Planning Your Time

The small-scale and comparative lack of traffic in most of the Lowcountry [1] are its more charming aspects. Don’t let that fool you into thinking you can knock everything out in a day, though. That would defeat the purpose, which is not only to see the sights but to fully enjoy its laidback, slow, and leisurely pace.

The common-sense game plan is to use the centrally located Beaufort [2] as a home base. Not only is it easy to get from there to anywhere else in the area, but there’s also a preponderance of affordable and charming lodging [3].

Take at least a half-day of leisure to walk all over Beaufort. There’s no need to hurry; just do what the locals do and take everything in its own time. Another full day should go to St. Helena’s Penn Center [4] and on to Hunting Island [5].

If you’re in the mood for a road trip, dedicate a full day to tour the surrounding area to the north and northeast, with perhaps a jaunt to the ACE Basin National Wildlife Refuge [6], and a stop at the Old Sheldon Church Ruins [7] in the late afternoon on your way back to Beaufort. If you have extra time, split it between Port Royal [8] and a tour of the historic and military sites of interest on Parris Island [9].

While the New York accents fly fast and furious on Hilton Head Island [10], that’s no reason for you to rush. Certainly a casual visitor can do Hilton Head in a day but its natural attractions beg for a more considered sort of enjoyment. Plan on at least a half-day just to enjoy the fine, broad beaches [11] alone. I recommend another half-day to tour the island itself, maybe including a stop at Charlie’s L’Etoile Verte [12] in Sea Pines for a late lunch or dinner.

While most of the marketing materials make scant mention of it, nature-lovers shouldn’t miss the Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge [13], gorgeous enough to be a must-see, but small and convenient enough to fully enjoy in a few hours.