Best Nature and Parks (RV, National, Dog, etc) in Kiawah Island

"Riley Waterfront Park, located on the east of the Charleston peninsula a little beyond the end of Broad Street, is a more recent addition to the city’s downtown park space. Originally known simply as Waterfront Park, it was later renamed in honor of former Mayor of Charleston Joseph P Riley, Jr. It is most notable as the site of Charleston’s Pineapple Fountain (the pineapple is the symbol of hospitality) but is also an ideal spot for a picnic or a rest while sightseeing, providing a shaded place to sit alongside the river."

"Bordering the Charleston Harbor, this impressive park is a great place for a scenic stroll, picnic, or to cool off in one of the fountains on one of Charleston’s sultry summer days!"

"Outside of Charleston on the quieter island of Johns Island is the largest tree east of the Mississippi: the Angel Oak Tree. The Angel Oak Tree is a massive live oak that makes up for not being too old (only about 600 years) by being big and graceful. The branches seem to spread out from the tree for a wide expanse, requiring wires and supports in many parts."

"If you’re looking for free things to do in Charleston, then the Angel Oak Tree should top your list!. Although technically located on John’s Island, the Angel Oak Tree is thought to be one of the oldest living organisms in the United States at around 400 years old!. Kids and adults alike will stand in awe at this gentle giant."

"Standing at a massive height of 66.5 ft, the Angel Oak Tree is one of the most visited natural attractions in Charleston."

"Located in Charleston’s popular Hampton Park Terrace neighborhood, you’ll be wowed by the Spanish moss covering the trees in this historic park. Ideal for grabbing that perfect picnic photo under the wisteria, you’ll have a difficult time choosing the best spot – there are just so many!. 30 Mary Murray Drive, Charleston, SC 29403"

"So if you’re looking for a Charleston nature spot, there’s no better place!. Hampton Park has the best and biggest flower displays of any of Charleston’s many parks. Many of the flowers are seasonal, but there is also a historic rose collection."

"Battery Park is the quintessential image of Charleston for most Holy City locals. Walking along East Bay Street, with the famous Battery mansions to one side, the Charleston harbor to the other, you'll be able to spot Ft. Sumter in the distance, and imagine the first shots of the Civil War that took place here in 1861."

"White Point Garden is the Charleston park we spend the most time in because we head here so frequently on walks with and without our dogs. It is a little park at the very bottom of the Charleston peninsula that is filled with beautiful live oak trees. It is a marvelous place to stroll, read a book, or enjoy a picnic!"

"You can marvel at several Civil War canons and monuments throughout the park. Look for the Pirate Monument, my favorite structure in White Point Garden (and a local favorite too). It tells a really interesting story about the Confederate Pirates."

"The Memorial Waterfront Park is a beauty to look at during the sunset. There is a small pier that is dedicated to those who love fishing. If you want to buy some souvenirs, you will notice that there is a small gift shop right near the entrance."

"The Isle of Palms County Park is a famous beachfront park offering a playground & umbrella rentals, alongside grills and an always-open sand volleyball court."

"This small, free historic site in Mount Pleasant, operated by the National Park Service, preserves a portion of Snee Farm, an 18th-century rice and indigo plantation worked by enslaved people. It is the only free-to-visit plantation in Charleston and its vicinity. The site’s primary claim to significance is its association with Charles Pinckney, one of the contributors to the US Constitution, who used it as a country retreat from his downtown Charleston home."

"Historic SiteCharles Pinckney was a principal author and a signer of the United States Constitution. This remnant of his coastal plantation is preserved to tell the story of a "forgotten founder," his life of public service, the lives of enslaved African Americans on South Carolina Lowcountry plantations, and their influences on Charles Pinckney."

"Charles Pinckney is known for being the principal signer and author of the US constitution. This national historic site is a well-preserved plantation that will take you back in time to when the African Americans were still enslaved. There is a small library where you can see an old video of the man in action."

"Quite often the site of local festivals such as the Charleston Beer Garden and XXX, Brittlebank Park is chosen as a spot for celebrations due to its near-downtown waterfront location overlooking the Ashley River from Lockwood Drive. Also just a short walk from the Charleston Riverdogs minor league baseball stadium, the 10-acre Brittlebank Park makes for a nice place to spend some time with the kids before or after going to a ball game. There are swings and playground available here, and the park is open (free of charge) year-round."

"When it comes to the prettiest parks in Charleston, Brittlebank Park is a must. With 10 acres of green situated on the Ashely River, sunset views along the waterfront are spectacular. It’s an Instagrammable place in Charleston that is easy to get to and free to access!"

"This riverfront park has a playground, picnic tables, walking and bike paths, a fishing pier and a boat dock. My kids love to look at the boats while they play!"

"In the midst of Christian churches stands one of the United States’ oldest Jewish congregations. The Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim is the country’s second oldest Synagogue and the oldest in continuous practice."

"Located in the historic Fireproof Building, the South Carolina Historical Society Museum spans six interactive galleries and showcases more than 350 years of South Carolina history through the artifacts, personal treasures, and handwritten accounts of those who experienced it."

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

"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."

"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."

"The George Gallery in Charleston features modern American works. In addition to sales, the George Gallery offers consulting and professional installation services."

"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."

"On a typical daytime visit, this gallery and working artist studio feels terrifically spacious and calm, with indie acoustics on the playlist and paintings covering contemporary subjects are on the walls. One dynamic exception occurs on the first Friday of each month, when lots of area galleries (see King Street for more) stay open into the evening, offering up drinks and hors d’oeuvres for what Charlestonians call the “Art Walk." On that night, RLS is elbow-to-elbow indeed, with easily a thousand people passing through to sip wine and discuss paintings, or to play with the interactive “stack your own rocks” table upstairs."

"The exposed brickwork, and preference for lesser known but noteworthy artists and expansive exhibitions, have made Robert Lange Studios an award-winning gallery in the center of Charleston. The featured artists all have one important trait in common: they are the epitome of contemporary. With a modern and vibrantly pulsating feel, the works presented bring a liveliness to the walls of the gallery."

"Robert Lange Studios is a brick-walled art gallery which features work from visual artists, all of which are housed in the facility’s modern-industrial interior."

"Its all you can eat plus they have other items if you do not like sushi. Clean and good service."

"O-Ku, located on bustling King Street, offers an upscale dining experience that celebrates authentic, Japanese cuisine with a modern twist. Using the freshest fish from the world’s finest markets, O’Ku’s menu is comprised of signature starters, soups and salads, Japanese entrées and sushi specialties of the season. They also serve specialty cocktails, premium sake, red and white wines, and unique beers."

"This salad is the perfect combination of healthy and delicious, and it’s an O-Ku fan-favorite. The Carrot Ginger Vinaigrette is a unique dressing that puts an interesting flavor on this entree that will have you feeling satisfied and just the right level of full."

"Part of a sushi restaurant chain, O-Ku Charleston serves a wide variety of Japanese temptations, including toban yaki, nigiri, sashimi, sushi, and rolls. O-Ku doesn’t open for lunc..."

"This casual Asian restaurant serves everything from Thai noodle dishes and wok stir-fry to sushi and Chinese specialty. Spring Roll, a family-owned fixture on busy King Street downtown, is much better than your average Chinese take out restaurant, with many people opting to dine-in for their meal here. The menu, of course, is massive, with dozens of sushi roll options alongside noodle favorites like Pad Thai, Glass Noodles, and Pad See Ew, as red, yellow, and green curry dishes."