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Family Friendly Restaurant Offers For Bike & Dine Week!

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Locals and visitors to Hilton Head Island and Bluffton are lucky to be able to bike pretty much anywhere.  With almost 60 miles of paths (and growing) on the Island and miles in downtown Bluffton, it’s easy to access the top restaurants, activities and festivals via bike anywhere in the Lowcountry.

 So it’s no surprise the Hilton Head Island Chamber of Commerce spawned a brilliant idea of a “Bike & Dine” week, blending family friendly bike-riding with excellent culinary offerings at local Lowcountry restaurants. Starting May 12 and running through the 18th – a wide array of offerings from local restaurants can be found on the Chamber of Commerce’s Bike and Dine website.

Bike and Dine week is simple, just ride to your favorite location and tell your server you are there for the “Bike and Dine” discount. When you are finished with your meal, take your receipt to the Chamber of Commerce, located at 1 Chamber of Commerce Drive – across from Palmetto Dunes and next to the Art’s Center of Coastal Carolina. The first 200 participants will receive a free t-shirt and all who stop by will get entered to win a free, ELEV8 bike, an $800 value.

Some of the family friendly restaurant locations on Hilton Head that are favorites of ours include:

The Mellow Mushroom – perfect for a bike ride from Sea Pines or anywhere on the South End, this location in Park Plaza is offering a free bruschetta appetizer with any $15 lunch or dinner purchase.  They have a great outside eating area in a family friendly environment. We love their white pizza and the BBQ chicken is outstanding as well.

Perfect for families, patio seating at the Mellow Mushroom

The Black Marlin – located in Palmetto Bay Marina, this location is accessible via the Palmetto Bay Road bike paths or Arrow Road where you can use the utility easement bike path to Crossings Park and into the Marina area. Gray loves the Marina, where we see dolphins, birds, turtles and more. They are offering a great Bike and Dine discount with buy one lunch and get one ½ off. Try the sushi nachos or the fresh catch of the day, we prefer blackened!

Trattoria Divina – Located in Park Plaza and open for dinner, they are featuring Buy One Get One ½ off on all of their small plates – perfect for the biking family as they have an open aired outside patio!  We are making this our dinner spot for the week as their small plates allow the entire family to try and share different items!

Park Plaza on Hilton Head has plenty of bike parking!

Carrabba’s – Located Mid Island – this location is just a short bike ride from the Port Royal, Folly Field and Palmetto Dunes are.  For dinner’s they are offering a free Mezze appetizer with the purchase of an entrée.  They are also located next to Adventure Cove, a gaming and putt putt course, so this is an awesome family fun night combination!

Bikers making their way to Carrabbas

Redfish – Home to the south end business, ladies who lunch and soon the “biker” crowd, this restaurant boasts the most amazing, simple and tasty appetizer on the Island. Not on the menu at lunch, you must ask for the chimichurri dip with their housemade pressed flat bread. Paired with one of their New Zealand whites, this can definitely be a long lunch stop on your bike and dine tour. Find Redfish right off Palmetto Bay road bike path on the South End. They are offering 15% off your total lunch bill and also have outside seating.

Skull Creek Boathouse – Located on the North End and accessible by bike paths on 278, Cross Island Bridge or from Hilton Head Plantation, this waterfront restaurant is also offering buy one lunch and get ½ off.  This is Gray’s favorite restaurant as it’s located next to a working Boathouse where they bring in boats on the lifts – free entertainment for the kids and great cocktails for the parents!

Bikes at the Skull Creek Boathouse!

For the Big Kids “aka, the parents” here are some of our favorite spots offering up drink specials:

Street Meet – Located mid Island in Port Royal Plaza, accessible via bike either on Mathews or on 278 is offering a free domestic draft or house wine at lunch or dinner with purchase of an entrée.  This place is very family friendly – with outdoor seating as well in a street vendor food atmosphere.

Charbar Co. – This Park Plaza burger joint is offering a free frozen cocktail of your choice during lunch hours to cool you down after your ride!  This place has amazing burgers and is a must stop during Bike & Dine week.

You can find outdoor seating at most Island Bike and Dine Week Locations!

Again – there are many other offerings from local restaurants during bike and dine week so make sure to bookmark the website and check back often for updates! Enjoy your time exploring the paths on Hilton Head Island and in Bluffton, be safe and don’t forget to turn in your receipt!

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Family Fun at the Rib Burnoff on Hilton Head Island!

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If you ask my husband what one of the “crown jewel” events on Hilton Head Island is, he would tell you without a doubt, The Rib Burnoff! When we got married four years ago, our special day fell on the weekend of the Rib Burn Off and there was actual discussion (on his part, not mine) on giving our guests tickets to the event and hosting our reception there….but I digress

This annual event, sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Hilton Head Island, takes place the weekend after Mother’s Day at Historic Honey Horn and features the South’s best amateur and professional rib-burners, along with amateur (think you and me here) and professional judges. Restaurants clamor for the title of Best Ribs – Judges & Best Ribs – Crowd Choice and display their plaques in their restaurants and advertising all year long.  It’s a fierce competition with the wide array of BBQ joints on Hilton Head and Bluffton – so make sure to vote early and often for your favorite!

Stop by early at the One Hot Mama’s tent – always a crowd winner!

A family friendly event, this year the Rib Burnoff will again feature an amazing kid’s area, complete with bouncy houses, slides, games, activities and more.  The Sandbox, An Interactive Children’s Museum will be on hand for imaginative and educational arts & crafts. The Town of Hilton Head Fire Department will also be there with their fire-trucks.  Admission to the kid’s area is free with your ticket to the event.

Prepare for the kids to get wet on the slide!

The kids zone also features games, crafts and a smaller bouncy for your littler ones.

The Kiwanis Club of Hilton Head Island uses the proceeds from the Rib Burnoff to fund various children’s charities on the Island, so you can feel good about where your money is going while you are grubbing on Hilton Head Island’s best BBQ!  Over $300,000 has been donated to the Lowcountry Community from the Kiwanis Club since their inception in 1984. The 2012 charitable contributions went to The Children’s Center, Boys and Girls Club, Coastal Discovery Museum, Week of Champions, Kids Triathlon, HH Swim Team, Boy Scouts, JROTC of HH/Bluffton, Sandbox, PEP, CAPA, Deep Well, People to People, Operation R&R, VIM, Room at the Inn & Marine Corps Scholarship Fund of Hilton Head.

The Firefighters always put on a good show!

If you go:

The Kiwanis Club of Hilton Head Island Rib Burnoff will take place on Saturday, May 18th in the fields at Historic Honey Horn

The event is from Noon – 4pm

Admission is $12 in advance, $15 at the gate

Beer, wine & soda, available for purchase

Live music

2012 Rib Burnoff Winners Included:

Smokehouse, One Hot Mama’s, Montana’s, Bombora’s Chill Grill, Sea Eagle Market and Coastal Carolina Catering in the professional category.

Motley Que, Hog Heaven and Rib King were winners in the amateur category.

Winner in Amateur Category – Motley Que

The beer tent is always a great place to catch up with locals!

Band setting up under the oaks! What a view!

Rib Burnoff Winners, One Hot Mama’s

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Top 10 places on Hilton Head to take your kids – FOR FREE!

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I love writing the family vibe for Hilton Head Island!  Being able to explore the Lowcountry, and bring Gray (2 years old) along gives us the opportunity to make incredible family memories.

While everything I recommend is well worth your money for the experience, my local mom friends and I took the time to compile this list and share our photos….local mom insights, just for you!  It’s the Top 10 family activities for Free on Hilton Head Island! Some of them may be familiar to you, some of them may new, but all are Hilton Head “Mom” approved. Enjoy and let me know additional suggestions in the comments below or on twitter @heatherrath!

1.  See an Alligator on Hilton Head Island! I highly recommend the Coastal Discovery Museum’s “Getting to know a Gator” program, but for FREE, head on over to the lagoons on Pope Ave. Between St. Andrew by the Sea and Holy Family is a bike path bridge over the lagoon. In the summer this is the place to stop and spot a gator. And across the street, near the corner of Executive Park Rd and Pope Ave is another bridge over a lagoon ripe for turtle and alligator sightings! Please remember, we never ever feed the gators on Hilton Head Island!

Alligators On The Pond Between St. Andrew & Holy Family Churches

2.  Autobahn Newhall Preserve on the south end is over 50 acres with walking trails, a lake and plenty of alligators, turtles, birds and plants to explore.  Located off Palmetto Bay Road, you can easily bike to the Preserve and there is also a small area for parking.  Click here for a video of Gray yelling for turtles & alligators at the preserve! Carol Newhall, a preservationist convinced Charles Fraser, the developer of Sea Pines, to donate this land. Click here for more history on the land.

3.  Splash Pad at Coligny Beach.  What’s better for the kids and your wallet than a free splash pad?  Yep, located at Coligny Beach, on the south end off Pope Avenue, this is a major summer hot-spot for the little ones to run, splash and play. Coligny Beach Park also has swings, adorandak chairs, beach showers, bathrooms and more. Click here for a video of Gray in the splashpad when he was a little guy!

Gray’s Buddy, Lillian Dougherty at the Splash Pad – Photo from Heather Dougherty

Owen Carneavale Having Fun! Photo by Lora Carneavale!

4. Jarvis Creek Park Turtles & Alligators – Our parks and playgrounds on Hilton Head Island are world-class!  Our favorite family park is Jarvis Creek Park on the north end of Hilton Head (just off the cross-island) with two playgrounds, a mile-long walking trail and pavilions that you can rent for birthday parties or family cook-outs.  Free parking and plenty of space to pay Frisbee or soccer with your little ones.  There is a pier at Jarvis that Gray loves!  He climbs up and yells for the turtles and gators every time we visit!

Alligators & Turtles are everywhere at Jarvis Creek Park

5. Horses at Honey Horn – Gray’s newest best friends are two marsh-tacky horses he visits each week at Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn.  Comet & Tadpole are outdoor daily, part of a “living exhibit” on the grounds of Honey Horn, open daily and free to explore. Visit them during your vacation on Hilton Head Island!

Horses at Coastal Discovery Museum!

6. Shannon Tanner – No visit to Hilton Head Island during the summer is complete without seeing Shannon Tanner during Tuesday night fireworks at Shelter Cove.  Shannon has been entertaining families for generations through song & story and performs an interactive show where the kids are invited to come onto the stage and participate.

Shannon Tanner at Shelter Cove Fireworks – Photo from http://www.palmettodunes.com/

7.  Pickney Island – Coming onto the Island, you will see a break in the bridge for Pickney Island National Wildlife Refuge.  Run by the US Fish & Wildlife Service, this 4000 acre site has plenty biking and walking trails – all along the marsh and inter-coastal waterway. Pickney Island is a great area for photography, birding and viewing beautiful flowers. There are no bathrooms, so be prepared and it’s pretty isolated, but beautiful!  Also, no animals of any sort allowed.  Open sunrise to sunset 7 days a week.

Twins, Ren & Grayden Watts Explore Pickney – Photo from Dr. Larry Watts

Twins, Ren & Grayden Watts Explore Pickney – Photo from Dr. Larry Watts

8.  Barnes & Noble Train & Story Time – If you have a little boy like I do, trains & firetrucks make each day complete.  The Barnes & Noble on Hilton Head Island has a Melissa & Doug Train Table in their kid’s room, stop in and play for free! Barnes & Noble also has story-time, Wednesday & Saturday at 11am.  Click here for more information.

9.  Wee Reads Program – Seriously, The Hilton Head Island Library rocks when it comes to free kid’s activities.  With a seasonal schedule that is updated constantly, activities are open to Island visitors & locals and of all ages!  Storytime, craft time, toddler time, wee reads and more, plus tweens & teens programs!  The library is located right off Beach City Road, mid-island (think Starbucks/Steinmart area) and is a great place to spend a rainy day on Hilton Head Island! Library calendar of events here!

Gray’s Buddy, Grayson Wain at the Hilton Head Island Library – Photo from Kerri Wain

10.  Compass Rose Park – Take a picture with an alligator!  Home to a statue of Charles Fraser (developer of Sea Pines Resort) walking next to an alligator, this is the perfect place to stop for a lunch or on your bike. Located on the corner of Pope Ave & New Orleans Rd. Water features are found throughout the park, along with a history of Hilton Head Island, a spinning compass rose, park swings and walking trails.

Gray Hanging Out With Charles Fraser & The Alligator

Honorable Mentions –

Public Art “Family” of Horses -

Gray loves the “Family” of Horses on 278.  This public art exhibit was put into the field along William Hilton Parkway/278, bike to it for a great family photo with the marsh in the background!  Gray calls it “momma horse, daddy horse & Gray horse” so clearly he thinks the art is there for him!

Hilton Head Island Public Art “Family” on 278

Historic Mitchelville Educational Kiosk –

Located in Fish Haul Park off Beach City Road, you will find Mitchelville, the first town for self-governed slaves in the United States.  The park has plenty of parking and a pier out to Port Royal Sound (battle of Port Royal) and a trail to Mitchelville Beach.  There is also a sitting area with benches and educational panels explaining the history of Mitchelville and the people who settled the town. This is a great free activity for those traveling with history buffs!  Click here to see a video of the panels & benches.

Mitchelville Freedom Park off Beach City Road

Chaplin Park –

This park has it all, especially on Saturday’s in the Spring and Fall where you can watch local rec center soccer!  Stop by here with the family to picnic, visit the dog park, play basketball or baseball, pick up a tennis game, walk to the beach or visit the playground!

Chaplin Park Basketball on Hilton Head Island

Visit a Gullah Graveyard –

When grabbing your groceries for the week at the Shelter Cove Piggly Wiggly, take a walk through the Gullah graveyard right next door! Located just off 278, view the historic headstones of those that have passed, some 200 years ago!  Traditional Gullah graveyards are located all over Hilton Head Island, always close to water. Gullah (descendants of West-African slaves) believed that when they passed on, being buried by water would allow their spirits to go home to Africa.

Gullah Graveyard next to the Piggly Wiggly on Hilton Head Island

 

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Kid’s Activities at The RBC Heritage!

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Hilton Head Island’s signature event is back!  The RBC Heritage presented by Boeing starts April 15th and runs through the 21st.  There are so many family friendly activities during the Heritage & Joe and I can’t wait to take Gray this year.  His buddy Abby got him a set of mini golf clubs for his 2nd birthday and we have been practicing his putting since!

Here are some tips for enjoying the RBC Heritage with the kids!

Get tips from the “PGA Pro’s” at the RBC Heritage presented by Boeing!

Opening Ceremonies – Monday the 15th.  Bring the kids at noon for a parade with bagpipes, bands and the cannon firing.  Grab a picture with Willie and former PGA TOUR Champion Carl Pettersson.  Starts at noon on the 18th green.

Click here for a video of last year’s opening ceremonies! 

Click here for a video of last year’s Boeing Dreamliner flyover – my son loves this! 

Coca-Cola Youth Day – Tuesday the 16th.  Designated the “official” kid’s day, bring the entire family to walk the course and to meet & take pictures with the PGA TOUR pros!  There will be a kids putting contest at 3pm on the putting green at Harbour Town Golf Links.

Have the kids practice their putting at the Coca-Cola Youth Day!

 

PGA TOUR Pro Rickie Fowler signs autographs with young fans!

Tartan Day – Saturday the 20th – Bring the kiddo’s decked out in their best Tartan Plaid for a contest on Saturday!  Pictures with Willie, the Tartan-clad Scottish man you can see around the RBC Heritage all week long!  Takes place on the Heritage Lawn from noon till 2pm.

 

Grab Sir Willie while on the course for a photo op!

Sir Willie and his youngest fans!

The Headliners – Saturday the 20th – after the pro’s finish their rounds, head to the Heritage Lawn for a rockin’ concert with local legendary band, The Headliners. Dancing for the kids and drinks for the parents, all in the atmosphere of beautiful Harbour Town! Starts as soon as play ends till 8pm.

For a complete schedule of events, visit the official RBC Heritage Presented By Boeing website and follow Willie on Facebook.

Son & Father enjoying the RBC Heritage on Hilton Head Island!

 

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Sweetgrass Basket Making at Coastal Discovery Museum

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If you have read this blog before, you know that I adore The Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn & it’s commitment to preserving Gullah Culture. Every time I hear of an opportunity to expose Gray (2 years old) to Native Island living, I jump at the chance.  The latest opportunity came about by participating in the sweetgrass basket-making class at the Coastal Discovery Museum one Saturday. The class, led by Charleston Native, Daurus Niles is taught once a month on Saturday’s and is a way to enjoy a genuine lowcountry experience on your next trip to Hilton Head Island.

Gray and the sweetgrass basket “starter”

Sweetgrass basket making is a Gullah/Geechee tradition that dates back to Africa.  300 years ago, the baskets made primarily by men. When farming and agriculture progressed, over time, men left the basket making tradition for work.  Then, as slaves, women (and men) who were healthy & able, worked in the fields.  The basket making was then left to elderly or pregnant women. Now, there are a small group of people committed to keeping this tradition & cultural heritage alive…you can find them selling their baskets in the open-aired markets of Charleston & Beaufort, or on the property of Coastal Discovery Museum daily.

Charleston Native, Daurus Niles leads the class

Table of sweetgrass, bulrush, pine needles & palm frond strips

When we first arrived, we went around the table and introduced ourselves.  Daurus told us about her & her family’s history of sweetgrass basket making and explained all the tools to the group.  We started off with a “starter” basket, seen above.

The baskets are made up of the following materials;

  • Sweet Grass – found in wooded swamp areas but rare to find in nature now, usually cultivated in landscaping
  • Bulrush – which is a saltwater marsh grass
  • Long Leaf Pine Needles
  • Palm Fronds, stripped

The basket making “tool” was the end of a fork or spoon shown below.  Sawed off with the markings of years of basket making, these “tools” are called “nail-bones”, as historically they were first the ribcages of a cow or horse, then nails and now the end of a utensil.  You could tell mine had years of love and thousands of hours of basket making with it.

A basket in the making

Gray was a little too young to spend the hour and a half class making the basket so we went and explored the property.

The old Hack pool once was home to an alligator!

Needing a break, we sat outside and played in the fountain, which took the place of the pool when the property was the old Hack hunting grounds.  We walked on the pier and watched for birds and fiddler crabs and walked all around the property – seeing the bee’s that make authentic Honey Horn Honey (available in the gift shop) – walking through the Gullah garden –  and visiting the Marsh Tacky Gullah Horses, Comet & Tadpole.

 

Gray hollering for fiddler crabs!

Gullah Garden

The bees who produce local “Honey Horn Honey” which you can find in the gift shop at the museum

Wandering around the property, we found Michael Smalls (cousin to Daurus), a Native Island sweetgrass basket maker who sells his baskets at Coastal Discovery Museum daily.  Michael told us tales of leaning the art of sweetgrass basket making from his family and how he decided to quit his job and focus on this art full-time, ensuring he helps to preserve Gullah Culture.

Gray collecting rocks for Mr. Smalls

Basket maker Michael Smalls shows off his “nailbone”

I encourage you to take a sweetgrass basket making class at the museum during your next vacation. It is a great way for a family of all ages to enjoy their time together while learning about a culture that is worth preserving.  These baskets are made with love, heart, history and patience, in the atmosphere of the Museum, steeped in history.

If you go:

Call Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn at 843.689.6767 x 0 to book the class.

Find a list of all of their classes online here: www.coastaldiscovery.org

Comet giving Gray kisses

Michael Smalls sells his baskets daily at Coastal Discovery Museum

 

 

 

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Easter Abound On Hilton Head Island!

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Ahhh, Spring, my absolute favorite time of the year on Hilton Head Island!  With so many festivals & events “Springing” up around the Island – one weekend just rolls into the next with lots of family friendly activities!  Our Easter activities will be starting up this weekend at Wingfest and rolling through Easter Sunday, March 31st.

Joe, Gray and I hope to see you there!

This Saturday, you will find our family and friends at Shelter Cove Community Park for Wingfest from 11am – 6pm. This annual event is celebrating its 18th year with a competitive wing challenge for amateurs & professionals alike! A great community event, this is a “can’t miss” while vacationing on Hilton Head Island.

Adjacent to Shelter Cove Community Park is Veteran’s Park, where the Island Rec Center will be hosting their annual Easter Egg Hunt at 11am on the same day.  So we will be starting our day off with the Easter Egg Hunt (divided by ages) and then making our way to Wingfest for some food & music!  Deas Guys will be rocking starting at 1pm and lawn chairs are encouraged!  Plus – Easter Egg Hunt participants get free entry to the Kid’s Zone at Wingfest featuring bouncy houses and slides!

Easter Egg Hunt on Hilton Head Island

Gray holding onto his stick at the Easter Egg Hunt on Hilton Head

 Last year, when Gray was just 15 months, he only captured one egg and a stick…let’s see how he does now at 2!

Insider Tips –

  • With the construction at the Mall at Shelter Cove, parking may be a challenge.  Ride bikes instead if you can; new bike racks were just put up at the park!  Saturday they will offer shuttle service from the Arts Center and other nearby locations.
  • Can’t make Wingfest on Saturday – no worries as they have created a Friday night event!  Stop by from 5-8pm for drinks and food with music by Treble Jay!

 

The day after Wingfest on Sunday, March 24th, Providence Presbyterian Church on the South end of Hilton Head Island will host a day of family fun celebrating Easter from noon – 3pm.  There will be an Easter Egg Hunt broken up by ages starting at 12:30, kids and teen activities, festival games and prizes and food. There is no cost to attend and the event is open to the public.  Bring your own Easter Basket join in the fun!

 

Mitchelville Historic Park Run

How about some exercise to burn off that candy and ham?  On Saturday morning, March 30th join the Mitchelville Preservation Project for a fun run for kids and adults through Historic Mitchelville!  This 5k run will take you through the mossy oaks, beaches and history of this home to Contraband Slaves 150 years ago.  There will be a children’s ½ mile walk and a cross fit warm up.  Register here or by calling 843.255.7300.  Race time starts at 9am, pre-register that day starts at 7am.  Location is 229 Beach City Road – Fish Haul Park.  The Easter Bunny will also be making an appearance!

 

Insider Tip:

  • If you have not yet been to the Historic Mitchelville Site, make it a point to stop by on Saturday morning even If you can’t participate in the event.  The oaks are majestic, the view of Port Royal Sound is amazing and this event is for a great Historic Preservation cause.

 

On Saturday, March 30th, Central Church, located mid-Island, off 278 is having a free Easter Egg Hunt with over 5000 eggs!  Yes, 5000 eggs – can you say “Island’s Biggest Easter Egg Hunt” anyone?!?  Everyone is invited to join in games and celebration starting at 10am; Easter egg hunt starts at 10:30 & is age appropriate for babies through 5th grade – again this hunt will be divided by ages.

The next morning, March 31st, Pastor Michael Carr will lead a standing-room-only crowd at The Westin Resort in Port Royal Plantation for Easter Sunday Sunrise-Service.  This dynamic worship starts at 7am with follow up services at 9:30 and 11am back at Central Church.  Children’s classes will be offered as well at Central at 9:30 & 11.  If you are looking for a sunrise service on Hilton Head Island – this is where you want to be.

Easter Sunday Sunrise Service on Hilton Head Island

 

Insider Tip:

  • An easy way to avoid the traffic at the Westin on Easter Sunday morning is to park at Islanders Beach and walk up to the Westin.  This service is well known throughout the Lowcountry and always draws the masses.  If you have not yet heard Pastor Carr lead this worship, please try to attend.  It will touch every heart and start your Easter Sunday off right!

 

Have some additional Easter tips on Hilton Head Island?  Tweet me @heatherrath!

New Addition — Looking for brunch on Easter Sunday on Hilton Head?  My friends at the Skull Creek Boathouse will be serving up a scrumptious selection of brunch items and will feature an appearance by the Easter Bunny and an Easter Egg Hunt at 11am!

Enjoy your Easter!  I hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday filled with joy and fun.

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Snow Day Is Back On Hilton Head Island!

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Snow Day 2012!

A family friendly event that the my friends and I look forward to each year, Snow Day 2013 will kick off this Saturday, January 26th from 11-4 at Shelter Cove Community Park on Hilton Head Island.  Sponsored by Hilton Head Chrysler-Ram-Jeep-Dodge to benefit The Island Rec Center Scholarship Fund, Snow Day offers kids and adults the opportunity to play in a massive field of man-made snow using the same equipment you would find at a major ski resort!

Duck and Cover!

Throw some snowballs, build a snowman and make memories, all within the comforts of our comfortable Hilton Head Island weather!

Snowball Fight!

Just $10 per child ages 2-17, parents are free, Snow Day will also have a fire pit for roasting marshmallows!  There will also be bouncy houses, food for sale, beer & wine for the parents and an area for little ones to play on their own.

Hula Hooping from 2012

Gray (2 years)  is just now getting old enough to enjoy an event like this and Joe and I are so excited to take him – it’s going to be a frenzy of kids and snow!  Also, the mall demolition is happening right next to the park, so we will be able to show him the giant real-life construction trucks!  Hope to see y’all there!

Even The Little Ones Get To Play!

For more information, click here or call 843.681.7273

Photos courtesy of The Hilton Head Island Recreation Association

 

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Santa, The Salty Dog & South Beach Inn!

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Gray Checking Out Santa!

One of our favorite holiday family traditions in December is visiting Santa at The South Beach Inn in South Beach Marina.  Normally one of the busiest areas on the Island in the summer, during the winter months the Marina in Sea Pines takes on a slower pace, giving Gray (23 months) room to roam free.  He loves to point out each of the boats, kayaks and canoes, run on the docks and see the famous South Beach Parrots.

Salty Dog & South Beach Parrots!

Nativity Scene

South Beach Marina is modeled in the spirit of a quaint New England fishing village and each year it is fully decked out in the holiday spirit with white lights, nativity scene, garland and holly and the Inn hosts Santa Clause!

The Outside Bar Has Phone Chargers – What Service!

My husband Joe and I love to play tourist by starting our South Beach Marina visit at The Salty Dog and always make our first stop at the infamous Salty Dog Outside Bar (heated in winter) where we order up fun drinks.

Everyone Loves A Salty Dog T-Shirt For The Holidays!

Then, we make our way through the village, checking out the holiday sales and picking up last-minute-gifts in The Salty Dog Store for family and friends.  We stop and see the parrots and then make our way to Santa at the Inn. The Inn is so quaint with rooms overlooking the village and the marina.  When Santa comes to visit, there is cookies and cider for the kids, plus a wish list that you can mail to the North Pole!

Cookies, Cider and a Wish List

Send A Letter To The North Pole!

When you are planning your holiday visit or daytrip to Hilton Head Island, make sure Santa at The South Beach Inn & a quick trip to The Salty Dog are high on your list.  Santa and Pina Coladas truly make it a Lowcountry Christmas!
Check The South Beach Inn website for 2013 Santa dates and times.

 

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Thanksgiving Hayrides at The Sea Pines Resort

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One of the most family friendly activities on Hilton Head Island can be found within The Sea Pines Resort during the Thanksgiving holiday week.  If you have not been, The Sea Pines Resort was the first planned vacation/retirement/living community of its kind and boasts recreation for all activity levels.  Whether you are interested in kayaking, fishing, paddleboarding or just some playtime in Harbourtown, Sea Pines has it all for the family.

I was able to take Gray (23 months) on the hayride – what a great adventure for us!  We started at Heritage Farms, which is the local community farm for Sea Pines residents.  We were treated to cider and cookies and walked around the farm while waiting to load on the tractor.

Once on the tractor, our informed and hospitable guides took us by Lake Joe & Lake Mary in the Sea Pines Forest Preserve as we learned more about the animals that reside there.  We watched out for alligators, but most have been in hibernation with the recent dip in temperatures.  The guides educated us on the birds, trees, and turtles.

The Sea Pines Forest Preserve is a gem on Hilton Head Island, carved out during the development of The Sea Pines Resort & Community, this 605 acre preserve is host to bike trails, lakes, fishing piers, a wildflower field and so much more.  My husband and I enjoy taking Gray there for walks in the woods, especially to the 400 year old Indian Shell Ring, which is listed on the National Historic Register.  We find such joy in the peace and quiet there, while connecting with nature.  The Forest Preserve is an incredible place to stop for lunch or to spend the day exploring with your family.

The foliage and fall colors were beautiful against the lake.

 

I wish you and your family a very Happy Thanksgiving!  If you are on Hilton Head, make sure to call The Sea Pines Resort to book your reservation for the hayride!  The cost is $15 per adult and $10 per child.  Times vary and they leave from Heritage farms on Tuesday the 20th, Wednesday the 21st, Thursday the 22nd,  Friday the 23rd and Saturday the 24th.  Sea Pines is also hosting a Thanksgiving scavenger hunt on Thursday the 22nd and a fishing tournament for the family at Fish Island on Friday the 23rd starting at 10am.  Call 843.842.1979 for reservations and information.

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Sandbox & The Salty Dog For Halloween Festivities!

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The Saturday before Halloween on Hilton Head Island is always filled with plenty of places to show off your kids costume on Hilton Head Island!  This year, we took Gray to two places, The Sandbox Children’s Museum for their annual “Spooktacular” Halloween and to The Salty Dog, for their Halloween Festival!

 

The Sandbox, located off Pope Ave behind St. Andrew By The Sea Methodist Church, is an indoor educational playplace where children and parents can learn and play together.  They were decked out for Halloween and had games, prizes and a costume contest for the kids!

Don’t peek! Stick your hands in the box and take a guess!

Even the Staff was in full spirits as a witch, princess and farmer!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After we left the Sandbox, we went down to the Salty Dog for their festival!  They had a costume parade, tons of food and more games too.  The kids ran around until they were breathless, all with amazing views for the parents of South Beach Marina! 

Salty Dog Costume Parade!

Jake, The Salty Dog. Photo Courtesy of The Salty Dog

How cute are these costumes for Halloween I found at The Salty Dog Retail Store?  What a fun way to celebrate The Salty Dog style, no matter where you are!

The “Witch” of the Salty Dog!

Be a Salty Dog Cat with a Salty Dog Dog!