Isle of Palms, SC vs Folly Beach, SC

[Anonymous]

Of the two, is one more family friendly than the other? Looking to travel there in April for a week with teenager son.

[Anonymous]

I have never been to Isle of Palms. We spent a week at Folly Beach with my in-laws. There's plenty to do - restaurants are all within walking distance. We were there with two young kids, and I would say the crowd was a bit more adults partying. That said, it wasn't crazy partying.

We like Kiawah and Hilton Head better. Both are much quieter, so a teenage son may not enjoy as much.

[Anonymous]

Isle of Palms has newer, larger beachfront properties but fewer restaurants / bars / things to do. Folly Beach has more history and culture with a surfer / hippy vibe, more restaurants, etc. As the earlier poster mentioned, not sure there's a particularly strong vibe for young kids either place, but your teenage son might think Folly Beach is cooler.

[Anonymous]

We went to Isle of Palms for spring break last year. We chose it over Folly (having never been to either before) mostly because we wanted to have access to a *heated* pool, since we knew it might still be chilly there (and it was!). The kids did enjoy swimming in the heated pool at the resort (I think only one of the three pools was heated when we were there; the ocean was still really cold). We are not usually resort people but the kids liked the freedom of riding bikes around the grounds without our supervision and walking over to the shop to get an ice cream, etc. on their own. (Ages 12 and 14.)

[Anonymous]

I own a vacation home in downtown Charleston. I much prefer Folly. There is literally noting to do in IOP. It is a great place to rent a big house, but that is all. There are hardly even any restaurant choices and absolutely none worth driving from Charleston to, however despite the excellent restaurants in Charleston, I still drive to Folly for a few favorites. Folly is also much much younger than IOP (obviously since IOP is dead).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We went to Isle of Palms for spring break last year. We chose it over Folly (having never been to either before) mostly because we wanted to have access to a *heated* pool, since we knew it might still be chilly there (and it was!). The kids did enjoy swimming in the heated pool at the resort (I think only one of the three pools was heated when we were there; the ocean was still really cold). We are not usually resort people but the kids liked the freedom of riding bikes around the grounds without our supervision and walking over to the shop to get an ice cream, etc. on their own. (Ages 12 and 14.)

Spring break last year (if yours is before easter) was FREEZING in Charleston. I don't know how you even got in a pool, plus it rained a lot. The week after easter it was much warmer and sunnier and my kids even got in the ocean.

This year with Easter being so late (and spring break too) it is highly likely that it will be sunny and warm, but only ocean weather for those who don't get cold (my kids!). However it should be ideal sunbathing and beach play weather. No bugs and warm sun!

[Anonymous]

I think it really depends on what you mean by "family friendly" with a teenage son. Do you mean like, he gets $40 and a bike in the morning and we don't see him again until breakfast? Or like, we're having mandatory family fun time all day and need some activities? Are you wanting to rent a house or stay in a hotel?

[Anonymous]

Folly’s sand is soft. If it’s the same as it was 20 years ago, folly is also where the college kids hang out. IoP is calmer. I also remember Sullivan’s island being amazing- beautiful packed sand and nice and quiet.

[Anonymous]

Thanks all, OP here. I would prefer to go to Folly, I just didn't want to feel out of place there as a mom with my 14YO DS.

[Anonymous]

Folly!