JOE RILEY WATERFRONT PARK

People are not lying when they say Charleston has it all: from vibrant city life to centuries of rich history, arguably the best cuisine of the southeast, bustling art scene, closeness to the water, and calm nature sights not too far away. It’s easy to get overwhelmed with all that the city has to offer, but Joe Riley Waterfront Park offers a much-needed pocket of peace with beautiful views.

Located along half a mile of the Cooper River bank in downtown Charleston, Joe Riley Park includes bits of history in the concrete benches and plaques throughout this sunny, twelve-acre oasis.

What was once a center of maritime traffic for the oldest city in South Carolina has served as an open-air space for relaxing tourists and local dog walkers since the spring of 1990.

On November 24, 2015, this park became a namesake for Joe Riley, Mayor of Charleston from 1975-2015. The end of his four-decade tenure spent building up the human spirit within the city and the surrounding natural environment marked the perfect opportunity to establish his legacy.

The famous pineapple fountain is a landmark photo spot halfway down the park’s stretch, and the adjacent boardwalk welcomes a comforting sea breeze. Overlooking the main length of the park is a brick walkway lined with garden benches, shaded by tall oak trees and Spanish moss dangling in the slivers of sunlight. The park stands as one of the best places to view the sunrise and sunset in Charleston, with watercolor skies mirroring over the calm river.

One of the benches reads, “Parks make our cities beautiful, soften the hard edges of urban life, invigorate us, and give us peace and repose.” And the Joe Riley Waterfront Park does exactly that for the city of Charleston.