Visiting a museum is a classic family vacation activity, especially on a rainy day! Hilton Head, SC is home to a number of excellent museums that delve into the island’s fascinating history, culture, flora, and fauna. To help you make the most of your next getaway, we have put together a handy guide to four can’t-miss museums in Hilton Head.
1. Coastal Discovery Museum
Located on the 68-acre Honey Horn property, the Coastal Discovery Museum offers a fantastic mix of outdoor and indoor attractions dedicated to the Lowcountry. When you stroll around the beautiful grounds, you will have the chance to see a mile-long seashell nature trail, a lovely butterfly enclosure, three gorgeous gardens, and a stable full of Marsh Tacky horses (which are native to South Carolina).
At the Discovery House, guests will find the museum’s permanent indoor exhibits, which include interviews with the island’s most influential figures, a seashell identifying station, and a section devoted to Native American pottery. Admission to the Coastal Discovery Museum is free, although a $5 donation is suggested. The museum hosts a number of special tours and talks throughout the week, so be sure to see which programs are being offered during your visit!
2. The Sandbox Children’s Museum
The Sandbox is another one of the very best museums in Hilton Head. Designed for toddlers and elementary school-aged kids, this excellent children’s museum is the perfect place to let your little ones play to their heart’s’ content. Young visitors will have a blast pretending to go shopping in the grocery store, “piloting” a realistic looking airplane, and creating masterpieces in the arts and crafts area. Be warned: when you visit the Sandbox, your kids may not want to leave!
3. Harbour Town Lighthouse Museum
Serving the island’s yacht basin, the Harbour Town Lighthouse is the most iconic landmark in Hilton Head. No vacation is complete without walking to the top of the lighthouse and taking in the majestic views of the harbor and the nearby golf course. The inside of the lighthouse also boasts a superb museum where guests can learn about the history of the lighthouse and Hilton Head Island.
4. The Gullah Museum of Hilton Head Island
The Gullah Museum of Hilton Head is dedicated to one of the oldest communities living on the island. Descended from enslaved West Africans, the Gullah people have maintained their unique traditions in Hilton Head for roughly 300 years. Located inside the island’s “Little Blue House”, which was built in 1930 by William “Duey” Simmons, The Gullah Museum traces the history and culture of the Gullah people from the 1700s to the present.
To arrange a tour of The Gullah Museum, call the museum’s founder, Louise Cohen.When you stay with Hilton Head Properties Realty & Rentals, you will be just a short drive from all of these wonderful museums in Hilton Head. Our vacation rentals come with your choice of awesome amenities, including fully equipped kitchens, outdoor grills, internet access, flat screen TVs, and private swimming pools. With everything from 1 bedroom properties to 7 bedroom properties, we are guaranteed to have the perfect accommodations for your escape. To start planning your trip, browse our selection of Hilton Head vacation rentals!
