The Lowcountry comes alive in springtime with flowers, festivals, and a variety of water sports and activities. Aside from warmth and sunshine, one of the best parts is fewer tourists in spring, making it the optimal time to take advantage of this popular vacation getaway.
Here are five reasons to add a little southern charm to your spring break vacation.
1. Annual Spring Festivals And Events
Hilton Head visitors enjoy access to many different festivals and events during spring. Add these to your shortlist.
Hilton Head Seafood Festival
When: February
The Hilton Head Island Seafood Festival is a family-friendly, week-long culinary and cultural tourism event with seafood, special events, celebrity chefs, master culinary classes, live music and more.
Patrons of this annual event are making an impact by helping to raise money for several local scholarships and memorial funds.
Wine and Food Festival
When: March
Every March, Hilton Head’s wine and food enthusiasts greet the island’s spring season with a week-long celebration. This annual event embraces the fruits of global wine partnerships and honors signature Lowcountry cuisine.
Wingfest
When: March
For more than 25 years, WingFest weekend has kicked off with an intimate gathering and happy hour.
The rest of the family-friendly weekend is filled with restaurant competitions, local bands, and yes, plenty of southern-style wings.
RBC Heritage
When: April
The RBC Heritage, known for much of its history as the Heritage Classic, or simply the Heritage, is a PGA Tour event in South Carolina. This annual golf tournament was first played over 50 years ago in 1969, and now draws more than 150,000 visitors to Hilton Head each year.
2. Hilton Head Attractions For The Whole Family
Harbour Town Lighthouse Museum
Join the Lighthouse Legends Tour to visit the museum and climb inside this iconic red and white lighthouse.
Don’t forget to visit the unique gift shop, featuring one of the largest collections of lighthouses in America.
Gullah Heritage Trail Tour
For a cultural experience, take a Gullah Heritage Tour. An authentic culture of Hilton Head Island, Gullah, is the West African based system of traditions, customs, beliefs, art forms and family life that have survived centuries of slavery. The Gullah Heritage tour works to share the values of their culture with travelers from all over the world.
Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge
Explore the natural beauty of Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge. Wander through scenic trails, ideal for hiking and biking, while spotting diverse wildlife like egrets, herons and deer.
Enjoy birdwatching in the rookery or try saltwater fishing in the surrounding waters. This refuge offers a tranquil escape into nature's wonders.
3. Things To Do For Lowcountry Fun
Whether you crave water sports, bike rides or sweet tea, Hilton Head has something for everyone.
Fishing, Boating, and Water Sports at Shelter Cove Marina
So many water activities await you at Shelter Cove Marina. Take a chartered fishing trip, or even try a jet-powered kayak fishing excursion.
You can also spend your day racing through the waterways in a Cat Boat or glide on water skis. Paddle boards and kayaks are also available for a quieter experience on the water.
A Visit to Hilton Head Distillery
Voyage through a typical day in the life of a craft distillery on a guided tour. Voted one of the top five things to do in Hilton Head by Tripadvisor, Hilton Head Distillery is a perfect place to gather with family and friends to sample locally-made spirits.
Beach Day at Coligny Beach Park
Enjoy a bike ride and a picnic along the beach bike paths, or rent a beach umbrella and enjoy a restful day in the sand. Beach-goers can also rent water sport equipment including paddle boards. Across the beach is Coligny Plaza, a quaint downtown filled with restaurants and shops for the whole family.
Crabbing Expedition
A crabbing cruise is a Hilton Head springtime exclusive. From March through May, visitors will learn about the crabbing, fishing, and shrimping industry on Hilton Head Island. You will bait a crab pot, release it, pull it up, and sort through the day’s catch.
Sunset Dinner Cruise on a Luxury Yacht
Whether dining inside or al fresco, every table aboard this ship has panoramic views of the ever-changing coastline of South Carolina.
Watch the sunset while dining on menu items such as Lowcountry Shrimp & Grits or Slow Smoked Beef Brisket. You’ll even get to see dolphins swimming by!
5. Waterfront Dining Sure To Satisfy
After a day spent soaking up a southern springtime day, refuel at one of the many great dining options. Here are a few must-try places to eat in Hilton Head.
Fishcamp on Broad Creek
Fishcamp features southern-style seafood in a cabin-like space with an outdoor patio and fire pit. Enjoy Lowcountry living, where you can kick back with a crafty cocktail and listen to local musicians. The young, and the young at heart, can play Fishcamp’s backyard games while soaking in the beautiful Broad Creek backdrop.
Skull Creek Boathouse
Skull Creek is a bustling waterfront spot for seafood and southern classics, with a sprawling tree-shaded outdoor bar. Choose your fish and then pick your preparation style. Stay late to enjoy a live music performance on the deck.
Hudson’s on the Docks
All tables at Hudson’s on the Docks feature extraordinary views of Port Royal Sound for a truly special Lowcountry dining experience. Visitors can watch boat crews unload thousands of oysters, shrimp and soft-shell crab fresh off the water. If you love oysters, have brunch here. You won't want to miss all of the different oyster menu options.
Where To Stay
Ocean Oak Resort by Hilton Grand Vacations checks all the boxes when searching for the oceanfront resorts in Hilton Head.
It's near excellent golf courses and tennis centers, nature hikes, boating, beach activities and a long-list of delicious dining.
The ‘island-style’ of Ocean Oak Resort offers an outstanding collection of amenities for the entire family. Spend your days soaking up the sun by the pool, preparing a family-style meal at our outdoor barbecue areas or enjoying easy access to and from the beach.
Read 9 Perfect Family-Friendly Destinations for more family travel destination ideas.