A Day in Mount Pleasant

I’ve lived in Mt. Pleasant since graduating from CofC and have never looked back over the bridge! The East Cooper lifestyle offers a variety of outdoor experiences, excellent restaurants, and local shopping close to water access, Isle of Palms and Sullivans beaches, and downtown Charleston. My ideal day in Mt. Pleasant includes time outdoors, amazing dining, and shopping, of course!

Morning

I have always been a bit of a coffee freak, and living in Mt. Pleasant has certainly fueled that fire. There are so many local coffee shops to choose from! If I’m in a hurry, the Metto drive-through is a life saver. But if the weather is perfect, sitting outside at Vintage Coffee for a cappuccino and avocado toast is the best way to start your day. Vintage also has a play area and is great for kiddos! Our boys also love Flying Biscuit for their biscuits and pancakes. 

Other Top Coffee and Breakfast Spots: Second State Coffee, Brown Fox Coffee, Tidal Grounds Coffee, Sunrise Bistro

After breakfast, we head to one of our favorite playgrounds. Alhamra Hall in the Old Village offers play areas for all ages and a dog park for furry friends. We love Palmetto Island County Park’s beautiful walking trails and viewing tower, but our favorite playground is the “blue park,” as my son would say, at the Mt. Pleasant Waterfront Park and Pier. The playground has entertaining equipment and a soft surface which is great for keeping everyone sand free. After we play for a bit, we typically grab a snack and drink from the pier’s snack bar and walk down the pier to check on the boats in the harbor or walk on the new boardwalk along the harbor for great views of the bridge.

Other morning time attractions: Yorktown at Patriots Point, kayaking Shem Creek from Coastal Expeditions, a stroll from Shem Creek through the Old Village

Afternoon

One of our favorite “hole-in-the-wall” spots for lunch is Johnny’s Hot Dogs next to Ace Hardware on Coleman. Our boys love a hot dog, bag of chips and a sweet tea for lunch. They also offer great sandwiches and wraps. Our other go-to for lunch is Mozzo Deli where we typically order ahead and pick up sandwiches.

Other Lunch Recommendations: Five Loaves Cafe, Tavern & Table, The Grit Counter, Boxcar Betty’s 

If I am lucky enough to have a day where my children are napping, I’ll try to sneak in some shopping at my favorite local stores: Halfmoon Outfitters, Celadon, Abide-a-while, Cooper Penny on Coleman, and Ragamuffin Boutique for the boys. 

One of our favorite summertime afternoon activities is Splash Island Water Park at Palmetto Islands County Park. This is the perfect little water park, big entertainment for kids but not overwhelming. On a rainy or cold day, we go to SkyZone or the Wando Library for indoor fun. 

Evening

My evenings out tend to go one of three ways: with the family, date night, or ladies night. If the kids are in tow, our favorite dinner out is Sesame Burgers - family friendly, great kids menu and of course, milkshakes. For date night, if we are feeling extra romantic, we may start with a sunset stroll at Pitt Street Bridge and grab dinner on the patio at the Old Village Post House. For ladies night, I love the patio at Nico for fresh seafood and a glass of rose. 

Other Dinner Recommendations: Wood and Grain, Basil, Red Drum, Locals Sushi 

If you are new to the area, I hope you find this list helpful. If you consider yourself a local, I’d love to hear about your favorite things to do in Mt. Pleasant!  

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