The Perfect Weekend on Hilton Head Island

Hilton Head Island, off the coast of South Carolina, is a barrier island of the Atlantic Ocean. What started out as cash crops and plantations became a planned, ecologically conscious resort that is now a vacation paradise. It's known for it's beaches, golf and warm climate and it's one of my favorite places on the East Coast. I've put together a guide for the perfect weekend to enjoy your time on this serene island.

Where to Stay
There are plenty of vacation condo rentals, Air BnB's and hotels. If you're heading to Hilton Head, odds are that you want to stay beachside. There are plenty of properties that fit this requirement but two of my favorites are: The Beach House Resort and Marriott Hilton Head Resort.

The Beach House Resort, a Holiday Inn Resort, is located oceanfront right next to Coligny Beach Park. There are a few oceanfront rooms but most are ocean view with neutral beach decor. There is the oceanfront Tiki Bar with live music year round and Porch Southern Kitchen & Bar for meals. (It was named one of the top resorts in the South by Conde Nast Traveler in 2018)

Hilton Head Marriott Resort & Spa is also located on the ocean with a nice sandy beach and rooms with balconies. It's close to golf courses, has a fitness room, indoor and outdoor pools, tennis courts and includes a spa with various services.

Day 1: Friday
Upon arrival on Friday, the first order of business should be to get your toes in the sand. Coligny Beach Park is a public beach park with restrooms and public parking available. It's close to Coligny Plaza and all it's restaurants, bars and shops along with a Piggly Wiggly supermarket for all your food needs for the weekend.

Once you've logged some beach time, you can walk to eat at The Frosty Frog Cafe. Or maybe the quirky Big Bamboo Cafe, Fish for casual seafood or The Sandbar.

 If you'd like to get a drink and watch the sunset, head to the outdoor Tiki Bar at the Beach House Resort for the island's only "toes in the sand, drinks in hand" experience. There's live music daily and you can watch volleyball games while enjoying one of their drink specials. (You may even catch a couple exchanging vows on the beach) 

Day 2: Saturday
I'm not a golfer, but if I was I'd maybe book a tee time for your Saturday fun. You could also take a Gullah tour, visit the Coastal Discovery Museum or Sea Pines Plantation and it's infamous red and white striped lighthouse. We opted for more beach time as the weather couldn't have been more perfect. We alternated between the sandy beach and poolside (though the water was way too cold for swimming) at the Marriott Resort Hilton Head. 

The Marriott has it's own beachside bar, Liquid, which had just opened for the season. It has perfect views of the ocean, friendly bartenders and daily drink specials. It's one of my favorite places to perch on a Saturday afternoon and listen to the waves.

For dinner we visited one of our favorite pizza places on the island. Mangiamo's is the local Ohio State Buckeye pizza palace and it's covered in all things OSU. That's not the only reason that I always visit here - their pizza is pretty fantastic also. (Subs, salads and pasta are on the menu, too)

The day ended with a dip in the scalding hot tub. Unfortunately, it was just too hot to enjoy. A seat on the balcony perked us up as we enjoyed the breeze off the ocean.

Day 3: Sunday
After fueling up with breakfast, you may want to get in those last few moments of beach time. Maybe a walk, too, or just a little chair lounging until it's time to head back to reality. And you may even catch a beach proposal! (Yes, that's right - we saw a wedding and a proposal)

 After you've checked out of your hotel, it's time for a little dockside eats at the most popular restaurant on Hilton Head.
Hudson's Seafood House on the Docks has supreme views of Port Royal Sound and some of the freshest seafood around caught by their very own fishing fleet. Oysters, shrimp and soft shell crab are on the menu with Happy Hour specials and live music. Enjoy your afternoon at the bar on the dock and listen to some tunes. Nothing finer. (Even though the parking lot is large, parking comes at a premium so consider an off-peak time to visit)

There's one more place to stop on your way off the island and that's Okatie Ale House in Bluffton for outdoor dining. With a menu of seafood and sandwiches with a chop house section, you can enjoy your food while listening to acoustic tunes and watching for the resident gator to swim by. When you're full but not too full for ice cream, walk next door to Jack Frost Homemade Ice Cream for some of the best ice cream in the area. And they're not fooling - it's all homemade.

Can you spot the gator?

I hope, if you decide to go, that your weekend at Hilton Head will be as fun as ours was!

How about you? Have you been to Hilton Head Island?


Linking up with: My Corner of the World at Photographing New Zealand and The Weekend Wanderlust Weekend Travel Blog Party!