Edisto Island, S.C., offers a beach vacation with a small town feel. Take a weekend to enjoy the many amenities Edisto has to offer, including a state park, biking path, restaurants, fishing, and beach front exploration.
On your way to Edisto, look for the Edisto Island Mattress Swing and the dead marsh tree decorated for seasonal holidays along SC-174. These landmarks will be signs that you are close to your destination. Shortly you will encounter King’s Market, which is a great place to stop for items such as tomato pie, chocolate cake, and local produce to fuel your trip.
Once you reach Edisto, head to the beach to walk along the shore. Shark’s teeth are a common find, and you may spot some beautiful shells along the way. Alternatively, consider biking along the winding path through town to see some of Edisto’s beautiful flora and fauna. If you are interested in Edisto tradition, head out to the marsh to catch fiddler crabs in the pluff mud. This free bait will surely help you catch a few fish, perhaps sheepshead, in order to prepare a fish fry for dinner, per local custom. Even if fishing is not your idea of fun, a boat or kayak trip through the waters surrounding Edisto is a wonderful pastime.
Head to The SeaCow Eatery, a local institution, for breakfast, lunch, or dinner and be sure to pick up a T-shirt commemorating your meal. The logo features a cow, complete with snorkel, participating in various water activities.
If you are looking for a unique adventure, stop by the Edisto Island Serpentarium. This facility offers indoor and outdoor viewing of local and global reptiles, including alligators, turtles, snakes, and lizards. Also, take time to visit Edisto Beach State Park. Many visitors walk along the beach and collect a bucket of whelks, while others hike and bike the area. Consider fishing and boating in Big Bay Creek, and be sure to see the Spanish Mount, a shell midden from 2000 B.C. They are open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, with admission fees of $5/adult.
Edisto Island is sure to provide a great mini-vacation over the course of a single weekend. Take advantage of the offerings of South Carolina and head to Edisto the next time you are in need of a change of pace.