🌴 Memorial Waterfront Park, SC Constitution, & Bahama Breeze

Hey Palmetto Parents!

I hope you had the best Father’s Day. Ours was not as exciting as I wanted it to be. I stayed a few hours in bed sick. Luckily a few hours of watching golf on the couch was exactly what my husband wanted. To all the dads out there, thank you again!

This week we take a closer look at one of Charleston’s best parks, Memorial Waterfront Park. They have a few updates like rocking chairs and ice cream! Then we go over a few fun events this weekend. One is educational but both are free, which feels like a huge win.

After the fun weekend events we have the perfect dinner option which is located in North Charleston. Hop over to my kids’ favorite restaurant - Bahama Breeze. Yes it is popular a chain restaurant, but there are a few details which make it a kid’s paradise.

Lastly, if you are like our family, you are doing lots of errands with all your kids in tow. We give you a handful of tips to help make the to do lists a little easier.

Enjoy!

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If you've followed Palmetto Parents for any length of time, you know we love sharing our favorite local spots. Mount Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park has been talked about more than once over here, but its too good not to share again! Known as the "crown jewel of Mount Pleasant," Memorial Waterfront Park sits at the base of the Ravenel Bridge and offers so much more than your average neighborhood playground. Between the harbor views, constant breeze, and activities for every age, it's one of those places we find ourselves returning to again and again.

On our most recent visit, I noticed several rocking chairs outside the splash area, and one mom comfortably breastfeeding her baby while keeping an eye on the older kids. I almost call it a sprinkler pad rather than a splash pad because the water features are gentle and perfect for babies, toddlers, and younger preschoolers. There aren't giant buckets or huge sprays, just enough water to cool everyone off without overwhelming little ones.

One of my favorite things about this park is how easy it is to entertain kids of different ages. Next to the water area is an outdoor fitness zone with tire flips, pull-up bars, and other equipment designed for adults, though kids naturally treat it like a jungle gym. There's also a mostly enclosed basketball court nearby, which gives older kids a little independence while younger siblings stay at the splash area. Across the road, you'll find even more to do, including the shaded nautical-themed playground inspired by the Ravenel Bridge and Charleston Harbor, plus soft-serve ice cream from River Watch Café. The enclosed playground is especially nice for parents of runners who appreciate a little extra peace of mind.

Another reason we love Memorial Waterfront Park is all of the little details. There are plenty of walking paths, lots of grassy space for picnics, and surprisingly clean, air-conditioned private bathrooms. The park also features a 1,250-foot pier overlooking Charleston Harbor with swings where you can sit and enjoy the view. But the best part might be the location itself. Because the park sits directly on the water and underneath the Ravenel Bridge, there's almost always a breeze. Even in the middle of a Charleston summer, it never feels quite as hot or stuffy as other parks around town.

The only caveat? It can be loud. Between the bridge traffic overhead, the playground, basketball court, splash area, and excited kids everywhere, you may hit your "I'm overstimulated and it's time to load everyone back in the car" limit a little sooner than expected. But honestly, that's a small price to pay for one of the best family parks in the Lowcountry.

If you're spending time downtown next Saturday on June 27, this is a wonderful (and free!) event to add to your plans. In celebration of America's 250th anniversary, visitors will have the rare opportunity to view the original 1776 South Carolina Constitution. A long 250 years after the events that helped shape our state and nation.

The historic document is on loan from the South Carolina Department of Archives and History (in Colombia), and SCDAH historians will be on-site throughout the day to provide context and answer questions between 10am-4pm. You can see the South Carolina Constitution at the Charleston Museum located at 100 Meeting Street.

As parents, we all start the summer with the best intentions. I always begin with extra schoolwork and homemade worksheets for my kids… and then somewhere along the way, life happens and those plans slowly fade away! That's why I love events like this. It's an easy way to sneak in some hands-on learning and help fight the dreaded "summer slip" without anyone feeling like they're doing schoolwork.

History comes alive when kids can actually see something real, ask questions, and experience it together as a family. Best of all, it's the kind of educational outing they are likely to remember long after summer ends.

If you're looking for a fun family outing this summer, Low Tide Brewing on Johns Island is bringing all the carnival excitement back for its Second Annual Carnival Party. From sweet treats and games to live entertainment and delicious local food, this event is packed with activities for all ages.

Families can enjoy carnival games, a roaming magician, and even colorful fairy hair for the kids. And, of course, no carnival would be complete without classic treats like funnel cakes, elephant ears, and fried Oreos.

Food trucks Pizza Da Michelino and Braised & Glazed will be serving up crowd favorites, while adults can sample Low Tide's special Watermelon Mint Sour can release and refreshing Candy Apple Slushies.

Feeling brave? Check out the beer-filled dunk tank or cheer on contestants during the Chili Dog Eating Contest at 5pm.

Whether you're stopping by for the food, the games, the entertainment, or simply the festive atmosphere, this is one summer party you won't want to miss. It's the perfect way to soak up these long summer days and make some sweet family memories.

When people ask where our kids always request to eat, the answer is easy: Bahama Breeze in North Charleston. Yes, it's a chain restaurant, but sometimes chains become family favorites for a reason. In fact, this is the only Bahama Breeze location in South Carolina, making it a fun little hidden gem for Lowcountry families.

One of the things our kids think is absolutely wild is that each table has its own tablet. We're typically a "no iPads except for flying" kind of family, but when we're out and about, I tend to relax the screen-time rules a bit. The novelty of ordering games or exploring the menu on the tablet is enough to make dinner feel like an event, and our kids get so excited every single time.

The menu is incredibly family-friendly, with plenty of options for picky eaters and adventurous eaters alike. One of our kids' favorite dishes is the pineapple bowl filled with rice and chicken. There's just something about having dinner served inside a pineapple that makes the whole meal more fun. And while parents can enjoy one of Bahama Breeze's tropical cocktails, the kids love splurging on one of the colorful specialty drinks that feel a little more exciting than your standard Shirley Temple.

Another reason we keep coming back is the atmosphere. The booths are roomy, making it easy to fit larger families or gather with friends, and the island-inspired décor instantly makes dinner feel a little like vacation. With live music on select evenings and a laid-back Caribbean vibe, it's one of those places where everyone can relax and enjoy themselves.

Bahama Breeze is open daily from 11am to 11pm, with extended hours until midnight on Saturdays. If you're looking for a family restaurant that's fun, easy, and guaranteed to earn cheers from the kids, this North Charleston favorite has definitely earned its spot on our regular rotation.

With all three of my kids home for the summer, we've had a lot more "boring" moments together lately. Not every day can be pool days and splash pads. Recently, I brought all three kids along to my doctor's appointment, and it reminded me that sometimes parenting happens in the ordinary moments. While errands aren't exactly exciting, I've learned they can become some of our sweetest memories if I change my expectations a little.

1. Break errands into smaller trips and come prepared. I've found it's much easier to do one 15-minute errand than try to cram an entire day's worth of tasks into one outing. Splitting things up keeps everyone happier, including me. I always pack snacks, even if they're the boring healthy ones, and I keep a small toy hidden in my diaper bag for when the kids get restless. I wait until little ones start getting restless before pulling it out, which somehow makes that toy feel brand new. Another thing I never overlook? Bathroom access. I've started taking "bathroom selfies" with my kids when we're out, and they've become some of my favorite photos. My kids love looking back at pictures of themselves, and it's been a fun way to romanticize the everyday moments.

2. Set expectations and don't be afraid to say no, or yes. Before we walk into a store, I tell my kids exactly why we're there. "We're returning one item and not buying anything else." Surprisingly, clear expectations help so much. When they see something they love, we add it to the birthday list instead. I actually keep a running list on my phone, and when the same item comes up multiple times, I know it's something they truly want. My daughter's excited little voice when I say, "Yes, we can put that on your birthday list!" is something I know I'll cherish forever. And when emotions run high, I've learned to choose my battles. Sometimes I stand firm and let the tantrum happen all the way to the car. Other times, I decide the lesson can wait for another day. Parenting isn't a performance, and I don't let other people's opinions determine what I think is best for my children.

3. Worry less about what everyone else thinks. After having three kids and parenting in four different states, I can confidently say Charleston has been one of the most gracious places to raise children. People here are incredibly kind when kids are loud, restless, or just acting their age. I've become much less self-conscious over the years, and honestly, I think most people appreciate seeing families out together. I try hard not to make my children feel like they're in the way. Instead, I remind them that right now our job is to finish this errand, stay focused, and then move on to something fun. A little patience, a few snacks, and lowered expectations can go a long way.

Summer doesn't always have to be filled with big adventures. Sometimes the memories we remember most are made during doctor's appointments, grocery runs, and quick trips to Target with little voices chatting in the shopping cart beside us.

See you next week!

Jenna