Day Trip

Staying in Charleston in June and would like to take a day trip to Hilton Head. Can anyone tell me the best route to take, where to head for once we get to Hilton Head and some ';must see'; places? We enjoy the waterfront, historic buildings, wandering around, etc.

Also a restaurant recommendation for lunch would be great. Thanks.

Day Trip

I think your heading for the wrong place with your HHI choice. The beach and golf are the main points on HHI. Great beach by the way. Not many historic sites there and shopping is mostly limited to the outlet mall and a few specialty shop scattered thru the island.. If you havent been to Savannah its well worth the drive for the history and shopping.

Day Trip

The best way is probably Hwy 17 south to 21 south at Gardens Corner through beaufort and bluffton, but do yourself a favor and stop in Beaufort instead of HHI. With Beaufort you have all that you have described, and if you want to see what the beaches looked like before development then drive another 20 minutes to Hunting Island State Park. They even have cabins for rent if you are scoping out a beach visit. Those two things will take up your day, but a little side trip on the way down or back instead of taking a left onto 21 at Gardens Corner, go another quarter mile on 17 and take the first right and about a mile or so down the road is the Old Sheldon Church, which was burned down in the Revolutionary and Civil wars. Many folks get married there. Beaufort is about an hour %26amp; 15 and add another 30 for HHI.

Hilton Head is very different than Charleston, it is not historic and doesn%26#39;t have historic buildings like Charleston and Savannah. While there are lots of restaurants, some great, it is unlike Charleston and Savannah in that regard as well. Some people would recommend going to Harbour town to wander the shops, or going to Salty Dog to eat lunch to sit outside overlooking the salt marsh. Both of these are in SeaPines Plantation. The beach is wonderful but but access is limited. We stay at Shipyard or Sea Pines Plantations and they have access for their residents.

If you are looking at something with character and historical buildings, I%26#39;s suggest you go to Savannah and wander the historic district, City Market, Forsyth Park and eat at Mrs. Wilkes or Lady %26amp; Sons.

We stay in Hilton Head and go to both Charleston and Savannah several times each trip. We love %26#39;em all!