Hilton Head, SC. has alot of things available for free, such as the beach, and all the fun activities that come with that. I outlied a few activities that we enjoyed below, and I cover overnight lodging options, as well.
If you stay at a hotel on the island, most of them are located right beside the water (as everything is built around the water on the island) and the beach activities are very convenient. For short stays, a hotel is a good and quick option. Book your hotel through a discount hotel site online, and you can save 30-40% on hotel rates, even on the weekend. Disney has a hotel on the water and so does every other major hotel chain. We liked the Marriott the best. It was new, modern and clean.
You also have an option to book online and get a timeshare unit (or private condo) for about the same price, per night. I suggest you book one of these if traveling with children, because it is SO MUCH CHEAPER by being able to cook some of your meals and not have to go out for 3 meals a day. Plus, in a hotel, everything seems to get sand all over it, since there really isn’t anywhere to put your things after you come in from the beach. But in a condo, there are sofas to sit on (not just a bed, like in a hotel) and there is a full kitchen and porch to enjoy. Another big advantage is having more than one bathroom! That is a very nice feature when everyone comes back from being in salt water and you are all sticky!
We booked our condo for a whole week, online, and got it for just $600.00, through Craigslist. I made sure it was legitimate by checking the phone number and company, and then charged the amount on a credit card (just in case) The mailed me a key, one week later! I checked into a very nice condo across the street from the beach, and I was really impressed. This went very smooth. There are so many timeshare companies, but we used the RCI company. For families or multiple couples who are staying together, this is a great idea.
For Hilton Head activities, there are many to choose from! Here are a few we enjoyed:
1. Bike Riding: Take your bicycles, or plan to rent them if you will be there for 3 or more days. There are hundreds of miles of bike trails, and the streets are level, so it’s an easy ride that is nice and relaxing. It is truly a fun thing to do amongst all of those beautiful trees and beaches. Go for a ride at low tide in the evening with your bike, and you won’t regret it! It is so beautiful at dusk to ride along the surf and watch the waves.
2. Ibis Pond and Pinkney Island: This was one of my favorite places I visited while we were there. We took our bikes and pedaled in the evening to see the most beautiful flock of Ibis (and the largest group of them) we had ever seen. There were hundreds of birds in the trees and in the water, and it was a gorgeous photo spot.
The kids will like the little baby crabs that are crawling around (harmless little ones) they are so funny to watch. Make time to go if you like nature walks. It’s truly breathtaking. (Note: there are aligators in the water, so don’t get too close.)
Special mention: The Coastal Discovery Museum, at Honey Horn. It is a free museum that has boardwalks over the marsh, a horse barn, a restored home from the 1900’s, and more. Just to go and look at the crabs in the marsh is fun for the kids. They are everywhere!
3. Boat Rides or Dolphin Cruises: Get one of the local magazines and you can call around to check rates on dolphin cruises. These are fun to do with children, who enjoy the ride and the water. You can go out on the marsh or on the ocean. For a family of 4 it is only around $100-150.00 and can last up to 4 hours.
For History buffs, you can take a short drive and enjoy several things:
4. Paris Island Military Museum: This is free, and can last for 2+ hours to take the tour. There is also a movie theater there, which plays a documentary of the Marines and their training. If you want to be impressed, this is a good tour to take. There are public eating places there too, and they are very affordable.
I don’t suggest taking kids under the age of 9, but after that, they will like seeing the many different items from the history of the wars.
If you want to experience more history, Savannah, Ga. is only a short drive away and has many things to see from the Civil War. From old churches, Plantation homes, cemetaries and forts, it is worth the drive if you have the time.
Inside Activities:
5. Art Galleries: One private art gallery that I enjoyed was the Endagered Arts, Ltd. right in the center of town. It is small, but free and worth the trip (for older children and adults). Some of the most beautiful artwork from modern artists and landscape artists are displayed there. Very inspiring!
6. Restaurants: Our favorite place to eat there is Hudson’s. It sits on the water and has great southern dishes that are tastefully prepared! You will spend about $20-30 per person, but if you venture to have just one nice meal, make it this place. It was so good and the portions were so much!
7. Tourist Favorite: Visit the Salty Dog t-shirt shop and buy a piece of Hilton Head before you head home. They are not expensive, and you will see them everywhere when you go! They come in lots of colors and kids love wearing them.
Special Mention: For more tourist goodies and souveniers, try Coligny Plaza. Free parking and lots to see. The shops are cheaper there than the outlet malls, and it has more local inventory than the chain stores of the mall.
Kids Activities:
8. Summer Time Fun: From June 14-August 9 on Tuesdays from 6-9pm at the Shelter Cove Harbour, they offer free family activities like fireworks, clowns (not the scary ones!), bounce houses and more. It is on the main part of the island, and with it on Tuesday, you can easily make it over there.
9. Fun Food for the Family: Visit Flamingo’s Doughnut Cafe for a custom- made doughnut of your choosing. My kids loved choosing their own toppings for their personalized treat, and it was really good. It’s also inexpensive too!
10. Fishing: Take your fishing poles for a fishing experience that is so worth it. You can get yout fishing lisc. at the local Walmart, and it’s good for 4 days. Go over to one of the less-traveled inlets (look for the park signs) and you will catch something! We went over to Beaufort and caught 9 fish in 30 minutes. We also got to see an 8 ft. aligator up close (not my preference, but my son liked it). I used thawed shrimp as bait, and they came running! Try it from the boardwalk or from a boat. It’s great fun.
If you haven’t been to Hilton Head, try it soon! It has become one of our favorite places to visit.
