101 Things To Do - Winter/Spring 2013

Hilton Head Island, the Lowcountry& Savannah

Hilton Head Island, the Lowcountry& Savannahwww.101thingshiltonhead.comwww.101thingshiltonhead.com

Harbour Town Yacht Basin,

Hilton Head Island Photo courtesy of

The Sea Pines Resort

Celebrating 25 Years

www.101thingshiltonheadisland.com • 1Winter/Spring • 2013

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RMC_101_Things_Winter_2012_Layout 1 1/23/12 1:24 PM Page 1

2 • www.101thingshiltonheadisland.com Winter/Spring • 2013

ISLAND & AREA MAPS .................................91-97

INTRODUCTION: Why Here Is Here .................6-7

DIRECTORY OF ADVERTISERS ....................... 8-10

1. Visit the Coastal Discovery Museum ........................... 122. Climb a Lighthouse and See the View ......................... 123. Golf the Lowcountry ................................................... 144. Rent a Bike and Explore the Island .............................. 155. Rent a Golf Cart and Explore Daufuskie ...................... 166. Comb a Beach ..............................................................177. Discover the Dolphins ................................................. 188. Take a Boat to Savannah.............................................209. Rent a Boat and Be Your Own Captain ........................ 2210. From the Sea to Your Mouth Experience ..................... 2211. Learn About Our Wildlife ............................................ 2312. Encounter an Alligator ................................................2413. Photograph Nature With a Pro ...................................2414. Go Birdwatching ......................................................... 2515. Watch the Sun Set ......................................................2616. Explore a Wildlife Refuge ............................................2617. Visit the Sea Pines Forest Preserve ............................. 2718. Take a Wagon Ride ..................................................... 2719. Go Horseback Riding ..................................................2820. Check Out Shelter Cove ..............................................2821. Check Out Coligny Circle .............................................2922. Check Out Palmetto Bay Marina ................................ 3023. Check Out Sunny South Beach ................................... 3024. Check Out Harbour Town ............................................ 3125. Take a Sunset Dinner Cruise ........................................ 3226. Sail on an America’s Cup Boat ..................................... 3427. Take a Sailing Cruise .................................................... 3428. Go Crabbing ................................................................ 3529. Cruise on a Catamaran ................................................ 3630. Fly on a Trimaran ......................................................... 3731. Get Over It With Parasailing ........................................ 3832. Go Waterskiing and Tubing .........................................4033. Get a Thrill on a Banana Boat ......................................4034. Hit the Surf..................................................................4035. Surf the Wake ............................................................. 4136. Get Wild on a Waverunner ..........................................4237. Get Down in a Kayak ...................................................4238. Stand Up and Paddle .................................................. 43 39. Take a Raft Ride ..........................................................4440. Paddle the Paddy Wagon ...........................................4441. Learn to Sail ................................................................4542. Go Charter Fishin’ .......................................................4543. Fish the Fresh Waters ..................................................4644. Go Fly Fishing .............................................................4845. Hunt for “Jaws” ...........................................................49

46. Trawl for Shrimp ......................................................... 5047. Take a Boat to a Restaurant ........................................ 5048. Picnic on a Sandbar ..................................................... 5149. Learn About the Gullah Culture................................... 5250. Explore the Stoney-Baynard Ruins ............................. 5251. Visit Historic Churches ................................................ 5352. Explore Historic Bluffton .............................................5453. Visit the Heyward House ............................................5454. Tour a Lowcountry Plantation .................................... 5555. Encounter the Haunted Side .......................................5656. Look for Our Island’s Roots ......................................... 5757. Visit Historic Forts ....................................................... 5758. Visit the First Freedman’s Village ................................5859. Play at a Children’s Museum .......................................5860. Create Your Own Memories ........................................5961. Meet the Small Animals ..............................................6062. Check Out Our Parks and Playgrounds .......................6063. Play a Round of Miniature Golf ....................................6164. Watch the Fireworks ...................................................6265. Be a Pirate of the Calibogue ........................................6266. Spend a Day at a Spa .................................................. 6367. Go to the Theatre ........................................................ 6368. Do the Music Scene ....................................................6469. Visit a Lowcountry Art Gallery .................................... 6570. Discover Daufuskie Island ............................................6671. Do Daufuskie On Your Own ......................................... 6772. Play Tennis ...................................................................6873. Try Disc Golf .................................................................6974. Travel Like a Foodie .....................................................7075. Go Out to Wine and Dine .............................................7076. Shop a Farmers Market ............................................... 7177. Shop ‘Til You Drop ....................................................... 7278. Buy a Piece of the Foot ................................................ 7379. Take a Trolley Tour of Savannah ................................... 7480. Take a Specialty Tour of Savannah ..............................7681. Tour the Sites of “The Book” ....................................... 7782. See the Movie Sets of Savannah .................................7883. Take a Riverboat Cruise ...............................................7984. Shop the Cobbled Streets ............................................8085. Be a Ghost Hunter .......................................................8086. Tour Savannah’s Historic Homes ................................ 8187. Honor the Mighty 8th .................................................8288. Visit a Train Museum ...................................................8289. Visit Savannah’s Historic Churches ............................. 8390. Party Savannah ...........................................................8491. Visit Savannah’s Forts .................................................8492. Get Carriaged Away ....................................................8493. Visit an Art Museum ....................................................8594. Don’t Miss Tybee Island ..............................................8695. Explore Beautiful Beaufort ..........................................8696. Visit the Parris Island Museum .................................... 8797. Visit Hunting Island...................................................... 8798. Visit the Penn Center ...................................................8899. Explore Sheldon Church Ruins .....................................88100. Turn Back Time in Historic Charleston .........................89101. Experience a Southern Plantation ...............................89

Table of ContentsSnap this tag with your smartphone to visit our mobile website.


GET OUT ON THE WATER!

drifter is a 60-foot party fishing boat using state-of-the-art equipment, fishing Hilton Head’s waters for 25 years. Bring the whole family and join our experienced crew for a great time. Rods, reels and bait furnished.

DEEP SEA FISHING ABOARD “DRIFTER”$10

OFFKids 12 & Under

CRUISES LEAVE FROM SOUTH BEACH MARINA (the closet marina to the Ocean)232 South Sea Pines Drive, Hilton Head Island, SC

(843) 363-2900 www.hiltonheadboattours.com

Dolphin Watch: DOLPHINS GUARANTEED! Close encounters with Bottlenose Dolphins. $15 Adults, $7 Kids (2 & under FREE). March thru November

Kid’s Cruise: Educational 2-hour hands-on experience for children interested in the creatures that live above and below the our coastal waters. Shark fishing, cast netting, crabbing, and more. $20 Adults, $25 Kids. June thru August

Dolphins & More: See dolphins, pull a crab pot, throw a cast net & learn about marine life. $19 Adults, $9 Kids. June thru August

DOLPHIN WATCHING ABOARD “GYPSY”

Shark Fishing (June thru Aug.)3 Hr. Shark Fishing: $57 Adults $10 off for Kids 12 & under

Deep Sea Fishing5 Hours: $67 Adults; 4 Hours: $62 Adults, $10 off for Kids 12 & under.


Tour Enchanted DaufuskieDAILY FERRY SERVICE

TO DAUFUSKIECalibogue Cruises offers daily round-trip ferry service year-around to this intriguing sea island. Once there, you are free to explore at your own pace on foot or golf cart; or take a guided history tour. See historic island landmarks, visit unique Lowcountry art galleries, shop and dine, even swim and beachcomb on miles of our sandy beaches. Or just come for lunch or dinner and sit a spell.

GUIDED HISTORY TOUR OF OLD DAUFUSKIE

Calibogue Cruises also offers a unique two-hour guided history tour of Daufuskie conducted by a knowledgeable local. Climb aboard a colorfully painted school bus for an excursion into Daufuskie’s special past. You’ll hear many wonderful stories of the Island’s history told by engaging and humorous guides.

DOLPHIN & NATURE CRUISE TO DAUFUSKIE

Why take just a dolphin cruise when you can experience dolphins AND the wonders of Daufuskie Island. Learn about the area’s unique wildlife, an overview of Daufuskie’s special history, and what life was like growing up on a remote Sea Island.

SELF-GUIDED TOURS BY GOLF CART

Golf Carts are available for rental for your own self-guided tour of mysterious Daufuskie. Maps are provided so you won’t lose your way. Explore at your own pace. Visit historic landmarks and the Island’s art galleries, walk the beaches, have a picnic or dine at the Old Daufuskie Crab Company. See what life is like on this remarkable Sea Island.

SAVANNAH FERRY SERVICEDon’t fight the traffic. Join us on a round-trip ferry boat ride from Hilton Head to historic Savannah. After docking at famous River Street, you’re free to explore the city’s numerous landmarks, shopping districts, and various restaurants. Ask about our trip options including a trolley tour or a stop-over on Daufuskie Island for dinner and sightseeing.

Calibogue Cruises Tours

SUPER SAVER!!ALL INCLUSIVE DAUFUSKIE TOUR

$59 per personGood on any trip!

Includes round-trip ferry trip, Lowcountry Lunch at the Old Daufuskie Crab Company, and the

Famous Guided History Tour or Golf Cart Rental.Advance reservations required. Cannot be combined with any other offer or

discount. Must present this coupon to receive discount. Expires 1/31/14.

SUMMER SAVINGS!!TUESDAY NIGHT FIREWORKS

$20 per adult, $10 child(2 & under FREE)

Cruise up Broad Creek for Summer Fireworks.Bring your own picnic and cooler.

Advance reservations required. Child rate for ages 3 through 12. Cannot be combined with any other offer or discount.

Valid Tuesdays between mid-June to August, 2013. Must present this coupon to receive discount.

TuesOnly

Calibogue Cruises • (843) 342-8687(tour)www.daufuskiefreeport.com

Ferry Service & Tours Depart Daily Year Around from Broad Creek Marina, 18 Simmons Road, located mid-island off Marshland Road.

✱

Broad CreekMarina

Want to spend the night on Daufuskie?Cabins are available for rent year around. For prices and availability, call (843) 785-8342.

All schedules & rates vary seasonally so call ahead.

Calibo

gue S

ound

Atlantic Ocean

Cooper RiverNew R

iver

FREEPORT MARINA& Daufuskie Crab Co.

MelroseLanding(Private)

BEAUFORT COUNTY

DOCK& Marshside

Mamas

N

Old Haig Pt. Rd.

Carvin Rd.

Barge Landing Rd.

Church R

d.

School Rd.

Oak Ridge Lane

Benjie’s Point Rd.

Avenue of O

aks

Mary Dunn

Cemetery

Mary FieldCemetery

Mary FieldSchool

Mary FieldPraise House

Fire/EMSStation

Haig Point (private)

Undertaker’s House

OldSchool House

Cooper RiverCemetery

Haig PointLighthouse

Haig PointLanding (Private)

Daufuskie Island Elem. School

Mt. Carmel Church/Daufuskie Island Museum

Haig Point Rd.

Jake Washington Rd.

Cooper River Rd.

Haig Point Rd.Haig Point Rd.

Masters D

rive

Masters Drive

Captain Monroe Ln.

Martinangle Ln.

MelroseClub House Melrose

Inn

Mungen

Creek Island Beach Rd.

Papy’s Landing Rd.

Prospect Rd.

Bloo

dy P

t. Rd

.

County Public Beach

Bloody PointCemetery

BloodyPointWickHouse

SilverDewWinery

Bloody Pt.Lighthouse

First Union African Baptist Church

Fuskie Lane

Marsh

Marsh

Hilton Head Island

HarbourTown

South Beach

Daufuskie Island

Turtle Beach Rd.


Tour Enchanted DaufuskieDAILY FERRY SERVICE

TO DAUFUSKIECalibogue Cruises offers daily round-trip ferry service year-around to this intriguing sea island. Once there, you are free to explore at your own pace on foot or golf cart; or take a guided history tour. See historic island landmarks, visit unique Lowcountry art galleries, shop and dine, even swim and beachcomb on miles of our sandy beaches. Or just come for lunch or dinner and sit a spell.

GUIDED HISTORY TOUR OF OLD DAUFUSKIE

Calibogue Cruises also offers a unique two-hour guided history tour of Daufuskie conducted by a knowledgeable local. Climb aboard a colorfully painted school bus for an excursion into Daufuskie’s special past. You’ll hear many wonderful stories of the Island’s history told by engaging and humorous guides.

DOLPHIN & NATURE CRUISE TO DAUFUSKIE

Why take just a dolphin cruise when you can experience dolphins AND the wonders of Daufuskie Island. Learn about the area’s unique wildlife, an overview of Daufuskie’s special history, and what life was like growing up on a remote Sea Island.

SELF-GUIDED TOURS BY GOLF CART

Golf Carts are available for rental for your own self-guided tour of mysterious Daufuskie. Maps are provided so you won’t lose your way. Explore at your own pace. Visit historic landmarks and the Island’s art galleries, walk the beaches, have a picnic or dine at the Old Daufuskie Crab Company. See what life is like on this remarkable Sea Island.

SAVANNAH FERRY SERVICEDon’t fight the traffic. Join us on a round-trip ferry boat ride from Hilton Head to historic Savannah. After docking at famous River Street, you’re free to explore the city’s numerous landmarks, shopping districts, and various restaurants. Ask about our trip options including a trolley tour or a stop-over on Daufuskie Island for dinner and sightseeing.

Calibogue Cruises Tours

SUPER SAVER!!ALL INCLUSIVE DAUFUSKIE TOUR

$59 per personGood on any trip!

Includes round-trip ferry trip, Lowcountry Lunch at the Old Daufuskie Crab Company, and the

Famous Guided History Tour or Golf Cart Rental.Advance reservations required. Cannot be combined with any other offer or

discount. Must present this coupon to receive discount. Expires 1/31/14.

SUMMER SAVINGS!!TUESDAY NIGHT FIREWORKS

$20 per adult, $10 child(2 & under FREE)

Cruise up Broad Creek for Summer Fireworks.Bring your own picnic and cooler.

Advance reservations required. Child rate for ages 3 through 12. Cannot be combined with any other offer or discount.

Valid Tuesdays between mid-June to August, 2013. Must present this coupon to receive discount.

TuesOnly

Calibogue Cruises • (843) 342-8687(tour)www.daufuskiefreeport.com

Ferry Service & Tours Depart Daily Year Around from Broad Creek Marina, 18 Simmons Road, located mid-island off Marshland Road.

✱

Broad CreekMarina

Want to spend the night on Daufuskie?Cabins are available for rent year around. For prices and availability, call (843) 785-8342.

All schedules & rates vary seasonally so call ahead.

Calibo

gue S

ound

Atlantic Ocean

Cooper RiverNew R

iver

FREEPORT MARINA& Daufuskie Crab Co.

MelroseLanding(Private)

BEAUFORT COUNTY

DOCK& Marshside

Mamas

N

Old Haig Pt. Rd.

Carvin Rd.

Barge Landing Rd.

Church R

d.

School Rd.

Oak Ridge Lane

Benjie’s Point Rd.

Avenue of O

aks

Mary Dunn

Cemetery

Mary FieldCemetery

Mary FieldSchool

Mary FieldPraise House

Fire/EMSStation

Haig Point (private)

Undertaker’s House

OldSchool House

Cooper RiverCemetery

Haig PointLighthouse

Haig PointLanding (Private)

Daufuskie Island Elem. School

Mt. Carmel Church/Daufuskie Island Museum

Haig Point Rd.

Jake Washington Rd.

Cooper River Rd.

Haig Point Rd.Haig Point Rd.

Masters D

rive

Masters Drive

Captain Monroe Ln.

Martinangle Ln.

MelroseClub House Melrose

Inn

Mungen

Creek Island Beach Rd.

Papy’s Landing Rd.

Prospect Rd.

Bloo

dy P

t. Rd

.

County Public Beach

Bloody PointCemetery

BloodyPointWickHouse

SilverDewWinery

Bloody Pt.Lighthouse

First Union African Baptist Church

Fuskie Lane

Marsh

Marsh

Hilton Head Island

HarbourTown

South Beach

Daufuskie Island

Turtle Beach Rd.


The Lowcountry’s ecosystem is what makes this area worth visiting. It has defined our history, guided our development, and drives our economy. Our ecosystem is one of tidal estuaries where freshwater from creeks and rivers mixes with saltwater from the Atlantic Ocean. It is the essence of the Lowcountry culture and life-style. It gives us our famous barrier island beaches as well as estuaries, salt marshes, tidal flats, creeks, chan-nels, swamps and rivers to explore. The area also blesses us with a variety of wildlife, much of which is unique to this ecosystem.

The EcosystemThe Lowcountry has one of largest systems

of estuaries, salt marshes and tidal flats in the country. Tidal salt marshes develop in estuar-ies where the rate of sedimentation equals or exceeds the rate of the rising sea level. Tidal creeks link the salt marshes to the estuaries.

Twice a day, the nutrient enriched estuarine water flows into the marshes with the Atlantic Ocean’s tide and nourishes Spartina grass and a variety of other organisms. The marsh, in turn, produces huge amounts of food that flow back into the estuaries with the tide. These areas contain brackish water, which is saltier than fresh water, but is less salty than seawater.

Many organisms spend most of their early lives in the gentle, brackish waters of estuaries and salt marshes where the young can develop a salt tolerance. Crabs, fish and shrimp born in ocean spawning grounds are swept by tides into the creeks and marshes where they grow to young adults. Then, in late summer they reenter the estuaries where the tide takes them back to the ocean to complete their life cycle.

The WildlifeHilton Head’s rich wetland environment is

teeming with hidden wonders. In fact, Broad Creek alone is home to 73 different species of wildlife, including six endangered species.

Spartina grass, an essential link in the food chain, makes our waters an extremely healthy place for wild-life. It’s the reason we have our shrimp, oysters, clams, and fish, plus the thousands of birds and mammals that feed on them.

While here, you may be surprised to see the local popu-lation of otter and manatee, or catch a glimps of the large population of mink living in the marshes. Several pairs of bald eagles live in the area. While the endangered wood stork is rare worldwide, your chances of seeing them here are great.

Not so surprising is the presence of numerous Atlantic bottlenose dolphins. With luck you may see the phenomena known as strand feeding, where the dolphins drive fish onto muddy banks for an easy lunch.

On land, you will also likely encounter alligators in our numerous lagoons (particularly around the golf courses), and white tail deer just about anywhere. Hilton Head is also a nesting place for the loggerhead turtle.

The Lowcountry also has a number of wildlife refuges and nature preserves that maintain our natural environ-ment. The Pinckney Island Wildlife Refuge and the Savan-nah Wildlife Refuge are wildlife havens. The ACE Basin, north of Beaufort, is one of the largest undeveloped estuar-ies on the East Coast. Hunting Island State Park teems with wildlife and has an historic lighthouse you can climb. The Sea Pines Preserve and the Audubon Newhall Preserve are quite respites amidst the hustle and bustle of Hilton Head.

The LandThe impact of the Lowcountry’s estuarial eco-

system and mild climate is not limited to the wa-terways. The soil of the land is a beneficiary as well. Economically, from the 1600s through the 1800s, the ecosystem allowed Sea Island cotton, rice, and indigo to become cash crops that made Lowcountry plantations international economic powerhouses. The Lowcountry was also a source of timber for shipbuilding, profiting from the abundance of the iconic live oak trees. Oyster shells, sand and water gave us buildings made of tabby. During the 19th and 20th centuries, truck farming and the harvesting of indigenous pine forests continued to sustain the area’s economy.

EcotouringAs an area that prides itself in preserving

our natural area, the Lowcountry works hard to promote ecotourism and learning about our natural wonders, be it in our waters, on our land or in our sky. This takes many forms, from guided boat and kayak tours, to beachcombing and wildlife refuges, from hiking and biking trails to lessons on how to throw a cast net.

Companies offering dolphin watching and nature tours are listed in our Advertiser Directory and highlighted with a blue background ( ).

Shrimp boats and spartina grass. Photo by Eric Horan.

A tabby plantation. Photo by Ed Funk.

The Atlantic bottlenose dolphin. Photo by Live Oac.

Why here is here.


The Lowcountry’s ecosystem is what makes this area worth visiting. It has defined our history, guided our development, and drives our economy. Our ecosystem is one of tidal estuaries where freshwater from creeks and rivers mixes with saltwater from the Atlantic Ocean. It is the essence of the Lowcountry culture and life-style. It gives us our famous barrier island beaches as well as estuaries, salt marshes, tidal flats, creeks, chan-nels, swamps and rivers to explore. The area also blesses us with a variety of wildlife, much of which is unique to this ecosystem.

The EcosystemThe Lowcountry has one of largest systems

of estuaries, salt marshes and tidal flats in the country. Tidal salt marshes develop in estuar-ies where the rate of sedimentation equals or exceeds the rate of the rising sea level. Tidal creeks link the salt marshes to the estuaries.

Twice a day, the nutrient enriched estuarine water flows into the marshes with the Atlantic Ocean’s tide and nourishes Spartina grass and a variety of other organisms. The marsh, in turn, produces huge amounts of food that flow back into the estuaries with the tide. These areas contain brackish water, which is saltier than fresh water, but is less salty than seawater.

Many organisms spend most of their early lives in the gentle, brackish waters of estuaries and salt marshes where the young can develop a salt tolerance. Crabs, fish and shrimp born in ocean spawning grounds are swept by tides into the creeks and marshes where they grow to young adults. Then, in late summer they reenter the estuaries where the tide takes them back to the ocean to complete their life cycle.

The WildlifeHilton Head’s rich wetland environment is

teeming with hidden wonders. In fact, Broad Creek alone is home to 73 different species of wildlife, including six endangered species.

Spartina grass, an essential link in the food chain, makes our waters an extremely healthy place for wild-life. It’s the reason we have our shrimp, oysters, clams, and fish, plus the thousands of birds and mammals that feed on them.

While here, you may be surprised to see the local popu-lation of otter and manatee, or catch a glimps of the large population of mink living in the marshes. Several pairs of bald eagles live in the area. While the endangered wood stork is rare worldwide, your chances of seeing them here are great.

Not so surprising is the presence of numerous Atlantic bottlenose dolphins. With luck you may see the phenomena known as strand feeding, where the dolphins drive fish onto muddy banks for an easy lunch.

On land, you will also likely encounter alligators in our numerous lagoons (particularly around the golf courses), and white tail deer just about anywhere. Hilton Head is also a nesting place for the loggerhead turtle.

The Lowcountry also has a number of wildlife refuges and nature preserves that maintain our natural environ-ment. The Pinckney Island Wildlife Refuge and the Savan-nah Wildlife Refuge are wildlife havens. The ACE Basin, north of Beaufort, is one of the largest undeveloped estuar-ies on the East Coast. Hunting Island State Park teems with wildlife and has an historic lighthouse you can climb. The Sea Pines Preserve and the Audubon Newhall Preserve are quite respites amidst the hustle and bustle of Hilton Head.

The LandThe impact of the Lowcountry’s estuarial eco-

system and mild climate is not limited to the wa-terways. The soil of the land is a beneficiary as well. Economically, from the 1600s through the 1800s, the ecosystem allowed Sea Island cotton, rice, and indigo to become cash crops that made Lowcountry plantations international economic powerhouses. The Lowcountry was also a source of timber for shipbuilding, profiting from the abundance of the iconic live oak trees. Oyster shells, sand and water gave us buildings made of tabby. During the 19th and 20th centuries, truck farming and the harvesting of indigenous pine forests continued to sustain the area’s economy.

EcotouringAs an area that prides itself in preserving

our natural area, the Lowcountry works hard to promote ecotourism and learning about our natural wonders, be it in our waters, on our land or in our sky. This takes many forms, from guided boat and kayak tours, to beachcombing and wildlife refuges, from hiking and biking trails to lessons on how to throw a cast net.

Companies offering dolphin watching and nature tours are listed in our Advertiser Directory and highlighted with a blue background ( ).

Shrimp boats and spartina grass. Photo by Eric Horan.

A tabby plantation. Photo by Ed Funk.

The Atlantic bottlenose dolphin. Photo by Live Oac.

Why here is here.


on Hilton Head Island, the Lowcountry & Savannah

www.101thingshiltonheadisland.com

Winter/Spring • 2013Published by 101, Inc.

P. O. Box 23465, Hilton Head Island, SC 29925Phone: (843) 682-3205 • Fax: (843) 682-3205

Email: [email protected]

For advertising information or additional copies of the magazine (postage fees to be applied), call (843) 682-3205 or email [email protected]. Every effort has been made to provide accurate information, however any rates, special offers, schedules and services are subject to change without notice and are not guaranteed by the publisher. The “101 Things to Do” brand is a registered trademark and cannot be used for any purpose at any time without the expressed written consent of the owner, 101, Inc. No part of the book may be translated or reproduced in any form, without the prior written permission of the copyright owner.

© Copyright 2013, 101 Inc. All rights reserved.

Contact us for free copies of the magazine!

Our StaffGregg Gardiner

Margot Else

Our PrinterQuad/Graphics

Midland, MI

A view of the landmark Harbour Town Lighthouse from under the Liberty Oak. Photo courtesy of the Sea Pines Resort. For more information, see our articles #2 and #24.

On the cover

Hilton Head Island, the Lowcountry& Savannah

Hilton Head Island, the Lowcountry& Savannahwww.101thingshiltonhead.comwww.101thingshiltonhead.com

Harbour Town Yacht Basin,

Hilton Head Island Photo courtesy of

The Sea Pines Resort

Art Café(843) 785-5525 Ad p. 59Make your own pottery creations and a vacation souvenir, a unique combination of ceramic gal-lery and workshop. Buy an unfinished ceramic piece, paint it, and leave it to be fired. Pick it up in two days or they can ship it to you. A great venue for parties (birthdays, bridal, or family re-unions). This is a good rainy day activity for the entire family. Located in Coligny Plaza. Open daily year around.

Arts Center of Coastal Carolina(843) 842-2787 Ad p. 64This 45,000 square-foot facility offers Broad-way-style theatre, national renowned musical performances and comedy acts, and features the Walter Greer art gallery. Located mid-Island by Shelter Cove Harbour. Call the box office for schedules.

Bargain Box (843) 342-2469 Ad p. 72The Island’s oldest thrift shop. Carries a full line of merchandise, from clothing, furniture, an-tiques and collectibles, jewelry, shoes, books, toys, CDs, DVDs, and much more. It has re-turned over $12 million to the community in cash grants and in-kind gifts. It is located next to the First Presbyterian Church on William Hilton Pkwy.

Bicycle Billys(843) 342-2469 Ad p. 16Rents adult and child bicycles from a convenient south end location on Pope Ave. Rates include free delivery and pick-up. Open year around.

Bomboras Grille & Chill Bar(843) 689-2662 Ad p. 70This is a unique family-friendly restaurant located near Coligny Beach Park. In addition to offering a full menu paired with craft beers and wine, they feature a “bottoms up” glass of beer (poured from the bottom of the glass). Both indoor and outdoor social dining available. They are located in the Coligny Plaza at 101 Pope Avenue. Open daily at 11:00 a.m. Late nite menu available.

Bonnie Rae Charters(843) 342-2469 Ad p. 47Fishing year around with the North End Char-ter Fleet. Four- and six-hour trips, specializing

in offshore sport fishing as well as inshore and nearshore charters. Ice, bait, tackle, and license included.

Bulldog Fishing Charters(843) 422-0887 Ad p. 47Fishing year around with the North End Charter Fleet aboard a 32-foot Prowler. 25 years experi-ence. Four-, six-, and 8-hours trips. Specializing in offshore sport fishing and three-hour monster shark trips. Six passenger capacity. Bathroom onboard. Ice, bait, tackle, and license included.

Calibogue Cruises(843) 342-8687 Ad p. 4-5, 16Operates the public ferry to Daufuskie Island from Broad Creek Marina. Trip over includes dolphin and nature narration. On Daufuskie, they offer golf cart rentals, guided history tours aboard a funky school bus focusing on Gullah history and culture. Also offers a weekly dinner cruise to the Old Daufuskie Crab Company as well as cruises to Savannah. Operates year around with some seasonal schedules.

Captain Hook Party Fishing Boat(843) 785-1700 Ad p. 49This 70-foot long boat offers year-around 5-1/2 hour deep sea fishing trips as well as 4-hour night shark fishing trips during the summer months. They also offer a special combination Shark Fishing-Fireworks trip on Tuesday nights during the summer. The boat has a full galley, enclosed cabin, shaded and seated fishing ar-eas, and bathrooms. You can even sunbathe on the upper deck.

Catmandoo Sport Fishing(843) 304-1033 Ad p. 47Fishing year around with the North End Charter Fleet aboard a 27-foot Pro-Cat. Holds the South Carolina record for bluefin tuna (396 pounds). Welcomes all skill levels. Families welcome. Six passengers maximum. Ice, bait, tackle, and li-cense included.

Coconut Bike Rentals(843) 686-5055 Ad p. 15Rents adult and child bicycles from a convenient south end location on Pope Ave. Rates include free baskets and locks as well as free delivery and pick-up.

Commander Zodiac (843) 671-3344 Ad p. 45Offers guided ecotours aboard a hard-bottomed raft, including a one-hour dolphin tour, a 90-min-ute dolphin and salt marsh excursion, and a two-hour dolphin and beachcombing tour. With over 25 years of experience, they have been selected by National Geographic magazine, The Discovery Channel, and the BBC as local nature guides. Schedule is seasonal.

Crabber J II(843) 422-5110 Ad p. 35If you’re interested in learning how to catch crabs, this fun and scenic trip is a “must-do” for the whole family. They even offer a free tee-shirt to the person who catches the most crabs! You won’t be able to keep the crabs (this is “catch and release” for fun), but you can keep the shirt! Departs from Shelter Cove Harbour Marina. Schedule is seasonal.

Dolphin and Nature Cruises(843) 681-2522 Ad p. Back cover, 17Offers daily narrated dolphin and nature tours along Broad Creek as well as sunset cruises and trips to the summer fireworks displays aboard their two fully canopied tour boats, the “SS Pelican” (18 passengers) and the “Island Queen” (40 passengers). Group rates available. Operates out of Broad Creek Marina, mid-island off Marshland Rd. Schedule is seasonal.

Dolphin Seafari(843) 785-2345 Ad p. 21, 35Offers daily dolphin and nature tours, sum-mer fireworks cruises, and sunset cruises with hands-on activities geared for kids. Also offers a daily shuttle to Daufuskie Island, and a “cruise to dinner” at Marshside Mamas on Daufuskie. Operated by Palmetto Bay Watersports (see be-low). Located at Palmetto Bay Marina on Helms-man Way at the base of the Cross Island Pkwy. Some tours operate on a seasonal schedule.

Drayton Hall(843) 769-2600 Ad p. 90Built c. 1738, this is the oldest preserved planta-tion house open to the public. Tours and pro-grams are conducted daily year around. The house is located outside of Charleston at 3380 Ashley River Road (Hwy 61).

Advertiser Directory Blue Highlight Indicates Ecotours


The Drifter(843) 363-2900 Ad p. 3Launching from South Beach Marina, this 60-foot long party fishing boat has been plying Hilton Head’s waters for 20 years. Offers both four- and five-hour deep sea fishing trips as well as three-hour shark fishing trips for all skill levels. Everything provided – rod, reel, bait, instruction, and fishing license. Operates year around with seasonal schedules.

Ed Funk Photography(843) 815-9455 Ad p. 37Award-winning wildlife and landscape Lowcoun-try photographer. A frequent exhibitor at local art galleries as well as in over 70 shops and gal-leries throughout the area. All photos can be custom matted and framed.

Express Restaurant Delivery(843) 785-7155 Ad p. 72Have a full-course dinner or an evening snack delivered to you (even if you’re staying in a ho-tel). Select from over 20 area restaurants. Has served Hilton Head since 1993. It usually deliv-ers in about 30 to 45 minutes.

Frosty Frog Cafe and Daiquiri Bar(843) 686-3764 Ad p. 69Family-friendly restaurant serving lunch and dinner year around (the bar remains open un-til 1:00 a.m.). “Web-footed lickin’” good menu, including pizza, calamari, appetizers, salads, subs and wraps, a 20-ounce burger, prime rib, and naturally, frog legs. Gallons of drinks, live music, 22 televisions, and NTN Trivia. Dress is beach casual and carry-out is available.

Flying Circus(843) 686-2582 Ad p. Inside Cover, 18The 30-foot “Flying Circus” offers a private “close to nature” dolphin watching experience, intimately limited to six passengers. In their 24th year of operation, the company also oper-ates the Pau Hana (see below). Launches from Palmetto Bay Marina. Sails daily with seasonal schedules. Also offers sailing lessons.

Gullah Museum of Hilton Head(843) 681-3254 Ad p. 53Learn what life was like on Hilton Head before the bridge to the mainland was built in 1956. Guided tours of a restored 1930s cabin are available on Saturdays and by appointment.

The Gypsy(843) 363-2900 Ad p. 3, 63Offers a number of different narrated dolphin and natures tours on Calibogue Sound. Spe-cializes in kids’ cruises that are both educa-tional and entertaining, including lessons in cast netting, throwing crab pots, and shark fishing. Launches from South Beach Marina in The Sea Pines Resort. Operates year around with sea-sonal schedules for certain cruises.

Harbour Town Lighthouse Museum(843) 671-2810 Ad p. 33, 73Climb to the top of Hilton Head’s signature land-mark. The climb is a museum, a fascinating trip through hundreds of years of island history with artifacts and photographs. When you reach the top, shop in the gift store, and go out onto the wrap-around balcony for a 360-degree view. Lo-cated in Harbour Town. Open daily year around.

Heritage Library Foundation(843) 686-6560 Ad p. 57Explore history and genealogy in a compre-hensive collection of books, maps, microfilms

CDs, and online catalogs. The Library also owns the Zion Chapel of Ease cemetery (located on William Hilton Pkwy at Mathews Dr.) and Fort Mitchel in Hilton Head Plantation. Both are open to the public. The library is located mid-Island on William Hilton Parkway in the Savannah Bank Building. Hours are seasonal.

Heyward House Historic Center(843) 757-6293 Ad p. 54Built circa 1840, this historic home, located on Boundary Street in Bluffton’s Historic District, also serves as Bluffton’s official Welcome Cen-ter. Admission is free. Docent-led tours of the house and grounds are available for a nominal fee. Walking tours of the Historic District are available during the week by appointment. Open Monday- Friday (10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday (11 a.m. to 2 p.m.).

High Tide Beads(843) 686-4367 Ad p. 73The Island’s only full-service bead store. Wide variety of beads, findings, accessories, fresh-water pearls, semi-precious stones, chains, and handcrafted glass beads. Create your own jew-elry using the studio and tools, or take advan-tage of their custom design services. Located in the Village Exchange on Palmetto Bay Rd.

Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra(843) 842-2055 Ad p. 65Ensemble of over 65 professional musicians.Season runs October through May. Performanc-es are held at First Presbyterian Church on Wil-liam Hilton Pkwy. They also sponsor the Hilton Head International Piano Competition, and out-door picnic performances including “Symphony Under the Stars” in April, and “Picnic in the Park” during the summer. For tickets and more infor-mation, contact their box office.

Hilton Head Vacation Rentals(866) 680-3799 Ad p. 18Offering affordable luxury vacation rental units, from one to seven bedroom homes and villas. Features oceanfront units with amenities includ-ing golf and tennis.

The Holiday(843) 686-2200 Ad p. 20Offers narraged dolphin and nature cruises aboard an 80-foot double-deck ship. Features over 45 points of interest. All calm water. De-parts from Shelter Cove Harbour.

Island Explorer(843) 785-2100 Ad p. 19Since 1979, specializes off-the-beaten-path water ecotours aboard comfortable, covered, and fast hard-bottomed rafts and deck boats. A personalized experience. Dolphin nature tours, sunrise and sunset excursions (including the summer Tuesday night fireworks display), beachcombing on near-by islands, and private island cruises. Located mid-Island on the dock behind the Old Oyster Factory Restaurant on Marshland Road. Operates year around.

Island Recreation Center(843) 681-7273 Ad p. 61Hilton Head’s center for all kinds of sports and organized activities for all ages, preschool through senior citizens. Operates the SHARE Center for Active Adults. Also sponsors the Summer Jam Concert Series before the Tuesday night summer fireworks display at Shelter Cove Harbour. Located on the north end off Gum Tree Road. Open to all visitors year around.

Kayak Hilton Head(843) 684-1910 Ad p. 43Offers kayak ecotours and kayak rentals. Spe-cializes in beginner and family kayak tours with special kid’s activities included on each trip. They also provide excursions for the more ex-perienced paddler as well as summer Fireworks excursions. Located at Simmons Landing (next to Broad Creek Marina) off Marshland Road, just 100 yards from the dolphins’ favorite feed-ing area. Operates daily year around.

Lawton Stables(843) 671-2586 Ad p. 29Hilton Head’s only horseback trail ride facility. Rides through the Sea Pines Forest Preserve are for adults and children eight years old or older. Reservations are required. They also have a small animal farm, which is free for ev-eryone. Pony rides for children seven and under are available for a small fee. Located in The Sea Pines Resort on Greenwood Drive. Operates daily year around.

Live Oac Adventures(888) 254-8362 Ad p. 13, 49Offers a variety of dolphin and nature tours, Pinckney Island Wildlife Refuge excursions, wa-tersports, beachcombing trips, and fishing char-ters. Specialized trips for crabbing, shrimping, nature photography, birding, and sunset cruises. Will customize trips. Uses comfortable canopied deck boats and kayaks for all tours. Departs from Hilton Head Harbor on the north end.

Lowcountry Wildlife Photo Safaris(843) 524-3037 Ad p. 23, 48Guided nature photography tours of the Low-country’s waterways. Led by award-winning photographer and master naturalist Eric Horan, tour appropriate for all skill levels. Llimited to five participants.Transport is by small boat. Dolphin and shrimboats tours are available on a sea-sonal basis.

Mashside Mamas(843) 785-2345 Ad p. 21, 51Take the Dolphin Seafari to one of the funki-est restaurants in the Lowcountry. Located at Daufuskie Island’s public county dock. Some of the best Gumbo in the south. A locals’ favorite and a popular hotsport for dancing and rollicking live music.

Moneric Fishing Charters(843) 816-0215 Ad p. 47Fishing year around with the North End Charter Fleet. aboard a 27-foot Key West. Specializes in customized charters for beginners and families to experienced deepsea anglers. Monster shark trips also available. Six passengers maximum. Ice, bait, tackle, and license included.

Oglethorpe Trolley Tours(912) 233-8380 Ad p. 77, 80Fully narrated open-air trolley tours of Savan-nah’s Historic District. “On-off” privileges avail-able. History tours, ghost tours, and “Land and Sea” tours combining a riverboat cruise with a trolley tour. Authorized Gray Line provider. Fea-tured on The Travel Channel and CNN Travel. Operates daily year around.

Old Savannah Tours(800) 517-9007 Ad p. 75, 78, 81Savannah’s oldest trolley tour company, locally owned and operated since 1979. Voted best tour company from 2003-2011. “On-off” privileges


available. History tours, ghost tours, and the original Paula Deen Tour. Operates the “Leg-ends and Lunch” boat tour with “Spirit of Har-bour Town.” Operates daily year around.

Outside Hilton Head(800) 686-6996 Ad p. 41Offers a variety of ecotours and watersports. Dolphin tours, kayak tours and rentals, cus-tomized family outings, and Daufuskie Island excursions. Also offers watersports such as wa-terskiing, tubing and wakeboarding, and stand-up paddleboarding as well as fishing charters. Operates year around with some seasonal schedules. They have 3 locations: Shelter Cove Marina Harbour and at Hudsons on the Docks on Hilton Head; and at Palmetto Bluff in Bluffton.

Palmetto Bay Marina(843) 785-7131 Ad p. 31Offers a variety of restaurants, shops and water activities including dolphin and nature tours, boat rentals, waverunners, fishing charters, kayaking, parasailing, sailing, tubing, wake-boarding, wakesurfing and kneeboarding. Located on Helmsman Way at the base of the Cross Island Pkwy. Water activities operate on a seasonal schedule.

Palmetto Bay Parasail(843) 686-2200 Ad p. 39Offers a variety of ecotours and watersports. Parasail 800 feet in the air, single or tandem. No experience necessary. Only get wet if you want to. Photo packages available as a souvenir. Located at Palmetto Bay Marina on Helmsman Way at the base of the Cross Island Pkwy. Oper-ates on a seasonal schedule.

Palmetto Bay Watersports(843) 785-2345 Ad p. 21, 35, 43, 45, 51Offers a variety of ecotours and watersports. Kayak tours and rentals, waverunners, stand-up paddleboarding, and boat rentals. Also operates the Dolphin Seafari (see above) that offers dolphin and nature tours, a daily shuttle to Daufuskie Island, and a “cruise to dinner” at Marshside Mamas on Daufuskie. Located at Palmetto Bay Marina on Helmsman Way at the base of the Cross Island Pkwy. Some activities operate on a seasonal schedule.

Pau Hana(843) 686-2582 Ad p. Inside CoverSet sail daily for dolphin watching and sun-set cruises aboard the Island’s largest sailing catamaran. This 53-foot, 49 passenger boat is a very “environmentally-friendly” ways to learn about the Lowcountry’s eco-system – no noise, just the wind in the sails so the wildlife isn’t frightened away. In their 24th year of op-eration, the company also operates the Flying Circus (see above). Launches from Palmetto Bay Marina on Helmsman Way at the base of the Cross Island Pkwy. Schedule is seasonal.

Pedals Bike Rentals(843) 842-5522 Ad p. 14Rents adult and child bicycles from a conve-nient south end location on Pope Ave. Rates include free baskets, locks, and child seats as well as free delivery and pick-up. Full service bike store and repair shop. Open year around.

Pirates of Hilton Head(843) 363-7000 Ad p. 63A pirate cruise for kids (best suited for ages three to ten). Pirate clothes and gear, face painting, and tattoos (temporary) provided. Cruise includes games and a water cannon. Operates seasonally out of Harbour Town in The Sea Pines Resort.

Resort Source Timeshare Resales(843) 842-6556, ext. 4 Ad p. 1Master broker for the RCI Points program. Wide selection of units all of which including exchange benefits, clear title, and full resort amenities. Fixed or floating weeks, and eighth or quarter share packages. Gifts available for previewing a property.

River Street Riverboat Company(800) 786-6404 Ad p. 79A variety of narrated sightseeing, entertainment and dinner riverboat cruises along the Savan-nah River. The “Savannah River Queen” and the “Georgia Queen” are replica river boats. Snack shops, cash bars and restrooms onboard. Com-bination river cruise and trolley tour available. Departs from Savannah’s River Street. Oper-ates daily year around on a seasonal schedule.

Rose Hill Mansion(843) 757-6046 Ad p. 55Daily guided tours of an 1850s-era rice plan-tation house. Each tour ends with a variety of southern treats. Also offering private lable wines, venue for weddings and events, and B&B accommodations.

Runaway Fishing Charters(843) 384-6511 Ad p. 47Charter fishing year around with the North End Charter Fleet aboard a 31-foot custom covered Carolina Sportfisher. 35 years experience fish-ing local waters. Wide and comfortable. Ice, bait, tackle and license included. Bathroom onboard.

Salt Marsh Photographic Cruises (843) 681-3728 Ad p. 25A variety of guided nature photography tours through tidal streams, creeks and inlets as well as Pinckney Island and the May River. All skill levels welcome (non-photographers too). Pre-launch orientation included. Highlights scenery and wildlife. Launchs from the Skull Creek Boat-house on the north end. Operates year around.

The Sandbox(843) 842-7645 Ad p. 59An interactive children’s museum. Hilton Head’s only hands-on activity center for children eight years old or under (including infants and tod-dlers). Indoor 2,500-square foot facility with numerous specialty play centers. Located on Pope Ave. behind St. Andrew by the Sea United Methodist Church. Open year around, but hours are seasonal.

Savvy Savannah Tours(912) 663-4400 Ad p. 76 Offers a variety of guided walking and van tours of Savannah’s Historic District. Individual tours cover history, churches and memorial sites, a ghost tour, a brew pub crawl, a martini tour, a progressive lunch, and movie sets. Operates year around.

Sky Pirate Watersports(843) 686-5323 Ad p. 38Offers parasailing, dolphin watching and nature tours, tubing and waterskiing, and cocktail cruis-

es. Launchs from Broad Creek Marina. Some activities operate seasonally.

South Carolina Repetory Company(843) 342-2057 Ad p. 64Provocative live theatre in an intimate 75-seat theatre. Professional company founded in 1992. Productions have included musicals, comedies and dramas. Located on the north end at 136 Beach City Rd. Call the box office for produc-tions schedule.

Spirit of Harbour Town(843) 363-9026 Ad p. 11Offers sunset dinner cruises with a full Prime Rib buffet, cruises to Savannah where you can shop and take a trolley tour, sunset cruises, and a summer fireworks dinner cruise. Hilton Head’s only fully climate-controlled luxury yacht. Launches from the Harbour Town Yacht Basin in The Sea Pines Resort. Schedule is seasonal.

Stars and Stripes(843) 363-9446 Ad p. 11Genuine 12-meter America’s Cup yacht, origi-nally skippered by Dennis Conner. Offers af-ternoon dolphin cruises and sunset sails.Semi-private sails also available. Launches from the Harbour Town Yacht Basin in The Sea Pines Resort. Schedule is seasonal.

Sumo Charters(843) 671-4386 Ad p. 37Hilton Head’s only trimaran. Dolphin and na-ture tours, hourly and sunset charters, half- and full-day sails. High performance and luxurious, six passengers maximum. Operated by H2O Sports (see above). Launches from Harbour Town in The Sea Pines Resort. Schedule is seasonal.

Top of the Lighthouse Shoppe(843) 671-2810 Ad p. 33, 73The world’s only store at the top of a lighthouse. Full of souvenirs and hand-painted Christmas ornaments.They are the exclusive distributor of Lighthouse Collectibles by Harbour Lights, hand-carved crystals by Crystal World, and jewelry by Trollbeads and Annaleece of Devries. Provides access to the lighthouse’s wrap-around balcony for a 360-degree view. Located in Harbour Town. Open daily year around.

The Vagabond(843) 363-9023 Ad p. 11Offers numerous narrated dolphin and nature tours, sunset dolphin cruises, trips to Daufuskie Island, summer fireworks excursions, children’s cruises, and the Ghost Ship cruise. Hilton Head’s original sightseeing and excursion ves-sel (82 feet in length, seating for up to 69 pas-sengers, restrooms and snack bar onboard). Recently entered into a partnership with the Uni-versity of South Carolina Beaufort to conduct on-board research on marine ecology and wildlife. Launches from the Harbour Town Yacht Basin in The Sea Pines Resort. Some cruises operate seasonally.

Westin Hilton Head Island Resort and Spa(843) 681-4000 Ad p. 71Dine at one of the Island’s newly-renovated premier resorts. Enjoy gourmet dining featur-ing fresh local seafood, a relaxing lounge with coastal views, a grab-and-go cafe, and an open air ocean view bar. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Some dining is seasonal.


Harbour Town Cruises1 famous Harbour, 3 fabulous boats, and 21 exciting, original cruises. It’s the reason we have been under the Lighthouse for 25 years.

15% OFF any purchase at The Top of

the Lighthouse Shoppe

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Not valid on Fireworks, Bubble Gum or Special Event Cruises. Cannot be combined with any other coupons,

discounts, or offers.

$5 OFF Adult TicketsValid with cash or credit card

Not valid on Fireworks, Bubble Gum or Special Event Cruises. Cannot be combined with any other coupons,


FREE Sea PinesGate Pass

You must present gate pass when you

purchase ticketsNot valid on Fireworks, Bubble Gum or Special Event Cruises. Cannot be combined with any other coupons,


Updated schedules and discounted tickets available online at www.vagabondcruise.com. Find the Vagabond Cruise page on Facebook.

VagabondJoin the crew for one of our great sightseeing cruises!

· Ocean Dolphin Cruise· Sunset Dolphin Cruise· Daufuskie Island Adventure· Sunset & Fireworks Cruise

Call (843) 363-9023for schedules and reservations.

Vagabond

Spirit of Harbour TownCruise in comfort on the Island’s fastest and only air-conditioned vessel.

· Fireworks Dinner Cruise· Historic Savannah Cruise· Paula Deen Cruise to Savannah· Sunsets & Prime Rib Dinner

Cruise


Spirit of Harbour Town

Stars & StripesClimb aboard this real, twelve meter America’s Cup that was skippered by Dennis Connor.

· Afternoon Dolphin Sail· Sunset Sail· Semi-Private Sail


Stars & Stripes

Marine Reseach Conducted in Partnership with the

Univeristy of South Carolina(on select cruises)


1 Visit the coastal discovery museum

The Coastal Discovery Museum should be your first stop for all things Hilton Head. This is place to go to gain a better understanding of the Lowcountry’s cultural heritage and history, its ecology, and its residents, both past and present.

The museum is headquartered on historic Honey Horn plantation. This 68-acre property on the banks of Jarvis Creek is considered one of the Island’s most historically significant spots, dating back 300 years. It contains the only original plantation house still standing on the Island today, a collection of some of the oldest buildings that exist on Island, and the state’s largest Southern Red Cedar tree dated at 1595.

The renovated 6,000-square-foot Discovery House contains permanent and temporary exhibits as well as the fun Kids Zone.

Take a walk on the designated Horn Trail that features marshside boardwalks and colorful interpretive panels detailing the flora and fauna of the region. You’ll also see many of the property’s early buildings as well as the cemetery.

There is no charge to just stop in to view their displays and walk the grounds. You can also sign up for numerous year-around history and ecology tours, and programs that are fun and educational for the whole family.

The museum is open year around on Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. It is located at 70 Honey Horn Drive at the north entrance of the Cross Island Parkway.

For more information about museum programs, call 843-689-6767.

2 Climb a lighthouse and see the view

When the Sea Pines Resort founder Charles Fraser built the Harbour Town Lighthouse in 1970, the skeptical

public nicknamed it “Fraser’s Folly.” With no significant maritime traffic and no rocky shoals, why build a lighthouse?

Fraser’s folly soon became Fraser’s foresight. His red-and-white-striped lighthouse soon became a landmark and the symbol of Hilton Head Island.

Climbing to the top of the lighthouse is one of the most popular visitor activities. It is also a museum, displaying a valuable collection of 19th Century and Civil War-era

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photographs and artifacts. Pause on large landings to read about the Island’s legends and history starting with the prehistoric Yemassee Indians, through the Island’s Civil War era, the construction of the lighthouse itself, and the Island’s development. Don’t miss their old-time photo booth for a fun souvenir of your visiit to Hilton Head’s number one landmark.

At the top is the world’s only store at the top of a lighthouse, a charming gift shop, and access the outdoor wrap-around balcony that has a panoramic view of Calibogue Sound and Harbour Town. This is one of the Island’s greatest spots for “photo ops” and sunset viewing.

The lighthouse is open seven days a week from 10:00 a.m. to sundown. There is a small entry fee with special rates for children.

Other lighthouses in the Lowcountry that you can climb include the Tybee Island Lighthouse and History Museum, east of Savannah, and the Hunting Island Lighthouse on Hunting Island State Park, east of Beaufort.

There are two other lighthouses in the Hilton Head area, but they are closed to the general public: the 1881 Range Rear Lighthouse, also known as the Leamington Lighthouse, located in the Leamington section of Palmetto Dunes; and the Haig Point Lighthouse on Daufuskie Island, built in 1873.

Harbour Town Lighthouse Museum (843-671-2318) Ad p. 33, 73Top of the Lighthouse Shoppe (843-671-2310) Ad p. 33, 73

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3 Golf the lowcountry

Hilton Head’s mild climate, appealing natural surroundings, and careful development predetermined that this area would become one of this country’s most popular golf destinations.

Maritime forests, tidal marshes, and sandy beaches are the backdrop to 26 on-island golf courses laid out by some of the industry’s greatest course designers, including Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, Davis Love III, Pete Dye, and Robert Trent Jones. In addition, within an hour, there are an additional 40 courses in Bluffton, Beaufort, Savannah, and on Daufuskie Island.

Golf Digest and Golf magazine have continually rated a number of the area’s courses high on their “Best Of” lists.

Your choices are endless. You can play anything from a nine-hole executive course to the world famous Harbour Town Golf Links in the Sea Pines Resort where the RBC Heritage is played every April. The Hilton Head Celebrity Golf Tournament is played every Labor Day Weekend on three area courses to help raise funds for local children’s charities.

Hilton Head is also a year around center of golf schools for all ages and all abilities. Top teaching professionals use state-of-the-art equipment and techniques to help improve your swing and your game.


4 Rent a bike and Explore the island

Hilton Head Island is perfect for bike riding. Not only is it beautiful, it’s flat. When you first arrive here, you can’t help but notice all the bike riders. They are all over the place, meandering the miles and miles of designated bike trails, riding on the beach, exploring the Island’s beautiful treasures.

The Island is linked through a system of trails, allowing you to cycle from one end to the other. With more than 12 miles of hard-packed sandy beaches and more than 53 miles of paved public bike paths, biking is a popular activity for visitors and residents alike. It’s fun, it’s affordable, and it’s a great way to take the family on a scenic tour while avoiding traffic.

The town’s public bike trails follow alongside several main roads, starting at the south end of the Island at the back gate of Sea Pines and ending at the north end of the Island at Hilton Head Plantation. In addition to the public paths, there are nature and bike trails within the private plantations accessible to residents and guests. Many kiosks are located along the pathways with an island-wide map on one side, and a localized map of the area on the other. Guidelines and markings exist to ensure safety for cyclists. Where there are

101 Photograph

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bike trails, cyclists should stay on the trails, not on the road. For more information about our public bike trails,

please contact the Town Hall at 843-341-4600. If you didn’t bring your own bicycle, there are many

conveniently located bike rental and sales companies that offer a wide variety of two- and three-wheeled bicycles, from beach cruisers and comfort bikes to tandems and mountain bikes.

Most companies have a free delivery and pick-up service and a full line of accessories such as helmets, child carriers, baskets, locks, and even covered kiddie carts. Rentals are available by the hour, day or week.

Bicycle Billy’s (843-785-7851) Ad p. 16Coconut Bike Rentals (843-686-5055) Ad p. 15Pedals Bicycles (843-842-5522) Ad p. 14

5 Rent a golf cart and explore daufuskie

Try something completely different, an experience you’ll remember for a long time. Explore Daufuskie Island by golf cart.

To get to Daufuskie, you’ll need to take the public ferry, operated by Calibogue Cruises. You can also hire a shuttle service (operated by Palmetto Bay Watersports), sign-up for a private charter aboard a six-passenger boat, or rent a boat to “drive” over on your own.

Once you arrive at one of Daufuskie’s two marinas (Freeport Marina with Calibogue Cruises or the County Dock), golf carts are available for rent. Calibogue Cruises owns their own carts so a supply is available when you step off the boat. If you go by shuttle or private charter, make sure you ask about making arrangements for a cart.

You can rent carts by the hour, half-day, or full-day (about six hours). You’ll probably want to rent for at least two hours to give you plenty of time to explore all that the Island has to offer, from the beautiful beaches to historic Gullah sites. Don’t forget to take time to eat at one of the Island’s two restaurants, the Old Daufuskie Crab Company at Freeport Marina and Marshside Mamas at the County Dock.

Just like renting a car, you must have a valid drivers license. You will be provided with a detailed map of the Island’s roads and significant landmarks.

Be aware that this island is undeveloped and sparsely populated. It feels almost deserted (there are less than 300 full-time residents). It is mostly woods and the sites of interest are very spread out. There are a few paved roads, but you’ll be mostly traveling on sandy lanes.

Remember that cars and trucks (yes there are some) go much faster than a golf cart and have the right of way, so you’ll need to pull over to let them pass. If you need to

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This Is How You Get To Daufuskie

Hilton Head’s Only Public Ferry Service(Trips are fully narrated)

Calibogue CruisesHistory • Nature • Beauty • Southern Hospitality

Also offering:• Dolphin and Nature Cruises • Guided History Tours • Cruises to the Old Daufuskie Crab Company Restaurant

Ferry Service & Tours Depart Daily from Broad Creek Marina, located mid-Island off Marshland Road.

Call ahead for seasonal schedules and fares.

ALL INCLUSIVE DAUFUSKIE TOUR$59 per person

Good on any trip!Includes round-trip ferry trip, Lowcountry Lunch at the

Old Daufuskie Crab Company, and the Famous Guided History Tour or Golf Cart Rental.

Advance reservations required. Cannot be combined with any other offer or discount. Must present this coupon to receive discount. Expires 1/31/14.

(843) 342-8687 (TOUR) • Toll Free (877) 340-8496www.daufuskiefreeport.com


stop to look at the map, don’t stop in the middle of the road. There are many blind curves. And remember that just like with cars, do not let your young ones drive, and do not drink and drive. There are police on the Island.

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6 Comb a beach

Every year over two million visitors flock here to enjoy the warm sunshine and more than 12 miles of beaches that encircle Hilton Head. Beachcombing is a natural activity, literally and figuratively. All ages have fun searching for crabs, shells, sand dollars, starfish, driftwood, and other treasures.

A number of companies offer private beach walks and beachcombing tours. These tours explain the importance of the dunes, the sea creatures in the ocean, the different types of seashells you may find while walking the beach, or the forces that are responsible for shaping the beach. These trips are available during the day and at night under the full moon.

Visit the beaches on remote islands such as Daufuskie Island. Or pull up on a sandbar or shell bank that yields the freshest of treasures. Bring a picnic if you wish.

You can also rent a boat to go exploring remote islands and beaches on your own. You’ll be provided with map and instructions on where you can and cannot go.

101 Photograph

Call for Reservations(843) 681-2522Sonny C. Charters

Narrated 1-1/2 hour trips down beautiful Broad Creek past stately waterfront homes. See dolphin, mink, otter, sea turtles, and countless varieties of birds.

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Tybee Island near Savannah and Hunting Island State Park near Beaufort are also great beaches to comb.

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7 Discover the dolphins

Hilton Head dolphins are as friendly as the people here. They show up in all the populated places – the Atlantic beaches, the sounds, and the creeks. Their graceful, silvery bodies never fail to catch attention as they arc through the waters or pop up to grin at you with their smiling faces.

It’s no wonder dolphins are so easy to spot. The Carolina coastline has a warm-weather population of Atlantic bottlenose dolphins estimated between 1,200 and 2,000, shrinking to around 600 in the winter. It’s still a mystery where the others go in winter, but they always seem to return to greet the tourist (and the shrimping) season.

Dolphins are friendly, but remember they are wild animals with teeth. It is also important to keep in mind that the federal Marine Mammal Protection Act strictly prohibits the feeding, touching and harassment of dolphins. Resist the urge to pat their heads or throw them a bite to eat. If reported, civil or criminal penalties could be imposed.

Photo courtesy of the Coastal Discovery Museum

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Federal laws still won’t stop them from following shrimp boats and waiting for an easy meal when the shrimpers cull their catch. These intelligent animals also know to hang around marinas where fishermen clean their fish; and a few old-timers that were in our waters before the feeding ban will still follow pleasure boats, remembering the days of legal free handouts.

You may be lucky enough to see dolphins “strand feeding,” a phenomenon documented and studied by Jacques Cousteau and other marine biologists. At low tide the clever dolphins will team up and herd a school of fish onto a shore and then beach themselves to enjoy a feast. If you are out on the water around sunset, try to find a shrimp boat anchoring up. If you can get close (but not too close), you’ll discover many dolphins hanging around the shrimp boats to feed.

There are many tour operators on Hilton Head that can take you out for a guided, narrated dolphin watch in boats ranging from large double-deck boats to small craft like a kayak.

The larger boats may not require reservations, but the smaller boats require them several days in advance in the busy season. It’s best to call ahead in any case.

All boats are U.S. Coast Guard inspected, and all operators are licensed and knowledgeable.

The larger boats offer amenities such as on-board rest rooms, snack bars, more legroom, and shaded seating.

Pontoon boats, hard-bottomed rafts, deck boats, Florida flat boats, and smaller sailboats and catamarans will seat fewer people, give you more personal attention with your guide, and get you much closer to the dolphins in the water.

Kayaks put you right on the water, and your interpretive guide will be close by to assist you with your kayak, answer questions, and point out natural phenomena.

For more information about companies that offer dolphin watching tours, refer to our Advertiser Directory and look for the company name in a blue highlight ( ) .

8 Take a boat to savannah

A “must do” for any visitor to Hilton Head Island is a boat cruise to Savannah. Skip the hassles of driving, figuring out directions, and finding a parking space. Just sit back and enjoy a bucolic cruise, complete with picturesque Lowcountry waterscapes and wildlife, arriving at Savannah’s most central location, River Street. Cruises come with a multitude of amenities and tour options.

Calibogue Cruises will take you to historic River Street where you can spend the day shopping or exploring the on your own. They also offer trip options such as joining up with

Photo courtesy of Howard Costa

CAPT. MARK’S

The 80-ft double deck ship “Holiday” cruises all calm water. 1 hour, 45 minutes, featuring over 45 points of interest.

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Departure Schedule Is Seasonal • Call For Current Departure Times No Reservations Required • No One Turned Away

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101 Photograph

a trolley tour for an overview of Savannah’s Historic District, or a stop-over on Daufuskie Island on your return.

The “Spirit of Harbour Town,” operated by Vagabond Cruises, offers cruises to Savannah three times a week in a climate-controlled luxury yacht. They dock right in the middle of River Street for optimum access to shopping and restaurants. On Thursdays, you can combine their regular cruise to Savannah with Old Savannah Tours’ Paula Deen Experience, a trolley tour that includes lunch at one of her famed restaurants.

Small boat operators (around six passengers), such as Live Oac and Outside Hilton Head, will take you to Savannah on a customized trip to spend the day shopping and exploring the historic district on your own. Bear in mind that these companies’ boats do not have an enclosed cabin (they may or may not have a canopy), nor do they have restrooms.

All boats operate year around, but schedules and options vary by season so make sure you call ahead.

You should allow for a full day for a round-trip to Savannah. Snacks and beverages are not necessarily included.

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9 Rent a boat and be your own captain

If you are looking for an exciting activity, rent a boat and be your own captain. This is an exciting way to combine adventure and sightseeing for the whole family or a group of friends.

Circumnavigate Hilton Head or Pinckney Island; find a remote beach for a picnic; sunbathe and take a refreshing deep-water dip; go fishing; crossover to Daufuskie Island; visit the popular sandbar on the May River; watch a sunset or the Tuesday night fireworks.

Boat rentals are available year around. You can rent for two, four or eight hours. All boats are USCG-approved and range from 16-foot run-abouts that seat six people to 24-foot pontoon boats that seat 14. Most boats are canopied and come equipped with all safety equipment as well as depth finders, coolers, GPS systems, VHF radios, and even stereos. No experience is necessary and all companies provide instructions and maps for you to follow. However, a word of caution: Be aware of the time of day and the tides, which can vary as much as eight feet. If you are not paying attention, you could easily find yourself stuck and stranded.

You must have a valid driver’s license, signed documents, and put a security deposit against damages on a credit card. Some companies require that you pay for your own gasoline, which is available at the marinas.

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10 From the sea to your mouth experience

One experience that typifies the Lowcountry is having a meal of local seafood. There are many ways to get your hands on some fresh catch.

The most authentic is to catch it yourself. You can shore fish from the beach, or you can hire a charter fishing boat and hit the waters. Charters are available for whatever type of fish or fishing experience you are looking for - inshore, nearshore, or deep sea. Your captain will handle everything, from the license to the bait and even the cleaning afterwards.

Local fishermen will also catch it for you. The two most well-known and respected local seafood markets are Hudson’s Seafood on Hilton Head Island and the Bluffton Oyster Company in historic downtown Bluffton. Their seafood is clearly marked as to its where and when it was caught, and they are more than willing to give tips on how to prepare it in an authentic Lowcountry manner.

There are also farmer’s markets in the area that offer the local produce as well as fresh local shrimp when they are in season. There are a number of farmers markets in the area, but be aware that they have seasonal hours.

Some of the most wonderful aspects of Lowcountry culture are typified by two great traditions: a Lowcountry Boil and an oyster roast.

A Lowcountry Boil is a perfectly southern experience. Shrimp, corn, sausage, and potatoes are boiled in a large pot and the results are magical. Think of it as a Lowcountry version of a New England clambake.

101 Photograph

Photo by Ed Funk


Photo Howard Costa

An oyster roast is more than just a meal – it is a Lowcountry experience. A fire is built, a sheet of metal is laid over it, a bushel of oysters are thrown on underneath a burlap sack. The oysters steam lightly, open up, and are perfect.

11 Learn about our wildlife

As you explore the endless array of outdoor activities on Hilton Head Island, you are sure to come across the natural inhabitants. Winged, feathered, scaled or furred, they are all impressive and enjoyable to observe, but require the utmost respect as you come upon their terrain. Several rules of engagement exist to ensure a pleasant experience for all.

If you come across our most famous creature, the American alligator, do not feed or harass it. They are wild animals and can outrun a small dog or child. You may see them sunbathing on the banks of ponds and lagoons, or even making the rare appearance on our roads or sandy beaches. These large reptiles demand and deserve respectful distance.

Hilton Head is a prime nesting area for the loggerhead turtle. Strict laws protect these beautiful giants and their nests found along the ocean’s shore. The town even passed

Call to join a scheduled tour, plan your own private trip or ask about discounts for your own group.

Call today 843-524-3037 • www.horanphoto.com

Join professional wildlife photographer Eric Horan in the creeks and waterwaysof the Lowcountry for an outdoor adventure of a lifetime.

Dolphin Behavior • Wading Birds • Shorebirds • Birds of Prey • Waterfowl • Shrimp Boats • Seabird Rookeries

LOWCOUNTRY WILDLIFE PHOTO SAFARISSpecial Seasonal Tours Around the Calendar Year


winter “thaws.” Adult males will then establish their territory and emit loud roars, or “sing,” to attract females who, around June, build nests on the banks of lagoons and other fresh or brackish bodies of water. Females will lay an average of 30 eggs that will hatch in about two months. Hilton Head’s alligators grow to an average of ten to 14 feet.

Don’t get too close, and definitely don’t feed or harass them (it is actually illegal to feed an alligator). These critters can outrun humans and most other animals for a short distance, and when provoked, become aggressive. Mother alligators are especially protective if you approach their young. It is wise to stay away from the banks of lagoons and never fight over your fishing line if an alligator snags your catch.

To learn more about alligators, take a guided kayak tour into the black waters of the May River.

Outside Hilton Head (800-686-6996) Ad p. 41

13 Photograph nature with a pro

In the Lowcountry, “photo ops” can be found at every turn: moss-draped oaks, vistas of sandy beaches, dolphins racing at the bow of your boat, glorious silhouettes at sunset. Shutterbugs have a wonderful time from dawn to dusk.

For an amazing nature and sightseeing excursion, take the opportunity to join a guided photographic tour. More than a guided eco tour, this type of exploration is geared to a photographer’s sense of place, time and light. A professional

Photo by Larry Watts

an ordinance banning lights on the beach after 10:00 p.m. to avoid confusing the baby turtles as they make their first mad dash to the ocean. If you happen to come across a nest, do not touch it, and contact the Coastal Discovery Museum (843-689-6767) or the Sheriff’s Department (843-785-3618). Fines and jail time can be enforced upon those who disrupt the nests of these endangered species.

As you adventure out on the waters of Hilton Head, you’re sure to make friends with the Island’s friendliest mammal, the bottle-nosed dolphin. However, keep in mind that the federal Marine Mammal Protection Act strictly prohibits the feeding, touching and harassment of dolphins and other marine animals. Resist the urge to pat their heads or throw them a bite to eat. If reported, civil or criminal penalties could be imposed.

For those interested in marine research, the University of South Carolina Beaufort recently entered into a partnership with Vagabond Cruises to conduct marine ecology and wildlife research aboard the Vagabond. For more information, contact Vagabond Cruises at (843) 363-9023.

12 Encounter an alligator

If you want to see one of the area’s most intriguing inhabitants, the American alligator, you probably need to go only as far as the nearest fresh water or brackish lagoon.

Alligators go into a modified form of hibernation (estivation) during the winter, emerging in March when the

Photo © Eric Horan


photographer will take you on a journey to the best locales to capture the essence of the Lowcountry. Visit pristine barrier islands; explore the salt marshes and fresh water swamps; witness spectacular views and dramatic wildlife behavior.

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14 Go birdwatching

In December 2012, the local chapter of the Audubon Society conducted their Annual Christmas Bird Count. It revealed 152 bird species and a total of 38,003 birds.

Large blue herons and white egrets pose handsomely beside lagoons and marshes. Dark and spooky anhingas look magnificent as they stretch their wings out to dry, and gulls and sandpipers scold you on the beach. Both the amateur and the avid birdwatcher quickly recognize Hilton Head as a prime place for birding.

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All species of herons, egrets, and ibises seen in North America are present in the Hilton Head area. The casual bird lover will see plenty of feathered creatures on almost any guided nature tour. Guides and naturalists will be able to identify the most common species for you.

For more specialized birding, two places on Hilton Head have qualified with the State of South Carolina as “Important Birding Areas”: Ibis Pond in the Pinckney Island Wildlife Refuge and Lake Mary in the Sea Pines Forest Preserve. Both sites are home to densely populated rookeries in springtime.

Another ideal birding location is the 50-acre Audubon Newhall Preserve on Palmetto Bay Road. It has a two-mile walking trail system. You will see a wide variety of plants and trees as well as itinerant birds. A trail guide is available in a kiosk at the entrance for a self-guided nature walk. The preserve is open during daylight hours. Parking is available. There is no entrance free.

Birding is so popular and such an essential part of the Lowcountry experience that most guided ecotours include bird watching as part of their excursions. You can tour by kayak or on boats ranging in size from small six-passenger canopied boats to sailboats to double-deck excursion boats. Most nature tours are offered daily year around. For more information about companies that offer nature tours, refer to our Advertiser Directory and look for the company name in a blue highlight ( ) .

15 Watch the sun set

Hilton Head Island’s distinctive scenery, combined with its mysterious light, makes sunset viewing an enduring Lowcountry pastime. Any place on the western side of the Island will give you a good sunset.

From South End locations such as Harbour Town, you can watch the sun set over Calibogue Sound and magical Daufuskie Island. Walk out onto Harbour Town’s pier or climb the Harbour Town Lighthouse for stunning sunset views.

From North End locations, Skull Creek and Pinckney Island provide the scenery.

Mid-Island, western facing views are of Broad Creek and its marshes teeming with wildlife. Palmetto Bay Marina is a popular sunset viewing location as is Shelter Cove Harbour.

If you are on Daufuskie Island, make sure you catch the sunset views from the Beaufort County Dock.

You can also view the sunset from the water aboard boats ranging in size from double deck excursion boats, small six-passenger canopies boats, or by sail boat and kayak.

Most ecotour companies offer sunset cruises. For more information about companies that offer these spectacular voyages, refer to our Advertiser Directory and look for the company name in a blue highlight ( ) .

16 Explore a Wildlife Refuge

The Lowcountry’s estuarial ecosystem has led to the preservation of three national wildlife refuges that are open for exploration.

The Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge, located off of Hilton Head Island, is a 4,000-acre refuge originally owned by the family of Charles Coatsworth Pinckney, a signer of the U.S. Constitution.

This wild haven, combined with its picturesque views, makes Pinckney a popular place for hiking, biking, bird watching, and photography. You can also circumnavigate the island by kayak or boat, either on your own or with a guided tour. Numerous clearly marked grassy trails lead you to secluded ponds and promontories teaming with birds, alligators, dolphins, wildflowers, and swampy woods.

The trailhead begins at the shady parking area, but the gravel road has no tree canopy, so you’ll want a hat. Come prepared with a supply of drinking water for the Island has no water or bathroom facilities. Trail guide maps are available in a box by the road and give distances to various sites. Because the dense growth along trails and ponds is home to all sorts of creatures including snakes and stinging insects, visitors are urged to stay on paths at all times.

Photo by Flying Circus Sailing Charters


The refuge is open daily from dawn to dusk. Admission is free. At certain times of the year parts of the island may be closed to protect wildlife from disturbance. Please respect the warning signs.

The Savannah National Wildlife Refuge, located about 45 minutes by car southwest of Hilton Head, lies along the Savannah River and comprises over 29,000 acres of bottomland hardwood trees, tidal rivers, creeks, and freshwater marshes. You’ll see alligators and thousands of migratory birds can be seen in the area during the winter. You can drive a four-mile tour along the levees. The Visitor Center is open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information, call (843) 784-2468.

The Ernest F. Hollings ACE (Ashepoo, Combahee, and Edisto Rivers) Basin National Wildlife Refuge, located about two hours north of Hilton Head on US 17, is one of the largest undeveloped estuaries on the East Coast. This ecologically significant 350,000-acre preserve acts as a habitat for many endangered or threatened species, and is a popular area for bird watching, canoeing, kayaking, and camping. Grove Plantation, the refuge’s Visitors Center, is a former rice plantation house built in 1828, and is one of only three antebellum mansions that survived the civil war in the ACE Basin area. It also serves as the office for the National Wildlife Refuge and field office of The Nature Conservancy. It is on the National Register of Historic Places. Admission to the refuge is free. It is open daily, except holidays, from dawn until dusk. For more information, call (843) 889-3084.

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17 Visit the sea pines forest Preserve

When Charles Fraser and his family founded and developed Sea Pines in 1959, they had the foresight to establish a 605-acre tract of forest in the heart of the plantation dedicated for a wildlife habitat and outdoor recreation.

Today, thousands of years after nomadic Indians made this island their home, the Sea Pines Forest Preserve remains one of the last natural tracts of land on Hilton Head Island.

Visit a 4,000-year-old Indian Shell Ring, a circular mound of oyster shells discarded by Indians; see where rice, indigo, and cotton were grown; spot the same species of wildlife that were hunted by Island residents in the 1700s.

Guided walking tours, family wagon rides, alligator boat tours, and trail rides on horseback all explore the nature and history of this tranquil enclave: Spanish moss-canopied

woodlands, peaceful lagoons and ponds, salt marshes and tidal creeks, antebellum rice fields, old logging trails, rookeries, and wildflower meadows. Trail rides on horseback are offered by Lawton Stables.

The Preserve has entrances on Greenwood Drive (between the Greenwood Gate and the CSA Security Office) and off Lawton Road at Lawton Canal Road. There is ample parking and no charge to explore the bike trails and marked hiking trails on your own. If you are not staying within the Sea Pines Resort, there is a daily gate pass fee for entry.

Lawton Stables (843-671-2586) Ad p. 29

18 Take a wagon ride

Imagine it is 1850. You’re living on Hilton Head, a remote Sea Island, the child of a cotton planter. No one lives nearby. The woods are deep and dense, full of fascinating critters. The road is just a sandy lane, bordered by large oaks dripping with Spanish moss. The only way to get around is on foot (probably shoeless), or by wagon.

You can relive that experience with a guided family wagon tour of the Sea Pines Forest Preserve. Sit back, relax, and let the storyteller take you along a memorable journey. You’ll learn about the Island’s history. You’ll go through the woods to search for turtles, alligators, birds and other critters. See the old Carolina Gold rice fields and the ceremonial Indian shell rings. You’ll pass by Lake Joe, Fish Island, and the Heritage Farm. Just imagine.

The wagon tour operates on a seasonal schedule so make sure you call ahead for the schedule. Arrangements for other guided tours can be made through the H2O Nature Center in Harbour Town (843-686-5323).

Photo courtesy of The Sea Pines Resort


20 Check out shelter cove

The giant bronze statue of Neptune, Shelter Cove Harbour’s most famous landmark, furnishes an ideal family photo. But look a little closer. This is actually one of the world’s largest working sundials, with the king’s long trident spear serving as the time indicator. If you aren’t there during daylight hours, come back, then challenge your scientific abilities by reading the graph etched into the platform telling you how to adjust for correct time any month of the year.

Neptune’s Watch is not the only thing that draws people to Shelter Cove Harbour. It is the Island’s largest deep-water marina. It is from this marina that you embark on some of the Island’s most popular water activities - dolphin and nature tours, numerous watersports and fishing charters.

During the summertime, Shelter Cove is a “must do” for Tuesday night fireworks.

This Mediterranean-style village, located on the “sunset” side of the Island, is convenient to all areas of the Island. It is centrally located at 1 Shelter Cove Lane, just off the William Hilton Parkway (US 278) across from the entrance to Palmetto Dunes. The Harbour backs onto Broad Creek, which bisects the Island like the laces on a tennis shoe. The village is surrounded by a number of harbor-oriented first-class villas and condos, and also features a number of shops and restaurants.

Crabber J II (843-785-4298) Ad p. 35Capt. Hook Party Fishing Boat (843-785-1700) Ad p. 49Outside Hilton Head (800-686-6996) Ad p. 41

19 Go horseback riding

Back in the late 1800s, Lawton Plantation consisted of a main house and 50 cabins for freed slaves. The plantation house doubled as a schoolhouse. Nothing remains of the original plantation house, but the location serves as a wonderful launching point to visit the historic and scenic Sea Pines Forest Preserve on horseback.

Lawton Stables’ 23-acre equestrian facility offers escorted trail rides through the tranquil Preserve, revealing

Lowcountry scenery at the gentle pace of a horse, in and out of the trees and around the lakes.

Trail rides are scheduled daily year around and are available for adults and children eight years old and older. Reservations are required. This is also a great way to entertain a group of people, perhaps a family reunion or company outing.

Lawton also has a small animal farm, which is free for everyone. In addition, for a small fee, children seven and under are able to take pony ride around the small animal farm on one a Shetland ponies.

Not to be missed is Harley, who is becoming a favorite of locals and visitors alike. Harley is an 18.2 hand Clydesdale horse (the kind you see in the Budweiser ads). Feel free to give him a pat. He may be very big, but he’s very friendly.

Lawton Stables is located at 190 Greenwood Drive (you can’t miss the horses grazing in the pastures).


101 Photograph

Photo by Sansing McPherson


open 7 days a week190 Greenwood Drive

Hilton Head Island, SC 29928843.671.2586

lawtonstableshhi.comiridingacademy.com

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Discover the beauty of the Sea Pines Nature PreserveTrail Rides • Pony Rides • Small Animal Farm

Summer Riding Programs • Private Lessons • Gift Storenon-profit Therapeutic Riding Center

21 Check out coligny circle

Unlike most towns, Hilton Head does not have a “city center”. It is more a collection of strategically placed shopping and gathering areas. But, if you ask local residents, Coligny Circle and the surrounding Forest Beach area would be voted the “most likely” downtown – the Island’s heart and soul.

The reasons are numerous. It is easy to find and it is freely accessible (no gate fees) by foot, car and bike. It is located at the end of Pope Avenue at South Forest Beach Drive. It’s also on the most popular public beach. Plus, there are many shops and restaurants.

Coligny Plaza first opened for business in 1956 making it the oldest shopping area on the Island. It is a delightful place to wander, spend some money, and unwind. The Art Café is the perfect studio where you can paint a souvenir on pre-sculpted unfinished pottery. Bomboras Grille is a family-friendly social gathering place with indoor and outdoor dining, a “chill” bar, craft beers, and beer poured from the bottom of the glass. Frosty Frog Café and Daiquiri Bar is famous for their 100 kinds daiquiris, indoor and outdoor dining, and live entertainment.

Across the street is the Beach Market with more shops

and restaurants.And then you come to Hilton Head’s most popular and

busiest beach. Although it can get crowded, you don’t need to walk far to find plenty of space in which to spread out. Don’t miss the new interactive water fountain, playgrounds

101 Photograph


and volleyball nets, rest rooms and changing rooms, a picnic pavilion and rental concessions, vending machines and showers.

The beach is wheelchair accessible and public parking is available.

Bomboras Grille and Chill Bar (843-689-2662) Ad p. 70Art Cafe (843-785-5525) Ad p. 59Frosty Frog Cafe and Daiquiri Bar (843-686-3764) Ad p. 69

22 Check out palmetto bay marina

Before there was Sea Pines, there was Palmetto Bay Marina, opened in 1959.

What was once an old lumber dock at the end of a dirt road is now a thriving full-service marina that has over 5,000 feet of docks and the Island’s largest boat lift capable of hauling a 77-ton boat from the water - an amazing process to witness.

The marina’s free-spirited Key West ambiance makes it a popular all-day destination. Water activities, restaurants, and shops will keep folks of all ages and interests busy from morning to night.

Go dolphin watching and nature touring. Take an exhilirating sail aboard a catamaran. Rent a kayak or take a guided kayak tour. Rent a boat or a paddleboat and explore on your own. The adventuresome types will want to try wave running, parasailing, tubing, wakeboarding, wake surfing, and knee boarding. Or try the latest craze, stand-up paddle boarding.

Daily shuttle service to Daufuskie Island operates from here, as does a dinner cruise to Daufuskie’s landmark restaurant Marshside Mamas.

Now you can eat! Between three restaurants (all with both indoor and outdoor dining areas), you can find a meal from sun-up to moonset. The central courtyard features the Hurricane Bar for spirited libations. The atmosphere is made even more remarkable by the splendid views across the bustling waterway of Broad Creek to the mansions of Spanish Wells.

If you like to shop, you’ll find men’s and women’s resort wear, accents for your home, T-shirts, souvenirs, and snacks to take on your nature tour. Buy jewelry and art by local artisans. There is even a place to buy healing products, including healing stones and incense.

The marina’s location near the mouth of Broad Creek gives you quick access to Calibogue Sound and the Atlantic Ocean, something very important to those interested in chartering one of their fishing boats. The marina is located at 86 Helmsman Way at the end of the Cross Island Expressway.

Dolphin Seafari (843-785-2345) Ad p. 21, 35Flying Circus (843-686-2582) Ad p. Inside Front Cover, 18Palmetto Bay Marina (843785-7131) Ad p. 31Palmetto Bay Parasail (843-686-2200) Ad p. 39Palmetto Bay Watersports (843-785-2345) Ad p. 21, 35, 43, 45, 51Pau Hana (843-686-2582) Ad p. Inside Front Cover

23 Check out sunny south beach

IfHilton Head Island is shaped like a foot, South Beach is its big toe. And this toe just keeps on tapping – from sunrise well into the nighttime hours. Many consider this southern-most point on Hilton Head to be the most “happening” place to be and a visitor favorite.

Located at in the Sea Pines Resort, South Beach Marina Village (232 South Sea Pines Drive) is modeled after a New England-style fishing village. It is a great place to congregate, people watch, and spend the day with so many different things to do.

The morning hours bustle. Coffee drinkers sit at an outdoor café. Cyclists and joggers head out to the bike trails. Beach goers saunter across the road to spread their blankets for the day. Charter fishing boats head out for another day of “fresh catching.” Kids run along the dock, anxious to climb Photo courtesy of Palmetto Bay Marina


aboard their rented jet ski or sailboat. Nature lovers climb aboard a Zodiac raft for a guided dolphin tour.

Here you will also find a number of water activity companies, everything from waverunners and kayak rentals, to fishing charters and parasailing.

By noon the gift and souvenir shops are full. The restaurants team with hungry customers. The spacious parking lot is full and cars line the roadside.

And then, the evening fun begins. Sounds of Jimmy Buffet fill the air while crowds of diners collect on the expansive waterside deck. Kids line up for face painting while the smell of an outdoor grill tempts even the staunchest of dieters. Sing-alongs keep everyone in the spirit of a perfect Hilton Head vacation.

Unless you’re staying within Sea Pines, there is a fee to pass through the gates, but it’s good for the whole day because once you’re there, your big toe just won’t stop tapping.

Commander Zodiac (843-671-3344) Ad p. 45Drifter (843-363-2900) Ad p. 3Gypsy (843-363-2900) Ad p. 3, 63

24 Check out harbour town

Harbour Town is “must do” - a great place for the whole family to spend a whole day. It is the center of activity within The Sea Pines Resort.

Start your day in a rocking chair under the Liberty Oak, an ancient tree that was saved from destruction by Charles

Spend A Day At The Bay

Palmetto Bay Charters(843) 785-7131

24-hour cancellation policy may apply.

86 Helmsman Way

www.palmettobaymarinahhi.com

•BoatRentals•Dining

•DolphinWatching•EcoTours•Fishing

•JetSkiing•Kayaking

•KneeBoarding•Parasailing

•Sailing•Shopping•Stand-Up

PaddleBoarding•Tubing

•WakeBoarding•WakeSurfing

Since 1959

Voted Islander’s Choice

BEST MARINAby

The Island Packet and

Hilton Head Monthly

Photo courtesy of The Sea Pines Resort


Fraser during the construction of Harbour Town. Visit the Charles Fraser Statue, a tribute to the man

who conceived and constructed this island’s first resort and residential plantation. Let your kids vent their energy at the Gregg Russell Playground. There are also over 20 shops for your browsing pleasure and numerous restaurants that feature everything from seafood to steak.

Climb the 114-step Harbour Town Lighthouse Museum, Hilton Head’s signature landmark. When you reach the top, shop in the charming Top of the Lighthouse Shoppe, open daily from 10:00 a.m. to sundown. From there you must go outside and take in the 360 degree view “from the top.”

On the pier, you can select from any number of activities out on the water – pirate sails for the kids, sailing, nature tours, parasailing, wave running, boat rentals, charter fishing, and dinner cruises. Go sailing aboard the original 12-meter America’s Cup boat “Stars and Stripes,” or try a cruise on the 38-foot trimaran “Sumo.” All ages would enjoy a leisurely scenic nature cruise aboard the “Vagabond,” or a dinner cruise aboard the “Spirit of Harbour Town” which also offers special kids cruises as well as cruises to Savannah’s River Street.

If you are not staying within the Sea Pines Resort, there is a daily gate pass fee. Harbour Town is located at 149 Lighthouse Road.

Harbour Town Lighthouse Museum (843-671-2318) Ad p. 33, 73Pirates of Hilton Head (843-363-7000) Ad p. 63Spirit of Harbour Town (843-363-9026) Ad p. 11Stars & Stripes (843-363-9446) Ad p. 11Sumo Charters (843-671-4386) Ad p. 37Top of the Lighthouse Shop (843-671-2310) Ad p. 33, 73Vagabond Cruises (843-363-9023) Ad p. 11

25 Take a sunset dinner cruise

This is one unique dining experience offering both beauty and romance – a sunset dinner cruise. Dine on first-class cuisine while the setting sun paints a beautiful panorama of the Lowcountry.

Aboard the “Spirit of Harbour Town,” operated by Vagabond Cruises, every table has a waterfront view from the vessel’s large windows. This is Hilton Head’s only onboard dinner cruise. The all-you-can-eat Prime Rib Buffet is expertly prepared, but what you’ll notice most is the view.

If you’re planning on visiting Savannah, don’t miss Savannah Riverboat Cruises’s various dinner and evening entertainment cruises aboard replica old-fashioned riverboats, the “Savannah River Queen” or her sister ship, the “Georgia Queen.” They also offer a Saturday Luncheon Cruise and a Sunday Brunch Cruise.Photo © Eric Horan


FREE Dolphin Cruise for Kids**for each child that goes to the top of the Lighthouse. Valid with purchase of a paying adult (cash only). Not valid with any other discounts or offers, on holidays, bubble gum or fireworks cruises. Expires 1/31/14. 101

FREE Sea Pines Gate Pass*

*to be refunded with a purchase of $50 or more. Does not include admission. Not valid with any other offers, promotions, or discounts. Expires 1/31/14. 101

Open Every Day 10 am to Sundown

149 Lighthouse Road, Hilton Head www.HarbourTownLighthouse.com

(843) 671-2810

ExperienceHarbour Town

Lighthouse

Climb & Learn Shop & View • Old Time

Photo Booth

• Webcam

• 25¢ ScenicViewer


The sailing schedules vary seasonally, so check on days, times, and menus.

Savannah Riverboat Cruises (912-232-6404) Ad p. 79Spirit of Harbour Town (843-363-9026) Ad p. 11

26 Sail on an america’s cup boat

Hilton Head Island offers the sailing experience of a lifetime aboard the “Stars & Stripes,” an original America’s Cup boat once skippered by Dennis Connor and the Island’s only authentic 12-meter America’s Cup vessel. Imagine cutting through the water aboard a real America’s Cup boat, with only the quiet force of the wind moving you along.

Berthed at the Harbour Town Yacht Basin in The Sea Pines Resort, this yacht cruises across the water under full

sail, only using its motor to move in and out of the yacht basin where the cruise embarks. The friendly and experienced crew invites all those aboard to get involved, a thrill and a perfect photo-op.

“Stars & Strips” offers an array of sailing trips, including a 90-minute dolphin and nature cruise as well as a two-hour sunset sail.

Stars & Stripes (843-363-9446) Ad p. 11

27 Take a sailing cruise

Slicing through Hilton Head’s sparkling waters aboard a sail boat, with the warm sun shining above and the fresh wind blowing through your hair, invigorates the senses and relaxes the mind, providing the perfect excursion for families, friends and lovers.

Numerous companies on Hilton Head offer an array of sailboat charters and rentals. Some offer narrated ecology and sightseeing tours as well as the ever-popular “Happy Hour” sunset sails. There are small charters (two to six passengers) as well as large group charters (up to 49 passengers). All are USCG-approved and captained.

Some boats are single-hull; some are multi-hulled (catamaran or trimaran). One is even a 12-meter America’s Cup boat.

If you prefer a more stable sail, you might want to opt for a multi-hull that will not lean as much as a single-hull. One the other hand, you might want to choose the thrill of the single-hull’s “tipping.”

Most charters offer morning, afternoon, and sunset sails. Some will take you out to watch the summer fireworks displays or on moonlight cruises.

You’ll also find that most companies invite you to bring along your own beverages (yes, even adult libations) and snacks, but will be happy to provide catering services if need be.

Chartered sailing excursions will take you through the Broad Creek, Calibogue Sound, or Port Royal Sound, giving you glimpses of the most coveted waterfront properties in the Lowcountry as well as natural, untouched land that provides a habitat for hundreds of species of birds and marine life. And you’re bound to see dolphin.

If you would like to go on your own private sailing adventure, you can rent a sailboat, or even take a sailing lesson.

Commander Zodiac (843-671-3344) Ad p. 45Flying Circus (843-686-2582) Ad p. Inside Front Cover, 18Pau Hana (843-686-2582) Ad p. Inside Front CoverStars & Stripes (843-363-9446) Ad p. 11Sumo Charters (843-671-4386) Ad p. 37

Photo courtesy of Ed Funk


Great Family Fun for All Ages!Catch Crabs, cruise and see the sights along the marshes of Broad

Creek aboard the “Crabber J II”. Trips are 1 hour 45 minutes long. All equipment provided. Always calm water.

Operates daily except Sundays April through September. Reservations required.

Let’s Go Crabbing!!Aboard the “Crabber J II”

Adventure Cruises presents . . .

Convenient Mid-Island Location•Shelter Cove Harbour•Dock C (Bus. Hwy 278 across from Palmetto Dunes Resort)

No Gate Fees • Free Parking • Stay All Day

Call (843) 422-5110 for schedule & reservationswww.hiltonheadisland.com/adventure

Win a free t-shirt if you catch the most crabs!

Adults $20• Children (3-12) $15• Ages 2 & under $5(Cash Only)

Over 32 Years ofExperienceThe

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(843) 785-2345Palmetto Bay marina • no Gate Fees • Free ParkinG


•Daily nature & sunset Cruises•Catch live shrimp •Daily 1½-Hour Calm Water tours•morning to sunset•on-board aquarium (seasonal)•Hands-on .... Great for kids!

Bathroom & dr

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We pull a crab pot & throw a castnet

Check out our cruise to dinner on Daufuskie

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operated by Palmetto Bay Watersports

you Discover Dolphins!

Coolers welcome!

summer

Fireworks

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28 Go crabbing

Feeling a little crabby? An easy and relaxing family activity is crabbing. There are no hooks to bait or wiggly worms to deal with, and many people think crabs are a lot easier to cook, clean, and eat.

In the state of South Carolina, you don’t need a license if you are crabbing with three or less drop nets, fold up traps or hand lines. Fishermen need a license to crab with a crab trap or pot.

Equipment is minimal - a bucket, a crab net (available at any hardware store, bait shop, or Wal-Mart), 10- to 12-feet of sturdy string with a chicken neck attached above a two-ounce sinker. A dock, pier, boat, or sea wall makes the best crabbing site, although you can do it from shore if there is no wave action.

Crabs don’t like to be seen, so if your chosen spot has murky water, the crabs may be close to shore. If the water is clear inshore, then throw your line further out. Tie the line to something – the pier rail, the bucket, or a sturdy stick that you can push into the sand. Then … wait.

You’ll be able to tell when a crab is nibbling at your bait, give him time to get a good grip, and then pull him up far enough to scoop the net under him. He has to be five inches point-to-point to be a keeper. Also note that a crab with an orange spongy underside is a female with eggs. The law requires you to throw her back.

Keep your crabs wet or on ice until you cook them in a pot of boiling water seasoned with lemon, salt, and crab boil. Cook about 15 minutes or until they’re deep pink around the claws.

If you would like to learn more about crabbing, there are companies that will teach you how to catch crabs using crab pots, crab lines, and cast nets.

Crabber J II (843-422-5110) Ad p. 35Gypsy (843-363-2900) Ad p. 3, 63Dolphin Seafari (843-785-2345) Ad p. 21, 35

Photo © Eric Horan


29 Cruise on a catamaran

For a tranquil experience on the water, take a sail on a sailing catamaran. You’ll feel totally relaxed as you take in the serene Hilton Head Island waters. The only sound you will hear is the wind in the sails. Have fun quietly sailing amongst the dolphins, taking in the Lowcountry’s marshes and incredible wildlife. Catamarans are very safe, stable and offer 360-degree views.

An excursion on these catamarans is the “environmentally-friendly” way to see dolphins up close and observe the wildlife and nature abounding in the Hilton Head waters.

The 53-foot “Pau Hana” is Hilton Head Island’s biggest sailboat with comfortable seating and walk-around deck space, easily accommodating up to 49 passengers. Ideal for family and friend outings, you are welcome to bring your own food and libations.

It also is the perfect party boat and is available for private parties, weddings, reunions, and more.

The 30-foot “Flying Circus” is limited to six passengers maximum for intimacy and comfort, and does daily cruises that are fast and lots of fun.

In operation since 1989, both of their boats offer two-hour dolphin watch nature tours, spectacular sunset sails, and fireworks cruises during the summer.

Flying Circus (843-686-2582) Ad p. Inside Front Cover, 18Pau Hana (843-686-2582) Ad p. Inside Front Cover

There are nine public beaches on Hilton Head: • Alder Lane Beach (South End off South Forest

Beach Rd - unguarded); • Burkes Beach (Mid-Island off William Hilton

Pkwy at the end of Burkes Beach Rd - guarded swimmng);

• Chaplin Community Park (Mid-Island between Burkes Beach Rd and Singleton Beach Rd - unguarded);

• Coligny Beach Park (South End at the end of Pope Ave off Coligny Circle - guarded swimmng);

• Dreissen Beach Park (Mid-Island off William Hilton Pkwy at the end of Bradley Beach Rd - guarded swimmng);

• Fish Haul Park (North End on Beach City Rd - unguarded);

• Folly Field Beach (Mid-Island off William Hilton Pkwy on Folly Field Rd - guarded swimmng);

• Islanders Beach (Mid-Island off William Hilton Pkwy on Folly Field Rd - guarded swimmng);

• Mitchelville Beach Park (North End off Beach City Rd - unguarded).

Amenities available at most beaches may include metered parking, restrooms, outdoor showers, picnic pavilions, grills, and seasonal rentals of beach equipment.

Fishing, flying kites, throwing frisbees, and “articles to ride the surf” are prohibited in areas that are designated swimming areas. Motorized vehicles, except wheelchairs, are prohibited.

Alcohol is not permitted on the beaches, although there are several fun beach bars you may enjoy.

All powerboats and wave runners must stay 100 yards offshore and are not permitted on the beaches.

Walking through the sand dunes and picking or cutting of dune plants is not permitted.

All living creatures must stay on the beach, although shelling is encouraged. Bicycles are permitted on the beach.

The rules pertaining to dogs are confusing so it is best to check the signs posted to see when they are permitted on the beach. However, two rules are clear: First, dogs must be on a leash or under “positive voice control” at all times; and second, please clean up any messes!

Please make every attempt not to litter and to keep the beach as beautiful as when you first arrived. Just leave your footprints.

For more information, contact the Beach Information and Services at (843) 342-4580.

Hilton Head BeachesWhat you Need to Know

Photo by Flying Circus Sailing Charters


30 Fly in a trimaran

Vaka. Ama. Aka. Proa. These are not typos. They are Polynesian terms that refer to the structural components of a three-hulled sailing vessel (trimaran) made popular in the 1960s and 1970s.

The “vaka” is the main hull. The two smaller outrigger hulls (the “amas”) are connected to the vaka with lateral struts called “akas”. The derivation of these words is from the original “proas” (boats) constructed over 4,000 years ago by Pacific Islanders.

The beautiful 38-foot trimaran “Sumo” is a popular sailing charter. Her sleek lines are pleasing, her three sails enticing, and her stable three hulls are reassuring. You just know this is going to be an invigorating yet smooth, safe and quiet adventure.

“Sumo” offers year-around daily sailing cruises for six passengers around Hilton Head’s waters, weather permitting. Hourly, half-day and full-day sails take you about the Calibogue Sound. On some days when the winds are just right, you may just find yourself out on the Atlantic approaching Tybee Island before you know it. For the adventuresome types, the captain will show you how to steer the boat and trim the sails.

In the evening, stretch out on “Sumo’s” suspended trampoline, relax, and take in one of the Island’s finest art shows, a colorful sunset.

The “Sumo” is berthed at the Harbour Town Yacht Basin (149 Lighthouse Road).

Sumo Charters (843-671-4386) Ad p. 37

(4386)

Photo by Suzanne LeMehaute Photography

Photographyby

Ed Funk11 Hunters Green

Bluffton, SC 29910Tel: 843-815-9455Cell: 843-368-1414

Email: [email protected]

Framed & Matted Photos Available At:The Beaufort Art Association GalleryFordham Market in BeaufortThe Hilton Head Art League GalleryIsland Ideas on Hilton Head IslandPluff Mudd Art in BlufftonThe Society of Bluffton Artists Gallery


(843) 842-2566BROAD CREEK MARINA

(18 Simmons Road, off Marshland Road)www.skypirateparasail.com

PARASAILING BOAT RENTALS

TUBING & WATERSKIING COCKTAIL CRUISES (FREE BEER & WINE)

DOLPHIN ECOLOGY CRUISES

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LONGEST &

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31 Get over it with parasailing

Parasailing is flying in a parachute, suspended by a harness and towed by a speedboat. It is very safe and conducted under the watchful eye of a captain certified by the FAA and US Coast Guard.

Go solo or fly tandem. Choose how high you soar, from 400 to 800 feet in the air. Get wet or stay dry. Whatever you choose, you’ll see the Lowcountry for miles in every direction.

Once your captain has given you instructions, you’re taken out for a ten-minute ride. As the boat tows you aloft, you’ll find the harness soft and comfortable. The ride is so gentle and quiet you won’t even hear the sound of the boat below. If you want, the captain can carefully slow the boat and let you drift down until you skim the surface.

There are weight restrictions, but the ride is designed for any age, regardless of skill or physical limitations.

From early spring into September, you can get the best natural high. Think of your bragging rights with friends when you get home.

Palmetto Bay Parasail (843-686-2200) Ad p. 39Sky Pirate Watersports (843-842-2566) Ad p. 38Photo courtesy of H2O Sports



33 Get a thrill on a banana boat

For an action-packed outing on the water, take a banana boat ride.

What is a banana boat? Almost exactly what it sounds like. It is a big inflatable raft roughly shaped like a banana that is pulled behind a speedboat.

The boat captain can adjust for the age and bravery of all the members of your group. From a slow and tame ride for little Jimmy all the way to a white-knuckle adrenaline pumping thrill for dare devils.

While the other members of your party are on the banana you can either enjoy the sight of them bouncing, splashing and spraying, or you can simply sit back and enjoy the beautiful scenery of waters around Hilton Head.

Banana boat rides are available between April and October out of the Harbour Town Yacht Basin in the Sea Pines Resort. For more information, contact H2O Sports at (843) 671-4386.

34 Hit the surf

Anthropologists guess that around 400 A.D. a form of belly boarding on wood planks was introduced in ancient Hawaii. It was later combined with the Tahitian pastime of riding waves in canoes.

Over the centuries, the art, sport and culture of surfing has evolved. It has even taken on new forms, including wakeboarding, wakesurfing, knee boarding, boogie

32 Go waterskiing and tubing

How about an extreme day. Experience the thrill of speeding behind a powerboat on nothing more than a pair of water skis or a bouncy rubber tube.

You’ll quickly learn why this island is such a popular vacation destination – it’s our wonderful waterways where you can punch the “go fast” button, cut loose, yell and laugh.

Sign up for a standard one- or two-hour trip, or customize your own family ski day. If you just want to ride along, that’s fine, but some companies may charge a “ride only” fee. Rates usually include all equipment and instruction. No experience is necessary.

USCG-licensed captains drive all boats. Bear in mind, however, that these activities operate only during the warmer months.

Live Oac (888-254-8362) Ad p. 13, 49Outside Hilton Head (800-686-6996) Ad p. 41Palmetto Bay Parasail (843-686-2200) Ad p. 39Sky Pirate Watersports (843-842-2566) Ad p. 38

Photo © Live Oac, LLC

Photo courtesy of H2O Sports


1-800-686-6996 www.outsidehiltonhead.com

Boat Ride toand from

Hilton Head

Visit with localHistorians

Golf Cart Use

Local Guide

Dolphins

Daily small group tour includes:

Daufuskie IslandExcursions

686-6996O U T S I D E H I L T O N H E A D . C O M

Shelter Cove Marina

THE ULTIMATELOWCOUNTRY EXPERIENCE

DOLPHIN TOURS • PERSONALIZED ACTIVITIESCUSTOM FAMILY OUTINGS • SMALL GROUP TOURS

OHH 101 Things 1_2 Page Vert 2 DAUF 1_10 1/14/10 4:43 PM Page 1

boarding, skim boarding, and most recently, stand-up paddle boarding.

Due to the wide continental shelf and occasional sandbars, the Island produces normal beach breaks and is a safe spot for beginners. Hilton Head shores mostly have smooth, sandy bottoms.

The best time of day to catch a wave is during mid- to high-tide. The best time of year to surf the Hilton Head area is from August to December, but beware of hurricanes and storms that are close to shore because the surf gets too high and the conditions too windy. You’ll find very strong currents during the spring tides. Watch out for stingrays during the spring months and jellyfish during the summer. Lifeguards will put out warning flags if these conditions exist.

Surfing (as well as boogie boarding and “other articles to ride the surf”) is permitted on all public beaches except in areas designated for swimmers.

35 Surf the wake

For a real thrill, surf the wake. Try wakeboarding, wakesurfing, or kneeboarding. However, know that these three watersports are somewhat different.

With wakeboarding you are towed behind a motorboat on a board that looks like a snowboard, hanging

Photo courtesy of Sunny Daze Surf Factory


onto a rope like waterskiing (think snowboarding on water). The boat typically goes about 20 miles per hour, depending on water conditions and the rider’s skill. For beginners, wakeboarding does not require too much skill. But like waterskiing, you have to keep practicing (and take a lot of spills). Eventually you’ll be able to maneuver over the wake and do tricks such as jumping in the air.

Wakesurfing, on the other hand, mimics surfing. You ride a board about the size of a short surfboard (about five feet or shorter). You start by being pulled up on a rope by the boat. The boat goes slower than with wakeboarding, usually only 10-15 miles per hour. A wake is created, then you ride the wave for all its worth. When you’re learning, keep hanging onto the rope. Once you get really good, drop the rope and freeride. Be aware, however, that wake surfing should only be done behind a boat with an inboard motor. Hilton Head Wake Sports is the only company on the Island offering wakesurfing.

Kneeboarding is a great way to work up to both wakeboarding and wakesurfing. It is more similar to wakeboarding than wakesurfing. As with both, you are towed behind the boat that goes faster than a wakesurf boat, between 15-20 miles per hour. But like wakeboarding, you keep hanging on. It has a much easier learning curve and because you are on your knees, you are much closer to the water in case you “wipe out.” As your skills improve, you can learn all the tricks of jumping the wake, going airborne, riding backwards, and doing “360s.”

Rates include all equipment and instruction. USCG-licensed captains drive all boats. These activities operate only during the warmer months.

Live Oac (888-254-8362) Ad p. 13, 49Outside Hilton Head (800-686-6996) Ad p. 41Palmetto Bay Parasail (843-686-2200) Ad p. 39

36 Get wild on a waverunner

Looking for an intense and exhilarating way to explore Hilton Head? Try getting wet and wild on a wave runner – a very safe and fun water activity for all ages.

This water sport has been around since 1929 when a one-man standing unit was called the “ski board,” similar to a powered surfboard. The present day wave runner was invented in 1968 as a “bus for the sea.”

Hilton Head’s waters are safe and uncrowded so you can feel free to go “fast and bouncy” or “slow and cruise.” It is not uncommon for a dolphin to swim along side of you.

All wave runner companies rent by the hour and offer both single, double and triple passenger machines. You need a valid drivers license to rent, and note that some age and weight restrictions may apply.

Once you have checked in and picked out your flotation vest, you must review all the operational and safety features of your craft as well as the rules of the waterway. You will be shown the boundaries, if any, of the riding area. You will be accompanied to the riding area by a guide who will stay within sight to make sure you’re safe.

Palmetto Bay Watersports (843-785-2345) Ad p. 21, 35, 43, 45, 51

37 Get down in a kayak

Kayaking is a Hilton Head “must do.” It is one of the best ways to enjoy the natural gifts the Lowcountry has to offer.

101 PhotographPhoto courtesy of Palmetto Bay Parasail


Kayaking is quiet. It’s down low so you can get close to nature. Peacefully go at your own pace. It will give you some of the best photo opportunities of your vacation. Go single or double.

Rent a kayak to go on your own, or sign-up for a guided two- to six-hour tour with a trained interpretive naturalist.

Whether you are a beginner or an experienced paddler, you are covered. Explore our tidal creeks and see dolphin; visit Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge; paddle the May River or the black waters of the New River; visit near-by islands such as Daufuskie or Bull Island; see the Lowcountry at sunrise, sunset, or full moon; experience the summer Tuesday evening fireworks; try a daylong special interest trip.

Once you’ve checked in and selected your flotation vest, instructors will teach you how to hold the paddle and steer the kayak. If you are going out on your own, they will provide you with maps showing you “no go” areas such as oyster beds and sand bars.

Then paddle away and enjoy. Race, drift or splash – it’s up to you.

Kayak Hilton Head (843-684-1910) Ad p. 43Live Oac (888-254-8362) Ad p. 13, 49Outside Hilton Head (800-686-6996) Ad p. 41Palmetto Bay Watersports (843-785-2345) Ad p. 21, 35, 43, 45, 51

38 Stand up and paddle

Old school surfers in Waikiki used outrigger canoe paddles while standing on their boards to surf the waves. This eventually led to the “hands-free” surfing style we know

Family

Kayaking

Dolphin Kayak Tours!

Dolphin Boat Tours!

Fireworks

Tours!

DOLPHIN TOURS DAILY from SUNUP ‘TIL SUNDOWNKAYAK RENTALS $10/hr singles • $15/hr doubles (2 hr min)

Call for Reservations! Located at 11 Simmons Landing, next to Broad Creek Marina.From Sea Pines Traffic Circle: Palmetto Bay Rd. to toll booth. Exit onto Marshland Rd. Go 1 mile. Turn right onto Simmons Rd. Follow to end on the LEFT to 11 Simmons Road. From mid-island: At Mile Marker 6 (intersection of Hwy 278 & Folly Field Rd./Mathews Dr.), turn onto Mathews Dr. Go 1/4 mile. Turn left onto Marshland Rd. Go 3.5 miles. Turn left onto Simmons Rd. Follow to end on the LEFT to 11 Simmons Road.

GPS address: 11 Simmons Road

Photo by Kelli Baxendale


The rafts are comfortable, covered, fast, and have shallow drafts perfect for exploring out-of-the-way spots such as tidal creeks and numerous uninhabited islands and beaches.

These memorable small personalized guided nature expeditions will bring you up close to dolphins as well as birds and other wildlife. You’ll learn all about their habits and behaviors as well as the unique ecology of our salt marshes. Most companies also offer customized beachcombing excursions to Daufuskie Island and nearby private islands, specialized photography excursions, sunrise and sunset tours, and summer Tuesday night fireworks trips.

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40 Paddle the Paddy Wagon

For a unique way to tour the Island’s tidal creeks and marshes, rent the “Paddy Wagon,” a four-passenger paddleboat. As Hilton Head ‘s newest form of family fun, this is a “green” way to get out on the water.

Give your legs a good workout, or just drift with the current. Your choice. The boat comes equipped with a bimini top for shade. Bring your own cooler and don’t forget the camera. You can even try fishing or just explore.

No experience is necessary and it is great for all ages.You can rent by the hour from Palmetto Bay Watersports, located at Palmetto Bay Marina.

Palmetto Bay Watersports (843-785-2345) Ad p. 21, 35, 43, 45, 51Photo courtesy of Commmander Zodiac

Photo by Palmetto Bay Watersports

today. But now there is renewed interest in this South Seas sport, and stand-up paddle boarding is one of the fastest growing water activities in the world today.

Safe, fun and easy, stand-up paddle boarding has taken Hilton Head Island by storm, particularly because it is great in flat water and low surf, and it is a great activity for the whole family. Because glide and stability count most in this sport, it is a phenomenal core workout for those who favor a Pilates-style fitness regimen. World-class surfers, fitness gurus and watermen alike have embraced this latest exercise trend.

Stand-up paddles boards are available locally for rent or purchase. You can also sign up for daily clinics or group excursions.

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39 Take a raft ride

For an exhilarating guided water tour with plenty of photo opportunities, be sure to consider the thrill of riding in a hard bottom inflatable zodiac-type raft.

Photo courtesy of Outside Hilton Head


41 Learn to sail

Have you ever seen sailboats silhouetted at sunset and thought, “I wish that was me sailing out there?” Ever thought, “I want to do that,” when you saw a boat quietly cruise by under full sail, people laughing in the wind and sun?

So, just do it - learn to sail. When better than during your vacation on an island? The Hilton Head area offers you some fantastic opportunities to learn the ropes of this exciting sport.

Private and group sailing lessons are available for all ages, and special junior sailing schools are held for children ages seven to 16. Friendly USCG-licensed captains will teach the basics or refresh rusty skills. Reservations are required.

The sailboats and catamarans are also available for rent so you can explore beautiful Calibogue Sound on your own.

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42 Go charter fishin’

The waters of the Lowcountry are an angler’s paradise. Just choose your fishing adventure – we have it all: Fresh and brackish water lagoons; inshore and near shore in creeks; rivers and tidal lagoons or estuaries; “monster” shark fishing; and offshore “blue water” deep sea fishing in the Atlantic Ocean’s Gulf Stream.

The area is rich in shark, marlin, spot, cobia, red snapper, grouper, bluefish, king and Spanish mackerel, sheep head, flounder and the sea trout.

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Also be aware of the laws regarding “tag (or catch) and release.” If you catch undersized fish, or fish over the limit, they should be released back into the water to ensure the future of fish populations. If you are fishing with a charter, the captain will assist you in determining what you can keep.

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43 Fish the fresh waters

What’s a vacation without some leisurely time to kick back and drop a fishing pole into the water? If you aren’t a heavy-duty angler, you have kids in tow, or you just don’t

There are basically two kinds of fishing boats for hire – large “party boats,” and the smaller traditional “charter boats.” Both types can offer deep sea offshore, nearshore, and inshore fishing trips, and provide bait, tackle, and your fishing license.

All captains are happy to provide instruction and most will be willing to clean your catch.

“Party boats” are licensed to hold a large number of people. They feature walking space and come equipped with all the amenities, including a galley and multiple restrooms. Their rates are lower because you are sharing the charter with a number of other people.

“Charter boats” generally hold up to six people. Most have canopied seating areas, some will have bathrooms and enclosed cabins, but they are not large and are not usually equipped with a full-service galley or bathrooms.

For out-of-town visitors wondering about fishing regulations in the state of South Carolina, offshore fishing uses South Carolina law up to three miles offshore. Beyond that, Federal regulations apply.

If you are going saltwater fishing from the shore or on your own boat (or a rental), you need a South Carolina saltwater fishing license if you are 16 years old or over. However, if you will be fishing with a charter boat, you are already covered by the boat’s license.

Photo by Debbie Clegg

Photo courtesy of Jeff Keller


North End Charter Fleet

Located on the docks at the Chart House on

Squire Pope RoadWe’re captains, coaches, and teachers - we’ll show you what we know.

And we’ll clean your catch for free!

Big Fish • Big Boat • Big Time40+ Years Fishing Local Waters

• Wide, covered, comfortable boat with private restroom

• Ice, bait, tackle & licenses provided

• Maximum 6 passengers

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Captain Bill ParkerUSCG Licensed Captain

Tarpon … Cobia … Sharks … King Mackerel … Spanish MackerelRedfish … Jack Crevelle … Bluefish … Trout … Sheepshead

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Capt. Jim Scott Middleton knows these local waters. Join him aboard his 27’ Pro-Cat for an unforgettable fishing trip, complete with dolphin sightings.

4, 6, & 8 Hour Charters Available Year Around

Holder of SC State Record Bluefin Tuna 396 lbs.

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Captain Eric will customize a trip for you; from teaching trips for youngsters and families to exciting trips for experienced fishing enthusiasts.Monster shark trips are also available.

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Captain Eric MooreNorth End Charter Fishing Fleet

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• Groups up to 6 passengers• 27-foot Key West

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want to spend the time or money for a charter boat, then try some lazy, gentle freshwater fishing in one of the Island’s many lagoons and ponds.

You may see folks sitting by one of the fresh water lakes and ponds within our gated communities. You, too, can have that kind of easy, lazy experience - just grab a pole and bait, and you’re all set - almost.

Note that some of the lagoons around the Island are saltwater. For those you should be aware the state of South Carolina requires that all shore-based saltwater fishing require a license. This applies to fishing for finfish, oysters, clams, shrimp and crab. If you want to fish within a gated plantation, check with the plantation’s Property Owner’s Association/Security Office to see about a fishing permit.

You don’t, however, need a license to fresh water fish from shore. Jarvis Creek Park, located on the William Hilton Parkway (Hwy. 278) just east of the Cross Island Expressway, is an 11-acre fresh water lake stocked with bass and bluegill. You can fish from the floating pier or find a spot on the bank. Your outing should be rewarding, but be aware that the fishing there is strictly catch and release. The park is open from dawn to dusk seven days a week.

Freshwater fishing charters are available in spring and fall. The charter will include equipment, bait, and license.

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44 Go fly fishing

Hilton Head Island has become the fly fishing mecca for the Palmetto state. Whether backcountry, inshore or offshore, most all South Atlantic game fish can be successfully targeted depending on the time of year.

When it comes to shallow-minded anglers, spot tail bass (a.k.a., red drum, redfish, or channel bass) is the staple

Photo courtesy of Marshgrass Productions

Lowcountry WildlifePhoto Safaris

Dolphin Behavior • Wading Birds • Shorebirds • Birds of Prey

Special Seasonal Tours/Dolphin Behavioral Tours

Join professional wildlife photographer Eric Horan in the creeksand waterways observing the dolphin at play, breeding, sleeping

and fishing, both in and out of water (strand feeding).

Call to join a scheduled tour, plan your own private tripor ask about discounts for your own group.


HORAN 101Things 1_4 Dolphins 6_12 6/6/12 9:29 PM Page 1

Lowcountry WildlifePhoto Safaris

Join professional wildlife photographer Eric Horan in the waterways

following the shrimpers as they ply for their catch. Witness the

feeding frenzy when they clean their nets and discard the by-catch.

Photograph the dolphin busy feeding behind the boats.

Call to join a scheduled tour, plan your own private tripor ask about discounts for your own group.


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here and can be caught year around. However, the best sight casting occurs during the fall and winter months. Speckled trout and flounder add to the shallow water experience. As spring arrives, cobia season warms up in Port Royal Sound. The females can reach well beyond 70 pounds, but the average size fish is in the 20 to 30 pound range.

Summer months consist of fast inshore action as Spanish mackerel, bluefish, ladyfish, and jack cravelle invade current rips and artificial structure. For the big game enthusiasts, tarpon are the ultimate nearshore experience. Be sure to talk to your guide, charter captain, or outfitter about the latest fly fishing information and licensing requirements.

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45 Hunt for “jaws”

Arrive home with the ultimate fish story – “I caught JAWS!” Perhaps this is why shark fishing is one of the most popular excursions for both family fun and serious sports fishermen alike.

The Lowcountry does not lack in its share of these large mouthed, sharp-toothed fish. Mako, tiger, bull, and hammerheads – they are here. So are the lemons, black tips, bonnetheads, and sharpnose. Some are so large you don’t want them in the boat with you. Others are small enough to hold in your hand. (But they are all huge when you tell your story!)

Photo © Live Oac, LLC


Inshore and offshore shark fishing off Hilton Head is good year around, but it is generally best between April and October. Charters are available at any time of the day and include bait, tackle and licensing. You can choose either a large “party boat” that accommodates a large number of people, or a private charter for a small group or family.

Shark fishing from Hilton Head beaches is prohibited.For those adventurous types wanting an offshore

“monster” shark fishing trip, this is the specialty of the serious sport fishing captains. These half- and full-day hunts venture offshore to sunken wrecks and reefs, or the deep blue water of the Gulf Stream.

Inshore shark fishing is best suited for those seeking a shorter trip (three to four hours), especially families with children. Evening trips during the summer are the most popular. Some companies will combine an inshore trip with Hilton Head’s summer fireworks display. Cruises designed specifically for kids offer a more educational and entertaining approach.

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46 Go Trawling for shrimp

Shrimping has always played a large role in the life of the people on Hilton Head Island and throughout the Lowcountry. During the shrimping season, which runs from June 1 to late December or early January, you can see the boats off shore trawling for shrimp.

Each day a shrimper will load 600 pounds of ice into a stainless steel hatch and go out in search of shrimp. The nets are dropped in the water and dragged behind the boat for a period of time. As soon as the nets are full, they are hoisted out of the water. Then the crew pops the heads off the shrimp immediately and send the shrimp down the chute into the hatch.

Back in port, a conveyor belt quickly brings the shrimp up to be weighed, counted, boxed, and put on ice again. All are sold in less than 24 hours.

If you would like to catch your own shrimp, you can sign up for lessons that offer a combination of shrimping, cast

netting, and crabbing. Or take advantage of the numerous farmers markets and roadside stands that sell fresh shrimp.

For a different take, join a photo tour of shrimp boats in action. You’ll be able to see the fenzy of birds and dolphins feeding around the boats.

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47 Take a boat to a restaurant

What better way to enjoy two of the greatest treasures in the Lowcountry than to combine a boat cruise with dinner? There are a number of options that will allow you to ditch the car and enjoy a relaxing cruise to a restaurant.

Traditional dinner cruises include a meal onboard. With a “cruise to dinner” (or lunch) you can take that scenic boat journey you’ve wanted to experience, and then have a meal with your feet firmly planted on dry land.

A number of companies offer standardized as well as customized tours from Hilton Head to both Daufuskie Island and Savannah. The types of boats range in size from small six-passenger deck boat to canopied pontoons to large double-decker passenger yachts.

There are options if you want to head to Savannah for a culinary experience without the hassle of an hour drive

101 Photograph


and parking. For example, the “Spirit of Harbour Town” departs Hilton Head directly to the center of River Street in the heart of Savannah’s Historic District. They offer the option of combining their regular cruise to Savannah with Old Savannah Tours’ Paula Deen Experience, a trolley tour that includes lunch at one of her famed restaurants.

You can also hire a boat to take you to either Marshside Mamas or the Old Daufuskie Crab Company on Daufuskie Island. There you can experience authentic


Lowcountry cuisine, including devilled crab made from old Gullah recipes as well as fresh shrimp and oyster options. If you go for lunch, you can then rent a golf cart to explore the Island. If you go for dinner, you’ll get to experience one of the Lowcountry’s exquisite sunsets.

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48 Picnic on a sandbar

There are few experiences as typical to the Lowcountry lifestyle as a picnic on one of our many sandbars. Locals love to head out to the sandbars to picnic and party at low tide, particularly to the May River Sandbar, located between Alljoy Landing and the Beaufort County dock in Bluffton. When the tides go out the fun cranks up, and if you pay attention to the tidal charts you will notice that activity at the public boat ramp always picks up at that time.

Kids will love splashing in the warm shallow water and building sand castles on the bar. Adults can kick back with Photo courtesy of Vagabond Cruises’ Spirit of Harbour Town


snacks and their favorite beverage. Your dog will even love it and you won’t have to worry about him running away. But if you take your dog, please observe the customary beach rules of having him on a leash or under voice control, and don’t forget to pick up his trash.

There are plenty of companies that rent boats and kayaks that you can use to get to the sandbars. Some companies even offer guides that will take you there so you don’t have to worry about navigating the shallows.

There have been complaints about rowdy behavior at the May River Sand Bar in the past so please understand that this is always a possibility.

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49 Learn about the Gullah culture

The Gullah culture has woven its way into the fabric of the Lowcountry. Hilton Head Island offers visitors the chance to learn more about this unique and complex culture through guided historical tours.

All along the Atlantic coastline from North Carolina to northern Florida are Sea Island communities of people who are direct descendants of slaves from West Africa. In South Carolina, this language and culture is referred to as “Gullah.” In Georgia, it’s called “Geechee.”

When the Civil War ended and slaves were freed, most plantation owners sold their lands to their freed slaves

and left the area. With no bridges and little contact with the outside world, these Native Islanders were able to maintain their culture and language.

Their descendant’s continue to maintain their unique folklore and traditions. In 2006, the National Heritage Areas Act was signed into law establishing the federal Gullah/Geechee Heritage Corridor Commission to protect and promote this endangered culture.

Daufuskie Island is a wellspring of Gullah culture and history. After a short boat ride from Hilton Head, you can join a guided history tour, either aboard a colorfully painted school bus, on a four-passenger golf cart, or a walking tour. You can also rent a golf cart for a self-guided exploration of the magic of the Island. Customized private excursions to the Island are also available.

The Gullah Museum of Hilton Head, located in a restored 1930s “haint blue” cabin, strives to preserve, protect and promote the Gullah culture. The museum received the esteemed 2012 National Preservation Honor Award by National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Even though the museum is still in its early stages of development, it is open for tours on Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., or by appointment Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays. Tours are conducted by Gullah storyteller Louise Cohen. Visitors will learn what life was like on Hilton Head before a bridge was built to the mainland in 1956.

The museum is located behind the historical marker at 187 Gumtree Road, between William Hilton Parkway (US 278) and Squire Pope Road. For more information about their tour hours, call (843) 681-3254.

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50 Explore the stoney-baynard ruins

Cotton planter Captain John “Saucy Jack” Stoney built Braddock’s Point Plantation between 1793 and 1810. The home and outbuildings were made of timber and “tabby,” a masonry made of burned crushed oyster shells sand, whole shells and water.

The estate remained in the Stoney family until around 1837 when planter William E. Baynard acquired the plantation. A popular island legend says the Stoney owner lost the property in a poker game to Baynard in 1840.

During the Civil War the plantation was raided by the Union forces and made into their Island headquarters. Shortly later, the home burned down.

The ruins are listed on the National Register of Historic Sites. You can explore them on your own. The ruins are located in the six-acre Baynard Ruins Park off Plantation Drive in The Sea Pines Resort. Photo Courtesy of the Coastal Discovery Museum


51 Visit historic churches

For a quick history lesson, be sure to drive or bike by any one of the area’s historic churches. Most of these churches began as places of worship for abandoned or freed slaves during and after the Civil War. Remarkably, most of these century-old houses of worship still open every Sunday.

One of the oldest buildings in Hilton Head is the small, white Queen Chapel, an African Methodist-Episcopal church, located on Beach City Road and founded in 1865 by missionaries. It served as a praise house for slaves on the Pope Plantation. The original building has been updated, both in 1892 and again in 1952.

Also founded in 1865 and located on Beach City Road is the First African Baptist Church. St. James Baptist Church, founded in 1886, is located near the old Mitchelville neighborhood where abandoned slaves lived and farmed the land during the Civil War.

The Zion Chapel of Ease was small Episcopal Church built in 1788 for plantation owners. All that remains today is the cemetery, located at the corner of Mathews Drive and William Hilton Parkway (Hwy. 278). The Zion Cemetery is also home to the Baynard family mausoleum, built in 1848 and now the oldest intact structure on the Island. The site is owned and maintained by the Heritage Library Foundation.

Bluffton’s Church of the Cross is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. This Episcopal Church, built in

Photo by Megan Tyson

Experience theGullah Culture

Tours Conducted by Gullah Storyteller Louise CohenOpen Saturdays from 10 am to 4 pm

Available by appointment on Mondays, Tuesdays, & Wednesdays

of Hilton Head Island187 Gumtree Road • (843) 681-3254

www.gullahmuseumhhi.org

Photo courtesy of Coastal Discovery Museum


1857, sits on a bluff overlooking the May River. Guided and self-guided tours of the church and historic Bluffton are available.

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52 Explore historic bluffton

For the perfect day trip, you don’t have to look any farther than Old Town Bluffton, a quaint village with historical tours of antebellum homes and churches, a thriving art district, great antique shops, cozy cafes and bakeries, and a fabulous Farmer’s Market.

Nestled on a high bluff overlooking the beautiful May River, the one-square mile village of Bluffton was settled in the early 1800s as the summer place for wealthy rice and cotton planters. It grew to become an important coastal commericaldistribution center. Prosperity eventually led to year-round residences, churches, and a thriving commercial main street. The village was officially incorporated in 1852.

During the Civil War, Union forces occupied Hilton Head, Beaufort, and Savannah. The town of Bluffton, however, was a thorn in the side of the Federal troops, serving as a reconnoitering ground for a nearby Confederate cavalry unit to harass the enemy. Eventually the Yankees got fed up. They sailed up the May River in gunboats and opened fire, leveling every building they could see from their boats.

Thanks to a heavy layer of smoke, 10 homes and two churches escaped destruction. These structures still stand to this day in addition to 19 post-Civil War homes.

To best see Old Town Bluffton, start at the Heyward House, located at 70 Boundary Street in Bluffton’s Nationally Registered Historic District. Built circa 1840, this historic home serves as a museum as well as Bluffton’s official Welcome Center. The house is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and Saturday 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Admission is free. There you can pick up free information and take a docent-guided tour of the house and grounds (nominal charge for adults, children 10 and under are free). Guided walking tours of the Historic District are available weekdays by appointment (please call ahead for reservations). Or you can choose to take a self-guided tour of the town. They will provide you with a national register Historic District Walking Tour map developed by the Bluffton Historical Preservation Society. The map includes 26 historic locations within the one-square mile Historic District.

Old Town is experiencing a re-emergence as a Mecca for artists and artisans. It is worth spending a few pleasant hours strolling the streets and taking in the town’s folksy charm. Check out the eclectic collection of boutiques and art galleries. Don’t miss the Bluffton Farmer’s Market on Thursdays (hours are seasonal).

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53 Visit the heyward house

Built circa 1840 as a summer residence for plantation owner John James Cole, the Heyward House is a well-preserved example of Carolina Farmhouse architecture

Built ca. 1840, this simple timber-framed Carolina Farmhouse, with its original slave cabin and summer kitchen, is one of eight antebellum homes remaining in Old Town Bluffton. Come see what 19th Century life was like in the Lowcountry.

Guided Tours of the House and Grounds • Only $5 DonationMonday-Friday, 10 am to 4 pm • Saturday 11 am to 2 pm

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Visit Bluffton’s Welcome Center& Tour the Heyward House

Photo by Ed Funk

101 Photograph


with its front porch, shotgun center hall, and two bookend chimneys flanking the house. The brick walk and fireplaces were handmade from Savannah gray brick. The heartwood pine floors and rough-hewn plank walls, likely built by Cole’s slaves, still remain. Behind the house stand two outbuildings. A slave cabin and the original summer kitchen have been restored.

During the Civil War, Union forces destroyed most of the Bluffton village, however 10 homes and two churches escaped destruction, including the Cole’s home.

After the Civil War when Mr. Cole died and his wife could no longer maintain the home, the house passed to the Heyward family. Five generations of Heywards occupied the house until the late 1990s, when the Bluffton Historical Preservation Society purchased it.

The house, located in Bluffton’s Nationally Registered Historic District, also serves as Bluffton’s official Welcome Center. It is open weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and Saturday 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Admission to the house and visitor information is free. Docent-led tours are available for a nominal charge for adults. Children 10 and under are free.

During the week, the Heyward House also offers guided walking tours of the Historic District that include a 30-minute tour of the house and grounds, and a one-hour walk through the Historic District. Advance reservations are required. Or you can choose to take a self-guided tour of the town. They will provide you with a national register Historic District Walking Tour map developed by the Bluffton Historical Preservation Society.

The Heyward House is located at 70 Boundary Street in Old Town Bluffton. For more information, call (843) 757-6293.

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54 Tour a lowcountry plantation

Rose Hill Mansion (c. 1858) is thought to be the only antebellum plantation house still standing in Beaufort County. In its heyday this was a thriving 1,880-acre rice, indigo and Sea Island cotton plantation.

Today, across an expansive lawn of live oaks dripping Spanish moss and a long white gravel drive, this beautiful house sits, rich in Southern history, European style, and fairy-tale charm.

In 1799 James Kirk, a prominent local planter and eventual co-founder of Bluffton, inherited the plantation from his father-in-law. In 1838, he gave the plantation to his daughter, Caroline, and Dr. John Kirk (his nephew) as a wedding present.


Dr. John and Caroline began building this 10,000 square-foot Gothic Revival home in the late 1850s. However, construction was halted by the Civil War during which it was occupied by but spared destruction by Union troops because, reportedly, it resembled a church and was too beautiful to burn.

After passing through multiple ownerships, the house was not completed until 1946. A fire in 1987 nearly destroyed the home. In 1995 Robin and Robert White bought the gutted mansion and spent the next 10 years lovingly restoring it to its glory.

Today, each room is packed with artifacts found on the property—pottery shards, a Civil War rifle, medicine bottles, uniform buttons—and family treasures donated by Kirk descendants. In addition, Rose Hill houses one of the most comprehensive arms collections in the state, including rare European weapons dating back to the 16th century and scores of Civil War period guns, swords and accouterments

The house is open daily for public tours. With one tour a day and no time limit, visitors are welcomed like houseguests. Enjoy a glass of Rose Hill’s plantation-label wine, if you like, as you follow your guide from room to room. Wander through back rooms where framed memorabilia line the walls, relax in front porch rockers or stroll about the grounds. After the tour, settle in the dining room for peach tea, lemonade and assorted cakes, pies and cheeses, as well as samples of Rose Hill Plantation’s Southern jams & salsas. Shop in the butler’s panty gift shop for local made crafts.

The mansion is also available for private group luncheon tours, weddings, corporate events, parties, portrait sessions and charity events. The Guest Cottage adjacent to the main house is available for daily or weekly rental.

Rose Hill Mansion (843-757-6046) Ad p. 55

55 Encounter the haunted side

A visit to the Lowcountry is not complete until you’ve experienced the “haints” of the South: Boo Hags and root doctors; Voodoo and grave robbers; pirates and Civil War soldiers. This is the stuff of Lowcountry legends, creepy tales, and goose bumps, both on land and at sea.

Hilton Head’s “Ghost Ship” thrills young ghost hunters during the summer with tales of pirates and grave robbers.

Daufuskie Island has its own magical tales of spirits and “the root” as told in its forests by storytellers aboard a painted school bus.

Savannah, with its reputation as one of the country’s most haunted cities, offers a multitude of haunted walking and trolley tours.

Calibogue Cruises (843-342-8687) Ad p. 4-5, 16Oglethorpe Trolley Tours (912-233-8380) Ad p. 77, 80Old Savannah Tours (800-517-9007) Ad p. 75, 78, 81Savvy Savannah Tours (912) 663-4400) Ad p. 76Vagabond Cruises (843-363-9023) Ad p. 11

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56 Look for our island’s roots

Explore Hilton Head Island’s history and your own genealogy at the Heritage Library, one of the most comprehensive collections of its kind.

Here you can read Captain William Hilton’s report of his 1663 sighting of Hilton Head. Research the Patriots who fought and died here during the American Revolution. Learn about the antebellum plantations and the Gullah culture kept alive by the isolated descendants of Sea Island slaves.

You don’t have to have a tie to the Island to explore your own roots. The library has skilled volunteers to help you, plus access to extensive on-line sources. There are frequent classes and workshops. They have an extensive catalog of books, maps, microfilms, and CDs, covering much more than the island.

The library also owns and maintains two historic sites open to the public: Fort Mitchel, a Civil War earthworks relic in Hilton Head Plantation; and the antebellum Zion Chapel of Ease Cemetery with Patriot graves, at the intersection of Mathews Drive and William Hilton Parkway (US 278).

The library, at 852 William Hilton Parkway (US 278, Mile Marker 9), is open from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Visits during other days or times are available by appointment. There is a nominal charge for research for non-members; a limited number of free one-hour genealogy checkup appointments

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852 Wm. Hilton ParkwayHilton Head Island SC 29928

www.heritagelib.org • 843-686-6560

Open Mon., Tues., Thurs., Fri. 10-3

Who Am I? What Happened Here?

Family researchers and historians find answers here.

Consult our online genealogy sites with trained voluteers.

Explore Hilton Head’s rich history.

Visit our historical sites (Ft. Mitchel & Zion Chapel).

Ask about our FREE 1-hour Genealogy Checkup.

Open Mon., Tues., Thurs., Fri 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

(Other times by appointment)

are available. For more information, call the library at 843-686-6560.

Heritage Library Foundation (843-686-6560) Ad p. 57

57 Visit Hilton Head’s historic forts

Hilton Head Island has the remnants of four Civil War forts. Although there is not much remaining of the old encampments that ultimately housed over 50,000 Union troops, traces of the original earthworks and interpretive historical markers tell the story of the Island’s role in the war.

The story begins with Fort Walker on Port Royal Sound, built by Confederate soldiers in 1861 to help protect the critical southern ports of Charleston, Beaufort and Savannah. Later that same year, Union forces successfully attacked and captured the fort during the Battle of Port Royal Sound, thus gaining a strategic foothold to aid the Union blockade of the ports. That same day occupying Union soldiers freed over 1,000 island slaves. They were the first slaves freed by the Civil War. The Union continued to occupy the Island for the remainder of the war. Today, all that


remains are earthworks and numerous interpretive markers in Port Royal Plantation.

Two additional forts were built in 1862 by the Union Army to continue the defense of the Union blockade and to prevent Confederate assaults: Fort Sherman, the remains of which are still visible in Port Royal Plantation; and the earthworks of Fort Mitchel in Hilton Head Plantation, administered by the Heritage Library Foundation.

For access to Fort Mitchel, acquire a gate pass at no charge, however the pass is only good for Fort Mitchel. To see both Fort Walker and Fort Sherman, you must have a gate pass to Port Royal Plantation, or sign up for a guided tour conducted by the Coastal Discovery Museum (843-689-6767).

The fourth fort, Fort Howell, was built to defend Mitchelville, the nearby village built for the country’s first emancipated slaves. It is located on Beach City Road at Dillon Road. The earthwork remnants are partially eroded and covered by trees. It is open to the general public for self-guided tours everyday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. There are interpretive markers erected by the Hilton Head Island Trust.

Heritage Library Foundation (843-686-6560) Ad p. 57

58 Visit the first freedman’s village

Mitchelville was the first freed slave village in the United States.

When the Union troops invaded and occupied the Island in 1861 after the Battle of Port Royal, African-Americans officially began their road towards freedom.

By the late afternoon of the Battle of Port Royal, the Confederate troops retreated, leaving the area to Union forces. With the help of Union General Ormsby Mitchel, the slaves left behind were granted freedom. Many chose to remain on the Island, living in military-like camps.

In 1862, General Mitchel allowed the emancipated slaves to build their own houses and establish their own community. The town was named “Mitchelville” in his honor.

Eventually having a population of about 1,500, Mitchelville developed its own laws, established a government, and declared that every child between the ages of six and 15 must attend school, becoming the South’s first compulsory school system.

After the war, Mitchelville was abandoned. All that remains today is a forested glen and a historical marker proclaiming the astonishing fact that the town even existed. You will find this historical marker on Beach City Road, beyond the Hilton Head Airport, along the fence that encloses Palmetto Hall Plantation.

Mitchelville was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1988.

Plans are now well underway to preserve a portion of this historic site as the Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park, a memorial commemorating the freedmen’s “experiment in freedom.”

59 Play at a children’s museum

Is it raining or just too hot outside? Are your kids bored and dying for something fun to do? Can’t figure out what to do with your littlest one? Then head over to The Sandbox, a fun interactive children’s museum and Hilton Head Island’s only hands-on activity center for children.

There is a lot of fun to be had for children of any age in this 2,500-square foot facility with play centers designed especially for those eight years old and under, including infants and toddlers.

After you walk through the front wooden gate, you will see the Loggerhead Sandcastle, filled with magical sand. This sand can be formed into any shape you desire, but because of its unique composition, it brushes right off.

The Builders of Tomorrow Exhibit construction zone allows little ones to test their building skills. On the ship “The Adventure,” they can dress up as pirates and hop aboard William Hilton’s ship, full of nooks and crannies. The Dinosaur Rock Course will have them literally climbing the walls. If your child loves airplanes and adventures in flight, they can climb inside a real cockpit and pretend to fly to anywhere in the world or galaxy.

For those who like to “play” chef, there is a make-believe café where they can buy and prepare meals. At the SCBT Bank, they can play with money and learn to write checks and then head over to the mail center to send

101 Photograph


packages around the world. Charlie’s Perfect Playplace, with its play gym, fun wall panels, and interactive puzzles and toys, is perfect for infants and toddlers. If your child is a natural born artist, there is an eight-foot wall made just for doodling. Down the hall kids can paint, play musical instruments, or celebrate a birthday.

The upstairs loft, where children can see themselves on TV wearing fun of costumes, also has an area to “play” doctor or veterinarian with real x-rays and life size animals. Then have fun with the puppet theater, Lego table and train table. There are even board games and puzzles for the older ones, or curl up in our comfy corner library where you and your child can read to each other.

The Sandbox, a non-profit organization, is located at 18A Pope Avenue, two blocks off the Sea Pines Circle behind St. Andrew by the Sea United Methodist Church. Hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. (open Mondays from Memorial Day through August). There is a small admission fee. Call for seasonal and holiday hours and information on special programs and events.

The Sandbox (843-842-7645) Ad p. 59

60 Create your own memories

It is not difficult to find a souvenir of your visit to the Lowcountry. Find a shell on the beach, a shirt in a store, a cap from a water sports company. However, to make your memory all the more cherished, create something of your own so that every time you see it, you’ll think, “I made that in Hilton Head.”

The ARTCAFE

Great for

all ages! Fun for the whole family!

A Paint-Your-Own-Pottery StudioFun out of the sun or on a rainy day!

Make your own Hilton Head souvenirs & personalized gifts! No experience needed

Come See Our NEW FUN LocationThe Gallery of Shops

14 Greenwood Drive, Outside the Sea Pines Gate(843) 785-5525

DISCOVER A PLACE WHERE CHILDREN & GROWN-UPS CAN EXPLORE, LEARN AND PLAY TOGETHER

www.thesandbox.org

LOCATION:18A Pope AvenueHilton Head Island, SC 29928

TEL : [843]842.7645

HOURS:Mon–Sat: 10-5 (April, June, July & August)

Tues–Sat: 10-5 (Sept – March & May)

AN INTERACTIVE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM

$1OFFPER PERSON WITH THIS AD (101)

Photo Courtesy of The Art Cafe


Check out The Art Cafe. It offers a variety of unfinished ceramics, from coffee mugs to wall hangings, for you to paint and add your creative talent. Your masterpiece is left there for two days so they can be glazed and fired. When you pick it up (or they will ship it for you), you have a wonderful souvenir or gift.

They also host Kids Night Out. Drop the kids off every Wednesday from 6:30 to 8:45 p.m. and let them have dinner, decorate desserts, play some games, and paint some pottery.

The Art Cafe will be moving in March, 2013 from Coligny Plaza to the Gallery of Shops at 14 Greenwood Drive, just outside the main Sea Pines Resort Gate.

High Tide Beads, located in the Village Exchange, is a haven for creative souls. Here you can create your own jewelry using the studio and their tools. They sell a wide variety of beads and findings, accessories, and handmade jewelry. Classes are also offered. Here your kids can make their own jewelry or even a collar for your dog. During Winter, 2013 High Tide will be opening a new Bluffton location in Sheridan Park on US278 at 70 Pennington Drive.

The Art Cafe (843-785-5525) Ad p. 59High Tide Beads (843-686-4367, 843-815-2323) Ad p. 73

61 Meet the small animals

Nothing is as adorable and entertaining as watching a young child play with animals. Whether it is with the family’s puppy or a pony in a roadside pasture, even adults can recapture that sense of wonderment shining from their child’s eyes.

Lawton Stables has Hilton Head’s only small animal farm where your youngsters can meet and pet a beautiful and friendly collection of animals - goats, sheep, pot-bellied pigs, chickens, rabbits, a miniature pony, rooster, llama, and Callie the deer who wanders the paths. This is in addition to the ponies, horses, and their Clydesdale named Harley, who waits by the road for an apple, carrot or even just a quick pet from a friendly passerby. It’s free and no reservations are required.

Treat your little ones to a gently led pony ride around the animal farm. There is a small charge for the ride and is available only to children age seven and under. You can sign up for the pony rides at their welcome center, and while you are there, wander through their little farm store full of toys and books. For the older children and adults, Lawton offers escorted trail rides through the tranquil 603-acre Sea Pines Forest Preserve.

Lawton Stables is located in the Sea Pines Resort at the corner of Plantation Drive. You can’t miss the pastures with grazing horses where you’ll probably see families looking over the fence at these beautiful creatures.


62 Check out our parks and playgrounds

Did you come to the Island with some kids and a dog that really need to run free? People and pets can find plenty of freedom at family-friendly parks all around the Island.

Years ago, the Town of Hilton Head instituted an aggressive land-buying program for purposes of preserving as much of the Island’s green space as possible. Over the years, the Town has developed over 20 permanent community parks (with more planned for the future), all of which serve a variety of recreational purposes, from playgrounds and beaches to sports fields and historical nature trails.

Of particular interest to the young is the newly renovated Bristol Sports Arena at Crossings Park, near the south end of the Cross Island Parkway. It has a skateboard park, a roller hockey rink, and basketball court. The rest of Crossings Park offers baseball and soccer fields, a large meadow for throwing a Frisbee or picnicking, and a playground with a jungle-gym complex of slides, tunnels, and climbing apparatus. The entry to Bristol Arena is off Arrow Road, and the Crossings entry is off Helmsman Way.

Chaplin Community Park has beach access, rest rooms, athletic fields, tennis courts, picnic facilities, and ample parking. There are also paved paths for walking and

101 Photograph


All courses are well shaded so even hot afternoons are comfortable. Just in case it rains, you can ask for a “rain check” so your time and money is not wasted.

Although all courses are open year around, hours are seasonal.

biking. It also gives your dog a place to frolic off the leash in Best Friends Dog Park. The park is located mid-Island between Burke’s Beach and Singleton Roads.

In the Sea Pines Resort at Harbour Town, your children will delight at the Gregg Russell Playground, a large sandy area underneath shady trees. There’s a tree house surrounding a huge oak, a wooden bridge, swings, slides, and benches where watchful parents can rest.

Shelter Cove Harbour has another good playground near the gazebo. It has swings, slides, and climbing structures. Nearby at Shelter Cove Community Park, behind the Mall at Shelter Cove, there are picnic tables and benches overlooking Broad Creek.

If you need additional information about amenities at Hilton Head’s various parks, call the Town of Hilton Head at 843-341-4600.

63 Play a round of miniature golf

While adults are typically the ones who enjoy the world-class golf on Hilton Head Island, the entire family can enjoy our fun and unique miniature golf courses.

The Island boasts three courses from which you can choose, all centrally located on William Hilton Parkway (Hwy. 278). Each features lush gardens, lagoons and waterfalls. One course highlights a pirate theme. Another course is a journey to the Caribbean. The third replicates a realistic golf course, complete with sand traps and water hazards.

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Special Events

Sports

Rec Center: (843) 681-7273

SHARE Center for Active Adults: (843) 785-6444For directions and on-line registration, go to www.Islandreccenter.org

We Build Community

Open to visitors of all agesPreschool thru Senior Classes

Swimming

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64 Watch the fireworks

When the tourist season swings into high gear, the night skies of Hilton Head sizzle with fireworks. Running from mid-June through to mid-August, beginning around 9:00 p.m. (weather permitting, of course), Shelter Cove Marina hosts a pyrotechnic display visible all along Broad Creek. Admission and parking are free, and the shopping area offers ample opportunity for refreshment and entertainment. Of all the Island’s summer events, this is probably one of the most popular.

There are a number of ways to view the fireworks. Don’t miss the Tuesday night Summer Jams in Shelter Cove Community Park, sponsored by the Island Recreation Center. Then stroll along Shelter Cove Harbour’s waterfront. Many local retail businesses set up kiosks to sell their wares throughout the evening. The whole area takes on a festival atmosphere.

The view from the water is always excellent – a front row seat! If you don’t have access to your own boat, many boat and sailing cruise companies as well as nature and kayak tour companies schedule special fireworks cruises that combine the display with a sightseeing tour, dolphin watching, fishing trips, or a dinner cruise. If you would like to try one of these, make sure you ask the company if they offer a Tuesday night fireworks trip.

If you’re thinking of renting a boat or kayak for the occasion, make sure they permit after-dark rentals.

If your venturing into the Harbour on a Tuesday evening, exercise extra caution because the area may be congested.

65 Be a pirate of the calibogue

Whether it’s Blackbeard, Mary and Stede Bonnet, or Jack Sparrow, pirates always seem to excite and fascinate us. Blood-curdling legends of sea rovers, tall ships flying the Jolly Roger, hidden coves, chests of treasure – that’s the stuff of intrigue and imagination.

Now your youngsters have a chance to experience being a pirate along the South Carolina coast. Pirates of Hilton Head offers pirate sails daily during the summer for youngsters (best suited to the ages of three to ten).

Bring your little pirate aboard the “Black Dagger” for a pirate cruise of their dreams. From beginning to end the action is non-stop. The adventure starts at the dock where each child gets to put on some pirate gear - not to mention face painting and tattoos - and learns to talk just like a pirate. Once they’ve sworn their allegiance to the ship, the race is on to find the sunken treasure chest before evil Stinky Pete.

Photo courtesy of Pirates of Hilton HeadPhoto courtesy of Shelter Cove Merchants Assn.


Special Kids’ Cruises`ABOARD THE 65-FOOT GYPSY

Kid’s Cruise: Educational 2-hour hands-on experience for children interested in the creatures that live above and below the our coastal waters. Shark fishing, cast netting, crabbing, and more. $20 Adults, $25 Kids. June thru Aug.

Dolphin Watch: DOLPHINS GUARANTEED! Close encounters with Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins. $15 Adults, $7 Kids (2 & under FREE). Mar. thru Nov.

Dolphins & More: See dolphins, pull a crab pot, throw a cast net & learn about marine life. $19 Adults, $9 Kids. June thru Aug.

CRUISES LEAVE FROM SOUTH BEACH MARINA IN SEA PINES232 South Sea Pines Drive, Hilton Head Island, SC

(843) 363-2900 www.hiltonheadboattours.com

It’s about 90 minutes of all out fun - costumes, make-up, plying the calm waters of the Calibogue Sound, outwitting Stinky Pete, manning the high pressure water cannons - not to mention music and dancing.

The “Black Dagger” departs Harbour Town Yacht Basin Monday through Saturday between 9:00 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.

Pirates of Hilton Head (843-363-7000) Ad p. 63

66 Spend a day at a spa

Take relaxation to a new level while vacationing in the rejuvenating ambiance of the Lowcountry - treat yourself to a relaxing day at a spa! The Hilton Head area features several world-class spas that offer you a wide variety of specialty treatments and packages to relax your mind, body and spirit. Facials, massages, whirlpools, saunas and steam rooms, full-service salons so you look your best. Oh, so indulgent.

Go ahead and make your Hilton Head vacation one to remember by visiting any of the fantastic spas and wellness centers available. You’ll be able to enjoy the beauty and attractions of Hilton Head feeling refreshed and relaxed.

67 Go to the theatre

Hilton Head and Savannah are nationally renowned for their vibrant arts community, encompassing everything from first-class art galleries, to Broadway-style theatre, to dance and musical performances, to dinner theatre.

Named one of the “100 Best Small Art Towns in America,” Hilton Head offers a theatre experience for every age and taste.

At the heart of this arts community is the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina. Located at Shelter Cove Harbour, this 45,000 square-foot facility is the third largest arts organization in South Carolina and offers theatre, musical and visual arts series as well as day camp programs.

The South Carolina Repertory Company is the Lowcountry’s ticket to provocative theatre, providing the Island with high impact, quality theatre at a reasonable price in an intimate space.

For a unique theatre-going experience, try the Murder Mystery Cruise aboard the “Vagabond”. It is a rollicking good time, available only between Memorial Day and Labor Day. It departs the Harbour Town Yacht Basin at 9:00 p.m. and returns at 11:00 p.m. Advance reservations are required.

If you enjoy dinner theatre and happen to be in Savannah, check out Murder Afloat, a professionally acted


murder mystery production. Operated by Savannah Riverboat Cruises, this cruise along the Savannah River is offered on Thursday evenings from April to August. The boat departs at 9:30 p.m., and advanced reservations are required.

Arts Center of Coastal Carolina (843-842-2787) Ad p. 64South Carolina Repertory Company (843-342-2057) Ad p. 64Savannah Riverboat Cruises (912-232-6404) Ad p. 79Vagabond Cruises (843-363-9023) Ad p. 11

68 Do the music scene

Hilton Head Island is not just about the beach and golf courses. Visitors who enjoy world-class music in other areas won’t be disappointed with the caliber of the Lowcountry’s talent.

The Island has an abundance of high caliber local musical fare at reasonable prices, and some totally free. Venues range from large auditoriums and tennis stadiums, to churches and intimate clubs.

The Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, located at Shelter Cove Harbour, hosts musical performances throughout the year in its 350-seat theatre. They offer a diverse selection of pop, jazz, ethnic and classical performances.

Celebrating their 31st season, the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra presents a highly regarded concert series that runs from October through May. Lead by Principal Conductor John Morris Russell, performances are held in the spacious sanctuary of the First Presbyterian Church, located at 540 William Hilton Parkway (US 278, between Mile Markers 5 & 6). The Orchestra also sponsors the renowned Hilton Head International Piano Competition as well as the picnic and festival pops concert series “Symphony Under the Stars” held every April.

During the summer months, the Island Recreation Association sponsors the Tuesday night Summer Jams, from

Arts Center of Coastal Carolina 14 Shelter Cove Lane, Hilton Head, SC 29928

842-ARTS (2787)

/artshhi

Photo courtesy of the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina


7:00 to 10:00 p.m. at the Shelter Cove Community Park. Fun family games and demonstrations are organized with the highlight of the evening being the fireworks display over Shelter Cove Harbour. Concessions are sold, so bring the gang out for dinner and a show.

If you’re planning on visiting Savannah, check out the Savannah Riverboat Cruises’s Dinner Entertainment Cruise, the Monday night Gospel Dinner Cruise, and their Moonlight Entertainment dancing cruises. These old-fashioned riverboats cruise the Savannah River while you enjoy live musical entertainment. Schedules vary by season so make sure you call to see what’s available.

Arts Center of Coastal Carolina (843-842-2787) Ad p. 64Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra (843-842-2055) Ad p. 65Island Recreation Association (843-681-7273) Ad p. 61Savannah Riverboat Cruises (912-232-6404) Ad p. 79

69 Visit a lowcountry art gallery

Hilton Head’s barrier island setting has become a Mecca for visual artists. Painters, sculptors and photographers flock here to take advantage our magical backdrops and our year-around explosion of colors and textures. Nowhere is this more obvious than in a stroll through our local art galleries and studios.

The Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, located at Shelter Cove Harbour, serves as the center of the visual arts scene on the Hilton Head. The state-of-the-art Walter Greer Gallery presents exhibitions throughout the year featuring both local and world-renowned artists specializing in every imaginable discipline from painting to photography to fiber works.

Historic Old Town Bluffton is emerging as an artistic hub. It is worth spending a few pleasant hours strolling the streets and taking in the town’s folksy charm and eclectic collection of galleries.

Season subscriptions may be purchased online at hhso.org or by calling the box office at 843-842-2055

31st Season • 2012-2013 • www.hhso.org

MASTERWORKS SERIESNEW BEGINNINGS | Oct 22, 2012 | 8pm

CELEBRATE! | Dec 3, 2012 | 8pm

TRIUMPH | Jan 28, 2013 | 8pm

COLOR AND LIGHT | Feb 25, 2013 | 8pm

TRANSCENDENCE | Mar 25, 2013 | 8pm

SEASON FINALE | May 6, 2013 | 8pm

SUNDAY MATINEESNEW BEGINNINGS | Sun, Oct 21, 2012 | 4pm

TRIUMPH | Sun, Jan 27, 2013 | 4pm

COLOR AND LIGHT | Sun, Feb 24, 2013 | 4pm

LIGHT CLASSICAL SERIESJOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH

Nov 12, 2012 | 8pm

FRANZ JOSEPH HAYDN Jan 14, 2013 | 8pm

ANTONIO VIVALDI Feb 11, 2013 | 8pm

The Excitement Continues!John Morris Russell, Principal Guest Conductor

Photo courtesy of the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra


70 Discover daufuskie island

Just a short distance across the water from Hilton Head is Daufuskie Island, a century removed from the upscale resorts, vacation villas, and power yachts of the Lowcountry’s busiest tourist destination.

There is no bridge to Daufuskie. The only way to get there is by boat. If you don’t own your own boat but want to be guided through Daufuskie’s storied past, join a narrated tour to many of the Island’s landmarks.

Most of the Island is still natural and timeless, a very small community of island residents. It is a wonderful example of the unique Sea Island culture. The Island’s sandy lanes and quirky tin-roofed oyster homes are shaded by dense live oaks dripping with Spanish moss. The beaches are wide and open. You will see only a few cars that belong to Island residents. This is not a museum like Williamsburg - this is real, undeveloped and unspoiled.

Inhabited ages ago by Native Americans, Florida’s Yemassee used Daufuskie as a bivouac for raids on English settlements around Charleston. The English put an end to the raids in two battles at what is now known as Bloody Point.

Planters later raised a profitable indigo crop on Daufuskie and sold it to England, prompting them to remain Loyalists during the Revolutionary War, while nearby Hilton Head residents were Patriots. A prosperous era of cultivating Sea Island cotton followed the war in the 1800s.

After the Civil War, Daufuskie Island was given over to freed slaves who made their living as oystermen, lumbermen, and farmers. Descendants of those slaves, known as Gullah, still inhabit the Island and make up part of the small number (about 300) of year-round residents of Daufuskie.

Pat Conroy brought fame to the Island when he described his first year of teaching in the two-room schoolhouse in his novel The Water is Wide. The movie Conrack is based on the novel.

Several companies offer half-day or full-day guided tours from Hilton Head to Daufuskie, and reservations are necessary. All of these companies’ schedules vary by season, so make sure you call ahead for departure times and fares.

Guided tours range from dolphin and nature cruises around the Island (by large or small boat, or kayak), island and Gullah history tours (by golf cart, painted school bus, or on foot), fishing expeditions, beachcombing tours, or even golf excursions.

You can even take a “cruise to dinner” at one of Daufuskie’s two popular restaurants – the Daufuskie Crab Company or Marshside Mamas.

Whichever tour you choose, the boat ride over gives spectacular views of Hilton Head behind you, densely

Daufuskie Island has a thriving artist community. If you are looking for quaint and funky, a guided or self-guided tour of this enchanted sea island is a must.

Local photographers, such as Ed Funk and Eric Horan, are both recognized for their wildlife and landscape photography.

Arts Center of Coastal Carolina (843-842-2787) Ad p. 64Calibogue Cruises (843-342-8687) Ad p. 4-5, 16Ed Funk (843-815-9455) Ad p. 37

Photo courtesy of Calibogue Cruises

Photo courtesy of The Iron Fish Gallery and Studio


wooded Daufuskie ahead, and the tranquil marshlands that line the waterway.

Calibogue Cruises (843-342-8687) Ad p. 4-5, 16Commander Zodiac (843-671-3344) Ad p. 45Island Explorer (843-785-2100) Ad p. 19Live Oac (888-254-8362) Ad p. 13, 49Outside Hilton Head (800-686-6996) Ad p.41Palmetto Bay Watersports (843-785-2345) Ad p. 21, 35, 43, 45, 51Vagabond Cruises (843-363-9023) Ad p. 11

71 Do daufuskie on your own

If you are curious about Daufuskie Island and it’s Gullah and Sea Island culture, but want more flexibility than a guided tour, design your own day trip.

Visiting Daufuskie can be a completely impromptu adventure, requiring nothing more than a few dollars, lots of curiosity, and time to spend.

As with all things Daufuskie, dress is casual. Make sure you dress for the outdoors in weather-appropriate clothing. You might want to pack a cooler and some ice, and don’t forget the bug spray and a camera.

Getting ThereBecause there is no bridge to Daufuskie, you can only

get there by boat. If you don’t own your own boat, you have four choices:

1) Take the public ferry (operated by Calibogue Cruises);

2) Climb aboard a shuttle excursion (operated by Palmetto Bay Water Sports);

3) Rent your own boat (from Outside Hilton Head, Palmetto Bay Water Sports, or Sky Pirate Watersports);

4) Hire a private boat charter (through Live Oac or Outside Hilton Head).

All boat carriers will assist is making arrangements for golf cart rentals, the best way to explore the Island. Times and fares may vary depending on the season so make sure you call ahead.

There are four boat landings on Daufuskie. Coming from Hilton Head, the first you will see is Haig Point Landing. This is a private dock and you cannot land there. The second is the Freeport Marina (location of the Old Daufuskie Crab Company). The third dock is Melrose Landing, a private dock. The fourth is the Beaufort County Public Dock (location of Marshside Mama’s).

If you are renting your own boat, be aware that there is no marine gas service on Daufuskie. Also, the public dock has a three-hour time limit for docking.

Exploring the IslandOnce you arrive on the Island, you are free to explore

on your own, on foot or by renting a multi-passenger golf cart. Just like renting a car, you must have a valid drivers license when you rent your cart. You will be provided with map showing all the significant landmarks, such as the Billie Burn Museum (located in the old Mt. Carmel Baptist Church)

101 Photograph

Photo courtesy of Sansing McPherson


where you can pick up a guide to the Rob Kennedy Historic Trail. The trail will lead you to 20 historic sites on the Island. Beachcombers will appreciate Daufuskie’s unspoiled and uncrowded public beach.

There are a art galleries spotted around the Island, but they are not your traditional galleries. They are more like studios where the artists live, create, and might sell you a piece of their artwork. You may find the studio closed, but don’t be upset - you’re on Daufuskie time. Please respect their privacy.

There are a two of places to eat. The Daufuskie Crab Company Restaurant, located at Freeport Marina, is home to the Daufuskie Island Deviled Crab, prepared by native islanders. Marshside Mama’s, located at the Beaufort County Dock, is where you will find some of the best Gumbo in the South. This is a regional favorite and, in the evenings, a popular hotspot for dancing and rollicking live music.

Enchanting, reclusive Daufuskie Island can give you a day to escape and explore a forgotten culture. But a word of caution: It is easy to lose track of time, so check your watch every once in awhile.

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72 Play tennis

Over 300 courts and 19 tennis clubs dot the Island. Internationally recognized tennis programs for every age and ability level are offered year around, and there are always tournaments and round robins.

Once you play at one of these clubs you will leave with no doubt in your mind why Tennis magazine ranked Hilton Head among its “50 Greatest U.S. Tennis Resorts.”

Whether you are looking for clay, natural-grass, or hard courts, the following locations will have what you are looking for. With the exception of the public courts, clubs have a per hour charge.

There are two public court locations. One is off Cordillo Road at the entrance to Cordillo Courts Apartments. The courts are open from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. (lighted) and are reserved via a sign-up sheet allowing one hour per sign-up. Call 843-681-7273 for additional information.

The other public court is the brand new Chaplin Community Park located between Singleton Beach Road and Burkes Beach Road.

Other courts with public access include (some are in gated plantations and will require a pass): The Sea Pines Racquet Club (843-363-4495) and the South Beach Racquet Club (843-671-2215), both located in Sea Pines; Port Royal Racquet Club (843-686-8803) in Port Royal Plantation; the Hilton Head Island Beach and Tennis Resort (843-842-4402) on Folly Field Road; Palmetto Dunes Tennis Center (843-785-1152) in Palmetto Dunes Resort; Shipyard Racquet Club (843-686-8804) in Shipyard Plantation; and the Van der Meer Tennis Center (843-785-8388), located on Cordillo Parkway and Deallyon Road.

Photo courtesy of Palmetto Dunes Tennis Center

101 Photograph


73 Try disc golf

Disc golf is played on a course similar to a regulation golf course, complete with three sets of tees, fairways, water hazards, and holes, which are actually mounted steel baskets. Instead of clubs and balls, you use specialized discs similar to frisbees. The idea is to throw your disc from the “tee pad” area towards the metal basket surrounded by chains (or “disc catchers”) that help shots fall into the basket.

There is only one course in the immediate Hilton Head area. At Sergeant Jasper Park, in Hardeeville (by I-95, exit 8), you can play the game on “The Sarge.” Used discs are available for rental. It is free to play and the course is open daily year around, from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. For more information, call 843-784-5130.

In the Savannah area, visit the championship 18-hole disc golf course at Tom Triplett Community Park (100 Tom Triplett Road in Pooler), located about 2.5 miles off I-95 at Georgia Exit #102 (Hwy. 80 East). Established in 2004, this course is mostly flat, wooded, and technical with some water in play. Course maps are available in the mailbox at the beginning of the course. You must bring your own equipment, but there is no charge to play. The park is open 101 Photograph

from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. (or until 9:00 p.m. during the winter). For more information, call the Chatham County Parks and Recreation Department at 912-652-6780 during normal business hours.


74 Travel like a foody

“Foody” is an informal term for a fan of food and drink. Not to be confused with gourmets, foodies tend to be non-professionals who just love food and want to learn everything about it, both the best and the ordinary.

Foodies like “culinary tourism,” which focuses on the pursuit of authentic and memorable culinary experiences. If you are really into food, drink and culinary travel, hook-up with a company that specializes in teaching you about our culinary culture. Some local restaurants offer cooking classes. Some offer wine or beer tasting and pairings. Some tour companies combine samplings (both food and alcoholic) with sightseeing by van, trolley or on foot.

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75 Go out to wine and dine

You’ve been on the go all day, and now you’re ravenous. Lucky for you, the Hilton Head area is as loaded with great restaurants as it is with activities that work up an appetite.

There are well over 300 restaurants in the immediate Hilton Head area, serving everything from local favorites like Frogmore stew to French cuisine.

If you’re looking to dine by sunset, we have it. You prefer deli-style places or a “kid-friendly” atmosphere? Lots of those. Want to celebrate a special occasion with a six-course meal? No problem. Choose a sunset dinner cruise or even boat cruises to a restaurant on Daufuskie Island. Dine at

Photo courtesy of Bomboras Gille and Chill Bar


world-class resort or arrange a picnic on a sandbar (provided it’s low tide). We have restaurants with live music and those that specialize in frog legs and daiquiris. We also even have a grille and “chill bar” with craft beers and a machine that pours the beer from the bottom of the glass. Dine inside or outside.

If you’re too tired to get in the car and go out to dinner, call a delivery service that will bring you dishes straight from your favorite restaurant.

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76 shop a farmers market

The farm-to-fork movement has gained momentum and popularity in recent years. As a result, farmers markets are “cropping” up everywhere.

Shopping for local produce and products in the laid-back ambiance of a Lowcountry farmers market is not only

economical, but it is very entertaining. There are a number of Hilton Head area farmers markets:

Tuesdays:• Bluffton - Buckwalter Farmers Market, Buckwalter

Place, 3:00-6:00 p.m., Tuesdays from May through to the end of October.

• Beaufort - Pick Pocket Plantation Farmers Market, 93 Trask Farm Road, 2:00-7:00 p.m., Tuesdays. 203-417-7512. Wednesdays:

• Beaufort - Downtown Beaufort Farmers Market, Freedom Mall on Bay Street (in front of the Downtown Marina), 2:00-6:00 p.m., Wednesdays from May through to the end of October.

Thursdays:• Bluffton - Bluffton Farmers Market, Calhoun Street,

2:00-7:00 p.m., Thursdays (seasonal hours). 843-415-2447.

Fridays:• Beaufort - Habersham Farmers Market, Habersham

Marketplace, 4:00-7:00 p.m. Fridays. 843-846-3444. • Hilton Head Island - Hilton Head Farmers Market,

Honey Horn Plantation, 8:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m., Fridays.

Saturdays:• Port Royal - Port Royal Farmers Market, Heritage

Park on Ribaut Road, 8:30 a.m.- 12:30 p.m. Saturdays (seasonal hours).


77 Shop ‘til you drop

If golfing is the number one pursuit on Hilton Head, then the number two activity is the “golf widow’s revenge” – SHOPPING.

We have classy upscale boutiques and upscale retailers, outlet malls and thrift shops that donate their proceeds to charity. We have large chain stores and outlet malls as well as locally owned specialty shops.

Visit a crafty store to make your own ceramics or jewelry as souvenirs of your vacation. Take in the atmosphere of one of our harbor’s eclectic resort-style stores.

Climb the Harbour Town Lighthouse for an elevated shopping experience. Buy a souvenir of your Hilton Head visit, including jewelry, photographs, and numerous trinkets.

Savannah has a world-renowned historic shopping district that includes Bay Street, Broughton Street, City Market, the Design District, and River Street. Take advantage of one of the city’s “on-off” trolley tours to hit all the shopping spots.

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101 Photograph


Beaufort’s Bay Street is a haven for art galleries, antique shops and boutiques. You can take a shopping breather at the the Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park, a lovely waterfront location with a riverfront walk overlooking the Downtown Marina.

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78 Buy a piece of the foot

Hilton Head has so much to do; the climate is great; Savannah and Beaufort are close by; the area is very safe; and the people are happy, probably because almost everyone is here because they want to be, not because they have to be.

The prospect of buying a home in the Hilton Head area may seem overwhelming, but there is a basic order to the decision-making.

First, make sure you have a comfortable and affordable place to stay while you investigate. There are

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101 Photograph


many options, including large resort hotels, smaller motels, and short-term rentals of condos and homes.

Second, you need to decide whether you want to live here full-time or part-time. Many people live here part-time and have found owning a shared property, such as timeshare or vacation ownership, is an affordable option. Both new and previously owned properties are available. A benefit to purchasing a timeshare property is the option to exchange for equivalent accommodations at vacation destinations around the world, some of which you may have never thought of visiting. Make sure you fully understand your rights, not only as an owner but as a buyer, such as your rights of rescission.

Third, you need to decide whether you want to live “on-island” or “off-island,” and whether or not you want to live in a “plantation” (a gated community with recreational amenities). A great way learn about the pros and cons of which location is to pick the brains of local residents. Almost everyone here came from somewhere else and was, at one time, in your position.

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79 Take a trolley tour of savannah

A narrated open-air trolley tour of Savannah’s Historic District is a popular way to get a comprehensive introduction to the city’s significant history.

Savannah was founded in 1732. It was the first city of Georgia, the 13th and final colony of the United States. Savannah’s founding father was James E. Oglethorpe who laid out the streets and squares of the city that would become one of the world’s favorite destinations.

Trolleys with knowledgeable guides take you past stately mansions, historic churches, beautiful squares, and the bustling riverfront. You’ll bear witness to the city’s founding, its wars, and development. Hear captivating descriptions of legends and lore. There are fascinating stories on every street corner. You might even encounter a costumed historic character aboard your trolley.

In addition to non-stop tours, you can buy a trolley ticket with “on-off” privileges, meaning you can get on and off the trolley at pre-designated stops when you please, as often and for as long as you please.

Trolleys operate on a 15 to 20 minute pick-up schedule. Complimentary pick-up service can be arranged at inns and hotels in the Historic District, as well as surrounding areas. Or



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80 Take a specialty tour of savannah

You’ve already taken a trolley tour, which gave you an overview of Savannah’s Historic District. Now it’s time to focus on the details. Take a specialty guided walking or driving tour.

There are companies that offer these specialized excursions. Which company you selected depends primarily on your area of interest. Whether you’re concerned about history, churches, ghosts, movie sets, architecture, shopping, dining, or pub-crawling, you’re bound to find just the right specialty tour for you. Knowledgeable guides will give you insider information, and the group size is usually small allowing for personalized attention. You will gain a great understanding of why Savannah is one of the country’s foremost tourist destinations. Tours are conducted either on foot or in climate-controlled vans.

The other option is to do a self-guided tour. Start with your hotel’s concierge or at the Savannah Visitors Center at 301 Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard. They have a wealth of information including maps that mark the city’s significant landmarks. If you’re walking, make sure you wear comfortable shoes and bring plenty of water to sip along

they will meet you at the Savannah Visitors Center, located at 301 Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard.

Most tour companies offer handicap-accessible vehicles, however you should inquire to make arrangements in advance.

Specialty trolley tours are also available including evening ghosts tours and “combo” excursions that includes a trolley tour and a riverboat cruise. Oglethorpe Trolley Tours features a haunted tour that takes you into the morgue tunnels under the old Candler Hospital. Old Savannah Tours offers the original Paula Deen Tour that includes a stop for lunch at Uncle Bubba’s Oyster House as well as a ghost tour that includes dinner at the Pirates’ House and access to the rum cellar. Ask your trolley company about combination “Land and Sea” tours that include a trolley tour as well as a river cruise.

If you are staying in the Hilton Head Island area, skip the drive and climb aboard the luxury yacht “Spirit of Harbour Town” for a combination boat cruise from Hilton Head and trolley tour of the Historic District. You’ll dock right in the middle of River Street, the heart of Savannah. They also offer a weekly combo tour with which you can join Old Savannah Tours’ original Paula Deen Tour.

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the way. If you are driving, Savannah has plenty of public parking garages as well as on-street park-and-pay spots. But be careful to not park in private spaces, or overstay your metered time. Parking in the Historic District is strictly enforced.

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81 Tour the Sites of “The Book”

“Not since William Tecumseh Sherman spared Savannah from the torch has this city been so indebted to a Yankee.” So wrote The New York Times of John Berendt’s book Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.

Since its publication in 1994, “The Book”, as locals refer to it, has made a significant impact on Savannah. Tourism has increased almost 50% and with it a demand for all things “Midnight” – from guided tours to T-shirts, from replicas of the iconic statue the “Bird Girl” to photo “ops” in front of the Mercer-Williams House.

Today, 19 years, one movie, and millions of printed copies later, curiosity about this hugely entertaining account of life and death in Savannah is as rampant as ever. Perhaps it’s the hauntingly beautiful city itself that has become the star – the stately houses, picturesque city squares, beguiling tree-lined streets, historic cemeteries, and its marvelous personality.

An engaging way to learn about this magical non-fiction depiction of Savannah and its colorful hodgepodge of characters is to join a guided tour that focuses on the story’s places and players. Photo “ops” are plentiful, and perhaps you will encounter one of the many eccentric rascals depicted in the story. You’ll be put right in the middle of the story and learn about Savannah’s history as well as a smorgasbord of lively tales. Tours are conducted in climate controlled vans.

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Photo by Don Wessel


82 See the movie sets of savannah

The history, scenery and ambiance of Georgia’s First City attract filmmakers from around the world. Savannah has been the location for over 87 movies. There are over 110 movie locations in the Historic District alone.

Among the movies filmed in Savannah are, to name just a few, Cape Fear (1962), Roots (1976), Forrest Gump (1995), Something to Talk About (1997), Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (1998), Glory (1989), The General’s Daughter (1999), The Legend of Bagger Vance (1999), The Gift (2000), The Conspirator (2009), and The Last Song (2009).

If you’re a film buff and would like to touch Hollywood, tours of movie locations are available year around and are great fun for all ages. You’ll be able to see the bus stop bench location where Forrest Gump said, “Life is like a box of chocolates.” Hear the behind-the-scenes stories of the Mercer House from Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. You will also learn some behind-the-scenes trivia about how and where the stars spent their personal “downtime,” such as at the Six Pence Pub from Something to Talk About.

Trolley tours that conduct overview tours of Savannah also include the some movie set locations in their excursions.

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Trolley tours that conduct overview tours of Savannah also include some the book’s key sites in their excursions.

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101 Photograph

101 Photograph


83 Take a riverboat cruise

The paddle-wheeled 600-passenger riverboats the “Savannah River Queen” and the “Georgia Queen,” replicas of the boats that cruised America’s rivers in days gone by, bob gently on Savannah’s riverfront with their red stripes, multi-tiered decks, and white grillwork looking like a candy confection. But they are not just decorations. They are there to take you on a cruise along the Savannah River and learn about the history of city’s riverfront.

The Savannah Riverboat Cruises offers a variety of cruises aboard these beauties. The one-hour narrated historic Savannah River sightseeing cruise is offered year around. The sailing schedule is seasonal so make sure you call ahead.

Seasonal buffet cruises include Saturday luncheons and Sunday brunches (from March to October), Moonlight Entertainment cruises (from March to October), a Monday Night Gospel Dinner Cruise (between April and October), and Murder Afloat (between April and August). All meal cruises require prepaid reservations.

Both riverboats operate under U.S. Coast Guard regulations and comply with all passenger safety requirements. They are climate controlled for year-round comfort. There are snack shops, cash bars, and restrooms on board. Reservations are required for most cruises. Reduced fares for children under 12 are available.

Combination riverboat cruises and trolley tours are also available, a great way to see all of historic Savannah.

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The Downtown Design District is located north of Forsyth Park. It is bounded by Abercorn, Barnard, Gaston and Harris Streets. This enclave of over 30 shops is known for distinctive antiques, art, and gifts.

Visitors can visit these shopping districts without having to fight the traffic and find a parking space. Trolley tour companies offer “on-off” privileges so you can stop and shop anywhere in the Historic District. In addition, guided tours are available so you can combine shopping with sightseeing.

If you are staying in Hilton Head, a boat cruise will bring you right to River Street so you can explore on your own.

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85 Be a ghost hunter

From the cemeteries to bordellos to haunted mansions, Savannah has a reputation for having more than its fair share of ghosts and goose bumps, many of which have a basis in historical fact. Thus the city has earned the title from the American Institute of Parapsychology of “America’s Most Haunted City,” and has been filmed by television shows such as TAPS/Ghost Hunters and Scariest Places on Earth

Numerous Savannah tour operators offer guided ghost tours that lead you to the spirited side of the city with all its ghoulish legends, myths and hauntings. Go by trolley,

84 Shop the cobbled streets

Savannah is regarded as an international destination offering world-class art galleries, fine antique shops, and high-end boutiques. The Historic District has managed to preserve Savannah’s old world southern charm while blending in contemporary shopping.

River Street, fronting the Savannah River, is the heart of the city where old brick warehouses and cobblestone streets and alleyways date back to the 1800s. The historic buildings now house an eclectic mix of shops and restaurants. You can spend the day here and never be bored.

City Market, Savannah’s original shopping district, is a place where you can explore a variety of nooks and crannies. Located in Savannah’s Historic District on West St. Julian Street between Ellis and Franklin Squares, this is a place where there’s always something new to encounter, something different to find, something hidden to uncover. You may have to look around a corner, behind an old door or up a remote staircase.

Broughton Street is Savannah’s main shopping thoroughfare. Stores range from high-end national chains to locally owned boutiques.

Haunted Tour without Tunnel: $20 per adult, $10 per child**

** Tunnel Temporarily Closed until Fall, 2012 (due to construction)

Photo by Sansing McPherson


van or on foot. Visit the fabled Sorrel-Weed House, the Pirate’s House Rum Cellar, the Hampton-Lilibridge House, or the spooky “Dead House,” an 1884 morgue tunnel under the old Candler Hospital that has been sealed for over 100 years. Bonaventure Cemetary has been noted as one of the most haunted cemetaries in the country.

Complimentary pick-up can be arranged at inns and hotels in the Historic District.

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86 Tour savannah’s historic homes

Always proud of its heritage and beauty, Savannah has a long track record of historic preservation, beginning in 1839 with the chartering of the Georgia Historical Society, founded by three Savannah residents and headquartered in the city.

The fight to preserve reached national attention in 1955 when the threat of destruction of Davenport House prompted seven southern-tough Savannah women to join forces and voice their irate opposition. This group of seven grew into the vital organization now known as the Historic Savannah Foundation, Inc., one of the country’s largest community urban-preservation programs.

Through their efforts to overcome the city’s reputation as the “pretty woman with a dirty face”, many historic homes and official buildings have been saved. In 1966, Savannah’s entire downtown historic district was designated a National Historic Landmark.

Today, visitors to Savannah may tour some of these magnificent historic homes. Professional guides will tell of a home’s history, family lore, and preservation efforts.

Experience any one of these grand southern mansions to fully grasp Savannah’s rich and intriguing history.

Davenport House (c. 1820), 324 E State St. at Habersham St. on Columbia Square, (912) 236-8097.

Andrew Low House and Carriage House (c. 1847), 329 Abercorn St. at E. Charlton St. on Lafayette Square, (912) 233-6854.

Flannery O’Conner Childhood Home (c. 1856), 207 E. Charlton St. at Abercorn St. on Lafayette Square, (912) 233-6014.

Green-Meldrin House (c. 1853), 14 West Macon St. at Bull St. on Madison Square, (912) 233-3845.

Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace (c. 1818), 10 E. Oglethorpe Ave. at Bull St. one block south of Wright Square, (912) 233-4501.

Mercer-Williams House Museum (c. 1860), 429 Bull St. at W. Gordon St. on Monterey Square, (912) 236-6352.


place in history in World War II and remains an active force today.

The signature exhibit is the museum’s “Mission Experience.” Visitors attend a pre-flight briefing in a Quonset hut, receive ground crew orientation, and then become an observer on an 8th Air Force flying mission over enemy territory in the Museum’s immersion theater.

Upon exiting the “Mission Experience” guests can view the museum’s B-17 Flying Fortress, the “City of Savannah.” inside the “Combat Gallery.” Additional exhibits of the Museum include: “Escape and Evasion,” “POW,” and the “Tuskegee Airmen.”

There is also the Research Center that contains a 7,000 volume library and archives with thousands of oral histories, period photographs and war-time journals.

The museum open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. It is closed on major holidays. It is located at 175 Bourne Avenue in Pooler, Georgia, off I-95 at the Georgia exit 102. There is an admission charge. For more information, call (912) 748-8888.

88 Visit a train museum

The Roundhouse Railroad Museum is a “must do” for railroad buffs. There are exhibits of antique machinery, locomotives, passenger cars other rolling stock and a truly splendid model railroad set.

The museum is located in the Central of Georgia Railway Roundhouse complex, adjacent to the Savannah Visitors Center at 601 West Harris Street off of Martin Luther King Blvd. It is the oldest and most complete antebellum railroad manufacturing and repair facility in the United States.

Begun in 1845, thirteen of the original structures still survive including the roundhouse, the turntable, the 125-foot smokestack, the railroad sheds, and work buildings. The brick buildings are known for their Classical and Romanesque style of architecture.

Photo Courtesy of the Mighty 8th Air Force Museum

Owens-Thomas House Museum (c. 1819), 124 Abercorn St. at E. President St. on Oglethorpe Square, (912) 233-9743 (owned and operated by the Telfair Museum of Art).

Sorrel-Weed House (c. 1841), 6 W. Harris St. at Bull St. on Madison Square, (912) 236-8888.

87 Honor the mighty 8th

Experience the excitement of a World War II combat mission or enjoy the quiet solitude of an authentic English countryside chapel at the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum. This Museum is a very powerful museum experience.

On January 28, 1942, just 53 days after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Eighth Air Force – known as the Mighty Eighth- was officially activated in the National Guard Armory on Bull Street in Savannah, Georgia. Ultimately it earned its

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Construction began on the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist (233 East Harris Street on Lafayette Square) in 1873 and was completed in 1896. Two years later it was destroyed by fire, but was rebuilt by 1899. Its twin spires and 2,081-pipe organ are one of Savannah’s most notable landmarks and considered one of the largest Roman Catholic churches in the south.

The First African Baptist Church (23 Montgomery Street on Franklin Square) is the oldest African American congregation in America. It was founded in 1773 by George Leile, a slave freed prior to the American Revolutionary War and the first African American licensed by the Baptists to preach in Georgia. Andrew Bryan, a former slave who purchased his freedom, led the congregation to official recognition in 1788.

The current facility on Franklin Square was built in the 1850s by both free African Americans and slaves. The church museum (open weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.) contains archives and memorabilia that date back to the 18th century.

Learn more about these and other historic churches by taking a trolley tour or a guided walking tour.

Oglethorpe Trolley Tours (912-233-8380) Ad p. 77, 80Old Savannah Tours (800-517-9007) Ad p. 75, 78, 81Savvy Savannah Tours (912) 663-4400) Ad p. 76

Walk around the grounds, view the rolling stock displays, and learn about the function of each building. Take a train ride (sometimes even ride in a locomotive cab, but it costs extra), a rail car or handcar tour, or participate in special children’s activities in the baggage car. Schedules are seasonal so make sure you call ahead.

Railroads were prime targets for destruction during the Civil War and General Sherman’s troops destroyed many of the Central’s tracks. However, his troops spared the roundhouse and rail shops along with the rest of Savannah. The Central Railroad experienced a long period of success and prosperity, but went into receivership during the Depression.

The shops were eventually closed in 1963 after years of neglect. Eventually in 1989 the site came under the management of the Coastal Heritage Society resulting in the museum you see today.

The museumt is open for self-guided tours daily year around (closed on major holidays) from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. You can also take a ride on either a steam or diesel train (please call ahead for schedules ). There is an admission charge. For more information, call (912) 651-6823.

89 Visit savannah’s colonial churches

Savannah was founded as a Church of England settlement, but many other beliefs soon followed. There are many historic churches. Here are a few significant colonial congregations.

Christ Church is the oldest Christian congregation in Georgia. Founded in 1733, the current building is located on its original site (28 Bull Street on Johnson Square). John Wesley, the third rector of the parish, served from 1736-1737. He taught at the first Sunday School program in America. In 1737 he published the first English hymnal in America. His famous conversion occurred after he returned to England where he continued to serve as an Anglican priest.

In 1733, just five months after James E. Oglethorpe established the colony of Georgia, forty-two Jews, the largest group of Hebrews to land in North America in colonial days, arrived in Savannah and established Temple Mickve Israel (20 East Gordon Street on Monterey Square). They brought with them a Torah that is the oldest in America and still used on commemorative occasions. The Temple houses a museum with more than 1,800 historical artifacts on display.

The colonial charter of Savannah prohibited Roman Catholics from settling in Savannah. The English trustees were afraid that Roman Catholics would be loyal to the Spanish in Florida. This prohibition ended after the Revolutionary War and a congregation was organized around 1796, the oldest Catholic congregation in Georgia. 101 Photograph


allow you to travel between the establishments, enjoying your beverage as you go – and you don’t have to worry about driving, parking, or finding the next bar.

All in all, Savannah is a charming city during the day, but it really wakes up at night.

Savvy Savannah Tours (912) 663-4400) Ad p. 76

91 Visit savannah’s forts

As one of the key areas fought over during both the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, Savannah offers you a glimpse of America’s earliest turmoil. It historic fort sites inspire awe and bring tears to those who visit.

Fort Jackson Historic Site is Georgia’s oldest standing brick fort. It was originally an earthen fort established during the Revolutionary War. You can explore the tunnel-like passageways that used to house soldiers and store ammunition and supplies. Inside, you will want to view the video presentation on the history of the fort. Daily cannon firings are offered during the summer months. The fort is located off the Island Expressway (US 80) on the way to Tybee Island. The fort is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (closed on major holidays). There is an admission charge for adults. For more information, call (912) 232-3945.

Nearby, on Cockspur Island, sits well-preserved Fort Pulaski, the last of the great coastal forts built by the United States. A self-guided taped tour is available of both the fort and the surrounding park. Allow about two hours for a basic visit. The park is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (with extended summer hours, closed on major holidays). There is a park entrance fee. For more information, call (912) 786-5787.

Fort Screven Historic District, located on Tybee Island, is also a history museum. The fort, which protected the entrance to the Savannah River, was in service from 1897 to 1947. The current museum houses exhibits that cover topics of local history. The periscope in the gift shop area comes from a World War II submarine and provides a unique view of the adjacent Tybee Island Lighthouse, a must see. Admission to the museum includes entrance to the lighthouse. It is open from April through Labor Day 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily. From September to March it operates 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. except Tuesday. For more information, call (912) 786-5801.

92 Get carriaged away

As long as you’re visiting Georgia’s First City, why not tour her in a style in harmony with her history – a horse drawn

90 Party savannah

Savannah hosts one of the largest St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in the country. More than 400,000 visitors flood the city for the holiday to party and take part in the merriment. The city embraces the event so much that the waters of the famous Forsyth Fountain are dyed green.

If you are not fortunate enough to be in Savannah for Patty’s Day, don’t worry. The city always offers a tremendous variety of bars, clubs, and pubs to please everyone, regardless of your late night preference. From traditional Irish pubs and raging dance clubs to elegant rooftop bars overlooking the Savannah River to hole-in-the-wall dive bars, Savannah has it all. There are hundreds of bars in Savannah’s Historic District alone.

One interesting and uncommon aspect of Savannah is that in the downtown Historic District, open containers are not illegal for pedestrians. You may carry alcoholic beverages openly as long as they are in a clear plastic cup. This uncommon rule makes the area ideal for barhopping, as the party doesn’t have to be put on pause while your party changes venues.

This unique law allows for a number of interesting nightlife tours. There are walking and van tours that specialize in brewpub crawls and martini barhopping. They

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and designed by English architect William Jay. In 1875 Mary Telfair bequeathed the mansion and its furnishings to the Georgia Historical Society to be used as a museum.

The restored interior provides a backdrop for the museum’s permanent collection of paintings, such as American, French, and German Impressionists.

The museum features one of the largest collections of paintings by Khalil Gibran, the author of “The Prophet.”

The Telfair is located at 121 Barnard St. in Savannah. It is open Mondays from 12:00 to 5:00 p.m., Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Sundays from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. It is closed on major holidays. There is an admission charge. For more information, call (912) 790-8800.

Not everything in Savannah’s Historic District has come to us from the 18th or 19th century. Adjoining the Telfair and devoted to contemporary art is the Jepson Center opened to the public in 2006. The center has over 7,500 square feet of gallery space for major traveling exhibitions of contemporary art and installations of works from the permanent collection.

The Jepson is home to the Telfair’s Kirk Varnedoe Collection. Assembled in honor of the late Savannah native, scholar, and Modern Museum of Art curator Kirk Varnedoe, the collection features works by Jasper Johns, Chuck Close, Roy Lichtenstein, Jeff Koons, Robert Rauschenberg, Frank Stella, and Richard Avedon. The museum’s collection also features important works by William Christenberry, Helen Levitt, Sam Gilliam and James Brooks.

Educational programming takes place in the Jepson’s 220-seat auditorium and in the community gallery and

carriage. The slow and steady pace set by old Doc takes you back to a time when ladies were elegant, men were gallant, and horses ruled.

The clip-clop sound of the horse’s shoes on cobblestones serves as the soundtrack as your driver spins tales, spreads stories, and relives the history we learned from schoolbooks.

Horse-drawn carriage companies operating in Savannah run tours that last about 50 minutes. Carriage styles range from elegant “Cinderella” buggies imported from Europe to bench-style wagons with canopies.

The narrated tours cover the Historic District’s major landmarks. These tours run all day, every day, year around and usually depart from various locations around the Historic District.

Some companies also offer haunted tours that will creep you into the chilling side of the city’s eerie history. You might even have a guide dressed in era costuming. For the romantic occasion, there are private tours for two, some even offer champagne.

So let old Doc - or Harley - carry you away and see the historic South the way she is meant to be seen.

93 Visit an art museum

The Telfair Museum of Art, also known as the Telfair Academy, is the oldest art museum in the South. Located in a Regency mansion, it was built in 1819 for Alexander Telfair

Photo courtesy of Ed Funk 101 Photograph


by sea oat-covered sand dunes. It is perfect for sunbathing, people watching and frolicking in the waves of the Atlantic Ocean. The Island’s south-end pier and pavilion is a splendid venue for strolling above the ocean and listening to the music of the live bands.

Although vacationers are lured to Tybee because of what it provides in the way of beaches and recreation, those with a love of history won’t be disappointed. Tybee offers Fort Screven, yhe Tybee Island Lighthouse (dated 1773) and its museum, as well as Fort Pulaski, just west of Tybee on US 80.

The original Tybee Island Lighthouse was ordered to be constructed by Savannah’s founder James Oglethorpe and was completed in 1736. Made of brick and cedar piles, it stands 90 feet high, making it the tallest structure of its kind in America. It is this country’s third oldest lighthouse, and one of only 19 complete light stations. It continues to function nightly.

With a small admission fee, you can climb the 178 steps and view all of Tybee Island. Be sure to see the keeper’s cottage and Tybee Museum and Gift Shop. The lighthouse is closed Tuesdays and on some holidays. Call ahead to check on the schedule at 912-786-5801.

95 Explore beautiful beaufort

When visiting Beaufort, you can’t help but be curious about its history. Why are all these beautiful antebellum homes still here? Who were the people who built them, what did they do, and what was it like to live that lifestyle?

Guided carriage and walking tours will take you past numerous historic sites. Guides will tell you about the old city in detail, including gossip about the plantation owners and Hollywood stars (movies filmed in Beaufort include The Big Chill, Forrest Gump, The Great Santini, and The Prince of Tides).

Bay Street, Beaufort’s shopping district, has dozens of eclectic boutiques, gift shops, and antique stores in a compact area. Beaufort’s abundant art galleries have helped earn the town a spot on America’s “100 Best Small Towns for the Arts.”

To unwind sit a spell in one of the swings overlooking the Beaufort River in the Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park, the location of a lovely riverfront walk and the Downtown Marina. There are many charming restaurants, coffee shops and ice cream parlors fronting the river or along Bay Street.

One trick can optimize your sightseeing and shopping time. When entering Beaufort on US Hwy. 21 (Boundary Street), a right turn onto Newcastle Street will take you straight to a public parking area on Bay Street, thus avoiding possible traffic delays on Carteret that may occur when the draw bridge to Lady’s Island is open.

education studios. There is also an “ArtZeum,” a unique, 3,500-square foot interactive gallery for children and adults.

The Jepson is located at located at 207 West York Street. It is open Sundays and Mondays from 12:00 to 5:00 p.m., and Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. It is closed on major holidays. There is an admission charge. For more information, call (912) 790-8800.

94 Don’t miss tybee island

Tybee Island is Savannah’s beach. Tybee meant “salt” to the Native American Euchee

Indians, but today the name of this low-key seaside resort means “sun and fun.”

Located 18 miles east of Savannah, this small barrier island boasts a wide, three-mile long beach that’s backed

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97 Visit hunting island

Hunting Island State Park is a truly spectacular place. Located on a 5,000-acre barrier island just 16 miles east of Beaufort on Hwy. 21, the park teems with wildlife and lush vegetation, and offers a delightful day for anyone interested in nature or history.

The Island has three miles of walkable beaches, a historic lighthouse, and ample opportunities for bird watching, fishing, crabbing, or shrimping. Shady picnic tables, showers, dressing rooms make a day trip to the beach manageable.

The Island’s marshes there were used for the Vietnam War scenes in the movie Forrest Gump. Jungle and water camp scenes for the movie G.I. Jane were also shot on Hunting Island.

As you drive in, you go through a maritime forest with soaring pines and palms. Nestled into this woodland setting is the Visitors Center where you can get a park map and brochure, and see exhibits on the historic lighthouse as well as on the natural flora and fauna. A small auditorium hosts educational programs on the island’s nature and history.

The historic grounds of the 132.5-foot tall lighthouse are fascinating, and the 167-step climb to the top of the lighthouse is an absolute must. Although the light is no longer in service, the view is amazing and you’ll have great photo opportunities.

The Hunting Island Lighthouse has a unique structure because it was built to be portable. It was constructed of large cast-iron sections, and then lined with bricks. The

96 Visit the parris island museum

The training ground for some of America’s greatest heroes is about an hour’s drive from Hilton Head at the US Marine Corps Recruit Depot on Parris Island. Because Parris Island has the deepest natural harbor south of New York, the government became interested in the area during Union occupation in the Civil War. The facility did not open for recruit training until 1889.

Today Parris Island graduates over 20,000 recruits a year and remains our nation’s most famous military training facility.

The Island is open to the general public. You can visit the Douglas Visitor’s Center as well as archeological sites or play on their golf course. The Parris Island Museum houses over 8,000 exhibits and photographs covering this US military training center since its beginning. The museum is open daily free of charge from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The gift shop, Alexander Ship’s Store, is open on Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., and on Sunday from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. Admission to the museum is free.

Parris Island is located off of Hwy. 802 in Beaufort. Note that access to the base is dependent upon current security needs. To get through security at the base gate you will need your driver’s license, proof of insurance, and auto registration, or the paper work for a rental car. Guards at the gate will direct you to the museum. For more information call (84) 228-2951.

Photo courtesy of the U.S. Marine Corps101 Photograph


grew to fill the Brick Baptist Church. In 1864, a prefabricated building was sent from

Pennsylvania and placed on a 50-acre tract of land adjacent to the Brick Church. Today the Penn Center still sits on this same land. The Center also served as the annual meeting place for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Christian Leadership Conference.

The grounds are designed for self-guided tours. Not only can you walk the grounds, but the Center also invites visitors to the Conference Center and York W. Bailey Museum. The museum is open Monday through Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with admission fees. The Conference Center offers guests lodging and meeting facilities. Visitors can make an appointment to access the Laura M. Towne Archives and Library that feature one of the oldest collections of photography of African-Americans in the country.

To get to the Center, follow Hwy. 21 South out of Beaufort onto St. Helena Island. Take a right onto Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and continue until you see the Penn School Historic District. For further information, call 843-838-2432.

99 Explore sheldon church ruins

For a special albeit out-of-the-way experience, visit the stately Old Sheldon Church Ruins. Moss-draped trees surround towering brick and tabby columns that comprise the remains of what was once one of the South’s most beautiful churches.

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lighthouse not only warned boats away from shallow water, but also served as the halfway point between Savannah and Charleston. In 1889 beach erosion caused the lighthouse to be moved 1.3 miles to its current location.

The park has 200 camping sites and 14 fully equipped climate-controlled cabins. You can stay up to two weeks. Call ahead (843-838-2011) to check the availability.

The park is open to the public daily year around from 6:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. April through September, or until 6:00 p.m., October through March. There is a park admission fee.

98 Visit the penn center

The Penn Center on St. Helena Island, southeast of Beaufort, was one of the country’s first schools for freed slaves and is considered one of this country’s most significant African-American historic institutions. It is a National Historic Landmark.

A tour of the Penn Center will educate you to the history of the freed slaves that lived in Beaufort County during the Civil War. Today, the Penn Center preserves and promotes their history through special programs and events.

The Center was established in 1862 prior to the Emancipation Proclamation in order to educate freed slaves in the Lowcountry. This undertaking was called the Port Royal Experiment, and was championed by abolitionists and several churches from Pennsylvania. The center’s first classes started in a single room on the Oaks Plantation and soon

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Charleston’s harbor dominates the view. Historic Fort Sumter where the Civil War began stands in the distance while sailboats and Sea Islands dot the horizon.

Stroll along cobbled streets. A peek through hand-wrought iron gates set in high garden walls will reveal beautiful private gardens reminiscent of days gone by. See the antebellum town mansions where gentlemen planters spent as much time indulging in their passions for politics and pleasure as they did managing their vast rice and cotton plantations.

Visitors can choose from a number of guided tours year around. Carriage rides and harbor tours are two of the most popular. Walking tours specialize in everything from the city’s history to pirates and ghosts. Many historic buildings and museums are open to the public daily.

101 experience a southern plantation

Visit one of the many historic plantations located around Charleston, about two hours by car from Hilton Head. This is a charming trip back in time to a period when cotton

Located between Yemassee and Gardens Corner on one of the country’s oldest roads (S.C. Secondary Road 21), 15 miles east of Beaufort, Old Sheldon Church stands as a reminder of the destruction in South Carolina during both the American Revolution and the Civil War. Originally completed in 1748, it was burned by the British in 1780, rebuilt, and subsequently destroyed by General Sherman’s Army in 1865.

Today, this picturesque spot is a local favorite for photographers, weddings, Sunday outings and picnics at tables under the shading oaks. Grave stones of the William Bull Family mark the landscape showing dates from 1755 to as recent as 1941. An Annual Service is held the second Sunday after Easter.

To find the ruins from Beaufort, travel north on Hwy. 21 to Old Sheldon Church Road. The ruins are about one mile on the right, denoted by a historical marker.

100 Turn back time in historic charleston

The city of Charleston, a two hour and 15 minute drive from Hilton Head Island, is one of this country’s most popular destinations. In fact, it received Condé Nast Traveler’s 2011 Readers’ Choice Awards as “Top U.S. City.”

Visitors experience a charming blend of English and American heritage, and modern amenities influenced by Charleston’s reputed Southern lifestyle.

Charleston lives her history. It was founded in 1670 on a charter of religious freedom as the colony of Charles Towne. It is known as the “Holy City” because it has over 300 churches of various denominations. Church spires are still the tallest structures, just as they were when sailing ships used them for landmarks, or when Union troops sighted their guns on them.

This beautiful city has been and continues to be preserved, restored, and protected. Its vast Historic District is filled with tiny alleys, walled gardens, and stately homes.


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in McClellanville, about 35 miles northwest of downtown Charleston off Highway 17. (843) 546-9361.

Magnolia Plantation (circa 1679) has the oldest public gardens in the country, and is the oldest public tourist site in the Lowcountry, first opening its doors to visitors in 1879. A variety of historic and nature tours are available year around on a seasonal schedule. It is located on between Drayton Hall and Middleton Place at 3550 Ashley River Road (Highway 61), about 30 to 40 minutes northeast of downtown Charleston. (800) 367-3517.

Middleton Place (circa 1741) is a National Historic Landmark and one of South Carolina’s most enduring southern icons. A variety of historic and nature tours are conducted daily, some with seasonal hours. It is located at 4300 Ashley River Road (Highway 61), about 30 to 40 minutes northwest of downtown Charleston. (800) 782-3608.

Drayton Hall (843-769-2600) Ad p. 90

was king and rice ruled, when vast tracts of land were held by a few families, and when slaves bore the weight of the economic success of the South.

We have romanticized the southern plantation era in such epics as Gone With the Wind, but today we can catch a glimpse of just how grueling and heartbreaking those times could be. Due to the efforts of many private families and organizations, plantation life is accessible to the general public. All are open year around and offer a variety of daily and seasonal tours of the grounds and buildings.

Boone Hall (circa 1681), privately owned and listed on the National Register, is one of America’s oldest working, living plantations where crops have been grown and produced continuously for over 320 years. It boasts one of the world’s longest oak-lined avenues. Some tours are offered only seasonally. The plantation is located off Highway 17 at 1235 Long Point Road in Mt. Pleasant, about 20 minutes from downtown Charleston. (843) 884-4371.

Drayton Hall (circa 1738), owned by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and a National Historic Landmark, is the oldest preserved plantation house open to the public. Tours are conducted daily. The house is located at 3380 Ashley River Road (Hwy 61), about 30-40 minutes northwest of downtown Charleston. (843) 769-2600.

The Hampton Plantation State Historic Site (circa 1750) is one of the area’s most beautiful colonial-era rice plantations. The grounds are open year around, but house tours are conducted on a seasonal schedule. It is located

Photo courtesy of Drayton Hall

The oldest unrestored

plantation house in America

still open to the public.

843.769.2600 www.draytonhall.org ®

3380 Ashley River Road Charleston, SC

s Daily Tours & Programs s

Circa 1738

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Driving Directions from Hilton Head Island, SCto Savannah, GA’s Visitor Center.From Bluffton side of the two bridges, drive WEST on WILLIAM HILTON PKWY/US-278W/FORDING ISLAND RD for 9.6 miles to SC-170 ramp toward BEAUFORT. At end of ramp, turn LEFT onto SC/170S/OKATIE HWY and continue 4.5 miles to traffic circle. At traffic circle, bear RIGHT onto SC-170W/SC-46W toward Savannah. Continue onto SC-315 (SC-46 and SC-170 each turn off to the right; road becomes SC-315S). Continue 6.1 miles to intersection with US-17. Turn LEFT onto US-17S. Continue another 6.1 miles on US-17S and take the OGLETHORPE AVE ramp. Continue on OGLETHORPE AVE/GA CONN-25S about 1/2 mile to Martin Luther King Blvd. Turn RIGHT onto MLK Blvd. The Visitor’s Center will be on your right. Est. time (allowing for traffic): 45 min. Distance: 30 miles

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