🌴 The Aquarium, Second Sunday, Date Night and Building Your Own Village

🍎 Hello Parents!

Last weekend we were able to make the drive up to the Apple Festival just outside of Asheville and it was such a blast! Between picking apples, riding the cow ride, feeding the animals, and letting the kids watch plenty of movies in the car (because yes, we did it all in one day!) it was the perfect way to kick off September. Check out more here.

This week in Charleston, we’re sharing a mix of family fun and parent time. We have a visit to the South Carolina Aquarium, strolling downtown during Second Sunday on King Street, and even a date night at Church and Union paired with a free art exhibit. Plus, in this week’s Palmetto Piece, we’re diving into how to build your own village so you have the support and friendships you need as a parent in Charleston.

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The South Carolina Aquarium is the perfect spot to explore, learn, and cool off from the leftover summer heat. It’s a great way for families to enjoy a mix of education, adventure, and hands-on fun all under one roof!

We like to start our visit on the first floor with the turtles and sharks, watching these fascinating creatures glide through the water and it’s mesmerizing for both kids and adults. From there, we make our way upstairs to the interactive exhibits, where the little ones can touch sea creatures, learn about conservation, and engage with hands-on displays. They just opened up a new, larger touch tank exhibit that we checked out last weekend. We got to pet sea urchins, starfish, crabs, and even small sharks. On your way out, be sure to stop by the stingray touch tank. The touch tanks are always a favorite, giving kids a chance to safely connect with these gentle creatures.

Snacks and drinks are at the aquarium’s Sea Turtle Snack Bar and offers light bites, cold drinks, and sweet treats to keep everyone fueled during your visit. One other major perk for new parents is that the aquarium has not one but two amazing nursing rooms equipped with a comfy chair and a changing table. The downstairs one even has a mesmerizing light fixture for your baby (IYKYK). The aquarium was one of the first outings we did with a newborn because of the ease of nursing them while out!

Tickets for adults are $29.95 and children (3–12) are $22.95. Ages 2 & under FREE. We usually buy a family year pass because we tend to go so often! Pro-tip: Consider asking friends and family to chip in for an aquarium pass for Christmas or birthdays!

After your aquarium adventure, take a short walk to Gadsdenboro Park, just next door. The park features open fields, a walking trail, and a fun jungle gym which is perfect for burning off any extra energy before heading home. Parking can be tricky, so make sure to grab street parking if you find it or use the aquarium garage for convenience.

As parents, we love our coffee—and we also love getting out of the house with our kids. That’s why it’s such a gift to have a coffee shop that’s just as welcoming to families as it is to coffee lovers. Summit Coffee has created that space with three Lowcountry locations—Old Village (411 Hibben St, Mt. Pleasant), Long Point (565 Belle Station Blvd, Mt. Pleasant), and Nexton (408 Brighton Park Blvd Ste 106, Summerville)—making it a go-to spot for families.

We recently visited their Nexton location for story time, and their hospitality shined. Parents enjoyed discounted drinks, while kids were treated to free, house-made sprinkle cookies. It’s this kind of thoughtfulness that makes Summit stand out—welcoming spaces, inventive drinks, and pastries that please everyone in the family.

And right now, their new fall menu is the drool-worthy star of the show:

Stop by soon to sip their fall flavors, and keep an eye on social media (and here!) for upcoming kids’ events. Follow the Old Village, Long Point, or Nexton locations on Instagram to stay up to date.

Do you love heading downtown with the family but dread navigating your giant stroller through a sea of foot traffic on a narrow, three-foot-wide sidewalk as much as I do? Let me introduce you to Second Sunday on King Street. Your new favorite Sunday outing!

On the second Sunday of every month, from 12-5pm, King Street is transformed into a pedestrian playground with vehicle-free and stroller-friendly! It starts at Queen Street up to Calhoun Street. It stretches nearly half a mile, giving families room to wander, shop, snack, and soak up Charleston’s charm without the stress of traffic.

Here is what makes it perfect for parents, there is space to roam with no cars and the whole street blocked off. Plenty of room for little legs and even the occasional scooter. There is live music and local artists. You can discover street musicians, pop-up galleries and family friendly performances as you stroll. Dinning is made easy! Restaurants set up sidewalk dining and food vendors line the street offering everything from brunch to sweet treats.

Whether your toddler wants to stop for bubble waffles or you’re hoping to squeeze in a quick browse of local boutiques, this event makes it comfortable and enjoyable for the whole family!

Lookin’ for a last minute date night ideas in downtown Charleston? Check out Church and Union. It’s one of those staple spots in Charleston you have to try. My husband’s coworker gave us this recommendation adding a gift card with it (yay for healthy male friendships)! We snagged a table day of and we were pleasantly surprised by the menu. Plenty of indulgent dishes that are also on the healthier side.

We kicked things off with Moroccan meatballs before moving on to the Wagyu steaks with Yukon smashed potatoes. Since my husband is a former football player and never holds back when it comes to food, he added a second entree, the braided ravioli. For dessert, the strawberry shortcake hit the sweet spot without being overpowering.

Church and Union is located on historic Market Street in downtown Charleston. They are open Monday-Thursday starting at 10am and on the weekends Friday-Sunday starting at 9am. Check here for their hours and set times for lunch, dinner, and brunch.

After dinner, we strolled to the Pineapple Fountain and wrapped up the night at the Vendue Hotel, which features a free rotating art exhibit. It’s the perfect activity to add to your downtown date night. A romantic, low-key and quintessential Charleston date night!

We all know the classic line from seasoned moms: “It takes a village to raise a child.” But what happens when you’re the first couple in your friend group to start a family? What happens when you’ve just moved to Charleston and are without those familiar faces? Or for whatever reason, what happens when you find yourself in the midst of a hard season of starting over while trying to find the joy in parenting?

Wherever you are in your parenting journey your village is just that - your own village! Sometimes we need a gentle reminder, but it is yours to create. You don’t need to wait for your friends to catch up to your life stage or until your loved ones decide to relocate closer to you. You can start now!

It has been so much fun seeing how parents in Charleston are connecting online! I have personally seen so many running groups, moms’ night outs, and meet-ups happening. Recently, my sister-in-law hosted a coffee bar in her neighborhood before the first day of school. Parents were able to grab coffee, connect and get their kids to school on time.

If you are having trouble figuring out how to start or build your village, remember this: don’t worry about looking like a put together parent. We all have messiness in our lives, especially with little ones in tow! From my personal experience, the best way to look and feel like you have it together is by putting on a smile and getting to know other parents rather than focusing on yourself.

So put yourself out there. Attend the moms groups, talk to the parent at the park, plan the double date with the new neighbors, or start a neighborhood coffee stand! If you are one of the lucky ones who has an amazing village already, make it better and invite someone in. At the end of the day, building your village isn’t about perfection, its about showing up, sharing life with others, and remembering that we need a village and our village needs us!