Skip to main content

7 Great Charleston Water Parks and Beaches — Locals’ Picks

By U.S. News & World Report

Charleston, South Carolina, is surrounded by water — and come summertime, that’s a mighty good thing. Given the region’s hot and humid weather, visitors and residents alike appreciate the easy access to beautiful beaches and fun water parks. And while summer is a particularly popular time to indulge in sun, sand and surf, you can enjoy Charleston beaches year-round. Even the off-season is ideal for quiet beach walks and catching spectacular sunsets. All area beaches are family- and dog-friendly (though seasonal leash restrictions and other rules vary), yet each beach town has its own personality and unique flavor. Here’s a rundown on where to get wet and refreshed when the weather gets hot.

Sullivan’s Island

The closest beach (a 20-minute drive) from downtown Charleston, Sullivan’s Island is a quaint seaside neighborhood. Mainly residential, with no hotels or rental condominiums, Sullivan’s Island is ideal for families and those seeking to relax along its 3 miles of wide beach. Soak up the sun or military history with a visit to Fort Moultrie at the southern tip or Breach Inlet at the north end, where the Confederate-built H.L. Hunley made fateful history as the world’s first successful combat submarine during the Civil War. Bring sunscreen and a Frisbee, but no need to pack a lunch — just stop by Poe’s Tavern, a popular burger and fish taco spot named after the island’s literary hero, Edgar Allan Poe, who was stationed here. Top off your day with a beer at Dunleavy’s Pub or decadent homemade gelato from Beardcat’s Sweet Shop.

For those seeking beach time, Jess Segall, front office supervisor at HarbourView Inn, recommends Sullivan’s Island. “It’s my personal favorite,” she says. “It offers the best of both worlds — a bit quieter and a lovely beach, with good restaurants and bars, too.”

[Read: The Best Hotels in Charleston.]

Parking: It’s free but restricted to certain areas and sides of streets, so read the signs.

Don’t Miss: If the local fire and rescue department’s annual fish fry fundraiser in June or the New Year’s Day Polar Bear Plunge coincide with your visit, consider stopping by.

Bonus: Sullivan’s Island has a great shaded playground for younger children, as well as public tennis and basketball courts.

Isle of Palms

Just north of Sullivan’s Island and about 15 miles from Charleston, Isle of Palms, known locally as IOP, is a bit larger and offers more commercial options (shops, groceries, restaurants and small hotels) than its sleepier neighbor. When the wind is up, kitesurfers dazzle as they dart across the waves, and surfers and anglers tend to gravitate toward the pier, but there’s plenty of beach for everyone.

At IOP’s commercial Front Beach hub, you’ll find classic beachy ice cream and hot dog stands, as well as T-shirt shops. The centrally located Isle of Palms County Park offers easy beach access, plus parking, handicapped-accessible ramps, bathrooms, outdoor showers, picnic tables and grills, lifeguards, and a beachfront playground with a sand volleyball court. It’s open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. from May through Labor Day. During that time, admission is $10 per standard vehicle during the week and $15 on weekends. Off-season hours and rates vary during the cooler months.

Parking: There’s a mix of free and metered on-street parking in designated areas.

Don’t Miss: Listen to live music at The Windjammer, a popular beachfront bar.

Bonus: Golfers will love the Tom Fazio-designed course at Wild Dunes Resort on the northern part of the island.

Folly Beach

A 25- to 30-minute drive south of Charleston, Folly Beach is the quintessential beach town, with dive bars, surf shops and colorful characters who help Folly Beach earn its “Edge of America” nickname. The Washout on Folly’s north end is one of the South’s best surf spots, and the Edwin S. Taylor Folly Beach Fishing Pier is a great place to people-watch, fish or enjoy a seaside meal at the new Pier 101 Restaurant & Bar. The beach town has a plethora of eclectic knickknack shops, art galleries, locally owned restaurants (try Taco Boy or Lost Dog Cafe for lunch, and Rita’s Seaside Grille for a fancier dinner) and miles of beach.

“If visitors are looking for more entertainment and younger crowds and bars, Folly is the way to go, but avoid the Center Street areas on crowded holidays,” suggests Devon Brusseau, concierge at The Restoration.

[Read: 6 Must-See Charleston Museums.]

Parking: It’s free on designated streets, and there’s some metered parking in commercial areas.

Don’t Miss: Dance the night away at the monthly Moonlight Mixers on the Folly Beach Pier, generally May through September.

Bonus: The 1876 Morris Island Lighthouse, a historic landmark, stands offshore at Folly’s far northern tip.

Kiawah Beachwalker Park

Kiawah Island’s pristine beach is accessible to the public via Charleston County’s Kiawah Beachwalker Park. The park is open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., May through Labor Day. During that time, admission is $8 per standard vehicle during the week and $10 on the weekend. Off-season hours and rates vary.

“Beachwalker Park is a lovely place to walk and shell,” says Richard Burton, head concierge at the Belmond Charleston Place, who likes the fact that because it’s farther out (25 miles, and about a 45-minute drive, from downtown), Kiawah Island’s beaches tend to be less crowded. Plus, there are lifeguards, showers, bathrooms, grills and a handicapped-accessible ramp at the public park.

Parking: It’s included with park admission.

Don’t Miss: Make a pit stop for lunch, gourmet picnic supplies or shopping at Kiawah Island’s Freshfields Village.

Bonus: Kiawah Island has miles of bike trails, and is ideal for birders and nature lovers.

Charleston County’s 3 Water Parks

Even with beaches nearby, sometimes a tall, twisting waterslide is the ticket. Charleston County Park & Recreation Commission offers three different water parks for kids of all ages to find wet thrills. In Mount Pleasant at Palmetto Islands County Park (about 30 minutes from downtown Charleston), Splash Island Waterpark is ideal for younger children and beginning swimmers. James Island County Park’s Splash Zone Waterpark (about 20 minutes southwest of downtown Charleston) is an excellent midrange park, with two slides and a larger lazy river, plus a wading pool. And for those seeking more thrills (and crowds), North Charleston’s Wannamaker County Park’s Whirlin’ Waters Adventure Waterpark features The Big Kahuna wave pool, several twisting slides, a shallow toddler play area and other adventures.

[See: Take a Photo Tour of Charleston.]

Visitors to Splash Island and Splash Zone must pay a gate entry fee of $2 per person and buy a water park admission ticket: Splash Island Waterpark is $6.99 for general admission, $5.99 for those less than 48 inches tall, $3.99 for seniors and free for kids 2 and younger. Splash Zone Waterpark’s general admission is $9.99, $8.99 for those less than 48 inches tall, $5.99 for seniors and free for children 2 and younger. Whirlin’ Waters Adventure Waterpark does not charge a gate entry fee but tickets are $19.99 for general admission, $14.99 for those less than 48 inches tall, $9.99 for seniors and free for kids 2 and younger.

The hours vary seasonally, so check the website for more information.

To experience more of what Charleston has to offer, check out the U.S. News Travel guide.

More from U.S. News

The Best Family Vacations in the USA

5 Libraries to Check Out Across America

The Best Historic Destinations in the USA

7 Great Charleston Water Parks and Beaches — Locals’ Picks originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
Read Next Story

Related News

Frustration grows in Venezuela as earthquake death toll reaches 1,430

Israel and Lebanon sign framework agreement with US in ‘first step’ toward peace, Rubio says

Trump-endorsed populist poised to become Colombia’s next president as rival challenges vote