Destinations: Summertime is easy at one-of-a-kind Folly Beach
Just 11 miles from downtown Charleston, Folly Beach is known as one of America’s last authentic beach towns. At times, this seaside town on a barrier island feels like a discovery – a slice of a simpler time when going to the beach meant lazy, flip-flop days filled with salty breezes and fresh-caught seafood. It’s this lifestyle that distinguishes Folly Beach from other beaches.
Head to the Beach at Folly Beach County Park
The Folly Beach County Park features six miles of wide, sandy beach on the island's west end. Take a stroll and search for beach treasures like shark teeth, shells and sand dollars or just watch the lapping waves. The park is open from 8 a.m. until sunset. Lifeguards are on duty and beach chairs and umbrellas are available to rent. There’s also easy access to restrooms and outdoor showers.
Catch the Sunset at Folly Beach Pier
A landmark, Folly Beach Pier once attracted shaggers along with famous bands, such as The Drifters and The Coasters. After a two-year renovation, the pier reopened last year with many upgrades. The new pier now stretches 1,049 feet into the Atlantic and is one of the longest fishing piers on the East Coast. It’s worth a stroll down to the platform at the end to catch a sunset. Grab a seat under an umbrella at Pier 101, the pier's new restaurant and bar, and enjoy a cold brew or a casual meal with ocean views.
Catch a Wave
Folly is recognized as one of the best surfing spots on the East Coast. Surf by the pier or test your skills at The Washout, a popular surfing spot with a reputation for the area’s best waves. You can rent a board or sign-up for a lesson at one of the many surf shops, like local favorite McKevlin’s, one of the oldest surf shops in the country.
Explore Center Street
Just steps from the beach is Center Street, the hub of downtown Folly, where you’ll find come-as-you-are dining spots, rooftop bars, indie stores and local surf shops. Be sure to check out Folly Beach Adventures, a popular place for all types of rentals, like paddleboards, e-bikes, and more.
Beach Eats and Cold Sips
While local seafood is the star, there are many restaurant options to satisfy every taste. Here are a few local favorites. A beach staple, Bert’s Market is a 24-hour go-to for sandwiches, snacks and beach gear. Popular Taco Boy features a lineup of inventive tacos with fresh ingredients. Dig into local seafood, burgers, and fresh cocktails on the deck at Loggerhead’s Beach Grill. For more than 20 years, The Crab Shack has been an island go-to for fried seafood baskets and steamed buckets. Get to Rita’s Seaside Grille for frozen black cherry crushes, fresh oysters, shrimp, and live music. Snapper Jack’s Seafood and Raw Bar offers three levels of patio dining with an ocean view at the top and a menu packed with everything from oysters to sushi. The Washout Out has affordable beach eats, like crab cakes and burgers, and summer cocktails like the Midsummer Mojito. Lowlife Bar serves brunch options daily and great local shrimp rolls at lunch. Chico Feo has a small but tasty menu; try the goat curry and cucumber-lemonade sake.
For more info, visitfolly.com
50 YEARS OF FOLLY
Folly Beach celebrates 50 years as a city with a fun-filled anniversary festival, September 22 through October 1, 2023. The celebration kicks off with a 1920s-themed gala at The Tides and continues with daily events such as street parties with food and live music, a classic car show, carnival rides and a shagging party on Folly Pier. For more info, visit visitfolly.com
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Destinations: Summertime is easy at one-of-a-kind Folly Beach
