Opening day is now Thurs. Oct. 6 2022. Military Appreciation Day will now be Sat. Oct. 8 2022. Half price to military and immediate family with proper ID.
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Starting Oct. 6 2022, Holiday Farms will be open Thursdays-Saturdays from 9AM-6PM and Sundays from Noon-6PM.
Get lost in Poppell Farms’ tall sorghum maze, enjoy wagon hayrides and the Pumpkin Patch! Stay after dark on Friday and Saturday nights to explore the maze with a flashlight (it’s NOT haunted). Beginning October 7, brave the Haunted Trail through the woods after dark.
Open every Friday night, Saturday (day and night) and Sunday from October 1-30, 2022.
UPDATE:DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER, HOLIDAY FARMS GRAND OPENING POSTPONED UNTIL THURS OCT. 6. Military Appreciation Day (Half price to military & immediate family w/ proper ID) will be Sat. Oct. 8. Details here.
Holiday Farms will be open Thursdays-Saturdays from 9AM-6PM and Sundays from Noon-6PM.
In honor of our military, Holiday Farms will host Military Appreciation Day on Sat. Oct. 1st. Half price to military and immediate family with proper ID.
Fall discount code for Friends of Georgia State Parks membership.
SouthernMamas.com readers can receive a 15 percent discount on Friends of Georgia State Parks membership levels. Use the code southernmama to get your discount.
Georgia has nearly 50 state parks, each with different attributes. Think mountains, canyons, lakes, waterfalls, gorges, swamps, and more. We want to make it easier for you to go to enjoy hiking trails, biking, boating, camping, disc golf, fishing, golfing, paddling, and leaf-peeping.
A Few of the Many State Park Events @ Nearby Parks include:
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Skidaway Island State Park, Savannah
Archery, Sept. 17
Sat. Sept. 17 2022, 10-11AM and 2-3PM. Learn the basics of archery and test your skills on our archery range. This program will cover basic safety and technique. Equipment will be provided. $10 per person. Participants must be at least 10 years old. Please call the Visitors Center to sign up: 912-598-2300.Please arrive 10 minutes ahead to go to the Visitors Center first.
Marsh Monster Masquerade, Oct. 29
Monsters of all ages are invited to Skidaway Island State Park in Savannah on Sat. Oct. 29 2022, 11AM-6PM for Marsh Monster Masquerade, featuring a spooky mask decorating contest for children and adults, children’s pumpkin decorating, a dog costume contest, fair-style games, prizes, and more. Details here.
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Fort McAllister State Park, Richmond Hill
Candle Lantern Tour, Oct. 22
Pre-registration opens Sept. 15 2022 for the popular annual Candle Lantern Tour @ Fort McAllister State Park on Oct. 22 2022. Details here.
Our favorite fall farm destination – Poppell Farms – opens for the 2022 Fall season, weekends Oct. 1-Oct. 30 2022.
Poppell Family Farms pumpkin patch, 10-acre maze, hayrides, farm fun, giant outdoor jumping pillows, barnyard & farm games & activities are open every Saturday & Sunday Oct. 1-Oct. 30 2022.
We can’t wait.
SATURDAY Daytime Farm Open 10AM-5PM Saturdays in October Maze, Hayride to Pumpkin Patch, 20+ Attractions $16.95 (ages 4+) No group rates Must be in line for the hayride by 4PM
SUNDAY Daytime Farm Open Noon-5PM Sundays in October Maze, Hayride to Pumpkin Patch, 20+ Attractions $16.95 (ages 4+) Must be in line for the hayride by 4PM
A favorite part of Coastal Discovery Museum on Hilton Head Is. is the Karen Wertheimer Butterfly Habitat but there is even more to explore around the Museum’s peaceful 68-acre property: marsh boardwalks, kids zone, discovery lab, gardens (including carnivorous plants bog garden with Venus, Sundews, and several species of Pitcher plants, each with their own unique method of trapping insects ), Marsh Tacky horses, replica shell ring, nature trail & more.
Think free access to Georgia State Parks for a year – a year’s worth of access to mountains, hiking, leaf peeping, swimming, lakes, beaches, trails, biking, waterfalls, exploring, sight-seeing, rivers and more.
Winners will also each receive a Friends of Georgia State Park backpack and waterbottle.
To enter to win, visit this giveaway post on our SouthernMamas.com Facebook page. Comment on the FB giveway post, telling us what you are most looking forward to doing outdoors this Fall 2022. Entry will be open until Aug. 11 2022. Then we’ll pick two names at random and announce the winners.
Thanks Friends of Georgia State Parks for giving our readers this special late summer/fall discount!
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LateSummer State Park Events @ Nearby Parks
Wormsloe Historic Site, Savannah
Aug. 27 2022: Tools & skills that built a colony, 10AM-4PM. What did those first colonists do to survive when they arrived in 1733? Find out if you have what it took to build a colony. See craft demonstrations such as blacksmithing, spinning, cooking, and more. $2 – $10. 912-353-3023.
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Skidaway Island State Park, Savannah
Aug. 12 2022: Campfire Night, 6-7PM. Gather round the campfire with us and unwind. We will have free marshmallows and sticks to toast them. Meet at the firepit behind the Interpretive Center. $5 parking. 912-598-2300.
Sat. Aug. 20 2022: Archery. 9-10AM, 10:30-11:30AM, 2:30-3:30PM. Learn the basics of archery and test your skills on our archery range. This program will cover basic safety and technique. Equipment will be provided. Participants must be at least 10 years old. Please call the Visitors Center to sign up. Please arrive 10 minutes ahead to go to the Visitors Center first. $10 plus $5 parking. 912-598-2300.
Sat.Aug. 27 2022: Sand Art. 2-3PM. Make summertime-themed pictures using sand and glue. This will be fun for both children and those that are kids at heart. Materials will be provided. Location: Interpretive Center. $5 parking. 912-598-2300.
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Fort McAllister State Park, Richmond Hill
Sun. Aug. 28 2022: Shrimping class, 3-5PM. Limited space available, please RSVP. Have you ever wanted to learn how to shrimp? Learn the basics of how to throw a cast net. Short shuttle by boat to a sand bar across river so you can spread out and practice or casting skills. Must have own cast net! $5 plus $5 parking. 912-727-2339.
Sun. Sept. 4 2022: Labor Day Festivities 10AM-1PM & The Great Ogeechee Water Fight 1-2PM. Civil War interpreters will fire muskets throughout the day 10AM-1PM. $9. For the water fight 1-2PM, bring your water blaster, super soaker, or entire H20 arsenal to this water fight extravaganza. Play games like fortress destruction, and soak a ranger, and end with free play. Pre-register by calling park office. $2 plus $5 parking. 912-727-2339.
Sun. Sept 4, 2022 (1-2PM) Summertime is almost over why not go out with a bang? Bring your water blaster, super soaker, or entire H20 arsenal to a water fight extravaganza. Play games like fortress destruction, and soak a ranger, and end with free play. Pre-register by calling park office: 912-727-2339
Get lost in Poppell Farms’ tall sorghum maze, enjoy wagon hayrides and the Pumpkin Patch! Stay after dark on Friday and Saturday nights to explore the maze with a flashlight (it’s NOT haunted). Beginning October 7, brave the Haunted Trail through the woods after dark.
Open every Friday night, Saturday (day and night) and Sunday from October 1-30, 2022.
Join the Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn on Hilton Head Is. and its partners in this FREE Family Fun Day 2022 for all ages, 10AM-1PM Tues. Aug. 9.
Come early or stay for lunch at the weekly Farmer’s Market on site between 9AM and 1PM
Visit the Coastal Discovery Museum’s boardwalks, learn about the salt marsh, and walk to the horse barn and pasture to see the marsh tacky horse “Comet” and his companion horse “Hawk”.
Stop by the Karen Wertheimer Butterfly Habitat to see the life cycle of native butterflies and learn from museum docents how to plant a butterfly-friendly garden of your own.
Express yourself – artistically – with hands-on activities offered by the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina and The Sandbox. Make a piece of “Tiny Art” to take home or to share with the Tiny Art Galleries around town (sponsored by the Town of Hilton Head Office of Cultural Affairs). Create your own tie dye shirt using real indigo dye or watch sweetgrass basket makers at work.
Sing along with Jevon Daly at one of the two “Kids Concerts” (10:15AM and 11:30AM) in the Birdseye View Theater. Jevon is a local favorite with the young and old alike and is known for his summertime concerts at Coligny Plaza.
Watch and learn about local birds from the Hilton Head Audubon Society. Dive into our local history and environment with the Lowcountry Master Gardeners, the Outside Foundation, Hilton Head Archaeological Society, the Gullah Museum, Heritage Library, Explore Mitchelville, the Morris Center for Lowcountry Heritage and others.
Stop in the Discovery House for the “Children’s Book Fair” to purchase signed copies of educational and local children’s books to take home. Authors scheduled to attend include Susan Diamond Riley, Susan McElroy Montanari, Lisa Anne Cullen, Rebecca Chamberlain, Patricia Bee, Donna Brainard, Mary T. Jacobs, Miho Kinnas, Iris Jackson, Robin Prince Monroe, and Antawn Eady. Find out more about our local literary scene with the Pat Conroy Literary Center.
Visit special exhibitions in the Discovery House. “Conservation in the Classroom” (Main Gallery) includes student artwork focused upon the conservation and protection of dolphins, sea turtles, shore birds, and horseshoe crabs. “Nikon Small World” (Sea Island Room) is a traveling exhibition of 20 jaw-dropping, prize-winning photomicrographs (photographs taken through the light of a microscope).
There’s something for everyone at Family Fun Day!
There is no charge for admission on this special Museum Day and reservations are not required.
Please call (843) 689-6767 ext. 223 for details or learn more here.
Coastal Discovery Museum, 70 Honey Horn Drive, Hilton Head Island, SC 29926
Looking for a kid-friendly daytrip destination from Savannah?
We love Sea Pines Resort on Hilton Head Is. – a roughly 70 minute drive from Savannah. While there be sure to try to catch a sighting of one of the manatees (pictured above in a photo we took in July 2022) that hang out @ Harbour Town Yacht Basin. The manatees sometimes can be seen in the part of the marina near where this sign pictured below is posted, where the arrow points in the photo below.
There’s still time to catch a legendary free Gregg Russell concert outdoors under Liberty Oak in Harbour Town this 2022 summer season. See his Summer 2022 performance schedule here. This beloved family-oriented singer/storyteller performs sing-a-longs, ballads and silly songs with audience participation. Kids often make & bring “pick-me-to sing-with-you” signs to hold up for Gregg to see.
Next time you take the kids to Hilton Head Island, here are two of our favorite playgrounds there.
Adventure Playground @ Lowcountry Celebration Park, Hilton Head Is.
The spacious Adventure Playground features a giant ship complete with mist cannons. located off Pope Avenue near the Coligny Beach parking lot. Adventure Playground is open from sunrise to sunset. Restroom facilities at the park close at 10PM. Parking is available in the Coligny Beach Parking Lot, the parking lot off Nassau Street or onstreet parking on Nassau Street. Details here.
Gregg Russell Playground in Harbour Town (pictured), Sea Pines Resort, Hilton Head Is. The Gregg Russell Playground at Harbour Town is one of the top playgrounds in our area. Fenced, somewhat shaded playground that includes a treehouse; swings; numerous slides; lots of climbing bars, jungle gym bars, monkey bars. Just outside the fenced-playground is a water fountain; picnic tables; bathrooms; and plenty of spots for lunch, drinks or coffee and of course, the famous Harbour Town lighthouse which is open to climb for a fee plus $9 Sea Pines gate fee. Harbour Town, Hilton Head, SC 29928
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See our favorite Savannah & Beaufort area playgrounds here.
Rick Hubbard entertains the whole family with his Kazoobie Kazoo Show at The Sandbox Children’s Museum on Hilton Head Is. on Monday Fundays throughout the summer. All kids join Rick on stage, and everyone gets a FREE Kazoobie Kazoo!
Mondays through Aug. 15 2022
The Sandbox Children’s Museum on Hilton Head Is is a non-profit children’s museum dedicated to the positive development of young children through play.
80 Nassau St Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
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The Sandbox Children’s Museum is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser
The new park off Pope Avenue near the Coligny Beach parking lot and Coligny Beach Park features: *The Adventure Playground, named after the ship Captain William Hilton was on when he discovered Hilton Head Island. It features a reimagined design of the ship, playground, wading pool and more. *An open pavilion and lawn for events. *A perimeter walk *Two fitness stations *Wi-Fi *The Sandbox Children’s Museum *Public restrooms
Lowcountry Celebration Park 94 Pope Ave. Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
Brevard in the Blue Ridge Mountains in western North Carolina proved to be an ideal spot for my (Jen Hatmaker-inspired but on smaller scale) Me Camp 2022 while my kids were at sleepaway summer camp nearby.
One of the best parts of the visit was going with my mom to see Steep Canyon Rangers perform at the Brevard Music Center outdoor Whittington-Pfohl Auditorium with the 2022 Brevard Music Center Summer Institute orchestra. The Brevard Music Summer Institute includes high school and college students. The concert was part of Brevard’s 2022 Summer Music Festival.
Not surprising for this music-centric town, Brevard’s impressive Transylvania County Library also has a lovely outdoor amphitheater for performances, where the plan was to see a free performance of Charlotte-based band Elonzo Wesley before rain moved the concert indoors.
You’re invited to the Annual Boiled Peanut Festival in Historic Downtown Bluffton.
Set for Sept. 24, 2022, noon-6PM at the historic Heyward House on Boundary Street.
Enter your little Peanuts in the 2022 Lil’ Baby Goober, Lil’ Miss Peanut, and Lil’ Mr. Goober Competition. Have the best boiled peanut recipe in Bluffton? Find out and enter the Boiled Peanut Cook-Off Contest.
This Georgia-native is embarrassed to admit I’ve overlooked Michigan as a vacation spot my whole life.
Until now.
We just got back from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Mackinac Island as well as Michigan’s Leelanau Peninsula (also called the mitten’s little finger). I loved all three areas. But the Leelanau Peninsula wins in terms of utmost beauty.
Rent basketed-bikes from Mackinac Cycle on Main Street on Mackinac Island and do the self-guided attractions tour to see Arch Rock, Skull Cave, Fort Mackinac, Grand Hotel.
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Leelanau Peninsula
If you, like me, have long wanted to stay in a yurt, you will love the magical yurt we stayed in on storybook-like Spruce Hill Farm in Maple City. It’s like a woodsy pantheon complete with windowed dome and loft. The farm includes an equally magical horse named Chief, pigs, goats, chickens and ducks plus miles of trails through meadows and handknit-sweatered-trees.
The new park off Pope Avenue near the Coligny Beach parking lot and Coligny Beach Park features: *The Adventure Playground, named after the ship Captain William Hilton was on when he discovered Hilton Head Island. It features a reimagined design of the ship, playground, wading pool and more. *An open pavilion and lawn for events. *A perimeter walk *Two fitness stations *Wi-Fi *The Sandbox Children’s Museum *Public restrooms
Move Nights @ various parks in Bluffton SC Fridays 5-8PM. Movies start @ 6PM
May 20 2022 – Space Jam: A New Legacy Movie Night (Buckwalter Place Park) June 17 2022 – Encanto Movie Night (Field of Dreams) July 15 2022 – Luca Movie Night (Martin Family Park)
Who is ready for lazy river, spray pads & waterslides ?
Here are water parks in Statesboro, Jekyll Island & Charleston. (The Pooler water park – Surf Lagoon – is closed).
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Water Parks Near Savannah
Splash In The Boro opens for 2022 summer season May 21, weekends only. Opens daily May 28. 45 miles from Savannah in Statesboro, Ga. Water Slides – 2 body slides and 1 inner tube slide wind around each other and finish with a plunge into a common wave pool. The park has a double flowrider , a 5-lane mat racer, a spray pad and slides for toddlers, 3 tube slides, a lazy river.
Open weekends only May 21 2022; Open daily May 28 2022. For hours click here.
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Summer Wavesopening weekends May 14 2022. 75 Miles from Savannah on Jekyll Island.
Summer Waves Water Park located on Jekyll Island with 11 acres of splashing summertime fun for the whole family. Nine exciting attractions including six water slides, wave pool, lazy river, splash zone and kiddie area.
Open May 14 weekends only. Open daily May 28. For hours, click here. Hours are subject to change. Please call ahead to confirm Summer Waves is open. 912.635.2074
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Charleston, SC Water Parks
Splash Zone Waterpark at James Island County Park 871 Riverland Drive Charleston, SC 29412 79 Miles from Savannah in Charleston, SC Opens May 21 2022 weekends only; opens daily June 4. Schedule here. 200-foot tube slide – 200-foot open slide – Caribbean play structure with slides, wheels, and sprays – 500-foot lazy river with an adventure channel featuring sprays and a waterfall – Leisure pool – open seasonally
Whirlin Waters Adventure Waterpark 87 miles from Savannah in North Charleston, SC Opens May 21 2022 weekends only; opens daily June 4.. Schedule here. Fun for all ages, Whirlin’ Waters Adventure Waterpark is located within North Charleston Wannamaker County Park and offers seasonal, island-style water play packed into over 15-acres. Rip Tide Run mat racer takes riders on an exciting head-to-head competition over gut wrenching bumps, accelerating riders towards the finish line. (minimum height of 42”)
Splash Island Waterpark 91 miles away in Mount Pleasant, SC Opens May 21 2022 weekends only; opens daily June 4.. Schedule here. 200-foot water slide – 16-foot otter slide – Sprays, geysers, and raindrop waterfalls – The Cyclone, a 10-minute swirling water ride – Recreational pool
U-Pick Strawberry Season 2022 is open. Fields below close on certain days due to field conditions. Please call ahead or check social media before going.
Hodges Farm – a local family owned “Pick Your Own” or “We Pick” farm of strawberries.
The farm is located on the Effingham/Screven County border just 20 minutes from Statesboro and 50 minutes from downtown Savannah. Cash or check with ID.
Adults and kids will enjoy a fun day outdoors celebrating how prescribed fire is good for Georgia’s forests and meet some of the organizations using it to support healthy wildlife habitat and reduce the risk of wildfires.
This is a FREE festival for the whole family with fire equipment, food trucks, face painting, and games. In case of inclement weather, the rain date for the festival is Sat. May 14 2022.
Visitors may participate from March 15 – April 24 2022 on Tuesdays – Sunday from 10AM – 4PM daily.
Guests will be given an Easter Egg Scavenger Hunt map with instructions. Just follow the simple instructions, using the map for clues, to answer the secret phrase. After completing the hunt repeat the phrase to the Ranger at the museum and receive a prize bag with toy filled Easter Eggs & more.
Participants can receive an EXTRA PRIZE for taking a selfie at one of the clue locations.
This event is for the ENTIRE FAMILY and all ages. Come out and enjoy the open spaces, have fun & tour the plantation.
Cost
$8 adults
$7.50 seniors (62 and over)
$5 youth (ages 6 to 17)
Children ages 5 & younger are free
912-264-7333
Is cruising on your vacation wish list this year or next?? If so, Two Sisters Travel has the details on the BIGGEST deals, and now is the time to book an exciting Royal Caribbean cruise vacation!!
Take advantage of the popular Kids Sail Free AND up to $500 OFF plus 30% each guest. Select sailings on Oasis of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas and Navigator of the Seas offer free upgrades!
For families Royal Caribbean offers exciting amenities & entertainment designed with everyone in mind. For anyone seeking a more couples only escape there’s plenty of spaces onboard just for adults!
This deal is available on most itineraries including popular destinations like the Caribbean, Bahamas, Alaska, Europe, & more! No matter the adventure you’re seeking Royal Caribbean has it!
Hurry, let Two Sisters Travel book your Royal Caribbean cruise vacation now, availability is limited and this deal ends March 31.
UPDATE: Both main fields open THURSDAY, FRIDAY, and SATURDAY the 24th, 25th, and 26th of February. Hours are 9AM – 4PM.
UPickDaffodils.com is family owned and operated on what was once the family dairy farm. Chuck and Diane have planted several varieties of daffodils, not all of which bloom at the same time, according to their Web site.
