Let's all take a minute and give a little praise to the beach. Ah, the beach. It's a wondrous place in general, full of roaring waves and sunburnt cheeks.
It's also particularly nice to visit the beach if there's stuff to do once you're off it for the day. And that's where the barrier islands of Charleston come in. Charleston, that beloved town down South, has some beautiful beachside "suburbs" that are worth visiting on your next vacation (or long weekend, 'cause it's that easy).
Here's why:
1. Take a ferry ride from just north of Charleston to Boneyard Beach, which is pretty much what you think it is.
2. When on Isle of Palms, eat at Acme Lowcountry Kitchen, which is the best food you'll ever eat. Seriously. You're living real large if you can eat their succotash with local butter beans and a side of grits.
3. At the end of a beach day, nothing tastes better than a little salt and vodka on an outdoor deck, no? Head to Salt at Station 22 on Sullivan's Island for the Salty Bear. Stick around for the fresh fish that's prepared in a variety of ways with local veggies.
4. Stay at Wild Dunes, a family resort on steroids on Isle of Palms. There's a beautiful beach to walk, all kinds of kid-friendly activities (hello bike rides!), and it's an easy drive to everything else on the island (like a public beach, 'cause you know you need two beaches to choose from).
4.The Anson Mills Farro Piccolo at The Obstinate Daughter on Sullivan's Island will make you swoon. Brussels sprouts, peanuts AND farro. Insanity. P.S. After dinner, head downstairs to Beard Cats, their ice cream parlor/all-around-adorable sweet shop if you want to walk and eat your dessert.
5. Did we mention the beaches?!
6. Fort Moultrie on Sullivan's Island has survived both the Revolutionary War and the Civil War. That's pretty cool.
Convinced yet? It's officially really spring down there... like in the 80s and sunny, just waiting for ya.