When people discuss taking trips to South Carolina they usually talk about Myrtle Beach and Charleston. Sixty miles of beaches, celebrity golf courses, and a bustling boardwalk attracts over three million people every year. However, there is another part of South Carolina picking up traction. Hilton Head South Carolina is a quieter part of the state which is an amazing alternative to your normal fall or summer escape. If you are looking to break tradition for vacation this year try Hilton Head Island in South Carolina and you will not be disappointed.
Day 1: I flew New York to Savannah with my wife and two year old son and rented a car which allowed me to drive to the resort and not be at the mercy of public transportation on my vacation. On the way to the resort we stopped at Publix for snacks and alcohol to keep the room lively during our stay. I try to indulge and get the most out of my vacations because I work hard throughout the year. Disney’s Hilton Head Resort is a little over an hour from Savannah International Airport and is seated in the middle of low country. It has the Disney name but you will not see Mickey or Minnie walking around the resort. You will also not see incredibly long lines for the water slide or the food stands like you might see at Space Mountain or the Tower of Terror. What you will experience is five star accommodations and world class service which only Disney can provide. We dropped our bags in the room upon arrival and sat by the Big Dipper pool where my wife and I enjoyed trivia and a dole whip pineapple float from the Tide Me Over concession stand. My son had a blast swimming in the kiddie pool and playing with the lifeguards and staff members while my wife and I stood close by. After having fun in the sun we walked along the harbor and sat down for dinner at Scott’s Fish Market. The charbroiled Mahi Mahi went great with my traditional Margarita and the view of the sun setting on the boats in the harbor.
Day 2: The next day we woke up early and grabbed breakfast at the Hilton Head Diner which was a two minute drive south from the resort. After breakfast we headed to the private beach across the road from our accommodations. The resort offers a complimentary shuttle to the beach house but I rented an E300 from Avis rent a car so I did not mind the slow drive over. The beach house is fully loaded with a pool, air conditioned resting room, a splash zone for kids and a quick place to grab food and refreshments. Beyond the pool there is a private beach which is exclusive for guests of the resort. The beach house has towels but chairs and umbrellas need to be rented on the beach. The water on the east coast is picturesque. The sand was an inferno so I kept my flip flops on as a rushed through the sand to the warm Atlantic Ocean. After taking in a few of the waves on the beach and some dips in the pool we headed back to the room for a naps and showers. Next my wife insisted we do some shopping. On the way to the resort we passed by Tanger outlets which were about a twenty minute drive away. I am terrible at buying Christmas presents during the holiday season but somehow how I always find exactly what I need when I am on vacation. The outlets proved to be a perfect place for all of us to unwind. Don’t have enough space in your luggage for all your purchases? Not a problem. Most stores will ship your purchases to your home or help you complete the purchase online so the item is waiting for you when you get home.
Day 3: Beyond the leisure of beaches, pools and boating South Carolina also has excitement and adventure. On the third day my mother met up with my family and I to try our hand at Zip lining while we were in Hilton Head. Zipline Hilton Head is an Adventure park located less than fifteen minutes from the Disney Hilton Head Resort. My wife was intimidated by the height of the zip line so she watched our son while my mother and I navigated the oak trees in low country. The guides started us off with basic rules and instructions about ten feet off the ground and then we graduated to seventy-five feet in the air. The two hour excursion contained eight different landing spots and culminated with a nine hundred foot zip line all the way back to the ground in a grand zip line finale. I found the guides to be professional, well-educated and receptive to the needs of all the participants. The classes fill up quick with most classes containing eight to ten people. Kids over the age of ten can participate with an adult’s consent but the course is most enjoyable for those over the age of sixteen and under the age of seventy. However, I was told the oldest participant they ever had was ninety-six years old.
Day 4: I zip lined on the third day so my wife decided she was going to go to the spa on the fourth day. In an outdoor shopping mall down the road from the resort resides Faces Day Spa. The spa offers body treatments, facials, and massages which will give you your final taste of relaxation before heading back to the real world. After my wife’s sensual message all of us laid out at the pool before showering and getting ready for dinner. On our last night in South Carolina I wanted rustic seafood so we headed to the Old Oyster Factory. Situated in the marshland this four star restaurant offers stunning sunset dinning and great water views of the marsh. Their oyster menu is phenomenal with selections from Virginia, Connecticut, Canada, St. James River and Massachusetts. Not all the choices at the Oyster Factory contain seafood. The filet Mignon and the blackened twelve ounce ribeye will give you something to tell all your friends about when you get home from vacation. Be sure to make reservations or you will find yourself waiting in the parking lot for a table like everyone else.
South Carolina is built for rest and relaxation. However, there are fun and exciting things to in the oak trees before the marshlands. The best way to experience South Carolina is with family and friends. A lot can be accomplished in a week but five days and four nights will keep you busy, occupied and planning your return.
