Mix Relaxation With Adventure in Hilton Head, South Carolina

Whether you crave a few days of laid-back relaxation, an activity-packed vacation or a mixture of both, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, always delivers. For the never-stop-moving crowd, there are championship golf courses, tennis clubs and endless trails to walk or bike.

Sun worshippers can make themselves at home along miles of sun-drenched beaches, while foodies will find low country cuisine has them heading home with pants feeling ever-so-slightly snug (worth it).

And the lingering Gullah influences unique to this part of the country will pique the interest of culture-hounds. Swimming weather may be limited to summertime, but this slice of South Carolina heaven offers plenty of year-round oceanfront entertainment.

Get ready to soak up some vitamin D, practice your swing and experience a weekend with low country flair.

As always, check for travel restrictions and closures before planning your trip.

Friday: Explore the Shoreline and Waterway

Begin your Hilton Head vacation with a hearty breakfast on the front porch at the Cottage Café & Bakery in nearby Bluffton. You’re on island time now, so opt for one of the seafood-inspired classics, such as the “Crabby Bernice” or the “Island Scramble” with shrimp.

Next up, head for the water. Many of the beaches on Hilton Head Island have amenities such as picnic tables, grills, playgrounds, restrooms and outdoor showers, so you can stay the entire day if you’d like — but an early start will help you beat the heat and the crowds.

Coligny Beach Park is one of the most popular stretches of sand, thanks to its proximity to restaurants and shops. If you’re looking to catch some waves, head to Burkes Beach; if you just want to relax in peace and quiet, Alder Lane Beach is your spot.

For lunch, head back into town to a local institution. The Bluffton Family Seafood House specializes in local seafood and oysters — the Toomer family also operates Bluffton Oyster Company, a hand-shucking operation located on the water about a mile away. Try the steamed local May River oysters (available September through May) and the house-made she-crab soup.

Hilton Head’s freshwater wetlands and salt marshes are chock-full of native animals and plants. Rent a kayak at Salt Marsh Paddle to catch a glimpse of some low country wildlife and explore the island’s waterways on a sort of “nature walk on water.”

Alligator- and dolphin-watching tours (with H2O Sports and Mermaid of Hilton Head, respectively) are a lot of fun. You’ll also likely spot loggerhead sea turtles that come here to nest.

Come dinnertime, FARM in Old Town Bluffton serves an elevated take on low country classics. The menu changes seasonally, and the ingredients are always fresh and sourced locally. Your post-dinner drinks, live music and breathtaking waterfront vistas are courtesy of the award-winning Skull Creek Boathouse, a 15-minute drive away.

Saturday: Stay Active

Golfing is a Hilton Head staple. With more than 23 private and public golf courses, this small island has the second-most golf courses per capita in the country and is one of the premier golf destinations in the world.

But before you start practicing your swing, grab breakfast at Healthy Habit. This casual spot’s chia pancakes or overnight protein oats are the best — and, true to the restaurant’s name, healthiest — ways to start your day.

This morning, you’ll play like the pros do (or at least play where the pros do) at Harbour Town Golf Links. It is the site of the RBC Heritage Golf Tournament, South Carolina’s only PGA Tour event. This 18-hole course was designed by Pete Dye and Jack Nicklaus and is open to the public year-round.

When you work up an appetite, walk to Links, an American Grill located within the Harbour Town Clubhouse. This elegant surf-and-turf restaurant offers sweeping views of the golf course, handcrafted cocktails and classic dishes prepared with farm-fresh ingredients.

In the afternoon, rent a bike at Hilton Head Outfitters and hit the trails.

Start at Shelter Cove Community Park and head north, with stops along the way at landmarks such as Zion Chapel of Ease (the island’s first chapel, dating back to 1788), the Baynard Mausoleum (a storied 19th-century tomb) and Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park (the first self-governed town of formerly enslaved people in the United States).

Tennis is another popular pastime on the island. Practice your serve at the Sea Pines Racquet Club in Harbour Town or on one of the more than 300 tennis courts on Hilton Head Island. Go for one last burst of activity by climbing the 114 steps to the top of the historic Harbor Town Lighthouse, where you can snap a few photos of the beautiful views.

Then, indulge in a no-holds-barred seafood feast at Alexander’s Restaurant & Wine Bar, an excellent fine-dining spot packed with both locals and visitors. End the evening with live music at the Jazz Corner, an intimate music venue and a local landmark.

Sunday: Taste the Flavors

Today is all about taking it slow and exploring low country culture and flavors. Begin the day with brunch at Kenny B’s French Quarter Café, a family-owned Southern and Creole-style restaurant. Menu staples include fried oysters Benedict and eggs with crawfish, plus that low country staple: shrimp and grits.

The Coastal Discovery Museum is a great way to spend the morning. This museum includes a 68-acre nature preserve where you can get a firsthand look at many of the natural wonders of South Carolina’s coast.

You can’t leave the island without feasting on One Hot Mama’s baby back ribs, hand-cut steaks and pulled pork. The eatery is the brainchild of Filipino-American chef Orchid Paulmeier and is part of the South Carolina BBQ Trail.

The Gullah Geechee people, the descendants of enslaved people brought here from West and Central Africa, are integral to Hilton Head Island’s unique culture. Historic Mitchelville was the first town self-governed by freed slaves, and it’s a key anchor point in Gullah heritage.

The Gullah Museum of Hilton Head Island is a wonderful place to learn more about the traditions, language and history of the Gullah people. If you’re up for a deep dive, the two-hour-long, fully narrated Gullah Heritage Trail Tours will take you through some traditionally Gullah neighborhoods and historic sites.

History buffs should also check out the Heritage Library, which organizes special events and walking tours throughout the year.

End the day with ocean views and fresh seafood at Hudson’s Seafood House on the Docks. Founded in 1967, this local favorite also grows its own oysters and cultivates fresh soft-shell crabs. Then, you’re off to the Tiki Hut for drinks, good music and one last fix of island vibes.