The main destination in the East Cooper area on the east bank of the Cooper River is the island of Mount Pleasant, primarily known as a peaceful, fairly affluent suburb of Charleston—a role it’s played for about 300 years now.

Though few old-timers (called “hungry necks” in local lingo) remain, Mount Pleasant does have several key attractions well worth visiting—the old words of former Charleston Mayor John Grace notwithstanding: “Mount Pleasant is neither a mount, nor is it pleasant.” Through Mount Pleasant is also the only land route to access Sullivan’s Island, Isle of Palms, and historic Fort Moultrie.

Shem Creek, which bisects Mount Pleasant, was once the center of the local shrimping industry, and while there aren’t near as many shrimp boats as there once were, you can still see them docked or on their way to and from a trawling run. (Needless to say, there are a lot of good seafood restaurants around here as well.)

Getting to East Cooper

The most common route for visitors is by way of U.S. 17 over the massive Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge.