Make Incentive Travel Unforgettable on Hilton Head Island

Meetings may set the agenda on your Hilton Head Island business trip, but it’s the experiences that make your time here memorable.Once your laptop closes, the Lowcountry comes alive: tee off at championship golf courses, explore the island’s scenic waterways by kayak or paddleboard, team up for guided biking tours, or bond over culinary experiences featuring fresh, local flavors—not to mention festivals and live performances set  in iconic Lowcountry venues. 
 

Hilton Head Island is a world-class golf destination, home to 23 celebrated courses. Designed by legends (such as Pete Dye, Davis Love III, and Jack Nicklaus) and host to world-class tournaments, these fairways welcome year-round play thanks to our mild climate, but fall just might be the perfect time to tee off.

At Oyster Reef Golf Club, you’ll find a course that has stood the test of time. First celebrated as one of America’s Top 25 New Courses when it opened in 1982, it remains one of Hilton Head Island’s most rewarding golf experiences. 

Up for a challenge? Another standout is the Arthur Hills course at Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort, the recipient of a 2025 TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice award. This 18-hole favorite is consistently ranked among the most exciting courses in the area, thanks to plenty of water hazards, thick stands of palmettos, and lagoons winding through 10 different holes. 

Bear Creek Golf Club’s Par 72 Championship Course is designed for every level of play, with five sets of tees that invite seasoned golfers and newcomers. The meticulously maintained greens, surfaced with state-of-the-art Super Dwarf TifEagle Bermuda grass, are among the finest on Hilton Head Island.

No list is complete without Harbour Town Golf Links at The Sea Pines Resort. This course is famed as the home of the RBC Heritage tournament, where legends like Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson, Davis Love III, Jordan Spieth, Scottie Scheffler, and most recently Justin Thomas, have battled it out.

Great news for visiting golfers: Harbour Town Golf Links reopens in November 2025 following a careful restoration inspired by Pete Dye’s original design. The course preserves the classic shot values fans love while upgrading agronomy, maintenance, greens, bunkers, and bulkheads. TifEagle greens and Celebration Bermuda fairways, tees, and rough remain in place, ensuring the playing experience stays true to its legendary reputation.
 

Venture out for a taste of the Lowcountry—you won’t have to go far. Hilton Head Island’s culinary scene is vast, with more than 250 restaurants packed into just 69 scenic square miles. Fresh-caught shrimp, local oysters, and seasonal produce anchor menus that stretch from casual seafood shacks to fine dining favorites led by award-winning chefs.

If it’s your first time on Hilton Head Island, a few dishes are non-negotiable. For a true Southern staple, start with shrimp and grits at Black Marlin Bayside Grill, best enjoyed under the shade of its breezy covered patio. Another classic? The Lowcountry boil, a soulful yet straightforward dish of shrimp, corn, and sausage. For an authentic version, A Lowcountry Backyard is the place to go.

Seafood lovers will feel right at home here. And for visitors coming from inland, the experience is an even greater delight. Hilton Head Island is surrounded by bountiful waters and spoiled with generations of skilled fishers who know how to source the best seafood, often delivering it from the dock to your dish on the same day.

For a casual, waterfront experience, grab a table at Hudson’s On The Dock and watch the fresh harvest arrive as the shrimp boats roll in. For a relaxed yet elevated scene, The Quarterdeck at The Sea Pines Resort offers a rooftop oyster bar beside the iconic Harbour Town Lighthouse. And for a white-tablecloth experience, Alexander’s Restaurant & Wine Bar at Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort serves seasonal seafood in a bright, airy dining room overlooking lush lagoons.

Dine at The Quarterdeck at The Sea Pines Resort, offering a rooftop oyster bar next to the iconic Harbour Town Lighthouse. Or settle in at Alexander’s Restaurant & Wine Bar at Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort for seasonal seafood served in a bright, airy dining room overlooking lush lagoons. To see our fishers at work, grab a table at Hudson’s On The Dock and watch the fresh harvest arrive dockside as the shrimp boats roll in.

When the sun sets, it’s time to clock in even more fun. Unwind after a full day with a happy hour at Side Hustle Brewing Co., known for its award-winning craft beers. Or, stop by the retro-inspired Local Legend Brewing Company, where an inclusive menu (including vegan and vegetarian options) makes it a crowd-pleasing gathering spot. For those not ready to call it a night, Hilton Head Island offers plenty to keep the evening going, from comedy shows to sports bars and live music. 

Hilton Head Island’s cultural scene rivals its natural beauty with countless galleries, museums, live performances, and historical tours. Every great trip needs a soundtrack, so we recommend starting with a night of music.

Tap your foot to smooth sounds at The Jazz Corner, one of the area’s most beloved music venues, or catch a show by the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra or Hilton Head Choral Society.  If theater is more your style, the award-winning Arts Center of Coastal Carolina brings the stage to life with inspired productions.

If your schedule allows, dedicate an afternoon to exploring the richness of Gullah culture, which remains an essential part of Hilton Head Island’s identity. Begin at the Smithsonian-affiliated Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn, home to acres of historic buildings, centuries-old trees, and immersive programs, like sweetgrass basket workshops. For those with more time to explore, the Gullah Heritage Trail Tour offers a guided bus trip that weaves together stories, landmarks, and traditions.

Then, visit Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park, a landmark site commemorating the first self-governed community of formerly enslaved people in the United States, established during the Civil War.

One of the many advantages of hosting or attending a conference on Hilton Head Island is the variety of local events that can seamlessly integrate into your agenda. This fall brings a calendar brimming with some of the island’s most anticipated celebrations.

From October 10 to November 23, Crescendo transforms Hilton Head Island into a stage for the arts. Conferences by day can easily give way to evenings of theatrical productions, museum and gallery exhibits, poetry readings, dance performances, historical tours, and hands-on arts experiences.

The centuries-old love story between man and machine has no better showcase than at the Hilton Head Island Motoring Festival & Concours d’Elegance, taking place October 29 to November 2. This nationally acclaimed event showcases automotive history and design by bringing together collectors, enthusiasts, and over 500 cars, boats, motorcycles, and aircraft.

And if your visit coincides with the Hilton Head Island Oyster Festival, consider it perfect timing. For more than 30 years, this beloved island tradition has drawn locals and visitors together for one of the Lowcountry’s biggest celebrations. Think all-you-can-eat steamed oysters, Lowcountry boil, pulled pork, seafood chowder, and chili, all served in a bustling setting complete with live music and vendor pop-ups.
 

Ready to meet on island time? On Hilton Head Island, business trips offer more to discover and new ways to connect way beyond business as usual. Start planning your meeting, conference, or incentive trip today.