Harbour Town
#4 in Best Things To Do in Hilton Head
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2 of 3Price & Hours
Details
scorecard
- 4.5Value
- 5.0Food Scene
- 5.0Atmosphere
Hilton Head's Harbour Town district a pocket inside the island's gated Sea Pines resort community, is home to the iconic candy-cane-striped lighthouse that you've likely seen splashed across many of the island's postcards. Aside from the famous lighthouse, you'll also spot lavish yachts dotting the marina, as well as a smattering of gorgeous rental properties, not to mention the Harbour Town Golf Links, home to the prestigious RBC Heritage golf tournament.
Eateries and shopping here are also abundant. Stroll out toward the water after a meal, preferably dinner, as sunset is known to be particularly enchanting. Plus, much of the time you can find live music during the summer under The Liberty Oak. As for shopping, you'll find everything from souvenirs, such as postcards and T-shirts to home decor, fine apparel and artwork of the area.
Recent visitors admit that even though there isn't too much to do here, the charming community and relaxed atmosphere of Harbour Town is definitely worth the trip. Merely strolling along the water and grabbing a bite or snack (many recommended a stop at Cups & Cones for ice cream) is enough to take in the ambiance of Harbour Town. If you are looking for an activity, many recommend climbing the Harbour Town lighthouse for excellent views of the marina below, the nearby golf links, the water as well as Daufuskie Island.
If you want to explore more of the surrounding Sea Pines community, which spans 5,000 acres, consider renting a bike and exploring via its 15 miles of bike-friendly trails. Aside from the iconic lighthouse, Sea Pines is also home to horse stables, the 605-acre Sea Pines Forest Preserve and water sport rentals.
Harbour Town rests in the bottom "toe" of the island, about 4 miles west of downtown Hilton Head. Because Harbour Town is located within Sea Pines, a privately owned residential community, all cars are required to pay an entrance fee (typically $8 for standard vehicles). However, if you're a guest at The Inn & Club at Harbor Town, you'll receive a complimentary access pass for the duration of your stay. The Harbour Town Lighthouse is open from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and costs $4.25 to enter. Visit Harbour Town's page on the Sea Pines Resort website for more details on visiting and activities.
More Best Things To Do in Hilton Head
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2 of 10#1 Coligny Beach
Coligny Beach is by far the most popular beach in Hilton Head. The shoreline is scenic as can be and the adjacent beach park features a wealth of amenities perfect for beachgoers of all ages. Not only are there restrooms and showers but also separate changing rooms, plenty of benches and gazebos with swings to shade yourself from the sun. There's also loads of eateries just a stone's throw from the sand (think: coffee shops, ice cream shops and seafood restaurants) and should you forget an umbrella, you can rent that here in addition to beach chairs. What's more, parking is free.
Recent visitors, especially those traveling with families, love Coligny Beach. Along with the beautiful Carolinian coastal scenery, visitors praise the beach's clean facilities and nearby amenities. And although the beach is known to get pretty crowded during summer, some travelers note that if you walk long enough down the shore, away from the beach park, you can find fewer people taking up spots in the sand. If you are visiting during the summer though, be very wary of jellyfish. Sea Nettle jellyfish permeate the beach's waters from June to August or September. While lifeguards are equipped to deal with jellyfish injuries on the spot, it's stingray stings that are much more severe and often lead to a trip to the emergency room. Before getting in the water, ask lifeguards about conditions to avoid injury.
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