Just wanted to get opinions on what are the best things to do (restaurants, shopping, etc) while staying at Kiawah Island, SC. We visited the island last year, but wanted to make sure to hit more highlights this year.
Thanks!

I've only been to Kiawah once, but grew up close to Charleston. At Kiawah, things to do seemed to be limited (to me) to the planned resort activites.
You can get to CHS in about 20 minutes. Head downtown and walk through the market (Market St and Meeting St). Many people like the carriage rides and house/plantation tours I think. The carriage ride should give you a good overview of the city and its history. Consider visitng Charlestown Landing, Magnolia Plantation, Boone Hall and Middleton Place. Charles Town Landing has/had a zoo, early settler outdoor exhibits, and lots of picnic/playground space. It was always a popular school or church field trip. (Just note, I haven't been to any of these places in over 20 years.). Maybe the Historical Society has package tours.

About a year ago, my parents dragged us down to see The Hunley, which is an excavated submarine from the Civil War. I wasn't excited about the trip, but found it fascinating once I got there. It is only about a 20 minute tour. I would probably be boring for kids under 10 or so.
I think the Charleston Museum is pretty nice. You can also visit the Gibbs Art Gallery - don't know what they have. I've never been to the Aquarium, but I get the feeling most people find it overpriced. Be sure to visit and walk around the Waterfront Park off of East Bay St.
All of the restaurants seem good. I've liked Magnolia's and Blossom Cafe. I've always wanted to go to Slightly North of Broad. There's also a great place we took my parents at the corner of Market and East Bay that's part of a hotel. The restaurant name is something like the street address. It starts with numbers.
More casual is Southend Brewery at East Bay and Broad. Also California Dreaming is on the Kiawah side of James Island before you cross the bridge into Charleston. It's good, but more chain-like and always very crowded. I know they take call ahead seating. Also look for a BBQ place - the kind that has paper plates and Sunbeam bread on the table with a pitcher of tea. I don't know of any off hand, but the staff at Kiawah may have good suggestions.
If you're staying a week, consider a day trip to Beaufort, Hilton Head, or Savannah.
Have fun!!

Downtown Charleston is an hour from Kiawah. Please obey the speed limits.

The South Carolina Aquarium. The Ft.Sumter tour and museum, shopping on King Street.

We traveled to Kiawah Island the first time in 1999 and have traveled there each year since. We really enjoy Kiawah and Charleston. It takes us 16 hours by vehicle to get there. Worth every bit of the travel time!!!!

The Island does offer swimming, bike riding, plus lots of activities devoted to children and families. Bike riding is a must for our family, we travel all over the island. We even pack a lunch one day and we travel by bike over the island. Great way to see things you can't see by vehicle.
There are sand dollars to be found on the beach, just need to get there when its low-tide and wade in shallow water. They are there, just have to be there at the right time.

If you get off of the Island there are so many choices out there.

Food tips: If you get off the Island a good bbq/burger stop which is a MUST for us is Melvins Barbeque. Melvins is on John's Island and also one in Mount Pleasant. Great BBQ. Nothing fancy, but great food. Bretts is also a great place to eat, actually ate there for Mother's Day brunch, wonderful!!!! Another place we enjoy, (not sure what locals think) is Charleston Crabhouse. The atmosphere is great and food is good too. Very kid friendly!!!

Downtown Charleston: We enjoy Wild Wing Cafe'. Great wing place, kid friendly. Hyman's Seafood - Have eaten there several times. Very popular, first time we really enjoyed it, but last few times we were let down. Try the Shee-Crab soup.

We enjoy just walking the streets of Charleston, shopping the market, and walking along The Battery, and Waterfront Park. At Waterfront Park you can find swings for the entire family to sit on. (30 minute limit) What a view from the swings. The carriage rides are a great way to see different parts of city you might miss. This year we are going to take a Ghost Tour, which looks very interesting. There are several Plantations to visit such as Middleton Place or Magnolia Plantation. Magnolia Plantation also has a Swamp you can actually walk around. Lots of wildlife and alligators, which my kids really enjoyed watching while we were in the swamp. If you get over to Mount Pleasant a great place to eat is in Shem Creak...try The Trawler. Great seafood, great atmosphere. Patriots Point is also located here for some fun looking at aircraft carrier, and even a submarine. Also, an outdoor outlet mall over in this area if your up for some additional shopping.

Not sure how quickly you will drive, but from Kiawah to Charleston is not going to take you an hour. Would say about 30 minutes and worth every minute!

So much to do and see here. Wishing you a great trip.

Maddison, I live on a neighboring barrier island and make the drive to Charleston quite frequently.

Considering it is over 30 miles from Kiawah to downtown Charleston there is no way to make that drive in less than an hour.

I drive it, I know. Please don't speed on our islands. Our law enforcement is quite unforgiving and the penalties are harsh.

I recommend the Charleston Aquarium. I don't recall it being inordinately high in price.

Also if you haven't visited Patriots Point, I would recommend you do so. The aircraft carrier USS Yorktown is permanently docked there as a museum, along with a WWII submarine and some other vessels.

A restaurant not too miss at Kiawah is Rosebank Farms Cafe, which is in the Bohicket center, just outside the entrance to Kiawah. Great food and ambience if you don't want to make the drive to downtown Charleston.

And, yes, it is a drive as GoTravel stated. There is only one two-lane road that travels most of the distance from Johns Island out to the barrier islands, Kiawah and Seabrook. This road is lined with gorgeous huge oak trees, draped in moss that create a drive unlke any other I've seen. Its a sight to see unto itself!

They can't widen the road, b/c that would destroy the trees, and there are a few curves and "blind" entrances.

Add in a bunch of crazy drivers who can't wait to start their beach vacations, speeding and passing like this road is an interstate. (you know who you are!!).

As you drive down this road, you will see 3-4 roadside "memorials" of those who chose to be impatient. Its quite a paradox to see such beauty in nature become a graveyard.

If there is no traffic, and depending upon where on Kiawah you stay, the trip could be less than an hour- but we always budget at least 50 minutes. Plus, you never know when one of the bridges will open up for passing boats!

Thank you miller. Excellent post.

Hello:

Even for the un-athletically inclined, a kayak trip of Shem Creek and/or Charleston Harbor is a terrific way to see the city, flora and fauna, the marshes etc. Try lunch at the Boulevard Diner on Coleman Avenue in Mt. Pleasant (excellent, inexpensive, and very cheerful -- closed Sundays).

Check the Historic Charleston Foundation for themed walking tours. My out of town guests have not been real impressed with the plantations (Magnolia, Boone Hall) -- just thought I'd mention that.

Have been to Kiawah a number of times and it has NEVER taken more than 30-35 minutes to get from there to Charleston!

Not to downtown Charleston.

Thank you all so much for your help. We have visited Kiawah Island and Charleston on our last trip, but we wanted to make sure we hit all the highlights on this trip. We will have our 1 and 1/2 year old daughter with us. Are there any recommendations that would be appropriate for her? We did the aquarium last year and plan on going again....any more kid friendly suggestions?
Thanks!

Charleston has a new children's museum that would be a great activity for a rainy day. It's near the visitor's center. Check online for hours, etc. while you are there.

Don't miss the REsort's evening activities. The Carnival on Wednesday nights is terrific; also the Sunday night kazoo concert. And the Night Heron Nature center is good for an hour or two on bad days.

Update to the restaurant list in a post above: Brett's has closed.