19 Things to See and Do in and Around Hilton Head

Hilton Head Island in the South Carolina Lowcountry is consistently rated one of America's top islands. And after visiting this idyllic fourteen-mile-long island, it's hard not to agree. No matter what time of year you visit, there's something for everyone on this stretch of paradise.

One of the most famous sites is the Harbour Town Marina and Lighthouse. Outfitted in red and white stripes, the lighthouse sits at the edge of Sea Pines Resort. Visitors are welcome to walk up to the top for a small fee. Shops and restaurants line the marina, as well as play places and an outdoor concert venue. It's easy to spend an afternoon or evening just meandering through the Harbour Town area underneath the Spanish moss covered trees.

One of the unique things about Hilton Head is that the island is broken up into eleven different gated areas or resorts. In order to venture back into one, you need to be staying at that resort or be on the guest list of someone staying there, with the exception of Sea Pines. Sea Pines welcomes everyone for a per vehicle fee unless you are a resident or guest staying at the resort, in which case the fee is normally waived.

Because of the sheer expanse of Sea Pines and the multiple areas of interest in the community, it's best to just hop on one of the free trolleys to navigate your way around.

Want a little bit of education about the area during your visit? Be sure to check out the Coastal Discovery Museum. Not only will you be able to learn about the history of the island and the wildlife, but Honey Horn is a wonderful place to have a picnic and take in the lush scenery.

One of my personal favorite activities is kayaking along Broad Creek. Situated in the middle of the island, the saltwater creek is famous for its dolphin visitors. Spend a few hours relaxing through the marsh areas. Just be sure to not drift too far because you'll have to paddle yourself back to the meeting point.

After a full morning of kayaking, one of the most relaxing places is the outdoor space at Fishcamp on Broad Creek. With plenty of seating, an outdoor bar and even lounge areas, it's the perfect place to relax and play games like giant Jenga and corn hole with your friends.

Hilton Head is littered with beautiful beaches. You can travel all the way from the public beaches near Coligny Plaza to the far edge of the Palmetto Dunes Resort on foot or bicycle. The sheer size of the beaches provides a welcoming environment for whatever your interests may be-like bicycling, playing games or just laying out to tan-without feeling like you have to be right next to your neighbor. In wintertime, dogs are even allowed on the beach.

Hilton Head Island has more than 250 restaurants in its 69 square mile area. This extreme number of restaurants is sure to cater to any type of cuisine you're in the mood for, but it might also leave you a little bit overwhelmed. If that's the case, then be sure to check out It's Greek to Me near Coligny Plaza. It's some of the best Greek food I've ever had and even inspired my husband and I going to Greece for our honeymoon.

Pinckney Island is located between the mainland and Hilton Head Island, and the whole island is a National Wildlife Preserve. Spend the day relaxing in the tranquil serenity of the natural beauty surrounding you.

Looking for traditional beach shops? Look no further than Coligny Plaza. Equipped with everything from delicious restaurants to beach clothes and gear to fun souvenirs, this open-air market is full of surprises.

If you're looking for more deals or brand name shops, the Tanger Outlets are located just off the island with all of America's well-loved brands.

Hilton Head has a plethora of seafood restaurants dotted throughout the island, but there's also a fairly wide selection of local, fresh catches you can buy from the side of the road. If you're staying at a condo equipped with its own kitchen, I would highly encourage you to stop by one of these stands for some of the freshest seafood on the island.

With six miles of bike lanes, 117 miles of shared-use pathways and your choice of bike rental companies, the easiest way to get around the island is perhaps by renting a bicycle. I love using the shared-use pathways because you're separated from the traffic and many of them are shaded from the hot sun.

Hilton Head Island may look familiar to you from footage of the Heritage Golf tournament played every spring the week after The Masters. The island itself has 24 golf courses, with even more located throughout the surrounding areas.

One of the first things you should look into when thinking about planning a visit to Hilton Head Island is the festival calendar. Hilton Head throws multiple festivals throughout the year, including an OysterFest, Italian Festival, Chili Cook-Off, Seafood, Marsh Tacky Horse Racing on the beach and more.

The laid-back atmosphere may have you wondering where the nightlife is. Not to worry-there are a couple of places to hang out when the sun goes down. One of the most prominent is known as the Barmuda Triangle. This cluster of bars and restaurants has something for everyone and is a great way to unwind after a day in the sun.

Daufuskie Island is only accessible by water, so you'll need to arrange your transportation ahead of time. But what better way to spend the day than relaxing on the water and then visiting the rustic island of Daufuskie? Once ashore, visitors can travel by foot, golf cart or horseback to explore the natural beauty of the island.

Just before the bridges leading onto Hilton Head Island is the town of Bluffton, South Carolina. With fewer tourists than the island, Bluffton offers all the beautiful scenery of the Lowcountry with more of a community vibe. There is a weekly farmer's market with wonderful handmade perogies, an array of delicious restaurants-I highly recommend Fat Patties for hamburgers-and gorgeous southern architecture.

There are a couple of local breweries on the island and in surrounding areas, my personal favorite being Southern Barrel Brewing Co. with their award-winning Helles Lager. Most restaurants on Hilton Head Island will carry the local beers on draft and have Happy Hours, so make sure to look for these specials.

One of the newer attractions on the island is Zipline Hilton Head. Here, guests will climb to the treetops and get a bird's eye view of the island as you soar through seven different zip lines. The Aerial Adventure, a high-ropes course, is also a fun experience that takes you high in the trees for a bit of friendly competition.

Located only a little over an hour from Hilton Head Island is Savannah, Georgia. The drive itself is beautiful through the country roads and over the Talmadge Memorial Bridge. You can easily do Savannah in a day, but I would also highly recommend attending one of the Savannah Banana games at Grayson Park. These fun-filled games are entertaining and fun for the whole family.