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South Carolina offers the perfect blend of adventure and accessibility for grandparents traveling with kids and teens of all ages.
Start your journey at Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum in Mount Pleasant, where kids can explore the historic USS Yorktown aircraft carrier. The museum is wheelchair accessible and has quiet spaces for those needing sensory breaks.
Just across the harbor, the South Carolina Aquarium in Charleston captivates visitors with touch tanks and the mesmerizing Great Ocean Tank. This two-story tank holds sharks and even a 220-pound loggerhead sea turtle. The aquarium has wheelchairs to lend and an accessible vehicle for those who need transportation from the parking garage to the entrance. The Aquarium also has weighted lap pads and sensory bags filled with noise-reducing headphones, fidget tools, verbal cue cards and modified maps that indicate “headphone zones” and quiet areas.
Columbia's Riverbanks Zoo & Garden combines wildlife encounters with beautiful botanical displays. The zoo's accessible pathways and rest areas make it comfortable for multi-generational visits, while the splash pad offers cooling relief for active grandkids. Look for special sensory-friendly nights where the zoo offers dimmed lighting, softer music and plenty of quiet zones. Nearby Sesquicentennial State Park offers even more nature to explore, with a 30-acre lake and plenty of walking paths, including the easy Sandhills Hiking Trail.
Farther upstate, the South Carolina Botanical Garden in Clemson provides peaceful walking trails and educational programs perfect for curious minds of all ages.
Golf enthusiasts shouldn't miss Wild Dunes Golf Resort on the Isle of Palms, where family golf lessons accommodate beginners alongside experienced players. The resort's patient instructors excel at teaching young golfers while keeping grandparents engaged.
Several South Carolina state parks host family-friendly fishing lessons, such as the Saltwater Pier Fishing Clinic at Hunting Island State Park, where experienced guides teach proper techniques to anglers of all ages. These free programs provide all equipment and focus on conservation education alongside the thrill of the catch.
The Myrtle Beach Pinball Museum offers a nostalgic trip for grandparents while introducing kids to classic arcade games. With over 25 playable machines, it's a hands-on history lesson that spans generations.
Take the whole family out to the ballgame. Minor League Baseball games provide affordable entertainment, with the GreenJackets at SRP Park in North Augusta and Hub City Spartanburgers at Fifth Third Park in Spartanburg. Both venues offer accessible seating to make America's pastime enjoyable for everyone. The relaxed atmosphere in both parks allows for conversation between innings while kids enjoy the interactive fan zones.
