Hotel at a Glance: Charleston Harbor Resort and Marina

The centerpiece of this resort is its private marina, set along the picturesque Cooper River and the Charleston Harbor. It’s an ideal spot for launching fishing excursions: an 881-pound blue marlin—the largest ever snagged in South Carolina—was caught here. Once you’ve packed your tackle box away, you can relax on the resort’s manmade beach and gaze at Fort Sumter and downtown Charleston as sailboats and yachts come into the harbor.

• Locally sourced cuisine such as lobster ravioli is on the menu at Charleston Harbor Fish House, one of three onsite restaurants.
• Where you’ll stay: Each guest room features a nautical motif and overlooks the grounds.
• Start the day right: This Getaway includes daily Charm breakfast for two.
• Stay fit: Work out in the onsite fitness center, rent bikes, or walk along the beach.
• Tee off next door at the William Byrd–designed Patriots Point Links; the 17th hole is considered one of the area’s best par 3s.
• Visit Charleston: Drive just 6 miles, or take a trolley or water taxi.

Mount Pleasant, South Carolina: Shallow Saltwater Bays and Naval History near Charleston

Situated near downtown Charleston, Mount Pleasant boasts a number of shallow bays and creeks. The Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum houses the USS Yorktown, an antisubmarine aircraft carrier. Visitors can explore the flight deck, engine room, and wardroom of this 888-foot centerpiece, or check out any of 25 eclectic aircraft.

Just across the harbor is Charleston, recently named one of the country’s best historic destinations by U.S. News & World Report. Georgian mansions line the waterfront, the spires of colonial-era churches punctuate the skyline, and horse-drawn carriages frequently clop along its cobblestone streets. You can get an added sense of the city’s history by visiting a number of preserved period buildings and national historic landmarks such as the Battery & White Point Gardens, a living Civil War museum with Confederate cannons and views of Fort Sumter, Charleston Harbor, and a double-parked Camry.

More recently, Charleston has merged its Old South identity with a strong arts-and-culture scene. The streets, once overrun with aristocrats, are now lined with top-tier art galleries and antique stores, and you can catch live jazz performances at night. Step out onto King Street to browse third-generation clothiers that have set up shop in historic landmark buildings.

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