Hilton Head this March -- Looking for recommendations (1 Viewer)

[gianmarco]

Going to take about 5 days with the family in late March and thinking of going to Hilton Head. It will be my wife, 9 yo son, and 16 month old daughter. While I might try to play golf once (maybe twice), primarily just looking to take it easy, a little beach/pool time, bike rides, etc.

--Any recommendations on which part to stay and/or hotels to avoid/exploit?

--Restaurant recs?

--Other activities to consider?

--Horrible idea with such a small child?

--Probably do a day trip out to Savannah again. Thoughts and recs there?

We've been once before when my son was ~2 yo and had a nice time, stayed at the Westin, but figured I'd ask here for any other ideas.

We will be driving and have a car out there so getting around won't be an issue.

TIA and will answer yours.

 

[belljr]

Lighthouse obviously

 

[MAC_32]

If you're going with a nine year old and toddler don't go to Savannah St Patty's weekend.

 

[DiStefano]

If you're planning on golf in late March, you may not be able to play Harbour Town because they may be preparing the course for the PGA Tour the week after the Master's. But if you can, play it. It's great to play a course the Tour comes to. As a second choice, I'd say the Ocean Course. Don't play Heron Point. It is one of the worst courses Peter Dye ever designed. I don't need sand traps half way down a par 3. Bad enough that you missed the green. On the other hand, the Peter Dye Course in the Dominican Republic is one of the best I've ever played.

 

[FUBAR]

We go once almost every year, with our boys now 3-11, we've taken them when they were 16 months and had a blast. We just do the beach and bike ride most of the week.

We prefer to get a house in South Beach but a hotel would likely work for you.

Our go-to's:

Salty Dog, when the guitar dude is playing (don't remember his name)

Harbor town, lighthouse of course

Through groupon we discovered Nick's: http://www.nickssteakandseafood.com/ it has a Pittsburgh theme, but good food.

We really liked Skull Creek the first time we went. Their brunch was fantastic and the view (like most on the water) is great. 2nd time we went wasn't quite as good.

 

[FUBAR]

Can someone give me info that might convince my wife to NOT stay in a house in Sea Pines?

House is best for us with 4 kids, but I can't convince my wife to try a different part of the island.

 

[ArbyMelt]

Can someone give me info that might convince my wife to NOT stay in a house in Sea Pines?

House is best for us with 4 kids, but I can't convince my wife to try a different part of the island.

We used to do Palmetto Dunes every year (house with 15-20 people). Seemed way less crowded than Sea Pines.

 

[MAC_32]

Can someone give me info that might convince my wife to NOT stay in a house in Sea Pines?

House is best for us with 4 kids, but I can't convince my wife to try a different part of the island.

can't help you, sea pines is best for us. Usually go with a dozen plus. don't eat out much, love salty dog, and gets us away from the crowds. Never stayed anywhere else on the island and don't really want to.

 

[FUBAR]

Can someone give me info that might convince my wife to NOT stay in a house in Sea Pines?

House is best for us with 4 kids, but I can't convince my wife to try a different part of the island.

can't help you, sea pines is best for us. Usually go with a dozen plus. don't eat out much, love salty dog, and gets us away from the crowds. Never stayed anywhere else on the island and don't really want to.

thanks. We love it there, to the point where I was considering buying a house and still might in a few years. Need to see what kind of employment opportunities and schools there are for the kids, but I can easily see settling down there in 5 years.

 

[gianmarco]

If you're going with a nine year old and toddler don't go to Savannah St Patty's weekend.

It's going to be the last week of March so that shouldn't be an issue.

So it looks like we stayed at the other end of the island from Sea Pines last time.

Any recommendations for hotels in Sea Pines?

And FUBAR, thanks for your post. Good to see that you can spend that time there with kids that age and have fun. I remember we had a good time with our son when he was 2 but I honestly don't remember much of what we did during the week which was why I was asking some of the above.

 

[36th Chamber]

Moved from Northern VA to HHI about 6 years ago, bought a house here in Sea Pines 3 years ago and wouldn't even consider moving back to NOVA. Love the leisurely lifestyle, beach, fishing, kayaking and all the other outdoor activities HHI has to offer.

Sea Pines in March is fine as the summer season is when we get flooded with summer vacationers. There are a couple Marriott properties in Sea Pines but no "hotels", you could also look into Sea Pines Resort as they have different lodging options. I would just rent a house or a villa that's your best bet, try VRBO, Resort Quest or there are several different agencies that rent and manage properties in Sea Pines. I think you would enjoy a home or villa as opposed to a hotel and the prices might surprise you compared to the oceanfront hotels.

Things to do in Sea Pines would be Harbor Town would be the light house, the pier and they have a cool little park for the kids (nothing special but the kids love it). The run all types of Dolphin/Nature tours out of the marina and I believe have a Pirate tour that your son may enjoy. South Beach is a cool, everybody hit's the Salty Dog. I would check out the Coastal Discovery Museum which is on the North end of the island and off island they have a place called The Sandbox which is an interactive children's Museum.

Would definitely make a day trip to SAV. Steer clear of river street (tourist trap) and just walk around the historic district and all the squares (Monterey square is one of our favorites). I would recommend walking on Jones street then make your way towards Forsyth Park. Ms. Wilkes Boarding House is the spot for lunch if you don't mind waiting in line or the Green Truck Pub has great burgers (suck it In & Out). The Bonaventure cemetery is about a 10+ minute drive on the east side of SAV and is one of the most unique places I have seen. The kids may get bored but the place is amazing.

Dining option on HHI -

Palmetto Bay Sunrise Café - great breakfast spot

Charbar - great burgers

Sea Shack or Kenny B's - the top 2 seafood spots, both are holes in the wall but good stuff

Fiesta Fresh - best Mexican on the island

Lowcountry Backyard or Annie O's - southern

Fat Babies - best pizza, Mellow Mushroom is a decent choice as well

Red Fish, Vine, 843 & CQ's - $$$ but great meals

Fubar - Not sure what your field of employment is but I would make sure you either have a job lined up, be prepared for a decent pay cut, or have $ in the bank. If you can work remotely great but not many opportunities on the island unless you are in the Hospitality or Golfing industry. And no disrespect but Nick's is probably one of the WORST eating options on the island by far, locals steer clear of that place.

 

[Sweet Love]

One more restaurant recommendation...Aunt Chilada's...I am not sure how the Mexican is, but they used to have a Happy Hour special of roughly $10 for a pound of snow crab legs (basically supermarket price).

 

[36th Chamber]

One more restaurant recommendation...Aunt Chilada's...I am not sure how the Mexican is, but they used to have a Happy Hour special of roughly $10 for a pound of snow crab legs (basically supermarket price).

Decent place for HH but their food has gone downhill.

 

[Keerock]

We have stayed in North Forest Beach in the past and are staying there again this April. It's nice enough. This is a spring break trip for my Senior in HS with a bunch of his buddies... they are sharing a house and most of the parents are sharing a different house.

I'm partial to Destin, myself... compared to HH I find it "better" for me in terms of beach quality and dining (the two things I value most in a vacation).

Disclaimer... I don't golf, and I don't eat seafood, so take that into account.

 

[Keerock]

Oh, and there's no In-N-Out on the island that I'm aware of, but 2 years ago there was a 5 Guys going in near Forest Beach... I assume it's open now

 

[Sweet Love]

One more restaurant recommendation...Aunt Chilada's...I am not sure how the Mexican is, but they used to have a Happy Hour special of roughly $10 for a pound of snow crab legs (basically supermarket price).

Decent place for HH but their food has gone downhill.

So funny you say that...one a trip about 7 years ago, we went back three times for the Happy Hour. We were there about 3 years ago and did not care for it as much (just thought it may have been an off night).

 

[36th Chamber]

We have stayed in North Forest Beach in the past and are staying there again this April. It's nice enough. This is a spring break trip for my Senior in HS with a bunch of his buddies... they are sharing a house and most of the parents are sharing a different house.

I'm partial to Destin, myself... compared to HH I find it "better" for me in terms of beach quality and dining (the two things I value most in a vacation).

Disclaimer... I don't golf, and I don't eat seafood, so take that into account.

The Forest Beach area has a much higher concentration of tourists and caters a little more to what little younger crowd we get on the island. Allot of college kids from Ohio come down for spring break and stay in North Forest Beach.

As far as Destin the beaches definitely have clearer water but overall the unique ecosystem (marshland, maritime forest, huge live oaks, Spanish moss, etc) on HHI I think makes it a little more desirable too me personally.

You make a decent point, as many restaurants that are on this island overall they are not very impressive. That's why the wife and I make trips to Charleston, the food options there are unreal, best in the south and rival anything on the east coast with the exception of NYC.

 

[Keerock]

We have stayed in North Forest Beach in the past and are staying there again this April. It's nice enough. This is a spring break trip for my Senior in HS with a bunch of his buddies... they are sharing a house and most of the parents are sharing a different house.

I'm partial to Destin, myself... compared to HH I find it "better" for me in terms of beach quality and dining (the two things I value most in a vacation).

Disclaimer... I don't golf, and I don't eat seafood, so take that into account.

The Forest Beach area has a much higher concentration of tourists and caters a little more to what little younger crowd we get on the island. Allot of college kids from Ohio come down for spring break and stay in North Forest Beach.

As far as Destin the beaches definitely have clearer water but overall the unique ecosystem (marshland, maritime forest, huge live oaks, Spanish moss, etc) on HHI I think makes it a little more desirable too me personally.

You make a decent point, as many restaurants that are on this island overall they are not very impressive. That's why the wife and I make trips to Charleston, the food options there are unreal, best in the south and rival anything on the east coast with the exception of NYC.

So when I'm there... are you buying me a beer, or what?

 

[gianmarco]

We have stayed in North Forest Beach in the past and are staying there again this April. It's nice enough. This is a spring break trip for my Senior in HS with a bunch of his buddies... they are sharing a house and most of the parents are sharing a different house.

I'm partial to Destin, myself... compared to HH I find it "better" for me in terms of beach quality and dining (the two things I value most in a vacation).

Disclaimer... I don't golf, and I don't eat seafood, so take that into account.

The Forest Beach area has a much higher concentration of tourists and caters a little more to what little younger crowd we get on the island. Allot of college kids from Ohio come down for spring break and stay in North Forest Beach.

As far as Destin the beaches definitely have clearer water but overall the unique ecosystem (marshland, maritime forest, huge live oaks, Spanish moss, etc) on HHI I think makes it a little more desirable too me personally.

You make a decent point, as many restaurants that are on this island overall they are not very impressive. That's why the wife and I make trips to Charleston, the food options there are unreal, best in the south and rival anything on the east coast with the exception of NYC.

Is Charleston worth a day trip as well?

 

[36th Chamber]

We have stayed in North Forest Beach in the past and are staying there again this April. It's nice enough. This is a spring break trip for my Senior in HS with a bunch of his buddies... they are sharing a house and most of the parents are sharing a different house.

I'm partial to Destin, myself... compared to HH I find it "better" for me in terms of beach quality and dining (the two things I value most in a vacation).

Disclaimer... I don't golf, and I don't eat seafood, so take that into account.

The Forest Beach area has a much higher concentration of tourists and caters a little more to what little younger crowd we get on the island. Allot of college kids from Ohio come down for spring break and stay in North Forest Beach.

As far as Destin the beaches definitely have clearer water but overall the unique ecosystem (marshland, maritime forest, huge live oaks, Spanish moss, etc) on HHI I think makes it a little more desirable too me personally.

You make a decent point, as many restaurants that are on this island overall they are not very impressive. That's why the wife and I make trips to Charleston, the food options there are unreal, best in the south and rival anything on the east coast with the exception of NYC.

Is Charleston worth a day trip as well?

Probably more so than SAV, just the difference between 45 minutes and almost 2 hours driving time (one way).

 

[The Captain]

Can someone give me info that might convince my wife to NOT stay in a house in Sea Pines?

House is best for us with 4 kids, but I can't convince my wife to try a different part of the island.

We used to do Palmetto Dunes every year (house with 15-20 people). Seemed way less crowded than Sea Pines.

We stay in a Condo in Palmetto Dunes every year. Love it. Ocean front. Heated pool. Great golf, tennis, bike riding.

 

[gianmarco]

We have stayed in North Forest Beach in the past and are staying there again this April. It's nice enough. This is a spring break trip for my Senior in HS with a bunch of his buddies... they are sharing a house and most of the parents are sharing a different house.

I'm partial to Destin, myself... compared to HH I find it "better" for me in terms of beach quality and dining (the two things I value most in a vacation).

Disclaimer... I don't golf, and I don't eat seafood, so take that into account.

The Forest Beach area has a much higher concentration of tourists and caters a little more to what little younger crowd we get on the island. Allot of college kids from Ohio come down for spring break and stay in North Forest Beach.

As far as Destin the beaches definitely have clearer water but overall the unique ecosystem (marshland, maritime forest, huge live oaks, Spanish moss, etc) on HHI I think makes it a little more desirable too me personally.

You make a decent point, as many restaurants that are on this island overall they are not very impressive. That's why the wife and I make trips to Charleston, the food options there are unreal, best in the south and rival anything on the east coast with the exception of NYC.

Is Charleston worth a day trip as well?

Probably more so than SAV, just the difference between 45 minutes and almost 2 hours driving time (one way).

Awesome. We already visited Savannah last time we went (and enjoyed it) so will definitely consider this instead.

Thanks so much for your help, will be going over this later when I've got some time.

 

[gianmarco]

We have a friend that works for Marriot and can get us a room at the Marriot Resort and Spa (looks like it's in Palmetto Dunes) for $134/night. Thinking this might be a nice compromise.

 

[The Captain]

We have a friend that works for Marriot and can get us a room at the Marriot Resort and Spa (looks like it's in Palmetto Dunes) for $134/night. Thinking this might be a nice compromise.

You'll enjoy. Only issue you may run into at the end of March is weather. Last year it was cooler than we would have liked, but that was the only time in 8 years of going that weather was an issue.

 

[gianmarco]

Ok, another friend of mine who goes yearly told me about Daufuskie Island and says it's a great day trip as well.

In addition to a couple of the restaurants listed above, he recommended the following:

Hudson's

Skull Creek Boathouse

Pirate's Tavern

 

[36th Chamber]

Ok, another friend of mine who goes yearly told me about Daufuskie Island and says it's a great day trip as well.

In addition to a couple of the restaurants listed above, he recommended the following:

Hudson's

Skull Creek Boathouse

Pirate's Tavern

Yep Daufuskie is a decent day trip, not much to do there though but the ferry ride would be cool. You could eat at Marshside Momma's if it is open.

I forgot Hudson's, best fried shrimp on the island and a great view.

Skull Creek Boathouse is right next to Hudson's, cooler spot for drinks but the food is inconsistent. They boast a huge menu but have trouble pulling it off.

Never heard of Pirates Tavern, he may be thinking of Land's End Tavern at South Beach which is owned by the Salty Dog. I would recommend having drinks at the Salty Dog then sit outside for dinner (weather permitting) at the Wreck of the Salty Dog. If the weather isn't cooperating then you can eat at the Salty Dog's main restaurant.

 

[Binky The Doormat]

We have stayed in North Forest Beach in the past and are staying there again this April. It's nice enough. This is a spring break trip for my Senior in HS with a bunch of his buddies... they are sharing a house and most of the parents are sharing a different house.

I'm partial to Destin, myself... compared to HH I find it "better" for me in terms of beach quality and dining (the two things I value most in a vacation).

Disclaimer... I don't golf, and I don't eat seafood, so take that into account.

Ouch, my 2 favorite things ...except for "that."

 

[MAC_32]

If you're going with a nine year old and toddler don't go to Savannah St Patty's weekend.

It's going to be the last week of March so that shouldn't be an issue.

So it looks like we stayed at the other end of the island from Sea Pines last time.

Any recommendations for hotels in Sea Pines?

And FUBAR, thanks for your post. Good to see that you can spend that time there with kids that age and have fun. I remember we had a good time with our son when he was 2 but I honestly don't remember much of what we did during the week which was why I was asking some of the above.

not sure about it only being a few weeks out but we get the house for a comparable rate to the hotel. Obviously less riff raff too. In a lower traffic season if you did some homework I'll bet you can find a deal. Renter's would rather have something than nothing.

 

[FUBAR]

Fubar - Not sure what your field of employment is but I would make sure you either have a job lined up, be prepared for a decent pay cut, or have $ in the bank. If you can work remotely great but not many opportunities on the island unless you are in the Hospitality or Golfing industry. And no disrespect but Nick's is probably one of the WORST eating options on the island by far, locals steer clear of that place.

I'm a lawyer (in the Army for now), so while I'd imagine it can be tough to get a foothold, it's a fairly mobile profession.

Nick's - I'll take your word for it, but we liked the lunch.

 

[gianmarco]

Moved from Northern VA to HHI about 6 years ago, bought a house here in Sea Pines 3 years ago and wouldn't even consider moving back to NOVA. Love the leisurely lifestyle, beach, fishing, kayaking and all the other outdoor activities HHI has to offer.

Sea Pines in March is fine as the summer season is when we get flooded with summer vacationers. There are a couple Marriott properties in Sea Pines but no "hotels", you could also look into Sea Pines Resort as they have different lodging options. I would just rent a house or a villa that's your best bet, try VRBO, Resort Quest or there are several different agencies that rent and manage properties in Sea Pines. I think you would enjoy a home or villa as opposed to a hotel and the prices might surprise you compared to the oceanfront hotels.

Things to do in Sea Pines would be Harbor Town would be the light house, the pier and they have a cool little park for the kids (nothing special but the kids love it). The run all types of Dolphin/Nature tours out of the marina and I believe have a Pirate tour that your son may enjoy. South Beach is a cool, everybody hit's the Salty Dog. I would check out the Coastal Discovery Museum which is on the North end of the island and off island they have a place called The Sandbox which is an interactive children's Museum.

Would definitely make a day trip to SAV. Steer clear of river street (tourist trap) and just walk around the historic district and all the squares (Monterey square is one of our favorites). I would recommend walking on Jones street then make your way towards Forsyth Park. Ms. Wilkes Boarding House is the spot for lunch if you don't mind waiting in line or the Green Truck Pub has great burgers (suck it In & Out). The Bonaventure cemetery is about a 10+ minute drive on the east side of SAV and is one of the most unique places I have seen. The kids may get bored but the place is amazing.

Dining option on HHI -

Palmetto Bay Sunrise Café - great breakfast spot

Charbar - great burgers

Sea Shack or Kenny B's - the top 2 seafood spots, both are holes in the wall but good stuff

Fiesta Fresh - best Mexican on the island

Lowcountry Backyard or Annie O's - southern

Fat Babies - best pizza, Mellow Mushroom is a decent choice as well

Red Fish, Vine, 843 & CQ's - $$$ but great meals

Fubar - Not sure what your field of employment is but I would make sure you either have a job lined up, be prepared for a decent pay cut, or have $ in the bank. If you can work remotely great but not many opportunities on the island unless you are in the Hospitality or Golfing industry. And no disrespect but Nick's is probably one of the WORST eating options on the island by far, locals steer clear of that place.

Well, 2 for 3 isn't bad

So far, we were quite pleased with both Kenny B's and Lowcountry Backyard (particularly the latter). Palmetto Bay Sunrise Cafe....ehh, not so much. We did try Stacks this morning, though, and thought it was far better.

Just wish the weather was cooperating a bit more :(

 

[Keerock]

Be there in a month...

 

[The Captain]

Be there in a month...

Arriving on the 19th. Hope the weather cooperates

 

[Keerock]

Be there in a month...

Arriving on the 19th. Hope the weather cooperates

Me too... South Forest Beach... you?

 

[stubby]

Places we like, in no particular order:

Redfish

Old fort pub

Old oyster factory

Fat Baby's

Jazz Corner

Michael Anthony's

A Lowcountry Backyard

Pino Gelato

Fiesta Fresh