Freshfields Village is located near the entrance of Kiawah Island; it is home to fun restaurants, shops (including Holly & Brooks - Sarah's favorite boutique), a grocery store, and even a spa.
The Ocean Course is beautiful and historic. We recommend grabbing a drink or apps in the Ryder Cup Room and heading outside to enjoy watching the sun set over the 18th hole.
Bohicket Marina is located between Kiawah and Seabrook Islands. The marina offers charters (we recommend Holy City Sailing), boat rentals, kayak rentals, shops, and restaurants. There are often live bands playing outdoors on the weekend.
Royal Tern is Jeremy and Sarah's absolute favorite restaurant in the area. Reservations are available two weeks in advance, and we highly recommend checking this spot out if you are a seafood lover. Make sure to order the oysters, biscuits, mussels, and smoked peach mule (you can thank us later!).
Sarah and Jeremy recommend checking out the below restaurants (and since it is peak season, you will likely need reservations to eat at most restaurants): - La Tela Pizzeria (133 Village Green Ln, Kiawah Island, SC 29455) - Fun and convenient pizza spot in Freshfields Village - Wild Olive (2867 Maybank Hwy, Johns Island, SC 29455) - Longstanding Italian restaurant with great food - The Ocean Room (1 Sanctuary Beach Dr, Kiawah Island, SC 29455) - A fancy, delicious steakhouse located in the Sanctuary Hotel Sarah, Jeremy, and Sarah's dad also recommend the following bars: - Tattooed Moose (3328 Maybank Hwy, Johns Island, SC 29455) - A lowkey indoor / outdoor bar with live music - Seanachai Whiskey & Cocktail Bar (3157B Maybank Hwy, Johns Island, SC 29455) - Fun Irish pub with a beer garden - Low Tide Brewing (2863 Maybank Hwy, Johns Island, SC 29455) - Brewery with outdoor space and often home to food trucks
Charleston is one of our favorite cities and is only a ~45 minute drive from Kiawah. If you decide to explore, we recommend checking out the city market, rainbow row, the battery, and the many shops / boutiques. There are lots of awesome restaurants (including 167 Raw) and bars (including the Dewberry bar, the Watch rooftop, the Belmont, and Republic).
While Jeremy enjoys biking more than Sarah does, even Sarah will admit that Kiawah is a great place for biking - either on the designated bike paths or on the beach itself. A couple rental options to book in advance are below: If you are renting a villa or home through Kiawah Resort, feel free to rent bikes online or phone (843-768-6001). If you are staying at the Sanctuary, bikes will be made available to you through the hotel. If you are staying at another location, feel free to rent from Seacoast Sports (843-768-8486) located directly in Freshfields Village.
Kiawah is known for its incredible golf courses. Sarah's dad recommends checking out Ocean Course, Osprey Point, Turtle Point, and Cougar Point (in that order!).
Kiawah Island has 10 miles of beach for guests to enjoy. You can access the beach through many public entrances around the island. If desired, beach chair and umbrella rentals are available through Kiawah Resort booked online or phone at 843-768-6001; they will deliver and set up at the boardwalk closest to where you're staying.
Angel Oak Tree is a legendary oak tree that is cool to see and is a 20-25 minute drive from Kiawah; it is estimated to be 400-500 years old and stands over 65 feet tall.