What To Do When It Rains On Hilton Head | We Have 13 Activities For When The Weather Turns Bad
13 Things To Do If It Rains On Your Hilton Head Island, SC, Beach Vacation
Vacation ideas are always tough to come up with; you plan one thing and your daughter doesn’t want to do that or your spouse has to take a call for work. There’s always something that gets in the way. After months of planning, saving. and searching for the best getaway deals, you finally booked your long-awaited Hilton Head Island family vacation. Your whole family is excited about spending time at the beach, boating, golfing, hiking, and biking. You’ve packed enough sunscreen and bug repellant to last until Armageddon and your wardrobe is pretty much limited to swimsuits, sunglasses and flip flops. Sounds about perfect, right?
Unfortunately, while you’ve got all the makings of one of the best family vacations ever, you might then find out that the weather is not planning on cooperating. Don’t lose sight of why you booked your Hilton Head vacation: you needed it. Just roll with it and enjoy your time. We’re here to tell you how.
Are you in need of indoor activities when visiting Hilton Head Island? If you’re looking for indoor activities on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, we got you covered. Whether it’s raining or simply too hot outside, there are plenty of options to still be sure you have a great day on your vacation.
First, a Pro Tip: Be Flexible!
Don’t sweat the things you can’t control and, yes, weather is a big one on that list! In the lowcountry we get an afternoon shower that breaks the humidity most of the time from Spring through September, and sometimes it’s a downpour. There’s always a chance it will rain, or rain there but not here….you get the idea. Again, don’t sweat what you can’t control.
So, if your beach day does get rained out, the good news is that there are plenty of indoor activities around the island and surrounding areas to choose from.
Here are our favorites.
Play All Day at The Zone
Take the kids (and yourself) to nearby Bluffton to The Zone (15-20 min drive). It’s chock full of family friendly activities. There’s Laser Tag, a Ninja Course, Batting Cages, Mini-Golf, Escape Rooms, a Mirror Maze, Time FREAK, and a Mechanical Shark….all under one roof.
Play with your kids or bring your laptop because there’s free WiFi and a cafe in case you want a snack.
The Zone
108 Buckwalter Pkwy
Suite 2F
Bluffton, SC 29910
(843) 836-3701
http://www.thezonebluffton.com
Entertain Your Children at The Sandbox Children’s Museum
This interactive children’s museum, located in the center of the island, encourages kids to play freely and engage their imaginations in every way. There are more than 11 interactive displays spread over two levels. In the spring, autumn, and winter they also have free family fun evenings and in the summer they host some Parents’ Nights Out. Check the website for details.
The Sandbox Children’s Museum
80 Nassau Street
Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
(843) 842-7645
https://www.thesandbox.org/
Get Artsy at The Art Cafe
The Art Cafe is a paint-your-own pottery studio that offers a unique family activity. The Art Cafe is open Monday-Saturday and a reservation is required. When your family arrives you’ll have the opportunity to pick out a piece of pottery and the friendly staff will get you started. Upon completion the staff will glaze and fire your artwork for you. The piece will not be finished for about three days, but don’t worry, they’ll ship your piece if you are leaving. Enjoy food and drinks while you paint, including beer and wine for the grown ups.
The Art Cafe
5 Lagoon Road
Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
(843) 785-5525
https://www.artcafehhi.com/
Explore the Coastal Discovery Museum
For educational fun on Hilton Head Island, head to the Coastal Discovery Museum. This museum located on 68 acres, offers free admission (donations are appreciated), making it a great option for budget travelers. It features a children’s area that includes a loggerhead turtle nest model along with books, educational toys, and fish tanks. Visiting the Coastal Discovery Museum is a great way to keep your family out of the rain for about an hour or two.
Although the entire property might be a little harder to explore when raining, you can always return to walk the boardwalks through the Jarvis Creek salt marsh, enjoy the butterfly enclosure, and stop to say hello to the Marsh Tacky Horses.
Coastal Discovery Museum
70 Honey Horn Drive
Hilton Head Island, SC 29926
(843) 689-6767
https://www.coastaldiscovery.org/
Join the Fun at Chronic Golf
With indoor golf simulators that offer 100+ courses to choose from as well as games such as home run derby and Zombie Dodgeball, Chronic Golf is a fun way to spend an afternoon. And when you need a break from the action they have a full service bar and restaurant.
Chronic Golf
59 New Orleans Road
Building A
Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
(833) 987-4653
https://www.mychronicgolf.com
Browse the Aisles at Barnes & Noble
Spend a few hours perusing the shelves of books at Barnes & Noble. Then take a coffee break (hot chocolate for the kids) in their cafe area. Stocking up on a few things to read or some games to play can also be helpful for your travels home or if you get another rainy afternoon.
Barnes & Noble
20 Hatton Place #200
Hilton Head Island, SC 29926
(843) 342-6690
https://stores.barnesandnoble.com
Have a Festive Meal at Holy Tequila
When you think of Mexican restaurants, things that come to mind might include tortilla chips, salsa, and margaritas. But take that thought to a higher plane and imagine gourmet tacos, fresh tortillas, homemade salsa and guacamole, creative cocktails, over 40 kinds of premium tequila, all within a cantina atmosphere that feels like a charming street scene in Mexico. A treat for you and your family.
Holy Tequila
33 Office Park Road
Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
(843) 681-8226
https://holytequila.com
Visit the Port Royal Sound Foundation Maritime Center
This is off Hilton Head Island, but still nearby, and you can combine it with a stop at Kazoobie Kazoos. The Port Royal Sound Foundation Maritime Center is totally free and features all kinds of fish, baby alligators, turtles, and a ton of interesting background information on the local area. It’s not that large, making it great fun for small children, and it’s filled with interesting exhibits and a little area where kids can color.
Port Royal Sound Foundation Maritime Center
310 Okatie Highway
Okatie, SC 29909
(843) 645-7774
https://portroyalsoundfoundation.org/
Tour The Kazoobie Kazoo Factory
Near the Maritime Center, the Kazoobie Kazoo Factory is a fun experience since it’s one of only two factories in the whole nation that imprints kazoos (for businesses, parties, and fundraisers). Everyday they manufacture 5,000 kazoos. After touring the facility you can make your own kazoo. This is a unique chance to learn about the instrument that predates the First World War. You can also watch a short video about the history of kazoos. If you are interested in a tour, be sure to schedule it online before you go.
The Kazoobie Kazoo Factory Museum and Gift Shop
12 John Galt Road
Beaufort, SC 29926
(843) 982-6387
https://thekazoofactory.com/
Go Souvenir Shopping at Coligny Plaza
Chances are, you’re going to go souvenir shopping. You might as well do it when it’s raining!
Coligny Plaza is a retail mall that the whole family can enjoy. Here are some must-see shops for that perfect souvenir:
- Hilton Head House Of Jerky – Over 60 varieties of jerky
- Island Girl – Clothes, accessories, and footwear for women
- The Island Fudge Shoppe – Homemade Fudge, hand-dipped chocolates, candies, and more
- Mingles – Handcrafted items, wall art, special souvenirs, pet gifts, shell crafts, gourmet foods, and year round Christmas
- Hilton Head Toys – Surfer Dudes, Spike Ball, and a large assortment of beach toys and games
- Camp Hilton Head – Wide variety of t-shirts, sweat shirts, hats, glassware, trinkets and other collectibles
- The SHell Shop – A large selection of exotic seashells, nautical merchandise, and tropical gifts
Coligny Plaza Shopping Center
1 North Forest Beach Drive
Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
(843) 842-6050
https://colignyplaza.com
Catch a Movie at Park Plaza Cinema
Park Plaza has the atmosphere of enjoying a movie in someone’s home theater room. Although this family-owned theater is a little smaller than some of the major chains, you will usually find a family-friendly movie showing.
They have comfortable reclining theater seating, American & Mexican small plates, and beer and wine for the adults.
Park Plaza Cinema
33 Office Park Road #201
Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
(843) 715-0479
https://www.mannsparkplazacinema.com/
Go Gaming at the Atomic VR Virtual Reality Arcade
Great fun for everyone eight and over. With four VR gaming stations available, you can explore lots of virtual experiences with your family and friends. Go online and play with others around the world, or be involved in your own battles.
Atomic VR Virtual Reality Arcade
38 Gateway Circle #200
Hilton Head Island, SC 29926
(843) 505-7182
https://atomicvrhhi.com/
Enjoy the Rainy Weather (if it’s safe of course) at Mitchellville Beach Park
Okay, here’s the disclaimer: only do this when you’re absolutely safely able to do so, meaning when it’s a passing shower not the next big storm to hit. If it’s raining, why not go to the beach anyway? Since you’re going to get wet anyway, why not play some games on the wet sand?
Think soggy sand castles and slippery races by the water. Do you know what they say about dancing in the rain? Well, building sandcastles in the rain can be just as much fun. Mitchellville Beach Park is off the beaten place and an ideal place to frolic in the rain in a quiet beachside escape. As an added benefit, it is home to many shark teeth.
Mitchelville Beach Park
124 Mitchellville Road
Hilton Head Island, Sc 29926
(843) 341-4600
There is no reason to let rain ruin your vacation plans. Instead, choose an alternative way to enjoy your stay and remember, the sun will most likely be shining the next day!
