Hilton Head, SC Travel Guide

This year our summer vacation was to Hilton Head, South Carolina. We fell in LOVE with South Carolina last year when we went to Charleston, so we were itching to go back and see a different area. Here is our Hilton Head, SC Travel Guide for everything to do, eat and where to stay.

Hilton Head, SC Travel Guide

Our Itinerary:

Wednesday

Drive in From Atlanta

Check in to VRBO

Drive around the island/site see

Dinner at Salty Dog Cafe

We LOVED Salty Dog. The environment was amazing, the drinks were equally as amazing and the food was so unique. I got a crab cake burger on a pretzel bun. The wait was pretty long, but there are tons to do while you wait like little shops, a pier, a bar, etc. This place was super casual, kid-friendly and a total must go. We saw people all week with shirts on from there.

Thursday

Boys golf AM

Jared golfed at Harbourtown which is a PGA course and he LOVED it. Definitely the highlight of the trip for him.

Girls beach AM – Coligny Beach

The girls went to the beach to relax and get some sun (with SPF on, of course)! We went to Coligny Beach which was a 5-minute drive and 15-minute bike ride from our VRBO. This is a public beach but very nice and clean. We rented some beach chairs and soaked up the sun.

Harbourtown Bakery and Cafe

This was an impromptu lunch since it was close to the golf course. I would give it a 6/10, not the best but not the worst. Ok, prices with average food. The service was below par though.

Harbourtown Lighthouse and Shopping

The Harbourtown lighthouse was so stinking cute and this whole area was adorable. This was my favorite part of the trip. We did a little shopping and just mosied around until the dolphin tour. They have rockers everywhere so you can relax and people watch for hours!

Dolphin Tour with Vagabond Cruises

My In-Laws booked a Dolphin Tour which was fun and a nice change of pace. We got to see quite a bit of dolphins. If you go I recommend sitting up front for the best views!

Hudson’s Seafood House on the Docks

Another casual place for dinner with no reservations required. I actually liked the food better here than at Salty Dog but the environment wasn’t as cool. Also on the water, but definitely smaller and more restaurant like rather than experiential like Salty Dog. Tip: Put your name on the inside waitlist and the outside wait list just in case of an unexpected rain shower.

Friday

Beach AM

Back to Coligny Beach!

Frosty Frog for lunch

The Frosty Frog was recommended by so many of you and it didn’t disappoint. Known for their daiquiris, but they also have an extensive menu that will appeal to everyone. Walking distance from Coligny Beach and very casual. I literally wore my swimsuit. I highly recommend stopping her. I got the peach frosé and y’all it was SO good!

Bike Ride

Our VRBO had bikes so we took an afternoon ride down to the beach and back which was fun. Luckily, Hilton Head is VERY bike friendly so it’s easy to get pretty much anywhere.

Photo shoot at Tybee Island

We ventured out to Tybee Island for a photo shoot which was much further than I thought at about a 1.5-hour drive. Tybee was cute but definitely smaller, quieter with less to do and see. If you are trying to choose between the two I recommend going with Hilton Head.

Saturday

Savannah for the day

Read all about our day in Savannah here.

Dinner at Poseidon

Because we were tired, hot and sweaty we ended up going back to Hilton Head for dinner at Poseidon which I highly recommend. Jared got the lobster and I got the filet and both were so yummy, the best meal I’ve had in a long time. It was also rainy, so we sat inside but on a pretty night, it’s supposed to have a gorgeous view of the sunset.

Sunday

Check out of VRBO at 10:30 AM

Lunch at the Pirates’ House in Savannah – 12:30 PM reservation

Drive to Atlanta

Where to Stay:

Since this was our first time in Hilton Head we were a little lost when it came to where to stay. We ended up staying on the Shipyard plantation which like I mentioned wasn’t far from the beach. If I had to do it again, I would probably stay in Sea Pines which would have been a little pricier or found a house on North Forest Beach Drive. I just like having easy beach access, however, it’s always a little more when it comes to that.

Things We Didn’t Get To But Wanted To:

To Do:

Daufuskie Island

Honey Horn Plantation

Hilton Head Distillery

Hilton Head Ice Cream

Sea Pines Forest Reserve

Restaurants:

    The Sea Shack (lunch)

  The Watusi (breakfast)

  The Charbar (burgers)

 Fiesta Fresh (tacos)

 Lucky Rooster

Lowcountry Backyard

Porter & Pig

Frankie Bones

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