janeberger

My husband and I love Charleston, SC, but have never taken our children (4 and 10). We feel we need to add a beach component, with Charleston being more like a day trip or 2. Never stayed on Isle of Palms or Kiawah, but looking for kid-friendly (great pool) resort suggestions. With little kids, we're fine with "touristy" -- it's not going to be a relaxing vacation, anyways.

We also have recently begun exploring the Outer Banks, Gulf Shores, AL and Galveston, TX as beach-y options (the latter, primarily because of its proximity to Schlitterbahn). I really don't know whether damage from the hurricane and flooding is a major issue in Galveston, currently -- anyone know?

Any and all recommendations or feedback on the above is so appreciated. Thank you!

obxgirl

How about Pawleys Island/Litchfield in SC? It's resort-y. Close to touristy, Myrtle Beach. Close to Charleston, approx 70 miles.

We visit friends at Litchfield By the Sea every July and it's definitely kid friendly, very pretty with resort amenities.

FullerFour

Not near Charleston but definitely a beach in the area of Gulf Shores - Santa Rosa Beach, FL. Its only 2 miles from Seaside and about 15 min drive to Destin. Keeps you out of all the super busy tourist driving of Destin and puts you within a 2 mile bike ride of Seaside (famous little town that loves for you to walk or ride a bike, eat from an airstream, and embrace it's community design). As fun and cute as Seaside is, we find it way too expensive to rent from there. Some homes will run $15k a week to rent. The Truman Show (movie was filmed here). A few years ago, we were walking around Seaside for dinner, crossed the little road right in from of Luke Bryan and his wife/kids. The teen girls in our group went nuts. We stay at the Adagio Condos in Santa Rosa Beach every October, rent bikes at Big Daddy's just outside the condo. We love to ride to Seaside and Deer Lake State Park. Not to worry that the 4 y/o can't ride well enough. They'll attach a tagalong to the back of the bike. I still tote my 5 y/o. There's 30+ dedicated bike and walking trail. So wonderful. Also, you're close enough to Panama City Beach (about 30 mins) to visit there, too. We drive to Panama and rental a pontoon boat for a day ($200) and take it out to Shell Island - oh, talking about having a beautiful beach to yourself. Kids collect shells, find sea creatures, watch for turtles as we boat to the island. We pack a lunch and make a whole day of it. Oh goodness, I've went on-and-on about an are you weren't specifically asking about. . I love the whole 30A area. Just perfect beaches and a laid back atmosphere. Hope I've inspired you to research the area.


Deer Lake Park

Gretchen

You wouldn't go wrong with the Litchfield suggestion. The beach is beautiful and uncrowded. There is much to do in the area and it is 1.5 hours to Charleston. Take them to the Hunley Exhibit and Aquarium.
Around Litchfield is Huntinton Beach State Park with nature things to do and Brookgreen Gardens that has a petting zoo and butterfly pavilion. Miniature golf up the road a little and THE best restaurants on the SE coast outside of Charleston.