Columbia fun activities for kids - Arts, nature and fairy tales all for FREE!

In downtown Columbia kids learn to appreciate arts and history and to discover Mother Nature’s little treasures. My 4 years old and I had a great time interpreting sculptures at the Columbia Museum of Art, then “chasing” the waterfalls weave their way into the Finlay Park’s lake and finally “taming the wild things” at the [...]

Must see waterfalls in the South Carolina Upcountry (fun things to do outdoor with kids)

Here are some free and highly rewarding outdoor activities near Oconee and Devils Fork State Parks in the breath-taking (I know I used this term a lot…but it’s so true) South Carolina Upcountry and Western North Carolina. Your kids will remember these trips for ever. To help you plan ahead here is a custom Google [...]

Visit USS Yorktown, a military wonder and true family adventure (Charleston weekend fun things to do with children)

What better way to celebrate Memorial Day weekend than visiting the USS Yorktown aircraft carrier the world’s most imposing military marvel during WWII? “The Fighting Lady” is almost 10 football fields long, weighs in at about 27,000 tons and is bristling with weapons and war planes, from the Wright Brothers Flyer to the sleek Tomcat [...]

Visit Walterboro’s Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Honoring the Red Tail Angels

The Germans called them with great respect the Black Bird Men. Legend has it the Tuskegee pilots never lost an aircraft to enemy during their coverage support missions in Europe. For their bravery air-bomb crews nicknamed them the “Red Tail Angels”.
So on your way to Hilton Head and South Carolina Sea Islands stop in [...]

New life springs from ashes at Old Sheldon Church near Beaufort (historical and free things to do)

The Old Sheldon Church Ruins and Graveyard are about half an hour drive from both Beaufort and Interstate I-95. The centuries old church is a South Carolina truly inspirational historic site attraction the whole family should enjoy.
Here lay the remains of Prince William’s Parish, better known as Sheldon Church (named after Bull’s family ancestral [...]

Just Amazing Alligator Photos from South Carolina

Alligators are truly amazing creatures. We are so blessed to still see them all around South Carolina (like the Alligator Adventure in Myrtle Beach or Charles Towne Landing in Charleston).
Just recently, Business Week published in article underscoring once more their excellent survival skills and importance to the human race. Apparently, alligators have super-potent proteins in [...]

Charles Towne Landing an educational, relaxing and fulfilling family getaway (Charleston historic things to do)

This is as good as it gets for a weekend family getaway! Step back in time at the Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site, the birth place of South Carolina. The park is just minutes driving from downtown Charleston and welcomes visitors to 80 acres of gardens, a self-guided historic walking trail through serene oak [...]

Flight Adventures on the way to Jackson Hole

4:45 AM and it’s pitching dark outside. Pulling out of the driveway almost ran the car into the ditch…guess I’m not awake yet. Minutes later, first time ever, I miss the right turn onto 200 SC highway that joins I-77 towards Charlotte airport. Yep I’m on my way to a long awaited ski trip to [...]

Cypress Gardens - From “Carolina Gold” to Floating Hearts Family Fun (Charleston outdoor things to do with kids)

I’m at the Cypress Gardens swamp park (30 minutes drive from Charleston). The boat pulls slowly towards the dock radiating a familiar big band tune. Nice, we’re getting radio too. Nope, that was Frank, the boat guide. Even better, we will be serenaded thru the flowered bordered black water swamp meanders. Along the way [...]

Daniel Island: “Love Thy Neighbor” wildlife photo encounters

One summer evening we were coming home from school. As I was turning the car around the dolphins’ water fountain I caught sight of a 5 feet alligator sunbathing on the little pond beach across the parking lot. I stopped the car, yanked Lana from the seat, and with her in my arms ran the [...]