26 Best Sights in Hilton Head and the Low Country, South Carolina

Located on the grounds of the former Honey Horn Plantation, this interactive museum features a butterfly enclosure, programs for children, and guided walks of the 68-acre property that includes historic buildings and barns, marsh front boardwalks, and a wide variety of magnificent trees, such as live oaks, magnolias, and one of the state's largest Southern red cedars. A Smithsonian Affiliate, the museum hosts a variety of temporary exhibits that focus on a range of interesting historic topics and artistic mediums. Animal tours, history tours, and kayak tours are also available and should be booked in advance. Informative and inspiring, the Coastal Discovery Museum lets visitors experience the Lowcountry up close.

The island's most popular public beach is a lot of fun, but during high season it can get very crowded. It has a splash pad fountain that delights little children, plus bench swings, sometimes a beach-toy borrowing bin, and umbrellas and chaise lounges for rent. If you have to go online, there's also Wi-Fi access. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (no fee); showers; toilets. Best for: partiers; swimming; windsurfing.

A good destination for families, Driessen Beach Park has a playground, clean shower and restrooms, and a charming path to the beach that’s part boardwalk, part sandy path, part beach matting. It's often peppered with people flying kites, making it colorful and fun. Amenities: lifeguards (seasonal); parking (metered); showers; toilets. Best for: sunrise; surfing; swimming; walking.

Located within the Sea Pines Resort, Harbour Town is a charming area centered on a lighthouse and marina that's filled with interesting shops and restaurants. White gravel paths and rows of red rocking chairs add to its small-town feel, and families are attracted to the large playground and live entertainment underneath the centuries-old Liberty Oak during the summer. Stroll down the pier for excellent views of Daufuskie Island or catch one of the many vessels docked there and set sail for adventure. Rising above it all is the landmark candy-cane-stripe Harbour Town Lighthouse, which visitors can climb to enjoy a view of Calibogue Sound. (It was built in 1970 as an attraction and beacon for mariners heading to the harbor.) Summer nights are particularly lovely here, with a breeze coming off the water and music in the air; soak in the atmosphere with a drink at one of the welcoming outdoor bars and seating areas.

Located off Bay Street in downtown Beaufort, Waterfront Park represents the heart of this charming coastal town. It's a great place to stroll along the river walk and enjoy the hanging bench swings. Parents enjoy the spacious park where kids can run in the grass or play on the enclosed playground with views of the Richard V. Woods swing bridge that crosses the Beaufort River. Trendy restaurants and bars overlook these seven beautifully landscaped acres that also feature a pavilion, stage, and historical markers and lead into the marina.

This state park located on a barrier island 18 miles southeast of Beaufort has 5,000 acres of rare maritime forest and 4 miles of public beaches—some which are dramatically eroding. The light sand beach decorated with driftwood and the subtropical vegetation is breathtaking; it almost feels like you're in Jurassic Park. You can kayak in the tranquil saltwater lagoon, stroll the 1,120-foot-long fishing pier, and go fishing or crabbing. You can explore the grounds and exhibits of the historic 1859 Hunting Island Lighthouse (the lighthouse itself is closed for repairs). Bikers and hikers can enjoy 8 miles of trails. The Nature Center ($8) has exhibits, an aquarium, and tourist information. There is also a campground on the northern end that has 102 sites, but be sure to book in advance as these nearly oceanfront campsites fill up fast. Amenities: parking (free); toilets. Best for: sunrise; swimming; walking.

In 1996, Old Town Bluffton was designated a National Register Historic District town thanks to the 80-some historic churches and cottages that still stand there today. Originally inhabited by the Yemassee people, who were driven out by the first English settlers, the town's later population of slaveholders played a key role in South Carolina's secession. By the late 1990s, though, Old Bluffton had become the quirky cousin of Hilton Head, with its well-worn bungalows populated by art galleries and antiques shops. Today, historic homes and houses of worship still flank oak-lined streets dripping with Spanish moss, but now they intermingle with newly constructed tin-roofed buildings designed and laid out to preserve the small-town vibe. Anchored by Promenade Street, the modern section hops with trendy bars, restaurants, and shops. Grab a sandwich to go from the Downtown Deli ( 1223 May River Rd.) and head to the Calhoun Street Public Dock for a picnic looking over the May River. (Instagrammers and photographers should aim for sunset.) While there, check out the beautiful grounds of the historic Church of the Cross ( 110 Calhoun St.). To buy fresh shellfish off the dock, visit Bluffton Oyster Company ( 63 Wharf St.) at the end of Wharf Street.

Sculptures, Lowcountry landscapes, and eccentric works by scores of contemporary artists can be found at this large, upscale gallery in Bluffton that’s been a staple of the local art scene for decades.

Located within the gates of the Sea Pines Resort, the Sea Pines Forest Preserve is made up of 605 acres of protected wilderness. There are two entrances: one off Greenwood Drive, about a mile past the resort’s main gate, has a parking area; the other is located off Lawton Drive. Walking, biking, and horse-riding paths take you past a stocked fishing pond, a waterfowl pond, a 4,000-year-old Native American shell ring, a wildflower field, wetland boardwalks, picnic areas, and boat docks. Nature tours, boat tours, fishing expeditions, and wagon tours are available through Sea Pines and can be booked in advance. Nearby Lawton Stables offers a unique experience to explore the forest via a guided horseback tour.

Between Beaufort and Fripp Island lies St. Helena Island, a sizable sea island that is less commercial than the other islands in the area and home to a tight-knit Gullah community. The highlight here is Penn Center, a historic school and museum that was the first school for formerly enslaved people in 1862. Visitors can also see the Chapel of Ease ruins, go to Lands End and discover Fort Fremont Historical Park, or stop by roadside farms and local restaurants.

A great place for solitude during the winter—and popular with families during the summer season—this beach has hard-packed sand at low tide, making it ideal for walking. It's accessible from the Marriott Grande Ocean Resort. Amenities: lifeguards; parking (free); showers; toilets. Best for: swimming; walking.

There are walking trails, a self-guided tour, a pond, and eight distinct areas to explore on this 50-acre preserve located off Palmetto Bay Road. Native plant life is tagged and identified in the pristine forest, and many species of birds can also be found here.

Pull over for boiled peanuts, a jar of gumbo or strawberry jam, or perfect watermelons at this working farm's roadside stand on St. Helena Island.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Beaufort National Cemetery is the final resting spot of both Union and Confederate soldiers from the Civil War. In 1987, 19 more Union soldiers were interred here after having been discovered buried under the sands of Folly Beach. (These men had been missing in action since 1863.) The site’s peaceful, well-maintained grounds make this a somber spot to commemorate the dead.

The extraordinary black-and-white large format photography of Ben Ham includes many stirring Lowcountry landscapes.

This beach is usually not crowded, mostly because it is a bit hard to find, and it’s a 10-minute walk from parking (at Chaplin Community Park  35 Cast Net Dr.). However, it’s a nature-lover’s hideaway on an otherwise bustling island. October through March off-leash dogs are welcome; outside of that window, they are permitted with restrictions. At sunrise, birds and deer bring the adjacent marsh to life. Time a visit around low tide—the marsh flooding during high tide can cut off access. Amenities: lifeguards (seasonal); parking; restrooms. Best for: solitude; sunrise; swimming; walking; windsurfing.

While it’s not ideal for swimming because of the many sharp shells on the sand and in the water, this secluded public beach is a terrific spot for a walk, bird-watching, or shell- and shark tooth–hunting. It is not on the Atlantic Ocean, but rather on Port Royal Sound. Bonus: It neighbors historic Mitchelville, the site of the first Civil War–era community that was built and self-governed entirely by formerly enslaved people. Amenities: parking (free); showers; toilets. Best for: solitude; sunrise; walking.

Located next to Driessen Beach, Folly Field Beach Park is a treat for families. Though it can get crowded in high season, it's still a wonderful spot for a day of sunbathing and swimming. The best waves for surfing anywhere on the island break here. Amenities: lifeguards (seasonal); parking (free); showers; toilets. Best for: sunrise; surfing; swimming; walking.

Highway 21 Drive In is a charming throwback that's fun for the whole family. Showing a variety of classic movies and recent hits, the outdoor theater has been attracting crowds since 1978. A recent change in ownership brought on a refresh, including updates to the projection system and grooming of the grounds. What hasn’t changed: the old-school concessions stand has everything from popcorn and candy to burgers and corn dogs, as well as funnel cakes and root beer floats. Even the ticket prices are a nod to another time and include double features on two screens. It’s totally worth the trip for this slice of nostalgia to see "where the stars come out at night." 

Featuring a boardwalk, a playground, a picnic pavilion, parking, and outdoor showers and restrooms, Islander Beach Park is a great spot for families looking to spend the day at the beach. When you think of a classic family beach experience, this is the place for it. Amenities: lifeguards (seasonal); parking (free); showers; toilets. Best for: swimming.

Built and maintained by the forced labor of enslaved people, this 1805 Federal-style mansion has been restored and furnished as it would have been prior to a visit by Marquis de Lafayette in 1825. It was the headquarters for Union forces during the Civil War. The house museum also features historical photographs, a diorama of Bay Street in 1863, and an exhibit about the remarkable Beaufort-born Robert Smalls, who during the Civil War famously commandeered a Confederate ship to escape from slavery with his family. Run by Historic Beaufort Foundation, the museum offers docent-guided tours every half hour.

Taking a tour of this unique kazoo museum and factory is a fun and informative experience; you even get to make your own kazoo at the end.

The congregation of this 1724 church was established in 1712. The house of worship itself was turned into a hospital during the Civil War, and gravestones were brought inside to serve as operating tables. While on church grounds, stroll the peaceful cemetery and read the fascinating inscriptions.

Located in Old Town Bluffton, this bungalow-turned-gallery houses the Society of Bluffton Artists (SOBA) and showcases the work of its local painters, sculptors, and photographers.

This historic site contains the remains of four structures once part of Braddock's Point Plantation. John “Saucy Jack" Stoney forced enslaved people to build the plantation in the 1790s; it was eventually bought by William Baynard in 1840. Union troops occupied the plantation home during the Civil War, and the home was burned in 1869. The 6-acre site, which includes the ruins of the main house, the plantation overseer's house, and a house used by enslaved people, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1994. Now located within the Sea Pines Resort, Baynard Ruins Park has a small parking area as well as trails and interpretative signs that describe the historical and archaeological significance of the area. If you are staying in Sea Pines, you can ride your bike to the site and explore at your leisure. Guided tours are also available through Sea Pines.