Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
If phrases like “easygoing,” “laid-back,” and “low-key” best describe your preferred vacation style, then Hilton Head Island should be on your must-visit list. The whole area operates at a slower pace, so whether you want to escape to one of the championship golf courses, spend a serene afternoon kayaking through the local salt marshes, or sit down to a leisurely Lowcountry-inspired meal, you’re sure to find a welcome dose of quiet rejuvenation.
The red-and-white-streaked Harbour Town Lighthouse is home to a museum, a gift shop, and 114 steps to the top.
Lowcountry kitchens are known for their phenomenal seafood feasts, showcasing the freshest of ingredients sourced from the Atlantic Ocean and surrounding salt marshes.
The wooden promenade at Coligny Beach Park paves the way to white sands and calm ocean waters, and the occasional sighting of a pod of dolphins playing in the distance.
Daufuskie Island offers a peaceful and serene escape from “it all,” where the gentle sounds of nature can soothe the soul.
Must-Do: Dig your toes in the South Carolina sand. Various beaches — approximately 12 miles in total — encircle Hilton Head Island and each one is a peaceful strand where you can take part in myriad water activities or simply perfect your beach lounging techniques. Whatever your pleasure, be sure to visit the popular Coligny Beach Park, a wide stretch that always seems to have an uncrowded corner available, but also is close to fun shops and eateries.
Eat: Seafood—namely crab, oysters, and shrimp—is a staple here. In terms of specific dishes, be on the lookout for shrimp and grits and Lowcountry boils, and check menus for slight recipe tweaks that might make a world of difference. For example, at A Lowcountry Backyard Restaurant, the renowned shrimp and grits is embellished with smoked sausage, shaved green onions, and an applewood bacon cream sauce, while the Lowcountry Boil at Skull Creek Boathouse is described simply with “Local shrimp, shrimp, and more shrimp!”
Day-Trip: Take a ferry to Daufuskie Island (it’s about the only way to get there; there is no bridge to the mainland) and unplug for the day. This rural retreat is known for deserted beaches, history (there are some artifacts that date back some 9,000 years), and eclectic art galleries.
