Thanks to its beautiful scenery, laid-back vibe and generally gorgeous weather, Hilton Head Island in South Carolina is a wonderful place to visit. Here are 5 of the best things to do for an unforgettable vacation.
5 OF THE BEST THINGS TO DO ON HILTON HEAD ISLAND
| #1 – | Enjoy the beach |
| #2 – | Rent bikes and cruise the island |
| #3 – | Golf |
| #4 – | Explore Harbour Town |
| #5 – | Get out on the water |
Where to stay on Hilton Head
Hilton Head Island is 5 miles wide and 12 miles long. Dozens of awesome resorts and hotels and restaurants populate the coastline. Click on this link for a great list of possible places to stay, including private homes to rent.
Enjoy the Beach (#1)
The beaches on Hilton Head are extraordinarily wide and really beautiful. April 1st through September 30th is the official beach season on Hilton Head. Outside of those months, the waters of the Atlantic will be chillier although I wouldn’t count October out as another great month to visit.
Rent a bike and cruise the island (#2)
One of the most popular things to do on Hilton Head is to rent bikes and cruise the island. That’s because there are almost 60 miles of bike trails.
No need to bring a bike, there are numerous rental places. I recommend “Wheelz” as it is a nice, central location with a large variety of bikes and attachments (i.e. trailers, child seats, etc.). They even offer FREE delivery to where you’re staying, if you rent for 3 days or longer.
The bike paths around the island are easy to navigate, well-marked, and generally very flat.
I’d recommend at least an entire day rental. Pick up your bikes in the morning, explore for a few hours, then stop somewhere for lunch before continuing on along more trails.
Here are a few restaurant recommendations on Hilton Head:
In the afternoon, navigate down to the beach and ride there! It’s such a unique, fun experience and you can cruise for miles in the packed-down sand.
Another place to stop during your biking adventures is Coligny Plaza. It’s Hilton Head’s version of a boardwalk with lots of shops, restaurants and bar areas. It’s a great place to get a souvenir from your trip.
You’ll also find easy public beach access here.
Shelter Cove Towne Center claims to be Hilton Head’s premiere shopping, dining and events destination. On Tuesday nights, Shelter Cove has fireworks and fun activities.
If you end up with a rainy day during your visit, these are good places to spend some time.
Golf (#3)
Hilton Head is known for its golf. There are more than 23 championship courses that populate the island. Check out this link to 11 of the Best Courses in Hilton Head.
Or, perhaps you just like to stick to mini-golf. There are lots of choices there too including Pirate’s Island Adventure Golf, and Adventure Cove.
Explore Harbour Town (#4)
On the southern tip of the island is Sea Pines. Staying at the Sea Pines Resort gains you free entrance at the community’s gate. But if you’re staying elsewhere, it’s still worth the $9 gate fee to get in.
Sea Pines is a beautiful 5,000-acre community that has private neighborhoods, a forest preserve, golf course, marina and a neat place called Harbour Town. Here, you’ll find lots of restaurants (a famous one called, Salty Dog, for example), shops, and the unique lighthouse seen in this picture below.
Get out on the water (#5)
Lastly, before you leave the island, if the weather permits get out on the water! Two highly recommended options for that include renting 2-person catamarans or a dolphin cruise. The weather didn’t cooperate on my recent visit, but those things are at the top of my list when I return to Hilton Head someday again soon.
More time on Hilton Head?
- Charleston – this beautiful South Carolina city is just under 100 miles north of Hilton Head. Check out my 4-day itinerary. It’s a perfectly planned guide for your time there.
- Savannah — even closer than Charleston is this charming city, just 30 miles away. A must-visit!
- Beaufort — a third South Carolina city to suggest! It’s worth the 35-mile road trip to experience this less touristy city where southern charm is on full display.
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