Folly Beach SC

[BULLET FAN]

Anyone have any experience with this vacation spot? I have been to isle of palms. Wife was thinking about going there this summer.

[n2ratfishin]

I’m sure it’s a lot nicer than it was in the 80’s. Have you checked out Fripp Island and spending a day in Hunting Island State Park? No where near as busy as beaches near Charleston.

[n2theblue]

It’s a funky little beach spot that has managed to maintain old school beach character in an era when most beach front property in the Carolinas is being covered by condos and mega mansion beach houses. I like it a lot. Definitely eat at Bowen’s Island Seafood, Chico feo has live music most nights during the summer, and Bert’s is an old school beach store with a little bit of everything. Lots of good inshore fishing in the marshes around.

[c rig]

Love Folly, I’m 64, grew up here. Folly still maintains that old school vibe.
1) Don’t speed. Not even 1mph over the limit.
2) Eat at Bowens Island, I’ve been going there since the late 70’s. You’ll second guess yourself driving down the dirt road, and again when you see the whole complex, but it’s great. Parts of it has burned and rebuilt over the years, so it’s a hodge podge. Not fine dining by any means, paper plates, plastic cups. Sunset view is great, it’ll be packed close to that time, but relax and enjoy the vibe, you’ll still get to eat. Bring a Sharpie, your family can sign the walls. Think it’s still only open Tues-Sunday. There’s also a place to rent kayaks and take dolphin tours.
3) Buy fresh seafood at Crosby’s, you’ll pass it on the right on the way to Folly. They usually have a food truck there during the day selling fried seafood.
4) Go to what’s called the East end, take a left on E Ashley, drive all the way to the end. Park there to walk down and see the Morris Island Lighthouse. Be sure you’re all the way off the pavement. Great spot to take pics or fish.
5) Look at that area on a satellite map, you can either park and walk a 1/4 mile or so down a pathway to get to the end (used to be a Coast Guard Loran station), or if you look at the map there’s a little path on the right that goes 50 yards through some bushes, you’re on the beach. I surf fish from there continuing up to the inlet end where you see the lighthouse.
6) Go to Bert’s. Classic old school beach store, open 24/7. You can get anything from breakfast to a sub sandwich to a garden rake.
7) Eat at Lost Dog, Taco Boy, and Rita’s. There are other places, but those are the best.
8) Think they’re done rehabbing the Folly Pier, you can walk on it for sightseeing, fish, or there’s a new restaurant there. Haven’t tried it yet.
9) If you leave Folly to go to Charleston, etc, keep in mind (particularly on weekends) that traffic to and from the beach can be gridlock. Leave early, go back late. There’s only one road in, it gets packed.
10) If you’re getting groceries, there’s a Harris Teeter a couple miles from the beach. I’d avoid that one (prices are generally higher) there are two Publix on Folly Road a few miles further away that’ll be cheaper. There’s also a Walmart 5 or so miles away from Folly to pick up general stuff.
11) If you have teenage kids and they want a neat tee shirt, McKevlins Surf Shop has been there as long as I remember, back to the 70’s at least.
12) If you want to take a boat ride to Morris Island to spend a few hours walking and possibly find some fossils, I know a guy who runs a service. Morris had a Civil War encampment, IIRC the black regiment featured in the movie Glory was stationed there.

Ask any questions you have, here or via PM, I’d be happy to help. Haven’t seen him post in a while, but I gave Tampa Jim a bunch of Folly advice a few years ago, he had a good time.

[Topwater All Day]

Love Folly, I’m 64, grew up here. Folly still maintains that old school vibe.
1) Don’t speed. Not even 1mph over the limit.
2) Eat at Bowens Island, I’ve been going there since the late 70’s. You’ll second guess yourself driving down the dirt road, and again when you see the whole complex, but it’s great. Parts of it has burned and rebuilt over the years, so it’s a hodge podge. Not fine dining by any means, paper plates, plastic cups. Sunset view is great, it’ll be packed close to that time, but relax and enjoy the vibe, you’ll still get to eat. Bring a Sharpie, your family can sign the walls. Think it’s still only open Tues-Sunday. There’s also a place to rent kayaks and take dolphin tours.
3) Buy fresh seafood at Crosby’s, you’ll pass it on the right on the way to Folly. They usually have a food truck there during the day selling fried seafood.
4) Go to what’s called the East end, take a left on E Ashley, drive all the way to the end. Park there to walk down and see the Morris Island Lighthouse. Be sure you’re all the way off the pavement. Great spot to take pics or fish.
5) Look at that area on a satellite map, you can either park and walk a 1/4 mile or so down a pathway to get to the end (used to be a Coast Guard Loran station), or if you look at the map there’s a little path on the right that goes 50 yards through some bushes, you’re on the beach. I surf fish from there continuing up to the inlet end where you see the lighthouse.
6) Go to Bert’s. Classic old school beach store, open 24/7. You can get anything from breakfast to a sub sandwich to a garden rake.
7) Eat at Lost Dog, Taco Boy, and Rita’s. There are other places, but those are the best.
8) Think they’re done rehabbing the Folly Pier, you can walk on it for sightseeing, fish, or there’s a new restaurant there. Haven’t tried it yet.
9) If you leave Folly to go to Charleston, etc, keep in mind (particularly on weekends) that traffic to and from the beach can be gridlock. Leave early, go back late. There’s only one road in, it gets packed.
10) If you’re getting groceries, there’s a Harris Teeter a couple miles from the beach. I’d avoid that one (prices are generally higher) there are two Publix on Folly Road a few miles further away that’ll be cheaper. There’s also a Walmart 5 or so miles away from Folly to pick up general stuff.
11) If you have teenage kids and they want a neat tee shirt, McKevlins Surf Shop has been there as long as I remember, back to the 70’s at least.
12) If you want to take a boat ride to Morris Island to spend a few hours walking and possibly find some fossils, I know a guy who runs a service. Morris had a Civil War encampment, IIRC the black regiment featured in the movie Glory was stationed there.

Ask any questions you have, here or via PM, I’d be happy to help. Haven’t seen him post in a while, but I gave Tampa Jim a bunch of Folly advice a few years ago, he had a good time.

So what time of year would you suggest going if we are just sightseeing and wanting to experience the area? Will be just the wife & I and we don't need the summer crowds, but like exploring and learning the history of areas. Will probably do Charleston at some point this year and Folly looks cool!

Thanks!

[ifishinxs]

So what time of year would you suggest going if we are just sightseeing and wanting to experience the area? Will be just the wife & I and we don't need the summer crowds, but like exploring and learning the history of areas. Will probably do Charleston at some point this year and Folly looks cool!

Thanks!

My son lives in Moncks corner. We vist every October. Folly is our shell finding beach at low tide. Great food all over the Charleston area. I like Reds Ice house, Lolas and obstant daughter.

[n2theblue]

So what time of year would you suggest going if we are just sightseeing and wanting to experience the area? Will be just the wife & I and we don't need the summer crowds, but like exploring and learning the history of areas. Will probably do Charleston at some point this year and Folly looks cool!

Thanks!

Winter or early spring.

[c rig]

So what time of year would you suggest going if we are just sightseeing and wanting to experience the area? Will be just the wife & I and we don't need the summer crowds, but like exploring and learning the history of areas. Will probably do Charleston at some point this year and Folly looks cool!

Thanks!

Late Fall when the weather cools off, Spring if you want to see flowers blooming at places like Magnolia Gardens.

[BULLET FAN]

Wow! Thanks guys

[borderbasser]

I grew up in Carolina back in the day. it was a really nice area before all of the hurricanes... don't know what it's like now

[mpb185vs]

We are thinking of doing the exact same thing. We have been to Isle of Palms many times but are thinking about trying Folly Beach.

[c rig]

We are thinking of doing the exact same thing. We have been to Isle of Palms many times but are thinking about trying Folly Beach.

Folly is the polar opposite of Isle of Palms environment wise, it’s more laid back.

[BULLET FAN]

[QUOTE=c rig;13937394]Folly is the polar opposite of Isle of Palms environment wise, it’s more laid back.[/QUOTE

which is more laid back? Isle of palms??

[n2theblue]

[QUOTE=BULLET FAN;13938099]

Folly is the polar opposite of Isle of Palms environment wise, it’s more laid back.[/QUOTE

which is more laid back? Isle of palms??

Folly.

[1nutinthewater]

We were in Charleston 3 weeks ago and drove out to Folly beach to check it out- What a bunch of neat houses and appears to be not yet destroyed by mankind just yet. Lots of people around and I cannot imagine how crowded it must get in peak season.

[Flippin 416]

Sounds like a pretty neat place! We might need to check it out one day!

[Judson1]

Folly was my childhood vacation spot. A week on the beach in a rental. McKelvins, Chris and Jerry’s store, and large rock jetties we would catch crab on. Also spent many hours slinging a spinning reel with shrimp out in the surf. Good times.

[T. Hill]

It’s good but traffic is horrible.

[n2theblue]

It’s good but traffic is horrible.

The key to Folly is park the car when you get there and don’t get back in till you leave. Get your groceries on the way in and walk the rest of the time.

[geodebasser]

Do they still do the shag?