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Hilton Head Island Guide

Hilton Head To Do List

Your Guide For Things To Do On Hilton Head

Welcome and thank you for visiting Hilton Head Island! We are so glad you’re here! So glad, that we’ve prepared you a guide, for what to do on Hilton Head while you’re here. Below, you will find many outdoor and indoor activities, things to do with kids on Hilton Head, the island’s top restaurants, special places for your pets—and much more! We hope you enjoy your visit with us! Click on one of the links below to find your favorite thing to do on Hilton Head!

Beaches in Hilton Head, South Carolina

Hilton Head Island is home to some of the most beautiful beaches along the Atlantic coast.

  •  Staying in the Coligny Beach area? This beach was recently ranked the #2 beach in the United States by Parents Magazine!
  •  Perhaps you are visiting us at one of our Palmetto Dunes properties? The beach at Palmetto Dunes is perfect for families and couples….and the resort hosts its’ own beach bar called The Dunes House.
  •  Looking for that special “locals” only spot? Look no further than Islanders Beach.

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Hilton Head Dog- Friendly Fun

Hilton Head Island welcomes your furry friends! Take a stroll along the beach or enjoy a hike among nature in one of our beautiful parks—whatever you choose, your pet will feel at home here.

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Hilton Head For Kids

Now that you’ve heard, “Are we there yet?” a thousand times on your trip to Hilton Head—you can finally say, “Yes!” The next inevitable question—“What is there to do for kids in Hilton Head?” No worries—we’ve got you covered. Hilton Head Island is centered on families and children. There are so many options to keep your little ones entertained—and they might learn a little something along the way, too! Sshh..we won’t tell.

Joy Sharp from the Hilton Head Island Visitor and Convention Bureau blogs about her Island family experiences…join her as she shares family friendly places on Hilton Head.

Whether for a rainy day or to take a break from the sun, The Sandbox, An Interactive Children’s Museum is the perfect way to spend a few minutes or hours!

Biking the Island is an easy way to enjoy Hilton Head Island. Check out this blog about biking on the Island from Hilton Head Island local, Jessica Gardo!

Camps are an easy way to get out and experience all the Island has to offer. From day camps to week long activities, there are many options both at your resort and around the Island to keep the kids busy!

Who doesn’t love bowling? This fun family-friendly activity is perfect after a day at the beach! The bowling alley on Hilton Head is located on the North End of the island and is accessible via 278 or the Cross Island Expressway.

Did you know??? Visitors to Hilton Head Island can aquire a 3 week Beaufort County Library Visitor Pass for only $15. The Visitor pass allows you to rent movies, borrow books and gives you access to computers, printers and the Internet. Plus, our local library offers daily kids activities. The library is located off Beach City Road.

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Top Restaurants in Hilton Head

Hilton Head offers every dining option you can imagine—whether you’re in the mood for fine dining or you’re dining on a budget, it’s here and it’s yummy! We’ve made it easy for you to find what you’re looking for by compiling a list of the top restaurants in Hilton Head. We hope you’ll find it helpful. Once you’ve dined at one of our featured eateries, please let us know how you liked it!

Di d you know that two stars from the Food Network live and own restaurants on Hilton Head Island?

Robert Irvine is a celebrity chef who has appeared on a number of Food Network programs, including Dinner: Impossible, Worst Cooks in America, and Restaurant: Impossible. He owns Robert Irvines EAT, located in the Village at Wexford on the south end of Hilton Head Island. This favorite of locals and visitors serves up exciting tapas and interesting drinks in a haute cuisine environment.

Another local and now national celebrity chef is Orchid Paulmeier, who is the owner of One Hot Mama’s, located in Reilleys Plaza off Greenwood Drive, just before the main gate to The Sea Pines Resort. Orchid is a contestant on the 7th season of The Next Food Network Star, competing each Sunday for her own show on the Food Network. You can see her daily at her restaurant that serves up the Island’s best bbq, including ribs, chicken and brisket. In fact, on one of the episodes, Paula Deen appeared as a guest judge and said that Orchid’s collared greens were the best. You can try Orchids collards, mac & cheese and brisket every day starting at 11:00 am and also try her blue-jean brunch, served on Sundays.

Sure, you could go to an “island casual” restaurant and bar on Hilton Head Island…..but why not try something different….rent a boat and go where the locals go……Marshside Mama’s on Daufuskie Island. While Hilton Head serves up over 250 restaurants, Marshsides (as locals call it) is a kick up your feet or get out on the dance floor type place serving fresh caught items from a chalkboard menu. Recently rated the #6 beach bar in the U.S., Marshsides is a treat for the whole family….if you can get there!

From local grits, to May River Oysters to Skull Creek Shrimp, for a complete list of all Hilton Head Island Restaurants & Bars, plus what everyone is serving, Fresh on the Menu, click here.

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Shopping in Hilton Head

Shopping on Hilton Head is not lacking in options. You’ll find much of what you can find at home, here--and some you won’t find anywhere else!

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Night-Life In Hilton Head

  • Go where the locals go for a good night out! Whether you are on the hunt for a fabulous happy hour, or are ready to dance the night away, Hilton Head has so much to offer. Reilley’s Plaza, just off the Sea Pines Circle plays host to a number of different restaurants and bars that can satisfy a GNO or a post-golf happy hour. All of the restaurants in the plaza are affordable and there is something for everyone.
  •  Wild Wing Café on Hilton Head, Mellow Mushroom, and local favorite, Casey’s Sports Bar all have a trivia and karaoke night each week, plus live music on selected nights.

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Outdoor Activities in Hilton Head

There are so many ways to bask in the beauty of Hilton Head Island. Whether you love to bike, fish, boat, golf or play tennis—Hilton Head offers something for every outdoor indulgence!

  • With over 50 miles of bike paths on Hilton Head Island, this family friendly way to see the Island is bursting with opportunity. Click here for complete information on biking the Island or check out this guide for bikers.
    Here’s a map of the Hilton Head Island bike paths you may find helpful also.
  •  In-Shore, Near-Shore or all the way out to the Gulf Stream…..Fishing on Hilton Head can either be a sport, or a leisurely way to spend the afternoon. Try fishing or crabbing off of a dock or in one of the public waterways, or rent a charter boat for an adventure to remember... click here for all your fishing resources, including information about obtaining licenses and local laws.
  • Boating on and around the Hilton Head Island waterways is a treat for both fishermen and families. Rent a boat, check the tides, stock your cooler and make your way to the world-famous May River Sandbar. Along the way, you will be privy to breathtaking views that make the Lowcountry great. Another stop in your boat should definitely be Daufuskie Island, where both Marshside Mama’s and Freeport Marina are accessible via dock. Both these Lowcountry restaurants have odd hours, so make sure to call ahead!
  • Hilton Head Island is a golfers paradise with over 30 courses in the Lowcountry area to choose from. Play world-famous Harbourtown Golf Links in Sea Pines, home of the PGA professional tournament, The RBC Heritage….or play one of the courses from the Heritage Golf Collection, located in Port Royal, Shipyard or Palmetto Hall Plantation. Find links to fulfill all of your golf desires here,
  • Tennis on Hilton Head Island is available to both novices and experts alike! You can find so many options including – private instruction, group tennis lessons, family tennis lessons, team lessons and more at any of our tennis clubs. Play for free when you stay at our Spinnaker at Shipyard properties!

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Indoor Activities in Hilton Head

For those days when you want to take a break from the sun, there is no shortage of things to do on Hilton Head! Perhaps you enjoy movies, museums, or shopping—take a look at all you can do!

  • The Arts Center of Coastal Carolina offers broadway-style productions, right here in the Lowcountry.
  • A stop at Honey Horn Plantation during your stay on Hilton Head Island is a must! Coastal Discovery Museum of Hilton Head offers daily tours of the Island and programs such as beach walks to help you learn about the Lowcountry and Gullah Heritage.
  •  In 1862, Hilton Head Island was a refuge for contraband slaves, and thus became the first freedmen’s town in the United States. The area, established by General Mitchel was named Mitchelville and was an exersize in freedom, where over 1500 people, just out of slavery, but not yet citizens created a town….including schools, health care, town government, jobs and so on. A group of citizens has joined forces to reconstruct the town of Mitchelville where it once was, in the area of Beach City Road and Dillon Road.
  •  Ready to buy local? Visit the Farmer’s Market of Hilton Head each Friday for a taste of what is special in the Lowcountry. Located under the oaks at Honey Horn, the market is open each Friday from 8 till 1:00. Find what will be sold this week here
  •  Whether a discount diva or high-end threads, seasoned shoppers know that Hilton Head Island offers the best in retail therapy. Look no further than the local shops at The Village at Wexford or Coligny Plaza, check out The Mall at Shelter Cove and the brand new Tanger Outlets. Find all your shopping pleasures here:
  • Hilton Head Island is host to two movie theaters, Park Plaza Movie Theater on the south end and Northridge Plaza located mid-island.

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Activities

Hilton Head Island - The ultimate island getaway!

Hilton Head Island, South Carolina has been the choice of discriminating vacationers for over 10,000 years! Today, visitors from around the world still find our vacation rentals the perfect gathering place for a family holiday with Southern Hospitality still alive and well. Convenient to airports, marinas and driving routes, a trip here is simple... no passports, no worries.

Climate & Weather Maps & Directions

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