Start Your Morning at Sewee Outpost

Every good day trip needs a proper beginning, and in Awendaw that means biscuits from Sewee Outpost.

Part country store, part local gathering spot, Sewee Outpost has become a ritual stop for fishermen, birders, paddlers, and road-trippers headed toward the coast. Grab a biscuit and coffee before setting out for the day, and don’t be surprised if someone nearby starts talking tides, fishing reports, or where the swallow-tailed kites were seen the day before.

It’s the kind of place that reminds you the Lowcountry still has corners that feel authentic and unhurried.

Insider’s Tip: Definitely get a biscuit. And if you’re heading out for adventure get a bag of boiled peanuts and a couple of sandwiches for your picnic.

Take the Bulls Island Ferry into the Wild

After breakfast, head to Garris Landing and board the Bulls Island Ferry for one of the most remarkable adventures on the South Carolina coast.

The ferry crosses through Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge to Bulls Island, a largely undeveloped barrier island known for its maritime forest, freshwater ponds, remote beaches, and iconic Boneyard Beach.

This is the kind of place that changes your sense of scale. Alligators slide through freshwater impoundments. Roseate spoonbills and painted buntings appear along the trails. Loggerhead sea turtles nest on the beaches in summer. The island feels wild in a way that’s increasingly rare on the East Coast.

Even a half-day visit gives you a chance to step into a quieter version of the coast — one shaped more by tides and wildlife than development.

Explore the Sewee Shell Ring

Back on the mainland, continue your day with a walk through one of the oldest sites in the region: the Sewee Shell Ring.

Built more than 4,000 years ago by Native Americans who lived along the coast, the shell ring offers a glimpse into the deep human history of the Lowcountry. The short trail winds through forest before opening to the circular shell mound itself — a remarkable reminder that people have been connected to these waterways for thousands of years.

It’s a quick stop, but an important one. The landscape around Awendaw isn’t just beautiful; it’s layered with history.

Stretch Your Legs on the I’on Swamp Trail

For visitors wanting a deeper look into the coastal forest ecosystem, the I’on Swamp Interpretive Trail offers one of the best short hikes in the area.

The boardwalk loops through blackwater swamp, towering hardwoods, and dense understory alive with birdsong. Depending on the season, you may hear prothonotary warblers, barred owls, or woodpeckers echoing through the trees.

It’s a completely different environment from the salt marshes and beaches just a few miles away — another reminder of how diverse the Lowcountry landscape really is.

This is a great trail to hike if you have young kids and it’s where we go as a family when we want to spend an hour outdoors. As you walk alongside swamps and cross over boardwalks, it keeps everything interesting and fun.

Visit the Center for Birds of Prey

One of Awendaw’s most beloved destinations is the Avian Conservation Center and Center for Birds of Prey.

The campus is home to hawks, owls, falcons, vultures, and eagles, and the educational flight demonstrations are unforgettable. Watching a hawk skim just overhead or seeing an owl silently cross the field gives visitors a new appreciation for these incredible birds and the conservation work surrounding them.

For families especially, this stop often becomes the highlight of the day.

Relax at Awendaw Park

Before heading home, make a final stop at the new Awendaw Park.

The park has quickly become a community gathering space and a welcome addition for visitors exploring the area. It’s a great place to unwind after a full day outdoors, especially if you’re traveling with kids who still have energy left to burn.

Gather at Awendaw Green for Good Music

If your visit lines up with a concert night, don’t miss Awendaw Green.

Part backyard gathering, part legendary Lowcountry music venue, Awendaw Green has become one of the cultural heartbeats of the area. Beneath the oaks and string lights, local and touring musicians perform in a setting that feels uniquely tied to the character of the coast — relaxed, creative, and deeply connected to community.

People bring lawn chairs, kids run barefoot under the trees, and the evening settles in with live music drifting into the marsh air. It’s the kind of place that feels discovered rather than advertised.

A Perfect Lowcountry Day Trip Itinerary

Morning

• Breakfast biscuits and coffee at Sewee Outpost
• Board the morning Bulls Island Ferry from Garris Landing
• Explore Bulls Island and Boneyard Beach

Midday

• Return on the midday ferry
• Lunch at Sewee Restaurant or Middleton’s Village BBQ

Afternoon

• Visit the Center for Birds of Prey flight demonstration
• Walk the Sewee Shell Ring or I’on Swamp Trail
• Relax at Awendaw Park before heading back toward Charleston

Why Awendaw Matters

Awendaw isn’t polished or overbuilt. That’s exactly the point.

It’s the trailhead to the Lowcountry — a place where protected landscapes, wildlife, and local culture still shape the rhythm of the day. Whether you come for the ferry ride, the birds, the hiking trails, or simply the feeling of getting away from the noise for a while, Awendaw offers something increasingly rare: a chance to experience the South Carolina coast as it once was.