Written by Kelsey Gaus
Do you have Spring Break fever, but don’t have the funds to fly somewhere tropical or international? No worries! We have you covered with plenty of exciting ideas to fill your break days.
With the new SCAD Car Share, you and your friends can take a day trip somewhere exciting for only $65. Gas and insurance included. The car is ready at 9:30 a.m. and needs to be returned by 7:30 p.m. or a $5 penalty will be added for every additional hour. Check the SCAD Car Share website for more details and to get your Enterprise membership.
Hilton Head
Zipline Aerial Adventure: Soar past indigenous oak and pine trees with the best view of Hilton Head on this eco-adventure (www.ziplinehiltonhead.com). Although a bit pricey at $89, guests get the chance to cross two suspended bridges and climb an aerial staircase before racing a friend across the adjacent cables that stretch 900 feet long.
Kayak: Kayak Hilton Head guides paddlers daily on two hour tours through Broad Creek. Reservations are required (www.kayakhiltonhead.com). It typically costs $45, but the company often posts deals on their website that will get you a cheaper rate.
Dolphin & Nature Tour: Run by Sonny C. Charters Inc., the 90-minute tour offers the chance to see sea turtles, bald eagles, herons, and more in Broad Creek’s natural habitat. If you do not see the Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins, the $18 tour fee will be reimbursed. Tickets sell out quickly so purchase tickets online (www.hiltonheadtours.com).
Sea Pines Forest Preserve: A boardwalk allows guests to view marshes and protected wildlife as well as explore a secluded forest. Pack a lunch for a great picnic on the banks of Fish Island.
Beaufort
Spanish Moss Trail: Opened from dawn until dusk, this paved path is a great way to get some fresh air. You can rent a bike from Lowcountry Bicycles or simply walk the trail that extends almost seven miles long.
Shop Bay Street: This downtown street is filled with cute boutiques, a nice change from Broughton Street’s chain retail stores. One must stop is Low Country Produce, where you can purchase homemade marmalades, soups, and chutneys by the jar at affordable prices.
Scout Southern Market: In the back of this store, an old fashioned counter serves old fashioned candy and a special southern treat that is worth the trip. Guests can get scoops of mango, lemon, or peach sherbet in their sweet or unsweetened tea for only $3.89. Take this drink down to the harbor benches to watch the boats go by for a relaxing afternoon.
Charleston
Rainbow Row: This row of brightly colored town homes is the post-card view of Charleston. Located on the famed Battery, it’s a must-see within walking distance of the Waterfront.
Beaches: Try the secluded Sullivan’s Island to soak up rays. Parking is free and you will experience less traffic than Folly Beach. It’s closer to downtown and the island is also home to the Civil War Fort that once served as Edgar Allan Poe’s home.
Bike tour: Like Savannah, Charleston has few hills, which makes it a great terrain for bike riding. Rent your bike in Mount Pleasant (www.sweetgrasscycles.com). Plan for a 13-mile route that takes you to Shem Creek Park, a waterfront boardwalk extending over salt-water marsh, then stop at Pitt Street Bridge in the town’s Old Village. From there, head to Sullivan’s Island, which will take you over the Intracoastal Waterway with beautiful sweeping coastal views.
Angel Oak: South of Charleston lies the famed Angel Oak (www.angeloaktree.com), a must-see spot for nature photographers. The tree is an estimated 400 to 500 years old with branches that cover 17,000 square feet and a trunk more than 17 feet in circumference. Admission is free.
Plantations: Charleston is famous for all things Old South, and nothing epitomizes that era more than a plantation house. Today, many of those homes are open for tours. Try Boone Hall Plantation (www.boonehallplantation.com) 15 minutes north of downtown Charleston. Boone Hall gives historically accurate tours of the original slave cabins as well as the culture of Lowcountry African Americans.
Kelsey is a Writing graduate student from outside Philadelphia and a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer. She works in tandem with the Assignment Editor to pitch engaging story ideas and co-manages with the Editor in Chief. In her free time, Kelsey enjoys reading nonfiction and traveling.
