Buy a home at a reasonable rate with a VA loan in Folly Beach, SC

South Carolina, nicknamed the Palmetto State, is known for its warm temperatures, pristine sand beaches, nature parks, festivals, and golf park. Shaped like an inverted triangle, North Carolina bounds it to the North, the Atlantic Ocean to the Southeast, and Georgia to the Southwest. South Carolina has a unique geography, providing diverse tourist activities, from taking long treks in the state's nature reserves to dining at world-class restaurants with meals that will keep you coming for more.

Along the coastal and mountainous areas of South Carolina are small towns known for outstanding tourist attractions and out-of-this-world meals. Get set to add these top-rated small towns in South Carolina to your travel wishlist.

More in South CarolinaDiscover 8 of the Friendliest Towns in South Carolina

Edisto Island

Edisto is one of the sea islands of South Carolina. This small town is 42 miles from the historic Charleston town, a perfect place to relax and unwind after exploring the historic town. This town offers more than just surfing and kayaking along the Edisto River. There are so many other tourist hotspots in Edisto Island.

Pay a visit to the first true Serpentarium in South Carolina. The Serpentarium is a facility dedicated solely to preserving reptiles in the state. Embark on a fishing trip with the fish Chaterers in the town for some fast-action offshore fishing. You might catch some spot-tail bass or red drums if you are lucky.

One great way to explore this town is by water. Join a boat tour around the Island, exploring every area of Edisto Island surrounding the Ace Basin. You get to see the wildlife of the Island closely during your tour.

York

The town of York is 27 miles away from Charlotte, North Carolina. York shares its northern boundary with North Carolina, Catawba River to the east, and Broad River to the west. The town has a rich history, with the historic buildings still standing as a representation of the town's glory days.

Visitors can learn more about the town from the local museums like Brattsonsville and the McCelvey Museum. Shoppers are not left behind; get whatever you want or need from Yorkville Marketplace, from gift items to clothes.

Visit the Bush N Vine Farm in York to shop for fresh, in-grown farm produce at a pocket-friendly price. There are several vineyards and wineries like Grapevine Wine Bar and Illumination Wines for wine enthusiasts to explore.

Hartsville

Named after Captain Thomas E. Hart, a man who owned most of the lands in the town. Hartsville, a two-time awardee of the All-America State, is a perfect place to spend your holiday. There are many tourist gems hidden in this small town.

The Kalmia Gardens is a major attraction in Hartsville. On a tour around these gardens, visitors see Captain Thomas's house, widely diverse botanical gardens, and Cypress Swamp. It is 35 acres of nature's goodness.

There are several parks in Hartsville to visit. Lawton Park provides you with a beautiful view of the sun as it sets and meets the lake. Dine at J. Michael’s Grill or Hoof and Hound, some of the finest restaurants in town, from barbecue to sushi; every meal on the menu warms your heart and lights up your soul.

Clemson

Set on the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains is the small town of Clemson. It is home to the popular Clemson University. The town locals and college students have built a tightly knit bond, and in 2015, the Princeton Review named the town #1 in the US for “Town and Gown” relations with its resident university.

There is so much to see and do in this small town, from historic sites to recreational activities; you get to have a first-hand experience of all this town has to offer. The town is flooded with museums, each telling its own story. The Clemson College Barn is the oldest building associated with agriculture. Other historic museums include the Forthill Museum, Hanover House, etc.

Pass through Clemson’s experimental forests to access Lake Hartwell. The 17,500 acres of forest land offer several recreational activities, from hiking to bird watching.

Beaufort

Fondly called the “Queen of the Carolina Sea Islands,” Beaufort is a beautiful town and the second oldest town in South Carolina. The town has a rich cultural history and is known for its Southern hospitality. Named by National Geographic Adventure as one of the “Top 50 Adventure Towns,” Beaufort has no dull moments.

Take home a piece of every Beaufort location in a photograph. The Beaufort Photography tour guides visitors around the beautiful town, helping them capture every moment with their camera so they are constantly reminded of their experience in Beaufort.

Go on a boat cruise along the Beaufort Waterways to catch the wild dolphins in action and discover some remote beaches that are perfect for meditation and group bonding.

Travelers Rest

Travelers Rest is in Greenville County, South Carolina. The town has a Southern hospitality charm, making everybody feel at home. The town is steaming with tourists all year round. From exploring the downtown area to engaging with the great outdoors, there is always something to entertain the crowd.

The Downtown of Travelers Rest is always bursting with activities. Visitors witness the level of hard work and craftsmanship business people in this town put into their work. Shopping is one way to support the community. From beautiful handcrafted memorabilia to locally made dresses, there is a lot you can get at the stores Downtown.

Take a picture inside Campbell's covered bridge before embarking on an adventure to explore the great outdoors. From hiking through the town’s Park Trails to kayaking down the surrounding rivers, visitors are sure to have a swirl time in Travelers Rest.

Kiawah Island

Kiawah is a barrier Island 25 miles away from Charleston. This town is known for its pristine beaches, world-class golf course, and amazing wildlife. Get a view of the amazing wildlife on this island, from Bobcats to Ospreys. Kiawah Island is home to diverse wildlife.

Enjoy the stroll around the Kiawah beach. A better way to explore this small Island town is by biking on the beautifully paved biking trails. On your bike, you are privileged to explore areas of the island you can not explore on foot or with a car.

Are you a fan of golf and tennis? Visit the world-class golf courses and tennis resorts on the Island, like The Ocean Course, Osprey Golf Course, or Cougar Point Golf Course. You can also spend time surfing, kayaking, fishing, and shelling on the Island waters.

Folly Beach

Folly Beach is a small town on Folly Island. The town is 11 miles from Downtown Charleston and is called the “Edge of America” by locals. The town is famous for its amazing surfing spots.

In the migration season, you can spot the endangered North Atlantic Right Whale along the coastline. This beach town offers more than just an amazing surfing experience. The town is littered with gift shops, restaurants, and bars.

Folly Beach is always alive with festivals all year round. Some popular festivals in Folly Beach are Tastes Folly, Sea and Sand Festival, and Bill Murray Polar Plunge.

Aiken

Named after the South Carolina Railroad President, Williams Aiken, Aiken is a small town with a southern charm. The town was named the “Best Town of the South” by Southern Living. The Aiken Arboretum Trail is a hidden gem in this small town that keeps attracting nature lovers to see the diverse tree species available.

Shop for farm produce at Aiken's farmers' market, from tomatoes to baked food. Explore the fine dining options in town, from steaks to stuffed potatoes. Every meal on the menu is sure to leave you wanting more. Shop for clothes and antiques at the local antique shops and boutiques downtown or view artworks by local artists at Aikens Art Center.

Isle of Palms

Isle of Palms is a barrier island in South Carolina, known for its beach, beautiful waterfront view, world-class golf course, and local restaurants. The Isle of Palms Beaches is a major tourist attraction. Tourists enjoy sunbathing by the seashore in front of the crystal-clear waterfront. The sandy shoreline is perfect for building sand castles, every child’s dream come true.

Enjoy the beautiful wildlife on the Isle of Palms on a tour organized by Barrier Island Eco Tours. The tour takes you around the salt marshes, tidal creek, and intercoastalways. On the tour, you get to see the Bottlenose Dolphins, Loggerhead Turtles, and other wildlife.

Hilton Head Island

Hilton Head Island was named after Captain William Hilton, who identified it in 1663 at the entrance of the Port Royal Entrance. It is a popular vacation spot for tourists. In 2004, an estimated number of 2.25 million visitors contributed to the town’s economy.

Hilton Head Island is perfect for family getaway vacations. Enjoy quality family time playing family games and building sand castles on any of the beaches on the Island. The water around this Island is perfect for kayaking, fishing, and surfing.

Take a guided tour around the historical spots of this historic town with Hilton Head History Tours. Endless activities await you, from shopping to trying out the amazing cuisine served in the restaurants in town or on the beachside.

Next Up in South Carolina11 Best Small Towns in South Carolina for Retirees

South Carolina, known for its southern hospitality, is a tourist favorite because of its warm and humid climate. This state is bounded on the Southeast by the Atlantic Ocean, and an array of small towns litter its coastline. Enjoy climbing mountain trails and surfing against the sea waves while in these small towns. This guide will ensure you have fun at top tourist attractions when you visit these top-rated small towns in South Carolina. Pack your bags and visit these southern beauties today.

South Carolina is famous for its beaches, but I didn’t know them. Folly Beach, which I discovered looking for escape from a dark, grueling New York City winter, advertised exceptional surf breaks and beach town tradition. Yeah, I thought, Folly Beach! Brilliant water, four-generation family beach houses, surfer subculture, and only one bridge on and off the island; my Southern friends were surprised I’d found it.

I missed kicking off the new year with the “Bill Murray look-alike” polar bear plunge, for which one dresses like a favorite Murray character and runs into the ocean. Motto: Freeze your balls off! No matter, I was just happy to find it was 20 degrees warmer than New York, and empty except for year-round people and diehard surfers. End to end, Folly is only six miles of wide beaches broken and protected by a series of jetties, and I planned to walk them all.

My rented house faced “The Washout,” a long beach break that got rowdy during storm swells and on windy days when the blow whipped up classic, rolling surf. A 20-minute walk up the beach was the Lighthouse Inlet Heritage Preserve with nesting sites for threatened loggerhead turtles. A local said you could find shark’s teeth there, but I never really looked. Off the beach, was marshland and maritime forest with stopover and winter roosting sites for flyway birds including the endangered piping plovers that I saw.

If I walked west, I would end up at Folly Beach County Park, acres of bone-white sand and scrub dunes bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and the wide (at that point) Folly River. A day-tripper magnet between Memorial Day and Labor Day, it was now almost deserted except for people walking with dogs (only allowed in winter).

I had been warned about the weather, but on some of my best days the rain would come and go several times, leaving a freshness on the magnolias that perfumed the salt air coming off the water. My backyard had magnolias, too, and two stands of 60-foot palmetto palms with large fronds, as well as hemlocks with dense green umbrella tops— excellent nesting cover for the robins, mockingbirds, and woodpeckers that fed on the palmetto cones and seeds. A swinging back gate opened onto wetlands that rose and fell with the tide.

By the time my month was up, the lessons of Folly would stay with me in the specifics. The birds and the trees and the long beach walks, learning the tides, the endlessly changing rhythms of the Atlantic. The way the sun would rise over the wetlands just outside my back gate, where early one morning I saw a family of raccoons, perhaps heading for the preserve.

Driving north over the Folly River Bridge at the end of my month, I knew that hordes would descend all summer and surfers would complain it was too crowded just to go left. But those high-season inconveniences weren’t my concern. For a month in the middle of winter, Folly was the perfect beach.

• • •

Terry McDonell is a media executive, literary editor, and published author. He has won numerous awards for his editorial work at various magazines and websites and has written and produced for film and television. Known for his acclaimed book The Accidental Life, McDonell returned to memoir with his most recent book, Irma: The Education of a Mother’s Son.

This article appears in the Winter 2023 issue of Southbound.

Have you visited Folly Beach, SC? No matter what kind of beach trip you are looking for, you can find it on the barrier islands of Charleston, South Carolina. Folly Beach is your best bet for the perfect mix of relaxing beaches and spots to dine. Folly Island is 18 square miles of sand and sun and offers a beach town vibe just 20 minutes from the tourist attractions of Charleston.

This article includes:Public Beach Access on Folly IslandFolly Island Places to Eat

Take A Trip To Visit More Beaches That Are Located Not Far From The Upstate!

Folly Island On The Coast Of South Carolina

The beaches of the Low Country offer something for everyone when it comes to a beach trip. For a quiet, non-commercialized beach experience, Kiawah Island’s Beach Walker Park is my go-to option. However, if a tourist-heavy, commercialized expertise is what you seek, Isle Of Palms fits the bill.

If a sandy spot somewhere in the middle of both is what you want, then the beaches of Folly Island are perfect. They are family-friendly, quiet, and some access points have restrooms and showers for beachgoers to use. The downtown area of Folly Island offers a funky beach town vibe that’s solidified its place in the history of the SC coast.

Here’s a Great Map of Folly Island To Show The Kids

Where to Stay Near Folly Beach, SC

This Stay 22 Map contains affiliate links that will help you find the perfect place to stay near Folly Beach!

Accessing The Beach On Folly Island

With six miles of shoreline, there’s no shortage of sand to spread out on when visiting Folly Beach. Finding beach access isn’t difficult, but depending on your family’s needs, one access might be more suitable than another.

Located on the southern tip of Folly Island, the county park offers families all of the amenities they might need including showers, restrooms, a seasonal concession stand, seasonal lifeguards, and chair rentals.

The parking fees range from $5-$20, depending on the season, and are $20 on weekends and summer holidays. Park gates are open from 8 am to sunset.

The Folly Beach Ocean Park is located at the end of West Arctic Avenue. It offers beachgoers restroom and shower facilities that are free and open to the public (currently only open during the summer.)

At the end of nearly every block on the island there is a beach access pathway. Some spots include parking if space permits, otherwise you can park streetside.

The further you drive away from the pier, the less the metered parking costs. By quite a bit. If you aren’t trying to be right next to the pier and center street, drive a few miles north to find cheaper meter rates. The parking meter fees can be paid through a kiosk, or with the PARK Folly Beach app.

The centerpiece of Folly Island is the Folly Beach Pier. The pier was recently renovated. Amenities at Folly Beach Pier include the gift shop, restrooms, showers, changing rooms, and wheelchair beach access.

The Pier 101 Restaurant is open Wednesday through Monday, and offers seafood, sandwiches, and more!

Swimming is permitted on the beach that flanks the sides of the pier, however, the undertow can become dangerous near the pier causing unsafe conditions. Also, people throw baited hooks off of that pier looking to catch “a big un”. I don’t know about you, but I would prefer not to be swimming near where people are reeling in jaws.

The parking fees range from $5-$20, depending on the season, and are $20 on weekends and summer holidays. Pier hours vary by season, so be sure to check the park’s site before venturing out.

Places To Eat On Folly Island

There are plenty of spots to choose from when it comes to meals on Folly Island. These are just a few of our favorites when we head out to spend the day on Folly Beach.

Taco BoyAmeri-mex style food with a kid’s menu, and a full bar. Great spot for nachos and margs after a day on the beach.

The Lost Dog Cafe

The perfect spot for breakfast or brunch, The Lost Dog has sandwiches, burgers, breakfast (all day), and more.

Saint James Gate Proper Irish Pub & Three Monkey’s Ice CreamThe menu here has a little bit of everything, including tacos. It’s kid & dog-friendly! Plus they have some delicious dessert options.

The Pineapple HutIf you spend any time on Folly Island, you are bound to see people walking down the street with a pineapple in their hands. This food truck is where it came from, filled with Dole Whip, or one of their weekly special flavors of soft-serve style ice cream. (March through November).

If you want to extend your trip, head over to Mount Pleasant for a bunch of free things to do while you’re there!

FOLLY BEACH, S.C. (WCSC) - The city of Folly Beach revisited its short-term rental ordinance, with its first reading before the council at Tuesday’s meeting.

This time last year, the city voted to cap rentals like condos and Airbnbs to 800 across the island, but some residents still have concerns.

Residents are divided about the ordinance.

Some are still concerned about the rental cap affecting potential investments while others approve of the cap and feel it prevents disruptive renters.

During the work session the council clarified the language as far as how many nights a property can be rented for, waitlist and rental license requirements, and adding definitions to the ordinance to give it more structure.

What did not change was the cap of 800 for short-term rentals.

“This is an ordinance, and it’s like all ordinances everywhere. It never goes away, it’s always there. It can be amended many, many times going forward,” Folly Beach Mayor Tim Goodwin said. “As time goes on, and you see where you are and you say okay, well, A is not really where you want to be. We want to be over here at C. So, you can make an amendment to get you where you need to be.”

Last year more than 1,200 people turned out to vote for or against the short-term rental cap. Ultimately, 655 residents voted for the cap and 577 against it.

Folly Beach Mayor Tim Goodwin was among those who voted for the cap.

It will take several years for current short-term rentals to dwindle down to 800 from either people selling their property or no longer renewing their licenses.

“We’re trying to create a balance, and this is a compromise so everybody is not happy as you heard some of the council people alluded to that tonight,” Goodwin said. “Give a little take a little. Nobody’s going to be completely happy with what you’re doing, but that’s what happens and in politics that’s probably the best place you can be.”

There will be a second reading next Tuesday to discuss any further amendments.

Copyright 2024 WCSC. All rights reserved.

On New Year’s Eve weekend, I visited Mr. John’s Beach Store on Center Street on Folly Beach. I have been visiting Mr. John’s Beach Store since I was a child staying at my grandparents' home on East Arctic Avenue in the summer. Yet this visit was different. It was a farewell visit.

Mr. John’s Beach Store has been a fixture on Folly Beach since 1951. The affectionately coined “mayor of Folly Beach,” Paul Chrysostom, took over the family business started by his parents, John and Rachel Chrysostom. They were esteemed, respected and beloved members of the community; John was a bookkeeper, accountant and Greek professor, and his wife, Rachel, a pharmacist.

For many of us who recall the old days on Folly, Mr. John’s was the last stronghold of memories that can never be replaced. Mr. John’s, which recently was sold, was the heart and soul of Center Street.

I recently read an article on the WCSC-TV website that quoted Folly Beach Mayor Tim Goodwin as saying: “When people come to me and say, ‘I want Folly Beach to be like it was,’ I look at them and say, ‘What do you remember Folly Beach being?’”

Given that Mayor Goodwin moved to Folly Beach in 1998, I would like to respectfully answer his question.

Folly Beach was a vibrant, magical, exciting, warm and lovable place. It was naturally community oriented. The sleepy beach. Some even called it the poor man’s beach.

But rest assured, there was nothing poor or wanting about Folly.

It was overflowing with riches, treasures that could never be measured materially. I don’t even remember the word tourist; everyone was welcomed and seen the same.

When I was growing up in the 1960s and ’70s, visiting Folly was like entering a portal into an enchanted world.

A horse that belonged to a neighbor was stabled in our backyard.

My grandfather gave the Bruggemann family next door our backyard garage to stable their horse, Nosy.

The family’s daughter, Nancy, in turn, gave me rides on Nosy on the beach. It was a young girl’s dream.

The boy next door was my first crush. It was a time of innocence and sweetness that can never be duplicated.

Cars could drive on the beach, horses pranced along the streets, and neighbors never locked their doors for the simple reason that our neighbors were not considered neighbors. They were family.

Folly wasn’t “funky.” It wasn’t branded. It wasn’t marketed. It was what it was.

The Sanitary Restaurant on Center Street had a lunch counter that sold soft-serve ice cream sundaes and the best sandwiches and comfort food.

The Pavilion had wooden benches, hotdogs and hamburgers, and the amusement rides twirled with the echo of children’s laughter in the air.

We used to walk an eternity over the big sand dunes to get to the beach.

Many times, we would swim in the gullies by the old groins even if folks were there crabbing.

My grandfather George Manos would go out in the wee hours of the morning with his big net and bring in buckets of fish for my grandmother Virginia to clean and cook.

The front porch was an open door that called to passersby: “Come on up. The table is full.”

Generosity and hospitality flowed like the ocean. And at night, we would be lulled to sleep by the sound of her waves.

Goodbye, Mr. John’s Beach Store.

You will always be in my heart. This is what Folly was like — in all her beauty, simplicity and wonder. A reminder that the greatest gifts of life are priceless.

Jackie Morfesis is a Charleston writer, speaker and community advocate.

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