Because I cruise social media pages maybe a little more than I should, I find the range of questions that get asked of locals to be a bit fascinating. There’s a wide variety of them, of course, with different people looking for different things. My favorites are the ones that are short and sweet, but usually end up in an online pillow fight among those who answer.
“I’m looking the absolute best oysters! Go!” is a shortcut to a heated discussion. As is “What’s the best Italian restaurant (or pizza) in town?” That one gets you going every time. You know who you are.
Jesse Blanco
You might or might not be surprised to know that probably the next most frequently asked question is where one can take kids to eat. Of course, every mother’s child is a perfectly well-behaved angel – this has been confirmed – but we do understand that if there is, for example, a long wait for a table, then we are going to need somewhere to keep them entertained. If you have kids, then you know the drill.
Fortunately for me, those days are long gone, but I do see and hear where the kiddos are being staged these days while mom and dad navigate a wait – or a beverage. Here are some of those observations.
Skull Creek Boathouse/Dockside
It’s hard to argue against this place being mentioned as a top spot on the island for kids. It just might be the only place where an actual playground is built alongside the waiting area. All the favorite games are there, plus some climbing options and room to run. Plus, the spectacular views, especially at sunset, make for a scene that is tough to beat. In the summertime, the waits for a table can get fairly funky during the dinner hour. Most people know this. I just find the scene out here tough to beat when you are juggling a few toddlers. The menus are kid friendly and everyone goes home a winner.
Harbourside Cafe, Harbour Town
Another top choice in my book is deep in the heart of Harbour Town. The Harbourside Cafe not only offers probably your best view of the yacht basin and the island’s iconic lighthouse, but there are also a ton of distractions around. There are shops to browse, pathways to stroll through, and the family can enjoy looking at the various watercraft docked in the marina. Or you can take the kids to the Gregg Russell Playground just a stone’s throw away. Add to that a post-meal concert from the legendary entertainer himself and you are in business.
Local Legend Brewing Company
New on the list this year is the island’s new brewery, Local Legend. Owned and operated by SERG, it is more than obvious they considered the need for space for families traveling with children. Not only is there a fairly large outdoor area, featuring corn hole games and other distractions, but inside you will find a clear divide between the beer-consuming adults and the arcade game-playing children. Everyone gets a side of the room. Down the middle are a series of booths, allowing access and visuals to both sides. There is food on the menu here. I suspect it will become as popular as our next stop in very short order.
The Bank
The island’s largest food court/food truck park is an ideal spot for not only variety in the kind of eats you can offer your group, but also outdoor fun. They’ve been open for a couple of years now, so most people know about it, but if you don’t know and you have children in tow, then you should.
A few others that are certainly worthy of mentions here include Fish Camp on Broad Creek, Poseidon at Shelter Cove, and Salty Dog at South Beach Marina. If all else fails, or the weather doesn’t feel like cooperating, then it sounds like a few pizzas are in order with special reserved seating for some Netflix. Hey, options are always good.
