Five Amazing Day Trips From Hilton Head Island
HIlton Head Island is known for its beaches, rich history, and gorgeous scenery. If you live in Hilton Head or are just passing through, you should know that there are plenty of lesser known but highly enjoyable must-see places near the beautiful South Carolina coast. We chose these five road trips based on our own experience so you don’t have to risk traveling for a few hours only to be disappointed. If you’re in Hilton Head to visit your in-laws or family and friends, here are five road trips that will get you all out of the house…or get them out of your hair if you’d prefer to go alone…for the whole day!
Deep Water Vineyard
First on our list is Deep Water Vineyard, located just outside of Charleston. This local vineyard, open from 10:00am to 5:00pm on Tuesdays through Saturdays, is a must see for all wine enthusiasts. Deep Water Vineyard is home to Charleston’s only domestic winery and features crafted drinks made from Muscadine grapes, one of the truly native grapes in the southern United States. They even import grapes from California so there’s certainly no shortage of selections to sample! Not only is this winery great for adults, couples, and large parties, but there’s plenty of events that make it fun for kids too!
During your visit, you’ll also be able to enjoy the local music talent and explore the property’s 48 acres of land. They understand that there’s not many food options nearby, so they offer food to go with your drinks from 12:00 to 4:00pm during the week and have a larger variety from local food trucks on Saturdays. Check out their calendar and tour options so you plan accordingly and get the most out of your experience! Whether you’re visiting for a few hours or you want to spend the whole day here, you can sit back, relax, and enjoy the finest crafted wine in the area.
“Deep Water Vineyard is home to Charleston’s only domestic winery and features crafted drinks made from Muscadine grapes, one of the truly native grapes in the southern United States.”
Deep Water Vineyard
6775 Bears Bluff Road
Wadmalaw Island, SC 29487
(843) 559-6867
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Brookgreen Gardens
Picture this scenario: you’re looking for a place to capture vivid memories, pack your day full of activities, and have fun with the whole family, so where do you go? The answer is Brookgreen Gardens. This location, just south of Myrtle Beach, features a beautiful botanical garden, fine american art, the Lowcountry Zoo, and rich history of the area to discover.
Brookgreen Gardens contains over 2,000 works of art and prominently displays their fine American sculptures in beautiful garden settings. Their botanical gardens feature a wide collection of annual and perennial plants that’s constantly being added to. Being in the warm climate of the south, there’s always something in bloom to admire and capture the beauty of. If you’re lucky enough to be visiting from April through October, then you must check out their stunning butterfly house with hundreds of these critters flyin’ around!
If you purchase admission for the gardens, then hop over to the Zoo afterwards (free entrance with garden admission) and see the animals in close replications of their natural habitat. This place is perfect to satisfy a child’s sense of wonder as you have the option to learn more about these animals in greater detail with the help of an interpreter. We wish we could mention more about Brookgreen Gardens, but there’s simply too much to take note of! With so many sights to enjoy during their hours of 9:30am to 5:00pm, there’s certainly no shortage of fun here.
“If you’re lucky enough to be visiting from April through October, then you must check out their stunning butterfly house with hundreds of these critters flyin’ around!”
Brookgreen Gardens
931 Brookgreen Garden Drive
Murrells Inlet, SC 29576
843-235-6000
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Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens
Picture this scenario: you’re looking for a place to capture vivid memories, pack your day full of activities, and have fun with the whole family, so where do you go? The answer is Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens. The gardens are located just outside of Savannah and easy to travel to from Hilton Head and Bluffton. Consisting of over 11 different gardens, the Coastal Georgia Botanical Garden is home to one of our country’s most historic plantings of Japanese Timber Bamboo.
There’s plenty to do and see to fill up your day’s adventure. Check the calendar before you visit, you might be in luck with a seasonal festival or being able to see one of the many rare flowers in bloom. Since each of the gardens are so unique, you really can enjoy a large part of the day here. This is also a great garden to visit with younger kids and many local schools take field trips here.
Over the years the amenities have expanded and the gardens now offer a wedding pavilion, a large visitor center that’s perfect for receptions and events as well as a conference center that offers seating for over 100!
No food is offered on site, but not far away are several spots for lunch or dinner.
“This is also a great garden to visit with younger kids and many local schools take field trips here.”
Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens
2 Canebrake Road
Savannah GA 31419
912-921-5460
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Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site
Be sure to take this historic trip to see where it all began! This is the site where the first English settlers landed in 1670 to establish the Carolina colony. Step back in time to understand early colonial history. Take an audio tour on the self-guided history trail, see the exhibits in the Visitors center, board the Adventure (a 17th Century replica sailing ship) explore the Animal Forest natural habitat zoo, walk through the gorgeous 80 acres of gardens, and more!!
You will definitely want to spend the entire day! Strollers and wheelchairs are available for free, and you can also explore the many miles of bike trails by renting bikes (small fee) or bringing your own. This is one of only a handful of original settlement sites that still exist in the United States, so you don’t want to miss out when it’s less than 2 hours away! Traveler’s tip – There is not meal service available in the park. Snacks are available for purchase. You can bring a lunch and eat at the picnic tables, or leave to go to one of the many nearby restaurants and return to continue your visit.
“This is one of only a handful of original settlement sites that still exist in the United States, so you don’t want to miss out when it’s less than 2 hours away!”
Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site
1500 Old Towne Road
Charleston, SC 29407
843-852-4200
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Edisto Island Serpentarium
Reptiles, reptiles, and more reptiles. What’s not to love? Edisto Island Serpentarium is South Carolina’s first true Serpentarium. Dedicated to preservation and education, this facility is home to many species of reptiles native to the area and from around the world. Featuring many species of alligators, turtles, snakes, and lizards, there are reptiles in all shapes and sizes for your family to enjoy. Each reptile is displayed in re-creations of their natural habitat so you get to observe their unique behaviors as if you actually encountered them in the wild (but without the danger of course!).
Edisto Island Serpentarium is the perfect place to learn about reptiles in a way that’s new and exciting! Learn about some myths of snakes as professional speakers handle both venomous and nonvenomous species. Enjoy an up close look as the animal keepers feed the hungry alligators. Catch a unique, informative show about reptiles that changes every day. Whether you’re visiting for the first time or the tenth time, there’s always something fun to see and learn about!
“Dedicated to preservation and education, this facility is home to many species of reptiles native to the area and from around the world.”
Edisto Island Serpentarium
1374 SC-174
Edisto Island, SC 29438
843-869-1171
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Old Fort Jackson
The final location on our list is a national landmark known as Old Fort Jackson. Even though it’s technically located in Savannah, Georgia, this location is still well worth the trip. Old Fort Jackson is over 200 years old and is the oldest standing brick fort in all of Georgia. Everyday from 9:00am to 5:00pm, their passionate staff offers exciting interactive programs so you can watch the history of our nation come alive. Admission is $9 per adult and $5 for children ages 2 to 12, so it’s very affordable for fun with the whole family!
During your visit, you’ll get to enjoy a gorgeous view right on Savannah’s riverfront because this fort was built in a very strategic position to defend the city. Not only will you learn a lot about Old Fort Jackson’s history, but you can even experience a live reenactment of a battle that occurred here during the civil war! If you’re planning a trip, make sure you visit between 11:00am and 2:00pm to catch their daily cannon firings. Old Fort Jackson is so explosive with fun that you’ll completely forget you’re even learning about history!
“During your visit, you’ll get to enjoy a gorgeous view right on Savannah’s riverfront because this fort was built in a very strategic position to defend the city.”
Old Fort Jackson
1 Fort Jackson Road
Savannah, GA 31404
912-232-3945
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BONUS – If you’re looking to take an awesome drive and get the BEST food south of the Mason Dixon – Harold’s Country Club
Harold’s Country Club
Do you love authentic southern cooking and a fantastic atmosphere? Then you need to make sure Harold’s Country Club is on your list of stops. Named after the late Harold Peeples, this family owned restaurant has been a staple in their local community for years. But this isn’t just any ordinary bar or restaurant, this is a gathering place for folks to interact with their staff as if they were family, enjoy live karaoke, meet new faces, and enjoy stories from travelers passing through. There’s a lot of rich history to be discovered here, with unique antiques, memorabilia, and genuine automobile parts displayed proudly on the walls. Ask any staff member about the history behind Harold’s Country Club, and you’ll see exactly why this place is near and dear to so many hearts.
I have lived in Bluffton for over 20 years and had never heard of Harold’s until a friend called to tell me about a birthday party he was having and how he was making a big adventure out of going to Harold’s!
Even though Harold’s Country Club is only open on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, their southern home cooking is among the best in the state. Every Thursday, they serve a different meal buffet style and on Fridays they serve “wings and things” with multiple flavors to choose from. But the real special that’s to die for? Their special prime rib steak that’s only served once a week on Saturdays. No matter when you visit, you can expect only the finest southern home cooking!
“There’s a lot of rich history to be discovered here, with unique antiques, memorabilia, and genuine automobile parts displayed proudly on the walls.”
Harold’s Country Club
97 HWY. 17A
YEMASSEE, SC 29945
843-589-4360
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And there you have it! These locations are among the five (six!) best road trips to take from Hilton Head Island! We hope that this guide will prove helpful so you can experience the best that the coastal area has to offer! Each location is based on our own experiences as state natives, so you won’t have to worry about a trip being a waste of time. With so much to do during these five road trips, you’re guaranteed to create fun and new memories with your family and friends!
