Ultimate family fun at the Hilton Head beach

Year after year Hilton Head proves itself as THE FAMILY beach gateway in South Carolina.


I'll let the photos do the talking now:
Panoramic view of the beach in front of the Hilton Head Resort


Reading your favorite book while gently waves are kissing your feet...serenity now!


Proud boy showing off his baby shark fishing trophy


Exhilirating joy riding the waves all by herself. The waves were big enough to guarantee fun splashing and jumping around yet safe for children to play in.


Hilton Head is famous for its generous wide and flat beaches, perfect for bicycling and walking with a stroller anytime of the day.


Family bond cooling off by the shore


Boys got a real kick out of boggie board surfing. This one looks like a real pro!



View of the Hilton Head resort and the boardwalk leading to the beach


Got golf? It wouldn't be Hilton Head without hundreds of golf courses to enjoy. This hole is right at the beach part of Hilton Head resort golf course.


Thirsty, hungry or just in a mood for beach music? CoCo's Grill is right at the beach ready to serve you.


In the end it's all about the memories we make with our loved ones...


So come to Hilton Head to start your summer family vacation tradition!

Kids have fun at the Hilton Head Public Library

While vacationing in the gorgeous Hilton Head Island make sure to bring your kids to the modern Public Library located near the Business Hwy 278 4 mile marker. The library has an excellent children's room equipped with computer stations, reading area, a baby corner, a little puppet stand and even a performing theater. There are thousands of books to choose from. It's quiet, relaxing and FREE and most important kids love it.

The library it's open daily except on Sunday. Hours: Mo - Thu 9 AM - 8 PM, Fri and Sa 9 AM - 5 PM.

Excited to get to the children room inside the Hilton Head Library


So we can get on the cozy couch and read some books with mommy

Or have a little laugh playing puppets...

Babies always have fun at the library

Nothing like the mother-daughter bond reading together

Bigger kids enjoy watching movies or playing funny games at the computer

Staying for ever curious? Priceless!


So what are you waiting for?

The SC State House - While I breathe I hope - symbol of heroic sacrifice and endurance

When in Columbia you must visit the State House the South Carolina symbol of hope, sacrifice and endurance in the face of hardship. It's a perfect opportunity (and FREE to attend) to introduce your kids to South Carolina's fascinating history, outstanding architecture, and to pay tribute to our state and nation heroes.

“One of the most notable buildings in the world”, the magnificent SC State House, took more than 50 years and $3.5 million dollars to complete.
• In 1854 everything was torn down because inappropriate materials were used.
• During the Civil War Union troops destroyed much of Columbia including the State House building.
• In 1885 the architect died and a new one had to be appointed.
• Finally in 1907 the fireproof State House was complete thanks to architects John M. Niernsee and his son. During 1995-1998 renovation was done to make the building earthquake proof.

When to visit:
Free guided tours are available Monday through Saturday and each start with a short movie overview. Call (803)-734-2430 to schedule a tour or check at the Visitor’s office inside the State House. On your own, best time to visit is on Monday, Friday, Saturday and the 1st Sunday of the month. To watch SC elected officials at work go Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from February to June .


State House Highlights and Interesting Things to See:

Outside
• The State House columns, believed to be the largest monolithic columns on a public building in the U.S. Each column is carved from a single piece of stone.

• The standout exterior dome is made of steel and wood and finished copper. The “false” interior dome was put for aesthetic reasons.

• George Washington’s bronze statue towers the grounds in front of the Capitol. Union soldiers brick-batted the statue and broke the cane in 1865.

• Marker of the old State House built 1786 – 1790 and burned down by Sherman’s troops during Civil War. James Hoban the architect of the building later designed the White House.
• Gun from the famous Battleship Maine whose sinking launched the Spanish-American War in 1898

• 1852 Palmetto Regiment Monument honoring veterans of the Mexican War. It’s the oldest and most elaborate monuments on the State House grounds. It cost a “whopping” 19th century $5,000 to build!

• The John C. Calhoun, the 1st outside building at the State House and recently featured in the Kevin Bacon movie “Death Sentence” (as the SC Supreme Court).

• Trinity Episcopal Cathedral on Sumter Street survived the fire ravages left by Sherman’s troupes. During the Civil War, the iron spikes on top of the cathedral were melted to make cannonballs for the Confederacy. 5 South Carolina governors, 3 Confederate generals, and Henry Timrod, the unofficial “poet laureate of the Confederacy” are buried in the cemetery.

Inside
• The Mace, the House authority and oldest original one used in the U.S. When put in front of the desk means “the House is in session”. The mace it’s a 1756 gift from England. During the Revolutionary War it disappeared, and was discovered 40 years later in a Philadelphia bank vault!

• The House of Representatives Chamber, remodeled it now resembles the one in Austin, TX.

• 1800s astonishing mosaic representing the Seal of South Carolina made of 37,000 pieces of glass. The State Seal was designed by William Henry Drayton in 1776. Motto translates “While I breathe I hope”.

• The Sword of the State, the Senate authority; when placed on the desk “the Senate is in session”. The 1704 original sword was stolen in 1941. The current one is a 1951 gift from former British ambassador Lord Halifax.

• Wrought-iron staircases decorated with the yellow jasmine (the state flower), pink Tennessee and white Georgia marble floors, hand-made brick arched ceiling and blue granite walls (the state stone).

• Joint legislative conference room (formerly used as a library) is the only original room left in the building. The 1,000 lbs gas-lit chandelier is the only original one at the Capitol.

Remarkable paintings depicting heroic scenes from the Revolutionary War that had more battles fought in South Carolina than in any other state!

Live the history and be proud at the SC State Capitol!

Awesome New Attractions at Carolina Adventure World

Ever wonder what it feels like to fire vintage military weapons? Guess no more! Come to Carolina Adventure World and take a thrill ride on the popular Fast Attack Vehicle on a super charged obstacle course. The Black Ops Challenge took years to develop and was created by a film industry special effects professional. See their website for more details.

So come experience The Black Ops Challenge, the most fun (only one in the country) off-road combat style recreation! Weapons are safe for all ages using compressed air for realistic sound and a laser to activate an exploding target down range.

Check this baby out! 3 persons can ride in it; it has 2 .50 caliber machine guns to shoot and blow off stuff as you move down the course. A thrill of a lifetime for only $25 per person.

The staff just put on the finishing touches to the Mud Bog. So very soon you can get real dirty chasing your friends off in the mud. Nearby will be washing stations to clean off the dirt.

This rustic tent will soon be available for overnight multi-day lodging. It's equipped with A/C and it has hard floors.


Here are some of the "classics" thrills at the park

ATV and motocross oval racing and obstacle course

Cool off, relax and enjoy the beautiful bridge and creek area

The Junior Motocross trail

A rite of passage...dad and sons have fun together.

A day of fun with kids in downtown Columbia - Museum of Art, Finlay Park and the Library

Here are some great suggestions of fun things to do downtown Columbia that will help your kids love arts, appreciate history and discover nature’s little treasures. My 4 years old and I had a great time interpreting sculptures and funny self-portraits at the Columbia Museum of Art, then “chasing” the waterfalls weave their way into the Finlay Park lake and finally taming “the wild things” at the Public Library. All of that for FREE on one weekend afternoon!

Columbia Museum of Art
The Columbia Museum of Art rewards you with one of Southeast’s most significant collections of European art from the 14th through the 18th centuries. Most notable things to see:
• Sandro Botticelli – Nativity
• Claude Monet – The Seine at Giverny
• Tiffany art glass collection

The Columbia Museum of Art is located downtown in a lighted, sleek and airy building that used to be department store. Through August 17 you can get a peek incredible treasures from private South Carolina collectors such as:
• Herman Herzog – Fishing Village – oil on canvas painting
• Alberto Giacometti – Bust of Isaku Yanaihara – bronze
• Frank O. Gehry – Power Play Armchair and Off Side Ottoman – maple laminate

Tips to know before you go
1. Free admission on Saturday; Kids 5 and under enter for free anytime. A membership provides you free admission for a full year to 70 other museums in the Southeast. Call (803)-799-2810 for more info.
2. Downtown parking is free on Sunday. Beware during the week traffic is very slow due to construction on Main Street near the museum.
3. There is a family friendly tour on 1st Saturday of every month at 10:30 AM and public docent led tours every Saturday at 1 PM and Sunday at 1:30 PM.
4. You can access anytime anywhere for FREE (except the cost of your minutes) a cell-phone audio tour and hear the experts discuss selected art objects. Dial (803)-234-8969, then the art section number followed by the pound sign. There is a brochure with all the info at the museum desk.
5. Young kids are most attracted by statues, Chinese antiquities, contemporary art objects and the nice water fountain and sculpture in front of the museum.

The Art Museum is closed Mondays, Tuesdays and major holidays. Hours of operation: Wed, Thu and Sat 10 AM – 5 PM; Fri 10 AM – 9 PM and Sun 1 – 5 PM. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors (60 and over) and military and $2 for students.

Columbia Public Library downtown
Go to the Children’s Room downstairs. It has a naturally lit air-conditioned open space decorated with natural trees and plenty of couches, chairs and benches for you and the little ones to relax. Don’t worry too about making noises…there are only parents, kids and babies around :-)

Things to know before you go
1. Kids love choosing their own books. Lana made 4 trips picking up “her favorites”. If you want to choose the books, each age is color-coded.

2. The library it’s not just about reading. Kids have fun “talking and playing” with the stuff animals (say hello to the Cat in a Hat everyone!), solving puzzles, drawing or decorating. In the end just spending quality time with their loved ones it’s all that matters.

3. Richland County residents get a free library card and can check out 30 items per card (books, videos, CDs, DVDs or magazines). You can return them at any of the 9 RCPL locations.

4. If you’re pressed for time the staff can suggest age-appropriate titles. You can even call ahead at (803)-929-3434 and books will be ready for you.
5. Free wireless Internet is available throughout.

Finlay Park
This is a great park in the middle of the city. The main attraction is the man-made waterfalls that stream down into the peaceful lake.

Finlay has many shaded picnic areas, 2 playgrounds, a big open grass field and miles of walking and jogging trails around the lake. Beware the park is a very popular spot for the homeless yet they will they not bother you. I’ll let the photos do the “a day of fun at the park advertising”:

Kids cooling off by the waterfalls

Family relaxing and taking photos

Hiking trail by Finlay Park lake

Main playground area