Spend a Day in Isle of Palms
Want to spend a day on the Isle of Palms, like a local? I’m not a local, but I live close enough.
If you lived at the beach, how would you start each day? I know what I would do. Take a walk on the beach! Every. Single. Day.
Start your day on Isle of Palms with a walk on the beach.
If you want to spend a day on Isle of Palms, first, grab a cup of coffee at The Refuge. It’s busy, so be patient; you are at the beach. Head to Beach Access 49 for a quieter section of the beach, relatively speaking. It’s away from the downtown area, and there isn’t much parking, so you might want to start early. It’s a longer walk and no boardwalk, but if you don’t mind that, the views are pretty. Walk barefoot on the sandy path and enjoy just being at the beach. Look for shells, or just enjoy the view. After a walk on the beach, grab your beach chair out of your car (where it stays) and enjoy a little morning beach time, reading, catching up on social media, or just enjoying the view.
Go to the Isle of Palms Marina for a casual lunch with another great view - boats and more water. The Outpost is the store and deli located at the marina, serving local seafood alongside other sandwiches and lunch items. We like the IOP Shrimp Roll, a salad made with lemon dill aioli and served on a buttery split-top brioche bun. The fried flounder sandwich is good too. Both are served with your choice of a side. Get the cucumber and tomato salad or the island fries with an Old Bay-type seasoning. Or try the fish tacos or a Cuban sandwich. You really can’t go wrong.
After enjoying lunch, continue your day on Isle of Palms by shopping at the Shops at Wild Dunes and walking around for an hour. There aren’t many shops, but they offer a nice selection and a beautiful setting. Stop at the security gate and inform them of your destination, and they will issue you a day pass. Go into the Gallery at Sweetgrass to see lots of gorgeous coastal art (maybe even mine). They also offer a variety of great gift items. Stop in at SALT Boutique for an incredible selection of dresses and accessories, and maybe get a snack or a coffee at Hudson’s Market. If you have kids in tow, take them to The Sweet Shoppe for an incredible selection of candy. Or maybe you’d like some yourself?
Your day on the Isle of Palms must include a magical sunset. After shopping, drive back to the other end of the island and grab a drink at the Boathouse at Breach Inlet. Head up to the top deck for spectacular water views, the Ravenel Bridge, and the Intracoastal. Try a Jalapeno Margarita or an Aperol Spritz. Or just a Miller Lite.
After cocktail hour, finish your day on the Isle of Palms with dinner at Acme Lowcountry Kitchen. They serve Southern Coastal cuisine in a casual porch-like setting. They have fresh local ingredients and sustainable seafood. Start with some fried green tomatoes topped with pimento cheese. They offer a selection of seafood offerings with two sides and six styles of local shrimp and grits.
This little island packs a lot to do in a small area, so you should end your day feeling satisfied with your day in the Isle of Palms.
