🌴 American Gardens Park, Kids Etiquette Expectations & More

Welcome back Palmetto Parents!

It is almost Thanksgiving, which feels wild considering I just bought our very first Christmas gift of the season: tickets to see Dude Perfect at the Coliseum… on June 25, 2026. Apparently we are already planning our summer while still figuring out what side dish we’re bringing to Thanksgiving dinner.

This week’s newsletter is packed with good things to make the holiday season a little more fun and a little easier. We’re sharing Charleston’s surprise new downtown park, American Gardens, which feels like it came out of nowhere and is already magical. We have a family-favorite event at Boone Hall that is free, festive, and the perfect way to enjoy the beautiful weekend weather. We’re highlighting Bodega in Mount Pleasant and downtown for an easy breakfast or lunch with kids in tow. And in our Palmetto Piece, we’re covering realistic etiquette expectations for kids of different ages, so you can walk into Thanksgiving dinner with confidence, grace and maybe one less raccoon moment from your children.

Enjoy!

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Downtown Charleston has a brand new public park, and it feels like it appeared out of nowhere. What was once a simple parking lot tucked between Meeting Street and King Street has been transformed into American Gardens, a beautifully landscaped green space filled with crepe myrtles, magnolias, fountains, and quiet pathways. Even though it sits in the heart of the tourism district, the park itself feels peaceful, with the sound of the fountains drowning out the city around it. It officially opened this week with a dedication, flag raising, and live music, and it already feels like a place families will want to explore.

American Gardens was created and funded by Beemok Hospitality Collection (BHC Group) as a true gathering place for the community. Inspired by New York’s Bryant Park, it was designed with the goal of giving Charleston a spot where locals and visitors can relax, grab a coffee, and let the kids explore safely. Tables and chairs are scattered throughout the pathways, and the park will soon host a full calendar of free activities, including concerts, movie nights, fitness classes, art installations, story time and special children’s programming in partnership with The Library Society and the Gibbes Museum of Art. A grab-and-go café is underway for the adjacent building, but until it opens there will be a coffee cart on-site for quick treats and warm drinks.

A few notes for parents taking their kiddos to this park. The BHC owns many landmarks in the Charleston area. Places like the Rivera Theater, Credit One Stadium, and The Charleston Place (to name a few). I asked a few questions about security and I was very happy with the answers. The security that oversees The Charleston Place also walks through this new park to make sure everyone is safe and enjoying the park the way its meant to be. There is a gate on either side of the park that shuts and locks around 8pm every night. You don’t have to worry about street traffic when you step inside this park. The park is great for strollers, but not for kid scooters or smaller wheels!

This brand new space will be especially magical during the holidays. American Gardens is adding a 30-foot Fraser fir, twinkle lights, a vintage carousel, Santa visits, a holiday market, and nightly music to create a winter wonderland right in the middle of downtown. It is a rare gift to have a new park open in Charleston, and this one was built with families in mind. If you are downtown this season, stroll through and enjoy this peaceful new connection between King and Meeting Streets. It is the kind of place that will become a tradition before we even realize it!

Summit Coffee launches their holiday menu today! We had the chance to attend a special holiday menu preview at Summit Coffee last night, and it was pure joy. The standout for us? The Gingerbread Latte, topped with gingerbread cold foam and spiced sugar — it was so good, I’m already planning my trip back for a full-sized one (my husband couldn’t wait and boldly drank his full size at 7:30pm).

Also on the menu: the Peppermint Mocha (topped with whipped cream and crushed peppermint), a cozy Peppermint Hot Chocolate, and the fan-favorite Salted Caramel Apple Chai, finished with caramel apple cold foam and a caramel drizzle — basically dessert in a cup.

But what truly sets Summit apart is the hospitality. The staff is warm, welcoming, and always kind to little ones. Our son loves the play espresso machine, and the kids' menu includes lemonade, hot chocolate, a babyccino (steamed milk with syrup), and of course, there’s plenty of irresistible pastries.

With three Charleston-area locations (two in Mount Pleasant, one in Nexton), it’s easy to find your cozy corner.

📍 Check the full menu and locations at summitcoffee.com

Happy sipping!

The Boone Hall Christmas Tree Festival and Holiday Market is the perfect free, family-friendly event for this weekend. The weather is supposed to be beautiful, which makes it an ideal time to spend the day outside enjoying holiday fun before the Thanksgiving rush begins. This event traditionally kicks off the season early, and it truly is one of the sweetest ways to ease into Christmas without the crowds or chaos.

We went last year and had the best time. The merry-go-round was a huge hit, and from the top you could see what felt like miles across the farm. My daughter was thrilled to meet a few Disney princesses, and she still talks about them. We also met Santa and were able to get a photo without a long wait, which felt like a Christmas miracle on its own. It was one of those simple outings that filled the whole day with joy.

This year’s festival offers free admission thanks to partners Starling Chevrolet and Beacon Community Bank. It will run November 22 through 23 from 10am to 8pm at Boone Hall Plantation, located at 2434 North Highway 17 in Mount Pleasant. Santa will be available from noon to six each day and families are welcome to take as many photos as they like with their own phones or cameras at no charge.

Fresh baked Christmas cookies will be prepared on site along with other holiday treats and food options. Face painting and body art will be available for a small fee. Visitors can also browse a large selection of fresh-cut Christmas trees, handmade wreaths, and decorations. The trees are cut the same week and attendees receive a special discount, which makes this the perfect chance to enjoy a fun holiday outing and pick up your tree on the same trip.

This event is easy, festive, and filled with the kind of small moments that make the holiday season feel magical. If you are looking for something joyful to do with the kids this weekend, this belongs at the top of your list.

If you grew up in the Northeast, you know there is nothing more nostalgic than a real bodega breakfast sandwich on a warm kaiser roll. Executive Chef Alec Gropman has taken that familiar comfort and brought it to Charleston with Bodega, a spot built on old-school brunch staples with a little Southern charm. With locations in both Mount Pleasant and downtown, it has quickly become one of the area’s most beloved breakfast and lunch stops.

Both locations offer the same strong coffee, generous portions, and easy energy that make Bodega instantly welcoming. Families especially love the Mount Pleasant location because it has a drive-through. This is a true lifesaver when you have a sleeping baby in the backseat or a car full of hungry people. Their patio is also perfect for getting in some fresh air while eating with kids. We once grabbed breakfast for the whole family, and my daughter casually helped herself to a pack of M&M’s at the register. When I walked up, ready to apologize and pay, they laughed and said it was on the house. It was her big heist moment, and honestly, their reaction made me love the place even more.

The menu is full of favorites like PB and J pancakes, Cinnie Sticks, breakfast sandwiches, and chicken cutlet sandwiches, all made with a level of care that feels both nostalgic and new. Whether you are grabbing pancakes for the kids or a hearty breakfast sandwich for yourself, it always hits the spot. Their coffee is strong and the service is quick, which parents everywhere can appreciate.

You can find Bodega in Mount Pleasant at 414 West Coleman Boulevard, open every day from 7am to 3pm. The downtown location at 23 Ann Street is open from 8am to 4pm, with late-night hours on Friday and Saturday from 10pm to 2am. It is the kind of place you visit once and quickly add to your family’s regular rotation because it is nostalgic, delicious, and friendly in all the right ways.

Sometimes my children are angels who shock me with their sweetness and thoughtfulness, and other times they behave like raccoons eating out of the trash with zero shame. The holidays make this contrast even more dramatic, and it can be hard to know what level of politeness is realistic to expect from kids, especially when they are surrounded by extended family, excitement and a whole lot of sugar. Lowcountry Etiquette shared a few simple principles to help guide us through the season without expecting perfection.

Their first reminder is that good manners always start with respect, even for the youngest kids. Children can learn that chewing with their mouths closed helps others enjoy the meal, waiting for the hostess shows appreciation, and opening the door for someone with full hands is simply being kind. Please and thank you still matter, especially when kids are caught up in holiday fun and gifts. Gratitude takes practice, and involving them in helping others in the community is a beautiful way to reinforce it. During meals, even little ones can practice putting a napkin in their lap, keeping elbows off the table and learning to greet adults with eye contact and a smile. These skills take repetition, patience, and lots of gentle reminders, but they build confidence for years to come.

So the night before your big thanksgiving meal, pick one or two expectations you have for your kids and help them to practice it! Here are some helpful suggestions with age categories.

At this age, politeness is mostly about small wins and very concrete actions.
• Use “please” and “thank you” when prompted.
• Sit at the table for a short amount of time (even 5–10 minutes counts as a success).

If they say something cute or mildly chaotic, that also counts as participation

These kids can handle slightly more structure, especially with reminders.
• Put their napkin in their lap and keep it there for part of the meal.
• Greet family members with a wave, smile or simple “hi,” even if they are shy. Kids can initiate a high five or hug if they feel comfortable.

Bonus if they try tasting one new food, but we don’t die on that hill.

This is when expectations can grow a bit.
• Participate in simple conversation by answering a question like “What are you thankful for?”
• Help clear their plate or carry one small dish to the kitchen when the meal is over.

The important thing for parents to do is make simple expectations clear. Don’t be afraid to teach your kids how to be extra polite at the dinner table!

Have a great week and enjoy the weekend before we all get slammed with holiday fun!

Love, Jenna