The playground at Memorial Waterfront Park in Mount Pleasant, SC, is located underneath the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge.
The Children's Museum of the Lowcountry is a great place to visit with little kids. Photo provided
Fleet Landing restaurant is a kid-friendly restaurant with great food and a great view of the water in downtown Charleston. File photo
Kids can play on the giant beach chair at Page's Okra Grill, located off Coleman Boulevard in Mount Pleasant, SC. Page's serves up some of the best breakfast and brunch in the area.
The Memorial Waterfront Park playground in Mount Pleasant, SC, has different sections and is fun for kids of all ages.
Receive exciting and engaging weekly parenting content to your inbox from Lowcountry Parent.
The playground at Memorial Waterfront Park in Mount Pleasant, SC, is located underneath the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge.
Charleston is a family-friendly destination. Most kids in elementary school and older will enjoy the attractions that make the area unique such as carriage rides, tours of the USS Yorktown, visiting Fort Sumter - but add a toddler to the mix and these activities become less appealing.
That doesn’t mean families with toddlers can’t have a great time in the Holy City. Whether you are playing tourist in your own town or visiting from far away, as a local, this is what I suggest for a great day trip for adults and the youngest members of your family.
Charleston is known globally for its delicious food, particularly southern staples. Start your day early with one of the two following restaurants that numerous local publications, including Lowcountry Parent, have named as the best for the last few years, both located in Mount Pleasant.
Kids can play on the giant beach chair at Page's Okra Grill, located off Coleman Boulevard in Mount Pleasant, SC. Page's serves up some of the best breakfast and brunch in the area.
Page’s Okra Grill at 302 Coleman Boulevard offers a giant beach chair to lounge in or take pictures on as you wait for your table (no reservations are accepted). It is frequently voted best brunch/breakfast. The menu at this sit-down restaurant is extensive and sure to offer something to suit everyone in your party, whether they have a sweet tooth or prefer a hearty, savory morning meal. Page’s serves locally roasted King Bean coffee to get your eventful day started with a buzz.
Voted Best Biscuit, Vicious Biscuit, located at 409 West Coleman Blvd., is to die for. While the masterfully created biscuit dishes are the main attraction, they also offer “not so vicious” fare for those wishing to start the day with power foods. Gluten-free biscuits are also included in the a-la-carte menu, making it an excellent choice for families with dietary concerns. Order your meals at the counter for dine-in or carry it out to enjoy it as a picnic at the next destination, about a mile away.
The Memorial Waterfront Park playground in Mount Pleasant, SC, has different sections and is fun for kids of all ages.
Following your mouth-watering breakfast, give your little ones a chance to enjoy the nautical-themed playground underneath the iconic Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge at Mount Pleasant’s Memorial Waterfront Park. If it’s not too hot, load the kids up in the stroller to walk to the top of the bridge. The entire bridge spans 2.7 miles from Mount Pleasant to East Bay Street in downtown Charleston, however, most people, especially those pushing a stroller, prefer to go about a mile to the peak to take in the views of the harbor and peninsula before turning around and heading back to the parking lot ($.50 an hour) at the base of the bridge. This could be a great opportunity for a morning nap, or more alert toddlers will enjoy boat and people watching. If you haven’t brought your own drinks and snacks to refuel after this activity, the River Watch Café in the park offers everything you need, and the park also has free public restrooms.
Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry (approximately 2 hours)
Park in the Visitor Center parking garage at 63 Mary Street ($2 per hour) and head into the Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry at 25 Ann Street. Typical operating hours are Thursday-Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (last admission 3:30 p.m.) and Sunday 12:30-5 p.m. It’s a good idea to start in the art room (turn right and head all the way to the end of the building after purchasing your tickets) so that kids’ creations can dry while you explore the rest of the museum. Activities toddlers love include a special play area for children 3 and under, a water exploration room, a pirate ship, and a pretend grocery store.
The Children's Museum of the Lowcountry is a great place to visit with little kids. Photo provided
The museum hopes that all children can enjoy their offerings so they feature limited admission on the second and fourth Sunday of each month from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. for special needs children who do better in a less crowded, less stimulating environment. They also offer accessibility kits and an app specifically geared toward children with autism. Families that can prove their enrollment in SNAP, EBT, or WIC are granted $2 per person admission, and locals can check out a membership card for up to 6 people from the Charleston County library.
Regular admission to the museum is free for children under 12 months old, $13 for South Carolina residents and $15 for out-of-state residents. Admission grants you access in and out of the museum all day (so you can come back later if you want to!) explorecml.org/visit/plan-your-visit/
Right around the corner from the Children’s Museum, on King Street, is Juanita Greenberg’s Nacho Royale, one of the peninsula’s most kid-friendly and reasonably priced restaurants, with quick service and large, shareable portions. Be sure to go to the bathroom before you leave since it is very difficult to find public restrooms in downtown Charleston (best bets while you’re walking are to find restrooms located at the bottom of parking garages.)
Hop in the car again and enter Fleet Landing in your GPS. Park in the flat lot next to the restaurant which is $10 a day or $5 for patrons of the restaurant. From here, put the kids in a stroller and leisurely make your way through downtown until they fall asleep. While they are snoozing, enjoy shopping in the Charleston City Market or head the other direction and stroll along East Bay Street to sightsee at Rainbow Row, the Battery, and neighborhoods with beautiful historic homes.
As the little ones start to rouse, head back toward the car to change into bathing suits, grab towels, and allow your little ones the joy of running and splashing through the fountains at Waterfront Park located on Vendue Street. (Unfortunately the kids will need to change in the car since there are no facilities in the area.)
If you’re lucky, maybe you can snag a coveted seat on a bench swing facing the harbor to wind down the afternoon. This park is another great spot for snacks if you’ve brought them. On busy days, you might find Italian ice vendors by the fountains, and there is a Belgian Gelato shop on Vendue Street that is sure to please if you need a sweet treat to hold you until your dinner reservation.
Fleet Landing restaurant is a kid-friendly restaurant with great food and a great view of the water in downtown Charleston. File photo
Just a few steps away from Waterfront Park is Fleet Landing, one of Charleston’s favorite seafood restaurants, located in the old Navy dock. Make a reservation several weeks ahead of time and be sure to request an outside table to see the gorgeous Charleston sunset and potentially spot some dolphins! This restaurant is willing to accommodate allergies and the children’s menu appeals to both picky eaters and kids who love seafood. fleetlanding.net
If it’s not too late, or you’re not completely worn out already, taking the last round trip water taxi out of Waterfront Park is an excellent way to end a long day of exploring with little ones. The last round trip taxi leaves at 6:15 p.m. for $14 per person (3 and under are free) and offers up close views of the bridge, marinas, USS Yorktown, and often dolphins. charlestonwatertaxi.com
Receive exciting and engaging weekly parenting content to your inbox from Lowcountry Parent.