🌴 Ashley River Park and Cars & Coffee on Kiawah

Hey Palmetto Parents,

So… how did spring break go? For us, it was rough at first. But we ended the week with lots of fun and a few local day trips. No beach days and very little time spent outside. But we had a lot of fun and it felt too quick!

I am especially glad we survived spring break because we have decided to homeschool our big kids this fall. Our oldest will be entering 3rd grade and our middle will be starting kindergarten! We have a great co-op and some groups that we got into! Any advice from home school parents? Comment below in the rating section!

This week’s newsletter is filled with a few of my favorite things. First, my most beloved park… which is actually all the way up in Summerville, Ashley River Park. It is worth the trip, trust me!

For this week’s event, we travel all the way out to Kiawah Island for Fresh Fields special monthly event, Cars & Coffee. It’s the perfect excuse to get out to Kiawah this season!

This week’s restaurant is a chain, but so worth it. Especially if you have a gluten intolerance or allergy. Burtons Grill and Bar doesn’t get the credit it deserves! I went there for a girls brunch, but lunch or dinner is a great option too. It is also a perfect spot to bring your kids. Not too expensive, but it also feels like a nicer meal.

Lastly, we have a fun poem about my experience with this year’s spring break. We came. We saw. We conquered! Enjoy your week and let me know what you enjoyed from this week’s newsletter!

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Springtime in Charleston when you have young kids means… splash pad season! One of my favorite places to splash around has to be Ashley River Park. There is so much to do and see. It feels like I will have weeks in a row when I am there multiple times a week for plenty of fun play dates or even birthday parties. It does cost $2 per person ages 3+ to gain access inside. When you have a carload of kiddos with you, it can add up. But it is totally worth it!

The park is pristine and not a leaf looks out of place. There is plenty of river access and large pond with lots of wild life to see (defintiely keep an eye out for the gators). There are two bathrooms and both have AC! Which makes an often stressful trip feel more doable. Getting to cool off is adds a nice break in between jungle gym sessions.

Which brings me to what makes this park so special. There are two jungle gym areas connected with a zip line. One area is geared towards little ones and the other will keep your big kids entertained and challenged. There are plenty of picnic tables under some tall trees that add some much needed shade. This is very rare for most playgrounds in Charleston. Trees tend to be far from play areas, not close to them. It’s a nice change of those hotter days!

The other reason we love this park is the splash pad! My 20 month old did so well at the splash pad this past weekend. It is perfect for my 5 year old as well. My 7 (almost 8 year old) tends to do one run through to cool down and then he’s off to the zip-line or open field to play some sort of game. I can keep an eye on all my kids while they are able to enjoy some independence.

If you are looking for a fun place to spend a few hours, driving up to Ashley River Park just might be the perfect morning or afternoon you are looking for!

I love events where I can grab a coffee on a Saturday morning and let my kids waddle around and get some fresh air, especially with this gorgeous Charleston weather before it turns into that full-on summer heat we all know is coming.

If you have not taken the time to drive out to Freshfields Village at Kiawah Island, this Saturday is the perfect excuse to pile the kids in the car and make a morning of it. Their monthly Cars & Coffee event is one of those low-key, family-friendly outings that somehow checks every box. You get fresh air, something fun for the kids to look at, and of course, coffee in hand.

Head over to the Village Green and stroll through a lineup of unique, antique, and just plain cool cars at Cars & Coffee. It is the kind of event where kids can wander, point, and ask a million questions while you sip your drink and actually enjoy a slower pace for a bit. Coffee and breakfast will be available for purchase at Java Java, which makes it easy to settle in and stay awhile.

The event takes place on the third Saturday of each month from February through September, running from 9AM to 11AM. It is the perfect window of time before the day gets too hot, especially if you are bringing little ones along.

A few helpful reminders if you plan to go. The event begins by filling the roadway in front of Java Java. Once that space is full, cars will move to the main roadway in front of 48 Wine Bar & Kitchen. If there is overflow, guests are asked to park only in designated parking spaces behind Hege’s Restaurant. Organizers do ask that you avoid parking illegally or near the white gates at any time so everything can run smoothly.

It is simple, it is relaxed, and it is exactly the kind of outing that makes you appreciate living here. A good cup of coffee, happy kids, and a little morning adventure before the heat rolls in.

Women absolutely dominate brunch. We just do. It is a sport, a ritual, a personality trait, and honestly we are very good at it. And nothing says “I am a grown woman” quite like an adult onset allergy or sudden aversion to gluten that shows up out of nowhere and decides to stay.

So what is the answer when you want a perfect brunch and need gluten free options that do not feel like an afterthought? It is Burtons Grill & Bar.

Tucked into Mount Pleasant in a busy shopping area, Burtons is technically a chain, but you would never know it. It feels warm, polished, and thoughtful in a way that makes it perfect for everything from a girls’ brunch to a family outing. The service alone sets the tone. We sat outside on a beautiful Charleston day, and the staff even moved the umbrellas around to keep us shaded. It was one of those small gestures that makes you feel completely taken care of, like yes, this is exactly where we are meant to be.

The menu is where Burtons really shines, especially if you are navigating food sensitivities. Their gluten free options are not just available, they are actually good. The kind you think about later. For brunch, we ordered a mix of favorites. The ahi tuna bowl was fresh and flavorful, perfectly balanced and light without feeling boring. The short rib hash was rich, savory, and comforting in that this is exactly what I wanted kind of way.

And then there were the appetizers, because brunch without appetizers is just a meeting. The fried calamari came with crispy fried jalapeños that added the perfect little kick. Honestly, we could have ordered a second round just of those. But the real surprise was the gluten free donut holes. They were warm, soft, and completely addictive, the kind of thing you order for the table but secretly hope no one else reaches for.

Their drink menu rounds everything out beautifully, with all the brunch staples you would expect plus some thoughtful alcohol free options that do not feel like an afterthought. Whether you are in the mood for something celebratory or just want something refreshing, there is something for everyone.

And when brunch wraps up, the day does not have to end. Burtons’ location makes it easy to stroll right into a little post meal shopping, because that is part of the fun too.

If you find yourself coming back for dinner, and you probably will, their menu continues to impress. Think perfectly cooked steaks, fresh seafood, burgers, and hearty comfort dishes, all with that same attention to dietary needs and quality ingredients.

Burtons Grill & Bar is one of those rare places that manages to do it all. Delicious food, thoughtful service, and an atmosphere that makes you want to linger just a little longer. Gluten free or not, it is the kind of spot that makes brunch feel like the event it is meant to be.

Spring Break, We Thought

We circled the dates with bright, hopeful ink,
Dreamed of slow mornings and time to just be,
Snacks packed neatly, a plan (kind of) made,
Sunshine and laughter for our little crew of three.

“This will be magical,” I told myself twice,
Visions of crafts and adventures so sweet,
But somewhere between laundry and snack number ten,
I thought… we should’ve planned a vacation sooner this week.

The days started early, like very early light,
With questions and chaos before coffee was poured,
Three voices at once, all needing something,
And crumbs somehow covering every floor.

The outings felt harder than I had imagined,
Shoes lost, sunscreen in eyes, someone always upset,
“I’m bored,” echoed loudly by 9:15,
And somehow… we hadn’t even left yet.

By midday I wondered how we’d survive,
Counting the hours till bedtime would come,
Breaking up battles, refilling the snacks,
Hiding in the pantry just to chew gum.

The guilt crept in with the mess and the noise,
“Should I be making this more fun somehow?”
But survival became the win of the day,
And deep breaths were my superpower now.

And then, just like that, it started to shift,
A laugh here, a moment I didn’t expect,
Sticky little hands reaching up for mine,
Reminding me what I’d almost forget.

Because somehow it ended as fast as it came,
The chaos, the noise, the beautifully wild,
And I found myself wishing for just one more day,
One more memory with each growing child.

Now summer is calling, just over the hill,
With longer days and adventures to chase,
And maybe next time we’ll plan it all out…
Or maybe we’ll just embrace the beautiful pace.

See you next time!

Love,

Jenna