Hilton Heads Up!
One of Hilton Head Island's Greatest “Secrets”
There are many hidden gems on Hilton Head Island that visitors rarely “discover,” unless it’s by accident. One immediately comes to mind. At first we didn’t want to share this because we like the quiet (REALLY quiet) and the lack of, well, people. If you’d like to get a hint of what the island looked like before development began, you must visit the Sea Pines Forest Preserve. It’s sort of like having a National Park in your back yard, especially if you’re a guest of Sea Pines. Even if you’re not, it’s definitely worth the $5 gate fee.
The Forest Preserve is 600 plus acres of forest, wetlands, walking trails and one of the most spectacular wildflower fields you’ll ever see. Officially called the Wildflower Meadows, they’ll be in bloom, starting in a week or two, then go on for several weeks, well into the summer. There’s an old bench at the end of the meadows. It sits on an old dike and the meadows stretch out before it. Check out this Google map link to get an idea of this uncommon place.
There are four lakes, great for freshwater fishing (You’ll have to be a guest and get a permit. We can help you there.), either from the shore or a rowboat (they’re for rent to guests). Kayaking is great, too. You’ll see all sorts of wadding birds and one of the largest rookeries in the state.
In the center of the Preserve, facing Lake Joe, is Fish Island, a great place for picnics (there’s a covered shelter) and Cub Scouts (and other kids) use it as a camping area. There are also restrooms there and a water fountain.
Of the two entrances, use the one at the school and you’re 5 minutes away from a 4,000 year-old Indian shell ring. Check out the link above for the Preserve and download the PDF map.
Click here for a great story about someone “discovering” the Forest Preserve, written in 2004. You’ll understand.
Down side: The alligators are real. Do not mess with them. The bugs are real. Spray generously (depending on the time of year). Spray often. Sea Pines’ Lawton Stables offers trail rides through the Preserve. (Click here for a cute story about Lawton Stables.) Trail rides means horses. Some of the walking trails are shared by the horses. Our advice: watch you step.
We’ll have more “secrets” to share soon.
Labels: hilton head, sea pines, tips
Restaurant of the Month
We’re always asked where to find a good, “local” restaurant. That’s like asking a mother of five to pick out her favorite child. But the question is always asked, so we decided to begin our list in absolutely no order whatsoever and give you a, well ... heads up!
For our “local” restaurant(s) of the month, we’re going to suggest a trifecta at Palmetto Bay Marina: Captain Woody’s, Black Marlin and Palmetto Bay Sunrise Café.
The marina, which opened for business in 1959, can be seen on the right side of the Cross Island bridge as you cross over Broad Creek, heading to the south end of the island. At the stop light right off the bridge, get in the left lane and follow the signs. It can be a little tricky, but you’re going to love it when you arrive – about five minutes from the stoplight.
Captain Woody’s, open 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., is known for its fresh seafood, beer, patio dining and informal, fun atmosphere. For lunch, the Grouper Melt is a “must order” sandwich. While the serf and turf for dinner is just fine, we like all the different tastes of the seafood platter. Bring the lids. There’s a
children’s menu that includes PB&J sandwiches, hot dogs and shrimp. Definitely casual, definitely local.
Black Marlin used to be Hemingway’s until “Papa’s” family took his name back. The restaurant overlooks the marina and you can eat inside or out. Lunch starts at 11:30 a.m. and dinner at 5:00 p.m., with a great brunch Saturday and Sunday at 10:00 a.m. The
menu for lunch is huge. Try the seafood tacos. So is the dinner menu. Spoil yourself with the Lobster Bolognese. The Hurricane Bar is an outstanding place to just hang around.
Want a great breakfast? Try the Crab Benedict at The Sunrise Café. They are open Wednesday thru Monday (closed Tuesdays) and serve breakfast and lunch from 6am to 3pm. Sure, you can get pancakes and eggs, too. Checkout the
early bird special (early as in 6-8 a.m.). The place has become an institution.
There you go. Our pick(s) for March. Let us know what you think. Tell us your Hilton Head Island favorite.
Labels: hilton head, restaurants
New Golf Course in Sea Pines
Yes, there’s a new golf course in
Sea Pines Resort. Actually, the old Sea Marsh 18, one of the island first courses, was completely leveled and renowned architect, Pete Dye brought forth
Heron Point. It is definitely a “thinking golfer’s course” (no, that is not an oxymoron). Mounding along the fairway help keep the ball in play – or with a bad bounce, you get to meet new Sea Pines friends in their back year (OB).
Dye shows why he’s considered one of the most innovative architects in the game with his hidden bunkers and other ways he “protects” the green. For a local, sometimes golfer’s opinion, see what columnist David Lauderdale had to say –
click here.
Labels: golf, hilton head, sea pines
Hilton Head Celebrating 25th Birthday
While Charles Fraser and his crew started selling homesites in Sea Pines Plantation in 1956, it wasn’t until 1983 that
Hilton Head Island officially became a town. The Secretary of State of South Carolina signed the papers in March and in May of that year the citizens approved the idea (not without some opposition). In August, the town had its first election for a mayor and town council. The reason Hilton Head Island has remained such a beautiful place to visit (and live), is primarily due to that election and the people who live here.
A local publication, CH2 (Celebrate Hilton Head), is marking ths anniversary with a series of articles about those who made this feat possible. All our guests get a copy of the publication when they check in.
Click here to read the first of the series. It will probably make you like the island even more.
Labels: hilton head
Parks, Parks & More Parks
Over the past few years, the Town of Hilton Head Island has created some of the most beautiful parks in the Lowcountry. You can easily see one of them when you get on the Cross Island Parkway, Jarvis Creek Park. To discover all of them, check out the PDF
map the town created. Visit one and you’ll see Hilton Head like you’ve never seen it before. We promise.
Labels: hilton head, parks
Bring Your Bikes!
If you haven’t been to our island this year, we think you’ll be in for some surprises when you visit. Everywhere you turn, it seems, things are looking .... better!
Pope AvenueIf you’ve been a regular island visitor, you know Pope Avenue. It’s the main thoroughfare on the south end of the island, leading straight to the Coligny Beach Park, home of the famed
Tiki Hut (see below, more good news). If you ever tried to ride a bike along the “paths” on Pope Avenue there was a good chance you could reach out and shake hands with the passenger in the car right next to you.
As of February,
new pathways opened with a big buffer between you and traffic. And the pathways are definitely done in “Hilton Head style.” They’re much wider and part of them go over wetlands on classy wooden bridges with safety railings capped in copper. Even though you’re ten fee from cars going buy, you feel like you’re traveling through the wilds of the Lowcountry. What you won’t see are power lines overhead. They’ve been buried.
By this summer, you’ll also be able (if all goes a scheduled) to take a rest at the new Compass Rose Park. It features terraced plazas, sitting areas highlighted by a sculpture created by local artists, wall features and fountains. One of the original brass Compass Rose symbols that hung from the original Sea Pines gate (now the Ocean Gate) is part of the entrance fountain. This is the town's first foray into public art. The park and its centerpiece, a statue of
Charles Fraser, were designed to pay tribute to Sea Pines and the founder of the island's first modern planned community.
Tiki HutWhile the fate of the much beloved beach bar is still up in the air (watch here for more news), it opened a few weeks ago to the cheers of many (younger) local residents. It is the first sign of spring on the island. The new owners of the Holiday Inn Oceanfront hotel, where the
Tiki Hut is located haven’t announced what will happen to the beachfront landmark. Until then, volleyball anyone?
The island’s 25th
St. Patrick’s Day Parade is scheduled for March 16 at 3:30 p.m. Can you make it?
Labels: bike, hilton head, tiki hut, tips
