Shem Creek: Charleston's Hidden Gem

If you're in Charleston and you drive east, crossing the Arthur Ravenel Jr. bridge, you'll come to the town of Mt. Pleasant. Home of the popular  Boone Hall Plantation and Patriots Point, Mt. Pleasant is also home to one of my favorite spots in the Charleston area, Shem Creek. Originally inhabited by the Sewee Indians, Shem Creek is now a popular waterfront dining and drinking district. Not only can you dine or drink , you can also kayak, paddleboard, or canoe the creek. And while you're there, keep an eye out for dolphins - they're usually spotted  swimming or feeding here. 

Shrimping on Shem Creek
In 1930 Captain C. Magwood brought the first ocean shrimp into the creek which was the beginning of the shrimping industry. Next came the building of "ice houses" so shrimp could be preserved and it was game on. At one point, there were 70 shrimp boats moored along Shem Creek and shrimping was booming. Today, there are only 10 shrimp boats who call Shem Creek home with a few catamaran used for boat tours. It's found a new niche, though, in Charleston as the place for waterfront dining and late night partying. 

Shem Creek Park Another thing you can do at Shem Creek is visit the waterfront Shem Creek Park, run by the town of Mt. Pleasant, and walk it's boardwalk. From the boardwalk you can see the Ravenel bridge, the marsh and some of Charleston Harbor. If you make it all the way to the end, you can see Fort Sumter and Castle Pinckney. It's a perfect spot for an early morning walk, or sunset stroll, or a place to walk off those calories from dining at Tavern and Table or Red's Icehouse. 

On our most recent visit to Shem Creek, we wandered around Patriot's Point including visiting the USS Yorktown, enjoyed an adult beverage at Saltwater Cowboy's, dined at Vickery's and stayed at the creekside Shem Creek Inn. Oh, and I can't forget seeing the dolphins - in the afternoon and at night. Add in a delicious brunch on Sullivan's Island at The Obstinate Daughter and a visit with friends, then you have the perfect getaway to Shem Creek, Charleston's Hidden Gem.

Linking up with: My Corner of the World at Photographing New Zealand and The Weekend Wanderlust Weekend Travel Blog Party!