In partnership with Hilton Head Island
Visit and explore Hilton Head Island during ‘shoulder seasons’ – those quieter, golden, off-peak periods, in the spring (April and May) and fall (September and October) when the weather is pleasantly warm and the local seafood is bountiful. Here’s what Wallpaper* recommends to make the most of your time on America’s Favourite Island.
Stay and Dine at The Sea Pines Resort
Located within Sea Pines Resort, The Inn & Club at Harbour Town is well-regarded as a premier luxury destination. The sprawling 5,000-acre grounds invite exploration with their serene Harbour Town Yacht Basin, championship golf courses, scenic beaches, and lush landscape – the lifelong vision of American real estate developer Charles E Fraser, who transformed Hilton Head Island from a sparsely inhabited island into a world-class destination. The Inn’s 60 coastal-inspired rooms depict soft sea glass blues and dune tones, allowing moments of relaxation. For extra indulgence, the Fairway Suite awaits with two master bedrooms, a kitchenette, and a private terrace. Dining within the Sea Pines Resort is a treat, with restaurant Quarterdeck’s signature grill dishes and award-winning wine list being the perfect end to any day.
7 Lighthouse Ln, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
Rent a bike, go kayaking or simply enjoy nature
On Hilton Head Island, expect greenery to envelop you all year round – Carolina’s signature Spanish moss adorns ancient oaks, while palm trees line the pathways. Biking is the ideal way to navigate it all, with more than 60 miles of leisure pathways to explore. Nearly 30 rental shops offer around 15,000 bicycles, making it easy to discover the island at your own pace. For a different experience, consider renting a kayak to paddle through the island’s scenic creeks and lagoons. Hilton Head Island is home to eight public beaches, including favourites like Coligny Beach and Burkes Beach.
Lunch at Hudson’s Seafood House On The Docks
A beloved fixture on the island, Hudson’s Seafood House on the Docks combines 44 years of coastal dining with panoramic views of the Intracoastal Waterway. Originally an oyster processing facility founded by the Hudson family in 1912, the venue transitioned to a restaurant in 1968 and now stands as one of the island’s largest eateries. The emblematic spot presents an extensive menu centred around fresh, locally sourced seafood. With over 30 entrées, highlights include fresh oysters, barbequed shrimp, and soft shell crabs straight from the day’s catch when in season, capturing the essence of Lowcountry flavour.
1 Hudson Road, Hilton Head Island, SC 29926
Visit Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park
For a deeper understanding of Hilton Head Island’s history, visit the Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park, a cherished cultural landmark dedicated to preserving the legacy of Mitchelville – America’s first self-governed town of freedmen, founded in 1862 by formerly enslaved people. The park features walking trails, restrooms, parking and beach access. Local Gullah, direct descendants of the original Mitchelville residents, honour their ancestors’ traditions through events like the annual Gullah Celebration, Juneteenth, and a holiday lights show each December.
229 Beach City Rd, Hilton Head Island, SC 29926
Dinner at The Jazz Corner
The Jazz Corner on Hilton Head Island delivers an intimate, candle-lit atmosphere where live jazz harmonises with Southern-inspired cuisine. Founded by late jazz musician and enthusiast Bob Masteller, the venue recalls the ambience of classic Northeastern jazz clubs. Hosting two shows each evening, The Jazz Corner presents a diverse line-up of jazz, swing, rhythm and blues. Savour performances from global artists while enjoying dishes like Cajun Shrimp with smoked gouda grits and the Southwestern Black Bean Cakes with roasted red pepper coulis.
1000 William Hilton Parkway, The Village at Wexford, C-1, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
-
Tour a breathtaking Napa Valley winery where even the architecture has a sense of 'terroir'San Francisco practice Aidlin Darling Design ushers Robert Mondavi Winery, one of California's most storied wine producers, into a glorious new age.
-
GoPro wants to get back in on the action with its new pro-level Mission 1 cinema camerasThe GoPro Mission 1 series of ultra-compact action cameras is designed to offer cinema-grade footage without compromise, undercutting the scale and price of pro-grade gear
-
Inside Agnona’s serene and tactile Milan flagship, a contemporary ode to its rootsThe heritage Italian fashion brand honours its history with the new store design – take a tour with creative director Stefano Aimone
-
Sushisamba has finally reached Los AngelesBrazil meets Japan in a vibrant, design-led space of bold flavours, signature sushi, and high-energy dining from cocktails to late-night beats
-
Once a Gilded Age boarding house for ‘respectable’ young ladies, a New York landmark is reborn as a sophisticated hotelThe Twenty Two New York is the first overseas outpost of the London hotel and club of the same name. Here’s our review
-
A Tuscan breeze courses through this serene San Francisco restaurantVia Aurelia is a softly hued fine dining haunt bringing a sense of old-world charm to the Mission Rock neighbourhood
-
Slow down at a modernist Joshua Tree hotelSet among 180 acres of high desert, Reset Hotel is an intimate bolthole designed around stillness and relaxation
-
In Los Angeles, Lielle reimagines fine diningFour years after relocating to LA, chef Marcus Jernmark unveils his first stateside restaurant, offering an elevated, family-style dining experience
-
Tour One&Only Moonlight Basin, a new alpine luxury retreat in Big SkyOne&Only’s first stateside property promises an elevated, art-filled American West escape
-
Tuscan steakhouse tradition lands at the Waldorf Astoria Beverly HillsInspired by the Chianti countryside, Edoardo Baldi’s new Beverly Hills steakhouse focuses on olive-wood grilled beef, regional pastas, and Italian wines
-
6 essential independent movie theaters to visit in Los AngelesWith dazzling interiors and captivating films, these historic movie palaces are keeping the magic of the silver screen alive
