Jason Saine, at the time a state representative, walks to his desk after speaking in the House chamber on Jan. 13, 2021, at the North Carolina General Assembly.
Travis Long
tlong@newsobserver.com
Jason Saine, a Raleigh lobbyist and former North Carolina lawmaker, was charged with driving under the influence in South Carolina on Sept. 8, according to online sheriff’s office records and a Charleston Police Department incident report.
The Lincolnton Republican, who was a powerful lawmaker and remains influential in Raleigh as a lobbyist, called it “an error in judgment.”
Saine, 51, was booked and released and awaits a court date on Nov. 21.
A Charleston police officer pulled Saine over shortly before midnight on Sept. 7 after seeing him driving the wrong way on one-way Coming Street, according to a police report obtained by McClatchy through a public records request.
Saine told the officer he had two vodka and soda mixed drinks at Marbled & Fin steakhouse, according to the report.
He was arrested after being given field sobriety tests, the report stated. His blood alcohol was later found by testing at the police department to be 0.14, the report stated.
Police issued Saine a written warning for driving the wrong way on a one-way street, the report said.
The officer’s body camera and dash camera were on during the incident, according to the police report.
A court docket for the City of Charleston Municipal Court says the DUI charge is a first offense. It is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol content above 0.08.
Saine served in the House from 2011 to 2024. He was best known in his time at the General Assembly for being one of the top House budget writers and being the major driver behind legalizing sports betting in North Carolina, which drew bipartisan support. He resigned from the House in August 2024.
Saine told The News & Observer in July 2024 that it was “time to go” and that he planned on working in the private sector, leaving the door open to becoming a lobbyist.
Saine is a lobbyist with The Southern Group. His clients include the city of Charlotte, IBM, Charter Communications, Associated Builders and Contractors of the Carolinas, Betson Gaming and the Sports Betting Alliance.
“Following a late evening dinner on that Sunday evening with friends, I did receive a traffic violation from the Charleston Police Department,” Saine told The News & Observer by phone on Monday, reading a statement.
“It was certainly an error in judgment on my part, especially for someone who has consistently used ride-sharing services. But I’m sorry that this event has distracted from real issues, and I’m grateful for the support of my friends and family,” Saine said.
Saine declined to comment further pending the outcome of his case.
While Saine left office more than a year ago, a sitting state lawmaker faces a driving while impaired charge in North Carolina.
Sen. Norman Sanderson, 74, was arrested this month and faces additional charges of having an open container of alcohol and failing to obey a traffic officer, The N&O previously reported.
In a statement after the incident near the N.C. State Fairgrounds in Raleigh, Sanderson, an Arapahoe Republican, called it a “regrettable mistake, and I take responsibility for my actions.”
Related Stories from Raleigh News & Observer
Andrew Dys covers breaking news and public safety for The Herald, where he has been a reporter and columnist since 2000. He has won 51 South Carolina Press Association awards for his coverage of crime, race, justice, and people. He is author of the book “Slice of Dys” and his work is in the U.S. Library of Congress.
A visit to Sullivan’s Island is not complete without a tour of Fort Moultrie, and with just a few dollars needed to get through the gate, you’ve got to put it on your Charleston Bucket List. Local mom Jackie Vest shares her experience touring Fort Moultrie on her trip to Charleston.
A Bit on the History of Fort Moultrie National Historical Park
Named after William Moultrie, the fort’s earliest battles were in defending young America from British warships when war broke out in 1776. The original fort was built of palmetto logs and inspired the nickname and flag of our Palmetto State. It remained in use from that year until 1947! The fortifying walls speak of seacoast defense for the entire life of our nation. It has seen everything from pirates, to the British during the Revolutionary War, from the American Civil War battles after South Carolina seceded from the Union, to support in the Spanish-American War, WWI, WWII, and everything in between. The wars Fort Moultrie has seen is vast. It was decommissioned in 1947 when new technologies outdated seacoast defense. The fort overlooks Charleston Harbor as a guard to the city.
This one location tells the tales of defending our soil from our nation’s earliest history through World War II. The visitor center holds many artifacts, educational bits, souvenirs, books, and useful information before you head across the street to the fort.
To an adult, this fort serves as a gateway back in time, beginning with the most recent historical use of the fort and progressing further and further back in history as you progress through the walls and tunnels. To a child, this is an ocean-view maze peppered with massive cannons, enticing them to run the whole place over in a matter of about an hour. Both parties will leave feeling like the afternoon was well-spent.
Cost to Enter Fort Moultrie
For general entry into the fort, you will pay a $10 fee for a standard pass. If you regularly visit the fort, you may want to invest in an annual membership for a $35 fee. If you have an America the Beautiful pass, you will receive free entry into the park. Members of the military will also be able to enter Fort Moultrie for free.
Fort Moultrie 1214 Middle Street Sullivan’s Island, SC 29482 (843) 883-3123
Unlocking a New Way to Travel and Experience Cities’ Hidden Gems: LocalOTG Launches Exclusive Test Phase Revolutionizing Travel Experiences
CHARLESTON, S.C., June 11, 2024 (Newswire.com)
– LocalOTG, a groundbreaking travel technology iOS app, proudly announces its exclusive test launch in Charleston, South Carolina. Designed to revolutionize the way travelers explore new destinations, LocalOTG connects Travelers with knowledgeable Locals in seconds, offering seamless recommendations through in-app communication. This innovative approach eliminates the need for extensive web searches, in-person tour guides or costly travel agents.
Transforming Travel With Local Expertise
Traditionally, discovering a city’s hidden gems and authentic experiences has been a daunting task, often requiring hours of online research or expensive services. LocalOTG addresses this challenge head-on by empowering travelers to experience destinations through the eyes of locals. The app bridges the gap between tourists and local experts, facilitating genuine and personalized travel experiences that go beyond the typical tourist attractions.
How LocalOTG Works
LocalOTG offers a user-friendly platform where Travelers can connect with Locals who are experts in their city’s history, culture, cuisine, and secret spots.
The process is simple and efficient:
Connect: Travelers are matched with knowledgeable Locals based on their interests and preferences.
Communicate: All interactions and recommendations happen within the app, ensuring a seamless and integrated experience.
Explore: From sampling local delicacies and uncovering hidden street art to exploring historical landmarks and vibrant modern hubs, Travelers receive tailored suggestions that transform their visit into an unforgettable adventure.
Introducing Locals as a Service (LaaS)
At the heart of LocalOTG is its pioneering Locals as a Service (LaaS) platform. LocalOTG leverages virtual in-app communication to provide users with immersive and authentic travel experiences curated by their personal Local experts. LaaS blends cutting-edge technology with cultural exchange, allowing users to gain invaluable insights and access to hidden gems directly from the true experts — the Locals themselves.
Exclusive Test Launch in Charleston, S.C.
Charleston, known for its rich history, charming streets, and vibrant cultural scene, is the perfect city to debut LocalOTG. The exclusive test phase invites both current residents and travelers planning a visit to Charleston to experience the app’s unique capabilities. By focusing on Charleston, LocalOTG aims to fine-tune its offerings and gather valuable feedback before expanding to other cities.
Join the Future of Travel
LocalOTG is more than just an app; it’s a gateway to experiencing cities in an entirely new way. Connecting Travelers with Locals who provide personalized, insider knowledge, LocalOTG ensures every journey is memorable and unique. LocalOTG was founded with a mission to empower travelers to see destinations through the eyes of locals, without the hassle of in-person tour guides or hours spent sifting through the web. Download LocalOTG today and embark on a journey of discovery and adventure in Charleston, S.C.
If you’re looking specifically for things to do in downtown Charleston, we’ve got some ideas for you in this story based on our personal experience.Rife with history, beauty, and charm, Charleston, SC is a must-visit city in the United States. It is easily one of our very favorite places to visit.
Parking in Downtown Charleston
For things to do in the greater Charleston area, see our Guide to Charleston.
For parking, we parked on the street near the Charleston City Market and paid via the meter but if you plan to spend all day, it would be worth it to park in the garage near the South Carolina Aquarium or in a lot in downtown Charleston.
Where to Stay in Charleston
Use the map below to find stellar accommodations in Downtown Charleston that are just right for your family. When you book through the links in the map, Kidding Around earns a small percentage through an affiliate relationship with Stay22.
And now, the adventure! Fun, family things to do in Charleston, SC ahead.
Charleston City Market
The Charleston City Market is a piece of American History. It’s been in existence since 1807 and hosts a variety of beautiful makers and artists that sell everything from jewelry to clothing to the iconic sweetgrass baskets. There are also some delicious food items at the market, including Callie’s Biscuits.
They are open daily, except Christmas, 9:30 am – 5 pm. Be sure to check out their Night Markets also, Friday and Saturday from 6:30-10:30 pm March – December.
188 Meeting Street, Charleston
Charleston City Market
Byrd’s Famous Cookies
We stumbled upon Byrd’s Famous Cookies because it’s right outside of the Charleston City Market and they offered free samples. That did it. These cookies are absolutely delicious. They are small and full of flavor (get the Key Lime cookies) and you can try them all! Byrd’s has been around for 100 years so it’s also part of the historical aspect of the city, which is the best excuse ever to eat some cookies.
43 S Market Street, Charleston
Byrd’s Famous Cookies
Charleston Waterfront Park
The Charleston Waterfront Park is stunning and full of beautiful views. There is a splash pad, the famous pineapple fountain, gorgeous walkways overhung with oak trees and Spanish moss, and views of the Ravenel Bridge. The first time I went here there was a big storm over the bridge and we saw some incredible lightning strikes! There are plenty of places to sit and swinging benches here to enjoy the views.
Vendue Range, Concord St, Charleston
Pineapple fountain
Charleston Carriage Tour
This is the one thing on the list that we didn’t personally do but that we really wanted to. I love history and taking a carriage ride while learning about the history of Charleston from a tour guide seems perfect. Tours are an hour long and cost $50/adult and $40/kids. You can find them at the City Market.
Carriage tour in Charleston
The Battery and Rainbow Row
The Battery is actually a huge seawall that protects quite possibly the prettiest homes I’ve ever seen in my life. These houses belong on every cover of Southern Living imaginable. They are stately and gorgeous and the Battery is a great spot to walk along the water to spot dolphins. Just down the street from there is Rainbow Row, a famous row of painted townhomes in pastel colors. It feels like taking a step back in time and a great photo stop.
83-107 East Bay Street, Charleston
Rainbow Row
South Carolina Aquarium
The South Carolina Aquarium is a must-see when you visit Charleston for its incredible dive tank, sea turtle rescue hospital, stingray touch tank, and stunning views of the Ravenel Bridge – we even saw some dolphins while relaxing on the deck.
You can catch the ferry to Fort Sumter either from Patriots Point or right next to the South Carolina Aquarium at Liberty Square. The museum is located next to the Aquarium and it’s really neat if you’re interested in more information about the fort. Be sure to do the Junior Ranger book at the fort since it’s a great way for kids (and adults, let’s be honest) to learn about the history of where the first shots of the Civil War were fired.
Liberty Square (340 Concord St, Charleston) Patriots Point (40 Patriots Point Rd., Mt. Pleasant)
If you’re a history-lover you’ll also want to check out the 200 year-old Edmondston-Alston House near the battery.
Charleston Water Taxi
The Water Taxi is a great way to see the waterfront from a different perspective and to get across the Charleston Harbor without having to drive. The pontoon-style boat picks passengers up at several different locations. Have your camera ready, the taxi ride will provide you with some great photo opportunities of the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge and The USS Yorktown plus maybe some dolphins. You buy an all-day pass and you can ride as many times as you want.
Charleston Farmers Market
The Charleston Farmers Market has such a cool group of vendors with everything from local produce and vegetables and meat to jewelry and apparel to coffee and crepes. They open in April for the season and happen every Saturday from 8 am – 2 pm.
329 Meeting Street, Charleston
Charleston Farmers Market
Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist
This church, which opened in 1907, is just stunning. The cathedral recently underwent a renovation and the results are gorgeous. If you’re Catholic, attending Mass here is a beautiful experience and if you’re not, even stopping to see the beauty of the Gothic architecture is worth it. They offer tours after Sunday masses.
120 Broad St, Charleston, SC
Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist
What is your favorite thing to do in Downtown Charleston, South Carolina?
Shark teeth and fossils are plentiful on Morris Island outside of Charleston, SC and Coastal Expeditions will make it the highlight of your trip!
Thank you to Coastal Expeditions for inviting us to go on the Morris Island adventure with them.
The South Carolina coastline is incredibly diverse with wildlife and ecosystems and because of ancient history (think Ice Age), there are some pretty amazing fossils to be found along the coastline. And you get the chance to do just that with the adventure out to Morris Island with Coastal Expeditions.
Shark teeth that we found
About Coastal Expeditions
If you’ve read some of our Charleston content or bucket list adventures, you’ve read about Coastal Expeditions. They took us out to Bulls Island where we got to experience an otherworldly place with lots of gators. It was amazing and we haven’t stopped recommending it ever since.
Coastal Expeditions was started in 1992 to help people experience the beauty of the Lowcountry, not just see it. Their knowledge of the environment here is completely unmatched. Our naturalists on both trips blew me away with their extensive knowledge of the lands, people, history, and wildlife. More than that, their deep love of the area is evident and it’s because of that love that they want to share their knowledge in hopes that others will come to love and respect the amazing land that is the Lowcountry.
Boarding the boat
Coastal Expeditions has a wide range of offerings to help visitors explore Charleston’s wild side from kayak rentals in Shem Creek to the excursion to Bulls Island to guided kayak and canoe tours to fossil hunting on Morris Island. You can choose adventures that are more kid-friendly or more adventurous, depending on what you and your family would like to explore. They also offer summer camps and other kid-focused activities. This tour – and any of them -are perfect for homeschoolers.
Both excursions – Bulls Island and Morris Island were kid-friendly but Morris Island was a lot less walking!
Heading Out to Morris Island
Our big adventure to Morris Island began at the flagship of Coastal Expeditions at Shem Creek, which is a beautiful area full of restaurants and a park that borders the creek. It’s best known for its amazing sunsets and its local population of dolphins.
There is parking at Coastal Expeditions but be sure to get there at least 15-20 minutes early if you need extra time to find parking during busier times and use the restroom as there is no bathroom on the boat or at Morris Island.
Shem Creek
The boat we had was nice and spacious and Captain Dolph did an excellent job getting us to and from the island. As we were leaving the dock and slowly making our way out of the creek and into the harbor, we got to see some dolphins. I love dolphins and always get super excited to see them.
We also learned a crazy cool fact: these dolphins that live in the estuaries and creeks along the South Carolina coast are actually smaller than Atlantic Bottlenose dolphins and genetically different, so much so that they have been declared a new species. True story. It happened during the summer of 2023 after a decade of research led by Ana Costa, Ph.D. Their name is Tamanend’s bottlenose dolphin.
Our excellent naturalist, Jackie, told us that this is just incredible because dolphins are so well-studied and to have discovered a new species is essentially unheard of. Then she said some other names in Latin of wildlife that sounded really smart. Jackie was actually amazing, which I’ll get to in a bit when we explore Morris Island.
One other thing that we learned when heading out to Morris Island was that Coastal Expeditions was instrumental in essentially creating a new island, called Crab Island, for nesting birds after their original island was both accidentally and shoddily made in the harbor. Coastal Expeditions raised $3 million for this effort of conservation and you can only go to this island in wintertime when the birds aren’t nesting – and search for fossils!
Morris Island Lighthouse
I have come to really appreciate the mission of Coastal Expeditions because they practice what they preach. They are so enthralled and amazed by the beauty in the Lowcountry and use that love and knowledge to share with others in hopes of continuing to preserve it for future generations.
On your way out to Morris Island, we passed right by Fort Sumter where the first shots of the Civil War were fired. We also got incredible views of the Harbor and Ravenel Bridge. And we saw more dolphins – it was a great trip before we even got to the island. For you history buffs, you can read about the history of Morris Island on the Coastal Expeditions website.
Hunting for Fossils
Once we made it over to Morris Island, about a 30-minute boat ride from Shem Creek, we descended onto the sand and Jackie drew a map right on the sand of the island. She gave us her expert opinions of where to search for shark teeth and fossils. But the best part of her short presentation was when she showed us what she had found in the past on the island so we knew what to look for.
She showed us a ton of cool stuff: shark teeth obviously but also vertebrae of sharks, fossilized clams, stingray teeth, and fossilized mammal bones. The tides and waves naturally erode the beach, dredging up fossils and teeth from thousands and thousands of years ago that are buried beneath the island. That’s how you can find some really neat things and why this place is so special.
Where are you, shark teeth?
Once we got our instructions and tips from Jackie, we were off to find some treasures. You have three hours on the island, which may seem like a lot of time but it’s not a small island and you’ll want to walk slowly as you search for treasures.
Within a few minutes, my kids had already found a couple of shark teeth, their very first ever. It took me um, a little longer. But I eventually found some and started looking more closely at anything that resembled a shiny triangle, which, it turns out, there are many of along this beach and they are not shark teeth. But I persevered!
The island is very peaceful, clean, and beautiful. It is uninhabited and even if there are lots of other people, it won’t feel crowded. People just do their thing and look around or hang out on the beach and get some sun.
We ran into Jackie a little over halfway through the time we had on the island and showed her some of our finds. We walked together for a little ways and she so kindly would draw circles in the sand where she saw shark teeth so my daughters could find more. Really, I should have looked in those circles because I was terrible at finding them but I thought it was really nice she did that to help them out.
What We Found on Morris Island
My kids found shark teeth a lot faster than I did. They had a good eye for them. But about 30 minutes into our walk along the shoreline, I hit the jackpot. I found a huge shark tooth and nearly jumped up and down at my find. It was just the coolest thing. Jackie, in all her knowledge, said it was from the predecessor to the Megalodon shark. That’s super old.
Shark tooth and vertebrae
Jackie has a cool book she carries around with her where you can match your shark tooth to a picture and it will tell you where it came from. She is a great naturalist though and was easily able to identify where most of our shark teeth came from, which mostly included bull sharks and reef sharks. My one daughter found a really old one that was older than the big one I found.
One of the things I was really hoping to find was a vertebrae. I knew it looked like a really small version of a cut up tree trunk and to my great surprise, I found two. Jackie said they likely came from a shark.
We also found a couple larger vertebrae and a fossilized clamshell plus some really gorgeous shells. I’m not sure exactly what we are supposed to do with all these shark teeth (I will tell you that we are heading to the Nature Exchange with some of them at the Roper Mountain Science Center!) but to have them is pretty neat and a wonderful reminder of the beauty of the Charleston area.
One other neat thing about Morris Island is the lighthouse on the island. It’s very pretty but also too far to walk to and from in order to make it back to the boat. It’s no longer in operation but it was shown in the Netflix series, The Outer Banks. So if you’re a fan of show and love fossil hunting, you will love this tour.
Comparing Finds on Morris Island
I really enjoyed the time we spent awaiting our boat to come back and get us since that’s when a bunch of us in our group got to compare finds and Jackie could help us identify things we didn’t know, which was pretty much everything.
Some people in our group really brought in the haul and had lots of cool shark teeth, some of which were pretty big. One lady found a piece of post-colonial pottery, which she was legally able to keep. If it had been dated before that, she would have had to surrender it as it would have been considered an artifact. We were legit living our Indiana Jones dreams right here.
Remains of a sea turtle on the island
Jackie also had what she thought was a bone of a Leatherback Sea Turtle. She needed to consult her “bone guy” to get it properly identified though. Even so, it was neat. If the bone was from a Leatherback Sea Turtle, she guessed it came from the one that had washed up deceased on Morris Island a little over a month ago. She had shown it to us while we were walking along and it was enormous. It’s the largest kind of sea turtle in the world and was easily longer than myself. As sad as it was to see the turtle being delivered back to the Earth, from a scientific perspective, it was fascinating.
Tips on Visiting Morris Island
We learned a few things on our trip that may help you when you go:
Wear shoes. Shells are sharp and you really don’t want to cut yourself or have your kid cut their foot. That will be most unpleasant.
Bring water, sunscreen, and bug spray. We went in April and the temperatures were perfect but it was sunny and sunscreen and water were crucial.
Bring a few snacks but don’t go crazy. I totally overpacked my bag and it was really heavy the whole trip. I had three water bottles, my camera, a lot of food, sunscreen, and bug spray. I really only needed the water and a couple snacks. If you have a small and comfortable hiking backpack, that would be a great option for this trip.
Keep the pups at home. Dogs are not allowed on public boat trips. For private boat trips, an exception may be made.
Bring a sunshirt or jacket. Weather on the coast can be very unpredictable. A light jacket or sun shirt would be useful to protect yourself from the sun on the island and if the boat ride gets a little chilly.
Bring a plastic bag for your treasures. A gallon-sized ziplock bag is perfect for collecting and admiring your treasures. A fanny pack to attach it to would be excellent.
You’ll be walking (very slowly) for most of the timeif you want to search for fossils. We pretty much walked around 2.5 hours of the three hours on the island. I could have stayed there all day but just be prepared if you have smaller kids that may not want to do that kind of activity. You don’t need to go that far on the island to find treasures though – we just wanted to explore. You can certainly find a few spots to hang out at and look around.
Towels are useful. Towels can be helpful if you get a little wet during the boat ride or just want to sit on the beach and relax. Towels can also be useful if you decide you want to swim in the ocean for a bit.
For those with accessibility needs, they are evaluated on a trip by trip basis. Coastal Expeditions suggests giving them a call to talk about mobility and what those needs are and see if they can be accommodated.
Booking Your Morris Island Trip
The Morris Island excursion runs from March 16 – October 15 and in total is about four hours. You can book your tickets online.
Tickets are $65/adults and $40/kids. Gratuity is not included but very much appreciated if you really enjoyed your trip. The trip begins and ends at their Shem Creek flagship location.
If your family loves adventures, trying new things off the beaten path, and making amazing memories, this is the trip for you. My daughters and I thoroughly enjoyed the trip and we learned so much in the process. This is the best kind of learning! And going with Coastal Expeditions – an established company with an impeccable reputation – you know you are going to have the best experience possible.
Are you planning to celebrate the berry season with one of the many berry festivals near Greenville, SC? South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia have several berry festivals is spring and summer worth a visit to. What better item to celebrate with a festival than juicy, sweet berries?
Strawberries, Blueberries, and Blackberries are celebrated nationwide; luckily, we have a handful of festivals that are accessible to the Upstate! If you’re a huge fan of these vitamin-packed gems, you can plan your summer vacation to include part of a festival a little further from home!
The list of activities at the annual South Carolina Strawberry Festival includes a pageant, a golf tournament, rides, pig races, eating contests, and so much more! Some considered this event the most popular strawberry festival South Carolina has to offer.
Date: Saturday, May 4, 2024, 10 am – 10 pm April 12, 2024 – April 30, 2024 will have berry-themed festivities preceding the actual 15th Annual Festival on May 4, 2024 Admission: Free to enter the festival, parking with a fee Location: 345 North White Street, Fort Mill Includes: Pig Race, Eating Contests, Fireworks, Rides and more
The low country has one excellent strawberry festival. South Carolina hosts an annual Lowcountry Strawberry Festival at Boone Hall Plantation and Gardens that includes two weekends of events.
Dates: April 5-7, 2024 and April 11-13, 2024 Admission: $15 ages 3 and older, Ages 2 and younger are free Location: 1235 Long Point Road, Mt. Pleasant, SC Includes: Pie eating contests, rides, pig races, petting zoo, jump pillows, rides, and more.
Berry Festivals in North Carolina
North Carolina Blueberry Festival
If you hop in your car and head east towards the coast, you will wind up in Burgaw, North Carolina. Home to the NC Blueberry Festival. If you are planning a trip out to Wilmington for some vitamin sea, this is a great excursion during your trip!
Date: June 14-15, 2024 Location: Downtown Burgaw – 106 E Wilmington Street, Burgaw, NC Includes: BBQ cookoff, blueberry recipe contest, 5K, live music, car show, and tons of blueberry items!
Looking to plan a trip to the coast during the Blueberry Festival? Why not consider Surf City, NC? We’ve got all the info you need to plan a trip!
Date: July 12-13, 2024 Location: 801 West Avenue NW, Lenoir, NC Includes: Blackberry eating contest, beauty pageant, 5K, live music, and “bunches” of blackberry items.
Berry Festivals In Georgia
Georgia Strawberry Festival
A huge celebration of everyone’s favorite berry! The Georgia Strawberry Festival has tons to see and do! This would make a great trip to explore the southwest corner of our neighboring state!
Date: April 27, 2024 Location:Reynolds, GA Includes: Arts and craft vendors, Food Vendors, Parade, Strawberry Patch, Antique Tractor Show, 5K Race, Photography Contest, Weenie Dog Race, Fire Truck Pull, Strawberry Pie Eating Contest, Free Kids Activities, Music, Petting Zoo, Free admission
Date:May 31st and June 1st, 2024 Location:518 West 11th Street, Alma, Georgia Includes: Cooking Contest, Parade, Vendor, 5K Color Fun Run, Miss Georgia Blueberry Pagent
Has your family enjoyed a berry festival anywhere yet?
More Things to Do This Spring Near Upstate, SC!
It’s Berry Season! Celebrate With These Berry Festivals Near Upstate, SC
(2024) Where to Go Strawberry Picking: Greenville, SC and the Upstate
Thinking about making atrip to Charleston, SC to visit the South Carolina Aquarium? We were able to experience all the SC Aquarium has to offer and we’re ready to share it with you! If you’re looking for South Carolina Aquarium reviews or information on how to plan your visit, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve got all the info you need to plan your trip and have a blast with your family at the aquarium.
Thank you to the South Carolina Aquarium for providing media tickets for our review. All opinions are genuine and those of our team member.
Scenes from the South Carolina Aquarium
About the South Carolina Aquarium
In 2019, the SC Aquarium was one of ten recipients of the National Medal for Museum and Library Service, the highest honor for an aquarium to receive. They received it “not for having a massive living collection of exotic species from around the world, but for keeping its collection’s focus local.” This focus is entirely evident as soon as you step foot into the Aquarium.
If someone asked me what the focus of the Aquarium is, I’d tell them conservation and education. It is easy to see how dedicated this nonprofit is to educating the public on the local species right there in Charleston and throughout the state as well as ways to conserve the beautiful animals you’ll see.
Bald eagle at the SC Aquarium
My favorite parts of the Aquarium were the two interactive talks given by the volunteers and staff at the Aquarium, which I’ll tell you about shortly. When you visit the beautiful Aquarium, you will no doubt walk away with a greater appreciation for the different climates and environments of South Carolina as well as the incredible work being done by the Aquarium in areas of conservation and the treatment and rehabilitation of sea turtles.
The Exhibits at the SC Aquarium
The South Carolina Aquarium is the perfect sized-aquarium for really getting to understand the different exhibits and spending time learning about sharks, stingrays, sea turtles, river otters, and even the resident bald eagle, Liberty. My daughters and I took our time going through the exhibits and attending the two educational talks and in total, spent about two hours there. We probably could have stayed longer if we had a snack at the Sea Turtle Snack Bar or fed the stingrays!
Spoonbill at the SC Aquarium
There are two public floors to the aquarium: the first floor houses the sea turtle hospital, the stingray touch tank, the gorgeous balcony overlooking the USS Yorktown and the Ravenel Bridge, and the bottom level of the Great Ocean Tank. The upper level has the kids play area, the salt marsh exhibit, the jelly fish, the mountains to Piedmont exhibits, and the upper viewing area of the giant tank.
There are many hands-on exhibits all throughout the Aquarium, which really any kid will find entertaining and fun. When you enter the Aquarium, you can scan the QR code located at the visitor stand or if you would prefer to print out a copy for your visit, here is a map of the South Carolina Aquarium Exhibits.
The Educational Programs at the SC Aquarium
At the advice of the Aquarium’s public relations staff member, we timed our visit so we could see the Dive Into the G.O.T and Turtle Talk programs.
The Dive Into the G.O.T. was phenomenal! The G.O.T. stands for the Great Ocean Tank, which holds more than 350,000 gallons of water and is 42 feet deep. There is a diver inside the tank who does a question-and-answer session with an Aquarium staff member and then takes questions from the audience.
Diver at the SC Aquarium
We learned all kinds of cool things about how the volunteers and staff feed the animals in the tank, how they clean the tank, and ways to practice conservation on our own. The Turtle Talk was also amazing. The sea turtle care center is really neat and an active place where the sea turtles are taken when they are stranded or injured. Many are cared for and rehabilitated and then released back into the wild.
Sea turtle hospital at the SC Aquarium
There are also animal encounters throughout the day. We saw a couple of volunteers and staff offering guests the opportunity to pet a snake. My kids passed on that one unfortunately.
The staff we met were all so, so kind and helpful. They all seemed to really love their jobs and were happy to be working at the Aquarium. The passion they had for the animals and education about them was easy to see.
Also, to add on some more educational fun to your visit, consider doing one of these onsite activities at the Aquarium, which include scavenger hunts, discovery bins, and deeper dives into the exhibits that are grade-level appropriate – looking at you, homeschoolers.
Interacting with the Stingrays
I personally think stingrays are pretty cool and just beautiful to watch, although I’m terrified of accidentally stepping on one while wading on the shore. Yet, seeing them up close and learning about them is fascinating. All of the times I’ve ever seen them in touch tanks and aquariums, they have been very playful and fun.
Stingrays at the SC Aquarium
The ones at the SC Aquarium are no different. They have a huge tank to swim and play that overlooks the Charleston Harbor and it’s just gorgeous. The stingrays will come right up to the edge of the tank like puppies and basically beg for pets. It’s really adorable. They are a little slimy but once I got over that, I was all about it.
You can feed the ocean puppies for $5. I didn’t do that but I saw others who did and they looked like they were really enjoying the experience.
Trading Post at the SC Aquarium
I was really excited to see that the Aquarium has something called “The Trading Post”. If you’re familiar with the Nature Exchange at all at the Roper Mountain Science Center, this is a similar concept. You can bring in up to two natural items found in nature and earn points, which are redeemable for other cool things that the Aquarium has like shark teeth and pretty shells.
There are a few items that the Trading Post will not accept. This includes bird items (nest, egg, feathers), live animals, sea turtle bones, or anything else from an endangered species.
A great opportunity to find shells and fossils can be found with the Sandlapper Water Tours that launch right around the corner at the maritime center. You can go on a morning eco-tour and then head to the aquarium.
Visiting the South Carolina Aquarium
The Aquarium is located just minutes from downtown Charleston and right next to one of the places you can take a boat tour to Fort Sumter. The view from the deck is worth the experience alone!
You can purchase tickets in advance using the Aquarium’s dynamic ticketing system. Admission is determined by day of the week, school calendars, local events, weather, and holidays. You can see what the prices are for different days and purchase up to 60 days in advance.
There is an on-site gift shop as well as a snack bar, which is open 11 am – 3 pm daily. Parking is easy at the nearby Aquarium parking garage, which is $2/hour.
The Aquarium is open daily 9 am – last ticket sold at 3:30 pm and the building closes at 5 pm Closed Thanksgiving Day & Christmas Day, closes at 1 pm on Christmas Eve.
Park Circle Playground in Charleston, SC has the honor of being the world’s largest inclusive playground because any kid, no matter their ability, can enjoy the park. We checked it out and can confirm it is enormous and fun!
I first laid eyes on Park Circle playground in Charleston, SC about two blocks away. It’s that big. I couldn’t even get the entire playground in one – or two- photos. And it was designed for any child, no matter their ability.
Park Circle Playground
About Park Circle Playground
Park Circle, which opened November 2023, encompasses 55,000 square feet and is the world’s largest inclusive playground, meaning that the playground was designed for any child, no matter their development or ability. It also includes their friends, siblings, parents, and caregivers. Yup, you parents can play on the playground. I did!
Here’s how the park describes their inclusivity:
“All children means everyone. The need for play does not distinguish between children who are typically developing and children with disabilities. Everyone of all abilities needs play. And everyone means not only children with a physical disability requiring an accessible playground, but it also includes developmental disabilities like autism; children with sight or hearing impairment and children with intellectual disabilities such as down syndrome.”
Park Circle Playground
I think this is just beautiful. Seeing tons of kids and their parents and siblings playing at this playground made me happy.
Park Circle, besides the enormous playground, also has walking trails, a farmers market pavilion, event space, nature garden, and an inclusive baseball field.
Things to Play On at Park Circle
I had no idea where to look first when we got to the playground. My kids, ages 13 and 9, seemed just as overwhelmed but recovered quicker than I did and decided to head to the nearest double slide massive climbing structure.
There are just so many things to play on: slides, swings, zip lines, a legit ninja course, exercise equipment, obstacle courses, more swings. We were there for over an hour and probably didn’t even play on half of the playground equipment.
Ninja course at Park Circle Playground
Our favorite was definitely the ninja course. I always had respect for the American Ninja warriors but after doing a bunch of the ninja obstacles (and massively failing), I have a whole new respect for those athletes. There are lots of upper body focused apparatus’ plus beams, a climbing rope, and other rope nets to traverse.
There are areas of the playground for any age and ability as well from play houses to huge slides that you have to climb up to even get to.
Park Circle Playground Design is Parent-Friendly
I give a lot of credit to the designers of the playground because they absolutely nailed it when it comes to things that matter to parents: an enclosed space, seating, and shade.
The playground is entirely fenced in. You may lose your kids while they are playing on the equipment but they won’t get far because there is a fence around the whole playground.
There are shade sails everywhere to provide cover from that brutal summer sun. There are a few spots where the shade sails aren’t directly over but for the most part, the playground is covered. Way to go designers!
Shaded bench at Park Circle Playground
And lastly, there are lots of benches around the playground. I didn’t sit down ever because I was playing with my kids but if we had stayed longer, I probably would have rested on a bench. Most of the benches are also shaded.
I so appreciate the thought and consideration that went into the construction of this playground. They did a truly excellent job.
There are also bathrooms on site at the adjacent pavilion to the playground.
Visiting Park Circle Playground
Park Circle is in North Charleston, about a 20-minute drive from downtown Charleston. It is totally free to visit and is open daily from 7 am – 5:30 pm.
Ever wanted to have your own romantic boat ride through massive cypress trees like Noah & Allie in “The Notebook”? Well, you can right at Cypress Gardens near Charleston, SC.
I loved the Nicholas Sparks romance, The Notebook, and while the book is always better than the movie, the film didn’t disappoint, especially when it came to creating a scene that looked like it was from another world on a boat amongst massive cypress trees and swans.
While I took this trip with my kids (who have not seen the movie), the boat ride at Cypress Gardens was just incredible, beautiful, and peaceful. Doing it with your significant other would be next level up romantic. But there’s more to see at the gardens than the swamp gardens, which I’ll tell you all about.
Look how pretty this is!
About Cypress Gardens
Cypress Gardens is a 170-acre nature preserve with trails, a swamp garden with boat rides, a Swamparium, a playground, and an education center.
Think lots of beautifully tall trees and Spanish moss, flowers everywhere, and a sense of total peace, especially on the water.
It seems that Hollywood also loves Cypress Gardens, Charleston SC. The Notebook was filmed here, as well as parts of the “Outer Banks”, Swamp Thing, The Patriot, and Cold Mountain. You can see the full list on the Cypress Gardens Website.
The Swamparium
Just outside the Swamparium is a small waterway where we saw two big gators. I actually thought they were fake until we got closer. Nope, they are real and they are everywhere in the gardens. They are pretty docile – just don’t go trying to pet them.
Yup, those are real
The Swamparium is a building that houses lots of fish and reptiles that are found both in local waterways and swamps as well as in South America. We saw big catfish and a couple of venomous snakes but the biggest thing we saw was the massive Anaconda.
This thing was huge – and it was feeding time. I’ll spare the details for those readers who would rather not read about this part of nature but for those who think it’s cool, it was.
The Swamp Boat Tours
The self-guided swamp boat tours are part of your admission ticket, which is pretty awesome. We went in February, which could not have been more perfect in terms of temperatures and bug levels. It was cool and bugless so we could really take in the immense beauty of the blackwater and cypress trees. It’s truly a stunning sight.
There are very sturdy rowboats to take out into the swamp and life jackets are available. Pro tip: for smaller groups, take a smaller boat. There were only three of us and maneuvering the larger rowboat was a challenge.
Boat ride at Cypress Gardens
The self-guided tour takes you through the swamp by arrows on the trees so it is easy to follow. You’ll go right past the part of the swamp where Noah and Allie were filmed in the boat as well as the bridge that was shown at the beginning of the film, referred to by the guides as the “duck bridge” because you have to duck under it while paddling. It’s so pretty.
We were told it would take us about 45 minutes to paddle through the swamp and it took us a bit longer, maybe. I totally lost track. It was peaceful and quiet paddling through the blackwater. We were given instructions to watch for gators and other wildlife and just to keep to ourselves. I’m sure they were there but we didn’t see any in the swamp.
If you’d rather paddle with a pro, Cypress Gardens offers guided boat tours, it’s an additional $5/person and you can reserve that when you get there.
The Trails, Butterfly House, and Playground
There are trails that wind all around the gardens. We took the pink trail around part of the swamp and it took us about 20 minutes to walk it all. There are places to sit along the swamp and admire the beauty. There are other, longer trails if you’d like.
The Butterfly House is a must-see. The plants and flowers there are very pretty and you may get to see some newly-made butterflies. There is a small pond inside with koi fish as well.
And kids will love the playground at Cypress Gardens. There is a larger playground for bigger kids and a smaller one for the littles. There is also a covered pavilion with picnic tables that are perfect for a shaded rest.
Playground
Honest Mom Review: Cypress Gardens
My kids are 13 and 9 and they really enjoyed Cypress Gardens. They are used to me dragging them to gardens to see pretty flowers and plants but not to take a boat ride in a swamp. They both definitely liked it but for me, I was just awed the whole time. Yes, I love the romantic movie that was filmed there but I love nature more. The beauty of those huge cypress trees standing tall in the water just blew me away. I could have done that boat ride again.
And the Swamparium was also really neat. I may be in the minority but I like snakes and turtles, especially the more I learn about them. The building was so well put together and educational.
And one of the best parts about Cypress Gardens was the price. I couldn’t believe the low cost of admission to see all we did and the fact that it included the self-guided boat ride. You can’t really do any better than that in the Charleston area. This place is a treasure – go visit.
Visiting Cypress Gardens
Cypress Gardens is open daily from 9 am – 5 pm with the last admission at 4 pm and the last self-guided boat tour going out at 4:15 pm. They are closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.
Admission is $10/adults and $5/kids ages 6-17 and free for kids ages 5 and under.
Pets are allowed only from November through February and they must be leashed at all times. They are not allowed in buildings. Be sure to check the website for special events, like an upcoming torch-lit boat ride!
