^{Posted July 2025 | Written by AHC Properties}

An Insider's Guide for Families Relocating to the Lowcountry

Having a family of 5 ranging from 14 to 5 years old,  we need to constantly make plans to keep everyone busy to avoid the chaos in our home! Charleston has been a great place for us to explore local options that are a fit for everyone in our family. Here are a few of our favorite activities in no particular order! 

1. Explore the South Carolina Aquarium

Perfect for kids of all ages, the aquarium features touch tanks, sea turtle rehabilitation, and exhibits that bring the Lowcountry’s marine life to life. It is also a great spot in the summer because it beats the Charleston heat. 

2. Stroll the Historic Charleston Waterfront

Walk along Waterfront Park, snap a photo at the iconic Pineapple Fountain, and let the kids run through the splash pad while you enjoy harbor views. I love looking at the historic mansions in their architecture splendor and pepping through the gates to see the magnificent gardens. Another fun activity would be to hop on one of the many horse drawn carriages perusing the Battery and King Street. 

3. Spend the Day at Sullivan’s Island Beach

Just a short drive from Daniel Island, Sullivan’s Island offers wide sandy beaches, gentle surf, and great spots for lunch like Poe’s Tavern, Sullivan’s Fish Camp or The Obstinate Daughter. We love to go for a pre beach lunch at one of those spots then hit the beach after. It’s a great way to lessen the load of items you need to bring to the beach! 

5. Visit the Charleston Children's Museum

The Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry is interactive, hands-on, and especially perfect for little ones with big imaginations. This is a spot my kids repeatedly ask to return to. It is another way to beat the heat during the summer. Also a membership is most economical because after 1 visit it pays for itself!

6. CareFree Boat Club

We are members of the CareFree Boat Club. We found that it beats owning your own boat. There is a great selection of boats to choose from and you book online, show up with your gear and once you are finished, park the boat, step off with your stuff and the club handles the rest, no cleaning or maintenance.  We love to book a sunset cruise and bring a pizza from the Dime and a cooler of drinks. It’s a great way to have family time with no technology distractions and enjoy nature. 

7. Take a Pirate-Themed Harbor Cruise

Board the Black Ghost Pirate Ship for a swashbuckling tour the kids will never forget—complete with costumes, water cannons, and pirate tales.

8. Walk or Bike the Ravenel Bridge and Visit The Mount Pleasant Memorial Park

Get some fresh air and panoramic views by walking or biking over the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, which connects downtown Charleston to Mount Pleasant. I typically like to do this solo in the mornings before the family gets going. It’s a great way to start the day and get my work out in! The Mount Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park just opened with a state of the art playground, splash pad and basketball court built under the bridge for the kids to play. It is a beautiful facility and brand new and has something for kids of all ages. 

9. Grab Ice Cream & Shop Local on King Street

Treat your crew to a cone from Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams or It’s Sugar Candy Shop, then wander King Street’s local shops and bookstores for a little retail therapy. My favorite shops are Hampden Clothing, Croghan’s Jewel Box, Free People, Veronica Beard and Beckett. For kids clothing I love Kids on King, Pink Chicken New York and  Under the Almond Trees.

10. End the Weekend with Sunset at Shem Creek

Wrap up your weekend at Shem Creek with waterfront dining  at spots like Saltwater Cowboys (the best nachos),  Tavern on the Table or Sunsets. The kids love to see what the fishermen have caught and to see the shrimp boats and the dolphins looking for any leftover! 

11. Old Village

We love to eat at The Post House for an elevated but relaxed meal. The curated space and menu is timeless. The Pitt Street Pharmacy is always where we finish our visit with a candy or ice cream treat.

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And if we don’t feel like leaving Daniel Island, we can cruise in our goIf cart over to the Dime and Waterfront, to play in the splash pad, watch the boats cruise by, take a hike on the miles of trails or catch fiddler crabs on the shores of the “secret beach.”  

Charleston has been a great city to relocate to and call home. Because the climate is so agreeable we have found that it has opened up our free time to explore and challenge ourselves. We have created so many memories in our daily lifestyle that we used to only experience when we went on vacations. We are now able to blend our daily lives with a vacation like approach. We can have experiences that we used to only save for that once a year vacation, all year round. 

Reach out to me today to find out how you can make this dreamy lifestyle a reality. 

Alison@ahcpropsre.com and @achpropsre on instagram.

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