Mt. Pleasant Pier and Arthur Ravenel Jr Bridge

Mt. Pleasant Pier is a fun place to visit in Charleston. First you drive over the impressive Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge. It's a joy to look up at it's amazing shape. Then park at Mt. Pleasant Pier, which is below the bridge. Here you can enjoy a huge lawn (Mt. Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park). Have a picnic or play frisbee- there is plenty of room.

A wonderful fenced playground sits in the shadow of the bridge, which is perfect on hot summer days. The playground is in the shape of the bridge! So cool! There is plenty for kids, even big kids, to do on the playground. There are rope climbies galore, ladders, and other types of curved climbies such as dolphins. Two blue tunnel slides add to the fun, as do wooden bridges, solo spinners, and airplane bouncies. There are baby swings plus large plastic swings with backs. There are rope poles to climb and there's a ship climbey. Toddlers have a small playground of their own.
After, stroll along the pretty walkway by the water and admire the salt marshes- bright green marsh grasses that poke out of the water. Stroll to the pier where you can check out the lovely views. There are porch swings along the pier! Most of the pier is shaded by the bridge which makes it cool in summer. You can see Charleston Harbor and the USS Yorktown, plus Charleston city across the water. There is a gift and snack shop on the pier, and a sweet statue and fountain at the foot of the pier.
You can also walk or run along the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, quite a workout because of the steep initial slope.
If you need food for a picnic, go nearby to Whole Foods or Trader Joe's.
Or eat afterwards at Saltwater Cowboys, which has memorable views on all three levels of the restaurant. Not to be missed!
After, explore the USS Yorktown with its amazing views of the harbor and interesting history.
Or drive fifteen minutes past salt marshes to Sullivan's Island where you can visit the plainer Sullivan's Island Beach, view the lovely Breach Inlet, or have an ice cream at Isle of Palms Beach's main strip.

Directions

Mt. Pleasant Pier is located beneath the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, in Charleston, South Carolina. The address is 71 Harry M. Hallman Jr. Blvd, Mt. Pleasant SC 29464. There is plenty of free parking.

Click on map for interactive view