Explore Kiawah Island

The International African American Museum in Charleston celebrates the African American experience and achievements, while fostering understanding, unity, and promoting social justice through exhibits and programming. Its mission is to honor the contributions of African Americans and promote equity for all.

Does your child have a sense of adventure? If so, Camp Kiawah is the place for them. Day programs are available for kids ages 8-15, with adventures ranging from kayaking, cast netting, motorboat trips, paddle boarding, bike scavenger hunts, tennis, archery and more. Call to find out more at 843.768.6001.

Relax and rejuvenate with a visit to any of Kiawah’s top-rated spas. From a full spa day to single spa services, signature treatments like massages and facials are available, as well as salon and fitness services. Speak with your concierge to book services and treatments.

The Kiawah Island tennis and pickleball experience is not to be missed. Kiawah Island features the acclaimed Roy Barth Tennis Center, consisting of 22 courts. Programs for adults and juniors are offered daily, including instructional mini-camps, clinics, round-robins, and private lessons. The direct line to book court time and lessons is 843.768.2838.

Kiawah Island is famous for its pristine natural beauty and wildlife. Naturalists and staff at the Nature Center are available to assist you with various activities, tours and programs during your visit. Our favorite activities include the Junior Naturalist Program, baby reptile classes for young explorers and naturalist led bicycle tours. The direct line to book activities and tours is 843.768.6001

Imagine waltzing across a ballroom during the age of corsets and kid gloves at one of downtown’s most historic dwellings. Exceptionally preserved in its structure, furniture, and decor, The Aiken-Rhett House illustrates what life was like for some of Charleston’s most illustrious families during the 1800s.

The aquarium is Charleston’s number one family attraction and a great activity for kids on a rainy day. Come face-to-face with over 5,000 amazing animals, touch sharks and rays and experience the state’s only Sea Turtle Hospital.

Fort Sumter is a National Monument and one of the city’s most popular attractions. Explore where the American Civil War first began when Confederate artillery opened fire on this Federal fort in Charleston Harbor.

Plantations are deeply woven into American history and tell stories that connect the past and present. A few of our favorites include Middleton Place, Boone Hall Plantation, Magnolia Plantations and Gardens, and the Charleston Tea Plantation. Each blends beauty, botanicals, architecture, and history—and many have cafés for a midday interlude.

It's no secret that Holy City sunsets and Charleston waterfronts are some of the most coveted views around (think of the Instagram likes), but where can you relax with a glass of wine or a plate of food while taking in these phenomena? There's a few rooftop bars or spots nestled on the water worth visiting — many offer seafood, and all offer libations. A few of our favorites include The Rooftop at The Vendue, The Market Pavilion Rooftop, The Citrus Club at The Dewberry Hotel, The Watch at The Restoration Charleston.

Named among the top 10 Best Shopping Streets in America by U.S. News & World Report, King Street has both one-of-a-kind boutiques and top brands alike. A few of our favorites include Croghan’s Jewel Box and its Goldbug collection, LoveShakFancy, Hampden Clothing, M. Dumas & Sons and the many antique stores filled with southern treasures.

Hear a history lesson on a historic walking tour or horse-drawn carriage ride. Discover celebrated destinations like Rainbow Row, The Battery, and historic South of Broad homes while taking notes on where to return for a closer look.

On Kiawah Island, dolphins play along the shore, deer graze in the dunes, alligators swim in ponds, and 300 species of birds show off their colorful plumage. The budding biologists in your family will have a field day every day. They’ll tag along with the Turtle Patrol looking for baby loggerheads headed to sea, and spend hours at the Nature Center learning about native snakes and other fascinating island creatures.

Freshfields Village is just an easy bike ride from your front door. A charming town center near the entrance to Kiawah Island, Freshfields Village is filled with colorful boutiques, tasty restaurants and a Village Market grocery store. You’ll appreciate the grocery store, wine shop, variety of restaurants and high-end retailers, while children will make a beeline for Ben & Jerry’s and The Station for ice cream confections, Indigo Books for the captivating reads they offer children and young adults, or perhaps the dock at the small lake. Throughout the year there are family-friendly concerts and events, plus activities ranging from kids’ yoga to candle-making and dog shows.

Looking to get off the beaten path? Visit distinctive destinations only accessible by watercraft. Spread out a delicious picnic next to the beloved Morris Island Lighthouse. Search for shells and sharks’ teeth on uninhabited barrier islands. Getting there and back is half the fun with much to see en route.

Boat tours of Charleston Harbor offer fresh perspectives of historic sites and famous local landmarks. Take in the grandeur of Fort Sumter, Castle Pinckney, and the U.S.S. Yorktown aircraft carrier. Glide past postcard perfect views of antebellum homes on The Battery, White Point Gardens and Waterfront Park, and the many church steeples dotting the skyline of the “Holy City”. Zipping under the Ravenel Bridge, the third longest cable-stayed bridge in the Western Hemisphere, is a particular thrill.

In this coastal city, whatever kind of vessel and experience you seek, there’s someone we can recommend to get you on the water. From solo kayak tours, posh overnights on a yacht, family fishing trips, cocktail cruises, teaching sailboats, and everything in between. The tours and charters most popular with our Timbers Kiawah Owners are those offered by Holy City Sailing (sporting a gorgeous Beneteau 373), Tidal Trails (be sure to ask about tubing), and Kiawah Island Golf Resort. Each caters to smaller groups for a more intimate experience, with flexibility to customize your adventure.

The water quality, tidal deviations and plentiful variety make fishing a winning pursuit here year-round. Knowledgeable boat captains and fishing guides will whisk you away to the most promising spots — off-shore and near coastal, or in the more protected estuaries, rivers, and bays — depending on your interests and experience level. Rod and reel? Fly fishing? Cast net? Crabbing? Yes, yes, yes, and yes.

Though Kiawah Island is less than 14 square miles in size, this intimate community boasts five public golf courses and two private courses. These courses have each earned accolades and praise from the golf industry, and the world-renowned Ocean Course itself is one of only four golf courses ever to have hosted each type of PGA event. And as an Owner at Timbers Kiawah, you can play each of the five public legendary courses.