For the past couple years, tourism across the U.S. has been greatly affected by the economy. As a result, many vacation rental agencies have once again discounted their already low prices. Beach rental properties are at their lowest rates in more than 10 years.

Many of these deeply discounted rental properties are available at the Isle of Palms, SC. Located just a short drive from downtown Charleston, the Isle of Palms is one of the area’s best and most well known beaches.

Here, renters can save upwards of $3,000 on a week’s rental at gorgeous beachfront 4,500+ square foot homes. These uniquely decorated homes normally rent for around $12,000 per week, but prices have since been decreased by 25%.

These houses generally sleep around 20 or more and most have their own swimming pools, wireless Internet, luxurious porches, numerous TVs and enchantingly decorated theme rooms. The best part of all is that they are just a short walk from daily outdoor live music, old time ice cream shops and many delicious restaurants.

For those with parties smaller than 20, there are lots of midsize houses and condos to chose from. Three-bedroom, 1,500 square foot houses that sleep 8 normally rent for $3,500 per week but are discounted as low as $2,500.

While visiting, if you’re ready to put the swimsuit and shades to rest, the Isle of Palms is only a 15 minute drive from historic downtown Charleston, SC. Here you’ll find a host of shopping, dining, golfing (nearly 30 local golf courses), and outdoor entertainment venues. History buffs will love Fort Moultrie and Fort Sumter of Revolutionary and Civil War fame.

So if you’re ready for that much needed vacation (or staycation), come to the Isle of Palms today and see one of the most beautiful places in the country.

The film “Slow Ride: The Life and Times along the S.C. Intracoastal Waterway” was shown as part of ETV’s Southern Lens program, which is a production of the Center for Documentary at the College of Charleston.

Director Tim Fennell says the 3,000-mile-long inshore navigation channel along the Atlantic coast is the Route 66 of waterways, and he wanted to show how the South Carolina portion is important to the state.

The South Carolina portion of the waterway flows from Little River to Hilton Head Island.

The film is also being shown at the SC Aquarium to help announce the center’s next documentary, a look at the inter-connected water resources of South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia.
According to the Post and Courier, the growing demand on that water has the state’s grappling with Western states-style “water wars” issues. The aquarium is partnering with the center on the effort.

“The 17th and 18th holes of the Links Course are two of the more spectacular finishing holes in the Southeast,” said Fazio. “Playing on the ocean and amongst the dunes is as premier a location as you can get. It was true when the course was designed more than two decades ago, and it’s still true today.”

If you’re interested in trying out the course for yourself, check out the special that Wild Dunes Resort is offering through Sept. 3. The All Day Unlimited Play package (for $190 per person per night) allows guests to play as many rounds as possible on both the Resort’s golf courses, the Links Course and the Harbor Course. This also includes a two night stay at the Resort.

Check out a virtual tour of the finishing hole.