2013 Hilton Head lovers thread

[okw2012]

Hello everyone,

Here is my monthly weather forecast for HHI. Not only temperature: the official NOAA forecast says something about precipitation this time.

Jan-Mar: average
Apr-May: warm and dry
Jun-Sep: warm
Oct-Dec: average

These are **average** forecasted conditions for each month. Even when the forecast is correct, weather on individual days can be quite different from the average.

More details here:

http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/produc...ason/13_seasonal_outlooks/color/churchill.php

 

[GetGlowing]

Are their landmark signs that you can read from the free shuttle? I am just wondering if we took the free shuttle if we would know what we are looking at?What would you recommend?

From the free shuttle you probably won't know what you're looking at. The shuttle provides no narration and it goes through the historic district at a quick clip. But it's free and it gets you from one place to the other. If you want narration or historical interpretation, there are trolley tours for that, but at a price. From my understanding they are not hop on/hop off tours like I'm used to in St Augustine. I think you have to do the whole loop.

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[mickeyplanner]

From the free shuttle you probably won't know what you're looking at. The shuttle provides no narration and it goes through the historic district at a quick clip. But it's free and it gets you from one place to the other. If you want narration or historical interpretation, there are trolley tours for that, but at a price. From my understanding they are not hop on/hop off tours like I'm used to in St Augustine. I think you have to do the whole loop.

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Do you know if they have Grey Line tours on buses that we can get on and off on with narration? That is what we are used to doing in other cities. Did you eat at the Pink Lady?

 

[GetGlowing]

No to the Pink Lady.

There are two, maybe three, companies with tours downtown. They are on trolley buses, if you know what I mean: a series of open-air passenger trolley cars pulled by one lead vehicle.

I was last there 9 mos ago so the finer details are getting a little rusty without research.

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[jmpellet]

My RCI accounts says 80 days until my DVC HHI vacation. We will be there starting on April 14 -- so excited! We are driving from MA so hopefully all will go well. I will be looking for routes to avoid that's for sure.

 

[ProudMommyof2]

My RCI accounts says 80 days until my DVC HHI vacation. We will be there starting on April 14 -- so excited! We are driving from MA so hopefully all will go well. I will be looking for routes to avoid that's for sure.

I would really like to hear how you are planning this and how it goes. We will be driving from RI in July!

 

[jmpellet]

I would really like to hear how you are planning this and how it goes. We will be driving from RI in July!

We are just over the border so I can let you know. Plan to drive to Frederickburg, VA first day and then onto HHI!

 

[JMW123]

My RCI accounts says 80 days until my DVC HHI vacation. We will be there starting on April 14 -- so excited! We are driving from MA so hopefully all will go well. I will be looking for routes to avoid that's for sure.

Have driven from NH to HHI many times as my parents are snowbirds down there from Oct to May. Plan the drive around rush hour in NYC and DC. Baltimore(or richmond to a lesser degree) is a great midpoint if you can't handle the 17 hrs straight.

Not sure what the timing is this year, but there is usually a PGA tour event around the time you are going. Expect the Island to be really busy for the week of that event.

 

[JMW123]

I'm thinking of booking a late march 2014 trip for DDs spring break, I was looking at the average weather for march and it seemed alright but of course May and June look a lot better weather wise. I was wanting to ask if anyone's been to HHI near the end of march and how the weather and temp was? Or if I should just plan on doing early summer (not sure if I can get early summer with dvc 7mo)

Been going there for easter every year for the last 4 years to visit my parents. Weather is really hit or miss that time of year. I have been coming from NH, so when I get there I am playing golf regardless of weather, but I have been there in years where it has been as low 45 and as high 80. I would expect 65 as the norm, great golfing and biking weather, but not really swimming weather.

 

[JMW123]

One last tip for all you HHI'ers.

Go to "The Jazz Corner" for dinner one night, some of the best food on the island and you will be amazed by the music that goes on there. Truly a can't miss.

Oh yeah, and make a reservation because it can book up like Cinderella's Royal Table.

 

[mickeyplanner]

OK, call me nuts but I have started trying to plan the drive from Pittsburgh to HHI for our upcoming trip June 2013. I am looking for any feedback/recommendations, please.

I thought if my family left on Friday, June 21, 2013 after I get off work at 3pm and drive to either Princeton, WV or Wytheville, VA. Has anyone made stops at either of these places?

Then on Saturday, June 22, 2013 I thought about maybe stopping at the Fort Chiswell Animal Park and other tourist stops along the way to help break up our drive. We plan to stay over night in either Hardeeville, SC or Bluffton, SC. Has anyone made stops at either of these places?

Then we thought we would get up and stop at a grocery store before heading over to HHI and trying to check-in early or at least changing and using the pool. We will be traveling with our DD6 and DS2.

 

[jmpellet]

Have driven from NH to HHI many times as my parents are snowbirds down there from Oct to May. Plan the drive around rush hour in NYC and DC. Baltimore(or richmond to a lesser degree) is a great midpoint if you can't handle the 17 hrs straight.

Not sure what the timing is this year, but there is usually a PGA tour event around the time you are going. Expect the Island to be really busy for the week of that event.

Yup PGA tour there that week. Could be good or could be bad We are leaving Saturday am so hopefully we'll avoid the city traffic. We frequently go to Maine and easily do 3 hours but I'm certain the 17 hours will not work so we'll hopefully do about 8.5 and 8.5.

 

[JMW123]

Yup PGA tour there that week. Could be good or could be bad We are leaving Saturday am so hopefully we'll avoid the city traffic. We frequently go to Maine and easily do 3 hours but I'm certain the 17 hours will not work so we'll hopefully do about 8.5 and 8.5.

The PGA event is a lot of fun to walk around at, but you need tickets to get in. The tournament is held in the Sea Pines Plantation At Harbour Town. Normally Harbour Town is one of the best places to visit on HHI (It is where the famous lighthouse is), but don't plan on driving there during the tournament, it is not worth it. You should definitely check out Sea Pines though as it is the nicest plantation on the island and quite unique. If you are going to drive in to Sea Pines, visit and park at the South Beach Marina (Where the Salty Dog Restaurant is). If you really want to see Harbour town/ the PGA hoopla either make the long bike ride in from DVC or park at Sea Pines marina and rent bikes there to head over to Harbour Town. Sea Pines has the best bike paths on the island by far.

 

[tinkerbellybutton]

From what I have read there are two weekly "special meals" held at HH. Looks like a low country boil and a pirate BBQ. Can anyone tell me more about these? What day of the week, what is served, location, and any other details anyone may have. Thanks!

 

[vakamalua]

From what I have read there are two weekly "special meals" held at HH. Looks like a low country boil and a pirate BBQ. Can anyone tell me more about these? What day of the week, what is served, location, and any other details anyone may have. Thanks!

I think the Low Country Boil schedule will vary by season. It's served at the Beach House and is pricey. We did it October 2012 and it wasn't very good. Except for the Pecan Topped Sweet Potato Casserole, all the food was really bland.

 

[vakamalua]

FYI: the sofa in the villa's living room is the MOST UNCOMFORTABLE piece of furniture we ever sat on. You always feel like you're falling off. Thank goodness for the rockers on the deck!

 

[tinkerbellybutton]

I think the Low Country Boil schedule will vary by season. It's served at the Beach House and is pricey. We did it October 2012 and it wasn't very good. Except for the Pecan Topped Sweet Potato Casserole, all the food was really bland.

There is a slight possibility we will be there 4th of July weekend, from Wednesday till Sunday. Any idea when these meals take place during that time frame?

 

[staceymay00]

FYI: the sofa in the villa's living room is the MOST UNCOMFORTABLE piece of furniture we ever sat on. You always feel like you're falling off. Thank goodness for the rockers on the deck!

Totally agree, we had the same opinion about the sofa at HHI! The feeling of about to fall forward off the sofa was not comfortable. I did really like the table with the corner bench, and the large balcony with a marsh view off our dedicated 2BR. It's been a few years, but I think the balcony had a long bench and table that you could use for a meal.

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[csharpwv]

Hey Mickeyplanner!

We are about 1.5 hours south of you in WV - we have made the drive straight through from the Hazleton, PA area (it was insane!)

We have also made the drive several times from home.

We overnight in Charlotte, NC - it is a little further, but you get in earlier and can hit the grocery store and still have time to fix dinner in your villa!

Charlotte is only about 2 hours further south than Wytheville, VA - but then again - we are 1.5 hours south of you... so Charlotte, NC is just about our Wytheville, VA.

Princeton is a great place to stop over, plenty of restaurants, and VERY easy return to the interstate.

If you are willing to go a little off the beaten path, there is a GREAT Bed and Breakfast in Bluefield, WV - the Dian-Lee House

OR The Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Spring, WV would be a very nice little detour!

If you go to the Greenbrier, you could also check out Lewisburg, WV - one of America's coolest little towns!

It would be a little vacation before you vacation!

 

[mickeyplanner]

Hey Mickeyplanner!

We are about 1.5 hours south of you in WV - we have made the drive straight through from the Hazleton, PA area (it was insane!)

We have also made the drive several times from home.

We overnight in Charlotte, NC - it is a little further, but you get in earlier and can hit the grocery store and still have time to fix dinner in your villa!

Charlotte is only about 2 hours further south than Wytheville, VA - but then again - we are 1.5 hours south of you... so Charlotte, NC is just about our Wytheville, VA.

Princeton is a great place to stop over, plenty of restaurants, and VERY easy return to the interstate.

If you are willing to go a little off the beaten path, there is a GREAT Bed and Breakfast in Bluefield, WV - the Dian-Lee House

OR The Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Spring, WV would be a very nice little detour!

If you go to the Greenbrier, you could also check out Lewisburg, WV - one of America's coolest little towns!

It would be a little vacation before you vacation!

Thank you, we are definately interested in making this be a little vacation before our vacation. I think we are going to skip the bed and breakfast with our kids.

We wont' be able to drive to Charlotte that first night since we will be getting on the road at 3pm on Friday afternoon. But maybe on the drive home we can stop there for lunch or something?

Sounds like we should stop over night in Princeton that first night, that will be slightly over a 4 hour drive for us. The kids can swim at the hotel pool a little and then we start on our journey on Saturday into SC. I would like to stay pretty close Saturday night to HHI so we can hit the beach on Sunday.

Maybe on the drive home, we can stop in Greenbrier and Lewisburg. I will check those places out today.