The Cottage at DuPont Guidebook to Sightseeing, Recreation and Dining
Sightseeing near the Cottage at DuPont
Turn right heading out the driveway and check out the Edgewater Park Bridge Scenic Overlook about two minutes away on the southern end of Wappoo Road. It’s a beautiful view any time of day. The sidewalk does not go all the way there, so watch for cars on the way if you are walking, or maybe drive down first so you can see where it is. If you cross the bridge, the road is a loop around a small Island known as Edgewater Park. Either direction will bring you right back to the bridge.
Stono River Intracoastal Waterway Scenic Overlook at DuPont
Wappoo RoadTurn right heading out the driveway and check out the Edgewater Park Bridge Scenic Overlook about two minutes away on the southern end of Wappoo Road. It’s a beautiful view any time of day. The sidewalk does not go all the way there, so watch for cars on the way if you are walking, or maybe drive down first so you can see where it is. If you cross the bridge, the road is a loop around a small Island known as Edgewater Park. Either direction will bring you right back to the bridge.
Learn the true history of what happened in South Carolina after the Civil War at the former South Carolina headquarters of the Freedman's Bureau. If you are interested in Reconstruction Era history this is the place.
72 locals recommend
McLeod Plantation Historic Site
325 Country Club DrLearn the true history of what happened in South Carolina after the Civil War at the former South Carolina headquarters of the Freedman's Bureau. If you are interested in Reconstruction Era history this is the place.
A magnificent piece of natural history. Admission is free and you'll enjoy the gift shop too. Combine this with a trip to Beach Walker Park, Rockville or The Tomato Shed Restaurant.
https://www.angeloaktree.com/
440 locals recommend
Angel Oak Tree
3688 Angel Oak RdA magnificent piece of natural history. Admission is free and you'll enjoy the gift shop too. Combine this with a trip to Beach Walker Park, Rockville or The Tomato Shed Restaurant.
https://www.angeloaktree.com/
Outdoor Recreation
Great for jogging and biking. Turn left heading out of the driveway and walk one block toward Savannah Highway to the West Ashley Greenway. It extends seven miles to the left (west) and three miles to the right (east) toward downtown.
38 locals recommend
West Ashley Greenway
West Ashley GreenwayGreat for jogging and biking. Turn left heading out of the driveway and walk one block toward Savannah Highway to the West Ashley Greenway. It extends seven miles to the left (west) and three miles to the right (east) toward downtown.
West Ashley is the birthplace of both Charleston and the State of South Carolina. The Old Town site of the 1670-1680 first settlement is a beautiful and fun place to walk or ride a bike. Learn the history of the first European settlement in South Carolina, visit the gift shop and enjoy the waterfront views.
123 locals recommend
Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site
1500 Old Towne RdWest Ashley is the birthplace of both Charleston and the State of South Carolina. The Old Town site of the 1670-1680 first settlement is a beautiful and fun place to walk or ride a bike. Learn the history of the first European settlement in South Carolina, visit the gift shop and enjoy the waterfront views.
Enjoy walking or bike riding at one of our most beautiful County Parks. Lots of wildlife including turtles and alligators. Enjoy the trails and boardwalks of this former rice and tea plantation.
46 locals recommend
Caw Caw Interpretive Center
Enjoy walking or bike riding at one of our most beautiful County Parks. Lots of wildlife including turtles and alligators. Enjoy the trails and boardwalks of this former rice and tea plantation.
One of our newest County Parks, Stono River County Park provides a scenic overlook and walking/ biking access to both the marshlands and the Intracoastal Waterway. It is located at the extreme western end of the West Ashley Greenway.
Stono River County Park
3580 Moonglow DrOne of our newest County Parks, Stono River County Park provides a scenic overlook and walking/ biking access to both the marshlands and the Intracoastal Waterway. It is located at the extreme western end of the West Ashley Greenway.
The park offers walking and biking trails through the former Dill Plantation and scenic overlooks of the Stono River. The annual Holiday Light Show is a favorite drive-through event.
234 locals recommend
James Island County Park
871 Riverland DrThe park offers walking and biking trails through the former Dill Plantation and scenic overlooks of the Stono River. The annual Holiday Light Show is a favorite drive-through event.
One of Charleston's best oceanfront parks with parking and bathroom facilities onsite. It is located at the extreme western end of Folly Beach.
82 locals recommend
Folly Beach County Park
1100 W Ashley AveOne of Charleston's best oceanfront parks with parking and bathroom facilities onsite. It is located at the extreme western end of Folly Beach.
A wonderful way to see the city from the water. The sunset cruise is our favorite. Pre-order and prepay beer, wine and soft drinks so you don't have to fumble for a wallet once you've set sail.
19 locals recommend
Schooner Pride
360 Concord StA wonderful way to see the city from the water. The sunset cruise is our favorite. Pre-order and prepay beer, wine and soft drinks so you don't have to fumble for a wallet once you've set sail.
Food scene
Located near Folly Beach this is a Charleston institution noted for fresh local seafood and great views of the Folly River. Imagine a huge screened porch on a salt water creek with great marsh views. Very casual.
171 locals recommend
Bowens Island Restaurant
1870 Bowens Island RdLocated near Folly Beach this is a Charleston institution noted for fresh local seafood and great views of the Folly River. Imagine a huge screened porch on a salt water creek with great marsh views. Very casual.
For an extensive menu, great service and the best outdoor patio seating in town this is where the food and beverage people hang out on their days off. Reservations are for inside seating only, so grab a cocktail at 5:30 to get a table on the patio and then order dinner before the place gets mobbed at 6.
36 locals recommend
Le Farfalle
15 Beaufain StFor an extensive menu, great service and the best outdoor patio seating in town this is where the food and beverage people hang out on their days off. Reservations are for inside seating only, so grab a cocktail at 5:30 to get a table on the patio and then order dinner before the place gets mobbed at 6.
The closest good restaurant to The Cottage. Great Mexican food, nice bar and patio and an extensive menu. The buffet at lunch is actually really good and quick.
14 locals recommend
Los Reyes Mexican Restaurant
1119 Wappoo RdThe closest good restaurant to The Cottage. Great Mexican food, nice bar and patio and an extensive menu. The buffet at lunch is actually really good and quick.
One of our favorites for fresh local produce and local seafood. Give it a try for lunch on the way back from Angel Oak, Rockville or Beachwalker Park at Kiawah.
44 locals recommend
Stono Market and Tomato Shed Cafe
842 Main RdOne of our favorites for fresh local produce and local seafood. Give it a try for lunch on the way back from Angel Oak, Rockville or Beachwalker Park at Kiawah.
Our new favorite place for seafood is the Mason Jar in the Pierpont section of West Ashley. It's a small family owned restaurant where you can get broiled or fried seafood perfectly cooked to order. The onion rings are the best in town and there is no "cakey" breading on anything. If you like it light and crunchy this is the place.
It's a little hard to find, so once you pass the big black and white SCAG sign on the right, slow down and watch for a small L-shaped strip center on the left by the big metal rooster sculpture. The Mason Jar is on the side of the shopping center rather than fronting the street. If you pass Timbo's P-nuts on the right you've gone too far.
The Mason Jar By Fatboys
2487 Ashley River RdOur new favorite place for seafood is the Mason Jar in the Pierpont section of West Ashley. It's a small family owned restaurant where you can get broiled or fried seafood perfectly cooked to order. The onion rings are the best in town and there is no "cakey" breading on anything. If you like it light and crunchy this is the place.
It's a little hard to find, so once you pass the big black and white SCAG sign on the right, slow down and watch for a small L-shaped strip center on the left by the big metal rooster sculpture. The Mason Jar is on the side of the shopping center rather than fronting the street. If you pass Timbo's P-nuts on the right you've gone too far.
Our new favorite downtown restaurant. Take Cannon Street all the way to King. Turn left on King and left again on Spring Street. If you can find a parking space anywhere up to the big white neoclassical former church building, grab it. The food is wonderful.
Bistronomy By Nico
Our new favorite downtown restaurant. Take Cannon Street all the way to King. Turn left on King and left again on Spring Street. If you can find a parking space anywhere up to the big white neoclassical former church building, grab it. The food is wonderful.
A great place to pop in for a glass of wine and some cheese and pate when you're walking around in the Broad Street area.
53 locals recommend
Gaulart & Maliclet Fast and French Inc.
98 Broad StA great place to pop in for a glass of wine and some cheese and pate when you're walking around in the Broad Street area.
The best choice for Bar-B-Que in West Ashley is Southern Roots Smokehouse at 2544 Savannah Highway. Take a left at the light at Savannah Highway and head west for 2 miles. When you see the Lands End Motel sign, it's directly across the street. Telephone ahead for take out. They have several options for delivery online as well. Their brisket is mouthwatering!
Southern Roots Smokehouse
The best choice for Bar-B-Que in West Ashley is Southern Roots Smokehouse at 2544 Savannah Highway. Take a left at the light at Savannah Highway and head west for 2 miles. When you see the Lands End Motel sign, it's directly across the street. Telephone ahead for take out. They have several options for delivery online as well. Their brisket is mouthwatering!
Our "Go To" place. Much like a higher-end neighborhood diner where there is an extensive menu, local seafood, great steaks, excellent fried chicken, a full bar and wonderful service. Open every day, but Saturdays and Sundays are Brunch Only ($20/person) and it's the best in town.
Trotters Restaurant
Our "Go To" place. Much like a higher-end neighborhood diner where there is an extensive menu, local seafood, great steaks, excellent fried chicken, a full bar and wonderful service. Open every day, but Saturdays and Sundays are Brunch Only ($20/person) and it's the best in town.
Superb Sushi and Asian food. Great presentation and a fun bar if you just want to hang out for a while. Take Savannah Highway West (left at the light). Turn into the Piggly Wiggly Shopping Center and drive past the grocery store. Zen Asian Fusion is on the left just before you exit the parking lot on the far side. There is parking in front of and behind the building.
14 locals recommend
Zen Asian Fusion
2037 Sam Rittenberg BlvdSuperb Sushi and Asian food. Great presentation and a fun bar if you just want to hang out for a while. Take Savannah Highway West (left at the light). Turn into the Piggly Wiggly Shopping Center and drive past the grocery store. Zen Asian Fusion is on the left just before you exit the parking lot on the far side. There is parking in front of and behind the building.
Excellent Italian and Mediterranean food. Be sure to make a reservation. It's a large space, but it fills up quickly.
184 locals recommend
Wild Olive Restaurant
2867 Maybank HwyExcellent Italian and Mediterranean food. Be sure to make a reservation. It's a large space, but it fills up quickly.
One of the best restaurants in Charleston. The building was purpose built for fine dining and neither the food nor the service will disappoint. Reservations are a must.
45 locals recommend
The Royal Tern
3005 Maybank HwyOne of the best restaurants in Charleston. The building was purpose built for fine dining and neither the food nor the service will disappoint. Reservations are a must.
Sightseeing
The International African American Museum at 14 Wharfside Street near the SC Aquarium.
Ninety percent of African Americans in the United States can trace their family lineage to an ancestor brought forcibly to the Port of Charleston. The IAAM tells that history and the personal stories of those whose labor, resistance and ingenuity before emancipation have shaped every aspect of our current world. It is an amazingly interactive way to gain new perspective and appreciation of the contributions that continue to be made by African Americans in our country.
Discover how the journey of millions of Africans, captured and forced across the Atlantic in the grueling and inhumane Middle Passage and who arrived at Gadsden’s Wharf in Charleston, South Carolina and other ports in the Atlantic World. Their labor, resistance and ingenuity and that of their descendants have shaped every aspect of our world. The IAAM is an amazingly interactive way to gain new perspective and appreciation of the contributions that continue to be made by African Americans in our country.
International African American Museum
14 Calhoun StDiscover how the journey of millions of Africans, captured and forced across the Atlantic in the grueling and inhumane Middle Passage and who arrived at Gadsden’s Wharf in Charleston, South Carolina and other ports in the Atlantic World. Their labor, resistance and ingenuity and that of their descendants have shaped every aspect of our world. The IAAM is an amazingly interactive way to gain new perspective and appreciation of the contributions that continue to be made by African Americans in our country.
City advice
Getting around
Going to the beach?
Be sure to leave early if you are planning a day at the beach. Traffic can be rough going and coming and it's best to avoid it if possible.
Don't miss
Day trip to Beaufort
Looking for a daytrip outside of Charleston? We recommend Historic Beaufort 1.5 hours south of Charleston. Enjoy lunch at one of several restaurants along the waterfront park. and visit the many small shops along Bay Street. Visit sites associated with the Reconstruction Era National Historical Park like The Penn Center where Dr. King spent time during the Civil Rights Era.
Be sure to see Old Sheldon Church near the intersection of SC Hwy 21 and US Hwy 17 on your way in to Beaufort or on your way back to Charleston. It's 2 miles out of the way and one of the most beautiful spots in our state.
Don't miss
Day Trip to McClellanville, Georgetown or Brookgreen Gardens
Planning to visit Boone Hall? Make it a day trip to McClellanville, a tiny historic fishing village about 35 miles north of Charleston. See the sites at Boone Hall, stop off at See Wee Restaurant slightly north of Boone Hall for a seafood lunch in an old authentic general store. Then continue north about 15 miles to McClellanville. The quaint coastal fishing village is like stepping back in time.
If you're feeling more adventurous, Historic Georgetown is just a few miles further north and sculptor Anna Hyatt Huntington's Brookgreen Gardens is just a few miles north of Georgetown.
Don't miss
Black Charleston History Tours
Gullah Tours African American history tour is a great way to see the city through the eyes of those whose families built it and whose ancestors gave the Lowcountry its culture, its food and its economy. If you want to understand our city this is essential. Call Alphonso Brown at Gullah Tours.