Let’s cheer for an unexpected and fulfilling fun family day in Beaufort that didn’t break the bank and my 5 years old daughter loved it!

Started the day at the Waterfront Park. The playground is enclosed so you can safely enjoy your late morning coffee in comfy swings gazing at the breathtaking marina. The place is generously shaded, has plenty of age appropriate play equipment and a clean rest area.

Most popular station is climbing aboard the ship

Toddlers can try their sea legs at their own station…

After couple of hours we were ready for refreshments. We stopped at the Southern Sweets Ice Cream Parlor and Lunch located inside the Old Bay Marketplace. This place is terrific!

Not only you can get a finger licking ice-cream or shake, but is a very affordable lunch (or brunch) choice, unlike most other options near the waterfront. Everything is home made, delicious and healthy. They’re most famous for their hearty hot-dogs but you’ll surely enjoy any of the soups, sandwiches and salads.

Southern Sweets is open 7 days a week and lunch is served until 5PM.

We spent most of the afternoon at the inspiring Military Museum located on Parris Island (admission is free). I was pleasantly surprised to see my daughter genuinely interested in the exhibits.

Now she will proudly tell you that George Washington was the first president to give a purple heart medal, why the marines changed their uniform color to brown during the first Iraq War and how they got their famous Leatherneck nickname.

For dinner we returned to Gilligan’s Steamer and Raw Bar seafood restaurant off of Hwy 21. Gilligan’s is extremely family friendly. They have large comfortable booths each equipped with its own aquarium, spectacular sunset views overlooking the marshes, fun reading and activities material and even dedicated kids programs every Monday night.

The food is reasonably priced, fresh and delicious. Lana, who is terribly picky when it comes to food, gorged on their crab soup, hash puppies and shrimp. By the way, Gilligan’s serves 100% domestic wild caught shrimp in all of its Sea Islands locations.

I promised the kid we’ll go see the giant shark inflatable slide if she behaves at the restaurant. She did so here we are in Chick-fil-a’s parking lot starring at an enormous two stories high great white! Found out all the rides were free, as the guys at Jamping Jaxx were doing a promo (call them at (843) 524-JUMP and check out when is the next event).

One hour and hundred rides later she was exhausted, happy and ready for the evening movie.

Oh yeah, nothing tops the day as watching Night at the Museum and Up at the drive in! The Hwy 21 drive in is one of only two movie places still operating in South Carolina. This is our first drive in experience and we loved it!

Gates and concessions open nightly at 7 PM while the movies start at dusk. Tickets are adults $6, children 5 to 12 $2, military and seniors $5. They have hamburgers, hot dogs, Philly wraps, sandwiches, pizza, onion rings, nachos, fries, popcorn, ice cream and funnel cakes ($3-5).

They just started to show the new Transformers movie and in July they’ll feature Ice Age 3. Make sure to bring a bug spray!

More fun things to do with kids around Beaufort

• Go to Hunting Island, the state’s most popular state park to relax at the beach and climb the 170 feet high lighthouse ($4 admission, lighthouse access is an extra $2)

• Visit Oyotunji African Village to experience the life of an authentic Yoruba settlement and enjoy their monthly festivals ($10 admission)

• Check out the upcoming 54th Beaufort Water Festival (July 10 - July July 19) and enjoy fun daily activities: arts and crafts, sport events, boat parades, antique cars shows, night concerts and more.

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