Mount Pleasant Magazine 6.3

104 / 164

| |
locals sometimes joke that Awendaw and North Mount
Pleasant are becoming interchangeable, the truth is that
Awendaw retains its character with an assortment of inter-
esting stops for your drive up the highway.
Stuff to Do anD See
In June 2016, Charleston Zip Line Adventures will
open to the public and promises an array of fun for the
whole family, to the tune of
climbing walls, sky bridges
and zip line opportunities for
young and old visitors alike.
According to owner-operator
Andrea Canberg, “The park
was designed so that visitors of
all ages can enjoy an exciting,
fun, adventure experience in
the outdoors, creating lasting
memories with their friends
and families.”
Those who love music will
want to show up for a concert
at Awendaw Green, one of the
area’s best-loved live venues in
the great outdoors. Awendaw
Green was dreamed up by
North Mount Pleasant resident
and musician Eddie White
and has continued to attract
an abundance of talented acts
and loyal fans since its incep-
tion in 2009.
Another Awendaw gem,
The Center for Birds of Prey, is
worth the day trip on its own.
Now in its 25th year, a visit
to the Center offers a glimpse
at more than 100 birds – quite the treat for a birdwatcher.
Visit The Center for Birds of Prey on a Thursday, Friday or
Saturday and spend a family-friendly day immersed in all
things avian. Enjoy an expertly guided walking tour and
experience birds of prey in untethered flight. Special bird
walks focused on migratory rarities like the Painted Bunting
are also available during May and June.
Where to eat
SeeWee Restaurant, a local favorite, is a must when
you’re passing through Awendaw at mealtime. Billed as a
seafood restaurant but revered for other items on the menu
– try the onion rings and fried green tomatoes – you can’t
go wrong. Oh, and the hush puppies are to die for, so make
sure to save room for the main course.
MCCLeLLanVILLe
If you’ve never been to McClellanville, make plans to
visit right away. About 30 minutes from North Mount
Pleasant, between Awendaw and Georgetown, this commu-
nity is reminiscent of a bygone era in the South – beautiful
homes, neighborly residents
and a way of life that we
just don’t find much these
days. As Bud Hill, longtime
resident and director of the
McClellanville Museum, put
it to me, “Kids and dogs are
turned loose in the mornings
and return home safely in
the afternoons.”
Stuff to Do anD See
Since the cornerstone
of McClellanville’s culture
is shrimping, the town is
known as a seafood capital.
An annual celebration of
these matters, known as the
South Carolina Lowcountry
Shrimp Festival, is now in
its 40th year. Taking place
each May, this celebration
of fun and fresh ocean fare
supports the town’s local
schools, including Cape
Romaine Environmental
Education Charter School,
or “CREECS” for short.
On quieter days, visitors
will love the opportunity to explore the “remnants of rice
culture,” according to Hill. Take a stroll around Hampton
Plantation, the original home of Archibald Rutledge, or
Santee Coastal Reserve, which offers the chance to hike
alongside old rice fields.
History buffs will also want to see the St. James-Santee
Episcopal Church, known now as “Brick Church,” since it
was the first church fashioned of bricks, and the McClel-
lanville Museum, located right by Town Hall, which is a
treasure trove of the community’s rich Southern history.
If you’re the artsy type, make sure to stop in the Mc-
Clellanville Arts Council, also located in the downtown
business district. The building comes across as a place for
Above: Charleston Zip Line Adventures in Awendaw promises an
array of fun for the whole family. Below: A visit to The Center for
Birds of Prey is well worth the trip to Awendaw.
Photo courtesy of The Center for Birds of Prey.
Photo courtesy of Zip Line Adventures.