25+ Things to Do Near MCRD Parris Island in Port Royal, Beaufort, and More!

Looking for something to do this weekend near MCRD Parris Island? The nearby coastal communities of Port Royal and Beaufort offer deep historical roots and unmatched access to coastal exploration. Both also have many fantastic restaurants.

If you’re not outdoorsy or a history buff, you may have to get a little more creative or drive a bit further to Bluffton or Hilton Head for a wider variety of activity options. Either way, we’ve got you covered with plenty of ideas.

5 Military Friendly Places Near MCRD Parris Island

Kicking things off, we have some recommendations that are military-friendly. These are activities you can do or places you can go that either honor military service, offer military discounts, or are owned by Veterans. Some of our other recommendations also fit this description, but these five are some of our top recommendations in this category.

Parris Island Museum

Are you a service member stationed at Parris Island? Help your family understand the important work you’re doing and how you became a Marine at the Parris Island Museum. The museum is located right on base and is free to explore.

GG’s Restaurant and Bar

GG's Restaurant and Bar is a great, community-focused restaurant that is known to offer military discounts and free meals to graduating Marines.

Highway 21 Drive-In

Head to the Highway 21 Drive-In to see a movie the old-school way any night of the week! Featuring brand new releases at a special discount for service members with a military ID.

Gilligan’s of Beaufort

Gilligan’s of Beaufort is another great restaurant known to offer military discounts year-round and free meals to newly graduated Marines!

The Sandbox

The Sandbox is the perfect place to spend an afternoon with your littles. This Hilton Head children’s museum is full of fun interactive exhibits where kids can learn through play. Admission is discounted with your Military ID.

10 Restaurants Near MCRD Parris Island You Won’t Want to Miss

The area surrounding MCRD Parris Island is not lacking at all in great restaurants! Here are some top recommendations.

La Marmota Supermarket - Don’t miss this local gem serving up delicious tacos and authentic Mexican dishes.

Alvin Ord’s Sandwich Shop - A local favorite - it’s not fancy, but you’ll get some of the best BBQ around and delicious sandwiches on bread baked fresh every day!

Bricks on Boundary - This Beaufort bar and grill is well-loved and happily gives back to local servicemembers and their families throughout the year.

1711 Tap House - Also known as “Beaufort’s Favorite Craft Beer and Pizza Destination.” Enough said!

Chef Frank’s Bistro - This Port Royal restaurant is the perfect spot for a fancy date night - keep it in mind for your next birthday or anniversary!

Restaurants for the Whole (Furry) Family

Dog-lovers stationed at the Depot will also find some great restaurant options with outdoor seating where their furry family members can join them for a meal.

Fishcamp on 11th - Enjoy great food and great views with your pooch on the deck at this waterfront seafood spot!

Plums Restaurant - With an ever-changing seasonal menu, there’s something different every time you visit this bistro. One thing that never changes? Their dog-friendly outdoor seating!

Lady's Island Dockside - Enjoy the view from the covered deck with your pup all year long - they even heat it in the winter! The food’s delicious, too.

Shellring Ale Works - Enjoy a craft brew and a complimentary treat or two for your pup at this community-centered watering hole.

Southern Sweets Ice Cream Parlor and Sandwich Shop - An ice cream for you, a pup cup for your dog, and a comfy outdoor table. What more could you ask for?

What Are Some Pet-Friendly Places Near MCRD Parris Island?

Whether you’re looking for a great place to take Fido for a long trail walk or a dog park perfect for off-leash play with other pups, you’ll find plenty of options not far from MCRD Parris Island.

Shell Point Park

Location: 381 Broad River Dr, Beaufort, SC, US, 29906

Shell Point Park features paved pathways for on-leash walks and a fully fenced, off-leash dog park.

Victoria Bluff Heritage Preserve/Wildlife Management Area

Location: Sawmill Creek Rd, Bluffton, SC, US, 29910

This local wildlife preserve is a great place to go for a long trail walk with your pup, but it is closed from October to December for hunting season.

Bluffton Dog Park

Location: 77 Shults Rd, Bluffton, SC, US, 29910

The Bluffton Dog Park at Oscar Frazier Park features a fully fenced area for dogs to run and play off-leash.

Chaplain Community Park

Location: 11 Castnet Dr, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928

The Chaplain Community Park features the off-leash dog park in Hilton Head Island.

5 Great Date Ideas Near MCRD Parris Island (For Couples or BFFs)

Whether you’re looking for a fun way to spend the afternoon with your girls, going for a guys' night out, or planning a romantic date with your special someone, we’ve got some great recommendations near the Depot.

Book a Coastal Cruise

The Salty Dog at Port Royal offers a fantastic happy hour cruise you won’t want to miss!

Explore Historic Fort Fremont

Fort Fremont is a Spanish-American War-era fort on Saint Helena Island. Stop by the History Center and download the Fort Fremont Tour app for a self-guided tour, or wander and explore where the ocean breeze takes you!

Shop Local at the Port Royal Farmers Market

Each Saturday, the Port Royal Farmers Market features a variety of vendors selling everything from local produce to flowers, food, and more.

Take a Dance Class Together

If you want a fun, active date night, try out a ballroom dance class at Revolution Ballroom! No experience necessary for classes in a variety of different dance styles.

Visit the Cypress Wetlands, Rookery, and Amphitheater

Cypress Wetlands, Rookery, and Amphitheater is a nature-lovers paradise! Regular wildlife sightings include herons, hawks, eagles, owls, falcons, geese, ducks, other migratory waterfowl, alligators, turtles, and snakes

5 Places Kids Will Love Near MCRD Parris Island

There are plenty of great, family-friendly places to explore and play in the South Carolina Low-Country. Check out some top picks below!

Port Royal Sound Maritime Center

Visit the Port Royal Sound Maritime Center to learn all about local wildlife and ecology through fun exhibits, animal encounters, and great educational programs.

Ages: All ages

Military Discount? Not needed; admission is free!

Hours: Tuesday - Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Kazoo Museum & Factory

For a fun activity you can only find in Beaufort, check out the Kazoo Museum and Factory. Book a guided tour of the factory to learn about how kazoos are made and pick out the parts to make your own kazoo to take home!

Ages: All ages

Military Discount? None advertised

Hours: Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Tours at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 2 p.m.)

The Sands Port Royal

The Sands in Port Royal is a great beach your family will love! You can drive right on to the beach to set up a car picnic, splash in the surf, fly a kite, or soak up some sun. This is also a great place to go hunting for shells and shark teeth!

Ages: All ages

Military Discount? Access is free

Hours: Daily, dawn to dusk

Indy Karting

Indy Karting is your go-to spot for an exciting afternoon! Offering everything from indoor go-kart racing to axe throwing, arcade games, and more.

Ages: Varies by activity, see website FAQ for details.

Military Discount? None advertised

Hours:

• Monday - Thursday, 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.
• Friday, 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.
• Saturday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Sunday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Sunshine Playhouse

The Sunshine Playhouse is an indoor playground designed for little ones to learn through exploration and play! Make sure you reserve your play time in advance, spots can be limited.

Ages: 6 and under

Military Discount? None advertised

Hours:

• Monday - Tuesday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
• Thursday - Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Don’t Miss These Seasonal Events Near Parris Island!

So far, we’ve recommended a lot of great options you can take advantage of any time of year, but we also have a couple of seasonal events to recommend that you’ll want to make sure to add to your calendar!

Port Royal Street Music

Port Royal Street Music is a series of free outdoor concerts in the spring and summer right in downtown Port Royal! Keep an eye on the Town Event calendar for upcoming dates.

Bands, Brews, & BBQ Festival

The annual Bands, Brews, & BBQ Festival comes back each year in February. Enjoy a two-day celebration of music and delicious BBQ, with proceeds supporting local nonprofit organizations.

Haunted Hallows Festival

The Haunted Hallows Festival is an annual Halloween celebration in Port Royal. With special activities and areas for kids and teens, this is an event the entire family will enjoy!

Christmas Golf Cart Parade

Celebrate the holidays at the annual Christmas Golf Cart Parade! Whether you have your own golf cart to decorate and participate, or just come out to see the lights.

Check Out These Nearby Day Trips and Weekend Getaways

On your next long weekend or day off, you might want to plan a quick getaway. Hit the road to one of these nearby cities and explore all that the Southeast has to offer!

Savannah, GA

Drive time: 1 hour

• Take a stroll through beautiful Forsyth Park or wander one of Savannah’s historic squares - like Chippewa Square, best known as a filming location for the iconic movie Forrest Gump.
• Embrace Savannah’s status as one of the most haunted cities in America and book a ghost tour! Lots of companies offer different types of tours for a variety of audiences and interests.
• Browse local shops at City Market before grabbing a fantastic, waterfront meal on River Street.

Columbia, SC

Drive time: 2.5 hours

• Explore one of Columbia’s great museums, like the South Carolina State Museum, the Columbia Museum of Art, or the children’s museum EdVenture.
• Explore the world-class Riverbanks Zoo & Garden to take advantage of family-friendly activities and interactive experiences.
• On Saturday, explore Soda City Market with over 200 vendors selling locally-grown produce and handmade goods.

Jacksonville, FL

Drive time: 3 hours

• Enjoy an oceanside getaway at Fernandina Beach or Atlantic Beach.
• Visit the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens or Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary for incredible wildlife encounters!
• Take a relaxing stroll through the Jacksonville Arboretum & Botanical Gardens or the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens before grabbing a bite downtown.

Don’t Miss Out on These Fun Things to Do Near MCRD Parris Island

At MCRD Parris Island, you have an important mission - shaping the future of the U.S. Marine Corps. But all work and no play makes for a very dull couple of years, so make sure you explore the local area, eat at as many fantastic local restaurants as you can, and have some fun!