Our honeymoon was long-awaited. In the two months leading up to it, we finished finals, got married, moved to a new state, and started new jobs. It was a sweet season, but also a bit overwhelming, and we couldn’t wait to slow down for a week.

Matt had been to Hilton Head Island several times growing up, but this was my first visit. And as someone who loves the beach, he knew it would be the perfect honeymoon destination for us, and he was right. It quickly became our favorite vacation spot on the East Coast!

My First Impression

At the end of June 2022, we made the short 6-hour drive from East Tennessee to Hilton Head and checked into a hotel in Sea Pines Resort, just kitty-corner from the beautiful Harbour Town. As soon as we crossed into South Carolina, the scenery changed—lush was the word we kept using. The bright greenery was everywhere, and the humid air (not to the extreme of “Florida humid”) told us the ocean was near.

Sea Pines has a gated entrance, where you show a reservation or purchased pass to enter. It gave the area an upscale feel—definitely one of those “Ooooh, this is nice” moments. That feeling only grew as we drove in and saw the carefully manicured Harbour Town Golf Links, the iconic lighthouse standing tall above it, and all the shiny boats docked nearby.

That first night, we ate at a local seafood restaurant and walked out to the pier afterward—just in time to see dolphins, my absolute favorite animal. I was swooning! To say I was excited for the week ahead is an understatement.

The Beach

Let’s start with my favorite part: the beach! The sand was soft and white, and the deep-blue ocean was the perfect temperature for late June. It was cool enough to be refreshing but never too cold. The beach was well-maintained, with very little debris on the sand. There were just enough seashells scattered about for collecting, but not so many that walking barefoot was uncomfortable.

My beach style? Lying on a towel, sunbathing, and reading. Matt, on the other hand, can’t sit still, so would proceed to bury himself in the sand (photo evidence exists!). Despite it being peak season, we always found our own space. It was busy, but not overcrowded—we never felt like we were packed in.

Things to Do

🚴‍♀️ Biking Around the Island

One of the best decisions we made was renting bikes. Hilton Head is a biker’s paradise, with wide, well-paved paths and roads clearly designed with cyclists in mind - and this comes from people who don’t normally ride bikes in everyday life! The scenery and ocean breeze make the experience so enjoyable—it beats sitting in a car any day.

We biked every day of our trip, sometimes multiple times. We’d ride down to the beach and even along the shore at sunset. It quickly became one of our favorite parts of the trip because it allowed us to enjoy and explore the island.

🏛️ Historic Sites & Museums

Hilton Head is rich in Native American, Revolutionary War, and Civil War history. One day, we biked to the Stoney Baynard Ruins, the remains of a plantation owned by a Revolutionary War captain. Nearby, we found a trail leading to the foundation of the former slave quarters. The signs shared fascinating (and sobering) stories that made the visit meaningful, which was not something I was expecting.

Other historic spots to check out:

Coastal Discovery Museum
Mitchelville Freedom Park
Harbour Town Lighthouse & Museum
Shell Ring
Gullah Heritage Tours
Civil War Forts
Zion Chapel of Ease and Cemetery
Old Lawton Rice Field

🎶 Entertainment

One of the most charming parts of Harbour Town is the Gregg Russell concerts, a beloved tradition since 1977. Matt’s family recalls great memories watching this concert together on their family vacations. A couple of the nights oo ur honeymoon, we grabbed ice cream and sat under the Liberty Oak Tree while Gregg led a hilarious, interactive, family-friendly sing-along.

Live music is easy to find all over the island. A quick search of events during your visit will turn up plenty of great options!

🏌️‍♂️ Other Activities

We love a balance of rest and play, so we did a bit of everything:

Hilton Head is one of the country’s premier golf destinations. If you’re looking to play where the pros play, check out the Harbour Town Golf Links. This course hosts the PGA RBC Heritage, the weekend after the Masters every year.This is Matt’s favorite course he’s ever played!
If playing golf at the iconic Harbour Town Golf CouLinks isn’t for you (or your budget) maybe do a round or two of mini golf! We had a great time at Legendary Golf, where we were pleasantly surprised to find Bible verses at some holes.
Shopping at local boutiques across the island or at Tanger Outlets. The perfect place to find beach attire and both cute and fun souvenirs.
A visit to the infamous Salty Dog Café—and yes, once you’ve been, you’ll start spotting those T-shirts everywhere.
Jet skiing is always our favorite activity, no matter the destination. We even tipped over once, which made the adventure even more memorable!
A peaceful walk on the Harbour Town Golf Links during public walking hours (check the country club’s website). One of my favorite moments of the trip was walking the course at sunset!

Other activities worth considering:

Watersport rentals
Dolphin cruises
Fishing
Horseback riding
Tennis & pickleball
Nature walks & wildlife tours

Dining

We ate so well on our honeymoon. One standout was Chez Georges Bistro & Bar—easily one of the best meals of our lives. I ordered the lamb, which was tender, juicy, and packed with flavor. Matt had the special sole filet, and even now, he randomly brings it up: “That fish was so good.” For dessert, we shared a whipped chocolate mousse—rich, decadent, and unforgettable.

Other favorites included:

Pomodori Italian Eatery
Giuseppe’s Pizza & Pasta House
Charbar Co.
Java Burrito

Pro tip: Stick to restaurants with at least a 4.5-star rating on Google Maps (anything over 4.7 stars is a MUST TRY). In our experience, anything less usually isn’t worth your time, especially with so many amazing options available.

Where to Stay

Our top recommendation: book an Airbnb in Sea Pines Resort. Once you visit, you’ll fall in love with the gorgeous setting: lush landscapes, private beaches, charming bike trails, historic sites, and fun activities for every age. And of course, the food!

Let Us Help You Plan

We’d love to help you book your own Hilton Head vacation! Whether it’s a honeymoon, a family trip, or a much-needed getaway, we can handle the Airbnb search, dining suggestions, and activity planning—so you can simply enjoy it.

Hilton Head Island: Our Favorite East Coast Vacation