8 Things to Do With Your Family in Garden City, SC
We recently got back from a trip to Garden City, South Carolina, and I wanted to share some fun, family friendly things to do there!
It’s on the way to Myrtle Beach, a couple cities over, but not as “touristy”. We usually vacation in Charleston at Folly Beach or in Mount Pleasant at Isle of Palms or Sullivan’s Island.
Both my husband and I grew up visiting Charleston because both of our grandparents lived there. We never really had a reason to go to another beach.
The only other beaches I have visited are in Florida and Hawaii. And there was the time I lived in Maryland during high school and visited Ocean City, Maryland and some Virginia beaches.
Needless to say, I didn’t really know what to expect or do in Garden City, because I just haven’t spent any time there. Here are some fun things we did on our trip (with toddlers) that will hopefully help any other mamas in the same situation.
1. Go to the beach
My kids loved making big holes and just playing in that little pool of water. They also had s blast with beach toys and running in the water. On our last day, we met a family that caught fish in a bucket and it was probably the happiest I’ve ever seen my kids. :)
2. Watch for sharks, jellyfish and fish from the Garden City Pier
3. Get a night out and go back to Garden City Pier for drinks and live music!
4. Ice cream at Painters
This is the best ice cream ever! I got salted caramel and it was wonderful!! Painters is right beside the pier.
5. Gigi’s Grill and Pavilion Arcade is good ole fashioned fun!
There is food/ice cream and arcade games!
6. Eat lunch at an ocean view restaurant
This is the Conch Cafe in Garden City
This one is the River City Cafe, technically in Surfside, SC, but still an oceanfront restaurant.
Surf Diner is on the right. We didn’t eat here, but my in laws did and enjoyed it. And it’s beach front on a short pier.
7. Fun Warehouse
We actually discovered Fun Warehouse on a previous trip to Myrtle Beach a couple years ago. It’s got an arcade, skating rink, go carts and an inflatable bounce house room (perfect for toddlers!)
8. Drive around in a golf cart
You can rent one, bring your own or stay somewhere that provides one (what we did). I can say it was so much fun and a completely different experience than I’ve had before at the beach.
Some more ideas:
Mini golf
Children’s Museum of South Carolina (Myrtle Beach)
Helicopter Tours
Waccatee Zoo
I think my favorite part of the trip was getting to experience the beach life with both my children and seeing it through their eyes. They love the water and exploring the beach.
We also really enjoyed driving around town in the golf cart. Although, watching the sharks from the pier was really cool too. Terrifying, but cool!
Garden City is an adorable little beach town and we just had the best time! I am actively looking up beach properties for sale in the area.
It’s actually a place we could afford to move to! Charleston, not so much… But I would not mind moving to Garden City… even if it meant having to give up some square footage. And trade in my car for a golf cart ;)
Where’s your favorite family-friendly beach? Always looking for new kid-friendly vacation spots! Leave me a comment with your recommendations <3
