Hello Palmetto Parents!
We had a bit of a rough start to the weekend with our youngest under the weather, which meant lots of time at home consoling a sick baby. But we ended things on a high note! We cheered on our favorite NBA team, the OKC Thunder, as they faced off against the Hornets in a preseason game. Who said Charleston doesn’t have professional sports? We brought our two big kids and my big brother along, and it was such a fun family night. You can catch a peek at the game over on our Instagram!
This week, we’re sharing some of our favorite fall finds and family moments: our go-to brunch spot at Millers All Day, some dos and dont’s for pumpkins down south, and fun ideas for kids to decorate their pumpkins without the mess. We’ve also rounded up a road trip of Charleston’s best decorated Halloween houses which is perfect for a spooky night drive with the kids.
TO DO
The Ultimate Mount Pleasant Halloween Driving Tour
Some of my favorite things to do with my kids are the ones that check all the boxes: free, flexible, and easy to get in and out of. And during October, nothing beats piling in the car, putting on a spooky playlist, and driving around Mount Pleasant to see the incredible Halloween houses. Think of it as trick-or-treating with your eyes, minus the sugar crash!
This year, we’ve mapped out the perfect family-friendly Halloween Driving Tour with four can’t-miss stops. Here’s how to make the most of it:
🚗 Suggested Route & Stops
1. Old Village – 605 Pitt St, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464
Kick off your night in the heart of Old Village with the famous “Skelly Show.” At the corner of Pitt and Queen, you’ll find a pirate-themed skeleton display complete with a full ship, skeleton dogs, and plenty of spooky surprises. Time your visit between 6:45–7:45pm for the full effect—it’s basically a neighborhood light show!
⬇️ Drive about 15 minutes north via Coleman Blvd & Hwy 17.
2. Six Mile – 2757 Riffle Range Road
This is an incredible house that goes all out for Halloween. Every year the decorations are over-the-top, playful, and spooky which makes it a must-see stop. It looks like they have 50 or so ghosts hanging up between the giant skeletons and light up spooky scenes. Your kids will love taking in all the details as you slow down and admire the scene
.⬇️ From here, it’s just a short 5–7 minute drive.
3. Ivy Hall – 3241 Morningdale Dr, Mt Pleasant, SC 29466
This is a Mount Pleasant legend and for good reason. Of all the houses this has to be my favorite. Homeowner Kelly Frazier Miller spends months hand-making props for her display, creating a yard full of giant spooky characters, purple lights, and the iconic “Mount UNPleasant” sign. The attention to detail makes this one a family favorite year after year. Check out her youtube page with how she makes all her decorations!
💡 Parent Pit Stop: Just 2 minutes away, swing by Chick-fil-A (1024 Johnnie Dodds Blvd) for a quick bathroom break or drive-thru snack before heading to your grand finale.
If the kids still have energy (or you want to bribe them into silence for the ride home), stop for dessert at Ye Ole Fashioned Ice Cream & Sandwich Café or Marble Slab Creamery. Both are local favorites and the perfect way to wrap up a night of spooky fun.
What makes this tour special is how easy it is. No tickets, no big crowds, no stress! Just load up the kids, grab a snack, and spend the evening making memories. Whether you hit one house or all four, this Halloween drive is a reminder that sometimes the best traditions are the simplest ones.
Because in Mount Pleasant, the neighbors don’t just decorate for Halloween, they create magic. Thank you Charleston Moms for the inspo and picture!
INTRODUCING
Calling All Dog Parents in Greater Charleston!
Please do this trend with your fur baby and send us your pictures! We would love to feature your spooky pup!
For all the moms and dads of both two-legged and four-legged kids—this one’s for you! 🐾 Twice a month, we’ll fetch the latest on pup-friendly restaurants, tail-wagging events, and the best local spots to explore with your furry family member. Charleston is basically a dog’s paradise, and we’re here to make sure you and your pup never miss a treat.
EVENT
Kids are Cool Family Festival in West Ashley
📍 Woodlands Nature Reserve
🗓 Saturday, October 11, 2025 | Starting at 1 PM
This seems like one of the coolest events for kids in Charleston. I’m so glad I stumbled upon it and I think you will be too!
Just a short drive from downtown, the beautiful Woodlands Nature Reserve will once again transform into a playground of creativity and community for the Kids Are Cool Family Festival a one-of-a-kind event designed for kids, by kids.
One of the highlights is the Kids Are Cool Vendor Market. Think of it like a farmers market, but every booth is run by kids! From handmade crafts to imaginative creations, young entrepreneurs get to showcase their work while parents cheer them on (and help out behind the scenes).
I personally love events like this, where parents are actively involved with shopping, encouraging, and connecting rather than the usual “drop off and scroll” vibe (although there is a time and place for that too)! It feels like a true celebration of family and community.
Throughout the day, families can bike shady forest trails, kayak across the shimmering lake, or picnic under the pines. And in the evening, the Kids Talent Show takes center stage, where little performers light up the crowd with music, dance, and more. For those wanting to extend the adventure, there’s even the option to camp overnight BYOEverything! (Think tents, gear, and camping spirit.)
Schedule Highlights:
🛍 Kid Vendors: 1–4 PM
🎤 Kids Talent Show: 5–7 PM
🔥 Optional Family Campout: Stay overnight under the stars (Porter potties available, no electricity or running water).
Mark your calendars for this Saturday October 11, and don’t forget - The Woodlands will host the next Kids Are Cool Festival again on March 14!
RESTAURANT
Millers All Day
Whenever we have friends in town, we always take them to Millers All Day! Our pick for the best brunch in Charleston. If we’ve got extra time, we splurge and head downtown, where the bakery is bigger with more options. But honestly, the James Island location evens things out with its fun photo booth. Right now, our youngest is in that in-between stage. He’s part baby, part toddler and all he wants to do is crawl around and destroy everything. Eating out with him can be stressful. But brunch at Millers is totally worth it! Pro tip for co-parenting while dining out: my husband eats his meal in about 2.4 minutes while I hold the baby, then we trade so I can actually savor mine! Yes I let my husband eat first, but it’s less of a work out!
The menu at Millers is worth the juggling act. They serve farm-fresh eggs (not those pale yolks you see at most places), and their banana bread is a must-order for the table. Their breakfast sandwiches are some of the best around. And yes, they have a gluten-free bun option. My go-to coffee is their dirty chai, while their Mad Shooters are a fun way to start the morning if you’re in the mood for something stronger. Before you head out, don’t forget to snag a pumpkin scone from the bakery to enjoy later! While they are a breakfast-all-day/brunch spot, they still have some lunch options like their smash burger (which is one of the best around) and a few different salad options.
Both the Downtown and James Island locations share that retro vibe that also feels modern and lively at the same time. They keep the same hours Monday to Friday from 8–3pm and Saturday–Sunday from 8–4pm. If you are up at the crack of dawn like we are with our kids, head downtown early and be at the front of the line when the door opens! Parking is a little easier at the James Island spot thanks to its shared lot, while the downtown location offers plenty of street parking nearby.
Whether you’ve been to Millers All Day a million times or you’re visiting Charleston for the first time, their food and drinks impress every guest, every single time.
PALMETTO PIECE
From Salem to Charleston: My Pumpkin Survival Guide
Halloween is basically in my DNA… I spent the first five years of my life living in Salem, Massachusetts! One of the hardest parts of front-porch pumpkins up north was always the squirrels stealing bites out of them. But when I moved down to Charleston, I quickly realized I had a new challenge: instead of squirrels, it was the heat and humidity. My pumpkins would completely rot in just a few days.
If you’re like me and want your porch pumpkins to last longer, here are a few tried-and-true tips:
Pick the right pumpkin: Choose one without cuts, bruises, or soft spots. Those spots will be the first to mold.
Give it a bath: Wipe down your pumpkin with a mixture of one tablespoon of bleach(or vinager) in a quart of water to kill off bacteria.
Keep it shaded: Charleston sun is no joke. Try to keep pumpkins in a spot that doesn’t get direct afternoon sun.
Don’t cut too early: Carved pumpkins break down fast in the Lowcountry heat. Wait until closer to Halloween to carve, and enjoy uncarved ones on your porch in the meantime.
Try a sealant: Spraying your pumpkin with clear acrylic spray or even rubbing on a thin coat of Vaseline can help lock in moisture and slow down decay.
And of course, pumpkins are about more than just porches. They’re about making memories! A few fun ideas for kids and decorating:
Paint instead of carve: Less mess, longer-lasting pumpkins, and kids can go wild with colors, glitter, or even stickers.
Sticker faces: Pick up pumpkin face sticker kits for little ones who are too young to carve.
Glow-in-the-dark fun: Use glow paint or stick-on stars so pumpkins light up at night without candles.
Nature-inspired pumpkins: Let kids glue on leaves, twigs, or acorns to give their pumpkin a fall-themed “costume.”
Pumpkin “families”: Line up different sized pumpkins and decorate them like your family. Kids love giving each pumpkin a personality.
With just a little creativity (and a few tricks for keeping them fresh), your pumpkins will last long enough to wow trick-or-treaters and give your kids some festive fun along the way.
P.S. Does anyone know where to find a neighborhood micro bakery with all things sourdough? Let me know in the comment section below. We have got some fun ideas for next month!
Love, Jenna