SPONSORED CONTENT: BRAYS ISLAND PLANTATION
From its genesis 37 years ago to the present day, Brays Island Plantation, in Sheldon, South Carolina, has served as America's premier sporting community. The lifestyle at the Plantation centers on myriad amenities and activities such as hunting, fishing, shooting, golfing, horseback riding, boating, birdwatching, gardening, socializing, dining and so on—all of the finest quality and within minutes of one’s back door. A Brays resident could remain on the 5,500-acre premises for weeks and want for nothing. The place really is that amazing. Equally amazing is the Lowcountry region that surrounds the Plantation. It is the macrocosm for Brays, and it offers residents an additional tier of incredible activities and amenities.
Stretching from Georgia’s midcoast to the North Carolina border, the Lowcountry is a land of live oaks, Spanish moss and palmettos, of sandy beaches, sleepy marshlands and quaint barrier islands. It is an aesthetically stunning place with a dignified charm and an extensive cultural portfolio. From secluded natural areas to small-but-vibrant cities, the Lowcountry offers something for everyone, making it one of the most desirable places in the entire country to live.
Two of the region's biggest attractions are the cities of Charleston, South Carolina, and Savannah, Georgia, each of which is about an hour from Brays. In 2022 Charleston was awarded the title of No. 1 City in the US by Travel & Leisure magazine. The town is best described as a tapestry of fine dining, historic architecture, boutique shops, music, art, museums and manicured parks. It is the venue for a variety of regional and national festivals and events that center around those attractions. For example, every February the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition draws thousands of attendees to peruse the exhibits of hundreds of America’s finest outdoor artists and craftspeople.
Savannah likewise has just about everything that makes Charleston special. Its historic district features cobblestone streets, gas lights, horse-drawn carriages and Italianate row houses that draw visitors from around the globe. Not surprisingly, the city ranks high on the list of the country’s “most livable cities”—and some even prefer it to Charleston.
Located between Charleston and Savannah and a mere 19 miles from Brays Island is the city of Beaufort, South Carolina. With a population of less than 15,000, Beaufort is a smaller, quieter, more intimate version of its bigger neighbors. Great beaches, historic mansions, excellent restaurants, art galleries and charming waterfront hangouts are among the many things that make Beaufort the perfect day-trip destination for Brays owners. And the city is only 15 miles from Hunting Island State Park, the most popular state park in South Carolina.
There are a number of other famous Lowcountry travel destinations within a reasonable distance of Brays. Opportunities to golf on Hilton Head Island, go horseback rising on the beach on St. Helena Island or hop a ferry to Daufuskie Island are all easily accessible. And for those wanting to immerse themselves in nature’s splendor, there’s the 12,000-acre ACE Basin National Wildlife Refuge and at least a half-dozen other refuges, preserves and wildlife management areas within a half-hour drive.
Photo by Paul King.
For those willing to travel beyond the bounds of the Lowcountry, the metro areas of Atlanta; Charlotte, North Carolina; and Jacksonville, Florida, are all within a four-hour drive. The airports in these cities along with closer ones in Charleston and Savannah offer convenient jumping-off points to anywhere in the world.
That said, many Brays residents find it hard to step away from the active and stimulating lives they live within their private community. But when they do feel the urge to roam, they find themselves blessed with seemingly endless options. The Lowcountry is, indeed, the ultimate playground, and it’s best enjoyed by living right in the heart of it.
To learn more about Brays Island Plantation, visit braysisland.com.
