Hi Palmetto Parents!

I hope you stayed dry in the rain this weekend. My kids were very disappointed not to have snow, and I am sure your kids are too!

Our newsletter is a bit longer than usual, but it’s worth it! We took a deep dive into each trampoline park and any deals they offer so that each family can get the best bang for their buck. Don’t forget to vote on your favorite park in the poll!

We also have the perfect date night idea for this Saturday where you can sip hot cocoa and stargaze. As always, please end your weekend in the best way possible, with a pile of ice cream from Off Track. Then we end the article with a way to look back at who and where you were in 2016.

I hope the ideas make your week and weekend more fun and stress free! Enjoy!

Whether you’re looking for your toddler’s first big indoor play date or a way for older kids to blow off steam, Charleston’s trampoline parks offer plenty of options for active play and family memories.

These parks are great for birthday parties, rainy day activities, or weekend outings, and require waivers and grip socks for safety. Booking in advance can help you snag a better time slot, especially on weekends when jump zones get busy. Many parks also offer themed events, glow nights, or child-specific sessions that make each visit feel extra fun!

While not a pure trampoline park, Adrenaline Monkey Adventure Park offers indoor fun that complements jump activities with rope courses, climbing walls, and other adventurous play structures. It’s perfect if your kids want a mix of physical challenges. Every day of the week, there is a special deal. On Mondays, if you wear Adrenaline monkey gear, you get half-price admission, period. Tuesdays are free socks with admission ticket, period. Wednesdays are family fun deal with four passes, one large pizza, and one liter of soda for $100, period. Thursdays are BOGO admission, period. Fridays are another family fun deal day with four passes, a large pizza, and a pitcher of soda for $100. Saturday is BOGO admission for teens at night from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., period. Sundays are the adult deal with two passes, a large pizza, and two beers for $50, period.

Sky Zone in Mount Pleasant delivers classic indoor trampoline park fun with open jump, dodgeball, basketball lanes, foam pits, and special programs. They even offer sessions for toddlers through their Little Leapers program and seasonal camps that combine jump time with creative activities. Every Friday night from 7-10pm it turns into a family friendly party with black lights, DJs and dance! It’s a solid choice when you want a mix of active play and structured experiences for different ages.

Summit Adventure Park has tons of interconnected trampolines, basketball slam dunk stations, dodgeball, a ninja course, and a giant airbag that kids enjoy and is located in West Ashley. A single jump pass is $21.99 per person and a monthly pass is $19.99, so a monthly pass is a good idea if you think you’ll go often. There’s a dedicated toddler area too, which can help families feel comfortable bringing younger kids. Reviews are mixed but many families say it’s a fun and energetic place to let kids burn off steam.

Hours: Sunday 10-9pm, Monday 10-9pm, Tuesday-Thursday 3-9pm, Friday 10-9pm and Saturday 9am-9pm.

If your crew loves bouncing, flipping, and playing together, Flight Adventure Park is one of Charleston’s top choices. With expansive trampolines, dodge zones, and areas designed for all ages, it’s a favorite spot for birthdays and casual play. Reviews consistently highlight how clean the facility is and how attentive the staff are to helping kids stay safe while having fun. Family night is every Tuesday from 4pm-8pm with four passes for $40. Thursday nights from 4pm-8pm is BOGO night for passes.

Urban Air combines classic trampoline courts with extra attractions that kids love, like climbing features, laser tag, and spin-style bumper cars. You can sign a waiver ahead of time, grab your grip socks, and bounce or explore multiple zones for a full afternoon of activity. This makes Urban Air a solid pick if you want variety in one indoor outing.

Looking for a winter event near West Ashley that works for a date night but can also include the kids? Stargazing on the Ashley at Drayton Hall returns this Saturday, January 24 from 5:30 to 7:30pm on the historic grounds of Drayton Hall.

Hosted in partnership with the Lowcountry Stargazers, this evening experience invites guests to explore the night sky through high powered telescopes with guidance from expert astronomers. January’s clear skies make it one of the best times of year for stargazing in Charleston. Complimentary hot chocolate will be available, with beer and wine for purchase.

Ticket pricing makes this event accessible for families as well as couples, with tickets priced at $10 for ages 8 to 14, and $40 for ages 15 and up, while Drayton Hall members receive discounted admission at $30 per ticket. Children ages 8 and older are welcome to attend.

Whether you are planning a unique date night or a meaningful outing with older kids, Stargazing on the Ashley at Drayton Hall is a special winter event that tends to sell out quickly, so advance registration is recommended.

Charleston locals have a special treat this Sunday thanks to Palmetto Carriage Works.

On Sunday, January 25, Palmetto Carriage Works is offering free carriage rides for Charleston locals as a way to say thank you to the community. The event is first come, first serve and will run from 9am to 4pm, mostly rain or shine.

All you need to do is bring a local ID and enjoy a ride through Charleston’s rich history and stunning architecture. The horses will be returning to Palmetto Carriage Works’ iconic Big Red Barn in Charleston, making this a meaningful moment for both visitors and longtime locals.

The Big Red Barn has been family owned and operated since 1971. For more than five decades, Palmetto Carriage has been creating one of the city’s most beloved experiences. The Doyle family, along with their dedicated team, has carefully fine tuned every part of the tour experience, from easy loading and unloading in their accessible barn to sharing lively and accurate stories of Charleston’s extensive history.

You can find them at 8 Guignard Street in Chalreston. Since weather will be very questionable this Sunday, please double check if they are open at (843) 938-2126. Tell them we sent you!

Over the years, the Big Red Barn has become a natural stop for families and visitors looking for the best horse and carriage tour experience in town. If you have ever wanted to take a carriage ride or introduce your kids to Charleston history in a fun way, this free local event is the perfect opportunity. Arrive early for the best chance to ride and enjoy a classic Charleston experience.

Whenever we go out to eat downtown, whether we are bringing the kids along or enjoying a rare adults only night out, we always make sure to include a stop at Off Track Ice Cream. There have even been times when friends or family are visiting, we intentionally grab ice cream before dinner just to impress our guests and make sure our sweet tooth is satisfied. It has become one of those places that feels like part of the Charleston experience for us, not just dessert.

Off Track Ice Cream is known for pairing really excellent ice cream with surprisingly great coffee, all inside a cozy and modern space that feels upscale without being overwhelming. One of the reasons this spot has a permanent place in our rotation is how allergy friendly it is. When I was on a very strict diet while breastfeeding due to my baby having multiple allergies, this was one of the few places where I could actually enjoy ice cream thanks to their vegan and nut free options. If you have kids with allergies, you know how heartbreaking it can be to say no to ice cream. This is one of those rare places where everyone can say yes.

Flavor wise, it is hard to go wrong. Some of our family favorites include chocolate fudgy brownie, salted pretzel toffee, peanut butter pie, dirty chai cake, bourbon eggnog and gingerbread. Their vegan lineup is just as fun with options like Fluffer Nutter, Cookie Monster, and more that never feel like a compromise. All of their ingredients are locally sourced, and there is plenty of seating inside along with clean bathrooms that make it an easy and comfortable stop with kids. There is also a window where you can watch the ice cream being made by hand, which always completely captivates our kids. The building itself has a really cool history too, with plaques inside that share what it used to be and add a little extra charm to the visit.

Off Track Ice Cream is located at 6 Beaufain Street, and they are open Sunday through Thursday from 12pm to 10pm, and Friday and Saturday from 12pm to 11pm. Don’t wait for the heat of summer to try some ice cream!

Every so often, the internet reminds us of who we were. Recently, the 2016 trend resurfaced and suddenly timelines were filled with old photos, past versions of ourselves, and comments like “life was so simple back then” or “I miss this era.” It is easy to look at those photos and admire the life we once had, the version of ourselves that felt lighter, freer, or less complicated. The picture above is when my husband and I took a trip to Europe for the summer. But looking back does not always tell the full story.

Since 2016, most of us have lived an entire lifetime of change. We have learned how to adapt, how to carry responsibility, how to love people more deeply, and how to keep going when things did not turn out the way we expected. Growth does not always look exciting in photos. Often it looks like showing up tired, choosing stability over spontaneity, or quietly becoming someone more grounded than you used to be. That is not something to mourn. That is something to honor.

If you find yourself missing who you were, try asking yourself a few gentler questions. What have I survived since then. What have I learned about myself. Who depends on me now. What boundaries have I set that protect my peace. In what ways am I stronger, wiser, or more compassionate than I was before. Growth is not about becoming unrecognizable. It is about becoming more capable.

So if you are feeling behind, or nostalgic, or unsure when you look at those old photos, let this be your reminder. You are doing a great job. You are carrying more, managing more, and still showing up. The life you are building now deserves just as much admiration as the one you once had.

Love, Jenna