The Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge

Charlestonians are proud of “the new bridge,” as to which the Ravenel Bridge is still commonly referred, even though it’s been operating since 2005. The bridge connects Charleston to the Mount Pleasant area, and measures 2.7 miles from Patriot’s Point Road to East Bay Street - walking shoes highly recommended. Sunrise and sunset are both choice times to get some well-lit (hello, golden hour!), uncrowded photos. Keep an eye out for wildlife underneath and around the bridge; you never know what you might see!

• Fun(ish) Fact: The Ravenel Bridge is the third-longest cable-stayed bridge in the Western Hemisphere. Nbd.

• Locals-Only Fact: If you ever hear someone referring to the “old bridge,” you may notice an eerie pallor cross their face. Before the Ravenel Bridge graced our skyway, we were forced to take life in hand and cross the Cooper River on the Grace Memorial Bridge. This teetering overpass terrified motorists, with a single lane in either direction, and barely more than chicken wire to separate your car from plunging into the waters below. Pedestrian walkway? Not a chance! Host to the “Cooper River Bridge Run” for decades, the bridge was in such dire straits that in the last few years of the race, organizers asked the Citadel cadets to please refrain from running formation as to avoid compromising the integrity of the structure. Yikes!