Hyperbaric Chamber Therapy in Kiawah Island, SC

Looking for some fun day trips in Charleston? This South Carolinian city is full of amazing things to do, including fun adventures, suitable for vacationers from all walks of life. From incredible beaches to fascinating history to beautiful nearby plantations, there is plenty of things to see and do in and around Charleston. The city's downtown area is walkable and boasts top-notch restaurants, iconic landmarks, and some of the most breathtaking harbor views. But just a few miles outside, there are several bucket-list-worthy spots to discover. Here are the best day trips from Charleston that you shouldn't miss.

Kiawah Island, South Carolina

Boasting an award-winning stunning 10-mile beach with plenty of fun activities, such as shelling, kayaking, surfing, fishing, and incredible wildlife spotting opportunities, Kiawah Island is one of the best day trips from Charleston that one shouldn't miss. Biking is another popular activity on this side of South Carolina and is a perfect way of exploring parts of the island that tourists cannot reach by car. The island has more than 30 miles of paved biking trails to enjoy. Kiawah's golf courses are considered some of the most impressive in the world. The Ocean Course, Cougar Point, Osprey Point, and Turtle Point are world-class golf courses that travelers can explore.

9 Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Myrtle Beach is one of the most beautiful destinations in South Carolina, famous for its spectacular boardwalk. Located along the South Atlantic coast of the state, Myrtle Beach has plenty of top-rated things to do, making it a great spot for families, from amusement parks to an aquarium to several water sports opportunities. Vacationers can spend time on the pristine beaches, play golf, and explore a wide range of restaurants and eateries serving delicious cuisines. This town has something for everyone and makes a perfect day trip for travelers staying in Charleston.

Beaufort, South Carolina

Beaufort may be one of the most underrated destinations in the US, but it's definitely full of unforgettable experiences. Situated on Port Royal Island, this is among the most culturally rich towns in the South, making it a perfect day trip from Charleston for vacationers interested in the local culture and history. The best of getting around this historic town is walking since almost all its most striking attractions are located in the downtown National Historic District. Tourists will also find numerous restaurants and hotels here.

Savannah, Georgia

Savannah is one of the most beautiful towns in Georgia to visit. The city is brimming with fun and unique activities, ranging from exploring the historic cemeteries to spending time in its incredible museums to taking its fascinating trolley tours. The city has some of the most exciting and unusual experiences that make it one of the best day trips from Charleston that one shouldn't miss. Savannah Historic District, Forsyth Park, and Bonaventure Cemetery are the top-rated attractions to visit.

Related: 10 Awesome Things That You Can Do In South Carolina

Huntington Beach State Park, South Carolina

Located 78.5 miles from Charleston, Huntington Beach State Park is an incredible day trip for vacationers. It has plenty of activities, including swimming, hiking, camping, and spotting turtles, alligators, and more beautiful creatures. Preserving three miles of coastline, this park is suitable for beach lovers, fishermen, and history lovers looking to experience something unique. Vacationers can choose to spend some time on the sand, explore the remains of Atalaya Castle, or take advantage of the birdwatching opportunities along the trails.

Wadmalaw Island, South Carolina

While Wadmalaw Island is located pretty closer to Charleston (just above half an hour’s drive), it feels far away from the hustle and bustle of the city, making it an incredible spot to relax. The island is home to Charleston Tea Plantation and Deep-Water Vineyard, which are among its top attractions. The Tea Plantation boasts the world's only American-grown tea. The vineyard, on the other hand, is special and unique because it's the only one in South Carolina.

Patriot’s Point, Mount Pleasant, South Carolina

Launched in 1976, Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum is dedicated to educating the public on the war's history. Visitors can see the USS Yorktown aircraft carrier, used by the U.S. Navy during WWII and the Vietnam War. Other fun exhibits take us back in time, explaining the struggles and achievements the soldiers went through to make America a better place. Any travelers interested in the United States history will find Patriot's Point an incredible day trip from Charleston.

Folly Beach, South Carolina

Sometimes referred to as the Edge of America, Folly Beach offers an incredible experience of the Atlantic; while it's among the most popular beach destinations in South Carolina, it retains its small-town charm. This makes it a wonderful day trip from Charleston for tourists looking for a spot to relax with a spectacular view of the Atlantic before them. It's only about 11 and a half miles from downtown Charleston so tourists shouldn’t miss an opportunity of exploring its natural beauty and enjoy plenty of amenities.

Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

Hilton Head is a perfect spot for golf lovers because it's home to two dozen golf courses, Harbor Town Golf Links being one of the most notable. But there are plenty of other things to do, including beachside activities, such as boat tours and dolphin cruises, deep sea fishing, and volleyball. There are numerous beach bars where tourists can catch some fun live entertainment after spending a whole exploring the island. Rich in natural and cultural history, Hilton Head is one of the most impressive day trips from Charleston.

Related: Does Hilton Head Island Live Up To The Hype? Here Are Some Things You Might Not Know You Can Do There

1 Brookgreen Gardens, Murrells Inlet, South Carolina

Recognized among the Top 10 Gardens in the United States by TripAdvisor, Brookgreen Garden is home to a variety of plants and wildlife – a great adventure for families. There are plenty of events to catch, including the Brookgreen Gardens Art Festival, featuring some of the most talented artists and craftsmen showcasing their sculptures, paintings, glassware, pottery, and more. There is a lot to explore in the gardens, and every traveler is guaranteed to find something interesting.

Outer Banks is a Netflix series about teenagers and modern day treasure hunting on the coast of North Carolina, known as the Outer Banks or OBX. In the show, teens hunt for buried treasure that is believed to be linked to John B's father disappearing. The island is essentially split into two parts, Figure 8 and The Cut. John B and his friends are part of the group known as the Pogues who hail from The Cut, or the lower class on the islands. The Kooks are the wealthy upper class from the Figure 8 part of the island, and they are also in search of the treasure, which causes the two groups to clash in a very modern day West Side Story fashion.

Season 3 of Outer Banks just released in early January of this year and there is a fourth season confirmed for this favorite teen mystery series. Although the series in set in North Carolina, most, if not all, of the series was filmed in South Carolina. If you can't get enough of Outer Banks and want to immerse yourself fully into the show, take a look at some of the real life filming locations below.

RELATED: 'Outer Banks' Season 3 Cast & Characters Guide: Who's Returning And Who's New To The Netflix Hit

Shem Creek, Mount Pleasant, South Carolina

Majority of the boating and water scenes for Kildare Harbor were filmed in Shem Creek. Shem Creek is a South Carolina local favorite spot for hanging out by the marina, watching the sunset and enjoying different dining locations. Heyward's Seafood, owned by Pope's dad, was filmed inside the real restaurant of Geechie Seafood that sits in Shem Creek. The Wreck, owned by Kiara's family, was also filmed inside a Shem Creek local restaurant known as The Wreck Of Richard and Charlene.

The Kiawah Island Golf Resort

The Kiawah Island Golf Resort is located on Kiawah Island, South Carolina, which is just south of Charleston. The golf resort was used as the location for the Island Club, which is where the Kooks host the Midsummer Night Ball and tends to be the fanciest place to gather together and hang out. If you want to visit this location in real life, you can enjoy an oceanfront restaurant and many beachside activities.

Pitt Street, Mount Pleasant, South Carolina

Pitt Street, located in Mount Pleasant's Old Village District, is the location for many scenes in Outer Banks. Downtown Kildare uses Pitt Street as its backdrop. The Sheriff's Station is filmed in a local condominium building and the Kildare Island Surfboard Store was filmed inside The Green Shutter antique shop. Visiting Pitt Street means you can visit all the cute and quaint mom-and-pop shops and restaurants.

Lowndes Grove Estate, Charleston, South Carolina

Sarah Cameron's family estate can actually be seen by visiting the low country of Charleston. The Lowndes Grove is used primarily for weddings and events. Its 18th century architecture and art makes it a place of wonderment for anyone who visits and gets to experience the ambiance there for their events.

Creekside Lands Inn, Charleston, South Carolina

If you've wanted to stay in the hotel room that John B and Pope break into at the Summer Winds Motel, you can! Book room 229 at the Creekside Lands Inn in Charleston to see where that episode from Season 1was filmed.

Morris Island, South Carolina

One of the islands just below Charleston, Morris Island, was used to film the marches and shipwreck scenes from Outer Banks. Specifically, the Lighthouse Creek in Morris Island is where those scenes were filmed and the red and white lighthouse can even be spotted in the background of some of those scenes.

Morris Island Lighthouse and Hunting Island Lighthouse, South Carolina

After receiving some clues about the treasure, the Pogues visit the Redfield Lighthouse. The Redfield Lighthouse was filmed at both the Morris Island Lighthouse and the Hunting Island Lighthouse. The Hunting Island Lighthouse near Beaufort, South Carolina, is used as the interior for the Redfield Lighthouse, and the Morris Island Lighthouse is used as the exterior for the Outer Banks location.

Gaillard Center, Charleston, South Carolina

When John B and Sarah visit UNC at Chapel Hill, they are actually visiting the Gaillard Center of Charleston. The Gaillard Center hosts many performers, artists, scholars, and even the Charleston Symphony. While visiting UNC, John B and Sarah also stroll through a picturesque park that can be seen if you visit Washington Square. Washington Square is just a short four-minute ride around the corner from the Gaillard Center.

Bathsheba Beach, Barbados

The iconic and scenic rocky beach from Season 2 when the Pogues plan to rescue Sarah from her family was filmed in Barbados. The teens infiltrate the ship and all eventually jump ship and swim to the nearest island to be free of Sarah's family. Bathsheba Beach is known for its unique rock formations and eventually becomes known as Poguelandia in Season 3.

Welchman Hall Gully, Barbados

In Season 3 when the gang travels to El Dorado and through the South American jungle, the stumble upon the El Dorado cave. While looking like it's filmed in South America, this cave was actually filmed in Barbados. The Welchman Hall Gully is a tropical park that is open to the public and has scenic hiking trails and cave tours.

It’s high time you added this Lowcountry destination to your beach bucket list.

Follow winding, oak-shaded roads 25 miles southwest of downtown Charleston's cobblestone streets and celebrated restaurant scene, and you'll find yourself on Kiawah Island. Carved by the Kiawah River on one side and fronting the Atlantic Ocean on the other, the barrier island is a true escape. Here, nature reigns supreme: ten miles of beaches roll out along the Atlantic; cicadas form their own sort of soundtrack; and lights-out is often determined by the sea turtles' nesting season. Even so, there's plenty to do for travelers who like their time in nature punctuated with good food, luxurious creature comforts, and a frozen drink in hand. Here are seven things to do in Kiawah Island, South Carolina.

Stay Like a Local

For access to all of Kiawah's amenities, from bike rentals to pools, you'll have to stay on the island. For an experience that's luxurious but unpretentious, book a room at The Sanctuary, an oceanfront hotel known for its five-star service and elevated onsite dining. For families who want a little room to spread out (or a kitchen), villa and home rentals are a smart choice; reserve through the resort directly, or book through a site like VRBO or Airbnb.

Spend a Day on the Sand

On the west end of the island, Beachwalker Park is Kiawah's only public beach access feels like a hidden gem, thanks to its wide, unspoiled expanses of sand. It offers the best of both worlds too: in addition to the ocean frontage, you can also score views of the Kiawah River here.

Hit the Links

Five state-of-the-art golf courses are open to the public. For avid fans of the sport, the Ocean Course alone makes Kiawah worth the trip. Host to two PGA Championships, the 18-hole course is not for the faint of heart. Raised above the dunes to capitalize on the expansive shore views, golfers are also subjected to ocean breezes (which don't exactly make for an easy or predictable trip around the green). Try Cougar Point for marsh views and a slightly less technical experience.

Go for a Cruise

One of the best ways to explore the island is to leave the car in park and take a beach cruiser for a spin (you can reserve them through the resort or bring your own). Between 30 miles of paved trails and 10 miles of hard-packed beach, there's no shortage of routes to explore. Ask for directions to the Marsh View Tower, an observation deck primed for birdwatching and soaking in the marsh and river scenery.

Visit Heron Park Nature Center

The naturalists here will school you in many of the species who call the island home, from bobcats and white-tailed deer to loggerhead sea turtles and American alligators. Sign up for a guided tour, like "Back Island Birding", "Marsh Kayaking," or "Ocean Seining and Beach Combing," or ask for their recommendations for the best nature-spotting places in the area.

Explore Freshfields Village

Built around a lush lawn, Freshfields Village has plenty of restaurants and shops to explore, plus a boutique stay, the Andell Inn. Pick up a beach read at Indigo Books; snag treats for your four-legged friends at Dolitte's; and gear up for island adventures SeaCoast Sports and Outfitters. Start the morning with coffee and a breakfast sandwich from Java Java; settle in for grilled cheese and a milkshake at retro Vincent's Drugstore & Soda Fountain; or cap off the day with house-made frosé from newly opened The Co-Op. Check their calendar for seasonal events, like summertime's "Music on the Green" concert series and farmer's market.

Venture to Bohicket Marina & Market

Make the short drive to neighboring Seabrook Island for a taste of the area's salty maritime culture. Snag a umbrella-shaded table on the upper deck at Salty Dog Café for fresh catch, a cold beer, and riverfront views of the boats coming and going from the marina.

The teens of Outer Banks are either running from the authorities or frolicking in the sea, so where is the Netflix show actually set? From the beach to the famous lighthouse, HITC identifies the hotspots.

The hit Netflix series follows The Pogues, a group of rebellious teens who are eager to uncover a valuable treasure. Mixed with adventure, romance, and friendship, no wonder Outer Banks is a fan-favorite.

The gang is led by John B (Chase Stokes), who falls in love with Sarah (Madelyn Cline), a Kook. Their other female member is another reckless Kook: Kiara, who is portrayed by Madison Bailey.

They are not complete without the brains of the operation, Pope (Jonathan Daviss), and John B’s BFF, JJ (Rudy Pankow).

Fans are captured by their spontaneous and unrealistic antics, but after all, it’s an adventure in the comfort of their home. But if you want to live the Outer Banks life, here’s exactly where to go.

Where is Outer Banks set?

The series is set in North Carolina, but don’t attempt to visit the state for photo opportunities because none of the filming locations are actually there.

Yes, it’s all a lie, but the good news is that Netflix hasn’t moved too far away: the cast film in the neighboring state of South Carolina, specifically, Charleston.

Filming locations of Outer Banks, including the beach and lighthouse

If the Pogues are ever on their dingy boat, chances are they are filming at Mount Pleasant’s Shem Creek. This spot is used as the entrance to Kildare Harbor and it is near the location of Heyward’s Seafood and Kiara’s family restaurant, The Wreck.

Speaking of Kiara’s family business, the real seafood restaurant is similarly called The Wreck of the Richard and Charlene.

Viewers were first introduced to Redfield Lighthouse in season 1 episode 2. The real deal is Hunting Island Lighthouse, so the nearby beach is Hunting Island State Park Beach.

Another lighthouse frequently used is Morris Island Lighthouse, which stands off Morris Island and Folly Beach. Constructed in the 19th century, it is the tallest lighthouse in South Carolina.

In season 1 episode 5, the gang dressed to nines to attend a midsummer’s party, which is the Kiawah Island Golf Resort. The exact address of the five-star hotel is 1 Sanctuary Beach Drive, Kiawah Island. It is the next island from Folly Beach.

Sarah’s elegant family mansion in reality is Lowndes Grove, a wedding venue. Located at 266 Margaret Street, it was built around 1786.

Why isn’t Outer Banks filmed in North Carolina?

The director’s decision to film in South Carolina reportedly boiled down to North Carolina’s anti-LGBTQ House Bill 2, which required transgender people to use public bathrooms for the sex they were assigned at birth.

It was passed in March 2016 by governor Pat McCrory but was partially repealed one year later by his successor, Roy Cooper.

The co-creator Jonas Pate envisioned filming in Wilmington but switched to Charleston after agreeing with Netflix’s inclusivity decisions, reports Star News Online. The city is known for its bustling atmosphere and home to the wealthy – as seen in Southern Charm – but since Outer Banks is a fictional world, directors were able to handpick ideal locations to create their vision.

In other news, Do John B and Sarah break up or stay together in Outer Banks season 3?

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The Limestone County Sports Hall of Fame Board of Directors is pleased to announce its class for the 2023 Hall of Fame. The 2023 class is comprised of ten former athletes, coaches and support personnel. The induction ceremony for this year’s class will be held on May 20th at the Limestone County Event Center beginning at 6:30.

The 2023 inductees include the following:

David Leon Ashford — The Athens High School graduate was an athletic trainer for the University of Alabama Football team under head coach Paul ‘Bear’ Bryant. He later became a lawyer and represented the University of Alabama in cases against the NCAA.

Carlos Franklin — Starred as a wide receiver, running back, return specialist and strong safety for the Athens High School football team. Averaged 15.7 yards every time he touched the football during his senior season with the Golden Eagles. He played collegiate football at the University of North Alabama.

Charlie Gover — A track star for West Limestone High School and was the 1970 Cross Country State Champion. He was a track and field standout at both Calhoun Community College and Austin Peay University.

Greg Haynes — A tremendous all-around athlete who exceled in many sports at Athens High School. He earned 10 varsity letters while participating in many sports at AHS. Earned a football scholarship to the University of Alabama where he was a member of two National Championship teams.

Chasity Campbell Legg — A former basketball and volleyball standout for West Limestone High School. She was named county Most Valuable Player in both sports while earning All-State honors in basketball. She played basketball collegiately at Belmont University and was a three-year starter for the Bruins.

Tracy Lowery — A baseball and basketball standout for Athens Bible School. Earned a dual baseball-basketball scholarship to Florida College and later transferred to Athens State College to play baseball. His batting average for the Bears was over .300.

Ollie McGee — Was a member of eight state championship teams as a member of the Athens High School football and track and field teams. Earned All-State honors in the multiple sports he participated in at AHS. Earned a football scholarship to the University of North Alabama and played defensive back for the Lions.

Bill Murrell — Legendary coach for Athens Bible School. Has led ABS to state championships in both baseball and cross country. The Alabama Sportswriters Association has named him ‘Coach of the Year’ four times. A member of the Alabama High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame.

Robert Stewart — Was one of the first African American students to graduate from a segregated Limestone County High School. He was instrumental in leading Clements High School to a state championship in basketball as he was named to the All-State Tournament Team.

Stewart Whitt — Tremendous amateur golfer who prepped at Athens High School and earned All-State honors for the Golden Eagles golf team. Played collegiate golf at the University of Alabama and was member of the Crimson Tide’s 2008 SEC Championship team. Qualified for the 2014 US Amateur Tournament. He recently won the PGA National Club Championship on the Ocean Course at Kiawah Island, SC.

Limestone County Sports Hall of Fame Board of Directors President Jeff Hodges states this year’s induces are outstanding additions to the Hall of Fame who are all very deserving for their accomplishment both on and off the athletic field.