Charleston's Coastal Villages

Mount Pleasant Room and Board

When a juicy burger topped with pimiento cheese fits your cravings, drop by the Boulevard Diner on Coleman Boulevard. Barbecue lovers should sample the vinegar-based 'cue from Momma Brown's. Taste the local flavors from the buffet at Gullah Cuisine.

The best place in Mount Pleasant to lay your head is in the cottages at The Belvidere Club and Resort on Charleston Harbor. Tucked into a lush corner of Patriots Point, 10 two-bedroom, three-bath cottages sleep up to six people. Each frames the panoramic view of Charleston Harbor from its screened porch. At night, relax in a rocking chair and watch the moon rise in the inky sky over Fort Sumter. The cottages boast full kitchens, fireplaces, and luxury furnishings, such as Frette linens, Waterford crystal, and Bose sound systems.

A concierge provides groceries upon your arrival, as well as a welcoming cheese platter with wine and soft drinks. She'll even deliver breakfast to your door each morning in an antique picnic basket.

Make Your Own Beach Music

Sullivan's Island feels like a sleepy beach town. At noon, you'll find almost everyone at Poe's Tavern. Tucked under umbrella tables, spread along the porch, and perched inside the cottage's rooms, girls in flip-flops sit next to businesspeople in suits to enjoy the burgers and pub food. Dig into a platter of fish tacos and hand-cut fries and read about Edgar Allan Poe, who spent 13 months stationed at Fort Moultrie.

At night, sample the comfy dishes at Station 22, home to a great jukebox and historic photos of Sullivan's. You can also savor the fancy fare at the elegant Atlanticville.

There are no hotels; if you want to overnight here, you must lease one of the few rental cottages. But don't let that stop you from exploring the miles of quiet beaches, marked by a lighthouse and old Fort Moultrie.