Johns Island attractions include old trees, southern cuisine and muscadine slushies
Blue Highways by Tee Gentry
We live in a relatively young country – a blink in terms of world history. So, it’s hard to imagine anything that’s more than 300 years old. Thinking about it, in fact, makes me feel very young.
My latest backroad trip took me to Charleston County in South Carolina to see an old tree. A very old tree.
This is the Angel Tree at Angel Oak Park at Johns Island, which happens to be the largest island in the state. The tree itself is estimated to be between 300 and 500 years old.
The Tree, as some locals call it, is magical. It feels like more than a tree. It’s more like a monument that you should bow before. It’s begun showing its age a little, with some of its large limbs resting on the ground now. We all feel that way sometimes. Still, it’s not uncommon to find people walking around it, taking pictures, and showing it the respect an elder earns at the same time.
I’m told Angel Oaks don’t grow tall, but instead spread wide. The canopy on the Johns Island tree covers 17,000 square feet. It’s something to see.
Angel Oak Park welcomes 400,000 visitors a year and admission is free.
Stono Market and Low Tide Brewing
Johns Island has many great places to stop, relax and have a good meal. A favorite is the Stono Market & The Tomato Shed Cafe. According to their website, it’s Southern style cooking with roast pork, beef, and barbecue along with sides like collards, squash casserole, butter beans and delicious tomato pie.
Stono Market is located at 842 Main Rd, Johns Island.
If you would like to enjoy a cold one while you’re visiting, check out Low Tide Brewing and grab a flight of local IPAs such as Juicy Jetties, Haze in the Harbor and Tie One Off.
Low Tide Brewing is located at 2863 Maybank Highway, Johns Island.
Attractions on Johns Island
Other than the Angel Oak, there is plenty to do on this island. Check out the Johns Island State Park with walking trails, an archery range, a nine-hole disc golf course and more. Also, Charleston and a variety of beaches are just minutes away.
Don’t miss the muscadine
My timing was a bit off, I wish I had gotten to the Angel Tree earlier to take pictures before the crowd got there. The curious might also want to cool off with a muscadine wine slushies at the Deep Water Vinyard.
