Love in the Lowcountry: A Romantic Itinerary in Berkeley County
In South Carolina’s Lowcountry, time moves slow and luxuriantly. For decades, lovers have strolled along Spanish moss-draped avenues of live oaks or sailed past the knees of bald cypresses, sweet Southern romance hanging in the summer air. No, this isn’t just a storybook tale—the magic of the Lowcountry is open to all. So if you and your darling are looking for a couples’ escape, Berkeley County has everything your hearts (and taste buds) could desire.
Magical Moments
Cypress Gardens
Imagine floating through a vast garden landscape, sky, and towering bald cypress trees mirrored in cool waters beneath you. If you can’t quite picture it, just watch The Notebook again—right before their iconic kiss in the rain, Noah and Allie sail through Cypress Gardens, a very real and spellbinding swamp garden in Berkeley County. You can recreate this timeless romance, rowing through these majestic waterways in your self-guided boat tour.
Mepkin Abbey
The Nancy Bryan Luce Gardens at Mepkin Abbey—an active monastery in Moncks Corner—embody beauty and serenity. Visitors are welcomed to relax here among the enchanting grounds, taking in views of the Cooper River or wandering under the extended arms of live oaks. In hundreds of acres full of delights and surprises, you and your sweetheart can get lost here in the swoon of natural beauty.
Wine & Dine
Halls Chop House Nexton
An afternoon of wild nature calls for an elegant and hearty repast. At Halls Chophouse in Summerville, you’ll be treated to the most sumptuous steaks and signature family-style sides money can buy. Their prime steaks—sourced from Allen Brothers of Chicago, hand-selected, meticulously aged, and hand-cut—are truly experiences in themselves. Dinner here is a gift you can give each other that transcends any ordinary meal.
Ristorante LIDI
A little further out on Daniel Island, a taste of Italy awaits, with all the more you expect from il bel paese. A blend of local, made-in-house pasta and authentic, imported Italian ingredients—such as certified San Marzano Tomatoes and Extra Virgin Olive Oil from the Callestaneta Valley region—make Ristorante LIDI an all-too-tempting table for two. Celebrate yourselves with a Milan Mule cocktail or decadent limoncello cake for dessert.
After-Dinner Drinks
Sauer Grapes
This intimate and eclectic wine shop is the perfect place to winddown after dinner on Daniel Island. Owner and curator Marie Sauer cultivates special vintages and hidden gems and offers a weekly rotating menu to keep things fresh. Whether you’re a connoisseur or a casual sipper, Marie can help you discover the perfect glass to toast your summer romance.
Indigo Reef Brewing
For those who prefer hops to grapes, Indigo Reef Brewing company is a cool and casual island retreat where you can kick back with your favorite person. The indigo name and décor call back to Charleston’s early days when indigo was a major cash crop. Today, the warmth and togetherness of Lowcountry hospitality are present in every drop of craft beer at Indigo Reef.
Alluring Accommodations
Cambria Hotel
No romantic getaway is complete without an indulgent overnight stay. The Cambria Hotel is full of little luxuries to make you feel fully immersed in the Lowcountry’s charm. Centrally located to all the hotspots on your itinerary, the hotel features spa-inspired amenities, a modern pool, and its bar and firepit lounge.
Hilton Garden Inn–Homewood Suites
While you’re treating yourselves, why not spring for an entire suite? Give yourselves space to luxuriate at the Homewood Suites in Summerville, where you can have all the comforts of home without the drab, domestic routine. Unwind by the resort-style pool between your grand adventures in Berkeley County.
Write Your Own Romance
Affairs of the heart are written into the rich landscape and history of Berkeley County, South Carolina. When you’re ready to sweep that special someone off their feet, start planning at ExploreBerkeleyCounty.com.