Quote: Hilton Head is a beautiful island with the main attraction being the many beaches. There are also many dining and shopping opportunities. Although we explored surrounding areas like Savannah GA and Charleston SC, we always came back to Hilton Head to relax and regroup.
Our first day on the island, we decided to take one of the many bike path up to the beach which was about a mile away from the resort but still on Shipyard plantation. There many beautiful lagoons with alligators, turtles, jumping fish and blue herons to be seen along the way. Once we arrived at the beach the view was spectacular! We were a little disappointed to find out that the only chairs to be had on the beach were for those willing to rent them. At for the first day and for each consecutive day, we decided to pass. Later we bought chairs at the Walmart on the island. After our walk we went on a 2 hour dolphin/nature tour and were delighted to see dolphins racing alongside our boat! We concluded our first day with dinner at the very casual Frosty Frog Daiquari Shop. Their specialty is the 190 proof grain liquor they feature in some of their daiquaris.
Day 2: We spent exploring the island with most of the time was spent on Sea Pines plantation. This plantation is huge with many marinas, shops and restaurants, horse back riding, a farm etc. They even have rocking chairs facing the marina in case you get tired while shopping and want to take a load off. Lots of things to do on this plantation besides the beach but after 6pm, it's only open to those who are staying at resorts on the Sea Pines plantation. Also, there is a fee to get into this plantation. For dinner we ate at The Crazy Crab, not on the plantation but Sea Pines does have one at one of the marinas.
Day 3: Spent in Savannah, GA (please see my journal - Hilton Head and the surrounding area (Savannah))
Day 4: Another day spent exploring the island with an emphasis on shopping. We also spent a few hours on the beach and had lunch at the Pizza Hut on the island. There's a post office on the island so we could get stamps and mail our postcards.
Shopping opportunities include Saks 5th Ave. and other upscale shops in what appears to be a pretty upscale mall, lots of strip malls with stores like Marshalls, TJ Maxx, Walmart, Barnes & Noble Ctr., Walgreens, Old Navy and T-shirt/souvenir shops.
Day 5: Spent in Charleston, SC (please see my journal - Hilton Head and surrounding areas (Charleston, SC))
Day 6: Headed back to Savannah GA - (please see my journal - Hilton Head and the surrounding area (Savannah))
Hilton Head is beatiful and very quiet, the pace is slow so it's a great place to relax. Most things are closed by 10pm or earlier, including the grocery stores. Depending on your mood, this can be a good thing. We did not make it to all the places we planned to, including Hunting Island, SC which is reported to have a really nice nature reserve. We also did not get around to the many other plantation areas on the island to see what they had to offer. But we did quite a bit and have no regrets. We traveled with family and had the best time!
Quick Tips:
The visitor centers on Hilton Head SC, Savannah GA, and Charleston SC provide lots of helful maps, tour/activity brochures, dining guides and even coupons. Definitely worth the stop!
At restaurants, grocery stores and most places you stop at, there are tons of Restaurant guides, activity and property brochures. So even if you planned nothing in advance, the island provides a variety of information options in helping you plan the day's activities.
Best Way To Get Around:
On Hilton Head, the best way to get around the plantations is by bike. Our resort provided two for free. It's also easy to get around by car. The main expressway circles the island so it's pretty difficult to get lost
In Savannah and Charleston, you can hop on tour buses right at the visitor centers. Some buses offer AAA discounts and have coupons on-line. Most offer unlimited on/off priveleges, so after your tour you can use the busses and trolleys to get around their downtown areas.