I’d stay in a hotel in downtown Savannah, GA. Only about 30 miles from the main gate at P.I., and you’ll see a beautiful old southern city.
It was very nice/clean/convenient.
Well, we made reservations one week before and paid a very high price. The only place that had an available room was the Holiday Inn. Make your reservations today if possible.
This brings back memories!!! Went to my brothers grad at PI in 1968. He received his orders for VN 10 minutes after grad was complete.
Days Inn Beaufort/Parris Island
1660 South Ribaut Rd
Hwy 21/802
Beaufort, SC, 29935 US
Phone: 843-524-1551
Fax: 843-524-1551
VERY POPULAR for Boot Graduations - May be full.
Former Beaufort Resident, if you have interest, Beaufort is the best preserved pre-Civil War area because the Union conquered the area very early in the conflict.
Here's some info you may not have, if you do then disregard.
get there VERY early so you can see the MOTO run. Look for the bell across the street from the grad stand, they will run right in front of it and your chance for a photo op will be excellent. The old saying 'they all look alike" is an understatement, so find out PRECISELY" where your MARINE will be in his squad.
The grand stands will be sectioned by company's, I suggest you get as far toward the top as you can. When they march on to the prarde grounds they'll be pretty far off, so telephoto lens and binoculars are strongly encouraged.
There is a food court on base, but it fills up fast, plan on lunch accordingly. Your MARINE will not be able to leave the base, so plan ahead what you'll d for the day. There are picnic tables toward the front of the base, and there is a restaurants /club on base. Chances are your MARINE's going to want to be away from the rest, and avoid DI's, so don't be too surprised if he/she wants to go someplace quiet.
TAKE THE BASE TOUR! it's free, and you'll be able to go see the places you wouldn't normally be able to go on your own. You can find the place to get tickets at the south end of the parade grounds. Tickets go fast and the bus fills up, you'll have time the activity's don't start 'til afternoon.
After graduation there'll be a ton of people heading in every direction, PATIENCE!
and finally...
GOD BLESS your MARINE and all our troops!
I suggest arriving around noon the day before graduation. That will give you some time to relax and get oriented and acclimated to the location. (It will be hot and humid.) There are plenty of motels along the road to the causeway over to MCRD. Take in the shoreline boardwalk at sunset. Lots of families come out for a little social time as the heat of the day cools off. You can look across the river to the depot and perhaps hear the recruits counting cadence, the sound of field music, etc. Very pleasant.
Check the MCRD website for instructions about coming aboard the depot to attend graduation.
There’s a hotel right on the grounds of Parris Island where we stayed when our son graduated. It is a very nice hotel, and you can hear the Marine recruits going through their cadences from your room. It’s also close to all the ceremonies, and they have wonderful gift shops, and the Commissary, where you can shop for souveniers. I think the name was the Onslow Inn, but I’m not sure if that is correct. (I may be thinking of the name of a place near Camp LeJeune). I think if you go to the Parris Island web site, they will have the name of the hotel. But you have to book early, and if they need the hotel for lodging the trainees for DIs, then you may not be able to book a room. But I would start calling now, and the rates are very reasonable in comparison to private hotels nearby.
My only knowledge or advice: bring lots of Kleenex! You will come close to dying of pride.
There’s plenty of hotels in Beaufort. Just make sure to call up and get your reservations in as early as possible. Get there the night before “Family Day” because the recruits do a “motivation run” early in the morning, and then a later-morning presentation and Q&A session in a big new building (it’s like a super-size gymnasium - - I forget what it’s called). Then you can spend most of the day (up until about 1700 I believe) touring freely around the island with your niece.
The following day is graduation which, if it’s a red flag day, may be held in the Lyceum building instead of out on the Parade Deck.
Good luck, and have fun!