Looking for something to do? Here’s Tripadvisor’s top 2023 Hilton Head activities

Sarah Claire McDonald
·6 min read

Whether you’re a longtime local or a tourist passing through, Hilton Head Island is always filled with new things to explore.

With summer’s end just around the corner, it’s important to fill the remainder of your time with lasting memories and ways to make the most of the warm, sunny weather.

In order to make sure you’ve at least experienced the best things to do on the island, Tripadvisor released its list of the 2023 top attractions to do in Hilton Head.

Here are 10 of the top attractions on the list.

Coligny Beach

First on the list was Coligny Beach. Accompanied by Coligny Plaza, this area on the island’s south end is a great place to spend the day with free parking, a shopping center, restaurants and miles of white sand beaches. Coligny Beach Park on its own has a splash pad, restrooms, outdoor showers, seating, free parking and more.

Steven Kermisch shared this photo taken on Hilton Head’s Coligny Beach. 
Steven Kermisch shared this photo taken on Hilton Head’s Coligny Beach.

Coligny Beach received Tripadvisor’s “2023 Best of the Best” award and has over 4,000 reviews on the popular travel site.

The beach is located at 1 Coligny Circle.

Hilton Head Distillery

Are you over the age of 21? Head on over to Hilton Head Distillery, which landed second on the list, and is the island’s only distillery and craft spirits locale. The distillery offers a unique experience for guests with a wide variety of activities such as the opportunity to engage in a hands-on mixology experience, daily behind-the-scenes tours, tastings, signature cocktail classes and a bottle shop.

The entrance to Hilton Head Distillery.
The entrance to Hilton Head Distillery.

Such options are a much-talked-about affair among adults and ranked as a ‘must-do’ for many adult parties or gatherings. The distillery can be found at 14 Cardinal Road, Hilton Head Island, SC 29926.

Hilton Head Distillery also won Tripadvisor’s “2023 Travelers’ Choice Award.”

Hilton Head Island Bike Trails

Hilton Head Island’s bike trails, although ranked third, may arguably be one of the most popular but unnoticed attractions the island has.

The Town of Hilton Head Island ‘s website shows several different interactive or printable map options for the many bike trails that the island has to offer.

Hilton Head’s bike trails received Tripadvisor’s “2023 Travelers’ Choice Award.”

Coastal Discovery Museum

The Coastal Discovery Museum is a “must-do” on the island for family and friends of all ages.

The entrance to the Coastal Discovery Museum on Hilton Head Island.
The entrance to the Coastal Discovery Museum on Hilton Head Island.

The Hilton Head attraction can be found on the island’s north end at 70 Honey Horn Drive and encompasses a 70-acre property, exhibits, Lowcountry history, live animals, free grounds admission, tours, museum and more.

Sweetgrass basket artisans, Michael Smalls and Dino Badger, sell and sew baskets in front of the Coastal Discovery Museum on a spring morning.
Sweetgrass basket artisans, Michael Smalls and Dino Badger, sell and sew baskets in front of the Coastal Discovery Museum on a spring morning.

The family-friendly museum is open daily throughout the week and received the “2023 Travelers’ Choice Award” from Tripadvisor this year.

Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge

The Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge is located between Hilton Head Island and Bluffton off the U.S. 278 bridge connecting the island to the mainland. The area is an island dedicated to hosting an abundance of local wildlife and acts as a space for individuals to explore and observe the local flora and fauna.

Steve Higgins took this photo of a flock of Ibis at sunrise on Pinckney Island. 
Steve Higgins took this photo of a flock of Ibis at sunrise on Pinckney Island.

The preserve attracts thousands of migratory birds annually and provides a rookery, a nesting habitat for colonial wading birds such as ibis, egrets and herons. Other local species such as alligators, armadillos, various snakes, turtles, butterflies, bats and salamanders make their home at the wildlife preserve as well. Visitors may enjoy activities such as hiking, biking, walking and wildlife viewing during the park’s sunrise to sunset visiting hours.

Joe Schmitt shared this photo of great egrets on Pinckney Island May 10, 2022.
Joe Schmitt shared this photo of great egrets on Pinckney Island May 10, 2022.

Pinckney Island National Wildlife Preserve also received Tripadvisor’s “2023 Travelers’ Choice Award.”

Palmetto Dunes Tennis & Pickleball Center

The Palmetto Dunes Tennis & Pickleball Center is a main attraction for many active locals and tourists alike.

The center is ranked as the #1 tennis resort in the Carolinas by Tennis Magazine and is currently ranked in the top 25 in the world by Tennis Resorts Online, according to Tripadvisor. The attraction features 19 clay tennis courts and 24 pickleball courts and is open year-round.

Palmetto Dunes Tennis Center tennis professionals, and pickleball players (from left) Scott Clements, Lindsay Ames and Brian Kiggans, and head pickleball pro Mark Anders, on one of the venue’s eight pickleball courts on March 14, 2016. Early last summer, the club did not have any courts devoted to the “exploding” sport, played by almost 2.5 million people nationally, according to the USA Pickleball Association.

The Palmetto Dunes Tennis & Pickleball Center, which received the “2023 Travelers’ Choice Award,” is open daily from 7:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., with select courts being lighted for night play through 10 p.m.

For more information or to book a court, call 888-926-8784.

Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina

The Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina is the site of Hilton Head’s popular Neptune Statue and is the island’s largest deep-water yacht basin.

The Neptune Statue at Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina
The Neptune Statue at Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina

The harbour and marina at Shelter Cove, which is located at 1 Shelter Cove Lane, offers visitors options for waterfront dining, shopping, strolling and sunset views over Broad Creek.

Shelter Cove Harbour and Marina, located on Hilton Head’s mid-island, is a great spot for sunset views.
Shelter Cove Harbour and Marina, located on Hilton Head’s mid-island, is a great spot for sunset views.

The “2023 Travelers’ Choice Award” winner is also near the Shelter Cove Towne Centre and many other Hilton Head attractions, such as Pirate’s Island Adventure Golf, Hilton Head Diner, Bullies BBQ and Stacks Pancakes & More of Hilton Head

Sea Pines Forest Preserve

The Sea Pines Forest Preserve can be found on the south end of Hilton Head Island in a 605-acre area of protected land in the Sea Pines resort community that is dedicated to wildlife habitat and outdoor exploration.

Guy Tucker shared this photo of the wildflower field in Sea Pines’ Forest Preserve on Hilton Head Island. 
Guy Tucker shared this photo of the wildflower field in Sea Pines’ Forest Preserve on Hilton Head Island.

Following the construction of the preserve’s first trails in the early 1970s, the area has grown to include bridle paths, wetland boardwalks, bridges and fishing docks. Aside from exploring the preserve through the many leisurely walking trails, horseback rides, guided boat tours, fishing expeditions or wagon tours are available for guests’ enjoyment. Visiting hours for the forest preserve are sunrise to sunset, which allows for an optimal day of exploration.

Tripadvisor also awarded the preserve with the “2023 Travelers’ Choice Award.”

Folly Field Beach Park

Folly Field Beach Park can be found off of Folly Field Road on Starfish Drive on the island. The area has a boardwalk leading to the beach that winds through Hilton Head’s flora and fauna until it meets incorporated beach matting once you reach the sandy terrain. The mat helps provide support and transportation ease for guests of all ages as well as wheelchair access.

The view of the boardwalk and ocean at Folly Field Beach Park on Hilton Head Island.
The view of the boardwalk and ocean at Folly Field Beach Park on Hilton Head Island.

The “2023 Travelers’ Choice Award” winner also has metered parking spaces, outdoor showers, restrooms, beach rentals and seasonal lifeguards.

Mitchelville Freedom Park

The Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park, which can be found on the north end of Hilton Head Island at 40 Harriet Tubman Way, is a place of historical significance to the area and is the location of the first freedmen community established during the Civil War.

The entrance to the Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park is photographed on Monday.
The entrance to the Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park is photographed on Monday.

The park features interpretive signs , beach access, walking trails, an observation gazebo, historic exhibits and a picnic pavilion. In addition, the destination is also one of 26 sites in the state of South Carolina that is recognized on the Reconstruction Era National Historic Network.

Visitors may go on a self-guided tour of the land, which won the “2023 Travelers’ Choice Award,” or a private tour on select dates and several programs and events take place in the area.