HHI - 1st Visit - Suggestions?

[Exit 105]

Making our first visit to HHI next week. Looking for advice on what to do outside of the Disney Resort with wife an 2.5 year old son. Good restaurants, activities, shopping, golf, etc... Any input would be helpful. Thank you.

 

[colleen costello]

My husband took the kids on a dolphin watch tour on a small boat. Disney's boat was booked so we went with a gentleman who used to work for them. I am sure they could give you his number -- his business is called "Low Country Tours" and my hubby felt he gave 110%. The cost was about $35 for my husband and $25 for the kids. The boat is docked less than a mile from the resort, just over the bridge and down a bit. If your little guy is an agreeable sort, this tour is neat. We got GREAT video! My daughter was thrilled because they saw so many dolphins.

Not very exciting, but about a mile away is a Cracker Barrel restaurant. Great for kids. My children LOVE the store and going to a Cracker Barrel is always a vacation highlight for them! Also get out on the dock and watch people crabbing -- my kids LOVED this. Never caught any crabs, but who cares?

Have a great time. This is a really special place!

 

[rwebbirish]

You'll find a lot to do right at the resort with your son. They have crafts, storytelling with B'Lou and he does a magic show on Saturdays, there's a campfire with interactive storytelling and s'mores, and various nature 'activities.'

Out of Shelter Cove and to the right is miniature golf at Pirate's Island. Shannon Tanner has a sing along for kids in Shelter Cove at 7 PM weeknights, and I believe 8:30 PM in the summer. There is also magic and puppet shows at Coligny Plaza (?10 AM and 6 PM.)

The dolphin cruise through Disney is wonderful. The dolphins come right up to the boat. Some of the other cruises have pretty large boats and you can only see them from a distance. Disney will turn the boat and get right next to the dolphins.

There are outlet stores just before you come onto the island and a mall in Shelter Cove.

As for restaurants, they are endless on HH. The Old Oyster Factory seems to a favorite of many and we have had great meals there. Getting there after 6 PM usually means an hour to 1 1/2 hour wait. Salty Dog Cafe in South Beach has good seafood as does Scott's Fish Market in Shelter Cove. We loved Alexander's, but left our boys at kids' night out at the resort. San Miguel's in Shelter Cove has decent Mexican. We liked Guiseppe's for pizza.

The resort will give you a list of activities for the week when you check in and just about every store and restaurant will have Restaurant and Activity guides for the island. Pick one up.

You will love HH. It is such a relaxing place! Have a wonderful time!!!

 

[cgcw]

We've been going to HH since our youngest was a year old. He has always been very entertained with both the pool and the ocean. He loves to run in and out of the waves. Keeps busy playing and digging in the sand. Loves to chase the little fisher crabs around when they are on the beach or at low tide found along the pier at the resort. After all the play in the water, my kids always sleep very well. Bike rental is also available through the resort. Maybe your little one would enjoy sight seeing from the back of the bike or one of the tot trailers they have.

I can second the information already posted regarding Low Country Touring (843-683-0187). Scott Henry is the captain and does a fabulous job. We just did a beach combing tour with him last month and found more sand dollars and star fish than we could have cared to take with us. Scott definately put in at least 110% to his business and tours.

If you travel out to Harbour Town, there is a nice park right off of the shopping area. Our DS8 still enjoys playing there as well as our DS3.

Have a great time at HH.

 

[Exit 105]

Thank you everyone for your insightful replies about HHI. Our first trip there next week and we are very much looking forward to it. Wish we were leaving today!!!

 

[allicat]

Nothing much to add because we will be going on our fist visit next week too, before heading to Disney, but just wanted to say Hi from exit 80!
We are planning on doing the dolphin cruise and relaxing on the beach. Im planning on faxing the resort this Saturday for an upcoming list of the weeks activities, just so my daughter can get an idea of whats offered.

 

[colleen costello]

You guys are making me homesick for NJ with all your exits... I grew up in 13A, Bayonne. Have lived in Indiana a lot of years now, but still proudly say "I'm from Jersey!" I believe both #80 and #105 are close to the ocean. You are lucky! One of the reasons we went to HH in the first place was to get the kids near the water, something we can't easily do here in the Midwest! We have a lake (man-made) and that's it... pitiful! Our family truly loved Hilton Head and I bet your families will too.

Have fun!