How to Spend the Best Week in Our Favorite Beach Town!
We’ve visited Hilton Head countless times – with our families as we were growing up, and now again with our kids… it’s a special and sentimental place for us. We love visiting new countries and places we’ve never been before, but Hilton Head is one of those places we keep coming back to.
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, is one of those rare beach destinations that combines natural beauty, family fun, and Southern charm in one perfect package. Whether you’re coming for wide sandy beaches, relaxed bike rides under the mossy oaks oaks, or fresh seafood by the water, a week here is a perfect getaway.
We’ve put together our favorite things to do, places to eat and where to stay all into one easy guide for you!
🏖️ Where to Stay: Great Areas to Base Your Week
Hilton Head is only about 12 miles long, but where you stay can shape your vacation. Here are the top areas we love, each with its own vibe and perks:
🌲 1. Sea Pines – The Classic Hilton Head Experience
If we had to pick one place that captures the best of Hilton Head, it’s Sea Pines. This gated community has everything in one place: beaches, bike paths, golf courses, marinas, nature preserves, and dining. It’s also home to many of our favorite activities (which you’ll see below!). One downside is that there are not that many houses that have direct beach access. So – this may be a better location if you are comfortable biking or walking to the beach.
Sea Pines is ideal if you want everything within biking distance and beautiful scenery.
🚲 2. Coligny Beach & South Forest Beach – Central and Beachfront
If being in the heart of the action is your style, Forest Beach near Coligny Plaza is a fantastic base. You’ll be steps from the beach, shops, restaurants, and bike rentals, with miles of paved paths connecting you to the rest of the island.
Coligny and South Forest Beach is ideal if you want options that are a bit more affordable and close to the beach.
🌞 Best Things to Do in Hilton Head in One Week
There’s no shortage of ways to fill your days on Hilton Head Island, but these are our must-do activities for the perfect week:
🐴 Visit Lawton Stables
Located in Sea Pines, Lawton Stables is a family favorite. Kids love the petting farm, and guided horseback rides take you through scenic trails draped in Spanish moss. Even if we don’t spent too much time there, we always make a point to pickup a bag of carrots and feed the horses (note: there are signs NOT to feed some of the horses! Make sure to only feed ones that you’re allowed to).
🎶 Enjoy Greg Russell Under the Liberty Oak
If you’re here in summer, don’t miss Greg Russell’s free concerts in Harbour Town. Singing under the iconic oak tree for more than 40 years, he’s a Hilton Head legend, and the shows are a highlight for kids and adults alike. You can combine this with a trip the the awesome playground, doing some good shopping and dining and seeing a fabulous sunset. We came here when we were kids and now bringing our kids back to see him is very sentimental. Fun fact – our older son was called to sing with him not once, not twice, but THREE times over the years we visited.
🐬 Go on a Dolphin Cruise
A dolphin-watching cruise is one of the most magical ways to see Hilton Head’s wildlife. Bottlenose dolphins are frequent visitors, and many tours include sunset views or local history along the way. There are tons of companies around offering trips. We like to take the tours that leave from Sea Pines.
🚴♂️ Bike Everywhere
With more than 60 miles of paved trails, Hilton Head is one of the most bike-friendly beach towns in the U.S. You can ride through the huge oak trees, along lagoons, and even on the beach at low tide. Biking is not just an activity here – it’s part of the experience. We enjoy biking through Sea Pines and looking (from a distance) for alligators in the ponds.
🛥️ Visit Harbour Town
Harbour Town is a must-visit for its iconic lighthouse, shops, playground, and waterfront views. A bike ride or drive down to adds another layer of charm, with kayaking, fishing trips, and live music in a relaxed marina setting. There are tons of classic Hilton Head restaurants there and Harbour Town has an iconic lighthouse that you can visit the top of. And – in the Harbour Town Marina you can also see, sometimes, manatees swimming! You also must get your picture by this old oak tree. We have so many of these 🙂
🐢 Explore the Coastal Discovery Museum
At the Coastal Discovery Museum, you’ll learn about the island’s history, marsh ecosystems, and wildlife through exhibits, boardwalk trails, and guided tours. It’s a great break from the beach and a fun, educational stop for all ages. There are small animals in the visitor center, and if you check out their website, they offer a small animal experience a few times a week. You can hold things like baby alligators, turtles, chickens and more!
🌳 Walk the Audubon Newhall Preserve
For a peaceful nature walk, head to Audubon Newhall Preserve. This free preserve features easy trails winding through native plants, live oaks, and small ponds — a quiet place to connect with the island’s natural side. It’s almost always pretty empty and the lagoon is nice. We are always on the lookout for alligators here though!
🏖️ Relax on the Beach
Of course, no trip to Hilton Head is complete without plenty of beach time. With wide, sandy shores and gentle waves, it’s perfect for swimming, shelling, sandcastle building, or simply soaking in the sun. South Beach is a really great place to visit with very calm waters for kids. We’ve seen dolphins close to the shore here. Or, really any other beach in the area near your accommodation is usually wonderful as well.
🛍️ Explore Coligny Plaza
Take a break from the beach to shop for souvenirs, grab a casual lunch, or enjoy live entertainment. It’s one of the most vibrant spots on the island and perfect for people-watching. There is a cute shop that has hermit crabs that our kids always ask us for, tons of good treats like fudge or ice cream, and fun restaurants and other shops as well.
🍤 Where to Eat: Our Favorite Hilton Head Restaurants
Hilton Head’s food scene is a delicious mix of seafood shacks, Southern comfort, and coastal cuisine. Here are some of our go-to spots:
- One Hot Mama’s – A fun, casual spot with award-winning barbecue and great cocktails. This isn’t nearly as popular as some of the iconic spots, but the food is delicious.
- The Crazy Crab – Iconic Hilton Head restaurant right in Harbor Town. Mostly serve seafood and is right next to the old oak tree where Gregg Russell performs.
- Sea Shack – A no-frills favorite for fresh, affordable seafood. Get there early — the line forms fast! We usually get this as takeout and enjoy the popcorn shrimp.
- Giuseppi’s Pizza – Great for a casual family meal with classic pizzas – we always get this at least once!
- The Salty Dog Café – A Hilton Head icon at South Beach Marina, known for its laid-back vibe and waterfront views.
- Coast – Oceanfront dining at Sea Pines Beach Club with fresh seafood and cocktails.
- A Lowcountry Backyard Restaurant – A cozy spot serving Southern classics like shrimp and grits and fried green tomatoes.
- The Frosty Frog – A restaurant/bar right in Coligny Plaza that has fun frozen drinks and live music.
🏝️ Final Thoughts: Why Hilton Head Is Perfect for a Week Away
A week in Hilton Head strikes the perfect balance between relaxation and adventure. You can spend your mornings biking under the moss-draped oaks, your afternoons spotting dolphins or exploring nature preserves, and your evenings listening to live music under the stars.
We have so many memories of biking around the island, seeing alligators and watching beautiful sunsets while listening to Gregg Russell. Hilton Head is the kind of place you come back to again and again, always finding new reasons to fall in love with it. Hope this helps you enjoy the magic of Hilton Head!
