RVshare’s Top Vacation Destination Near Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, No Matter the Duration
Savannah, Georgia, is forty-two minutes from Hilton Head Island and a city you can explore in two days. Historic River Street is one of the most famous landmarks. It opens to a waterfront where you can watch the cargo ships go past and take a dinner cruise on a riverboat. Chippewa Square is known for being the location of the bench used in the Forrest Gump movie. It is also named for the Battle of Chippewa in the War of 1812 and has a statue to commemorate the event.
Charleston, South Carolina, is one hour and 56 minutes from Hilton Head Island and is a two-day trip if you want to explore the area. Middleton Place National Historic Landmark is one of the oldest landscaped gardens in Charleston and once was a plantation. You should visit the Joe Riley Waterfront Park to see the tree-lined park with waterway vistas. It was named after the beloved former mayor, Joe Riley, and is the location of Charleston's famous Pineapple Fountain.
Charlotte, North Carolina is three hours and forty-three minutes away, and home to the Carolina Panthers. You can learn more about the city’s history at the Levine Museum of the New South. It is a history museum whose exhibits focus on life in the North Carolina Piedmont after the American Civil War. Truist Field is home to Triple-A Minor League Baseball team and is set against the backdrop of Charlotte’s skyline. You should check out our Savannah to Charleston guide to explore nearby cities.
Explore Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, in an RVshare RV Rental
Hilton Head Island has a population of 40,000 and is known for golf courses and Atlantic Ocean beaches. It is named after the English sea captain, William Hilton, who was hired to claim the land for England. Hilton Head Island was formed from the vision of Charles Fraser. He wanted to create a unique vacation resort that included environmental concerns in the development. Fraser created Sea Pines Resort during the 1950s, going against popular opinion.
When visiting Hilton Head Island, you must try certain foods, such as oyster on the shell, Atlantic blue crab, shrimp, gumbo, cornbread, and more. You can find these local favorites at restaurants like A Lowcountry Backyard Restaurant, Kenny B's French Quarter Café, Hudson's Seafood House on The Docks, and Skull Creek Boathouse. You can also stay active during your trip and exercise at local city parks. The Alder Lane Beach Access is a quick stroll that leads to the beach. Barker Field is a sports park with multi-use fields for baseball and softball. It has a boardwalk and an observation deck overlooking Port Royal Sound.
South Carolina has more than 90,000 acres of protected lands stretching from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the sand dunes of the Atlantic Ocean. State parks offer a diversity of landscapes, including Hunting Island State Park, Skidaway Island State Park, and Edisto Beach State Park. Congaree National Park is also near Hilton Head Island. Visiting local museums is a good way to learn about the history of the city.
The Coastal Discovery Museum consists of 68 acres of wildlife, trees, and ancient buildings. It explores the lowcountry natural history and cultural heritage of Hilton Head Island. The Gullah Museum of Hilton Head Island is a nonprofit organization that preserves the Gullah customs, traditions, language, stories, songs, and structures. If you want to find more cities to visit, check out our Columbia local guide.
Discover Nearby Towns and City
Beaufort, South Carolina is forty-five minutes from Hilton Head Island and distinguished by historic streets framed with centuries-old, moss-draped live oak trees. The Reconstruction Era National Historical Park preserves and commemorates activities during the Reconstruction Era that followed the American Civil War. The Penn Center is an African American cultural and educational center in the Corners Community, on Saint Helena Island. It was the first school founded in the south specifically for educating African Americans.
Wilmington Island, Georgia is one hour and sixteen minutes from Hilton Head Island. It is an affluent suburban part of Chatham County, Georgia. Wilmington Island offers a lot of outdoor activities and is close to swampland. When using the hiking trails, you may see snakes and alligators.
Garden City, Georgia is fifty-seven minutes from Hilton Head Island and five minutes from downtown Savannah. It is also home to The Southern Roots Festival, which takes place every year in the fall. The Cathedral of the Incarnation is a beautiful historic church in Garden City. Alexander Stewart built the village of Garden City, and the Cathedral of the Incarnation was one of the first buildings.
Events Near Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
The 35th Annual Hilton Head Wine and Food Festival occurs at The Sea Pines Resort from March 21 – 27, 2022.
The Hilton Head Island Seafood Festival occurs at the Omni Hilton Head Oceanfront Resort from February 21 – 28, 2022.
The Gullah Celebration occurs at Historic Mitchellville Freedom Park from February 1 – 27, 2022.
RVshare’s Top Picks for Nearby RV Parks and Campground
South Carolina has some of the best RV parks and campgrounds near the beach and near golf courses. The Hilton Head Harbor RV Resort & Marina is right on the water and offers activities like dolphin tours, swimming, and kayaking. Amenities include a marina, hot tub, swimming pool, full hookups, 30/50 amp, back-in sites, and showers. Hilton Head Island Motorcoach Resort is an RV park for motorhomes and provides accommodations for big rigs. Amenities include full hookups, Wi-Fi, cable TV, scenic lakefront sites, private shaded forest sites, and clubhouse sites. Parris Island RV Park is on a military base in Beaufort, South Carolina, and is only open to military veterans. Amenities include full hookups for water, sewer, and electricity, a bathroom, showers, coin-operated laundry facility, and picnic tables.
