Family friendly things to do in georgetown, sc
Georgetown is an incredible little town with history, charm and character. It’s a frequent day trip destination for us and we always leave talking about what we’ll do next time. Here are a few family friendly things to do in Georgetown, SC.
museums
For a town of this size (just under 9,000 residents) to have 5 museums is pretty spectacular. It’s a sign of Georgetown’s complex history and heritage. Here are the highlights of each so you can decide which to prioritize.
SC MARITIME MUSEUM | Free. Self guided tour. Not too big (2 floors). Artifacts of ships, photos, and mini replicas. There is a short scavenger hunt sheet for kids to complete. That keeps them entertained and will only take about 10 minutes. Most fragile items are behind plexiglass, whew.
THE RICE MUSEUM | $3 for kids and $7 for adults. Guided tours on select days which last about 45 minutes. The focus is on the area’s history of rice cultivation but artifacts also include ships, historical ledgers, and the old clock tower. The museum also has a really lovely gift shop with lots of SC made items.
THE KAMINSKI HOUSE | $12 adults, $6 kids, free for 5 and under. Guided tours are available which take you through the house and focus on the Georgian architecture, former residents of the home, and general history of Georgetown. It is right by all the Front Street shops so walking over and at least enjoying the exterior isn’t out of the way (and that is free)!
The Gullah Museum | Full disclosure, we haven’t been here and it appears the reviews are mixed. The subject matter is fascinating but there may be a more engaging way for kids to experience the Gullah history. For example, Brookgreen Gardens has a Gullah Geechee program weekly.
Georgetown County Museum | Free. The artifacts and displays cover 300+ years of Georgetown’s history with a focus on the Civil War, rice plantations, duck hunting heritage, and the area’s other industries (indigo, paper, steel, tourism).
parks & KID-FRIENDLY
East Bay Park is where your kids can release their energy. It has playground equipment, swings and covered picnic tables among other things. It also has nice views of the intersecting rivers.
Morgan Park is more for enjoying the tranquility and natural beauty of the area via boardwalks and trails.
In Historic Georgetown, there are a few little alley parks: Francis Marion Park, Constitution Park, and Rainey Park are all along the Harborwalk & Front Street. Then there is Ben Cooper Park, less than a mile away, which offers the area’s only splash pad!
CAT CAFE | Georgetown has the area’s only cat cafe. Make reservations because they book up!
swamp fox tour | The tour is on a little blue trolley and that was enough to delight my two kids from the get-go. You’ll drive to several historic homes and hear about their former residents, architecture, and general local history. Adults love it, kids mostly tolerate it so maybe bring a snack to stretch their patience further.
dining and shopping
So many options. We’ve got our favs. And some we still want to try. Here are a few suggestions all on Front Street.
Between the Antlers | This one is a must. It’s laid back but elevated. On the water. Food is delicious. Plenty of places for kids to run around if you sit on the back patio.
Indigo Bakery | Scrumptious baked items. Cute shop. Friendly owners.
Georgetown Creamery | Dozens of flavors. 2nd scoop is free. Old school ice cream parlor feel.
Root | Finer dining. Locally sourced ingredients. American cuisine. Lunch and dinner.
Indigo Mercantile | Small gourmet grocery. Sauces, spices, wine, some prepared foods.
Whimsy Roost | Gifts and home goods. Amazing kids section. Fav, fav, fav.
The Independent | The new fine dining inside The George Hotel.
FESTIVALS | Georgetown has lots of festivals (many around food) so keep an eye on the calendar to plan a trip to coincide with one of them.
other fun
Hopsewee Plantation | Just a few miles away. This is a great spot to go for a tour and lunch. They offer a wonderful English tea service too!
HAMPTON PLANTATION | This one is a little further but also incredible. Tour, walk the grounds, or take a hike.
There are several more tour options for the area but those many not be quite as kid friendly (think: lots of walking and ghost stories).
looking for more day trip ideas?
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