Did you know Hilton Head Island was only connected to the mainland by a bridge in the 1950s? Due to its relative isolation over the decades, tourists are only just recently starting to discover its unique brand of charm. Hilton Head is truly a vacation destination for everyone; the island caters to sports enthusiasts, hikers, animal lovers, and those just wanting to eat and drink their way through their holiday.
If you want to do a bit of a Carolina’s safari, explore nearby Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge or head to the Coastal Discovery Museum. You can soak up the sun and dip your toes in the ocean at the popular Coligny Beach Park. Learn about the unique local culture and history of the area at The Gullah Museum or the Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park. And for those keen to get some exercise in, you can play a round or two at one of Hilton Head’s world-class golf courses.
Are you looking for things to do in Hilton Head? Perhaps you’re curious to see if it’s the spot for your next American vacation. So put on your sunhat and most waterproof walking shoes and jump on that boat to watch on for our top picks in this perfect all-season destination.
Coligny Beach Park
Hilton Head is home to many beautiful beaches, but none are as popular as Coligny Beach Park. The beach itself sports soft white sand and clean, crystal clear water—perfect for taking a dip or relaxing on a rented beach chair. If you’re not so keen on ocean water or visiting with little ones, there’s even a swimming pool. Nearby is a heady selection of food, drink, and shopping options—and you can get from the car park to the beach or shops on one of the many handy trolleybuses.
The Gullah Museum
If you’re keen to learn more about Gullah culture, which is unique to the Lowcountry region of South Carolina and Georgia, definitely schedule a visit to Hilton Head’s Gullah Museum. This fascinating historical institution was established by Native Islander Louise Miller Cohen in 2003 and is dedicated to maintaining Gullah customs, traditions, language, stories, songs, and structures. Note that this site is only accessible by appointment. You can book a guide private tour of the facility on the museum’s website.
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Sea Pines Forest Preserve
If you’re keen to get out and about in the incredible nature of Hilton Head, spend a few hours biking or walking the network of trails and boardwalks in Sea Pines Forest Preserve. You’ll travel through various ecosystems, including the iconic Carolinas wetlands, spotting everything from a 40,000-year-old shell ring to wildlife like alligators and native birds. This family-friendly park also has multiple activities to enjoy, from wagon rides and horseback riding to boat and fishing tours. If you plan to spend the day there, pack a picnic lunch and enjoy it in one of the many picnic spots.
Harbour Town Lighthouse and Museum
If you didn’t like lighthouse architecture that much before, you’ll come away enamored after a trip to the quaint Harbour Town Lighthouse and Museum. This distinctive, 50-year-old plus building is one of the most iconic tourist destinations on Hilton Head. It features a bright, always freshly painted red and white striped facade, and inside, you need to climb an astonishing 114 steps to reach the top. It’s worth the trek for the stunning views out over the surrounding golf courses and marshlands. Best of all, a visit to this lighthouse won’t break the vacation budget—a ticket costs less than $6.
Harbour Town
Are you keen on a spot of shopping? After a visit to the Harbour Town Lighthouse and Museum, take some time to explore nearby Harbor Town. You’ll be able to browse through shops selling high-end furniture and home decor, boutique clothing, jewelry, local arts and crafts, and even classy souvenirs. If you get peckish along the way, there is an almost endless selection of quick eats and fine dining establishments to settle any grumbling tummy—from bakeries with sandwiches and coffee to alfresco restaurants that make the most of the sea air.
Coligny Plaza
Another good option for shopping and dining is Coligny Plaza. The area is easily accessible for people of all ages and abilities, with boardwalks, organized sidewalks, and even bike lanes. It’s a great place to pick up a few souvenirs to take home or sample some less-traditional local cuisine. A local favorite we highly recommend is Sweet Carolina Cupcakes. Be sure to sample their unique Sweet Carolina flavor. If you’re looking for evening entertainment for the kids, visit the movie theater here or enjoy the free live music the plaza hosts throughout the summer months.
Burnt Church Distillery
If you’re in need of a stiff drink while on vacation, head to Burnt Church Distillery, a spirit maker with its roots deep in Lowcountry culture. You can try everything more traditional spirits like wild whisky or experimental, local liquors like sweet potato pie-flavored moonshine. For those who want something a little more crafty, there’s a fine selection of cocktails. Of course, you can also enjoy some food with your fine alcohols—this distillery has everything from shareable potluck plates to salads, pizza, and spicy chicken wings.
Coastal Discovery Museum
Are you looking for fun Hilton Head tourist hot spots that all the family can enjoy? Then definitely add the Coastal Discovery Museum to your itinerary. The museum is set on an enormous 68 acres spanning marshland and coastal areas. You could easily spend half a day or more looking through the exhibits and walking the trails. Here, you can learn about and see firsthand flora and fauna native to the area—from birds and butterflies to a 500-year old Southern Red Cedar. If you can, try to time your visit with the center’s annual art show or weekly farmers’ markets.
Hilton Head Brewing Company
The America-famous Hilton Head Brewing Company is one of the most popular spots on the island to relax with a beer in hand and some great eats. The iconic brewery was established in 2006 by Hilton Head Island local Juan Brantley, and today, the brews are available all over South Carolina and even further afield. They have a lineup of 10 site-brewed year-round beers to savor alongside at least ten more on tap rotations. There’s also a locally-focused menu featuring everything from crab cake dip to session IPA beer cheese, served with tortilla chips.
Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park
Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park represents an opportunity to dive deep into some of the region’s—indeed, the country’s—most important history. Mitchelville, the town for which the park is named, was America’s first self-governed community of enslaved people. It was founded by Gen. Ormsby Mitchel in 1862 and once boasted a bustling network of roads, shops, schools, homes, and churches. In fact, the town was the first in South Carolina to make education compulsory for children up to 15 years old. Visit to explore the replica buildings and learn about Gullah culture.
Poseidon’s Rooftop Bar
Poseidon’s Rooftop Bar is arguably one of the best places on the island to view the majestic Hilton Head sunset. Best of all, you can do it with a tasty cocktail in hand! The rooftop is decked out with comfy chairs and is entirely open to the sea air. We recommend heading there in the evening for dinner so you can sample some authentic Southern delicacies—think hush puppies, fried green tomato Caprese, and pimento cheese dip. Check the venue’s event calendar because they also host a wide array of live music events.
Daufuskie Island
Daufuskie Island has a population of just 400 people—one resident being the famous musician John Mellencamp—and is conveniently situated between Hilton Head and the coast of Georgia. The island is as renowned for its three miles of secluded beaches as it is for its artsy community—in fact, the island is included on the National Register of Historic Places for this very reason. You can only get to Daufuskie Island by boat, but there are tons of private tour services for hire, or you can also jump on a water taxi. Take a bike to get around the island or rent one of the golf carts available.
Hilton Head Golf Courses
If you’re looking to get in a spot of sport to work off all that Southern cuisine, why not try a game of golf. Hilton Head is widely considered one of America’s best golf destinations, with courses designed by everyone from Jack Nicklaus to Arnold Palmer. The greens are as play worthy and challenging as they are beautiful to look at. While the courses vary in fees, exclusivity, and quality (though they’re all at least good), we recommend the Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort, Harbor Town Golf Links, Oyster Reef Golf Club, and Hilton Head National Golf Club.
Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge
If you’re looking for some true wilderness to explore, head to the 4,000 acres that is the Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge. This isolated park was established by 18th-century plantation owners, the Pinckney family, who lived on the island for over two centuries. Today, it’s considered an important archeological site—researchers have found artifacts dating back 10,000 years. Of course, the main reason to visit this picturesque island is for the wildlife spotting. If you’re lucky, you’ll see everything from rare shorebirds to naturally armored armadillos.
Do you think this is a comprehensive list of things to do in Hilton Head? Or would you add some places, events, or sites we’ve missed? Debate the not-to-be-missed areas and share your secret scenic spots in the comment section below. If you want to watch more videos like this one, head over to the ViewCation channel and subscribe. Hit that notification bell while you’re there. Oh, and don’t forget to give this video a thumbs up and share it with your friends and family.