Hilton Head Island, South Carolina is known for its golf courses and tennis facilities. Even if that’s not your thing, the majestic oaks with dangling Spanish moss, the massive beach along the Atlantic coast and the bike friendly atmosphere may be what brings you to the island. Each of these makes for a fantastic vacation. But don’t stop there. Add in the option for a unique lodging experience, some delicious food, and loads of exploration.
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Lodging Options
Home Exchange (free lodging!)
Did you know that thousands of homes around the world are available for free through Home Exchange? Travelers everywhere have offered their primary or secondary home to fellow travel enthusiasts. By becoming a member, you too are offering to host others in your home. The exchange works in two different ways. One, you can do an even swap. They stay in your home while you stay in theirs. The second way is through points. This is often the case for those posting a secondary home. You acquire points when you initially sign up for membership and you gain extra points when you host or from referrals.
If you would like to become a member of Home Exchange, I’d love for you to use my referral code when signing up. Thanks in advance!
The condo we stayed in during our Hilton Head visit was just a quick walk to the beach. We had access to the gated community’s pool and hot tub. Bike rentals are available at the front office. The condo came completely furnished with a well equipped kitchen. All we had to bring were our
I’ve not spent much time around a marina, so I’ve always been curious as to what the belly’s interior looks like. When I spotted the ‘Knock on Wood’ boat rental on AirBnB, I knew this was my opportunity to find out. Plus, a little good luck is always a plus. Upon arrival, we drove our car back through the marina to the appropriate dock to unload our belongings. After getting everything stowed in the boat, we parked the car in an appointed parking lot and walked back along the boardwalk. The marina is full of boats of all sizes which makes for an interesting stroll. Inside the boat, there are two bedrooms and two baths. The bedroom at the bow has a little more movement and creaking since the ropes are a bit looser in the front. The bedroom in the stern has little to no movement. In between the two bedrooms are the kitchen, dining room table and a sofa. It’s a very comfortable space and headroom is not an issue. The boat stays docked the entire time. You can enjoy sitting up on top to catch some rays and to take in the relaxing scenery. About 25% of the boats in the marina have fulltime residents, so there is always a bit of activity around you. Two bicycles are provided as part of your stay. Hilton Head is such a bike friendly community. Paved bike trails are all over the island. I love how the bike path is set away from the road, so you don’t feel like you are riding right beside the vehicular traffic. Additionally, much of the vegetation on the island has been kept intact giving the paths a very naturistic feel as you meander past the oaks, small ponds, and shrubbery. You can find a bike rack practically everywhere which makes popping into a store or restaurant very convenient. If you have any interest in nature and/or history, this is a must. We were pleasantly surprised with the wide variety of programs that are offered each day of the week. Some are free and some charge a minimal fee. We took advantage of the Director’s walking tour and the kayaking trip. Both were excellent and gave us a greater understanding of the region and its history. The museum is housed in an old plantation home which is the oldest wooden structure on HHI. There are multiple rooms showcasing natural history, cultural history and Lowcountry. All of the rooms are beautifully arranged, and admission is free. You can also walk the grounds on a self-guided tour using the QR codes. The Nan Lloyd Nature Trail will take you past massive live oaks dripping with Spanish Moss. Some of these oaks are said to be over 350 years old. It’s quite magical. There are boardwalks that take you out over the marsh so you can get a better view of the vegetation and wildlife. If you’re lucky, you’ll get to see an osprey land on its gigantic nest. I’m a sucker for a massive live oak but I was also in awe as I starred at the largest Southern Red Cedar in South Carolina. It is thought to have been growing since 1595. Amazing! As you walk the grounds, be looking for the murals and sculptures that dot the landscape. They are representative of the area and very distinct from each other. You’ll also come across a butterfly house, a horse or two, and a camelia garden. Kayaking in the marsh is quite different than what I’ve experienced before. Lake kayaking, for the most part, is pretty calm. (unless you’re up north on Lake Superior!) River kayaking is fairly leisurely as well with the current taking you downstream. As for the marsh, you always have to consider the tide. For half of the trip, you’ll be going against the tide and the other half you’ll be going with the tide. The water level is changing as well so what you see going out won’t necessarily be the same coming back to shore. Shore birds are prevalent on Hilton Head Island: eagles, osprey, cranes, storks, pelicans and more. You also might spot dolphins, turtles and otters. The occasional alligator might be in the marsh as they like to take quick dips in the saltwater to get rid of parasitic animals. Because the marsh’s bed is covered in oysters, you’ll want to wear Duk Gear is a great place to purchase a waterproof phone case that also floats. Coastal Discovery Museum 70 Honey Horn Dr. Hilton Head Island, SC Harbour Town is located on the southern tip of Hilton Head Island. This adorable area is home to a world-famous golf course, a cute shopping district, and the famed red and white striped lighthouse. You can climb up 100+ stairs to take in the panoramic view of the area. Note that you’ll need $9 to enter into Harbour Town. Access to the lighthouse stairs is just under $6 a person. Harbour Town Lighthouse Museum 149 Lighthouse Rd, Harbour Town Something that we found out by default while on the island is that Café does not necessarily mean coffee shop. Many of the cafes on the island sell only food. This can be misleading when you are searching for coffee shops. Let me save you some time and frustration by highlighting the best coffee shops. Pour your iced coffee into an insulated tumbler to keep it cool while you’re biking or on the beach. This is by far my favorite coffee shop. Its décor is adorable with teal and white colors throughout giving it a very fresh feel. There is a lot of inside and outside seating. If you’re looking for a coffee shop to sit and relax at, or one where you can log in and get some work done, this is your spot. Drinks, pastries, and made to order meals are served. Carolina Coffee & Crumbs 101 Pope Ave. Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 This coffee shop is takeout only, but it does offer a nice amount of outdoor seating on its shaded patio. It’s a popular spot, so if you see an open table, snag it before ordering. Along with a full assortment of drinks, they also serve a nice variety of pastries and light eats with a French flair. The Coffee Shop Near Me 1 N Forest Beach Dr. Hilton Head Island, SC A gluten free coffee shop that will satisfy the tastebuds of those who need to avoid gluten and those who don’t. The bakery options are plentiful and beautiful. They have made to order breakfast sandwiches, too. My biggest surprise while vacationing on Hilton Head was the ability to ride our bikes on the beach. How fun is that?! Typically, at most beaches, the sand is too soft making the task next to impossible. The way the tide comes into the island, the beach is extra-large and very solid, allowing for a very leisurely ride. You can go for miles on the beach. Disclaimer: be mindful of the wind. Pedaling with the wind at your back is completely different than pedaling into the wind, even with a smooth surface underneath. I love that Hilton Head provides baskets for trash collecting. I did not see any litter when I was there, but I’m sure it accumulates as the tourist season picks up and in the mornings as the tide brings in loose items. Don’t forget a beach towel! This locally owned restaurant has been a favorite for over 20 years. Delicious food, a fun atmosphere and a huge selection of frozen daiquiris all play a part in its success. We had excellent service and loved our food choices so much we came back the next night and ordered the same thing: Grouper Sandwich and Mahi Mahi Salad. We didn’t eat out much while we were on the island since we had full accommodations in our boat, but the one night we did eat out was amazing. Located at the front of the marina, Scott’s Fish Market was very convenient. I love being able to hop on a bike, ride to dinner, and then ride ‘home’ in the warm evening breeze. If you live in or travel to the South, you know that Key Lime Pie is almost ALWAYS on the dessert menu. Very often it’s the ONLY thing on the dessert menu. Well, a key lime pie martini was on the menu at Scott’s, so it only seemed appropriate to give it a try. Oh. My. I highly recommend getting one during your visit. Delicious! We both were craving seafood, so their Pasta Pescatore fit the bill perfectly. The pasta was LOADED with mussels, scallops, and shrimp all drizzled with a red sauce that had the perfect spice. A fantastic meal as well as great service. Scott’s Fish Market 17 Harbourside Ln, Hilton Head Island, SC Come hungry, leave happy. This restaurant serves dishes with fresh ingredients and in massive proportions. Take the ziti dish for instance. It is served as a gigantic block of pasta topped with meat and marinara. And of course, pizza is always an option. New York City Pizza 45 Pembroke Dr. Suite 105 Hilton Head Island Sam Snead was a phenomenal golfer in his day. He dominated the sport from the 1940s on into his retirement years. Born and raised in Bath County, Virginia, his roots are shared with my husband’s. There is Hot Springs, Virginia, you will find the original Sam Snead’s Tavern. It’s where the locals have hung out for decades. The name has now spread to additional locations. Although not the original, it was fun to go inside Savanah’s Sam Snead’s Tavern and check out all the paraphernalia. The menu is lighthearted with many play on words incorporated. Salads are labeled Around the Greens, there are Sandwedges, and beverages are found under Water Hazard. Choosing between a Hole in One Burger, a Birdie Burger or a Par 9 Burger was a hard choice. The Par 9 ended up being the winner and it was fantastic. I highly recommend adding sweet potato fries to your meal as the blue cheese dipping sauce is superb. Sam Snead’s Tavern is located just minutes from the Savanah/Hilton Head Airport 7 Sylvester C Formey Dr. Savannah, Georgia Overall, we had a great experience in Hilton Head. The natural ambiance of the island, with its majestic oaks and drooping Spanish moss, invites you in and sets the tone for a relaxing stay. Restaurants, shopping, golfing, and sunbathing are readily available depending on the type of vacation you’re after. If lodging in something unique and fun is what you’re searching for, I highly suggest looking into renting a boat. There’s a reason Hilton Head is so well known as a great vacation destination. Looking for other southern destinations? Check out the articles on Apalachicola and Mexico Beach.
Sleeping in a Boat
Biking on Hilton Head Island
Museums
Coastal Discovery Museum
Murals and Sculptures
Kayaking the Marsh
Harbour Town Lighthouse Museum
Hilton Head Coffee Shops
Carolina Coffee & Crumbs
The Coffee Shop Near Me (Now Al’s)
G-Free Spot
Beach Life at Hilton Head
Hilton Head Restaurants
Frosty Frog Cafe
Scott’s Fish Market Restaurant & Bar
New York City Pizza
Near the Airport
Sam Snead’s Tavern
