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If you’re a fan of pristine beaches, warm coastal waters and walkable beach towns, Folly Beach, South Carolina is the perfect place for a weekend getaway. Not far from Charleston, Folly Beach offers a relaxed atmosphere with plenty of options for adventurous activities or places to sip on fruity cocktails. Sound dreamy? Here’s how to spend the perfect 48 hours in Folly Beach.
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WHERE TO STAY IN FOLLY BEACH, SC
If you’re looking to only stay a couple of nights, I highly recommend staying at Tides Folly Beach. This hotel is located right on the beach at the end of Center Street, meaning it’s within walking distance to almost everything. Plus, every single room in this hotel has an ocean view!
Book your stay at Tides Folly Beach.
There aren’t many hotels in Folly Beach, but Tides has everything you will need for a quick weekend trip! There are plenty of properties on VRBO as well, but many have at least a three night minimum (especially from June-August) so be sure to keep that in mind.
DAY 1 IN FOLLY BEACH, SC- MORNING
Brace yourself. You are about to start the most epic and relaxing 48 hours in Folly Beach.
Brunch at Lost Dog Cafe
Start your morning with one Folly Beach’s best rated brunches at Lost Dog Cafe. The cafe is located on West Huron Ave, which is right off Center Street. You can easily walk or take a golf cart to Lost Dog Cafe from most places in town.
If you’re a dog lover, you’ll be obsessed with the decor at Lost Dog Cafe! When walking inside, you’ll see dog photos scattering the walls. The cafe has a laidback beach vibe and is open every day for breakfast and lunch.
If you’re a cat person, don’t worry. Lost dog cafe is still for you! The menu boasts everything from specialty coffees and traditional brunch dishes to boozy breakfast cocktails and fresh southern classics. In addition to indoor seating, the cafe also offers covered and uncovered tables outside. Everything here looks and smells incredible. However, I highly recommend ordering the eggs benedict!
Check out Lost Dog Cafe’s hours and menu here.
Grab a Lunch From Bert’s Market
On your walk home from brunch, make a quick stop at Bert’s Market. Everyone on Folly Beach knows that Bert’s has everything you’ll ever need. From local beer to fresh pastries, you won’t ever have to leave Folly Beach for those pantry essentials. Bert’s is hands down the best place to grab some lunch for a picnic on the beach!
I highly recommend packing a cooler or grabbing some snacks, water, and anything else you may want for a day at the beach. Bert’s will also have things like toothpaste, bug spray, and sunscreen, so don’t forget to grab those if you didn’t pack them. Plus, they’re open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Their slogan says it all, “We may dose, but we never close.”
DAY 1 IN FOLLY BEACH, SC- AFTERNOON
Go To The Beach
Now that you are fueled and caffeinated, get on your swimsuit, grab your towel and head for the beach.
Folly beach has six miles of beautifully groomed beaches with plenty of chances to see dolphins from shore. There truly is no better way to spend a weekend than soaking up the sun on a white sandy beach. Am I right?!
Relax, swim and hang out for a bit. If you need a beverage or bite to eat at any point, Blu Beach Bar & Grill (located at Tides Hotel) has everything from fruity cocktails to delicious apps and hearty lunches.
Need a beach chair? If you traveled to Folly Beach and would prefer not to lay on your towel, Folly Beach Chair Company’s got you covered! Through their website, you are able to rent beach chairs and umbrellas for the day which they will set up for you. They even have packages for larger groups and bachelorette parties.
Walk Around Center Street
After soaking up the sun for a bit, head back to your accommodation to rinse off the sand and get ready for some more fun. Once you are ready, head in to Center Street for a stroll.
Every trip to Folly Beach should include a walk in town with no specific plans. This way you can duck into a bar that sounds fun or wander and window shop. There’s a sense of simplicity when it comes to Folly Beach. In fact, there’s only one entry point which runs into the only main street of the town, Center Street. Center street is small, but is filled with local bars, coffee shops, and places to souvenir shop. Walking around Center Street you’ll often overhear a band playing live music or intense games of Cornhole being played. There is no shortage of fun to be had!
DAY 1 IN FOLLY BEACH, SC- NIGHT
Happy Hour or Bar Hopping
Although small, Folly Beach has so many fun local bars. And most of them have happy hour specials!
If you really want to take advantage of these happy hour deals or get to know some of the best spots in Folly, bar hopping is the best way to do it. I suggest starting at Snapper Jack’s. This is your classic beachside dive bar, but man is it fun! With a fantastic rooftop that overlooks the ocean, it’s a perfect spot to sip on a cocktail while enjoying the breeze. They often have live music, and their menu has everything from fresh seafood to typical pub fare. It’s a super fun place to hang out with friends and is a Folly Beach staple.
Most bars in Folly Beach also offer food, so grab a bite to eat wherever looks good! Where to next?
Check out these fun bars in Folly Beach, SC:
- The Bounty Bar- Bar & grill with a pirate theme. Hang out at the bar for drinks or settle into a comfortable booth for nachos, hot dogs, sandwiches, or fish & chips.
- Planet Follywood- Slightly off Center Street, this outdoor bar often has live entertainment and music. Check out their events calendar here.
- The Washout- Relaxed atmosphere with fresh seafood specials. They also have live music every Saturday from 8 pm – 11 pm.
- Rita’s Seaside Grill- Rita’s is a super fun spot close to the pier. They offer brunch, lunch, dinner, apps and have an extensive cocktail list. With a relaxed vibe, their restaurant also has indoor and outdoor seating. They will often host events or have live music.
- Loggerhead’s Beach Grill- Just a short walk off of Center Street, Loggerhead’s is fun and classic beach themed bar. Think rum buckets and fresh seafood! They have both indoor and outdoor seating, but their outdoor deck has lots of colorful umbrellas and greenery, making it feel like a beach paradise.
DAY 2 IN FOLLY BEACH, SC- MORNING
Coffee & Breakfast
After a fun filled night with quite possibly one too many margaritas, revive yourself with coffee and breakfast. If you’re looking for something super filling, have brunch at Rita’s Seaside Grill or stay close to the hotel with breakfast at Blu’s Beach Bar & Grill. If you want something smaller, walk to Center Street Coffee for a croissant and a specialty latte.
Take a Walk To See Morris Island Lighthouse
The Morris Island Lighthouse is located just north of Folly Beach. In order to see the lighthouse, you will have to drive to the tip of Folly Beach near the Lighthouse Inlet Heritage Preserve. From there it’s about a half mile walk down graffitied blacktop and trails to a remote beachfront. Once you arrive at the sand, you’ll be sure to see the Morris Island Lighthouse in the distance with waves crashing at it’s base.
Morris Island Lighthouse was active until 1962 when it was deemed a lost cause due to the corrosion. It was eventually replaced by Sullivan’s Island Lighthouse. If you’re a fan of the Netflix show Outer Banks, you may recognize the Morris Island Lighthouse from the background of many of the scenes.
If you would prefer to see the lighthouse up close, you can book a Morris Island full moon boat tour. It’s such a cool way to watch the moon rise out on the water. Plus, this lighthouse is so unique, what a cool way to see it up close!
DAY 2 IN FOLLY BEACH, SC- AFTERNOON
Book An Activity On The Water
Folly Beach has so man adventurous and fun activities to do on the water. Here are some options for what activities to book during your 48 hours in Folly Beach:
SURFING IN FOLLY BEACH, SC:
Folly Beach is known to have some pretty sick surfing! If you are looking for a surf board or need repairs, Ocean Surf Shop on Center Street is the place to go. If you just want to check out the conditions before making your way to the beach, check out their website. They keep it updated with a live feed and information on the winds and swells in Folly beach.
Never surfed before? There are lots of options for surf lessons offered in Folly Beach.
PADDLE BOARDING IN FOLLY BEACH, SC:
If surfing seems a little intimidating, why not try paddle boarding? Paddle boarding is such a fun way to get out on the water. If you book this Folly Beach Paddle Boarding Safari, you will have an instructor take you to areas of Folly Beach where you can see wildlife such as turtles and dolphins. Imagine paddle boarding along bottlenose dolphins! That would definitely be an experience to remember.
Book your paddle boarding safari here.
There is also a paddle boarding sunset tour if you are more interested in paddle boarding while the sun dips below the horizon.
KAYAKING IN FOLLY BEACH, SC:
If kayaking is more your style, there’s a Folly Beach kayaking and dolphin watching tour you can do with a group! This is a great way to meet other people, and the cost includes the equipment along with an instructor who can take you to places where you are most likely to see birds, turtles and dolphins.
Book your Kayaking & dolphin watching tour here.
Watch The Sunset On Folly Beach Pier
The Folly Beach Pier is located right near the Tides Hotel by Center Street. The Pier is a great place to go for a stroll with an observation deck and gift shop at the end. I highly recommend watching a sunset or sunrise from the pier.
The Folly Beach Pier is currently under construction, with plans to re-open in 2023.
DAY 2 IN FOLLY BEACH, SC- NIGHT
Dinner at Taco Boy
No trip to Folly is complete without stopping at Taco Boy. This restaurant may have the coolest building I’ve ever seen. With art installations, colorful decor and hanging lights, not only is Taco Boy a great place to eat, but is such a chill place to hang out for a drink. It almost feels like you’re in a tree house!
Taco Boy’s menu boasts a variety of authentic Mexican dishes, many including fresh seafood caught locally. Their taco menu alone has over ten different flavors to choose from. My sister and I had a blast ordering a variety so we could share and try each one. My favorite was the tempura avocado tacos. SO good and crispy!
The food is fantastic, and the atmosphere is such a vibe. They even have margaritas on tap! There is no better way to end your 48 hours in Folly Beach, South Carolina than a night at Taco Boy.
Have more time than 48 hours in Folly Beach?
If you’re extending your 48 hours in Folly Beach, I highly recommend taking a day trip. Because of the location of Folly Beach there are many different day trip options within an hour of driving distance.
Here are some suggestions for day trips to take from Folly Beach, SC:
Angel Oak-
Located on Johns Island, Angel Oak is a Southern Live Oak tree that gets up to 400,000 visitors every year. It’s one of the largest trees on the east coast at 65 feet tall and a circumference of 25.5 feet. It is free to visit angel oak, but donations are recommended for preservation of the tree.
You may be thinking, “why would I visit a tree?” Let me ensure you, this tree is unlike any I’ve seen before. As you walk around the oak, the branches curl above your head creating a maze of beautiful contrast of bark and leaves. Seeing it in person, it’s one of those experiences where you realize how beautiful nature is, and just how small we are as people.
Charleston, South Carolina-
In my opinion Charleston is such an underrated city! Not only does it have historical monuments and beautiful architecture, but Charleston is also a top foodie destination. With incredible southern style dishes and fresh seafood, there is no shortage of incredible dining options. There are also so many places to go to learn more about the history of Charleston, or unique tours. Check out these fun activities for something to do during the day in Charleston.
Book top activities in Charleston, SC here.
Charleston’s is also full of fun craft breweries if you’re into beer sampling. Check out my favorite Charleston breweries here.
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You’re ready to have a fabulous 48 hours in Folly Beach, South Carolina. This small beach town exceeded my expectations. Folly Beach has such a fun and unique atmosphere. Although small, there is still so much to do while relaxing by the gorgeous ocean during the day. I can honestly say I didn’t want to leave after a weekend in Folly Beach. If you’re anything like me, after visiting Folly you’ll be planning your return shortly after.
TOP FOLLY BEACH TRAVEL RESOURCES:
1. BOOK FLIGHTS WITH SKYSCANNER
2. BOOK ACCOMMODATION WITH BOOKING.COM or HOTELS.COM
3. BOOK ACTIVITIES AND TOURS WITH GET YOUR GUIDE
4. DO NOT FORGET TRAVEL INSURANCE FOR YOUR TRIPS!
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