For Locals Only: Where To Go To Escape Tourists In Charleston

Featured Image Credit: Edisto Beach Facebook

Obviously, we love Charleston. And we love that other people love Charleston. But sometimes us locals can get a little overwhelmed by the tourists that pour into town all year. So, if you want to have a little time to yourself or commune with locals, then try to get away for a while and visit one of the following places.

Edisto Island

It’s off the beaten path, so it’s a little bit of a trek, but Edisto Beach is worth a day trip. This island community is small, but welcoming. A beautiful beach with fewer tourists than Folly, IOP or Sullivan’s awaits after the drive. Once you’re there you can simply enjoy the beach or head out on a boat or eco tour. There’s also a museum on the island and a serpentarium as well as a golf course. And one of the most untouched and eerie beaches is located on the island at Botany Bay Plantation (pictured).

Chapel Street Fountain Park

There are plenty of charming neighborhood parks in Charleston that you can retreat to when you’re tired of tourists. Chapel Street Fountain park is just one of them. This pocket park on Chapel Street is a hidden downtown Charleston oasis. In the park, lush gardens surround an iron fountain. It’s the perfect place for quiet and reflection.

Daniel Island Waterfront Park

Aside from the tennis stadium, Daniel Island is primarily a residential part of Charleston. Therefore, you won’t find many tourists on the island. There are several parks on the island perfect for walking, running, or cycling. One with the best view is Daniel Island Waterfront Park. As the name suggests, it’s on the water, situated on the Wando River. Go for a stroll and take in the beauty of one of Charleston’s many waterways.

Charleston Library Society

If you’re not in the mood to go to a park while you’re downtown, you can escape to in Downtown Charleston, there’s another quiet place you can duck into to want to ditch the tourists. The Charleston Library Society is in the heart of historic downtown and allows visitors to come in during normal operating hours and enjoy the main reading room. It’s a great place to read (obviously), study, or just get your thoughts together. If you’re fond of the library, it might be worth it to get a membership and get access to more of the library.

Old Santee Canal Park

Another destination you may want to consider if you want to avoid tourists in Charleston is Old Santee Canal Park. Take a day trip from the Peninsula to Moncks Corner and visit the site of the country’s first canal. Packed with history and plenty of recreational opportunities (canoeing, fishing, picnicking), Old Santee Canal Park is full of fun. There are four miles of meandering boardwalks for nature viewing, an interpretive center, a museum and heritage center, and a plantation on the 195 acre park.