Things to Do in Mount Pleasant
Everywhere you turn in Mount Pleasant, there’s always something to explore and discover. Whether you’re looking for tourist attractions, off-the-beaten-path locations, outdoor thrills, or indoor adventures, you’ll find one in this list of the best things to do in Mount Pleasant.
Shem Creek Park
The mere mention of Shem Creek conjures up images of succulent seafood, gorgeous waterfront views, and an exciting pub crawl. But if you want to experience Shem Creek in its natural glory, without the frills and trappings of touristy attractions, then Shem Creek Park is calling your name.
Located on Coleman Boulevard in Mount Pleasant, Shem Creek Park is a great place for a quiet and relaxing time with the family. Take a nice stroll along the boardwalks and enjoy the scenic views of the areas surrounding the historic creek. What you’ll see depends on which walking path you take. There are fishing boats lined up in the creek that make for a postcard perfect shot.
Short trails have access to the surrounding marshes where some coastal wildlife make their appearance. Shem Creek Park is also a popular fishing spot, so grab your fishing gear and reel in a big one.
Old Village District of Mount Pleasant
Image: Old Village District Website
Experience the charm of the Old Village District with its historic houses, stately live oaks, and waterfront communities. It will take you back to the 18th century when the village served as the summer playground of wealthy Charlestonians. It’s home to the historic Hibben House, one of the oldest structures in Mount Pleasant.
The Old Village District is your ticket to a serene and laidback lifestyle away from the hustle and bustle of city life. The Pitt Street Bridge is the perfect spot for outdoor activities like biking, walking, fishing, and kayaking. It’s one of the best places to hang out if you want to see the spectacular views of the Charleston Harbor.
But it doesn’t mean time stands still in this sleepy town. The shopping scene is alive and kicking, with small, independent businesses thriving as an alternative to big retail chains. Small-town vibes are strong in the district and local events are a community affair.
Kayak Tours with Coastal Expeditions
Image: Coastal Expeditions Facebook
Shem Creek is buzzing with water activities—from fishing to boating to paddleboarding. If you want to engage in a low-impact exercise, there’s no better way than kayaking. Coastal Expeditions offers kayak rentals all week long. You can explore the creek by yourself, with a partner, or through kayak tours.
A 2-hr family kayak tour around Shem Creek is a great way to introduce your kids to kayaking while you enjoy the sights and sounds of Charleston Harbor. The tour is not just about kayaking, it’s also about learning the local history and getting up close and personal with dolphins and manatees when they show up. This guided kayak expedition is timed with the tides for maximum enjoyment for the whole family.
If you want to witness how Crab Bank Seabird Rookery is being restored, you can join the Crab Bank Community Kayak Tour. It’s free for guests to see the vital nesting island of pelicans and help in their long-term survival by spreading awareness.
Boone Hall Plantation
Image: Boone Hall Plantation Website
Recognized as the number one plantation in the Charleston Area, the Boone Hall Plantation lives up to the expectations with its spectacular moss covered live oak trees arranged in even spaced rows. The garden is home to 100-year-old antique roses and different species of butterflies in their natural element.
The 40-minute tractor tour around the 738-acre plantation is a rich learning experience that will give you a better understanding of the history of the plantation and how it remains to be an operational farm up to this day.
Visitors can go on a guided tour of the first floor of the Georgian-designed mansion in the plantation, which was built in 1936. The plantation is not only a symbol of southern heritage, but it’s also an opportunity to learn the unique culture of the plantation workers through a live presentation.
Mount Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park
Image: Mount Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park Facebook
The Mount Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park is a massive complex where all sorts of outdoor activities and events can be enjoyed by visitors. This beautiful park is nestled underneath the Arthur Ravenel Bridge, overlooking the Cooper River.
The park houses the 1250-foot Mount Pleasant Pier, which stretches out into the Charleston Harbor. It has a pavilion where dance and cultural events are held all year-round. The park has everything for everyone. There’s a war memorial, a state-of-the-art playground, bicycle trails, picnic grounds, and fishing areas. Having a park under the bridge provides access to the historic waterway in Charleston.
More than a place to have fun and enjoy nature, the park is a place for reflection. After all, it’s built in honor of the fallen Mount Pleasant soldiers who sacrificed their lives to defend the country.
Splash Island Waterpark
Image: Charleston County Parks Facebook
If your idea of fun is sliding down a 200-foot body flume slide, then head on to Splash Island Waterpark and bring the whole family along. This waterpark is nestled deep within the tropical vegetation of Mount Pleasant Palmetto Islands Country Park. So, it’s like a secret park within a park with all the water attractions you and your kids can handle.
With water sprays, waterfalls, geysers, and a cyclone water ride, you’d wonder if you’ll ever see dry land again. We bet that it would be hard to pry the younger kids away from the 16-foot otter slide. The water park provides hours of fun and it’s a great way to beat the summer heat.
Pitt Street Bridge
Whether you come by land or by sea, you’ll enjoy the journey to the Pitt Street Bridge Park. The park was once the only way to get from Mount Pleasant to the beach at Sullivan’s Island. But now, it’s your passage to a picturesque place where you can unwind, relax, and decompress.
The natural beauty of the park shines through with lush greens, blue water, and spectacular sunrise. You can go on a leisurely stroll and take in the view of the surrounding marshlands, the harbor, and the Charleston skyline. You can also jog, ride a bike, or just sit on one of the benches and meditate. The park is pet-friendly so you can bring your four-legged buddy with you when you go for a walk.
At the end of the Pitt Street Bridge is the fishing pier where you can reel in blue crabs, bass, trout, flounder, and other fish. If you want a more immersive activity, you can kayak through the Charleston Harbor and enjoy the magnificent views.
Patriots Point
Image: Patriots Point Website
If you want a hands-on history lesson for you or your kids, the Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum is the best place to explore and learn. The museum offers an immersive and engaging tour where you can learn about history, marine science, space, and aviation.
Using flight simulators, you can go aboard the USS Yorktown and protect the country against enemies. The wet lab lets you get up close and personal with the local fauna and have an in-depth look at the marine ecosystems. If you’d rather go to space, Journey to Planet X is a virtual reality space program in which you can become an astronaut for a day and explore the universe and beyond.
If you dare explore the shadows of the ship, then put on your hard hat and headlamp and descent down to the bottom of the ship and discover the secrets that lurk beneath.
Elite Escape Games
Image: Elite Escape Games Facebook
If you want your trip to Mount Pleasant to be filled with thrills and excitement, then come to the Elite Escape Games dungeons and get locked in. We take it that your idea of fun is surviving a zombie outbreak, infiltrating a top-secret military installation, collecting dinosaur DNA samples, or defusing a bomb in a subway train. You have exactly 60 minutes to get the job done or suffer the consequences.
Elite Escape Games offers four of the most realistic and immersive escape rooms that will have your blood pumping and your heart beating out of your chest. It’s great for a fun date night, a family bonding activity, a company event, or a team building activity. It’s definitely a fun-filled and memorable experience you can’t stop talking about.
Charles Pinckney National Historic Site
Image: Charles Pinckney National Historic Site
The Charles Pinckney National Historic Site is a must-see in Mount Pleasant. The fact that it was owned by Charles Pinckney is reason enough to visit this 28-acre of historic property which is a remnant of the Snee Farm plantation.
Charles Pinckney served as governor of South Carolina, but his most important contribution was being the principal author and signer of the United States Constitution. The Pinckney house and the surviving outbuildings and structures give a glimpse to the life of a founding father. They also convey what life was like for the plantation workers in one of the most important periods of American history.
Visiting the site is like stepping into a time machine and learning about history from a different perspective. This is an important stop that you should not miss when in Mount Pleasant.
