Budget Ideas on Hilton Head Island??

[TNKBELL]

My family of 8 will be going to Hilton Head Island after a week in Orlando this fall.
We already have our reservations, we will be staying at Coral Reef Resort.
As with all of our vacations, we will be on a pretty tight budget.
I am hoping all you awesome frugalians out there can give me a few tips!

Are there some free or inexpensive tourist attractions or must do/see activities? We do plan on renting bikes and travel the island over and go to the beach. How about dining...any tips? We will be staying in a townhome with a full kitchen, so we can eat some meals there, but we do like to eat out a little while on vacation...just not break the bank.

Thanks for your help...you all really do rock!

 

[Princess Nancy]

We go to HHI.

Definitely go see Greg Russell at Harbour Town one night. Free.

If you can tear yourself away from the beach in time, the early bird specials are great!

We spend most of our time on the beach.

We like to beach hop. The disney beach is fun. Then we eat Mickey Bars!!

 

[Priorityonecb]

We love exploring Harbour Town. We also always eat at the Salty Dog. Although our last meal there wasn't as good as years past, so we may be looking for a new favorite! We have friends who live on Sea Pines, we love just driving all around that area.

 

[Priorityonecb]

I wanted to also add, there is a Disney resort hotel there! We stayed there once in the fall, and got a huge two room suite for less than $80! It is not on the beach, but they have a bus that will take you to their private beach. They have bike rentals, and lots of daily activities for kids and families.

 

[newtodcl]

Free toppings.
hiltonheadicecreamshop.com

Get two pints and share instead of all individual cones if you can agree

Up the Creek Pub - a bit of a drive depending on what side of the island you are on, but really good food and a great view of the water and the thu night fireworks! http://www.broadcreekmarinahh.com/pdf/pubmenu-6-19-2010.pdf

Also took a dolphin tour at the same marina, super nice owners and reasonable (even the cokes on board were not ridiculous)
http://www.hiltonheadtours.com/


oh, and Harolds diner for the best burger ever if you can handle the surly attitude (they were nice to our little ones, but we did hear one swear word)
several grocery stores have reasonable pre-made selections that can be reheated....

We just vacationed there last summer after usually going to Destin and we all had a wonderful time.

 

[skw444]

We did the Hilton Head Tours dolphin tours which was the most reasonable priced one ($16/adults, $8/kids).

We walked around Harbour Town and saw Greg Russell which was free.

Frankie Bones has a great early bird special. Also, Sea Shack was good food and relatively inexpensive.

Also, register at Hilton Head Insiders: http://www.hiltonheadisland.org/hilton-head-insider/
We were able to print off a discount card that we showed at several places to get a discount. We ate at One Hot Mama's one night and used the discount card there.

 

[blessedby3]

We did the Hilton Head Tours dolphin tours which was the most reasonable priced one ($16/adults, $8/kids).

We walked around Harbour Town and saw Greg Russell which was free.

Frankie Bones has a great early bird special. Also, Sea Shack was good food and relatively inexpensive.

Also, register at Hilton Head Insiders: http://www.hiltonheadisland.org/hilton-head-insider/
We were able to print off a discount card that we showed at several places to get a discount. We ate at One Hot Mama's one night and used the discount card there.

We LOVE Hilton Head Island...its the only beach we go to now! Its so beautiful and not commercialized like Myrtle Beach where we used to go. So many families and not young teens everywhere.
We also eat at the Sea Shack each trip. I saw it on Rachel Ray on episode as a must do. It is literally a hole in the wall with maybe 10 tables in it. You have to go right when they open, or before closing or it will be terribly crowded. You have to wait in a line outside that stretches inside to order. You may also be afraid of the cleanliness of the place...just saying
All that said, my DH says the seafood is really fresh and delicious. I dont eat seafood, but he gives it a thumbs up!
We always stay at a condo with a full kitchen and cook most meals there to save money. We also order pizza on our first night there (easy with the unpacking and grocery shopping) and on our last night.
We have done the dolphin cruise out of Sea Pines. They have a coupon in all the coupon books as do other places. Pick up some of them and scour them for food and activity coupons.
We just love to park it on the beach and totally relax at HHI. We go every other year and this is our HHI year I was just looking for condo rentals last night

 

[TNKBELL]

Free toppings.
hiltonheadicecreamshop.com

Get two pints and share instead of all individual cones if you can agree

Up the Creek Pub - a bit of a drive depending on what side of the island you are on, but really good food and a great view of the water and the thu night fireworks! http://www.broadcreekmarinahh.com/pdf/pubmenu-6-19-2010.pdf

Also took a dolphin tour at the same marina, super nice owners and reasonable (even the cokes on board were not ridiculous)
http://www.hiltonheadtours.com/

oh, and Harolds diner for the best burger ever if you can handle the surly attitude (they were nice to our little ones, but we did hear one swear word)
several grocery stores have reasonable pre-made selections that can be reheated....

We just vacationed there last summer after usually going to Destin and we all had a wonderful time.

Cool! I saw the Hilton Head Ice Cream Shop online and put that down as a must do! Will they have fireworks in the Fall??? That would be a blast!
Thanks so much!!

 

[TNKBELL]

We LOVE Hilton Head Island...its the only beach we go to now! Its so beautiful and not commercialized like Myrtle Beach where we used to go. So many families and not young teens everywhere.
We also eat at the Sea Shack each trip. I saw it on Rachel Ray on episode as a must do. It is literally a hole in the wall with maybe 10 tables in it. You have to go right when they open, or before closing or it will be terribly crowded. You have to wait in a line outside that stretches inside to order. You may also be afraid of the cleanliness of the place...just saying
All that said, my DH says the seafood is really fresh and delicious. I dont eat seafood, but he gives it a thumbs up!
We always stay at a condo with a full kitchen and cook most meals there to save money. We also order pizza on our first night there (easy with the unpacking and grocery shopping) and on our last night.
We have done the dolphin cruise out of Sea Pines. They have a coupon in all the coupon books as do other places. Pick up some of them and scour them for food and activity coupons.
We just love to park it on the beach and totally relax at HHI. We go every other year and this is our HHI year I was just looking for condo rentals last night

Thats so good to know!! This will be our first time and I am hoping we love it enough to make it our every other year vacation place too!! Thank you!!!

 

[TNKBELL]

We did the Hilton Head Tours dolphin tours which was the most reasonable priced one ($16/adults, $8/kids).

We walked around Harbour Town and saw Greg Russell which was free.

Frankie Bones has a great early bird special. Also, Sea Shack was good food and relatively inexpensive.

Also, register at Hilton Head Insiders: http://www.hiltonheadisland.org/hilton-head-insider/
We were able to print off a discount card that we showed at several places to get a discount. We ate at One Hot Mama's one night and used the discount card there.

I will be sure to register!! Thanks for the tips!!!

 

[TNKBELL]

We go to HHI.

Definitely go see Greg Russell at Harbour Town one night. Free.

If you can tear yourself away from the beach in time, the early bird specials are great!

We spend most of our time on the beach.

We like to beach hop. The disney beach is fun. Then we eat Mickey Bars!!

If you are NOT staying at the Disney Hotel, can you still go to the disney beach?? I would love to get some Mickey Bars!!!

 

[Styx Fan]

We have been there twice and love how pretty it is.

My favorite really cheap thing is a wild life sanctuary/park between the mainland and the island....I think it is it's own little island and not a point off either mainland or island. It's on the north side of the bridge or causeway. Sorry I don't remember the name.

I don't remember paying anything, so it must have been either totally free or just a parking fee. Lots of trails. We saw lots of birds, small animals like chipmunks, and a couple of armadillo's! I have never seen armadillo's in the wild and had not idea they could be in the same place as deer. We all enjoyed that one.

 

[Green Tea]

You can look at the coupon books and find the cheapest bike rentals. They have miles of paths so it is a great way to explore.

A car pass for Sea Pines is $5(?) and you can spend some time looking in the shops and going up in the light house. The shops at ForestBeach are available. Restaurants boutiques, pons with ducks to watch and feed.

There is a restaurant book that prints menus. You can get a good idea of what is available and the costs before you decide where you want to eat.

 

[blessedby3]

You can look at the coupon books and find the cheapest bike rentals. They have miles of paths so it is a great way to explore.

A car pass for Sea Pines is $5(?) and you can spend some time looking in the shops and going up in the light house. The shops at ForestBeach are available. Restaurants boutiques, pons with ducks to watch and feed.

There is a restaurant book that prints menus. You can get a good idea of what is available and the costs before you decide where you want to eat.

I forgot about the $5 parking pass at Sea Pines. When we did the dolphin cruise, I believe they discounted that $5 off our cruise tickets. And they have a plaza (outside of Sea Pines) called Coligny Plaza that has all kinds of little shops and places to eat. It is free and there is entertainment during the evenings in the middle of the plaza. We have seen a magician, singers and one year someone had a bunny that was the size of a small dog that the kids could pet. We really like Coligny Plaza

Another thought--there are outlets on the mainland before you come onto the island. We usually hit those up once during the trip to find some bargains. They are Tanger outlets and there are 2 sets of them. We pick an overcast day or rainy day to do this.

 

[dis-happy]

Save lots of $$$ eating out by doing the Early Bird Specials! You can pick up a restaurant guide when you arrive---it lists most of the restaurants on the island along with menus and prices. In the middle is a section listing the places with early bird specials, mostly between 5 and 6 pm (you have to place your order by then, not be finished eating by then). For the most part you can eat at many wonderful places for around $15. for a 3 course meal.

The best part: you miss the restuarant crowds and have the rest of the evening free to enjoy the beach, etc.

 

[dis-happy]

We have been there twice and love how pretty it is.

My favorite really cheap thing is a wild life sanctuary/park between the mainland and the island....I think it is it's own little island and not a point off either mainland or island. It's on the north side of the bridge or causeway. Sorry I don't remember the name.

I don't remember paying anything, so it must have been either totally free or just a parking fee. Lots of trails. We saw lots of birds, small animals like chipmunks, and a couple of armadillo's! I have never seen armadillo's in the wild and had not idea they could be in the same place as deer. We all enjoyed that one.

Pinckney Island. Free. Bring bug spray though.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinckney_Island_National_Wildlife_Refuge

 

[DearDaisyinDurham]

Sea Shack is SO good! And Stacks pancake house has creme brûlée toast that is incredible.

 

[TNKBELL]

Save lots of $$$ eating out by doing the Early Bird Specials! You can pick up a restaurant guide when you arrive---it lists most of the restaurants on the island along with menus and prices. In the middle is a section listing the places with early bird specials, mostly between 5 and 6 pm (you have to place your order by then, not be finished eating by then). For the most part you can eat at many wonderful places for around $15. for a 3 course meal.

The best part: you miss the restuarant crowds and have the rest of the evening free to enjoy the beach, etc.

That sounds like a good plan!!

 

[TNKBELL]

Pinckney Island. Free. Bring bug spray though.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinckney_Island_National_Wildlife_Refuge

Thank you so much...I was wanting to find it!!!

DEARDAISY....I'll put those on my list.....YUM!!!

 

[Danibelle]

We have been there twice and love how pretty it is.

My favorite really cheap thing is a wild life sanctuary/park between the mainland and the island....I think it is it's own little island and not a point off either mainland or island. It's on the north side of the bridge or causeway. Sorry I don't remember the name.

I don't remember paying anything, so it must have been either totally free or just a parking fee. Lots of trails. We saw lots of birds, small animals like chipmunks, and a couple of armadillo's! I have never seen armadillo's in the wild and had not idea they could be in the same place as deer. We all enjoyed that one.

It is Pinckney National Wildlife Refuge and is it free. There are no amenities so you will have to carry in your food,etc. There are a lot of birds there and it is a great place to hike or bike. Just watch out for alligators if you are near a pond. Seriously! On my first visit, I got too close to a gator (by accident) and I was a little unnerved. You will like this area!