Lodging
There are many available options with varying proximity to the venue. Downtown options are expensive, but a quick drive to May Forest via the James Island Connector. A few suggestions based on location as well as personal and colleagues’ experiences:
Conference Room Blocks
We have arranged a small room block of 10 rooms at a special conference rate available Thursday through Saturday nights at the following hotels:
Holiday Inn – Charleston Riverview
301 Savannah Highway, Charleston, SC 29407
(843) 556-7100
CHSRVFrontOfficeManager@northph.com
$189 plus tax, and must be booked by August 16th
Book a Room
Known to most as the “Round Hotel”, it has a complimentary downtown shuttle and is next door to the premier Waffle House visited by Anthony Bourdain and Stephen Colbert.
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Charleston Riverview
11 Ashley Pointe Dr., Charleston, 29407
(843) 491-4793
$129 plus tax, and must be booked by August 1st
Book a Room
Other Accommodations
Closest to the Conference Venue – Ripley Point
| SpringHill Suites – Charleston Riverview 98 Ripley Point Drive, Charleston, 29407 843-571-1711 | Residence Inn – Charleston Riverview 90 Ripley Point Drive, Charleston, 29407 843-571-7979 |
Folly Beach Locations
| Tides Folly Beach 1 Center Street, Folly Beach, 29439 Reservations 888-528-0730 | Folliday Inn 116 W Ashley Avenue, Folly Beach, 29439 843-633-0469 |
Dependable Budget Accommodations
| Best Western Charleston Inn 1540 Savannah HWY, US 17S, Charleston, 29407 843-571-6100 | Sleep Inn Charleston – West Ashley 1524 Savannah Hwy, US 17S, Charleston, 29407 843-278-9971 |
Dining
Lunch Options: 5-10 minutes from May Forest
| Dawn Patrol Coffeehouse 608 Harbor View Road, James Island, 29412 0.9 miles Neighborhood coffeehouse serving breakfast and lunch. | Coastal Crust 843-576-4562 979 Harbor View Road, James Island, 29412 2.0 miles Homemade Neapolitan style wood-fired pizza and more. |
| Ellis Creek Fish Camp 843-868-5016 1243 Harbor View Road, James Island, 29412 3.2 miles Great casual seafood with seating on the creek. Parking can be challenging. | Bohemian Bull 843-868-5016 1531 Folly Road, James Island, 29412 5.0 miles Laid back atmosphere with great burgers, sandwiches, and salads. Live music on Saturdays. |
| Baguette Magic 843-471-5941 792 Folly Rd, Unit A, James Island, 29412 5.6 miles Amazing local bakery with breakfast and lunch choices. | Martin’s Bar-B-Que 843-790-0838 1622 Highland Ave, James Island, 29412 5.8 miles West Tennessee-style whole hog BBQ and other options. |
Lunch Options: 10-15 minutes from May Forest
| Charleston Crab House 843-790-0838 145 Wappoo Creek Dr, James Island, 29412 5.5 miles Fried seafood and Low Country Boil served along with amazing views of Wappoo Creek. | Maybank Public House 843-203-6461 1970 Maybank Hwy, James Island, 29412 5.8 miles Modern gastropub that features a wide variety of sandwiches, burgers, and salads. |
| Kwei Fei 1977 Maybank Hwy, James Island, 29412 5.5 miles Western China, Sichuan-style cooking located next to the Pour House. | Bowens Island 843-797-2757 1870 Bowens Island Rd, Folly Beach, 29412 7.8 miles Local oyster house and seafood favorite with a no-frills atmosphere with amazing creek views. |
After Conference Dinner / Happy Hour Options near May Forest
All Open at 4:00 PM
| The Harlow 843-459-2867 1015 Harbor View Road, James Island, 29412 2.1 miles Great neighborhood spot featuring creative takes on classic American and Southern seafood. | Edison 843-872-5500 1014 Fort Johnson Road, James Island, 29412 2.4 miles Casual upscale featuring seasonal dishes based on locally sourced ingredients. |
Nearby Attractions
Charleston Pour House
1977 Maybank Highway, James Island 29412
Long-time favorite independent live music venue that hosts local, regional, and national touring bands. The venue features an indoor stage for evening performances and an outdoor deck stage for day and early evening shows.
Thurs, Aug 20th – Flow Tribe + J and the Causeways (Deck Stage)
Fri, Aug 21st – Fudge with Channel Bluff (Deck Stage) and Happy Landing w/ The Band Solstice (Main Stage)
Sat, Aug 22nd – 65 North Pickers (Deck Stage)
Sun, Aug 23rd – Motown Throwdown and Sunday Brunch Farmers Market (Deck Stage)
Terrace Theater
1956D Maybank Highway, James Island 29412
Great independent movie theater with first-run movies and a delightful concession stand.
Currently Showing
McLeod Plantation Historic Site
325 Country Club Dr, James Island 29412
Operated by Charleston County Parks, the McLeod Plantation Historic Site is a 37-acre Gullah Geechee heritage site. The site offers engaging interpretive programs focusing on the Freedmen’s Bureau’s impact, Gullah culture, and the relationship between enslaved communities and the city of Charleston. $20 for adults (ages 13–59), $15 for seniors (60+), and $6 for children (3–12). Children 2 and under are free.
Melton Demetre Park
640 Wampler Dr., James Island, 29412
City park featuring a 190-foot fishing pier, 40-foot floating dock, two sandy waterfront beaches, a covered picnic area, a small hiking trail, and great sunset views. The park is open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
James Island County Park
871 Riverland Dr., Charleston, SC 29412
Large local county park with miles of paved trails, disc golf, a playground, fishing and crabbing spots, and boat and bike rentals, offering countless ways to explore the local landscape. Admission is $2 per person.