Discover a world of great golf, delicious meals and family fun on Hilton Head Island
This Lowcountry resort town in South Carolina is known as the perfect vacation spot for singles, couples and families looking for an escape filled with chances to relax and have fun.
Nestled in a southeastern corner of South Carolina, where the Atlantic Ocean is nourished by the warm waters of the passing Gulf Stream, Hilton Head Island is a mix of sandy beaches, tidal creeks, salt marshes and wildlife refuges. It is also dotted by charming small towns full of heritage buildings, local businesses that greet you with welcoming smiles, world-class and challenging golf courses, and outdoor activities that take you from land to water, or vice-versa. Here is a look at just some of the things you can do on a visit to this inviting Lowcountry resort town.
With a history that dates to the Spanish conquest of the Americas in the 1500s, English land grants in the 17th century, the Revolutionary War and the Civil War, there is no shortage of rich stories for visitors to discover. The indoor-outdoor Coastal Discovery Museum preserves this storied past and is home to historic buildings, heritage gardens and artifact-filled exhibits.
Definitely worth a visit is The Gullah Museum of Hilton Head Island, which chronicles the history and preserves the traditions of the Gullah Geechee people. Taken from Africa, the Gullah Geechee people were enslaved on the coastal islands of the southeastern U.S., where the remoteness allowed them to preserve much of their distinct culture and language. In November 1861, near the end of the Civil War, they were freed by the Union Army, with many settling in Hilton Head. It was there they established Mitchelville, the first self-governed town of formerly enslaved people in the U.S. You can still visit some of its still-standing churches, school and other buildings on an outing with The Gullah Heritage Trail Tours.
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Discover the natural history of the island during a visit to The Audubon Newhall Preserve on Palmetto Bay Road. The 50-acre property is intersected by a series of trails, taking you past rare plants, a small wetland area, and a pond — all giving you an idea of what the island looked like before it was developed. More than 40 species of birds are also known to frequent the preserve, making it a great place to do some bird watch.
Enjoy a round of golf at Harbour Town Golf Links.
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What to do
Stretching just over 107 square kilometres and with its highest point just three metres above sea level, Hilton Head Island is the perfect place to explore by bike. Several companies rent two-wheeled transport, including LowSea Bike, Beach & Baby Rentals, Avocado Bike Electric Rentals and Sundance Bike Rental. Pedal your way to popular island sites like the Harbour Town Lighthouse and Museum (be sure to climb the 37-metre-high structure for amazing views) and The Sandbox, an interactive children’s museum full of play areas.
If your family is searching for adrenaline-filled fun, visit Adventure Hilton Head. The island’s top location for amusement, its offerings include a twist-and-turn filled go kart track, a seven zip line canopy tour — one is more than 240 metres long — that takes you gliding through the treetops, and several rope-based courses that you climb, swing and balance your way through metres off the ground (there are several difficulty levels you can select from).
And, seeing this is an island, no visit to Hilton Head would be complete without spending some time on the water. Borad Creek, a waterway that cuts through the island, is a popular spot to kayak or stand-up paddleboard. Several outfitters can provide you with equipment or even take on a guided tour through the salt marshes in the area. You might even encounter some of the dolphins who are known to find their next meal in the creek. On the Atlantic coast, there are plenty of opportunities for deep-sea fishing, or you can spend your time simply lazing away the day on some of the island’s 19 kilometres of beaches.
Where to golf
When it comes to teeing off, link lovers will have no shortage of options while vacationing in Hilton Head. With more than 25 courses within 30 minutes of the island — many by acclaimed course architects — there is a course for every level player.
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Perhaps the most well-known is the Pete Dye designed 71-par Harbour Town Golf Links in the Sea Pines Resort, but others of note include Atlantic Dunes by Davis Love III and Heron Point by Pete Dye. There is also Rees Jones’ Country Club of Hilton Head and Oyster Reef — both at the Hilton Head Plantation — the Dye and George Cobb designed 36-hole Shipyard Golf Club, and courses by Dye, Cobb and Willard Byrd at the Port Royal Golf Club. To learn about more golf offerings on Hilton Head Island, visit SouthCarolinaGolf.ca.
Where to stay
There is no shortage of accommodations on Hilton Head Island, which is known for its luxury resorts and welcoming hotels and inns, as well as golf-course adjacent homes that can be rented.
For a true ocean-front experience, where you are seconds from the sand, try the Beach House Hilton Head Island, which features several room and suite styles, an onsite restaurant and a Tiki Hut bar with live entertainment. Those looking for a more luxe experience should check into The Inn & Club at Harbour Town, a boutique hotel that offers its guests personalized butler service.
When it comes to resorts, Hilton Head has several options to choose from, including the family-friendly Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort with its heated Big Dipper pool and waterslide, the Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island that is home to the Arum Spa, lagoon-style pool and several on-site restaurants, and the newly-renovated The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa with several oceanfront pools and the refined Heavenly Spa by Westin.
Several of the resort communities on the island operate rental accommodations — from condos to villas. For example, the Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort offers vacation rental options that range from one to six bedrooms, all with easy access to the three legend-built courses that surround the resort, the Robert Trent Jones Course, George Fazio Course and Arthur Hills Course.
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Bike along the beach on Hilton Head Island.
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Where to dine
Hilton Head Island is home to more than 250 restaurants — from classical French cuisine to rustic wharf-side prepared seafood — ensuring there will be an option to appeal to any appetite. To enjoy the island’s ocean bounty, try popular waterfront locations like the Black Marlin Bayside Grill or Old Oyster Factory, the Lowcountry-inspired seafood cuisine at Skull Creek Boathouse, or the family-friendly atmosphere (it has a playground for kids) at Crazy Crab.
For those who prefer land-based grub, no trip to South Carolina would be complete without tasting some barbecue and ribs from hotspots like One Hot Mama’s American Grille and Bullies BBQ. For other dining options, try the worldly food made using local ingredients at Truffles, the French-American menu at Charlie’s L’etoile Verte, or enjoy the Friday Lowcountry Boil Night — think a bucket filled with crab legs, shrimp, spicy sausage, red potatoes and corn — at Fraser’s Tavern.
No trip to the Lowcountry would be complete without trying some of its libations, from craft brews to artisan spirits and local wines. Among the micro-brews on or near the Hilton Head Island are River Dog Brewing Company, Side Hustle Beer Company and Southern Barrel Brewing Company.
The island’s only spirit producer is Hilton Head Distillery, which makes vodka, rum, bourbon and a cream liquor. It is open to the public, where you can go on a tour and tasting, order a cocktail or take a mixology class. Neighbouring Daufuskie Island, accessible by ferry or boat from Hilton Head, is home to the Silver Dew Winery, which was South Carolina’s first winery and producer.
