Best Museums in Sullivan's Island

"With a premier collection of over 10,000 American works, the Gibbes Museum of Art promotes and protects Charleston's rich cultural heritage through a vibrant artistic lens."

"Showcasing the creativity of regional artists, the Museum Store features jewelry, gifts, books and specialty items that introduce art into everyday life."

"The Chicora-Cherokee Community Park is a 2,300-square-foot playground located at 3107 North Carolina Avenue, and while there will be some parking available, it is intended to serve the immediate area with most visitors walking there. The property for the park was purchased with Charleston County Greenbelt Funds."

"Join a fascinating boat tour to the historic Fort Sumter National Monument, set at the mouth of the beautiful Charleston Harbor. Enjoy a backdrop of Charleston’s stately waterfront homes, The Battery, and Rainbow Row. This fully narrated cruise departs from Aquarium Wharf at the South Carolina Aquarium."

"Situated on an island at the entrance to Charleston Harbor, Fort Sumter is where the American Civil War started on April 12, 1861. The fort is accessible only by boat."

"Formerly called Ryan's Mart, this building once housed an open-air market that auctioned African American men, women and children in the mid-1800s, the largest of 40 or so similar auction houses. South Carolina's shameful past is unraveled in text-heavy exhibits illuminating the slave experience; the few artifacts, such as leg shackles, are especially chilling."

"Built in 1772, the Heyward-Washington house was the longtime city home of Thomas Heyward, one of four Declaration of Independence signatories from South Carolina. Today part of a complex that includes another historic house, as well as the Charleston Museum, the home boasts a number of historic home décor pieces, including the Holmes Bookcase, an intricately-carved 1770 library bookcase widely considered one of the most important pieces of furniture from the Colonial era. The staging of the house captures, for modern-day visitors, the feeling of Revolutionary-era Charleston life."

"Built in 1772, Heyward-Washington House in Charleston was Thomas Heyward Junior’s home, who signed the Declaration of Independence. This triple-storied Charleston double house was rented to George Washington in 1791. The house was opened to the public as the town’s first museum where today you can see a 1740s style kitchen, courtyards with mature 18th century plants and period furniture."

"Built in 1772, Charleston’s Revolutionary War House was the town home of Thomas Heyward, Jr., Revolutionary War patriot and signer of the Declaration of Independence. The house features magnificent Charleston-made furniture and a formal 18th century garden."

"As well as a 3,600-square-foot ceramics gallery open to the public throughout the week, Cone 10 Studios offers classes and workshops in the various art forms which are on show and produced on-site. The porcelain and stoneware comes in traditional, functional forms which can be bought for your home or kitchen, and also in more conceptual, abstract forms which are both thought-provoking and aesthetically pleasing. Weekly classes are held in wheel-throwing, hand-building and teapot-making, in addition to a dedicated children’s program."

"Located in the Council Chamber of Charleston City Hall (1801), the gallery contains portraits of many important leaders, including one of George Washington by John Trumbull."

"The George Gallery, a highly modern gallery, features a select few artists with a resolutely creative and Southern perspective. Representing some of the most forward-thinking South Carolina artists of the moment, the space is dedicated to displaying their work with valor. Among the works on show are the haunting, yet dynamic mixed medium works by Charleston-based Tim Husey, and Paul Yanko’s beautiful, geometrical paintings that resemble kaleidoscopes rather than canvases."

"George Gallery is one of the most popular art galleries in Charleston amongst Southern artists. A culmination of creativity and abstract versions of the artist's vision, this gallery excels in contemporary American and European art. Unlike other art galleries, George Gallery gives consultation services for a variety of commercial and residential projects."

"Charleston’s East Side isn’t as well known for its art scene, but this corner gallery on Bogard Street is home to contemporary shows with opening night crowds that regularly spill onto the sidewalk. Abstractions and textures often play a part in the stories of each artist’s work—it’s a fresh, modern take on art that’s happening right now."

"Photo courtesy of Courtesy of the Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art. Located on the College of Charleston campus, the Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art serves a dual purpose of being part of the undergraduate School of the Arts at the College and providing a cultural resource for residents and visitors to the Charleston area. The institute's name honors the late William Halsey, an accomplished local artist who taught at the College for 20 years."

"The Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art at the College of Charleston School of Arts features two interlinked museum quality exhibition spaces showcasing numerous works of art by emerging artists. The Institute also hosts a year-round schedule of screenings, panels, lectures and exhibitions."

"Located in the iconic French Quarter, the Principal Gallery of Charleston marks the coming together of American and international artists. A member of the Charleston Gallery Association, this art gallery is known for its impeccable contemporary art that lays emphasis on oil and bronze sculptures and visual representations. Suitable for both amateurs and experts, this art gallery in Charleston encourages an individual vision of every artist through its solo exhibitions, group shows and art fairs."

"Principle Gallery showcases works classified as both classical and contemporary realism. Since 1994, they’ve delighted Charleston art enthusiasts and display pieces in an airy and light-filled space."

"125 Meeting St Corner of Meeting and Queen, next to Eli's Table and Gibbes Museum, Charleston, SC 29401-2277+1 843-727-4500[email protected]http://www.principlegallery.com/charleston/"

"Robert Lange Studios is a local favorite among popular art galleries in Charleston. It features works by Lange himself, as well as other unique, up-and-coming artists."

"City Lights Coffee is a comfy old-school coffee house on Market Street with well-worn furniture, local artworks on the walls, an inviting espresso bar, and a cozy, inviting atmosphere in which to savor excellent coffee. The arty hangout serves excellent coffee and espresso drinks using Counter Culture beans, along with a range of light bites and vegan, gluten-free muffins, and offers free, reliable wires Internet, which attracts a hipster work crowd. The laid-back spot hosts jam sessions throughout the week and is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, daily."

"This whole-in-the-wall locally owned coffee shop is the perfect place to grab some caffeine without the large crowds. They’re a little out of the way about halfway between the Charleston City Market and King Street, which only makes them a gem waiting to be discovered. They have a pretty robust menu of coffee but I’m particularly fond of the Counter Culture beans they use for their brews."

"Pressed-tin ceilings and wood-panelled walls give this coffee house a warm, inviting feeling. The menu has it all from drip and French press coffee to espresso drinks. No matter what your go-to order is, it’s likely you can get it at City Lights Coffee."

"The owners of Carmen y Juan's relocated to Charleston from East L.A. and set up shop in an unassuming strip mall in Park West. Those in search of cheap cilantro-and-onion-topped tacos or stacked tortas may not need to chase trucks for the authentic fare — try this Mount Pleasant restaurant instead."

"Another clandestine location, you’ll get to the entrance along a narrow, one-block street. Then enter a cozy room with a small, well-worn bar, the clink of glasses, and typically lots of laughter and conversation. Tastes of wine, olive oil, pasta, and osso bucco begin, and you’re intoxicated with Italy, romance, and Charleston."

"This intimate ristorante is off the beaten path but worth seeking out. The small but sophisticated menu features Northern ­Italian fare, including mouth watering choices like the chocolate espresso-rubbed filet served over whipped potatoes, grilled asparagus, and aged balsamic veal jus."

"Wild Olive is offering their full menu for curbside to-go on a daily basis from 4 pm - 9 pm, which is a relief for Italian food enthusiasts struggling to make good pasta at home. Enjoy favorites like the suppli al telefono (decadent risotto fritters stuffed with sausage, spinach, parmesan, and mozzarella cheese), marinated olives, chicken parmesan, and their ever-popular housemade ricotta gnocchi that are like little pillows of heaven, if heaven was covered in mozzarella cheese.Cost: $14 for a small order of gnocchi, $21 for a large order; order by phone 843.737.4177"

"Wild Olive is a perpetual favorite among Charlestonians willing to drive all the way over to Johns Island to get a taste of their simple, classic dishes. The food is traditional Italian with locally sourced Lowcountry ingredients, which means you don’t need to feel lame for ordering the chicken Parmesan like you might at a lesser Italian restaurant. At Wild Olive, it’s done so perfectly, it looks (and tastes) like a work of art."

"2867 Maybank Highway Johns Island, South Carolina 843-737-4177. Wild Olive’s menu captures the soul of Italian cuisine. They emphasize fresh, local and seasonal ingredients paired with the highest-quality, imported Italian goods."

"Another new comer to the list, Kid Cashew devotes the whole right side of their menu to veggie people. Their outside patio is a perfect spot to enjoy the sunset and relax with loved ones."

"Wow, you know the food is good when you're jealous of your kids' food!. The kid burger was phenomenal, as were the hummus, pita and lamb burger...."

"Lauren Mitterer, a James Beard Award-nominated pastry chef, put her Spring Street bakery on the map in 2010 with Sticky Bun Sundays, a weekly celebration of sweet breakfast goodness. The shop has since added patio seating and features a daily menu of scones, turnovers, and wedding cakes in classic Southern flavors like red velvet and hummingbird."

"Even if you've never set foot in Wildflour Pastry, you've probably sampled baker Lauren Mitterer's work around town. She supplies many of the local coffee shops with delectable breakfast treats, like blueberry muffins and banana chocolate chip bread. Wildflour's Sticky Bun Sundays create lines down Spring Street for the once-a-week treat."

"Although not solely a donut shop, WildFlour produces some damn tasty sticky buns and donut muffins, which is rolled in cinnamon and sugar and is light and fluffy and a perfect one-bite treat for those mornings when a full sugar rush would send you back to bed an hour later."

"Located on King Street, Glazed makes all of its donuts in-house, using many of the ingredients from its garden in the back. With over 200 different flavors and styles and an ever-changing menu of seasonal treats, you will always find a donut to suit your fancy. Customers rave about its apple bacon fritter and raspberry-glazed donuts, but don’t be afraid to try some of the more eclectic flavors."

"Just a few steps down King Street brings you to the next stop on your Charleston Dessert Tour. Named as South Carolina’s best doughnut shop, this is not a place to be missed!. These doughnuts are made from scratch every day and are literally the softest, pillowiest doughnuts I have ever had."

"It’s said that there are vegetarian options on the menu at King Street Cookies."