A unique vacation experience, Kiawah Island, just 25 miles off the coast of Charleston, offers historic sites with brass lanterns, legendary golf courses, beautiful beaches, 30 miles of paved trails plus 10 miles of walkable beach, and more. Owned since Revolutionary War times by the Vanderhorst family, the island was sold to investment companies in the 1970s who created a master plan for the development of homes and world class golf courses. The town of Kiawah was established in 1988, while Freshfields Village, a town center that offered shopping, dining, and services, and a hotel were built in 2004.
When you visit a place with so many activities available, you need a good home base during your visit. With the exception of one hotel, The Sanctuary, the remaining lodging is offered by private owners to provide luxury accommodations. There are over 2,200 housing options including villas, houses and, bungalows,, condos, and apartments, in addition to hotel rooms. Whether you are planning a family vocation, an executive retreat, or a large family or business outing, there are options available at prices comparable to resort hotels.
Since there are so many activities in the area that might drive you to vacation there, you should aim for rental near golf courses, hiking trails, or beaches, depending on your interest. Most properties have outdoor space and full kitchens so you can plan on preparing and serving meals at home or patronize local restaurants for meals.
Golf On Kiawah Island
Golf courses on the island were designed by greats such as Jack Nicholas, Gary Player, Tom Fazio, and Pete Dye, and were laid out from the wooded interior of the island to the coastal beaches. Five courses, Turtle Point Golf Course, Osprey Point Golf Course, Cougar Point Golf Course, Ocean Course, and Oakpoint Ocean Golf Course, are owned by Kiawah Island Golf resort, while the remaining courses, the River Course and Cassique are managed by Kiawah Island Club. Course,
The Ocean Course, designed by Pete Dye, is considered one of the toughest courses on the East Coast. It has been the site of golf events such as the 1991 Ryder Cup, the 1997 World Cup of Golf, the 2007 Senior PGA Championship, and the 2012 PGA Championship, so that it is one of a small group of four golf courses nationwide to have hosted all these events.
While not as well-known as nearby Hilton Head or Sea Island, the exclusive area courses have attracted celebrities such as Clintons, Richard Gere, George Clooney, and Reese Witherspoon, Although challenging for skilled amateurs, there are plenty of opportunities to learn and improve your game at all levels. Even kids can learn to play. There are also plenty of other recreational opportunities in the area so that if mom and dad want to play golf at a challenging course, the rest of the family can pursue other island attractions.
Inviting, Serene Beaches
Kiawah Island’s Beachwalker Park is less crowded than nearby beaches such as Folly Beach, Angel Oak Tree, Botany Bay Plantation, and Edisto Beach State Park. The Kiawah beaches are noted for their walkways which are great for leisurely strolls, bike rides, and shelling, lifeguards for swimming, bathhouses with showers and bathrooms, handicapped accessible ramps, and grills for picnics.
For family members who want a more exciting water experience Charleston area has three exciting waterparks a short drive or ferry ride away. Located in Mount Pleasant at Palmetto Islands County Park, the Splash Island Waterpark is just right for beginning swimmers and younger kid, James Island County Park’s Splash Zone Waterpark offers two slides, a larger lazy river, and a wading pool. For the most exciting adventure North, Charleston’s Wannamaker County Park’s Whirlin’ Waters Adventure Waterpark has the popular Big Kahuna wave pool, several twisting slides, a shallow toddler play area, and more.
Hiking Adventures
With trails along the beach and in the interior of Kiawah Island, you set out on foot or by bike to explore or you can take advantage of the many specialty tours. You can take a tour under expert guidance to soak in island history or explore the wild life of the wetlands, or enjoy birding, ocean seining to understand what swims in the water, alligator habitats, or local butterfly life. If you’re a photographer, there is even a wildlife photography tour to help you see the treasures of the island.
Buildings With A Historic Flair And Bronze Lanterns
While there was activity in Kiawah Island for years, few structures of the past remained when the island was developed. New buildings in the town and on the golf courses had a modern flair but often included welcoming copper and bronze lanterns. Private individuals who constructed homes and villas also added this type of exterior lighting to give a finishing touch to their property. Designs reflected what was popular in Charleston over the centuries. Whether you rent a home, stay in the Sanctuary Hotel, visit facilities on golf courses eat in a local restaurant, or even wander through town, you can’t help but notice the beautiful reproduction lighting.
After a Kiawah Island vacation, you will take home plenty of memories from the many adventures you have had on the island. However, with beautiful lanterns from Lantern & Scroll, you can also take home pieces of local culture to add warmth and illumination to your own home.
Whether you want to add the traditional glow of lanterns from our Charleston or Columbia collections or more modern offerings from our Trentholm or Canaan Cities collection you will be pleased at the functionality and curb appeal that a handmaid copper, brass, or bronze lantern can give to your property.
Lantern & Scroll is happy to work with you to find the exact look you need for your home. All of our designs are based in the iconic stylings of the past but modernized to complement contemporary homes and buildings. Give us a call or start contact through our website today to get the process started of bringing the beauty of Kiawah Island to you own home.