Historic, Private Tours & Special Occasions in Mount Pleasant, SC
Carriage Tours In Mount Pleasant, SC
If you're a first-time visitor to the Holy City, there's one iconic experience you can't miss: a real-deal carriage tour. It's not hard to find the old-fashioned open-air carriages as they click and clack their way through the historic districts of the peninsula, starting from City Market. Incredibly knowledgeable tour guides point to the humble, infamous, and famous sights for which Charleston is famous. From soaring church steeples and stunning vistas over the harbor to quaint pocket gardens and four-foot-wide streets, a carriage ride provides a nuanced overview of the complex city we love to call home.
The best tour guides also share tragic, fascinating, and hilarious stories of the men and women who made Charleston the beauty that it is today. And when it comes to the very best carriage tours in Mount Pleasant, SC, nobody does it quite as well as Carolina Polo & Carriage Co.
- The Carolina Polo & Carriage Company Difference
- The Best Horses for the Most Fun Carriage Tours
- How Carolina Polo & Carriage Cares For Our Horses
- Our Unforgettable Carriage Tours
- Vis-A-Vis Carriage Tours in Mount Pleasant, SC
- Large Private Carriage Tours
- Your Top Choice for Family-Owned Carriage Tours
- What Clients Say About Us
The Carolina Polo & Carriage Company Difference
Carolina Polo and Carriage Company, the only carriage company in Charleston owned and operated by Charlestonians since the 1600s, is committed to providing the best experience of the historic "Holy City" to its customers. Our horse-drawn carriages, led by highly trained draft horses, offer a tour of the beauty and history of downtown Charleston, accompanied by rich stories from your guide.
What makes us different from other carriage ride companies is that we are truly passionate about sharing our love for the city of Charleston with anyone who visits. Our carriage tours in Mount Pleasant, SC, are sure to leave you smiling with a wealth of knowledge about the South's favorite city, whether it's your first or fifteenth time visiting.
A few of the biggest reasons why guests choose our carriage ride company include the following
Extraordinary Draft Horses
Our amazing horses often steal the show, and are highly trained to provide a fun, safe experience. As the stars of our carriage tours, providing them with care, nutrition, and love is our top priority.
Book Now! →Knowledgeable Guides
What would a tour of Charleston be without a tour guide who immerses themselves in the history of the Holy City? If you're looking for the perfect mix of accuracy and entertainment, look no further than Carolina Polo& Carriage.
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Comfy Carriages
Our carriages are designed for modern times and mix comfort and safety for our horses while maintaining an authentic look. Go ahead, take a seat. You'll love riding around Charleston in style!
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The Best Horses for the Most Fun Carriage Tours in Mount Pleasant, SC
Our draft horses are easily recognizable by their tall stature and muscular build, equipped with strong hindquarters that make them perfect for pulling heavy loads. They are capable of effortlessly carrying a carriage full of sightseers, which is comparable to a person casually riding a bicycle. Before becoming carriage horses, most of our horses were working animals on Amish farms.
Our horses are known for their gentle nature and are ideal for pulling carriages. They are trained to ignore the sounds of the city streets and follow the directions given through the reins. We ensure that all of our horses receive the best care and lifestyle possible. They are consistently under the care of equine veterinarians.
To prevent exhaustion, our horses are rotated during the day and are given at least 30 minutes of rest between tours. Moreover, we limit each horse to a maximum of 4 tours per day, 5 days per week. Additionally, we take our horses to the pasture outside of town for two weeks after spending eight weeks downtown. This ensures that they get enough exercise and don't become overweight while also allowing them to roam and relax freely.
While our lineup of horses is subject to change, our currents table includes these superstars:
- Rembrandt
- Picasso
- Yamassee
- Gibbles
- Riley
- Carolina
How Carolina Polo & Carriage Cares for Our Horses
We treat our horses with love and care, because they are more than just workers to us - they're family.
01Meals
Our horses are fed low sugar, low starch, high fiber diets of grainless horse feed and high-quality hay. Horses can eat more than 40,000calories, and we're happy to provide them with the feed they need to be active and healthy.
02Stalls
Our horses spend time in their stalls, which are bedded with eco-friendly options that are safe and effective.
03Monitoring
We make it a point to keep a close eye on each and every one of our horses from the time we open to the time we close. We take their temperatures, keep them fed, and make sure they're watered well. Every one of our horses gets regular veterinarian appointments, which includes dental care, worming, and other preventative health measures.
04Horseshoes
Like humans, our horses benefit from shoes that provide traction and cushioning, which keep them comfortable throughout the workday. When their horseshoes need to be replaced, we take them to a farrier for new shoes.
05Retirement
There comes a time in every carriage horse's life when it's time to retire. When our horses are old enough for retirement, we work hard to find horse lovers who are committed to providing loving, exceptional care 24/7.
Our Unforgettable Carriage Tours in Mount Pleasant, SC
One of the most popular questions we get at Carolina Polo& Carriage Company is what kind of carriage rides we offer to guests. To satisfy every type of visitor, we offer a range of carriage tours, from group options to private rides. Keep reading to learn more about our itineraries and what you can expect from our sought-after historic horse-drawn tours.
Group Carriage Tours
Join us for an unforgettable one-hour group tour through the charming streets of downtown Charleston. Our knowledgeable and passionate guides will bring the history and architecture of Charleston to life before your very eyes. You'll witness stunning gardens and parks, grand mansions, historic churches, and buildings while learning about the people and events that shaped the history of this "Holy City." Don't miss out on this incredible experience!
Itinerary for Our Group Carriage Tours
Our public tours begin at the Historic City Market and cover several possible routes, showing you the most notable and historic sites in Charleston. You will get to witness the Old Exchange building, which is one of the most historic buildings in America and was finished in 1771. It was the last building constructed by the British before the Revolutionary War. The Edmonston Allston House and the historic White Point Gardens, popularly known as "The Battery," are also part of the tour.
During your horse-drawn carriage tour, your guide will enlighten you on the significance of several points of interest along Meeting Street, including the Calhoun Mansion, the Historic House Museum (The Nathaniel Russel House), and First Scott's Presbyterian Church. These highlights are just a fraction of all the incredible historic sights you will see on one of our tours around Charleston, depending on which route your tour takes.
Finally, all our tours end in the Historic City Market, where you are free to enjoy your next Charleston adventure. When you ride with our carriage company, you can be confident that you will have an unforgettable experience of Charleston's rich history and heritage.
What to Expect from Our Group Carriage Rides
When planning to take a tour, please note that tours depart from the Historic City Market every half an hour. To join the tour, you will need to check in at the ticket office located at 45 Pinckney St on your preferred day and indicate your preferred departure time. However, please be aware that during peak season and on weekends, wait times may vary.
Once you are cleared for departure and have boarded the carriage, the City of Charleston Tourism Officials require that all guests check in at the gate before departure. Additionally, for traffic flow and tax reasons, the city randomly assigns one of four routes for each carriage to tour through the historic district of Charleston. This assignment is determined by a spin of a bingo ball machine, with the color that comes up indicating the route or "zone" that the carriage is allowed to tour.
Vis-A-Vis Carriage Tours in Mount Pleasant, SC
Itinerary for Vis-A-Vis Carriage Tours
As you embark on your tour, you'll be pleased to know that it starts near the Historic City Market, a 200-year-old public market that spreads across four blocks. Though routes vary, you'll get to see some of Charleston's most notable sites, including Rainbow Row. A collection of pre-revolutionary buildings, Rainbow Row is an iconic landmark in Charleston that spans an entire block.
During the tour, you'll also hear about the fascinating history behind several historic homes and mansions, like the Villa Marguerite, the William Washington House, and the Famous #2 Meeting Street Inn. The latter overlooks White Point Gardens and is a popular spot for photography in the southeast.
As you pass through Meeting and Broad Street, you'll come across the Four Corners of Law, which Robert Ripley named the Four Corners of Law in his famous Ripley's Believe It or Not. There are many possible routes for your tour, and these are just a few examples of the sights you could see!
Finally, all tours end in the Historic City Market, leaving you free to explore Charleston's many other adventures.
What to Expect from Our Group Carriage Rides
When planning to take a tour, please note that tours depart from the Historic City Market every half an hour. To join the tour, you will need to check in at the ticket office located at 45 Pinckney St on your preferred day and indicate your preferred departure time. However, please be aware that during peak season and on weekends, wait times may vary.
Once you are cleared for departure and have boarded the carriage, the City of Charleston Tourism Officials require that all guests check in at the gate before departure. Additionally, for traffic flow and tax reasons, the city randomly assigns one of four routes for each carriage to tour through the historic district of Charleston. This assignment is determined by a spin of a bingo ball machine, with the color that comes up indicating the route or "zone" that the carriage is allowed to tour.
Large Private Carriage Tours
There's no better way to experience the sights and sounds of Charleston than with your friends and family on a horse-drawn carriage! This private tour is ideal for large groups and provides you with an unforgettable look into the city.
Itinerary for Large Group Carriage Tours
Your tour will commence close to the Historic City Market, which is over 200 years old and is one of the oldest public markets in the USA. Depending on the zone you are given, some of the tour highlights may include the French Quarter, where your guide will bring the area to life with stories of the Dock Street Theatre, the French Huguenot Church, and St. Philips Church. You can also visit the Miles Brewton House on King Street, which is famous for its Georgian architecture, the Swordgate House, and St. Michael's Episcopal Church, which is the oldest church building in the city.
If your guide takes you through the streets nearest the Battery, you may catch a glimpse of Fort Sumter and hear the captivating history behind the attack on the fort and the beginnings of the "Late Great Unpleasantness." These are just a few of the sights that you may experience on our various detailed routes around beautiful Charleston. All tours will finish in the Historic City Market, where you can explore and enjoy your next Charleston adventure.
What to Expect from Our Large Group Carriage Tours
Our carriages are capable of accommodating up to 16 adults or a combination of adults and children. Pricing is per carriage and includes a fully narrated hour-long horse-drawn carriage tour of the historic district. If you have any special requests, please feel free to contact us. After the guests have been loaded onto the carriage and cleared for departure, it is mandatory to check in at the gate prior to departure, as per the City of Charleston Tourism Officials.
For tax purposes and traffic management, the city randomly assigns one of four routes to each carriage via a bingo ball machine. The color of the ball decides the zone that the carriage can tour. To begin the tour, please check in with an attendant at the Carolina Polo & Carriage ticket office located at 45 Pinckney Street 10 minutes before your scheduled tour start time.
Carolina Polo & Carriage Pro Tip
When visiting Charleston, it's important to wear comfortable footwear, such as sneakers, ankle boots, or dressier flats. The cobblestone streets and uneven sidewalks are not ideal for hard-soled shoes or high heels. Proper planning and packing according to the forecast and dress code will help you make the most of your vacation!
Your Top Choice for Family-Owned Carriage Tours in Mount Pleasant, SC
If you're looking for the most trusted carriage company in Charleston with deep roots in the Lowcountry, Carolina Polo & Carriage should be on top of your list.A We take pride in being the only locally owned carriage operation in town. Our business is not just a business, but a family that is deeply ingrained in the Charleston community. With our unique perspective on the city's rich history and vibrant culture, we promise an authentic and unforgettable journey through the charming streets.
If you're looking for something truly special, we have private carriage tours tailored just for you. Our bespoke tours are crafted to meet your every desire, whether it's a romantic evening, a historical adventure, or a fun family outing.
For those once-in-a-lifetime moments, our elegant wedding carriages are perfect. Imagine arriving at your wedding in a fairy-tale carriage and making your special day even more memorable. Our carriages are also perfect for anniversaries, proposals, or any occasion that calls for a touch of class and romance.
Choose Carolina Polo & Carriage Co. for an experience that's more than just a tour - it's a journey into the heart of Charleston. We look forward to seeing your smile very soon.
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Latest News in Mount Pleasant, SC
‘Dine Where You Live’ campaign begins in Mount Pleasant
Jameson Moyerhttps://www.counton2.com/news/local-news/dine-where-you-live-campaign-begins-in-mount-pleasant/
MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. (WCBD) – A campaign meant to encourage support for local food spots backed by Mount Pleasant town officials has returned for the month of February.The town of Mount Pleasant and the Mount Pleasant Chamber of Commerce have teamed up for the 4th annual ‘Dine Where You Live’ campaign, which runs from Feb. 1 until Feb. 28.A winner will receive a $50 gift card each week to dine at one of the participating businesses.To enter, follow the chambers’ Instagram account ...
MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. (WCBD) – A campaign meant to encourage support for local food spots backed by Mount Pleasant town officials has returned for the month of February.
The town of Mount Pleasant and the Mount Pleasant Chamber of Commerce have teamed up for the 4th annual ‘Dine Where You Live’ campaign, which runs from Feb. 1 until Feb. 28.
A winner will receive a $50 gift card each week to dine at one of the participating businesses.
To enter, follow the chambers’ Instagram account @mtpchamber and like any ‘Dine Where You Live’ posts. Next, tag one of the participating restaurants you want to try and two friends you want to dine with on the post.
Here’s the list of participating businesses:
Restaurants
Abbracci Italian Cuisine & Cocktails
Bon Banh Mi Southeast Asian Kitchen
Carolina Butcher & Beer Garden
Dulce Churros Ice Cream and Specialty Cocktails
Beverages
Catering/Grocery
Mount Pleasant's 7-year ban on new apartments and townhomes has expired. How did it impact growth?
Anna Sharpe asharpe@postandcourier.comhttps://www.postandcourier.com/news/apartment-ban-expired-mount-pleasant-housing-costs/article_22e15918-df19-11ef-9163-5fefbccf7579.html
MOUNT PLEASANT – The ban on condos, apartments and townhomes that was in place for more than seven years has expired. Now, developers will have access, albeit limited, to a finite number of building permits for the first time since 2017.Originally proposed as a temporary 180-day halt to any new multifamily developments to update infrastructure, town leaders moved to extend the life of the morat...
MOUNT PLEASANT – The ban on condos, apartments and townhomes that was in place for more than seven years has expired. Now, developers will have access, albeit limited, to a finite number of building permits for the first time since 2017.
Originally proposed as a temporary 180-day halt to any new multifamily developments to update infrastructure, town leaders moved to extend the life of the moratorium four times, with the final extension approved in March last year.
"The moratorium … was initially intended as a short-term measure, aimed at allowing time for necessary infrastructure improvements and updates to the zoning code. Though it was supposed to last only a few months, it extended far beyond that, reaching over seven years," Councilman John Iacofano said.
According to the Municipal Association of South Carolina, moratoriums are generally temporary measures to implement changes to zoning codes or slow development for a short period of time.
Mount Pleasant’s moratorium sought to do both.
Growth rates slowed, road improvements made
The language of the moratorium ordinance stated that "significant growth negatively impacts the overall character of the Town, causes undue traffic congestion, causes urban sprawl and leads to inadequate public services."
The moratorium would give the town time to get ahead of these issues, as well as complete an update to the town's comprehensive plan and zoning code rewrite.
"It was not just reactionary," Mount Pleasant Mayor Will Haynie said. "There was a method to it, which involved the new comprehensive plan and the new zoning code. That's why I voted that once we had those two in place, we could lift that moratorium."
In some areas, they were successful.
A handful of transportation projects that sought to calm traffic were completed in the span of the seven-year moratorium.
The town spent roughly $9.6 million to widen Park West Boulevard from two lanes to four, another $18 million on Coleman Boulevard improvements, and last year completed intersection upgrades at U.S. Highway 17 and Mathis Ferry Road.
The $10.6 million Vaughn Ed Kee Parkway, a connector road between Highway 17 and Billy Swails Boulevard, was completed in 2023.
Minor progress at U.S. Highway 41 has been made. Charleston County reconfigured intersections and changed signal timing at the intersection of U.S. Highway 17 and 41.
Mount Pleasant's growth rates have slowed down, too.
From 2012 to 2017, the population grew by nearly 20 percent. In the first five years of the moratorium, from 2017 to 2023, that growth rate declined to just under nine percent.
According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the town's population grew by roughly 8,000 between 2017 and 2023, compared to the 15,202 jump from 2012 to 2017.
The comprehensive plan update was completed in 2019, and the zoning code rewrite, which was the reason for extending the moratorium in 2021, was completed in January 2025.
The zoning code update took more than three years. It was the first time the ordinance that regulates construction and building guidelines was overhauled since 1979.
When it came time to consider extending the ban again or letting it expire, leaders chose to let it expire at the end of 2024.
"It was really to try to put some more long-term measures in place to manage the growth," said Mount Pleasant Planning Director Michele Reed. "I think it definitely served its purpose."
Moratorium impact on housing prices
Critics of the stop-growth measure say the moratorium actually added to the issues it was designed to solve.
Though growth rates slowed in town and some large-scale road projects were completed, the measure likely drove up the cost of housing and put a strain on the markets of surrounding communities, Josh Dix, the vice president of advocacy for the Charleston Trident Association of Realtors.
He called the moratorium a "short-sighted" solution unable to successfully address the core of Mount Pleasant's growth issues.
The lack of new apartments, townhomes and condos have driven up the price of existing housing stock. This trend can mostly be seen in single-family homes, Dix said.
"When you limit townhomes, condos, apartments, that puts pressure on all the other housing sectors. In Mount Pleasant, in particular, you've seen housing prices for single families more than double because you're limiting options," Dix said.
Since 2017, median sales prices for single-family have doubled in both upper and lower Mount Pleasant, according to market reports compiled by the Charleston Trident Association of Realtors.
In upper Mount Pleasant, the median sales price in 2017 was $485,000. By the end of 2024, median sales prices grew by 101 percent, to $975,000.
Sales in lower Mount Pleasant surpassed the million-dollar mark last year at $1,125,000 — a 118 percent jump from 2017's $516,000.
High prices can limit residents' abilities to stay in Mount Pleasant, with young homebuyers unable to afford their first home and seniors unable to age in place, Dix said.
"We are cutting off future generations of Mount Pleasant folks living in Mount Pleasant, and that's kind of sad, because that's how you lose cultures and the dynamics that make our community so great," Dix said.
Limits still in place
The building permit allocation system was put in place in 2019, and extended for another five years in 2024. Permits for residential buildings are capped, another method of controlling growth in town.
"These measures are designed to carefully manage our town’s growth, ensuring that development is sustainable and aligns with our community’s capacity and needs," Iacofano said.
With a ban on apartments, townhomes and condos no longer active, developers will now have access to the 500 building permits allocated for multifamily developments until 2029.
Attainable and workforce housing developments were exempt from the moratorium and the permit allocation system, as were a handful of planned developments like Carolina Park.
Only one attainable housing development came online during the span of the ban. Gregorie Ferry Towns was completed in 2022. The development featured townhomes that were listed for under $300,000 off of Highway 41 and quickly sold out.
It's unlikely the town will see any more large apartment or townhome developments, Reed said. There's been little interest in the available permits, too.
"There's really no multifamily zoning available. Everything's developed," Reed said.
Mixed-use developments, properties that are zoned for commercial uses but have a mix of retail and residential units, are more likely to take advantage of the permits now available, she said.
"With something like that, we're talking about 10 units, 15 units, if even that," Reed said. "Nothing really big is out there that we've heard of or that we're aware of."
Photos: Sleds and skis on a snowy Mount Pleasant
Post and Courierhttps://www.postandcourier.com/photo_galleries/photos-sleds-and-skis-on-a-snowy-mount-pleasant/collection_43615ba2-d8e8-11ef-8442-570c882f56ab.html
Buy NowBuy NowBuy NowThe intersection of the I-526 interchange and Johnnie Dodds Boulevard was filled with cars and sledding Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, in Mount Pleasant.Buy NowJonathan Bennett, 16, uses a boogie board as a sled Wednesday, Jan. 22, ...
The intersection of the I-526 interchange and Johnnie Dodds Boulevard was filled with cars and sledding Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, in Mount Pleasant.
Jonathan Bennett, 16, uses a boogie board as a sled Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, in Mount Pleasant.
Ice drips from tree branches Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, in Mount Pleasant.
Kevin Holler pushes his daughters Harper Holler,12, and Hayden Holler,10,down the snow covered hill at Johnny Dodds Boulevard and the I-526 interchange Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, in Mount Pleasant.
Ethan Willis treks up the hill at Johnnie Dodds Boulevard and the I-526 interchange with his cardboard box to try sledding for the first time Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, in Mount Pleasant.
Few cars drive Highway 17 as snow covers the roadway Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, in Mount Pleasant.
Johnnie Dodds Boulevard is covered by snow early Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025 morning in Mount Pleasant.
Sledders speed down the hills on the Johnnie Dodds Boulevard and the I-526 interchange Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, in Mount Pleasant.
Will Silcox skis down the hill at I-526 interchange near Johnnie Dodds Boulevard Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, in Mount Pleasant.
Johnnie Dodds Boulevard and the I-526 interchange Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, in Mount Pleasant.
Johnnie Dodds Boulevard and the I-526 interchange Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, in Mount Pleasant.
Michael Spellman plays in the snow with his grandson Wells Spellman,6, at the I-526 interchange at Highway 17 Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, in Mount Pleasant. Michael Spellman, born and raised in Charleston, said he was just as excited as his grandson to be sledding on the hill.
The hill at the intersection of Johnnie Dodds Boulevard and the I-526 was full of sledding on boogie boards Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, in Mount Pleasant.
Austin Yokeum relaxes at the top of the Johnnie Dodds Boulevard and I-526 interchange after early morning ski trips down the slope Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, in Mount Pleasant.
Snow covers Highway 17 seen from the 526 overpass in Mount Pleasant on Wednesday, January 22, 2025.
A tiny bird jumps on top of snow Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, in Mount Pleasant.
Charleston native Sarah Simmonite bundles for warmth to venture out in the snow Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, in Mount Pleasant.
Boogie boards, surf boards and cardboard boxes were used as sleds for the snow Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, in Mount Pleasant.
TJ Harris and his mom Shanna Harris sled Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, in Mount Pleasant.
$24 million Mount Pleasant project finally getting off the ground
Autumn Kleinhttps://www.live5news.com/2025/02/10/mount-pleasant-roadway-project-soon-going-out-bid/
Published: Feb. 10, 2025 at 1:50 AM PST|MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. (WCSC) - One major Mount Pleasant road project is finally going to see some progress after several complications put it on hold.Leaders say the $24 million Billy Swails Boulevard Phase 4B project, which has been years in the making, will soon become a reality.Because of the scale of this project, as well as the woodsy area they will be working in, leaders had to t...
Published: Feb. 10, 2025 at 1:50 AM PST|
MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. (WCSC) - One major Mount Pleasant road project is finally going to see some progress after several complications put it on hold.
Leaders say the $24 million Billy Swails Boulevard Phase 4B project, which has been years in the making, will soon become a reality.
Because of the scale of this project, as well as the woodsy area they will be working in, leaders had to take a lot of steps to get to this point in the project’s timeline. They had to worry about wetlands and wildlife, such as endangered Rafinesque bats and yellow-spotted turtles, in the area.
James Aton is the deputy director of capital projects and the transportation department for the Town of Mount Pleasant. He said that they have been working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Department of Natural Resources to get everything approved, and because there is federal funding involved in this project, they also had to follow the National Environmental Policy Act.
This project will make up over a mile and a half of roadway and will completely shift the traffic patterns in the north side of Mount Pleasant. The project in its entirety will essentially connect I-526 to the area of Porcher’s Bluff Road, running parallel to US-17 and Rifle Range Road, migrating the traffic that builds up in that frequently traveled area of the town.
This project will also alleviate a lot of the school traffic in the intersections near Jennie Moore Elementary and Laing Middle Schools in areas near Six Mile Road, Sweetgrass Basket Parkway and Hamlin Road.
Aton shared why there was such a need for this.
“So, this project was outlined in the long-range transportation plan decades ago and, again, is that last piece of the Hungry Neck, Sweetgrass and Billy Swails corridor. So, four other sections have already been built, and this is that last piece to finalize that that north-south corridor that will parallel US-17,” Aton said.
Aton said that the completion of this project will bring great benefits to the community and those who frequently travel the area.
“I think it’s going to improve traffic flow. I think you’re going to see a reduction in delay on 17. It’s also going to incorporate portions of the Mount Pleasant Way, which is a great initiative for those nonmotorized users. It will tie to the Vaughn Ed Kee project, which has existing sections of that trail as well as obviously the roadway. So, I think you’re going to see a big improvement in traffic and a lot of new opportunities to recreate through the town,” he said.
Aton said that they plan to finally put the project out to bid in March and contractors will have 45 days to put their bids in, so they will hopefully be able to begin construction by the summer.
Copyright 2025 WCSC. All rights reserved.
How One Family Found Their Forever Home In Charming Shem Creek
Stephanie Hunthttps://www.southernliving.com/home/modern-lowcountry-home
This streamlined Lowcountry home is set off Shem Creek in Mount Pleasant, SC. See how the family of 6 made it a perfect fit for them.Shrimp boats, kayaking outfitters, and lively bars and restaurants line the commercial side of Shem Creek, the gem of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina's Old Village Historic District. But north of the Shem Creek bridge, the waterway winds through quiet neighborhoods where children roam on bikes and go crabbing off backyard docks. "My husband dreamed of being on the water, and we fell in love with this...
This streamlined Lowcountry home is set off Shem Creek in Mount Pleasant, SC. See how the family of 6 made it a perfect fit for them.
Shrimp boats, kayaking outfitters, and lively bars and restaurants line the commercial side of Shem Creek, the gem of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina's Old Village Historic District. But north of the Shem Creek bridge, the waterway winds through quiet neighborhoods where children roam on bikes and go crabbing off backyard docks. "My husband dreamed of being on the water, and we fell in love with this lot. We're drawn to older areas where kids can run around," says owner Maggie Bullwinkel. She and husband George, a Charleston native, had two young children when they began renovating this 3,200-square-foot house that was built in the 1970s. Their third child was 9 months old when they moved in. Maggie refers to her then-infant sidekick as "my design assistant."
While the Bullwinkels had renovated and sold houses before, this one would be a keeper. "It had great bones. We loved the back porch and knew this could be our forever home," Maggie says. Working with architect Hunter Kennedy and designer Sidney Wagner, they spearheaded family-friendly changes to the four-bedroom abode that have definitely paid off. Today, the Bullwinkels have four kids under age 10 and plenty of yard, a great porch, and a frequently used outdoor kitchen to accommodate their active lifestyle.
"Overall, the footprint didn't change much," says Sidney, who squared off the kitchen to make it more functional. As the home's command center, it now opens up to a bright eating nook, which is one of Maggie's favorite spots. "Family dinners are a priority," she says. What was previously a formal dining room, adjacent to the kitchen, became the kids' playroom. They removed an attached garage to make way for a new mudroom/laundry area off the kitchen. "It's basically where I live," quips Maggie. They also elevated and enlarged the back porch to be a seamless open-air extension of the family room, ground zero for entertaining during Clemson University football season. "I love that we really do live in each space," Maggie says. "We use it all."
Brighten It Up
A monochrome kitchen keeps Maggie happy. "It helps to have a clean look in a busy room," she says. Streamlined light fixtures by Cedar & Moss and vintage Lucite barstools scooped up at a local antiques mall add to the airy feel in the room.
Remember That Simplicity Rules
"With four kids, there is plenty of chaos," says Maggie. Namibia marble countertops and Benjamin Moore's Simply White (OC-117) paint make her kitchen a calming space. Plus, they allow the Hampton Faucet by Waterstone to shine as the statement piece.
Let the Landscape Lead
Reorienting the kitchen to open into a family dining area was Maggie's top priority. Hunter bumped out the eating nook to add windows on all sides, inviting in sunlight and creek views. A mid-century modern table and slipcovered chairs keep lines simple, and Roost's whimsical light fixture "softens all the hard surfaces," says Sidney. The fabric used for the curtains (Katana by Kelly Wearstler) is also on the barstools, where it's laminated to be indestructible.
Choose Flexible Design
"We needed comfortable pieces that are easy to rearrange," says Sidney, who was mindful of not blocking the French doors that open to the porch. "I love how the vintage-reproduction chairs are movable and sculpturally interesting from whatever angle." A sofa slipcovered in Crypton fabric is ultrapractical, and bare windows keep things light and airy while connecting well with the porch, she says.
Lean On A Natural Palette
Sidney painted the porch floor in Benjamin Moore's Kennebunkport Green (HC-123), the same color that's used on the exterior trim, and added soothing blue accents to complement the surrounding outdoor hues. "We didn't want to distract from the view," she says. Wicker chairs from CB2 add natural texture, and a fun Annie Selke rug anchors the blue tones. Floor-to-ceiling screens and a vaulted ceiling help the porch feel cool in summer.
Prioritize All-Purpose, All-Season
Two years after moving in, the Bullwinkels worked with architect Chris Heinlen of Heinlen Design to add a backyard shed with a full attic to supplement the home's limited storage. Adjacent to that, they created an outdoor kitchen and entertaining area. "This is our favorite spot for birthday parties, neighborhood suppers, or sometimes sunset sips after the kids have gone to bed," says Maggie. A metal roof, green trim, and white siding tie the shed to the main house.
Stretch Family Space
"I love the playroom right off the kitchen. It's our cuddle area," says Maggie. A big barn door can be closed to contain toys and messes. Commissioned pieces by local artist Michelle Owenby add grown-up flair to the room, designed to one day transform into a family hangout space.
Control Clutter
Maggie believes that tidiness is key, even in the playroom. Each child has (and uses!) a designated toy-and-book basket, and a rotating gallery helps solve the what-to-do-with-endless-kids'-art dilemma.
Invite Some Drama
" 'Are you sure about going this showy?' my husband asked about the paint color, and I was—including covering the ceiling," says Maggie of the vibrant Benjamin Moore Slate Teal (2088-20) she chose for the laundry room. "I love how the boldness brings you in." Custom cabinets add extra pantry space.
PHOTO: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Page Mullins PHOTO: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Page Mullins
Be Bold And Functional
Next to the laundry room, the bold color continues in the mudroom with an added touch of graphic wallpaper. Each kid has their own space for coats and bags in the blue storage wall.
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