Top 16 Things To Do on Hilton Head Island... the Islander version

Travel + Leisure recently published an article with the top 16 things to do on Hilton Head Island.  With many of us having lived here our whole lives or having been here for decades, we wondered…. did the writer hit the mark?  Did they really give visitors the BEST 16 things to do on Hilton Head, or should we write our own version?  

Of course, the iconic golf course, Harbour Town Golf Links, is going to make the list.  Yes, it seems pretty obvious that you should eat oysters while on Hilton Head (though, Islanders know that you only eat oysters in months that have the letter “r” in it. May, June, & July are not months we eat them.) 

We also agree a dolphin tour is pretty fun, but you are likely to see dolphins in plenty of other ways, including just walking the beach. 

Also, we agree you should, if not absolutely must, take a Gullah Heritage Tour while you are here. (Quick refresh: The Gullah people are decedents of Africans who were enslaved in the coastal plains of the SC/GA coastline. They spoke their own language and retained much of their African culture including food, music, religion, arts, and more traditions and have influenced much of what we call “Southern” culture today.)  This tour gives insight to the first people of Hilton Head and gives visitors a historical perspective of the island that you otherwise might not achieve.  

Bottom line, though – their list of 16 is not exactly our list of 16 of what we would recommend you do on Hilton Head when visiting.  So here it goes….  This is the Beachside Getaway list of the BEST 16 THINGS TO DO ON HILTON HEAD ISLAND (FOR VISITORS)

  1. Go to Forest Beach Surf & Cycle to rent bikes, surf boards, and even to get surf lessons. 
  2. Hit up Al’s Aloha for for their famous Ahi Tuna Poke Bowl for lunch 
  3. Go to Mitchelville’s Historic Freedom Park where the first settlement of freed slaves lived and formed a self-government 
  4. See a show at the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina
  5. Watch fireworks on Tuesday nights at Shelter Cove Harbour 
  6. Rent a boat and go to the “Redneck Rivera” at low-tide on the May River 
  7. Get active at one of the many specialty gyms that we have – from Orange Theory Fitness, Cycle Bar, Hilton Head Pilates, and F45 – there are a variety of ways to get a great work out in. 
  8. Go to Roller’s Wine & Liquor by the Sea Pines Circle and sit at the bar in the wine room for tastings and nibbles 
  9. Get ice cream at the Cinnamon Bear at Harbour Town or Hilton Head Ice Cream near Pope Avenue 
  10. Go to the Sea Pines Beach Club near sunset, bring snacks/bottle of wine or treat yourself to dinner at their restaurant, Coast. 
  11. Rent kayaks or Paddle Boards at Shelter Cove Marina 
  12. Check the local event calendar for Hilton Head – there seems to always be a festival or two going on like Seafood Fest or Shrimp & Grits. 
  13.  Hit the ropes course at Hilton Head Adventure. From ziplining to an obstacle course to go-carting, you are sure to find adventure here. 
  14. Get a “turtle talk” from Sea Turtle Patrol at Lowcountry Celebration Park or one of the resorts/hotels on the Island. 
  15. Hit up one of the MANY public golf courses that don’t cost $350 per round. We have a great round up on a different post. 
  16. Eat at Hudson’s Seafood on the Docks and watch the sunset 

 

We could easily go on with recommendations but these are the ones that come to the top! We’d love to hear from our readers and guests though – what are your favorite things to do as a visitor? 

 

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What To Do on HHI