🌴New (Secret) Park & Saturday Events on a Budget

Hey Palmetto Parents!

What a chilly few days it has been and boy am I grateful for the 70 degree weekend we had last week. We spent last weekend at a new park in West Ashley (which I have the inside scoop for you), we also had our son’s first basketball game of the season, a birthday party and we went to Second Sunday on King Street after church on Sunday. WOW… I have some tips for how parents should navigate Second Sunday with multiple kids. I’ll save that for February!

Our local Charleston County Recreation told us that registration for Spring Sports closes this Saturday, January 17. That may differ depending on your local rec center. Check directly with them! I always have the best luck going in and speaking with the rec center team if I can’t get the info I need online.

In other news, we have a few ideas of how you can stay warm this weekend, while still being out and about with your kids. We have two budget friendly events with one indoors at Patriot’s Point in Mount Pleasant and the other downtown on King Street at the American Gardens. More details below!

On Sunday after our whirlwind experience at Second Sunday on King street my husband came to the rescue by suggesting we stop and grab coffee before we headed home. It was so busy on King Street we couldn’t even get our Sunday afternoon lattes. We stopped by our old faithful coffee shop, the Daily, and they gave us the strength to finish our weekend strong.

We ended our weekend with some dinner and a new family tv series that I have been dying to tell you about. Yes I am encouraging all families to increase their screen time. This show is worth it!

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The West Ashley moms have been ablaze with some hot gossip lately. Tucked away inside the Shadowmoss neighborhood off Bees Ferry Road is a brand new park that has quickly gained major popularity. I do not even think this park is showing up on Google yet, but it is absolutely there and already making waves. The park is called Bridge Point Ecological Park. One thing is clear, the moms totally approve.

Right now, the park is simple, just a few play structures inside a gated area with astro turf underfoot, but somehow that is part of the magic. Everyone who has gone has been singing its praises, and it has that hard to explain feeling of being special. It is one of those places you really do have to see for yourself to understand why it stands out from other playgrounds.

A quick heads up before you go, parking is very, very limited, so patience is key. Because it is still so new and under the radar, it feels like a neighborhood secret being passed from mom to mom. No bathrooms at this park yet, but I have heard rumors bathrooms are coming. I would tag the location if I could, but since it is not online yet, this is one West Ashley adventure you will have to discover the old fashioned way.

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Heading to Patriots Point and stepping onto a giant naval ship is something I have wanted to do for a while, but the price per ticket always made me think twice, especially now that there are five of us in our family. A few weeks ago, on a cold and rainy day, we finally went and had a great time. For the rest of the Saturdays this month, Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum is offering a pay what you can option, making the next few Saturdays in January the perfect time to visit if you have been considering this as a family outing. Patriots Point is open daily from 10 to 4pm, which makes it easy to plan around naps, school schedules, or a slower winter morning.

The main attraction is the USS Yorktown, and you will spend most of your visit exploring this incredibly old and historic aircraft carrier. Once you step on board, the ship feels enormous, like a floating city that could easily take four or more hours to fully explore. Visiting with young kids is doable, but be prepared. The stairs are extremely steep, closer to ladders than traditional stairs, and my husband carried our 28 pound, 17 month old up and down the entire time. Our baby also kept trying to run toward the roped off aircraft area, so I got an unexpected workout just keeping him from attempting to board a plane.

Safety wise, the ship felt very kid friendly despite its size. There are not many areas where children are directly exposed to open water, and the main deck is enclosed with fencing and is large enough for kids to move around without constantly drifting toward the edges. There is an elevator on the main level that takes you to the museum areas, but baby wearing is still your best option since hallways are tight and there are steps at many doorways. Bathrooms are located back on land near the gift shop, not on the ship itself. One last pro tip for parents, this is a very old ship and the dust triggered some allergy symptoms for our baby, so keep that in mind if your kids have seasonal allergies.

This weekend will be chilly and the ship is a perfect place to spend the morning. If you are hoping to get a work out in, come around 9am this Saturday for their sweat on the ship series.

At Palmetto Parents, we want to bring you the most fun things to do with kids, while also highlighting the most budget friendly options around Charleston. Each week, we will feature either a free activity or a free event your family can enjoy, and this week’s pick is Books on the Green at American Gardens, a relaxed and welcoming outdoor story time right on King Street.

Every Tuesday (10:30am) and Saturday (2pm), families are invited to gather beneath the oak trees for story time at American Gardens. Books on the Green is presented in partnership with the Charleston Library Society and Buxton Books and is open to children of all ages. Expect timeless tales, big adventures, and moments of wonder, and every now and then you may even be surprised with a visit from an author for a special reading. There are public restrooms located in the gardens as well, making this an easy, free outing to add to your week.

American Gardens is a safe and spacious spot to let kids move around freely, making it a great stop if you are already downtown. It is also stroller friendly for strollers with wheels closer to one inch in thickness, though scooters and umbrella style strollers do not work well on the rocky paths. Check them out at 187 King Street!

It can be hard carting kids around the Charleston area, especially closer to downtown, but The Daily is one staple we have found ourselves coming back to over the past few years. It is the kind of place that feels approachable even on busy mornings, with quick service and an atmosphere that works well whether you are stopping in solo or juggling kids. They have their own parking lot and an small patio area perfect for louder kiddos. While their lattes are definitely on the more expensive side, they are clearly made with intention and love, and yes, sometimes literally topped with rose petals.

The Daily describes itself as your neighborhood go to for great coffee, craveable bites, and feel good vibes in Charleston and Atlanta, and that really does sum it up. They keep things simple with real food made fresh and served fast. They also prioritize sourcing from nearby farmers, growers, and producers, which shows in how fresh and seasonal everything tastes.

Food wise, The Daily is a great breakfast and lunch stop, especially if you lean vegetarian or vegan. Popular breakfast options include loaded avocado bowls, breakfast tacos, and avocado toast, while lunch brings healthy salad options that still feel filling. Their specialty lattes are fun and creative, including the Brown Sugar Miso Latte made with brown sugar and miso syrup and Onyx espresso, the Choco Mint Matcha Latte with peppermint syrup and chocolate tahini foam, and the Gingersmack Latte with ginger maple syrup and coconut maple foam. If sweet drinks are not your thing, they also offer plenty of unsweetened matcha options. The Daily is open daily from 7am to 3pm, making it an easy stop whether you are starting your downtown day or taking a midday break with kids in tow.

One of my New Year’s goals this year is actually to watch more TV with my kids. Let me explain. Usually, less screen time feels like a parenting win, but as my big kids are getting older, I want to use TV as a way to bond and create shared memories rather than something we constantly avoid. Instead of mindless watching, I want to teach my kids how to enjoy shows together, talk about what we’re watching, and turn it into something that brings us closer.

As a millennial, I grew up watching a lot of TV with my family, and those memories have stuck with me. There are times I wish we had done more activities outside the house, but there are also moments I am deeply grateful for because they brought us together. I remember watching the very first season of American Idol and cheering when Kelly Clarkson won, then heading to school and realizing everyone else was just as excited. I also remember watching Saturday Night Live with my dad every Saturday night at 11pm sharp. I would actually leave friends’ houses early to make sure I was home in time to watch it with my parents. Super dorky, but also so wholesome of teenage me!

If you are looking for a family friendly show that is not a cartoon, is actually enjoyable for adults, and gives you plenty to talk about, I highly recommend The Beast Games. The show follows large scale challenges where contestants compete using strategy, teamwork, and grit, and it is surprisingly engaging for a wide range of ages. It is easy to pause and talk about decisions, fairness, effort, and sportsmanship, which makes it a great tool for connection instead of passive viewing. Don’t forget how fun it can be when the whole family is cheering for the same player to win. So go ahead and watch more TV with your kids this year, it might just become one of your favorite traditions.

What are your thoughts on having more budget friendly options for families in Charleston? Does budget affect your family plans? Let me know in the comments below!

Love, Jenna