April 18, 2006
Hilton Head South Carolina: food, golf, beaches
Someone on my favorite sports message board recently asked for advice for his upcoming trip to Hilton Head South Carolina. I've never heard of it, but there were quite a few responses so i guess it's fairly well known. Anyway, here's the question:
I've never been down to Hilton Head and I'm staying at the Crown Plaza this Wednesday thru Saturday. I'm going with the wife for a mid-week vacation, golf could be on the itinerary, but I'm not a golfer and the wife is definitely not into golf. Does any one have first hand experience with Hilton Head and Crown Plaza? Is a rental car necessary? What is close by? What is there to do besides laying out on the beach, playing golf, and drinking heavily?
I've compiled the answers here (I've never been to Hilton Head so I can vouch for anything):
Nothing. The beach and golf are about all you can do at Hilton head. The golf courses are great and cost from $90 - $250 a round. The cheapest spots (off the island) that are decent are Eagle's Point and Island West - both mediocre, but passable.
There are two other things to do. The first, which kids might enjoy (I went as a college student and hated it), is SOTB (South of the Border). It is a good place for buying fire works. There's also some decent fishing
The weather down there is really nice, but you still need a car or you'll be doing a ton of walking.
Visit Wild Wing Cafe if you're into the sports bar type of place, and the Salty Dog Cafe is a really cool indoor/outdoor restaurant/bar. There's a good Mexican place called Mi Tierra. The best restaurants on the island are Michael Anthony's, Charlie's Crab, and The Old Fort Pub. All are relatively expensive. For more moderate prices with good food, try Il Carpaccio and Truffles (off the island).
German Food:
Hofbrauhaus Restaurant
(843)785-3663
Pope Ave, Hilton Head Isle, SC
Park:
Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge
(birds, rookery, trail, etc)
Hwy 278
turn left just before 1st Hilton Head Is bridge
Hilton Head is a first class stopover to other attractions such as Savannah's history, shops, famous resturants, and the galleries of Savannah College of Arts and Design.
Visit Fort Sumter, plantations, and Charleston. Take an Eco-Tour. Discover lighthouses. Shop the factory outlets and thrift shops.
Top the day with a Low Country feast and a cool walk on the beach.
I have been to the Crowne Plaza 3 times with my family. It has to be one of the nicest hotels we have ever stayed at. We are priority club members and the staff at the hotel are first class superceding any and I mean any other hotel we have stayed at. We stay at first rate hotels and this one is the best. You will need a car to get around the hotel sits back in a resort type area but you won't have to drive far for anything. There is a nice strip of stores along the beach where you can park and walk around. The beach is very nice and it is a nice quiet place just to sit back and relax. We are from Ohio and this location and hotel is one of our favorites to go back to,
Posted by: Dave Kirchhoff at April 19, 2006 9:16 AMJust a couple of things - the Hofbrauhaus Restaurant mentioned above is now closed down, and South of the Border is (as the name suggests) just South of the SC/NC border, over 200 miles away, so it's not really a Hilton Head attraction.
I would strongly recommend a car for getting around, it's pretty essential for traveling to nearby Savannah (although there is a boat that sails to Savannah and back daily - makes for a great day out) or Charleston. However Hilton Head is *extremely* bike friendly, there are bike paths throughout the island, you can ride everywhere without ever having to go on the road. Plenty of bike rental places too.
If you have kids under 11 (or so) I'd also recommend the Sandbox Childrens Museum on the South end.
Posted by: The Hilton Head Site at April 19, 2006 11:11 PMIf you would like a day trip while in Hilton Head, go over to Beaufort. It is 45 minutes away and is a beautiful southern town rich in history. There are horse and buggy tours of the town where you can learn about it's Civil War roots. If you are looking for something different to do try Small City Cooking School in Port Royal, SC (not Port Royal plantation). The classes are a blast and the food is amazing. Enjoy!
Posted by: Jill at April 21, 2006 4:37 AMWe just returned 2 days ago from the Crown Plaza HHI. The weather was great - the beach is lovely and perfect for bike riding. The entire island is covered in nice flat bike trails and that is a lovely way to spend a day. You can rent the bike right by the pool for about 16 per bike for 3 hours...or something like that. Charlie's Crab - excellent for dinner and you can sit outside and enjoy the sunset if you like, overlooking docks and inland waterways - which you cannot do at the crown because it faces east. Right around the corner from the crowne is Charley's E'tiole Verte - another restaurant I would recommend. The lounge is very nice, comfy, leather couches, puffy tapestried chairs - a nice place to sit and enjoy a cocktail before dinner. There is lots of shopping to be had if you like - a mall on the island and an outlet mall on the mainland not far away from the hotel (about 15-20 minutes). The crowne also has tennis courts. On you bike rides ( best activity) watch for alligators, herons, turtles, owls (we had one fly right in front of my son's bike and if it impressed a 17 yr old on holiday with his parents it will impress anyone)...also you can rent sea kayaks...watch for dolphins, walk to beach at night with a flash light - you will be amazed at the life you see making its way along the waters edge...most of all relax and enjoy!!! You don't hear the surf in Ohio.
Posted by: Kim at April 21, 2006 12:13 PM