Isle of Palms is a small island located 35 minutes north of Charleston, South Carolina.  The white sandy beaches are quiet and relaxing, but the island is also close to the many tourist attractions and restaurants of Charleston.  There are plenty of vacation homes and condos available for rent on the island, so finding a great place to stay for your vacation will not be a problem.  Here are some of my favorite things to do during a vacation at the Isle of Palms:

Things to do:

Carriage Ride in Downtown Charleston
Head to the heart of downtown and you will find multiple options for taking a tour of historic Charleston.  We chose to take a narrated carriage ride through the historic district.  Our guide gave us insight into the local architecture and discussed the history of the area.  We ended our day exploring and had dinner at Hyman’s Seafood, which has been in business in the same location since 1890.  
Fort Sumter National Monument
Take a boat ride through Charleston Harbor to visit Fort Sumter and see where the Civil War began in 1861.   The Fort can only be reached by boats operated by Fort Sumter Tours.  Tour boats leave from downtown Charleston on Concord St. and Patriots Point.  There is a museum at the downtown location that has exhibits showing the history of the fort and the events leading up to the Civil War.  
Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum
This is a unique opportunity to explore The USS Yorktown Aircraft Carrier, the USS Laffey Destroyer, and the USS Clamagore Submarine; all at a one-of-a-kind museum.   You can walk around on your own or join in one of the guided talks led by knowledgeable volunteers. Patriots Point is located 5 minutes north of Charleston in Mt. Pleasant on the Charleston Harbor.
Boone Hall Plantation & Gardens
Spend one morning touring Boone Hall Plantation located in Mt. Pleasant.  This plantation dates back to 1681. Visitors can take a guided tour of the original mansion, see the original slave cabins, walk on the Avenue of Oaks, and take a carriage ride around the gardens.