What are the best things to do in Hilton Head Island?
Top picks in Hilton Head Island include Harbour Town, Harbour Town Golf Links, Island Explorer. See the full list and itinerary on this Hilton Head Island travel guide.
🇺🇸 United States travel guide
North America · North America
Hilton Head Island Travel Guide
Hilton Head Island, United States
Photo: Locust member · CC BY 4.0
Why visit Hilton Head Island
Travel guide for Hilton Head Island, United States — practical tips, places to visit, and planning help.
Hilton Head Island is a stop in United States, not a country-in-a-weekend. Plan about 1 days. If time is short, prioritise Harbour Town, Harbour Town Golf Links, Island Explorer instead of racing the whole list. Mid-range ground costs are about 120–280 USD per person per day, excluding international flights. Best time: Late spring and early autumn for pleasant temperatures. Rankings, stay length and cost bands on this page come from Global Itinerary’s trip-planning models.
Best time
Late spring and early autumn for pleasant temperatures
Weather
Diverse — temperate to subtropical
Experiences
Things to do in Hilton Head Island
1
Harbour Town
2
Harbour Town Golf Links
3
Island Explorer
Budget travel
Free things to do in Hilton Head Island
Harbour Town
Harbour Town Golf Links
Mostly free or pay-what-you-like — always double-check opening times and any seasonal fees before you go.
Plan your trip
Hilton Head Island itinerary (1 days)
- 1
Day 1
Icons & landmarks
- Visit Harbour Town
- Visit Harbour Town Golf Links
- Visit Island Explorer
- Eat at HH Prime
Budget
Hilton Head Island trip cost
Budget
USD 55–90
per person / day
Mid-range
USD 120–280
per person / day
Luxury
USD 320–530+
per person / day
Typical on-the-ground spend in Hilton Head Island, United States. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury. Figures exclude international flights.
Trip budget estimator
Typical mid-range for Hilton Head Island
Estimated total (USD)
$3,300
≈ $1,650 per person · $471 per day group total
Ground costs ≈ $200/person/day (lodging + food + transport + activities)
Defaults match Hilton Head Island mid-range ground costs (budget 55–90 · mid 120–280 · luxury 320–530+ USD/day). Edit freely — flights vary by origin.
Where to eat
Local favourites
HH Prime
Kenny B's
Amigos Cafe Y Cantina
Santa Fe Cafe
British Open Pub
The Sea Shack
Where to stay
Tourist favourites & top-rated
Holiday Inn Express Hilton Head Island
Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island
Omni Hilton Head Oceanfront Resort
Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort
The Sea Pines Resort
Shopping
- Hilton Head Outfitters
Nightlife
- Frosty Frog
- Tiki Hut
In pictures
Hilton Head Island gallery
Photos: Locust member, Samuel A. Cooley, MoodyGroove of English Wikipedia, U.S. Coast Guard, Unknown authorUnknown author, MoodyGroove at en.wikipedia — via Wikimedia Commons
Good to know
Hilton Head Island travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Hilton Head Island?
Late spring and early autumn for pleasant temperatures.
How many days do I need in Hilton Head Island?
Plan at least 1 days in Hilton Head Island for the highlights on our suggested itinerary; add more time for day trips.
Where should I stay in Hilton Head Island?
Popular stays in Hilton Head Island include Holiday Inn Express Hilton Head Island, Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island, Omni Hilton Head Oceanfront Resort. Book central areas if you want to walk to major sights.
How much does a trip to Hilton Head Island cost?
On the ground in Hilton Head Island (excluding international flights), budget travellers often spend about 55–90 per person per day, mid-range about 120–280, and luxury about 320–530+ (USD). Typical on-the-ground spend in Hilton Head Island, United States. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury.
Keep exploring
