Designed with your little fins in mind, Toddler Cove features life-size aquatic play structures built into a cushy floor with plenty of seating for moms and dads. Perfect for those toddlers that like to jump, climb and play, come imagine living below the sea in a brightly-colored tropical reef! Want to play in Toddler Cove all year round? Purchase a Family or Family Plus Membership, and you and the little ones can have unlimited fun for a year, PLUS exclusive benefits, special invitations, and more! Details on Membership Join other toddlers and moms on the second Wednesday of each month for a special interactive story time in Toddler Cove. Each month will feature a different story paired with an animal encounter for the little ones! Calendar of Events VISIT WEBSITE FOR ALL DETAILS HERE Toddler Cove was created not only with the tiny tots in mind, but also the moms! With plenty of seating, this is a great place for a play date or mom's group gathering. Another great place to be social with other Aquarium moms is through our online social channels. Join in here:

 

When it gets cold in Charleston, like it has been this week with nighttime temps dipping into the teens and day time highs barely reaching 40, there isn't much to do in the way of outdoor activity. Beach and coats don't make good postcards. Fishing rods and gloves are not compatable. A walk in the open air Old Market isn't as appealing. A stroll along the Battery with the waves crashing the waterfront from the nippy brisk wind loses its nostalgia. A carriage ride through the historic French Quarter loses some of its luster. Even the nighttime ghostly tours leaves you with a chill in more ways than one. There is no snow. You can't ski, tobbagan, or sled ride. You can't make a snow fort with the kids and then destroy it with a snowball fight. Which brings me to a subtle fact that only Northeners can appreciate, snow makes the cold more fun, and when it's cold here, it's just cold. So, what do you do in Charleston when the temperature takes a dip?

You can wait until it warms up because it will surely do that. Cold snaps don't last for long, although this year they have come early and have lasted longer. In the meantime, here are some of the things on tap during these chillier months.
 
Flowertown Players-Theatre on the Square in Summerville-Presenting Same Time, Next Year a Romantic Comedy for ages 18 and up.-January 14, 15, 21, 22, 28 and 29 at 8 PM, January 16, 23 and 30 at 2 PM.-Purchase tickets
Dock Street Theater-"America's First Theatre" presents A Christmas Carol, A Ghost Story of Christmas December 3 - 19, 2010. Charleston Stage's acclaimed original adaptation magically returns with a wonderful story of Scrooge and his Christmas Eve encounter with three ghoulish spectres. With colorful period costumes, stunning Christmas card sets, magical special effects and scores of actors, singers, dancers and musicians.-Purchase tickets
Footlight Theater-"White Christmas"  by Irving Berlin playing December 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18 at 8 PM; December 5, 12 (sold out), and 19 at 3 PM. This brand new musical shines with classic Berlin hits like "Blue Skies," "How Deep is the Ocean?" and, of course, the unforgettable title song, "White Christmas."-Purchase tickets
North Charleston Coliseum Performing Arts Center-Charleston Ballet Theatre The Nutcracker Dec 17 at 7:30 PM and Dec 18 at 3:00 PM. Charleston Ballet Theatre unwraps its glittering holiday treat with performances that have become the centerpiece of holiday tradition for families throughout the region. Adult tickets are $45.00, $40.00, $35.00, and $25.00. Children 2-12 tickets are $35.00, $30.00, $25.00, and $15.-Purchase tickets
Moscow Ballet’s “Great Russian Nutcracker” is the one performance this season you shouldn’t miss! Tickets are $88.50, $68.50, $48.50, $38.50, & $28.50 plus applicable fees. Limited Premium Seating and VIP seating avaiable.-Purchase tickets
Holiday Festival of Lights-James Island County Park hosts November 12, 2010-January 2, 2011. Your journey begins with a 3-mile drive through millions of sparkling lights and hundreds of light displays. They also offer a marshmallow roast and a 54 passenger train ride through the park to view the lights. To tour the lights in your car is $10/car and if you'd like you can ride the train around the lake for approximately $2/person and children under 2 are free if they sit in the lap of an adult.
South Carolina Aquarium- Learn all about the animals that call the ocean home at the South Carolina Aquarium. Here there are a large number of hands on exhibits that include information on both ocean animals, and those that call the beach home. Learn in the discovery lab, and then watch a movie about the creatures of the Amazon.-(843) 720-1990
Southern Comfort Lowcountry Blues Bash-21st annual Lowcountry Blues Bash 12 days, 25+ venues, 50+ acts Bars, restaurants, hotels, many all-ages venues. Blues performances day & night. Reasonable cover charges and many free shows. February 3-13, 2011 Metro Charleston, South Carolina.
Lowcountry Oyster Festival-Selected By the Southeast Tourism Society as a Top 20 Event. January 30, 2011, Boone Hall Plantation.(843) 577-4030
The 26th Annual Charleston Boat Show at the Charleston Area Convention Center Complex held January 21-23, 2011. Boats and water equipment from 30 of the most popular dealers in America.
Southeastern Tourism Society-Charleston Wildlife Exposition-When: February 18 - 20, 2011. Where: Charleston, South Carolina. What: The largest wildlife art and nature event in the nation, SEWE offers something for everyone.-Purchase tickets
Old City Jail-Good stories and a great tour located at 21 Magazine St, Charleston, SC. Bulldog Tours is located at 40 North Market St, Charleston, SC or call 843-722-8687

Article written by Rick Dunbar first published on Charleston blog Vacation Rick of Charleston. Become a follower and subscriber. Thank you.

The rythmic clip-clop of the horses hoofs sets the tone for a nostalgic trip back to simpler, more gential times of Charleston's past. The horse drawn carriage makes its way onto East Battery. The elevated walkway along the waterfront of East Battery stretches on ahead, a beautiful vantage point for taking in the scenery of Charleston Bay. Our attention is quickly diverted to a house on the right of us, a house with a split personality. Half is Roman architecture and the other half Greek. All listen intently as the story is told about how this unusual collaboration came about.

This is only a brief description of what the Charleston waterfront from The South Carolina Aquarium to White Point Gardens in Battery Park offers in the way of entertaining activity, relaxing sightseeing strolls, and historic tours. The panarama includes the Ravenal Bridge, the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown docked at Patriot's Point, Sullivan's Island and Fort Moultrie, Pinckney Castle, Fort Sumter, and on around South Battery overlooking James Island.

South Carolina Aquarium-Visitors can explore Southern aquatic life in an attraction filled with thousands of enchanting creatures and plants in amazing habitats, from five major regions of the Appalachian Watershed. Meet the Aquarium’s newest reptile resident, an albino alligator.

Fort Sumter Tours/SpiritLine Cruises-Offers a tour of Fort Sumter beginning with a museum tour detailing the history, cruises of Charleston Bay, and three-hour dinner cruises.

Waterfront Park-An eight-acre park and pier along the Charleston Harbor entry. The park masterfully combines spectacular fountains, spacious lawns, intimate garden "rooms", walking and jogging path and a long pier with picnic tables and wooden swings. The Pineapple Fountain located here represents the welcoming hospitality for which Charleston is so well known.

Battery and White Point Gardens-Provides a spectacular view of Fort Sumter and Charleston Harbor. It boasts many large oak trees, a bandstand, a few memorials, and pieces of artillery. Historical point: Scene of some famous hangings of pirates.

Edmondston-Alston House-Offers tours and a sweeping view of the harbor from its location on Charleston's High Battery. Built in 1825 by merchant Charles Edmondston, Greek revival details were added in 1838 by Charles Alston.

Two Meeting Street Inn-A Charleston bed and breakfast hotel advertised as the oldest and most recognized Charleston inn. Located in prestigious South Battery at White Point Gardens.

Article written by Rick Dunbar first published on travel blog Vacation Rick of Charleston. Check out all the articles on things to see and do in Charleston and everywhere else.