Hilton Head in November

[SparklesPd]

hi All!
We are going to visit HH resort in November and would love any suggestions! It's probably going to be a little cool for the beach and none of us are golfers. Are there any great restuarants or sites not to be missed? Is there some outdoor nature preserve?
Thanks so much! Feel free to email as well SparklsPd@aol.com

 

[DisDaydreamer]

hi All!
We are going to visit HH resort in November and would love any suggestions! It's probably going to be a little cool for the beach and none of us are golfers. Are there any great restuarants or sites not to be missed? Is there some outdoor nature preserve?
Thanks so much! Feel free to email as well SparklsPd@aol.com

Certainly, rent some bikes. HHI is a great place to cycle around and they have paths all over. For us the HHI resort is a nature preserve... It is why we love it so much. Would like to hear also if there are any designated nature preserves nearby.

 

[RobDoc]

There are nature tours to nearby Pinckney Island available thru the resort. At Sea Pines there is a ruin of an old plantation - it is accessible by bike (or auto) and will have printouts for self guided touts of the area. There are also oyster mounds (Indian sites) in the Sea Pines area.

I agree about biking around the island since there are miles and miles of paved bike trails all over Hilton Head. There is also a Coastal Museum near the Disney resort. From the resort, you can take a Dolphin Tour, kayaking, canoeing, sailing, sightseeing tours to Savannah and many other activities for all ages.

Within walking distance is the performing arts center and there are numerous art galleries all over HH.

HH has about 300 restaurants - truly something for every palate - you can get a full list at the front desk. There are about 6 within walking distance of the resort and many, many more a short drive away.

If you run out of things to do, be sure to ask the CMs at the resort. Gordon at the Mercantile is a great resource for suggestions for both dining and activities as well as B'Lou Crabbe - who does many of the resort activities.

Enjoy!

 

[dvc at last !]

Doc,
Thanks for the ideas.
We have never been to HHI, but hope to get a reservation there
June, July 2009 at 7 months.
Do you think that booking is possible or not ?

 

[RobDoc]

Doc,
Thanks for the ideas.
We have never been to HHI, but hope to get a reservation there
June, July 2009 at 7 months.
Do you think that booking is possible or not ?

7 months is possible - especially if you will accept a 2BR villa. 1BRs and Studios go very quickly since there are only 21 of each. Early June is probably more likely than July, but anything is possible with the dymanics of the DVC reservation system.

Good luck!

 

[SparklesPd]

From the resort, you can take a Dolphin Tour, kayaking, canoeing, sailing, sightseeing tours to Savannah and many other activities for all ages.

If you run out of things to do, be sure to ask the CMs at the resort. Gordon at the Mercantile is a great resource for suggestions for both dining and activities as well as B'Lou Crabbe - who does many of the resort activities.

Enjoy![/QUOTE]

==========================================================
thank you for all the great ideas! Printing out your response and using it has a travel guide thanks again.......

 

[SparklesPd]

Certainly, rent some bikes. HHI is a great place to cycle around and they have paths all over. For us the HHI resort is a nature preserve... It is why we love it so much. Would like to hear also if there are any designated nature preserves nearby.

Any suggestions for renting bikes? Can they only be rented through disney? Do we need to bring bike locks? Are they decent bikes? I am not much of an athlete, lol.

 

[RobDoc]

Bikes may be rented right at the resort or for one of the many local equippers. They all offer pickup/delivery service and will provide bike locks and helmets if needed.

We've used the resort bikes in the past for the convenience (if there is any problem, they'll just give you a replacement immediately) and they also seem to be priced competitvely.

 

[jekjones1558]

Any suggestions for renting bikes? Can they only be rented through disney? Do we need to bring bike locks? Are they decent bikes? I am not much of an athlete, lol.

Bike rentals from Disney were really cheap ($25/week, I think?) and include a helmet and lock. They are easy to ride (I am a non-athletic 61 year old ) and the CMs also have info for a bike rental place that matches Disney's price. I think it was Patriot rental. We used this service -- which delivers to and picks up right at your villa for no extra charge -- because Disney did not have the right size bike for one of our kids. It seemed to us that the majority of folks were renting bikes and we absolutely will always rent bikes at HHI.

 

[disneygrandma]

We were at HHI 4 wks ago, 10/4-10/8. This was our 1st stay, and we loved it. We all thought the resort was beautiful, and very peaceful. Our group consisted of 2 couples, staying in a 2 bdrm. We spent a lot of time on the balcony watching the cranes & other birds in the marsh area. In addition, we took a dolphin tour from the resort. It was just the 4 of us, plus the driver. Very nice, and a lot of fun!

We also enjoyed walking along the marina at Shelter Cove, and walking over the bridge to the restaurants & shops on the other side. One of the best meals we had on our entire 2 week trip was lunch at Bistro 17. It's a very small restaurant, close to the Christmas Shop there.

Another not to miss restaurant is the Old Oyster Factory. It sets on the other side of Broad Creek, across from Shelter Cove. We had a fabulous dinner there one evening.

One day we ate lunch at Captain Woody's, which is at the Palmetto Bay Marina. It was quite good, and is more of a locals place to eat. There are a few other restaurants here, as well, and all looked to be good. (We ordered in from the Black Marlin on our 1st night at HHI. It is one of the restaurants here.)

One morning we drove to Harbour Town to see the Lighthouse. That was very interesting. We ate lunch at the Waterfront Cafe. Again, fabulous food. We enjoyed watching people boarding tour boats there, and kayakers returning. Great water views, in addition to the wonderful food. Get a seat by a window and enjoy it all. After lunch, we drove to the Sea Pines Forest Preserve, and drove around the dirt roads/trails. We spotted several alligators in a lake, as well as turtles, etc. If you like hiking, there are many walking trails.

One evening we went to the Low Country Boil that Disney had at their Beach House. The food was great, and the entertainment was enjoyable. We also enjoyed walking along the beach here on a couple of different afternoons.

There are bike trails all over, and Disney offers a length of stay bike rental at very reasonable rates. (This is something we didn't do, however.)

I would like to add that the only restaurant I didn't like was the Kingfisher, although others thought it was OK. I wish we would have tried Scott's instead. Both of these restaurants are just across the bridge from the resort. Many restaurants at Shelter Cove offer music & entertainment in the evenings, and we enjoyed listening to them as we walked along the marina at the resort.

I was skeptical about what our experience at HHI would be, but I can honestly tell you that all 4 of us thought it was wonderful, and we can't wait to return.

 

[disneygrandma]

One thing I forgot to mention, is to be sure and check to see what activities are going on at the resort itself. One night we went to the campfire, and it was fun. Other activities while we were there: storytelling, Hidden Mickey's tour, pirate hunt, craft projects for kids, and numerous other things. There were different events scheduled for each day of the week. A lot of these are geared for children, but we adults enjoyed them, too! As someone else mentioned, they also offer activities off property. My brother-in-law took a golf lesson at a near-by golf course. For only $30, he got the semi-private lesson & transportation. He thought it was very reasonable, and a lot of fun!

 

[bunny]

Disneygrandma, was it still warm enough to swim in the ocean when you were there? Were there many children there? We are thinking about going this exact same week next year and were wondering about the weather and the number of children. My kids have fall break the first week in October.

Thanks.

 

[disneygrandma]

There were quite a few people swimming in the ocean. However, we thought the water was a little bit too chilly. We walked thru the surf, and that was enough for us. We spent the rest of the time sitting on the beach, listening to the waves and soaking up the sun.

There were several families at the resort with children on school break. Some even mentioned that they visit every year during that same time. Nothing was crowded, and there were plenty of activities for them to enjoy. I think you will find the HHI Resort to be a wonderful place for a family trip.

 

[SparklesPd]

We were at HHI 4 wks ago, 10/4-10/8. T

I was skeptical about what our experience at HHI would be, but I can honestly tell you that all 4 of us thought it was wonderful, and we can't wait to return.

Hi Disney Gram!
Thanks so much for all the wonderful information! We are leaving TONIGHT (actually 3:00 in the morning) I can't wait! lol

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Hi Disney Gram!
Thanks so much for all the wonderful information! We are leaving TONIGHT (actually 3:00 in the morning) I can't wait! lol

I am leaving early this Sat. morning.....post your trip report, we can compare notes! This will be my first time to HHI.....

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

Dh and I love spending time in Savannah!

Its a very lovely 45 minute drive.

 

[tn4mickey]

Please keep the ideas coming. I'm going to HHI for the first time next week taking my mom and sister for a girls trip. My mom has arthritis in her knees and has some trouble walking so ideas for her would be great. We'll be there Monday-Friday. I called MS last week add my mom to the ressie and asked what room location to request. The cm I spoke to was very helpful and called the resort to ask them. They recommended the main building (11). What do you all think? Thanks for the help!

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Please keep the ideas coming. I'm going to HHI for the first time next week taking my mom and sister for a girls trip. My mom has arthritis in her knees and has some trouble walking so ideas for her would be great. We'll be there Monday-Friday. I called MS last week add my mom to the ressie and asked what room location to request. The cm I spoke to was very helpful and called the resort to ask them. They recommended the main building (11). What do you all think? Thanks for the help!

Ok Hope, this is too cool...we have the same name, plus we will be there at the same time! Ask for the main building, it has elevators in it.

 

[Mick West]

We usually do a HHI trip in Nov/Dec and we always do a Savannah trip. Not far away and a real nice place to visit.

 

[tn4mickey]

Ok Hope, this is too cool...we have the same name, plus we will be there at the same time! Ask for the main building, it has elevators in it.

Hi Hope,

Another cool similarity, we moved
to SC from MD last year. Thanks for the advice!