Both attractions are fun and different. Busch Gardens has thrilling rides, animals you can see throughout the park, special events and a beer ga... Continue reading ...
Posted by Florence Mom on Friday, August 4, 2023,
In :
North Carolina
Carowinds is a popular amusement park for residents in North Carolina and South Carolina. They have amazing roller coasters that range from scary to not too scary. They are now open year round! Not only that, their waterpark area, Carolina Harbor, is included with admission during the summer season. They always offer military discounts. Our kids really liked their Charlie Brown themed areas.
Posted by FlorenceMom.com on Sunday, April 10, 2022,
In :
Easter
Here's a list of Easter egg hunts in Florence County, South Carolina:
April 8 - 10, 2022 - Hoppin' Around Flo-Town City-Wide Easter egg hunt. Large Easter eggs will be hidden around the city for you to find! Each egg will have a unique QR code to be scanned with your smart phone to be entered to win a prize! One entry per family per location. Clues will be posted on Flo town Recreation's Facebook and www.CityofFlorenceRecreation.com the morning of April 8th before sunrise. Please respect an...
Posted by FlorenceMom.com on Monday, June 14, 2021,
In :
For Kids
There's no water park in Florence yet but we do have many options within a couple of hours or less away!
Waterpark & Splash Pad Options
A favorite place for some water fun is taking the kids to the Waterfall Junction and it's part of the Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia, SC. It's like an upscale splash pad. They do center on kids. There are areas that are more toddler friendly so you can find the area that is best for your family to sit nearby. I love that zoo and it has a wonderful gardens area, wh...
Posted by FlorenceMom.com on Friday, November 13, 2020,
In :
For Moms
Kimberly Patrick Photography is having a 2 day Santa Mini Studio Photo Sessions for $125 at her indoor studio. Each session is 15 minutes and includes 5-8 images with print release.
Theme: North Pole Mailbox - All letters to Santa will be answered and delivered by UPS! Dates: Saturday, Nov 21, 2020 between 12PM - 5PM & Sun, Nov 22, 2020 between 1PM - 5PM.
They are covid-friendly and will be disinfecting all hard services, hand sanitizer, and using a UV room sanitizer between sessions. There is... Continue reading ...
Posted by FlorenceMom.com on Monday, July 27, 2020,
In :
Community
Tami Bachman, her husband Skip and her children: Koa, age 7 and Ayla, age 4 are moving to Dominican Republic at the end of 2020 to serve as missionaries with an organization called The Samaritan Foundation.
They will be sent from Church at Sandhurst (Florence, South Carolina).
"Once we get there, Skip will help with the current construction projects on the north coast (a pediatric hospital, a school and homes for families in need) and Tami will serve in women's healthcare. We are excited to j... Continue reading ...
Posted by FlorenceMom.com on Monday, February 24, 2020,
When we moved to Florence, we were states away from my parents and mother-in-law so getting a break or finding a babysitter was a really big deal for us. We were always taking care of our own children since I'm a stay at home mom and I'd take them everywhere with us.
The very first time I was regularly away from my first born was when I placed my then 1.5 year old son at All Saints Parents Morning Out so that I could run errands like: grocery shopping, going to dentist and doctor visits for my... Continue reading ...
Posted by FlorenceMom.com on Tuesday, October 22, 2019,
Why Little Rock Should be Your Next Vacation Spot
You shouldn't overlook Little Rock, Arkansas, when you are making your vacation plans.
This is a city rich in history with plenty of cool sight-seeing tours to keep you busy and enthralled during your trip. This is a great place to take a family vacation, and the kids will love the different activities they can try and the treats they can eat. There are even old school style ice cream and soda parlors to take a step back in time and enjoy a de...
Posted by FlorenceMom.com on Wednesday, October 16, 2019,
Do You Know a Local Hero Who Deserves Recognition? Nominate them for a Holiday Award
Do you know a person who has impacted your life for the better through an act of bravery or service? The holidays are the perfect time to make an effort to recognize the people in our lives who have made sacrifices to make things better for all of us.
With this in mind, The Joye Law Firm has founded an annual contest designed to recognize a few of South Carolina’s unsung heroes with a holiday award. The SC lo...
Posted by FlorenceMom.com on Saturday, June 8, 2019,
In :
For Kids
Lynches River County Park Summer Camp With fun indoor and outdoor activities like arts and crafts, field trips, games, activities, canoeing, splash pad and more for kids who like a real adventure, this is FlorenceMom.com's #1 pick if you don't mind the longer drive. For kids ages from kindergarten through 5th grade. They start mid June through the beginning of Aug. Call 843-389-0550 to secure your child's spot. Address: 5094 County Park Rd., Coward, South Carolina 29530
Posted by FlorenceMom.com on Thursday, May 16, 2019,
No one likes to think about their child getting into a car accident. The thought can be terrifying, as we all know that car crashes can lead to injuries and even fatalities. However, it is important that parents of teens make sure that their children are doing everything they can to remain safe while learning to drive alone. The scary truth is that teenagers are three times more likely to get into a car accident than older drivers.
There are many reasons that teens are more likely to get into ...
Posted by FlorenceMom.com on Wednesday, March 27, 2019,
Community involvement is an important activity to instill in our children as parents and community members. Encouraging younger generations to take pride in their local communities is a great way to showcase the importance of what it means to take care of one another. Whether it's volunteering, donating, or showing other forms of support, South Carolina is home to people who genuinely care about their local communities. You can find helpful ways to donate your time or resources to organizatio... Continue reading ...
Posted by FlorenceMom.com on Tuesday, January 15, 2019,
Join us for the Pee Dee Baby & Family Expo on Saturday, February 9th from 10:00-3:00 pm at the Florence Center! Presented by Absolute Total Care, the free Expo features dozens of local businesses showcasing the best products, services, and resources for expecting parents and families with children of all ages. Free fun for moms includes a photo booth, airbrush tattoos, baby bump painting, and mommy makeovers. Kids can enjoy free bounce houses, face painting, special guests, and balloon anim... Continue reading ...
Posted by FlorenceMom.com on Sunday, December 9, 2018,
In :
For Moms
We meet new people throughout our lifetime and some may only stay as acquaintances while others become an instant close connection. I find that having that great, trustworthy friend in this town takes effort and giving others a chance is not easy, but something's gotta give. It is, as we all know, like dating.
And what better way to go on a date or get to know your friend than doing a creative exercise together over a glass of wine? My favorite choice: going to a Paint & Sip in downtown Floren... Continue reading ...
Posted by FlorenceMom.com on Wednesday, November 28, 2018,
For the Star Wars fan, this light saber mug is awesome. The light sabers come on when you pour hot liquid inside (like tea or coffee, etc) and there are 13 light sabers on this mug. It's one of the best Christmas gifts that won't break your budget. See short clip to see how it works.
The 13 Star Wars sabers on the mug belonged to: Qui-Gon Jinn, Kit Fisto, Darth Vader, Anakin/Luke Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Darth Maul, Luke Skywalker/Anakin (he had different ones so his name shows up again), ... Continue reading ...
Posted by FlorenceMom.com on Saturday, October 27, 2018,
In :
For Moms
Veteran's Day this year is Fri, Nov. 11, 2022! Here's a list of places that will offer veterans a free meal or freebie on this special day in Florence, SC! (Many are even for active-duty military men and women.) This holiday is always special to my family because my husband is a Navy veteran. Thank you all for your service!
Shoney's is offering a free All You Care to Eat to all past and present military from opening - 11AM.
Buffalo Wild Wings is offering a small order of wings and fries to ve...
Posted by FlorenceMom.com on Friday, October 12, 2018,
In :
Disney On Ice
I attended my first Disney On Ice show ever last night with my little family and WOW! It was so wonderful and beautiful that I can't wait to see another Disney On Ice show again.
Disney On Ice presents Worlds of Enchantment was incredible at the Florence Center last night. With stars like Woody, Buzz and the Gang, Elsa and Anna from Frozen, Lightning McQueen that drives himself on ice, and Ariel and Eric from The Little Mermaid in the same room is enough to blow your mind!
Posted by FlorenceMom.com on Sunday, September 16, 2018,
In :
Disney On Ice
Last week on Sept 12th, FlorenceMom.com had the special opportunity to interview Disney On Ice star, Kyle Shropshire, who performs as Woody on Disney On Ice presents Worlds of Enchantment!
Kyle and a grand team of talented ice skaters will portray an outstanding Disney cast that includes (but not limited to) stars like: Ariel from The Little Mermaid, Elsa and Anna from Frozen, Lightning McQueen from Disney●Pixar’s Cars and of course, the rest of the gang from Disney●Pixar’s Toy Story 3... Continue reading ...
Posted by Florencemom.com on Tuesday, July 24, 2018,
In :
Darlington
All of the hotels below offer free car parking! Book them quick before they sell out as they get closer to the Southern 500 event in Darlington, South Carolina! The upcoming Southern 500 happens during Labor Day weekend from Sept 4 - 6, 2021. Southern 500 is in Darlington, South Carolina takes place every year on Labor Day weekend and is very close to Florence! Here's the list of hotels located closest to Darlington Raceway:
Raceway Inn (1.5 miles from Darlington Raceway) - Average rate $130 Mi... Continue reading ...
Posted by Florencemom.com on Sunday, February 18, 2018,
In :
Restaurants
There are several coffee places in Florence, SC that you can check out and I've personally visited them all!
Starbucks at Florence Mall shopping center (1933 W. Palmetto St., Florence, SC 29501) Centrally located at the 5 points intersection and with a drive thru, this place is the most convenient location to get a Starbucks crafted drink. It has the standard of a typical Starbucks that anyone from a major city would expect. The drive thru can get congested so I suggest using their mobile order... Continue reading ...
Posted by Florencemom.com on Monday, January 1, 2018,
In :
For Moms
This Florence mom took a break from a regular night and joined another friend at a Paint Nite event at Mellow Mushroom! They had it in a private closed room so you really feel like you are in a party with 18 other painters in the room.
We came 15 minutes early to check in and ordered a drink. I ordered the Sunset in Paradise and my courteous server delivered me this beautiful drink.
As we were about to begin, our friendly art instructor Sara (pictured below) had us all do a painter's oath wit... Continue reading ...
Posted by Florencemom.com on Saturday, October 21, 2017,
In :
For Kids
I'm always looking for new resources on places for mommies and babies. Here are some current resources for new mommies and babies in Florence, SC.
MOPS in Florence, SC: There used to be a MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) group in Florence that met twice a month from September to May. This is a group of mothers who have kids from 0 - 5 years old. They have now canceled this group. You can find an online Florence, South Carolina Facebook Mom Group with thousands of members.
Posted by Florencemom.com on Monday, October 9, 2017,
In :
For Kids
2024 Update: Google reports that The Little Gym in Florence is now closed.
Try your first trial class for your baby (4 months and up), toddler or preschooler for FREE at The Little Gym! As mothers, we often worry about teaching our babies and toddlers their ABC's, shapes, and numbers and hope that they don't fall behind in academics from their peers. What's also important and as we check off each milestone from our list, is that they also grow physically strong and not fall behind in sitting... Continue reading ...
Posted by Florencemom.com on Tuesday, October 3, 2017,
In :
For Kids
We went to The POP Zone's grand opening yesterday on October 2nd and my 3 year old and 1 year old sons had a wonderful time playing at the 2 hour Open Play time! With a play room popping (pun intended) with bright colors, my toddlers were instantly engaged upon arrival!
Posted by Florencemom.com on Saturday, September 9, 2017,
Is this in the bible? Was there a prophecy about this? A friend of mine asked his Facebook friends in a post about the multiple hurricanes that are coming after America and asked "Is this in the bible"?
I did a bit of research online that cited Luke 21: 25-26 and so I opened my own international Holy Bible to confirm word for word (because I haven't read it cover to cover and don't memorize it) and this is what it says: "There will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars. On the earth, nations w... Continue reading ...
Posted by Florencemom.com on Saturday, September 9, 2017,
In :
Breweries in Florence
For a long while, it was rare to enjoy a nice craft beer and decent food without worrying about our two very mobile toddlers disturbing other people's nice dinners. Then, we visited the new Seminar Brewing location yesterday with the Kanza restaurant and it was like my prayer has been answered! With a watchful eye on our kids, we were able to sit down and enjoy a quick, casual meal with some beer flights. The kids were playing with the bean bags near the corn hole area and were content while ... Continue reading ...
Update! Local Motive Brewing Company moved out of Downtown Florence. Their new location is next to Naturally Outdoors Area at 2519 W. Palmetto Street, Florence, South Carolina 29501. August 3, 2017 (Old post from when they were still located in downtown Florence)
I had my first visit at the new Local Motive Brewing in Downtown Florence last week and I was pretty impressed! It felt urban like many other brewery restaurants that I've been to before. They had flights of 4 for just $7! That is a st... Continue reading ...
Posted by Florencemom.com on Thursday, May 25, 2017,
In :
Childcare
I have been calling a handful of childcare/daycare prices/rates for my 1 year old since May 2017. I think the rates are safe to apply for any child between the ages of 3 months - before kindergarten (between 4 or 5 years old). This is for full day care. To save you some trouble, here are my findings.
Saint Paul United Methodist Church - Their all day care is between 6:45am - 6pm and the cost is $125 per week so that equates to about $500 per month, per child. This includes breakfast, lunch an... Continue reading ...
Posted by florencemom.com on Saturday, April 22, 2017,
In :
For Kids
(2021 Update: Currently, they are not hosting birthday parties anymore. This is an old review.)
There is a new Tae Kwon Do Center in town and they are offering an awesome birthday package for kids parties!
You can host a 2 hour birthday party at Master J. Kim's U.S. Tae Kwon Do Center a really reasonable price! For up to 15 participating kids, the special birthday boy or girl and the guests get to enjoy fun games, bounce house and activity, pizza & drink, birthday cake, fun martial arts lesson ... Continue reading ...
Posted by Florencemom.com on Thursday, March 23, 2017,
In :
For Kids
The kids play area just opened 5 days ago at the Magnolia Mall and we gave it a try today! We love that it is located at the food court because that makes it easier to grab a snack or lunch before the kids play. It is sort of hidden but it's located on the farthest left side of the food court, right next to the Japanese/hibachi part. (This is one of 3 slides there.)
The whole kids play area is sea-themed with 3 slides and a few other sea creatures like this whale, that the little ones can clim... Continue reading ...
Posted by Florencemom.com on Thursday, March 23, 2017,
In :
For Kids
2024 Update: Google reports that The Little Gym in Florence is now closed.
I took my 9 month old baby to a trial class for his age group at the Little Gym in Florence 2 days ago. I was thoroughly impressed and I was glad there were 7 other babies there that he could interact with while we were there. He learned to climb over obstacles with my help, some gymnastics and had some baby social time. The instructor was very knowledgeable and friendly. It seems pricey for 45 minutes but you really... Continue reading ...
Posted by Florencemom.com on Sunday, January 22, 2017,
In :
Restaurants
Here are suggestions below for Valentine's Day in Florence!
Downtown Florence area:
Town Hall (101 W. Evans) - This is hands down the most romantic and maybe expensive of the bunch but with a rooftop bar called The Dispensary, this place is hard to beat and the food is top notch. Make sure to make a reservation! Click here, to see a detailed blog on what we ordered and pictures of Town Hall. (Rooftop bar is only open when weather is favorable.)
Victors Bistro (126 W. Evans) - Located inside of...
Posted by Florencemom.com on Wednesday, January 11, 2017,
In :
Restaurants
For our 4th wedding anniversary, my husband surprised me with a dinner reservation at the newest restaurant in downtown Florence called Town Hall.
Once we stepped inside Town Hall, I couldn't believe I was still in Florence. The restaurant felt modern and urban and even the people looked like they poshed up! It was a busy night and the service was still excellent. Here was what we ordered. (Pictures below.)
This was from their specialty cocktail menu. It was mixed very well and I felt a buzz ... Continue reading ...
Posted by FlorenceMom.com on Thursday, May 5, 2016,
In :
Tickets
LEGOLAND Florida is a great place to bring the builder side out of your kids. With a new waterpark, your children not only get to see magnificent LEGO structures but also have some fun in the water under the summer sun!
Posted by Florencemom.com on Tuesday, March 29, 2016,
We had a very eventful Easter Day in Florence this year. This is my fourth Easter here since moving from California and it has been the most meaningful to me.
In the early morning, we went to family service, followed by an Easter Egg hunt at church. My toddler son had such an exciting time because he was first in line for the Easter Egg hunt since he was the youngest in the group. He couldn't stop looking at his eggs while we were driving home!
Posted by FlorenceMom.com on Monday, February 22, 2016,
In :
For Moms
It's been exactly 3 years since we've moved to South Carolina from Southern California and it's been quite an experience for me to adjust from a different lifestyle to an unknown territory with no friends nor family nearby. The truth is, moving to a new environment and knowing nobody is difficult, AT FIRST. It'll take time and patience to find new friends and get familiar with your surroundings. If you are a new mom who just moved here from a different place as well, the first year will proba... Continue reading ...
Posted by Florencemom.com on Tuesday, January 12, 2016,
In :
For Kids
Located about 30 minutes from West Florence, Lynches Riverpark is a great place to visit seasonally. We recently discovered that they have an Environmental Discovery Center that is located right next to the playground. They are open everyday except for Mondays. You can see the hours I listed for this place on our event page. It is free to visit and you get to see all sorts of reptiles there. When we went to the back exit to look outside, we discovered that they have a really neat canopy trai... Continue reading ...
Posted by Florencemom.com on Tuesday, November 10, 2015,
In :
For Kids
Suggestions for Mommy's morning out/Morning Preschool in Florence, SC
All Saints 2 K Program is from 7:30am - 11:50AM for 2 year olds. You can run errands in the morning while your child learns and plays! Your child will be taught the alphabet, numbers and colors and create many fun craft projects throughout the year! All Florence/Pee Dee area residents are welcome to enroll their child here! Children here come from many backgrounds. For more information go to: https://www.aseds.com/2k-program...
Posted by Florencemom.com on Thursday, October 22, 2015,
My 20 month old baby and I went to the Florence County Library for the first time today for baby story time at 11:00AM. My baby had a great time! Besides hearing a story, the babies also played with other walking babies. The librarian also blew bubbles and let the kids each have a scarf and bell bracelet to dance to the songs. It was located in a private room. After the story time was over, I let my baby played around the little house in the children's section of the library. He continued to ... Continue reading ...
Originally from Southern California, we had moved here when my husband got out of the military and began his civilian work at the Duke Energy Power Plant in Hartsville. I had a hard time finding family-friendly resources online in Florence when we moved here in 2013 so I started writing and taking pictures of our adventures and places we've been. This website is a collection of several years of adventures. I hope this helps you as a transplant or new mom. I have two sons who were both born in Florence at the McLeod Hospital.
Tami Bachman, her husband Skip and her children: Koa, age 7 and Ayla, age 4 are moving to Dominican Republic at the end of 2020 to serve as missionaries with an organization called The Samaritan Foundation. 
(This is one of 3 slides there.)
This was from their specialty cocktail menu. It was mixed very well and I felt a buzz ... 
Originally from Southern California, we had moved here when my husband got out of the military and began his civilian work at the Duke Energy Power Plant in Hartsville. I had a hard time finding family-friendly resources online in Florence when we moved here in 2013 so I started writing and taking pictures of our adventures and places we've been. This website is a collection of several years of adventures. I hope this helps you as a transplant or new mom. I have two sons who were both born in Florence at the McLeod Hospital.
