Sullivan's Island

Like a shell tumbled and polished by sea and salt, this scant three-mile island has weathered an embattled history, transforming from a war-torn spit of land into a tony oceanfront neighborhood. Though the family-friendly beach and upscale-casual main block host a regular see-and-be-seen set, ghosts of Sullivan’s past still haunt the well-seasoned island: from the rudimentary fort that repelled British troops during the American Revolution to primitive pest houses where enslaved Africans were quarantined to a fantastical scarab made of gold that portends the literary discovery of Captain Kidd’s buried treasure.

The latter, dreamed up by Edgar Allen Poe, drew the nation’s attention to this longtime summer refuge for “fugitives from Charleston dust and fever” when “The Gold-Bug” was published in Philadelphia’s Dollar Newspaper in 1843. Poe entrenched himself in the island’s lore while stationed at Fort Moultrie, and locals have returned the favor with a beach dive and a four-gun battery-turned-library that pay homage to the grandfather of Gothic.

Now, the island counts Southern literary standouts Josephine Humphreys and Dorothea Benton Frank among its residents. And that small-town island lifestyle and storied history that lend themselves so well to the written word have made Sullivan’s Island a haven for families who rally around the beachfront elementary school and host play dates at the park.

FIND YOUR SPOT

• Families: Station 26
• See & Be Seen: Station 19
• Sports: Station 30, kite- and paddle-boarding
• Solitude: Station 12 near Fort Moultrie

RECREATION

• Kite-boarding: Air, (843) 388-9300
• Paddle-boarding: Half-Moon Outfitters, (843) 881-9472

EAT & DRINK

• Atlanticville Thai cuisine and live music are a popular Tuesday-night draw at this upscale eatery. 2063 Middle St., (843) 883-9452
• Café Medley Ice cream, espresso, and wines by the glass or bottle. 2213-C Middle St., (843) 793-4055
• 2 Dunleavy’s Pub The roadside picnic tables are the island’s best people-watching perch. 2213-B Middle St., (843) 883-9646
• High Thyme: Sophisticated fare in a casual but polished space. 2213-C Middle St., (843) 883-3536
• Home Team BBQ: Pork platters and stick-to-your-ribs sides. 2209 Middle St., (843) 883-3131
• Poe’s Tavern: Burgers, beer, and island breezes. 2210 Middle St., (843) 883-0083
• Station 22 Seafood and steaks. 2205 Middle St., (843) 883-3355

SHOP

• Green Heron One-stop shopping for groceries, prepared foods, and cheap Popsicles for the kids. 2019-B Middle St.

BEACH RULES PARKING
Don’t let your tires touch the road when parking off of the street or you’ll find a ticket waiting on your windshield.

DOGS
All dogs must have a valid Sullivan’s Island license, which costs $25 per year and can be obtained at Town Hall (1610 Middle St.). Owners must produce proof of a valid rabies vaccination. During summer months (April 1-October 31), dogs may be off-leash from 5-10 a.m., are prohibited from 10 a.m.-6 p.m., and must be on-leash from 6 p.m.-5 a.m.

ALCOHOL
Do your drinking at home or in an island restaurant, as alcoholic beverages are prohibited on the beaches and streets.

Listen Up!
Download our Sullivan’s Summer Soundtrack