Known for its pristine beaches and luxury resorts, Hilton Head is one of the premier vacation destinations in the southeastern United States. Located on an island off the coast of South Carolina, Hilton Head enjoys a subtropical climate that makes it a popular destination year-round.
You can enjoy a variety of activities, including golf, tennis, fishing, and boating. The island is also home to numerous restaurants and shops, as well as several historical sites. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing getaway or an action-packed vacation, there are lot of fun things to do in Hilton Head!
Things to Do in Hilton Head, SC
Beautiful, charming, golf courses, resorts, fishing, beaches, palmetto trees, and seafood are just a few of the things that come to mind when you think of Hilton Head, South Carolina. Great for couples, families, and solo travelers, the island has great weather even in October when we visited! Below you will find a few of the more popular things to do in Hilton Head!
1. Climb the Harbour Town Lighthouse
149 Lighthouse Rd, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
Harbour Town is a charming waterfront community located on Hilton Head Island. The town offers golf courses, shopping, entertainment, and sights. When visiting Harbour Town, climbing the 114 steps up the lighthouse is a must! While 114 steps may sound like a lot, you won’t even notice as there are artifacts all along the walls you’ll want to stop and look at.
At the top of the climb, there is a second giftshop for you to browse. Then head outside and take in all the beautiful views Harbour Town has to offer! And if you’re there at just the right time, you may even be able to catch a gorgeous sunset!
2. Visit the Coastal Discovery Museum
70 Honey Horn Dr, Hilton Head Island, SC 29926
The Coastal Discovery Museum is a great way to learn about HHI’s natural history and cultural heritage. The museum resides on the Honey Horn Plantation which offers 68 acres of exploration!
First begin your tour indoors where you’ll learn all about Hilton Head’s waterways and history– they even have a resident sea turtle named Myrtle for you to meet!
Then head outside and take a guided or unguided tour through gardens, the Oyster Alley boardwalk, the Osprey Outlook, butterfly garden, trails and more.
3. Explore Hilton Head Island on Bike
Hilton Head Island is a bike friendly community and has over 60 miles of bike friendly paths! Head over to Hilton Head Outfitters, or any other bike rental facility, and rent a bike for the day! Biking is a fun way to explore the island! Want to stop at a shop or restaurant while biking? No problem! There are bike racks all around the island for bicycle parking. Want to bike on the beach? Go over to Coligny Beach Park, Hilton Head’s most popular beach!
4. Coligny Beach Park
1 Coligny Circle, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
Coligny Beach Park is one of the more popular beaches on the island. The park has restrooms, showers, changing rooms and outdoor lounging. The beach offers chair and umbrella rentals, but be sure to reserve them ahead of time! Take the family on over to Coligny Beach for a relaxing day in the sun. Beach weather usually holds up all the way through October.
Other beaches on the Island include Pine Island Beach, Hilton Head Island Beach, Fish Haul Beach Park, Burkes Beach, and Islanders Beach park.
5. Go Shopping at Coligny Plaza
1 N Forest Beach Dr, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
Once you’ve had your fill of Coligny Beach, head over to Coligny Plaza for a some shopping or a bite to eat! Coligny Plaza is a cute shopping area filled with local shops, restaurants, outdoor dining, a play area, duck pond, and entertainment stage.
Grab some local souvenirs from The Shell Shop, then grab an ice cream from The Coligny Ice Cream Cone, and then head over to The Sandbar Beach Eats for a happy hour cocktail!
6. Enjoy Fresh Seafood
Another fun thing to do in Hilton Head is try the local cuisine! There are many restaurants on the Island that serve freshly caught seafood! If you’re looking to have dinner with a waterfront view, check out Hudson’s Seafood House on the Docks.
Head out there for dinner and catch a beautiful sunset on the water. Other waterfront dining options right next door include Skull Creek Boathouse and Skull Creek Dockside. All three restaurants have outdoor dining and entertainment with gorgeous views.
7. World Class Golf Courses
If you enjoy golf, Hilton Head Island is the place to be! Did you know that HHI is considered one of the top 10 golfing destinations in the world according to Golf Digest? Currently, the island has 24 championship golf courses which were designed by world renowned golf architects.
Hilton Head is home to some of the most scenic and challenging golf courses in the world. From the famed Harbour Town Golf Links to the Robert Trent Jones course at Palmetto Dunes, golfers of all skill levels can find a course to suit their needs. Hilton Head is also home to the PGA Tour’s Heritage Classic, which is played annually at Harbour Town.
8. Adventure Hilton Head
33 Broad Creek Marina Way, Hilton Head Island, SC
If you’re looking for a fun activity for the kids, you’ll want to check out Adventure Hilton Head! Adventure Hilton Head is an adventure sports center offering fun activities for the entire family! Feel like going fast? Then take a ride on their go-kart track!
However, the real adventure is in the trees! With one of the highest viewpoints on the Island, Adventure Hilton Head offers 7 different zipline tours. You can also participate in a high ropes course challenge that offers four different levels of difficulty.
9. Visit Neighboring Bluffton, SC
Bluffton, South Carolina is a charming town often referred to as the “heart of Lowcountry.” Getting to Bluffton from Hilton Head Island is a breeze as it is only a 15-minute drive. First, grab a delicious bite at the Calhoun Street Tavern or the infamous Squat and Gobble diner.
Then head over to the Church of the Cross (built in 1857) and admire it’s beauty and architecture. Next, head across the street to Wright Family Park and enjoy the day and the views of the May River. Finally, head into town and check out the local boutiques and shops on Calhoun Street.
10. Savannah, GA Day Trip
If you’re looking for another charming Southern city to visit, Savannah, Georgia is a great option. The drive from Hilton Head to Savannah is an easy 45 minutes. The city is filled with historic buildings, stunning gardens, and quaint cafes. You can explore the cobblestone streets, visit the many museums and art galleries, or simply relax in one of the city’s many parks. And be sure to save room for some of Savannah’s famous Southern cooking – you won’t be disappointed!
Alexandrea Sumuel is a travel writer and the founder of Wander With Alex, where she provides vacationers and travel enthusiasts with trip ideas, travel guides, news, and itineraries. She travels to experience, eat, and explore-- and, on occasion, escape! Alex’s mission is to help people travel a little easier.