Things to do / Travel Guide
Address:Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Our Tourist Attractions Expert Says:
Who would've thought an island 12 miles long and five miles wide had so much to offer? With a plethora of beaches, golf courts, awesome outdoor activities, tours and attractions, you will have so much to keep you busy on South Carolina's Hilton Head Island that you won't believe it's so small and only 35 miles away from Savannah, Georgia.
All beaches are public. Coligny Beach at Coligny Circle is the Island's busiest beach, and offers sand showers, a playground and changing rooms. Alder Lane Beach offers parking, restrooms and is less crowded. Dreissen Beach Park has restrooms, sand showers, plenty of parking and picnic tables. On the Island's north side, Folly Field Beach has more limited parking but offers restrooms and sand showers while beach chairs, umbrellas and water sports equipment rentals are available at all beaches. Lifeguards are only at the major beaches - so beware, there is sometimes an undertow at the northern end of the Island. In the summer, watch for endangered loggerhead turtles that come ashore at night to bury their eggs.
Shop at Coligny Plaza, the Island's only indoor shopping mall. It has over 60 shops and restaurants, including outdoor dining and plenty of entertainment; or visit Coligny Theater for daily showings of films by independent producers. Films are aimed at an upscale adult audience. There are numerous other shopping opportunities throughout the Island, including factory outlet clothing stores. The only city on the Island is Harbour Town - a Mediterranean-style cluster of shops and restaurants.
Restaurants on Hilton Head are known to be the most expensive in South Carolina, but with big portions, appetizers are rarely needed. With seafood and fish very popular on weekends you may have a very long wait before you are seated. Other eateries include American, Italian and Caribbean-style restaurants and cafes. Take-out is as an option at many places.
Enjoy 25 miles of bicycle paths, or take a number of different cruises and tours; from kayaking and sailing tours to horseback riding tours through the nature preserve. Going sailing? Pack a lunch for the 2 1/2-hour trip, where you can take part in a dolphin watch tour. The dolphin tour is also part of the kayak tour. To get up close to wildlife, head out on the eco-tour and ride in Zodiac inflatable boats - enjoy more dolphin sightings and peaceful bird-watching. Go horseback riding through the Island's forests and nature preserve. The tour lasts a little over an hour and the children can ride ponies. Guided tours of the preserve are offered at its most beautiful time, when the plants are in full bloom. Other great tours are offered through the Coastal Discovery Museum. Stroll along the Island's beaches and salt marshes, or stop at Native American sites and the ruins of old forts or long-gone plantations. Children can search for sharks' teeth with an identification chart.
Children will also love Adventure Cove's two mini-golf courses and the chance to play in a giant arcade. Take your kids to see Greg Russel - a children's performer and songwriter for over 25 years. He's best known for his evening performances under the old oak tree in Harbour Town.
Go deep-sea fishing, or choose fresh and salt-water fishing. Licenses for fresh water fishing may be required for fishing in Island lakes and ponds. The season for fishing offshore is April through October, while inland fishing is between September and December. Crabbing is also popular, especially for kids, since crabs are easy to catch in low water from docks, boats or right off banks.
For you golf fanatics, there are 24 challenging golf courses on the island. Take a shot on one of the many championship courses, or try your hand on an easier course. Many of the championship courses are open to the public for a fee. In mid-April at the Verizon Heritage Tournament, at the Harbour Town Golf Links, you will see PGA golfers play their hearts out. Don't miss the Hilton Head Celebrity Golf Tournament either, held on Labor Day weekend at various Island golf courses.
Visit in March and enjoy the Springfest - with seafood, live music, stage shows and tennis and golf tournaments.
Unless you book into a nationally-run motel, places to stay aren't cheap. Most lodgings offer discounts from November to March, and golf and tennis packages are also available. The kids will love Disney's Hilton Head Island Resort - where a cast of Disney characters will make the family's stay one to remember! If you can afford it, there are private homes and villas for rent.
Hilton Head nightlife is situated mainly in the hotels and resort areas. There are several theaters on the Island, including the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina - located in the heart of Hilton Head. There are also countless bars and pubs throughout Hilton Head.
Because it's a small town mainly serving seasonal tourists, public transportation is virtually non-existent on the Island. It's easiest to drive or rent a bike during the summer.