Mount Pleasant comes alive with the sight of spring, offering a delightful array of experiences for residents and visitors alike. As we usher in a vibrant new season, the blooming azaleas, jasmine, wisteria and magnolias provide the perfect backdrop to explore local events, galleries and eateries. The following are activities and attractions we are sure you’ll enjoy.
APPRECIATE ART
Mark your calendars for the 2024 ArtFest on Saturday, March 23 at Mount Pleasant Towne Centre from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. ArtFest brings together local music, dance and visual arts performances by some of the area’s most talented creatives. ArtFest is for art lovers of all ages and offers free parking, admission and activities.
Open daily, the Sweetgrass Basket Pavilion at Mount Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park is a cultural arts exhibit on the history of Gullah sweetgrass basket making where local basket makers demonstrate their craft. Discover the materials, weaving techniques and endless functions of beautiful Lowcountry wares.
Delve into Mount Pleasant’s artistic side by visiting the many art galleries, photography studios and art museums around town. From the Perspective Gallery to the Charleston Artist Collective and more, meet fellow art lovers to learn about local artists, their work and inspiration.
CELEBRATE HISTORY
Visit Boone Hall Plantation & Gardens to explore Gullah history. While there, take in the colors of the flower gardens and enjoy the antique roses. Don’t forget to admire the countless butterflies in the butterfly pavilion.
A remnant of Charles Pinckney’s coastal plantation, Charles Pinckney National Historic Site tells the story of a local figure. Here, you’ll learn about the lives of enslaved African Americans on South Carolina plantations and their influences on this “forgotten founder.”
Stop by Patriots Point to tour National Historic Landmark ships, including the famed USS Yorktown. Then, take a stroll through the Medal of Honor Museum and visit the only replica of the Vietnam Naval Support Base Camp in the U.S.
CONNECT WITH NATURE
The 1250-foot-long Mount Pleasant Pier, part of Memorial Waterfront Park, stretches into Charleston Harbor under the foot of the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge. Enjoy stunning views while lounging on bench swings and under shade structures.
The agricultural arm of Boone Hall Plantation, Boone Hall Farms boasts approximately 120 acres used to grow a wide variety of fresh local produce. Celebrate the bounty of the South with a farm tour and the Lowcountry Strawberry Festival, held in April.
Mount Pleasant Palmetto Islands County Park’s tropical setting with bicycle paths, boardwalks and picnic sites with grills is a perfect local getaway. With a 50-foot observation tower, families and groups enjoy fishing, nature trails and the Big Toy playground in this 943-acre park.
EXPLORE YOUR WILD SIDE
Join Coastal Expeditions and Nature Adventures on their kayak, canoe and stand-up paddleboard tours of Shem Creek and beyond to get closer to the flora and fauna that make the Lowcountry so remarkable.
Head to the Pitt Street Bridge to fish off the pier or kayak through Charleston Harbor on a bright, sunshiny day.
INDULGE YOUR INNER CHILD
Head to Charleston Fun Park for go-karts, miniature golf, arcades, gemstone or fossil mining, jumping, climbing and more. The perfect place to go wild, Sky Zone Charleston is another amusing way to play the day away in Mount Pleasant.
SHOP LOCAL
Kick off the season by treasure-hunting in Charleston’s largest co-op mall featuring 25,000 square feet of new and pre-owned furniture, designer home accessories, antiques, vintage collectibles, art, jewelry and more.
Hit up the Mount Pleasant Farmers Market for farm goods, food vendors and live music on Tuesdays from April through September. Open from 3:30-7 p.m. at the Farmers Market Pavilion, the Mount Pleasant Farmers Market is the perfect place to source quality seasonal ingredients and savor the flavors of the South.
Walk the Old Village Historic District’s worn roads to delight in the gorgeous heritage homes, unique local shops and restaurants, Spanish-moss draped oaks and coastline views.
TAKE IN TRADITION
Celebrate the area’s tradition of shrimping and fishing by attending the 2024 Blessing of the Fleet & Seafood Festival for a boat parade, live music, a craft show and free activities. The event takes place on Sunday, April 28 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Mount Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park and offers fun for the whole family.
Visit one of the many local family and pet-friendly breweries for a fun-filled day of beer-making tradition, live music, yoga classes, corn hole tournaments, workshops, trivia and more. While there, complement brewery tours and tastings with local bar food and food truck finds.
WORK UP A SWEAT
Presented by Blue Sky Endurance and benefiting Racers for Pacers, a local nonprofit that raises funds to provide running chairs for individuals with disabilities, the Catch the Leprechaun 5k is a great way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Slated for Thursday, March 14 from 6-9 p.m. at Carolina Park, the 3.1-mile race welcomes all levels, including parents with strollers. Participants who beat the leprechaun may even win a prize!
Race day for the 47th annual Cooper River Bridge Run is Saturday, April 6. A beautiful route with world-class competition, the Cooper River Bridge Run 10k is the third-largest race of its kind in the U.S.
Consider joining a running club where runners of all ages and abilities motivate each other to challenge their distances and paces in a social, inclusive atmosphere. Often, these groups have themed runs and offer prizes and giveaways to keep participants returning week after week.
Mount Pleasant residents love to have a good time and know that the Lowcountry lifestyle is best lived outdoors. This spring, take the opportunity to venture into the heart of the Town of Mount Pleasant – you never know what exciting discoveries await just beyond your front door.
By Isabel Alvarez Arata
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