Hampton Park and McMahon Playground are two free, connected parks in downtown Charleston that are best experienced together. Hampton Park is the breathtaking “picture park” with over 60 acres of rose gardens, a gorgeous gazebo, a pond bridge, and walking trails that practically beg you to slow down.
Right across the street, McMahon Playground is where the kids actually want to be, with a full playground, basketball courts, baseball fields, beautiful hydrangea-lined grounds, and a staffed rec building with bathrooms, video games, and arts and crafts. Both are completely free, and together they make one of the best park combos in all of Charleston.
Okay, I’ll be real with you. Hampton Park is my park. This is where we did Cade’s first birthday photos, where we shot our Christmas cards, and where I drag my husband on “relaxing” walks because the floral backdrop is too beautiful to stay home. But my kids? They have no chill. The second they spot the playground equipment across Cleveland Street at McMahon, Hampton Park becomes a very pretty waiting room. And honestly? I’ve made peace with it, because together, these two parks are one of our all-time favorite Charleston combos.
Quick Facts: Hampton Park + McMahon Playground
- McMahon Playground address: 55 Cleveland St, Charleston, SC 29403
- Hampton Park address: 30 Mary Murray Drive, Charleston
- Cost: Free
- Outdoor park hours: Sunrise to sunset daily
- McMahon rec building (staffed) hours: April, May and Sept, Oct, Mon, Fri 4 to 7 pm; Nov, March, Mon, Fri 3:30 to 6 pm and Saturday noon, 5 pm
- Restrooms: At Hampton Park and inside McMahon rec building during staffed hours
- Parking: Free on-site at Hampton Park
- McMahon phone: 843.724.7405
Hampton Park: Charleston’s Most Beautiful Backdrop
Hampton Park is one of the largest parks in the City of Charleston, covering more than 60 acres right next to The Citadel. But acreage isn’t what makes it special. Hampton Park has the most extensive floral displays of any park in the city, including a stunning old rose collection and rotating seasonal plantings cared for by city staff and volunteers. The Charleston Horticultural Society even created an audio walking tour called “Layers of the Landscape” to document the park’s rich horticultural history.
The gazebo is huge and gorgeous, and the bridge over the pond is one of those spots that makes you stop walking mid-stride just to take it in. Photographers know this park well. On any given day you’ll find a family session, an engagement shoot, or a milestone photo in progress. It’s legitimately one of Charleston’s most beautiful outdoor settings, and it’s completely free. Hampton Park is also one of the few City of Charleston parks with free on-site parking and on-site restrooms, which makes it a practical choice, not just a pretty one.
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For families, Hampton Park has picnic tables, a walking trail, a playground, drinking fountains, and open grassy space for running. The Walk, Run and Roll program closes the park road to vehicles on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6 to 8 pm and Saturdays from 8 am to noon, which is a nice touch if you’re bringing little ones on bikes or scooters.
Tip: Spring is peak season at Hampton Park. The rose collection and seasonal plantings are most spectacular from late March through May. If you’re planning family photos or a photo shoot, aim for a weekday morning in spring when the light is soft and the crowds are thinner.
McMahon Playground: Where the Kids Actually Want to Be
Cross Cleveland Street and you’re at McMahon Playground, located right at the entrance to Hampton Park. This is where the kid energy lives. The playground equipment is solid, the basketball court sees regular use, and the baseball fields with bleachers mean older kids can run real bases while younger ones work the monkey bars. Beautiful rows of hydrangea bushes and a brick fence around the yard keep the littles contained without feeling like a cage, which is a real parenting win.
McMahon Rec Building
The rec building is the feature that sets McMahon apart from a standard neighborhood playground. When it’s staffed, you can pop inside and find video games, coloring pages, board games, and a room full of toys to keep kids entertained. It’s the kind of place where you can cool off for 20 minutes without it feeling like you’re rushing anyone. The bathrooms are attached to the building and accessible during staffed hours, too.
McMahon Playground was renovated in 2015 by the Charleston Parks Conservancy, and the care shows. The park is well-maintained and clearly loved by the neighborhood. It’s named for Genevieve Kanapaux McMahon, who served as the Hampton Park playground supervisor for nearly twenty years. The park was dedicated in her honor in 1999.
Rec Building Programs and Hours
The outdoor park is open sunrise to sunset daily. The rec building is staffed during set hours that vary by season:
- April, May and September, October: Monday, Friday, 4 to 7 pm
- November, March: Monday, Friday, 3:30 to 6 pm; Saturday, noon, 5 pm
Restrooms are available inside the building during those staffed hours. The rec building also hosts two recurring programs for kids:
- Art in the Park: First Monday of each month at 4:30 pm. Free, all ages welcome. Staff provide supplies and instruction for a monthly art project.
- Music Lessons: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4 to 5 pm. $25 per month, ages 12 and under. Kids must bring their own instrument.
How to Make the Most of a Visit
Our usual move: start at Hampton Park. Take a lap on the trail, find the gazebo, let the toddler throw things in the pond (supervised, always). When the big kids hit their limit of “being good,” we cross to McMahon. Playground, basketball, maybe a spin in the rec building if it’s staffed. The whole thing takes about two hours and costs absolutely nothing except whatever snacks you remembered to pack.
This park combo works for a wide range of ages. Hampton Park is genuinely beautiful for adults and great for strollers on the paved paths. McMahon skews a bit older on the playground equipment (think school-age and up), but the open fields and rec building are welcoming for all ages. Bring sunscreen, bring water, and consider coming on a weekday to avoid the weekend photo-session crowds at Hampton Park.
More Photos of McMahon Playground and Hampton Park
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hampton Park free to visit?
Yes, Hampton Park and McMahon Playground are both completely free, including parking. The rec building at McMahon is free to enter during staffed hours. Some programs, like the monthly music lessons, have a small fee ($25 per month).
Are there bathrooms at Hampton Park and McMahon Playground?
Yes. Hampton Park has on-site restrooms (one of the few City of Charleston parks to do so). McMahon Playground has restrooms inside the rec building that are available during staffed hours: Monday through Friday in the afternoon, and Saturday midday through early evening (hours vary by season, see above).
Is McMahon Playground good for toddlers?
It’s a solid option. The open grassy areas and the brick fence around the yard make it easy to corral little ones. The playground equipment skews toward school-age kids, but toddlers love the running space, and the rec building during staffed hours gives them plenty to explore indoors, too.
Is Hampton Park a good place for family photos?
Absolutely. Hampton Park is one of the most popular family photo locations in Charleston. The rose gardens, pond bridge, gazebo, and seasonal floral displays create stunning natural backdrops. Professional photographers use this park regularly. Spring (late March through May) is the most spectacular time for the floral displays.
Looking for more information?
Hampton Park and McMahon Playground are located in the heart of a charming Charleston neighborhood, next to The Citadel. For more information on McMahon Playground programs, call 843-724-7405 or the general recreation line at 843-724-7327. Learn more about the parks at the City of Charleston’s Hampton Park page and the Charleston Parks Conservancy’s McMahon Playground listing.
Love a good playground? Us, too!
For more great spots to play, here’s our list of the Best Parks and Playgrounds in Charleston, SC!
Sources:
Rebecca’s family visit, August 2026
City of Charleston, Hampton Park: https://www.charleston-sc.gov/facilities/facility/details/Hampton-Park-81
City of Charleston, McMahon Playground: https://www.charleston-sc.gov/Facilities.aspx?Page=detail&RID=69
Charleston Parks Conservancy, McMahon Playground: https://www.charlestonparksconservancy.org/park-finder/mcmahon-playground/
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