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The Park Circle Playground is here in North Charleston, and visitors are already sharing rave reviews! We'll tell you all you need to know about the world's largest all-inclusive playground that just opened in South Carolina, including details on the playground equipment and Ninja Warrior Course for adults and teens.
Don't worry, we have more travel secrets to share. We're spilling the details on Beaufort's hidden beach, the Best NC mountain day trips for March, and exciting things happening at the 2024 Rumba on the Lumber Festival.
Stay up to date with insights on the best parks, playgrounds, day trips, and more things to see in the Carolinas; follow us on Facebook, where we regularly offer free tickets and other giveaways, and make sure to become a 2024 subscriber to Carolina Traveler magazine!
The Park Circle Playground welcomes all ages and abilities, fostering motor skills, sensory perception, cognition, and social-emotional development for inclusive fun.
Park Circle Playground Is Fun For All Ages
Parents and kids can't say enough positive things about the Park Circle Playground that recently opened in North Charleston in November 2023. The 55,000 square-foot park is divided into sections within a circle inside the main Park Circle roundabout.
What makes Park Circle Playground all inclusive? An all-inclusive park is a recreational space designed to accommodate people of all ages and abilities, providing accessible amenities and activities for everyone. These parks typically feature inclusive playground equipment, wheelchair-accessible pathways, sensory experiences, and facilities designed to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities. The goal is to create an environment where everyone can play, socialize, and enjoy outdoor activities together without barriers. No where else in the world does an all-inclusive park like this exist!
The Park Circle Playground features the following amenities:
- Inclusive Kids Island (ages 5-12): offers play opportunities to enhance physical, cognitive, and socioemotional skills through play. Some of the neatest playground equipment pieces include agility-building Hedra Towers, super-grippy climbing nets, a bucket seat zipline, double oodle swing, and more!
- Tot Spot (6 months-5 years): divided into an area for 6-23 months and 2-5 years, this park section aims to pique the growing minds and bodies of young children. Smart Play play structures were created with support from the National Head Start Association to encourage adult-youth dialogue and bolster holistic learning across major developmental areas. Kids most enjoy the rock bouncer, we-saw (a new take on the seesaw), and we-go swing –there's even a Cozy Dome to escape from the bustle and noise.
- Tune Lagoon (ages 2+): experience the benefits of music therapy! Young children can play with chimes, bells, drums, and more instruments to make music together as a family.
- Ninja Warriors Course (ages 13+): no one is too old to have fun at the Park Circle Playground. Adults and teenagers can put their fitness skills to the test via the Ledge Hanger, Rope Climb, Spiderwalk, and Angled Balance Beam, among other challenging obstacles. The equipment in this area can also be used for group fitness classes.
Already been to Park Circle Playground and had a great time? Read more about another one of our favorite unique playgrounds in the Carolinas
Beaufort's hidden beach, the Sands Beach is one of the best SC beaches for hunting shark teeth. Photo credit: @glew021081 (Instagram)
Beaufort's Hidden Beach…
Have You Been To One Of The Best Hidden Beaches In SC?
Make sure to snap your picture standing atop the Blowing Rock!
A Day Trip To Blowing Rock Is A Top-100 Carolina Bucket List Item
While the Park Circle Playground is all-inclusive, the tomahawk-throwing you engage in on your Blowing Rock day trip might be a little more risk…There's so much more to do in western NC than ski, snowboard, and snow-tube, and Blowing Rock epitomizes the fun, family-friendly atmosphere of the NC mountains!
Understandably, you'll want to see the Blowing Rock when you visit Blowing Rock, right? Did you know there is an actual Blowing Rock?
The name “The Blowing Rock” comes from a unique phenomenon in which the rock walls create a wind with such force that lightweight objects thrown over the gorge can be returned to you. From the top, visitors can see Hawksbill Mountain, Table Rock, Grandfather Mountain, and Mount Mitchell. The views, unique shape, and windy phenomenon all make this natural wonder a must-see in the NC mountains.
Read our guide on the ultimate day trip to Blowing Rock, which features tomahawk-throwing, experiencing gravitational anomalies, and perusing art galleries and boutique shops on Main Street.
The Clingmans' Dome Observation Tower grants some of the most breathtaking views of the Smokies.
Hike Clingman's Dome — The Highest Peak In The Great Smoky Mountains
Far, far away from the Park Circle Playground in North Charleston, SC, we're taking off on an exhilarating day trip to Clingman's Dome, NC, the crown jewel of the Great Smoky Mountains. Towering at 6,643 feet, it's the highest point in the Smokies and offers unparalleled panoramic views of the surrounding wilderness. The highlight of the trip is ascending the iconic observation tower, a spiraling ramp leading to a circular platform at the summit. This Star Trek-reminiscent structure not only provides breathtaking vistas but also boasts the distinction of being the highest point in Tennessee.
While the trek to Clingman's Dome isn't overly strenuous, it does require a moderate level of fitness due to the steep incline of the paved trail leading to the tower. However, the effort is well worth it as you're rewarded with sweeping views of misty mountains and verdant valleys stretching as far as the eye can see. This particular hike is neither pet-friendly nor wheelchair accessible, as there is an uphill gravel road that connects the parking lot to the paved Observation Tower pathway.
After descending from Clingman's Dome, continue your adventure in nearby Bryson City, NC. Explore the charming downtown area with its quaint shops and eateries, or take a leisurely stroll along the Tuckasegee River. Outdoor enthusiasts can indulge in activities like whitewater rafting on the Nantahala River or hiking in the nearby Deep Creek area. Don't miss the opportunity to ride the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, offering scenic excursions through the stunning landscape of western North Carolina. Whether you're seeking natural beauty or small-town charm, Bryson City provides the perfect complement to your Clingman's Dome adventure.
Looking for a thrill-seeking adventure like none other? Check out the Bryson City Moonlight Zipline
The free Rumba on the Lumber festival features activities for the children: a train, a giant slide, a rock climbing wall, a Spinner and more!
