A summertime family getaway to Hilton Head Island can be the highlight of the year, packed with sandy beaches, adventure-filled bike trails, and a treasure chest of family-friendly activities. With its focus on nature, conservation, and fun, Hilton Head Island has mastered the art of ensuring children of all ages are well-entertained under the Southern sun. Here’s your go-to list for an unforgettable family vacation.

1. Best Beaches for Families

When it comes to choosing the perfect beach for your family, Hilton Head spoils you for choice. However, the following beaches stand out for their calm waters, soft sands, and facilities designed with families in mind.

• Sea Pines Resort Beach Club: Just a stone’s throw from Spicebush at Sea Pines, the Sea Pines Resort Beach Club not only offers white sands but also restaurants and ocean-side bars.
• Coligny Beach Park: A vibrant hub with a playground, splash pad, and swings, Coligny Beach Park is the quintessential family beach. A beach ranger station on site ensures safety, while restroom facilities mean your day of sandcastles and sun doesn’t get cut short.
• Driessen Beach Park: Tucked away in a shady alcove, Driessen Beach Park shines for families seeking a more relaxed spot. A spacious playground sits right by the sea, offering kids the chance to swing and slide against the backdrop of the ocean.
• Burkes Beach: Burkes Beach is a bit more secluded than its counterparts, adorned with picturesque dunes you can explore during breaks from the water. The calm waves are an invitation for families to swim, splash, or even go dolphin-watching on calmer days.

2. Kid-Oriented Attractions

When the little ones crave adventure beyond the beach, Hilton Head Island doesn’t disappoint. Check out these educational yet fun attractions.

• Coastal Discovery Museum: The museum isn’t your typical hands-off experience. Kids can touch, hear, and see exhibits that teach about Hilton Head’s rich ecosystem and history. Don’t miss the butterfly enclosure and the historical Honey Horn Plantation.
• The Sandbox Interactive Children’s Museum: Specifically designed to stimulate young minds, The Sandbox is an interactive museum where children can pilot a ship, visit a construction zone, and even create art. There are programs and guest activities weekly, so there’s always something new to explore.

3. Family Bike Rides

Hilton Head is a cycling paradise, offering more than 60 miles of trails that are both safe and scenic. Rent a bike from one of the island’s numerous rental shops (The Peddling Pelican is just down the street from Spicebush) and explore the following family-friendly trails.

• Hilton Head Island Bike Trails: The trails on the island are hard-packed and suitable for all skill levels. The scenery changes from beach to marsh to forest, providing an opportunity to teach your children about the area’s diverse wildlife and plants in a fun, active way.
• Folly Field to Singleton Beach Trail: An easy, eight-mile round-trip trail, this ride takes you along gorgeous landscapes and by Harbour Town, a popular destination known for its lighthouse and marina.

4. Water Activities for All Ages

The island’s water activities cater to all levels, ensuring the whole family can cool off during the heat of the day. Here’s a glimpse of what’s on offer.

• Pirate’s Island Adventure Golf: A swashbuckling family favorite, Pirate’s Island offers two 18-hole courses. The lush landscaping leads you through caves, over waterfalls, and beneath the shade of palm trees as you perfect your mini-golf swing.
• Kayaking and Paddleboarding: Hilton Head’s numerous waterways offer the ideal setting for a family kayaking or paddleboarding adventure. Paddle alongside dolphins in Broad Creek, or explore the area’s magnolia-lined lagoons and rivers. Check out Kayak Hilton Head and paddleboarding with H2O Sports.

5. Picnic Spots and Family-Friendly Restaurants

When hunger strikes, Hilton Head Island has plenty of family-friendly dining options and scenic spots to enjoy a picnic lunch.

• Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge: This natural haven just a few miles from Hilton Head Island provides a variety of picnic areas against the backdrop of marshes and crystalline waters. It’s also an excellent place to spot local wildlife.
• Hudson’s Seafood House on the Docks: An iconic restaurant on Hilton Head Island, not only does Hudson’s offer the freshest seafood, but it also has a family-friendly atmosphere and an open-air kids’ play area with a sandpit.

6. Evening Entertainment

The family fun doesn’t have to end with the setting sun. Engage in the following activities for memorable evenings.

• Gregg Russell’s Harbour Town Concerts: Gregg Russell has been writing and performing great music for over 40 years. His credits include literally hundreds of children’s songs, writing and performing original music for TV specials and more. He’s best known for his evening performances under the old Liberty tree in Harbour Town where he has delighted over 3 million fans, young and old alike for over 40 seasons.
• HarbourFest at Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina: During the summer months, HarbourFest is the place to be for a weekly celebration that includes live music, kids’ activities, and a spectacular fireworks show.

What are You Waiting For?

Hilton Head Island is a family playground bursting with adventure and natural wonder. From its gentle waves to its lush bike trails, the activities on offer strive to create an unforgettable family experience. Pack your sunscreen, your sense of adventure, and get ready to make memories that’ll have the kids asking, “When can we go back to Hilton Head?”