are several to choose from), or seeing the exhibits. You can even eat lunch at the Plantation Kitchen restaurant.

3) Beaches: Mt. Pleasant is bordered to the east by two beaches, the Isle of Palms and Sullivan's Island. Although you have to pay for some of the parking at these beaches, there are also some sections of the island that are free. And, if you already go to the beaches and are looking to spruce up your next trip, next time check out Fort Moultrie on Sullivan's Island (see number 9 on this list). Who says the beach can't be educational?

4) Palmetto Islands County Park: Of the six county parks in Charleston, this is the one located in Mt. Pleasant. This particular park is over 900 acres and has a water park, a fishing dock, nature trails that are great for walking or biking, picnic sites, and intramural fields.

5) Towne Centre: This outdoor shopping mall is one of the best places to shop in Charleston. Although it does not have the designer stores that King Street (in downtown Charleston) has, it has most every other store you could possibly want - including Banana Republic, Gap, Old Navy, Belk, Barnes and Noble, Bath and Body Works, and Pier 1 Imports. You will also find several restaurants and a nice movie theater at Towne Centre.

6) Patriots Point: The aircraft carrier Yorktown used in World War II serves as a museum docked on the Charleston harbor. Visitors can tour many parts of the ship as well as the submarine located right beside Yorktown.

7) Golf: Mt. Pleasant is one of Charleston's main areas for golfing. There are five courses to choose from in Mt. Pleasant: Rivertowne Country Club, Dunes West, Charleston National, Snee Farm, and Patriots Point Links on the Charleston Harbor.

8) Take a boat to Fort Sumter: Boats depart for Fort Sumter from Patriots Point in Mt. Pleasant (and also from Liberty Square in downtown Charleston). This is a great opportunity to see the Charleston Harbor by boat, and Fort Sumter is a good lesson in history since it is the place where the Civil War began in 1861.

9) Fort Moultrie: With Charleston's rich history, you will find plenty of museums and historic sites to visit. And, luckily, several of these options are located in Mt. Pleasant. Fort Moultrie is located on Sullivan's Island, and visitors can learn about the fort's role in protecting Charleston's harbor over the past 200 years.

10) Charles Pinckney National Historic Site: This site is made up of a house and a farm that belonged to the Founding Father Charles Pinckney. During February and March, there are also various programs relating to Charleston's Gullah heritage.

You can search all Mount Pleasant SC homes for sale on Lee's website, regardless of listing company! You can view all Mt Pleasant SC real estate, including condos, townhouses, and single family homes!

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