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!

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

Table Rock, Ceasars Head and Dupont Forest unforgetable mountain vacation

So much to see, so much to do at Table Rock State Park the undisputed jewel of the South Carolina mountains. The park is at the edge of the Blue Ridge Escarpment off of scenic highway 11, relative short drive from Greenville and little over an hour drive from Charlotte. Table Rock mountain has a spectacular granite outcropping which at 3124 feet is a stark contrast to the heavily wooded forests below.
The first white men moved in the Oolenoy Valley soon after the Cherokee treaty at a place called Pumpkintown. In 1840 the Keith and Sutherland families built a hotel that soon became a popular area attraction. A second hotel was built in 1899 at present White Oak Picnic Shelters site then moved in 1920 to Saluda Valley to become a summer lodge.

Things to know before you go at Table Rock and Ceasar's Head parks
1. Carrick Creek is the only recommended hiking trail for young kids at the Table Rock state park. It starts at the Nature Center and about 2 miles it takes an hour to complete. It weaves around Carrick Creek and rewards hikers with dozens of gorgeous, refreshing and easy accessible mini waterfalls. It gets better at the end (or beginning!) when you and your brave little ones can goof around at the rock sliding and swimming area.


Here are all Table Rock hiking trails. Hikers are encouraged to register at the trail head kiosk and be off trails at least one hour before sunset. No overnight camping on trails. Foothills Trail hikers need to purchase a parking permit at the Visitors Welcome Center.
• Pinnacle Mt. 8.4 miles 6-7 hours
• Table Rock 7.2 miles 5-6 hours
• Mill Creek 5.8 miles 5-6 hours
• Carrick Creek (kid friendly) 1.9 miles 1 hour


2. There is a big playground near Pinnacle Lake with plenty of age appropriate equipment in a nicely shaded place. Beware of the geese wandering throughout the parking lot and the picnic area. They are mean, mean, mean and will harass you as soon as they sense you have food. My 4 years old and I had to take refuge on top of the picnic table. No kidding! Finally I braved to chase them away using some stick musketeer style.


3. Caesar’s Head State Park has the “take it with you, no trace left behind” policy. There are no trash canes or restrooms along the park. The welcome center has restrooms and vending machines. I encourage you to replenish there and use the facilities.

4. The trail to Raven Cliff Falls from Ceasar’s Head is about 5 miles long so plan ahead. If there is not much time left you can still enjoy incredible vistas of Campbell, Paris, Table Rock, Raven Cliff and Glassy mountains and the immaculate Table Rock reservoir (it supplies the city of Greenville with fresh water) at the Ceasar’s Head overlook. From there you can hike the short and moderate Devil’s Kitchen trail. Be mindful this park is frequented by black bears.

5. If waterfall viewing "it's on the menu" drive to Dupont Forest State Park (couple miles after crossing the NC border off of hwy 276; here are driving directions to and map of Hooker Falls Access Area). It provides easy hiking and quick access to some of North Carolina most beautiful waterfalls: Triple Falls, High Falls and Grassy Creek Falls. There is a $12 map you can purchase at Ceasar's Head welcome center. Here are some great Dupont Foreast park hike trails details, an interactive map and waterfall photos.

Table Rock Admission, Lodging and Rental Prices
Admission fee: $2 per person; $15 per bus; $1.25 SC senior citizen. Annual passport $50 (good at all SC State Parks); Palmetto Passport $25 (for SC seniors or disabled citizens). Tip: if you got a permit or day pass from another SC park you can use it at Table Rock (and any other state park) as long as the permit / pass is still valid.


Cabins: There are 16 cabins (8 with 1 BR, 5 with 2 BR and 1 with 3 BR) that can accommodate 4-10 persons. They range in price from $75 to $120 per night. Check in 4 PM, check out time 10 AM. Tip: rent Sunday thru Thursday to save $15-20 per night. Cabins 5, 6, 7 and 8 are right by Pinnacle Lake and have the best views. You can reserve a cabin up to 11 months in advance. Call 1-866-345-7275 or go online www.southcarolinaparks.com

There are 100 camping sites at the White Oaks campground equipped with showers and a recreation building. Price is about $20 per night (including tax); again is cheaper during the week.

Equipment Rentals: Spring thru fall, Tuesday to Sunday from 11 AM till 5 PM (weather permitting).
• Pedal boats - 2 person $5 per half hour; 4 person boat $7 per half hour
• Kayaks and canoes - $5 per half hour; $15 per day
• Fishing boat - $15 per day; $35 per day for boats with trolling motor (3 person maximum). Note that no private boats are allowed on Pinnacle Lake however you can use them at Lake Oolenoy across Hwy 11.

Swimming: June till mid-August Tuesday to Sunday from 11 AM till 5 PM; August 16 thru Labor Day weekends only. Adults $2, children 4-12 years $1.50, free for kids 3 years and under.

Enjoy the beauty of the South Carolina Upcontry parks!