A short ride from Downtown Charleston lies one of the area’s most popular beaches, Isle of Palms. Once called Hunting Island then Long Island, Isle of Palms has been a haven for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle (and the heat!) of the city since the late 19th century. Today, it’s known for its vacation rentals, pristine beaches, great fishing, and plenty of activities for the whole family to enjoy.

If you find yourself walking along the High Battery in Downtown Charleston towards the end of the peninsula, look left. There, in the mouth of the Charleston Harbor, you’ll see the black and white lighthouse of Sullivan’s Island.

Known by locals as the Charleston Light, the Sullivan’s Island Lighthouse was built in the early 1960s to replace the light on Morris Island, which was in danger of being destroyed by erosion and has since been restored. The Charleston Light is still a working lighthouse, continuing to serve as a beacon to welcome ships into the Charleston Harbor.