Hilton Heads Up!
Dad, there’s an alligator!
While those of us who live on the island are used to seeing creatures (who have been around for about 200 million years) sun themselves on the banks of lagoons, alligators are a definite cause for fascination among visitors. There is an unconfirmed rumor that Verizon and AT&T make hundreds of thousands of dollars in cell phone charges every weekend when visitors arrive on the island, snap a ‘gator with their cell phone camera, and send it to all their family and friends.
A note of caution. The alligators are real. They’re shy, but can get nasty if they feel threatened. Take pictures from afar, or follow our suggestion, below.
Hilton Head Island is not only the perfect place for vacations, it’s also the perfect spot for alligators. Their habitat consists of wetlands, lagoons and marshes. And there’s plenty of food (fish, insects, snails, worms, an occasional bird and small mammals). What more could they ask?
One of the best ways to learn about and see alligators in their natural habitat is the Alligator Boat Tour, an eco tour offered by Sea Pines Resort. This is a gem within a gem. The tour takes pace in the Sea Pines Forest Preserve, which we wrote about, on the preserve’s lakes. You get to go out in a safari-like boat (not quite the African Queen) and the guide fills you in on all the flora and fauna – and alligator lore – of the Lowcountry, and the preserve’s ecosystem in particular.
You don’t have to be a resort guest to take the tour, but the schedule varies, so call ahead (843-842-1979 ). Or we can help you schedule one. This one is good for kids of all ages. The perfect family outing.
The guides are very knowledgeable and the sights are extraordinary. We can promise that you’ll be totally amazed. And Verizon and AT&T will be very pleased you decided to go.
Labels: boats, hilton head, nature, sea pines, tips, tours
The Sandbox: Hilton Head Island’s Kids’ (Touch) Museum
The Sandbox is a children’s interactive museum that could possibly be your favorite place in the sun (or rain) when you come to Hilton Head Island. Especially if you have kids (or grand kids) between the ages of 8 and younger. But older kids, who want to interact with their younger siblings, are welcome.
The place is amazing. Located behind St. Andrew Methodist Church off Pope Avenue (the island’s south end), The Sandbox is a non-profit group, started by local islanders, dedicated to provide an environment where children and grownups can “explore, learn and play together.”
Take the “No Fishing Allowed Aquarium.” It’s salt water, so kids can see some of the sea fauna that live in the marsh and close to our beaches. Adults will be pretty amazed, too. Then there’s the “Track the T-Rex” controlled rock climbing walls. They are so cool. At the end, the kids get to push a button to hear “T-Rex” him (or her) self!
What is so amazing (you see, we think our island is pretty amazing) is that this isn’t some arcade with a bunch of electronic games. This is learning, playing, having one heck of a good time. The only “agenda” The Sandbox has is best said in a quote by George Bernard Shaw: “ What we want to see is a the child in pursuit of knowledge, not knowledge in pursuit of the child.”
Here’s the kicker. Every Wednesday during the summer months, is a “no adults allowed” period from 6pm to 9 pm. If you would like to get a break, the “Parent’s Night Out, Kid’s Night In” is perfect.
Daily visits are $6 per adult and $6 per kid. Here’s a review from a parent of The Sandbox: “While on vacation, I took my children to this museum and they absolutely loved it. After three hours, I literally had to force them to leave to go eat dinner. One of the best things is the big pirate ship!” Oh, yeah, the pirate ship. Cool. Check it out.
Labels: hilton head, kids, museums
Beach, Beach and More Beach!
Thanks to some pretty darn good planning and $1.4 million from the Town of Hilton Head Island, the “gateway” to the island’s beaches, Coligny Beach Park, has taken a turn for the better.
While the island has a
half dozen beach parks, Coligny is the island’s centerpiece. Located at Coligny Circle at the east end of Pope Avenue, the park now offers a wider view of the Atlantic, plus more boardwalks, changing rooms, restrooms and pavilions, and offers greater beach access to everyone.
The highlight of the refurbished park is a ground level fountain with 26 choreographed water jets for the kids to play in. What a great way to wash off the sand!
If this is your first visit to the island, know that
Coligny Plaza, adjacent to Coligny Circle, is really the heart of the island for visitors. While many consider the beautiful
Harbour Town a “must see’ (and it is), Coligny is THE PLACE for the younger crowd to “hang.” There are over 60 shops and restaurants. The eateries all have family fare.
While we love all that is Coligny, and it’s tough to pick favorites, our suggestions would include the
Island Fudge Shoppe,
Java Joe’s, and
Skillets for breakfast, lunch and dinner! Can’t go wrong. Now, here is a real insider’s tip. Whether you are a fisherman in search of live bait, or just simply curious, you must visit Coligny Hardware. They feature all sorts of island mementoes, bait (live and frozen) for all types of fish, and at least one of everything else. Plus, they’re good people.
Coligny was the “original” meeting place for visitors to Hilton Head and it still is ... original. Enjoy.
Labels: beaches, coligny, parks
Just Call Me "Harley"
You may or may not realize that Hilton Head Island is more than just beach and golf. (The Chamber says “shopping” is our visitors next favorite thing,) What stops traffic in Sea Pines Resort is a recent acquisition at Lawton Stables. His name is Harley, like the motorcycle. But Harley is much, much bigger. Harley is 18 “hands.” That would be six feet, because Harley is a Clydesdale!
No, he never pulled the Budweiser “mother ship” around in parades, but he’s as gorgeous and strong – and gentle – as Bud’s famous hitch of six. He is now used on carriage rides through Sea Pines 600+ acre Forrest Preserve. This seems quite appropriate since Clydesdales were bred in Scotland, and golf originated in Scotland, and golf on Hilton Head Island is ... well, it just makes sense.
Harley joined the other four-legged creatures at Lawton Stables this past spring. Lawton Stables features all sorts of equine related activities, including a riding academy, a summer riding camp and the popular rides through the Sea Pines Forest Preserve. But it also includes an animal farm, replete with goats, sheep, donkeys, llamas and pigs! Visitors are welcome – and it’s free!
Lawton Stables comes as a surprise to many visitors. Kids can learn to ride, starting with ponies and very experienced teachers. They can learn horse-related barn activities as a member of the Saddle Club. It’s a rather extraordinary experience and one you don’t want to miss
At least plan on a visit. And come by and say hello to Harley!
Labels: hilton head, horses, tips
Bravo Hilton Head Island!
All through the month of May, a world of art covers the island. “Bravo!” is a month-long festival of everything artistic about the Lowcountry. Just check this out. At the beautiful
Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, a truly hidden gem if there ever was one, you can see a thrilling performance of the moving musical “Les Miserables” (“Les Mis”), through May 24.
We are very proud of our Arts Center. It’s not just musicals and plays. The Arts Center overflows with fascinating events. Like Gullah history and story-telling with Louise Miller Cohen. A fifth generation islander in May (check the
calender), Ms. Cohen has stories to tell.
There is a national juried art show at the Walter Greer Gallery at the Arts Center. Artists from all over the country show off their best. Check it out at
www.artleaguehhi.org.
Our best advice, visit the Bravo! pages at
http://www.hiltonheadisland.org/bravo.
Did we mention the
Hiromic’s Sonic Bloom Quartet, May 15 and 16, at
the Jazz Corner? Or the
Hilton Head Art Festival at Shelter Cove, May 23-23? It’s a two-day juried event that covers multiple media, from painting and photography to jewelry and ceramics.
An exceptional May line up. We love golf (and golfers), but most of this stuff happens when the sun goes down.
Labels: art, events, hilton head, theaters
The Sweet Side of Hilton Head Island
Granted, this will not do much to reduce your waistline, but did you know all the WONDERFUL places you can take your family for that ultra-special, sweet treat? For example, we have our own ice cream: Hilton Head Ice Cream! See what Southern Living Magazine has to say about it. Way too good! Then there is Frozen Moo at 1 N. Forest Beach Drive. Also, check out Stone Cold Creamery on William Hilton Parkway. You’ve got to bring up their website and get ready to visit when you come to the island. Amazing!
At Coligny Plaza, you find all sorts of delicious places to stop. But one of our favorites is Rita’s Water Ice at Coligny Plaza. Maybe it’s the salt air, but there’s something that says “beach” at Rita’s.
If your passion for sweet stuff also turns to chocolate, Hilton Head Island has exclusive venues. Two local favorites come to mind: The Chocolate Canopy and the Island Fudge Shop. Both stores offer an amazing variety of homemade goodies. But here’s a warning: at all of the above places, the kids will go nuts! (Of course, you’ll be a hero, as long as the ice cream cone lasts.)
No matter what the economy, we believe that one, fundamental concept is valid and true: without a regeneration of the spirit, we will remain the same. To go on, to make life better for ourselves, for our families, we need recreation. We need to re-create our lives, follow our healthy passions. Whether it be a trip to the beach, playing golf, or simply turning off our smart phones, unplugging our modems, and savor the sound of the surf, Hilton Head Island is headquarters to help you re-create.
You just tell us what (flavor) you want. We’ll make it happen.
Labels: chocolate, hilton head, ice cream, treats
Hilton Head Island Beaches - Check the Tide!
Even if you’ve vacationed on Hilton Head Island before, here’s a reminder we know will be helpful. Yes (we proudly admit), we have a great beach. Twelve miles of it. But what many people don’t realize is that we also experience a significant tide change. From low tide to high tide averages between 6 and 8 feet. From low water mark (low tide) to high water mark (high tide, takes a little over 6 hours.
What does that mean to you? At low tide, our beaches are wider than a football field (or seem so). At high tide, you get to meet your neighbors, because the beach “shrinks,” depending on where you’re located, as much as 70% to 80%. So everyone moves “back” or “up” to the high water mark.
The changing tides are part of the fun. For beach combing, you want to be on the beach when the tide is going out, leaving a variety of treasures as it retreats. For one of the best sites to check the local tides, click here.
The changing tide in the Lowcountry runs the lives of people who make their living on the water, from shrimpers and fishermen, to kayak and jet ski operators. A passage in a tidal creek that, at high tide, might be six (or more) feet deep, will only be six inches deep (or less) at low tide. If you’re planning to be on the water instead of watching it from the beach, always call ahead. Local knowledge is a good thing!
Labels: beaches, hilton head, tips
