Is Waterway Arms safe?
Mount Pleasant, South Carolina · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Waterway Arms as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Waterway Arms
“Go. Southwest Mount Pleasant is an exceptionally safe, picturesque coastal community with virtually negligible violent crime. Visitors can comfortably explore its parks, waterways, and dining corridors day or night without safety concerns.”
About the area
Situated along Charleston Harbor and the Shem Creek waterways, Southwest Mount Pleasant features scenic coastal views, historic tree-lined avenues, and vibrant waterfront dining. It offers an upscale, relaxed coastal environment just minutes across the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge from downtown Charleston.
- Coastal
- Upscale
- Family-Friendly
- Waterfront Dining
Walking and biking in Waterway Arms
Walk score: 48/100 · Bike score: 56/100
Cyclists enjoy direct access to Wonders' Way across the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, though local residential streets vary between dedicated lanes and shared roadways.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Extremely low violent and property crime rates compared to state and national benchmarks.
- Affluent, well-maintained neighborhoods with strong civic infrastructure and median household incomes well over $100,000.
- Immediate access to prime waterfront recreation, parks, and dining.
Cons
- Heavy vehicular traffic and congestion along main corridors like Coleman Boulevard and Chuck Dawley Boulevard.
- Substantial car dependency outside of immediate commercial nodes.
- Occasional opportunistic thefts from unlocked vehicles in residential driveways.
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence in this neighborhood, with no encampments or recurring panhandling observed.
What Waterway Arms is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Calm and peaceful, with joggers, dog walkers, and cyclists active along the residential streets and waterfront parks.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Active with shoppers, diners, and boaters, maintaining a safe and welcoming atmosphere throughout.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Bustling around the Shem Creek dining strip with well-lit boardwalks and very low safety risk.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Quiet and tranquil throughout residential quarters, with low street activity and minimal safety concerns.
Transit, parking and getting around
The Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) operates bus routes such as Route 40 and Route 41 along Coleman Boulevard, connecting the area to downtown Charleston.
Free surface parking is widely available in designated public lots and business plazas, though waterfront parking near Shem Creek fills rapidly on peak weekend evenings.
Things to do in Waterway Arms
- Stroll the Shem Creek Boardwalk to view active shrimp trawlers, paddleboarders, and coastal wildlife.
- Walk the pier and green lawns at Mount Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park beneath the Ravenel Bridge.
- Explore the historic Old Village district and browse the iconic Pitt Street Pharmacy.
Local favorites
- Red's Ice House · Seafood Restaurant · 4.4★ (6250)Lively open-air waterfront tavern serving fresh seafood, local beers, and sunset views over Shem Creek.
- Tavern & Table · American Restaurant · 4.5★ (2350)Upscale rustic establishment offering refined Lowcountry dishes and craft cocktails overlooking the docks.
- Pitt Street Pharmacy · Diner / Pharmacy · 4.7★ (460)Historic neighborhood pharmacy featuring a vintage soda fountain serving classic milkshakes and sandwiches.
Scores are safety-driven — recent reported crime and local news plus Census income, poverty, housing, education, household and access data — refreshed nightly. Walk and bike scores are shown separately and do not affect the safety score. A guide, not a guarantee — conditions change street to street.
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