Endless Water Activities

The Atlantic Ocean and countless tidal rivers and creeks create the perfect setting for every water sport you can imagine. It might be sitting in a beach chair for the day, or flying over the water in a hydra-foil, or exploring the creeks in your own boat, just about everything you can think of is here! Home to the South Carolina Yacht Club, there are award-winning junior sailors here, along with the Hilton Head Crew team, competing at the high school level.

Check out our BOATING page for more information. We have two Freedom Boat Clubs, over 10 boat launches, and 10 marinas in our section of Beaufort County alone…

Coastal Dining

Along with saltwater adventures, our ocean proximity lends itself to some amazing seafood. If you’re looking for a spot to take in the scenery, we have restaurants and bars beachfront and creek side. Just want to grab something to cook up at home? We have plenty of markets known for their fresh local seafood, some caught just hours earlier. And of course, we have much more than just seafood – there is something delicious around every corner here in the Lowcountry. Just take a look at our dedicated page for eating out: DINING.

A Rainy Day in the Lowcountry

Don’t let the lack of sunshine slow down your fun. Shopping is always a favorite thing to do during inclement weather. Along with a multitude of small boutiques all around town (check Calhoun Street in Bluffton,) there are two Tanger Outlet shopping centers!

Some educational fun can be found at The Coastal Discovery Museum, touring The Heyward House in Old Town Bluffton, or The Gullah Museum of Hilton Head. The Sanbox Children’s Museum offers plenty of activities for the young ones!

Station 300 is a family friendly bowling alley with arcade. If you sign up for Kids Bowl Free, kids bowl for free on rainy days!

Enjoy a little art and culture while the day is gray… Wine and Design offers one day painting classes in the afternoon and evening. Or drop by The Art Café to paint your own piece of pottery. We have local playhouses offering an every changing array of productions… visit our CULTURE & THE ARTS page for more performing arts info. But don’t miss a local favorite, cozy Park Plaza Cinema, that offers food and beverage delivered to your luxury recliner seat during your movie!

A spa day is a fun diversion anytime, but perfect on a rainy day! The Lowcountry has every kind of spa service in all types of settings. Our friends at the Chamber of Commerce have a great list HERE.

More than Just Life on the Water

There are lots of fun things to do that have nothing to do with the coastline… There is Adventure Hilton Head, offering a ropes course, zip line, and go-karts. A new addition for an adrenaline rush is Indy Karting & Amusement, indoor kart racing! Station 300 is a family friendly bowling alley with arcade and restaurant. There are miles of leisure trails, perfect for walking or biking and a great way to explore the area. This page has more information and maps LEISURE TRAILS.

Technically on the water, but not really, is climbing the Harbour Town Lighthouse in Sea Pines. Get a bird’s eye view of the island and Daufuskie Island in the distance!

Touring performance art productions love stopping at the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina. Each year the calendar books up with favorite plays and musicals. Local talent is showcased at the Lean Ensemble Theater and the May River Theater. We also have Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra, celebrating it’s 42 season in 2023.

Fun & Games

Our area is known for its plethora of challenging golf courses and world-class tennis facilities. Beyond that are quite a few additional activities for all ages and skill levels.

Pickleball courts are common in our area with a number of leagues and tournaments. Hilton Head has a long-standing Rugby team, an active soccer community, and beach volleyball teams, just to name a few. Adult and child recreational sports are year-round here thanks to the mild seasons.

If you’re looking for something less active, there is a robust Bridge community, quilt guild, amateur music groups, and all types of artisan groups and classes. Bluffton has a budding art community with many galleries showcasing local talent.

A favorite community club in our area is OLLI – Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, which offers many different courses in almost everything you could imagine, meet-ups, field trips, and so on. Try their cooking classes, mindful meditation classes, estate planning, hiking, kayaking, or tour the Bluffton police department!

Community involvement is a way of life in the Lowcountry. We are not just a beach town but are home to over 200 non-profit charities that always need helping volunteer hands. The Volunteers in Medicine Clinic which is now nationwide was started here, along with Second Helpings, and The Deep Well Project.

Festivals & Community

Every season is beautiful in our temperate climate which creates all kinds of opportunities to be outside enjoying some local happenings. The uniqueness of our area lends itself to some spectacular outings. Free live musical performances are offered almost year-round in park settings. HHI Concourse d’Elegance & Motoring Festival shows off rare and unique automobiles. Bluffton Arts and Seafood Festival highlights many of our local artists. A particular favorite is the Lantern Parade along South Forest Beach in November. Everyone is invited to create their own lantern leading up to the parade!

For a full list of seasonal events, please check out our FESTIVALS page.

History Buffs Welcome Here

The Hilton Head and Bluffton areas played a role in the shaping of America. Many stories and places of historical importance can be found here dating back as far as the 1500s. One, in particular, is the Mitchelville Freedom Park – the first self-governed freedmen’s town in all of the United States. Many of the descendants of Mitchelville citizens still live on the island and share their rich Gullah/Gechee heritage. Visit our HISTORY page for detailed information. And be sure to check out Hilton Head Island’s History Leisure Trail!