Top Rated Parks to Visit in Folly Beach

"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."

"Joe Riley Waterfront Park is a captivating eight-acre park which has received the 2007 Landmark Award from the American Society of Landscape Architects and the National Trust for Historic Preservation."

"A venue for work that is new and innovative with a focus on broadening the art outlook including up and coming local, regional, national & international contemporary artists."

"60-acre Hampton Park is one of peninsular Charleston’s largest parks, located a little over 2 miles northwards of downtown. Originally a horse racing track, Hampton Park was created out of the grounds of the city’s 1901-1902 South Carolina Interstate and West Indian Exposition. The park is popular as a neighborhood recreational space, with beautiful flower displays and a historic rose garden."

"Hampton Park is a generous 60-acres of greenery and is the largest park on the Charleston peninsula. Go crazy photographing the flowers, oak trees, ponds, and the pretty gazebo in the center of it all!. There are plenty of backdrops for you to discover."

"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."

"Set on the banks of Old Town Creek, Charles Towne Landing brings the past to life at the site of the first permanent European settlement in the Carolinas. In 1670, the first English colonists landed on this spot and named their new town for King Charles II. Exhibits here today re-create what life was like for those early settlers: the earthen fort they built, the wooden palisade wall they erected to keep their enemies at bay, crops they planted to sustain themselves, and a reproduction of the 17th-century cargo vessel like the one they would have used to ferry supplies and provisions. There's also an animal forest where you can see native animals that the settlers would have encountered in their new home at South Carolina's first colonial settlement."

"This is a choice park to satisfy history buffs and nature lovers alike. Driving into Charles Towne Landing is reminiscent of the enchanted forest in a fairy tale. The live oaks lining the trails create breathtaking tree tunnels."

"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!"

"This shady oak and monument-filled park offers up gorgeous views of the Charleston Harbor and Fort Sumter. Stroll the oyster-shell-laden paths, and during certain months of the year, you may spot some nests and baby birds as the park is also a rookery for black-crowned night herons."

"The kids loved running around under the oak trees draped with Spanish moss, playing on the cannons and piles of cannon balls, chasing squirrels and picking up fallen azaleas. The walk from our hotel down Church Street to the park was utterly charming as well."

"Located alongside the Arthur Ravenel Bridge, Mount Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park is a beautiful recreation area. It features a 1,250-foot-long pier stretching into the Cooper River. With its well-kept grounds, historic structures, and coastal views, there is no shortage of selfie opportunities here."

"What makes it great: Great playground, open fields for football or soccer, a beautiful walkway to the Cooper River, a cute little gift shop, and snack bar…this park is perfect for a hot summer day because of the shade the bridge provides!. Plus you can’t beat the stunning views of the Ravenel Bridge."

"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."

"Cannon Park is small – sharing its city block with a Walgreens pharmacy – but significant. It’s across Calhoun Street from the downtown hospital district, which is why you might see medical staff soaking in some Vitamin D during a slow moment in their shifts. Or patients’ loved ones taking a respite from the emotional toll of spending time in the hospital."

"Large columns mark this lovely park and are all that remain of the former Thomas Auditorium and home of the Charleston Museum which burned in a fire in 1981. Bordering Rutledge & Calhoun Streets this park has a great green space for kids and dogs and a playground."

".#cannonpark #explorecharleston #goldendoodlepuppy #goldendoodlesofinstagram #doodlelove #minidoods #doodles. A post shared by Sully the Doodle ?. (@thesullydoodle) on Jun 24, 2017 at 9:25am PDT"

"Wragg Square, one of Charleston’s smallest downtown parks, has been open to the public since 1801, when the space was gifted to the people of Charleston by the Wragg family. The small, fenced park, located in front of the Second Presbyterian Church, is one of Charleston’s quieter public spaces, a contrast to the much busier Marion Square only a few yards away. Two blocks north-west is block-and-a-bit-long Wragg Mall, part of the same benefaction to the city, offering a shaded walkway and a place to sit."

"In addition to White Point Garden, Colonial Lake Park is the other park we spend the most time in because we frequent it on our neighborhood walks. The park is, you guessed it, centered around a pretty lake. The grounds around the lake are landscaped to perfection."

"Located in the heart of Harleston Village, Colonial Lake is a large tidal pond with wide, paved walkways surrounding it. No matter how hot it is outside, you’ll see people exercising here. For those feeling less active, there are benches shaded by water oaks."

"A picturesque spot for a stroll around the lake or a break from touring in the heart of Charleston’s historic district."

"Clerks is an inviting café experience, offering a full dining menu including house-made pastries and biscuits and a variety of tasty beverages, coffee, and kombucha. See photos, location, and amenities"

"Slip into this charismatic coffee shop for breakfast, brunch or lunch!. Bite into savory avocado toast and sip on a chai latte or order up a mozzarella + tomato sandwich to enjoy with kombucha."

"Clerks is an inviting café experience, offering a full dining menu including house-made pastries and biscuits and a variety of tasty beverages, coffee, and kombucha."

"This "Italian cafe and dessert bar" on East Bay Street is conveniently located close to dozens of popular restaurants and bars, making it the ideal post-dinner date dessert stop. Visit Carmella's for Italian treats and sweets, including cannolis, tiramasu and Italian ice, among other daily specials. This restaurant is dedicated solely to desserts, sweets, and baked goods, so dessert lovers may return more than once during their visit to Charleston!"

"Hall’s Chophouse is where you go for a big steak and a few stiff drinks. While this Mazyck-Wraggborough restaurant is definitely a little fancy, it also has nightly live music and a very popular bar, where you can order ribs, nachos, and a really good burger if you aren’t after the full steakhouse experience . If you can’t make it for dinner, make a reservation for their Gospel Brunch instead and enjoy a choir performance over a Chophouse Omelet with mushrooms and creamed spinach."

"Halls Chophouse is the go-to date spot for couples looking to add a little ritz to their night out on the town. Located on buzzing Upper King Street downtown, Halls is ideal for those couples who love a good steak almost as much as their significant other (we all know 'em). Here at Halls, expect the fines steaks in Charleston (maybe the state), along with excellent chicken, pasta, and seafood dishes, and live piano in the background."

"Halls Chophouse presents delicious cuisine in an energetic, visually striking environment. The restaurant features exposed brick walls, leather banquettes and warm lighting true to old-world traditional steakhouses. The 160-seat chophouse is situated on two rustic floors with tables and banquettes available for general dining."

"Circa 1886, nestled within the massive Wentworth Mansion bed & breakfast, is a destination in itself, drawing diners from both the property's guest list and those staying elsewhere. This elegantly appointed restaurant offers high class service and expertly crafted and presented lowcountry cuisine, alongside frequent culinary and holiday events. Dishes like the Tasting of Broccoli, Poach Salmon and Flounder highlight local lowcountry ingredients and traditional preparations."

"For those looking for a unique and memorable fine dining experience, look no further than Circa 1886. Voted the thirteenth best fine dining restaurant in America by Tripadvisor, Circa 1886 takes pride in serving healthy renditions of distinctive southern dishes. They take a local approach to fine dining, serving up locally sourced food with family-like service."

"In a carriage house tucked behind the Wentworth Mansion, Charleston's iconic Circa 1886 boasts a menu that speaks internationally. Standouts include chef Marc Collin's benne seed-rubbed duck breast with white peach grits, caramelized shallots, broccoli, and sour vanilla-tea demi glacé."

"Nestled in downtown Charleston’s historic French Quarter for over 31 years, 82 Queen is known for its gracious Southern hospitality and fresh local cuisine. Serving lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch, the restaurant is spread throughout three buildings with eleven quaint dining areas including an 1800’s style courtyard featuring a mammoth Magnolia tree. Executive Chef Steven Stone cooks up traditional Lowcountry Cuisine from the award-winning She Crab Soup to the famous BBQ Shrimp-n-Grits while adding a modern flare to the menu."

"Nestled in Charleston’s historic French Quarter for the past 33 years, known for gracious Southern hospitality & fresh local cuisine. Serving lunch, dinner & weekend brunch."

"We dined there on a Thursday and wanted to have brunch but when we arrived they did not serve brunch on that day.... (843) 723-7591Order online. Superb343 Reviews4.6"