Best things to do in Hilton Head

Middleton Place once housed several generations of the Middleton family, including Arthur Middleton, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Now the plantation, which was built in 1755, has been named a National Historic Landmark and serves as a museum. Perhaps most impressively, the plantation is home to the oldest landscaped gardens in America, where the staff takes care to ensure that there is always something in bloom year round. Enjoy U.S. history amid these tranquil gardens. Take a tour of the house, get a glimpse of colonial life by visiting the stable yards, or ask about guided kayak tours or horseback riding to see the grounds from a different angle.

One of the country's oldest plantations, Magnolia Plantation & Gardens dates back to 1676, when locals Thomas and Ann Drayton built a house and a small formal garden on this site. The family owned the rice plantation for the next 15 generations, utilizing slave labor to build a network of irrigation dams and dikes. Today, the estate operates as a museum, offering an interpretive program designed to teach visitors about the history of both slave and free black workers at this site. Explore the plantation's natural setting by taking a marsh boat tour or strolling through the gardens, where you can see centenarian cypress trees and camellias dating from the 1840s.

Explore beaches, parks, shopping, and restaurants while riding along . Pedal over wooden bridges, past lagoons, and through the foliage of the island. Bike along the many hard-packed beaches and to the inner lakes to see herons, alligators, and turtles. If you plan to ride on the beach, check the tide tables before you set out. Maps of the various trails are available at local restaurants and stores. The trails are clearly marked and well kept, making it easy to access most parts of the island via bike.

The shoreline at Coligny Beach is entirely open to the public, making it one of the liveliest beaches on Hilton Head. Swim in the ocean, relax on one of the park's swings, or take a walk down the boardwalk. If you need to escape from the sun, the Coligny Beach Plaza is only a short walk away. This plaza is a favorite of beach-goers and features more than 60 shops and restaurants. While the beach is public property, entrances to the beach can be private, so be sure to visit the official website to find out about public entry points and parking.

Explore the site where the Union and Confederate armies clashed for the first time in the American Civil War. Your visit to Fort Sumter National Monument begins at the education center, where you can study exhibits on the war and purchase ferry tickets to the sea fort. Once you arrive, a park ranger will give a short talk about the conflict between the North and South that led to the firing of the first shots. As you walk the area, examine the defenses and imagine the Confederates’ 34-hour bombardment until the Union forces surrendered. For more information, visit the fort’s onsite museum. Refreshments are available on the ferry, but it is a good idea to bring water.