Story: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina -- Surviving with Tweens

Children in the “tween” ages can be hard to please. With my children’s spring break in early April this year, we decided to stay closer to our home in South Carolina. My wife, two children (13-and 12 years old) and I drove to Hilton Head Island, a barrier island along the southern coast of South Carolina.

Lodging

We stayed at the Barony Beach Club, part of the Marriott Residence Club resort system. Located on the northern part of Hilton Head Island, the opposite end from Sea Pines Plantation and Harbour Town, the Barony offers numerous activities for families. The onsite facilities include three pools – one indoor pool and two outdoor pools: one heated, the other not. (The unheated pool has a snack bar and heated hot tub.) The welcome center also includes a small fitness center. The resort offers tennis lessons, water aerobics and other activities. The condos include a small kitchen allowing for some meals to be taken in. Website: http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/hhhbb-marriotts-barony-beach-club/

Marriott owns several resorts on Hilton Head. South of the Barony along the beach is another Marriott property, Surfwatch. While the rooms are not oceanfront, there are two attractive pools, one of which is beachfront. Web site: http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/hhhsf-marriotts-surfwatch/ For a complete listing of Marriott Vacation properties on Hilton Head, see this web site: http://www.marriott-timeshare.com/beach-resorts.jsp

Dining

In addition to the beach and resort activities, there are plenty of other activities on Hilton Head Island to keep a tween’s interest. First, food. Hudson’s Seafood restaurant is a must. Located on the intracoastal waterway, this local restaurant offers excellent seafood, particularly fried oysters. The she crab soup with just the right amount of sherry rivals the Charlestonian version. Hudson’s is so good, it is worth two visits – lunch for four is around $ 60 and dinner is more expensive at $ 95 or so (including wine and beer). Hudson’s Restaurant, One Hudson Road, Hilton Head Island, S.C. 843-681-2772 -- http://www.hudsonsonthedocks.com/

The kids also enjoyed the Crazy Crab, another seafood restaurant located on the marsh just as you cross the bridge onto the island. The steamed oysters were tasty. (Remember oysters are in season during months with an “r” in the name.) While more touristy and with the food not quite as good as Hudson’s, it is nevertheless worth at least one meal during your island stay. Crazy Crab, Jarvis Creek, 843-681-5021 -- http://www.thecrazycrab.com/ (There is another location in Sea Pines Plantation at Harbour Town.)

The Sea Shack is located at 6 Pope Avenue Executive Park Road (which runs parallel to Pope Avenue Highway 80 between William Hilton Parkway and the ocean) on the southern end of the Island. Always crowded, your best bet is to try it during off hours. While not much to look at from the street, locals rave about its affordable seafood. Sea Shack, 843-785-2464 -- http://www.theseashack.com/

During your first day on Hilton Head, you will undoubtedly notice the seemingly ubiquitous Salty Dog Café t-shirts. This informal restaurant is located at South Beach Marina in Sea Pines Plantation. The original Salty Dog can be quite crowded; nearby is the Land’s End Tavern with shorter lines, similar food, and a pirate theme. Land’s End Tavern -- http://www.saltydog.com/stores/letavern/

Tween’s Entertainment

With meals and food taken care of, we located several activities tweens would enjoy. We spent one morning kayaking on Broad Creek in the center of the island with Water Dog Outfitters. We arrived at the dock off Marshland Road after passing under live oaks, giving us a glimpse of Hilton Head before the development that has enveloped the island. The two hour tour starts at $ 25 per adult and $ 15 per child (not including tip to the guide). The two person sea kayaks were easy to maneuver and in minutes we were paddling smoothly across the water. The guide noted certain aspects of marine life and we luckily were able to see two dolphins who lived in the river. We then paddled up a creek and witnessed the rapidly receding tide as two kayaks got stuck briefly in the plough mud. Remember to bring sunscreen (the spray on kind is the easiest to apply in a kayak) and a water bottle. Water Dog Outfitters, 843-686-3554 -- http://www.waterdogoutfitter.com/

After walking on the beach and kayaking, a less strenuous activity is putt putt golf. We chose Adventure Cove, located at the intersection of Folly Field Road and Highway 278 Business (William Hilton Parkway near mile marker number 6). While slightly expensive at $8.50 per adult and $6.50 per child for an 18 hole round, the kitschy ambience (walking through a cave, numerous water hazards) was appealing. A video game arcade and snack bar are on the property. Adventure Cove, 843-842-9990 -- http://www.adventurecove.com/

Across the highway from Adventure Cove is a little noticed cemetery. Despite the tweens’ complaints, we stopped and took a brief tour of the Zion Chapel of Ease and Cemetery according to the historical marker on the property. (Website: http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=6856). The largest monument in the cemetery and the oldest intact structure on Hilton Head Island is the Baynard Mausoleum built in 1846. Reading the tombstones gave us and the children some perspective into the lives of early residents of Hilton Head, prior to the construction of the bridge to the mainland and the resulting development.

When it rains at Hilton Head or even when just a little chilly, outdoor activities are curtailed. On the mainland is a large shopping outlet managed by Tanger Outlets. The outlets include several retailers targeting tweens including Abercrombie & Fitch, American Eagle Outfitters, Claire’s Boutique and Hollister. Deals were to be had at Hollister and Abercrombie & Fitch. Tanger Outlets, Hilton Head (Highway 278 and I-95) -- http://www.tangeroutlet.com/hiltonhead

Travel Tip

Finally, driving to and from Hilton Head along I-95 can be a chore during certain times of the year. Slow traffic (and sometimes dead stops) along the interstate in this rural part of South Carolina can be perplexing and frustrating. If you are coming from northern destinations using I-26 or I-77, you may want to take U.S. Highway 21 from Orangeburg to Hilton Head. This well-maintained two lane highway will avoid some of the I-95 bottlenecks and give you a glimpse of the rural Lowcountry of South Carolina.

For general information on Hilton Head, consult this web site http://www.hiltonheadisland.org/ and for more information on tourist destinations in South Carolina, see the South Carolina Department of Parks and Tourism website at http://www.discoversouthcarolina.com/