🌴 A Fiery Tree Lighting, Hazel Park and Lots of Food

Welcome to 2026!

I am so excited about the New Year. Something about new and different is very inspiring to me! If you like to go big on New Years goals or stay low key, we are with you on either side.

This week we have a new (to us) park to check out downtown. I have seen it before online, but actually getting to go check it out was a blast. I am thinking of rating each park we go to from least to best! After the park we have a few events including a tree burning that sounds dark, but should be a fun kid friendly time! This week is restaurant week in Charleston. I feel a little behind on the latest and greatest restaurants, but there are some good tips and recommendations for you. Lastly, we go over new years resolutions and how to make them manageable so they will last!

…And don’t forget this Sunday is Second Sunday on King Street!

Whether your hanging out on the couch with what is being called the Charleston flu or you are ready for an adventure this week, I am so glad you are here with us!

I am not a connoisseur of family outings with kids, but I am becoming better and better at it. For parents who want to brave the free world for a family outing, or even a solo outing with kids, here is the best advice I am learning in real time. Go where you want to go, just keep the time short. Even if it takes thirty minutes to get downtown and we only stay an hour, I leave feeling refreshed and inspired. And really, who does not feel inspired walking around downtown Charleston?

If you are looking for family friendly spots downtown, we gotcha covered! Parker Hazel Park is about a half mile in the middle of the Pineapple Fountain and the Battery. There is a public restroom on site, which alone makes this park worth knowing about.

One huge plus is that the main playground area is fully gated. The enclosed play area gives kids and parents some much needed independence in the middle of downtown Charleston without the constant fear that someone might run off. If given the chance, our 16 month old would happily charge straight out of our house and into the world, so this feature matters a lot to us! The playground is small enough that a baby or toddler can safely explore, but big enough that older kids do not feel bored. Our seven year old, who is very much going on twelve, had a great time and was more than happy jumping off the swings and making the most of the space.

Behind the enclosed playground is a small basketball court that works well for a quick game of HORSE while keeping an eye on a toddler. There is also an enclosed tennis area that doubles as an excellent spot for little kids to ride scooters.

In the back of the park there is an enclosed dog park area, along with a large green field and two baseball fields. We had the best time at Parker Hazel Park, and it truly feels like a perfect downtown destination to explore with kids.

If you are feeling stuck in the same routine, consider switching things up. Skip the local trampoline park, pack some snacks, and head downtown instead. Parks like Parker Hazel Park make it possible to experience the city with your kids in a way that feels manageable, refreshing, and genuinely fun for everyone.

It’s time to officially say goodbye to the Christmas season. Tideland Brewing is hosting a Burn the Tree night, and they are rewarding you for helping clear out those holiday leftovers.

Bring your real Christmas tree and receive a free beer, then settle in for a relaxed Lowcountry evening starting at 6pm.

Tideland Brewing is all about that laid-back Charleston feel, with hospitality at the center of everything they do. Families and friends can enjoy their 5,000 square foot outdoor beer garden, shaded by a beautiful live oak tree, with 12 taps, plenty of parking, and on-leash dog-friendly outdoor space.

Kids can play cornhole, disc golf, or other outdoor games while parents gather around the fire pit and enjoy one of their award-winning brews. And don’t skip the food. Favorites include the ahi nachos, hot honey chicken sandwich, lobster grilled cheese, roast beef gravy fries, and a triple chocolate brownie sundae that is perfect for sharing.

Tideland Brewing is closed on Mondays and open Tuesday through Thursday from 11am to 9pm, Friday and Saturday from 11am to 10pm, and Sunday from 11am to 9pm.

If you’re looking for an easy, fun way to get out of the house with the family and do something a little different, this is a great excuse to grab dinner, let the kids run, and enjoy a local favorite.

The first ever James Island special edition Food Truck Extravaganza Market is rolling into Town Hall this Friday, January 9, and families are invited to kick off the New Year with a fun and festive night out. The event runs from 6 to 8pm at James Island Town Hall, located at 1122 Dills Bluff Road.

This family friendly evening will feature all your favorite food trucks, live music by the Front Porch Rockers, and plenty of activities to keep kids entertained. Little ones can enjoy a petting zoo, lawn games, and hands on kids crafts and activities while parents browse local craft vendors and small businesses.

It is the perfect way to spend a Friday night together as a family while supporting local vendors and enjoying the community vibe James Island is known for. Mark your calendar and come hungry. We will see you this Friday for another fun filled James Island Town Market experience.

Restaurant Week always sneaks up on me every single year, but not this time! We love eating out as a family, and we really love getting a good deal while doing it. This year, we have you covered with some of our favorite Charleston Restaurant Week spots, broken down by downtown, the islands, and surrounding neighborhoods. These are places we genuinely enjoy and feel offer some of the best bang for your buck, whether you are planning a date night, a girls’ night, or a rare kid-free meal.

If you are heading downtown, there are some solid Restaurant Week options worth prioritizing. 82 Queen is a classic Charleston experience and a personal recommendation if you are looking for something that feels special. They are offering lunch with two courses for $25 and dinner with three courses for $55, which is a great value for a spot that feels timeless and elevated. Park & Grove is another favorite, offering a three-course dinner for $45. It is consistently good, approachable, and a great choice if you want quality food without feeling overly formal. 167 Raw and 167 Sushi Bar is having a three course dinner for $45. I have yet to experience 167, but my husband (and most of Charleston) is obsessed!

Over in West Ashley, Pearlz is participating with a three-course dinner for $55, which is a fun option if you are craving seafood in a lively setting. T-Bone’s Chophouse stands out as one of the best deals, offering a three-course dinner for just $35. If you are looking for value, this one is hard to beat.

On Daniel Island, Kingstide is offering a three-course dinner for $55. This is a great pick if you want something polished but still relaxed, and it is a solid option if you are already out that way and want to make a night of it.

Mount Pleasant has several strong Restaurant Week participants this year. Five Loaves Café is offering a three-course meal for $40 and is a great choice for a cozy, reliable dinner. Cantina 76 might be one of the best values around, with a three-course meal for just $18, making it perfect for a casual night out or an easy win if you are dining with friends. Grace & Grit is also participating with a three-course dinner for $40 and is a great option if you are looking for Southern-inspired dishes in a polished setting.

In Park Circle, Basil Thai is offering a three-course dinner for $30, which makes it an excellent bang-for-your-buck choice and a nice change of pace if you want something outside the usual Restaurant Week lineup.

Finally, for those on Kiawah, FortyEight Wine Bar is offering a three-course dinner for $48. It is a great option for a relaxed but elevated night out and pairs well with a slower, enjoy-the-moment kind of evening.

Restaurant Week is the perfect excuse to try somewhere new or revisit a favorite while getting a deal that makes it all feel even sweeter. It starts tomorrow (Thursday, January 8th) and ends Sunday, January 18. Whether you are downtown, on an island, or somewhere in between, there are plenty of options this year that are worth putting on your list.

New Year’s resolutions tend to come with a lot of pressure, and for parents, that pressure can feel even heavier. Between kids, schedules, and everyday chaos, the idea of a full lifestyle overhaul on January 1 can feel unrealistic at best. This year, it may be more helpful to think of resolutions as small shifts rather than big promises.

For parents, the most sustainable resolutions are often the simplest ones. Focus on goals that fit into your current season instead of fighting against it. That might look like committing to earlier bedtimes, spending ten uninterrupted minutes a day with each child, or getting outside more often as a family. Small, consistent habits tend to stick far longer than ambitious plans that require extra time and energy you do not have.

One of the best tips for the new year is to build flexibility into your expectations. Life with kids rarely goes exactly as planned, and that is okay. I was getting in some steps with my kids on New Years day. Usually I like to walk by myself or with the baby (who can’t ask a million questions) but my big kids joined. I am so glad they did because we found a patch of four leaf clovers (proof pictured above). If I was rigid about my step count that day, I would have never found this gem! Give yourself permission to reset goals mid-month, skip a day, or adjust as needed. Progress does not have to be perfect to be meaningful.

It is also worth remembering that your needs matter too. Even short pockets of time spent doing something that helps you feel like yourself can make a big difference. Whether it is a walk, a coffee break, or time with a friend, caring for yourself allows you to show up more fully for your family.

As the new year begins, consider choosing resolutions that support your real life, not an ideal version of it. When goals feel manageable and life-giving, they are far more likely to last well beyond January.

Happy New Year!

Love, Jenna