South Carolina's Lowcountry Living

Charleston is a busy city. It calls out to millions of travelers who visit the area for its culture and architecture, its moderate weather, and its cool charm. 

But there is more to the area’s Lowcountry appeal than urban hustle and bustle.

Much more.  

The term “Lowcountry” refers to the low-lying coastal region of South Carolina that runs from the wetlands and beaches of the Atlantic coast up to the rolling hills in the center of the state. Life in the Lowcountry is a little more coastal, a little more friendly.

And maybe just a little more delicious. 

Getting Started

For our accommodations, we focused on the Shem Creek region, a quaint area just over the bridge from Charleston in the picturesque town of Mount Pleasant. Tucked up against the scenic waterfront we discovered a true classic – the Shem Creek Inn, a laid-back dockside hideaway accessible by car, boat, even kayak. 

Generations of vacationers have called the Shem Creek Inn their home away from home, taking sailing trips from the boardwalk by day and barhopping to the many watering holes within steps of this famous hotel at night.

Our second-floor room had a perfect view of the waterfront, and we spent hours out on the balcony with cold craft brews in our hands, watching the pleasure craft and kayaks come and go in the sunshine. Kids frolicked in the huge waterside pool, and in the evenings the gentle sounds of the local entertainment wafted up on the breeze from the open-air bar below. 

Just steps from the Inn is the Shem Creek Boardwalk, which winds its way through nearby Shem Creek Park, providing over two thousand feet of breathtaking views of the salt marshes and Charleston Harbor. We encountered flocks of swooping pelicans and dozens of playful dolphins as we took in the briny air. 

The location’s ambiance created the perfect peaceful atmosphere from which to begin our Lowcountry exploration.   (Continue reading below photos). 

Southern Charm

First up was a trip to familiarize ourselves with the southern charm and history around us – a horse-drawn carriage ride through Charleston’s Historic District with Palmetto Carriage Works. Family-owned and operated for over 50 years out of the Big Red Barn off a quiet side street, the Doyle family has crafted the city’s premiere carriage tour company. With over 40 horses and dozens of knowledgeable employees, they combine a friendly atmosphere and quality animal welfare to provide a one-of-a-kind equine experience.

We set out in the early morning sunshine with our guide Tyler and his friend Ron, a Belgian draught horse built for just such work. Our one-hour tour allowed us to learn more about the city’s rich past, with Tyler and Ron expertly traversing the narrow side streets, a number of which were still the original cobblestone from years gone by. Over the course of our tour, we saw sweeping mansions, lush parks and greenery, and dozens of the gorgeous historic churches that gave rise to Charleston’s nickname,  the Holy City. 

Before heading back to Shem Creek, we decided on a visit to the South Carolina Aquarium at verdant Liberty Square. It provides unparalleled views of the majestic Ravenel Bridge that spans Charleston Harbor. 

Opened in 2000, it is a unique combination of animal displays and conservation. Its dozens of exhibits house thousands of animals, showcasing exotic jellyfish, invasive lionfish, and fearsome sharks. Yet it is also the home of the Sea Turtle Care Center, a world-class facility that addresses injuries and illness and administers care to all seven species of sea turtles found in South Carolina waters.

Unlike many other aquariums, the South Carolina Aquarium focuses on more than just sea life.  The displays feature habitats such as the Coastal Plain, the Piedmont, and the Saltmarsh Aviary, where local land and sea wildlife such as roseate spoonbills, water moccasins, and playful otters can be studied by staff and enjoyed by guests. 

The aquarium’s centerpiece is the two-story, 385,000-gallon Great Ocean Tank. Known as North America’s deepest aquarium tank, it is home to thousands of animals, from massive bull sharks to lumbering loggerhead turtles. 

The entire aquarium highlights the unique niche that the Lowcountry occupies in our ecosystem.

On the Water

All that time at the aquarium got us in the mood to be on the water, so we arranged for a sunset cruise with Charleston Harbor Tours. We set sail from Aquarium Wharf with Capt. Dan and his two mates, Darby and Holly, on Schooner Pride, an 84-foot, three-masted schooner modeled after classic sailing vessels. 

Our leisurely two-hour tour set out about 90 minutes before sunset as we headed to the mouth of the harbor. During our time on the water, we had the opportunity to see all four of the historic forts located in the area, including Fort Sumter, site of the official beginning of the American Civil War. And while captain and crew were knowledgeable about the landscape and local history and were happy to answer questions, the real joy of the trip was that it was not narrated, allowing for the simple pleasure of the moment, powered only by the wind in our sails. 

Beverages were available for purchase on our cruise, and restrooms are situated belowdecks. The winds were in our favor during our journey. And just before sunset, our captain turned us around to best take advantage of the vivid colors in the sky over downtown Charleston. 

It was spectacular.