what can a family do in hilton head island other than golf and shopping

With its island vibe intact despite its several tourist areas, Hilton Head boasts lots of family things to do, such as swimming, boating, hiking, shopping, dolphin watching, birding, wildlife viewing, and many more exciting activities to try. Here are fun things to do in Hilton Head with kids for your next family vacation. 1.

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What to do with the family in Hilton Head?

Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge We visit Pinckney Island with every trip to Hilton Head, and either walk or take a bike ride to visit this wonderful... 5. Sea Pines Forest Preserve Sea Pines Forest Preserve is a great family outing, it has terrific and extensive bike trails, beaches, rental homes,...

Does Hilton Head Island have a kid friendly resort?

Kid and Family Activities at The Omni Hilton Head Oceanfront Resort The Omni Hilton Head Oceanfront Resort is a great destination for your family’s escape to Hilton Head Island. The resort offers two family pools with a kid’s splash zone, children’s playground and daily activities that are fun for all ages.

What is it like to live on Hilton Head Island?

Hilton Head Island is divided largely into huge, gated communities, known as “plantations,” within which you’ll find resorts, golf courses, tennis courts, restaurants, shopping and more. Some of the more popular plantations for families include Port Royal Plantation, Palmetto Dunes and Sea Pines Resort.

Why rent a home on Hilton Head Island?

Families big and small can rent a home for short or long-term stays, ensuring that they have the perfect home base during for their Hilton Head Island vacation.

Is Hilton Head Island good for families?

From sandcastles on the beach to museums and wildlife that will capture their imaginations, Hilton Head Island is an unforgettable vacation destination for families.

Does Hilton Head have a boardwalk?

Hilton Head is well-known for its many bike paths and pedestrian boardwalks.

What is the most popular area on Hilton Head?

Top 5 Places to Visit on Hilton Head IslandColigny. For the ultimate all-in-one Hilton Head experience, head over to Coligny, where a shopping plaza and beach park give guests all they could need for a fun filled day. ... Shelter Cove. ... Harbour Town. ... South Beach. ... Broad Creek.

What is the best month to visit Hilton Head?

The best time to visit Hilton Head is April and May as well as September and October. Spring and fall offer fewer crowds and lower lodging rates all the while maintaining temperatures that are still beach-friendly. Summer is also a great time to visit the island, as the weather is perfect for swimming in the ocean.

Is Hilton Head Island boring?

Many people flock here to enjoy the miles of beach and its oceanfront resorts, however, there are plenty of other things to do on the island besides the sandy shore. From shopping to eating to outdoor recreation options, a vacation on Hilton Head will be nothing but boring.

What is Hilton Head most known for?

Hilton Head Island is justifiably famous for its incredible beaches and its world-class golf courses. It's regularly voted one of the best vacation destinations in the world.

Is there a difference between Hilton Head and Hilton Head Island?

Hilton Head Island, sometimes referred to as simply Hilton Head, is a Lowcountry resort town and barrier island in Beaufort County, South Carolina, United States. It is 20 miles (32 km) northeast of Savannah, Georgia, and 95 miles (153 km) southwest of Charleston.

Does Hilton Head Island have a downtown?

Main Street Village is the center you're going to want to go to for a fun, old-fashioned, downtown shopping experience. Several locally-owned and -operated merchants, restaurants, and service-oriented businesses are located in this secret center off of William Hilton Parkway and Whooping Crane Way.

How long is the ferry from Hilton Head to Savannah?

Cruise in comfort! The time is roughly 1-hour 45-minutes to and from Hilton Head allowing 4-hours in Savannah.

What is the coldest month in Hilton Head?

JanuaryAverage Temperature in Hilton Head Island The coldest month of the year in Hilton Head Island is January, with an average low of 43°F and high of 59°F.

What is off season in Hilton Head?

About 39,000 people live on the island year-round. Off-season, roughly October through March, it's like you're crashing their exclusive party. Though locals said there is an influx of guests during the weeks of Thanksgiving and Christmas, when families gather at their beach condos.

Is Hilton Head expensive?

Cost of Living in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina by Expense Category. Hilton Head Island's housing expenses are 15% higher than the national average and the utility prices are 6% higher than the national average. Transportation expenses like bus fares and gas prices are 10% lower than the national average.

What to do in Hilton Head?

One of my favorite things to do in Hilton Head is spending a day at the beach. With twelve miles of pristine shoreline, Hilton Head Island beaches offer plenty of space for an uncrowded day of relaxing on the sand. Lifeguards are on duty during the official beach season, April through September. Town beaches are accessible for those ...

Where is Hilton Head Island?

Located on the Intracoastal Waterway 45 miles north of Savannah and 90 miles south of Charleston, Hilton Head’s 42 square miles of semi-tropical terrain feature salt marshes, lagoons and creeks, moss-draped live oaks, and miles of sandy beaches. The first eco-planned community in the country, the island maintains a charming atmosphere partially due ...

How many boutiques are there in Hilton Head?

Hilton Head’s Harbour Town is home to a cute collection of over twenty boutiques, galleries, and gift shops encircling the yacht basin. The shops tend to be upscale, with unique offerings for the entire family.

Where is Folly Field Beach in Hilton Head?

Folly Field Beach, 55 Starfish Drive, Hilton Head Island, SC. Open every day 6am-9pm.

What is Harbourside Burgers and Brews?

Harbourside Burgers & Brews is an open-air establishment, with seasonal nightly entertainment. Don’t let the name fool you; they offer more than just burgers and beers.

How long is the dolphin cruise at the Coastal Discovery Museum?

While looking at the website for the Coastal Discovery Museum, we noticed that they offered a 90 minute dolphin cruise. Don’t be confused (like us) and assume that the cruise departs from the museum!

How many acres are there in Honey Horn Plantation?

The Coastal Discovery Museum, located on the 68-acre Honey Horn Plantation, features walking trails, gardens, a butterfly enclosure, and rare marsh tacky horses in addition to the museum’s indoor exhibits. On-site tours and workshops focus on local art, culture, and the environment.

1. Hit the Beach

There are so many beautiful beaches on Hilton Head, basically the whole east side of the island is covered in different beaches. Below are some of our favorite beaches we visited on our long weekend to Hilton Head:

2. Harbour Town

What can we say about this cute little part of the island, it really has a bunch of stuff for everyone. Harbour Town is located within the vacation rental community of Sea Pines, when we went you had to pay an entrance fee $6 per car – unless you were staying at the Sea Pines resort.

4. Coastal Discovery Center & Butterfly Gardens

School-age kids will have a blast at the Coastal Discovery Museum, which offers scavenger hunts, costumes, and a butterfly exhibit. When we went they also had a petting zoo area where the girls got to pet and hold alligators, which they thought was pretty cool.

5. Family Kayaking

Rent a single or double Kayak and explore the water ways within the island. We rented two double Kayaks and it worked out great. We explored the different water inlets hoping to see dolphins. Finally on our way back we saw one! It came right up to our kayak, it was AWESOME. Alyssa tried to talk with it, it was pretty cute.

7. Renting bikes and exploring all the trails

Easy, flat, and paved bike paths criss-cross the expansive Hilton Head island, taking you along board walks to the beaches, over wooden bridges, past golf courses, and along the lagoon waterfront. You can rent bikes for the whole family from Hilton Head Outfitters. It is very popular to ride bikes on the beach at low tide.

8. Mermaid Boat Tour

Have you ever seen a real mermaid in the wild before? Do you have little girls that dream about seeing mermaids? While this is a bit cheesy for Adults, little kids love it! Go out on a boat excursion in search of the Mermaid of Hilton Head, learning about the local wildlife and conservation along the way.

9. Zipline Aerial Adventure Park

A playground in the sky with 50 in-the-tree challenge activities on six different ability courses! Aerial Adventure brings you six amazing courses that range from easy to hard. Five-year-olds love the green courses, and adults enjoy the black ones. ($49.00 per person)

1. Hilton Head Island Bike Trails

You can see gorgeous homes, herons, horses, egrets, and yes on a sunny day, alligators sunning themselves.

2. Coligny Beach

Love this shopping area - lots of fun unique shops with a laidback beach atmosphere!

3. Coastal Discovery Museum

Beautiful and unique gift items available in the gift shop including handcrafted jewelry and baskets, books, handy la...

4. Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge

We visit Pinckney Island with every trip to Hilton Head, and either walk or take a bike ride to visit this wonderful...

5. Sea Pines Forest Preserve

Sea Pines Forest Preserve is a great family outing, it has terrific and extensive bike trails, beaches, rental homes,...

6. Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina

We absolutely loved the experience and highly recommend it as a vacation activity, or just something fun to do if you...

9. Palmetto Dunes Tennis & Pickleball Center

I worked with Jamie and she was a great instructor, she made the daily ladder great fun for all participants.

What to do in Hilton Head with kids?

Here are fun things to do in Hilton Head with kids for your next family vacation. 1. Shelter Cove Harbour — Palmetto Dunes. 1 Shelter Cove Lane. Hilton Head Island, SC 29928. (866) 661-3822. Located at the heart of Hilton Head, Shelter Cove Harbour is among the most popular places to visit in Hilton Head.

What is the best place to visit with toddlers in Hilton Head?

Hilton Head Island, SC 29926. (843) 689-6767. Founded in 1985, the 60-acre Coastal Discovery Museum opened in Hilton Head in 2007 and now offers some of the most interesting things to do in Hilton Head with toddlers.

Who is Pinckney Island named after?

Hilton Head, SC 29926. (912) 652-4415. The Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge was named after General Charles Pinckney, who acquired the land in 1715 and whose descendants owned it for 200 years.

How many square feet is Shelter Cove Towne Centre?

It may look like a residential village, but Shelter Cove Towne Centre is actually a lifestyle space offering a mix of residences, shops, restaurants, events, and entertainment across 290,000 square feet .

What are the most popular plantations in Hilton Head?

Some of the more popular plantations for families include Port Royal Plantation, Palmetto Dunes and Sea Pines Resort. Hilton Head is synonymous with beaches and public access is available from numerous locations.

What is the best beach to visit in Hilton Head?

Driessen Beach (access at the end of Bradley Beach Road) offers play and picnic areas and a boardwalk that leads through sand dunes and tidal marshland where kids might spot nesting sea turtles or great blue herons. Bird-watching is a treat in Hilton Head. (Photo by Forest Simon/Unsplash)

What is the mascot of Hilton Head?

While you are not likely to find Mickey Mouse walking around Hilton Head, you might spot Shadow, a golden retriever that has become the Disney resort’s mascot. The best way to stay at Disney’s Hilton Head Resort is likely to rent Disney Vacation Club points from an owner and plan well in advance.

How much does it cost to ride a horse at Hilton Head?

Prices range from $125 to $150 per person (depending on season) for a 90-minute tour, with transportation to and from the equestrian center available as an optional add-on. Horseback riding at Hilton Head.

What is the beach house at IHG?

The Beach House, a Holiday Inn Resort (IHG Rewards Club) sits right on popular Coligny Beach, with a tiki hut bar, a large pool with “dive in movies” and oceanfront rooms. Family-size rooms are not available with rewards, but this property is offering a 25% spring break discount for bookings of four nights or more.

Is there bird watching in Hilton Head?

Bird-watching is a treat in Hilton Head. (Photo by Forest Simon/Unsplash) Coligny (access from Coligny Circle) is particularly popular with young children, who can splash in its wading fountain or play in calm waters. Coligny and Islanders are also equipped with wheelchair-accessible mats for beachgoers with limited mobility.

Does United fly to Hilton Head?

United will add flights to Hilton Head from Wash ington Dulles (IAD) at the end of March 2019; the airline currently runs flights from Chicago O’Hare (ORD) and Newark (EWR). Also, starting this May and June, respectively, Delta will offer flights from Atlanta, Georgia (ATL) and New York’s LaGuardia Airport (LGA).

Where to stay on Hilton Head Island?

The Sea Pines Resort. A luxurious stay awaits at the iconic Sea Pines Resort! Noted as one of Hilton Head Island’s premier destinations, The Sea Pines Resort provides a stay like no other! Indulge in luxury amenities, gourmet restaurants, and breathtaking views. Take delight in one of their many activities or tours, including horseback riding, ...

What is the Omni Hilton Head?

The Omni Hilton Head Oceanfront Resort is known for its casual elegance and award-winning service . Families will love the many upgrades and renovations that have been made over the years with them in mind, including two family pools, a splash zone, and a playground.