The boardwalk is a fishing pier that parallels the shoreline and provides for a viewpoint to look…read moreinto the marshes and perhaps view some wildlife. And then there's the observation tower, a four story wooden tower. Climb the steps (look out for splinters) and from the top, you can see for miles around the Battery Creek and the mouth of the Beaufort River. Completely free and there was no one else on the boardwalk when I visited in mid-March. [Review 19485 overall - 1057 in South Carolina - 455 of 2023.]

We really enjoyed our hike on this boardwalk. We weren't sure at first what to expect but it was…read morereally nice. The views were beautiful. The boardwalk was really nicely maintained. There were a lot of people fishing off the dock even had little benches for people to be able to fish with, it's a bit of a hike up the steps, but it's not bad

I've been coming to Hilton Head Island for over a decade and learned two things this visit that I…read moredid not know: 1) The Hilton Head Rear Range Light EXISTS when I previously had no clue of its existence AND is the island's only true lighthouse. 2) The lighthouse in Harbour Town, on the southern end of Hilton Head Island is actually a faux lighthouse! I believe someone said it was outfitted for a movie. The Hilton Head Island Rear Range Lighthouse was built in 1879, activated in 1880 and is also known as the Leamington Lighthouse. It is the only historic lighthouse on Hilton Head Island. It stands 92-feet tall and shares its space with one of the oldest living LIVE OAK TREES on Hilton Head Island. It was constructed along with a second "front" lighthouse to guide vessels into Port Royal Sound. The lighthouse website says its light was once visible from 15 miles away. It was deactivated in 1932, but served as a lookout tower for enemy ships during World War II. It was restored in 1985 and renovated again in September of 2019. REAR RANGE LIGHTHOUSE FACTS FROM WEBSITE: * Originally, a lighthouse was proposed as far back as 1854, but the price of the land was too high. * Two lighthouses were eventually built on Hilton Head Island in 1863. The rear light was blown down in 1869. ​* Current lighthouse was built as part of a pair in 1879 for $40,000. * Lighthouse Board decided to delay activation of the lights until August 1, 1881, when the range lights on nearby Parris Island would be complete. ​* The lantern and Watch Room at the top were originally built of cypress wood. The range light was originally fixed red. In 1893, the original Hains Oil lamps were replaced with Funck-Heap lamps. The Lantern Room is above the Watch Room, and housed a Fresnel Lens. KNOW BEFORE YOU GO - You must attain a day pass at the Palmetto Dunes Guard House to access the lighthouse, since it is in a private gated community. There is currently no fee for the pass, but you are also not allowed to park on the lawn near the lighthouse entrance. FINAL THOUGHTS If you are a fan of lighthouses, this one should be on your list! Sharing the same property is a gorgeous live oak tree said to be one of the oldest trees of its kind on the island. Guestimated at around 450 years old. 2020 / 114

One of the oldest lighthouses, if not the oldest lighthouse on HHI. Found out about this one after…read moreI left town last year. Figured I'd find it on this trip. So I googled it and got the directions. I grabbed my lighthouse partner and we went over! It's on a golf course inside of a gated community, so make sure you stop at the guard station. They're pretty friendly. If it wasn't for them, I probably would have gotten lost in there. The only downside is that you can't go up!

While extra planning will be needed, I highly recommend visiting this local treasure…read more We visited for a wedding and were able to enjoy many aspects of the island. The beaches are so pristine, and you're bound to find a treasure. I was not comfortable getting in the water. You couldn't see the bottom and the jellyFish were in full force. Golf carts are highly recommended and equally utilized. Plan ahead for your ferry ride over (or private rental). If you can indulge on the cuisine made by Sallie Ann Robinson, consider yourself lucky!!! She's a true gem. I am forever grateful that I got to meet her and eat her delicious food!! I would go back just to spend time with her. She's so knowledgeable, so loving, genuinely cares about preserving the Gullah history. She is a True Treasure!!! Pack bug spray! Wowzers. Loved our quick getaway.

Pronounced "Daw-fuss-key" or "Duh-fuss-key"…read more Daufuskie Island has a long rich history, which you can read about on Wiki, but I was first interested in visiting Daufuskie because it was settled by the Gullah for a long time, and I really wanted to learn more about the culture. I have come across Gullah works in various mediums in my folk art studies, and really yearn to know more. In retrospect, I think Sapelo Island would've been a better choice, but in either case, you'd need to have done your own research and historical reading ahead of time, because unfortunately, despite some local-level efforts, there has not been much invested in quality museum preservation of the culture on either island. I hope in the future this will change, and these historic sites will be given funding and national historic recognition. The island is 5mi x 2.5mi, with 3mi of beach. I've been to a lot of beaches around the world, and they do have a really pretty beach here. There are technically 2 beaches by name, but they run into each other. Our captain of our ferry told us a few years ago investors tried to hype Dafuskie up to be a southern Nantucket, but it didn't really catch on. I'd say the feel was more of Ocracoke (Boho artsy & southern nature) meets a small Bahamian island (island-rustic & party feel). There are these random gated communities and condo complexes amidst a very bucolic island bush feel. Golf carts are the main mode of transport, with very few cars, and there is this weird bike attitude, where they warn against trying to ride one on the sand roads, but yet rentals are available? (They recommend fat tire bikes.)       There are homemade YouTube videos on this island, but no major documentaries, and again, that is normally how I research a trip. So an island map is really the best resource I found on how to approach tourism across this island (apart from taking an official tour).  Unfortunately, due to my unhappy dog, I didn't get to explore beyond one restaurant and one beach. But I am aware of a schoolhouse, an iron master artist, a lighthouse (that isn't really a lighthouse), a very cool farm you can tour (that doesn't allow dogs), and a mishmash of old and new residences, where abandoned Gullah homesteads meet Baby Boomer retirement villages. There is also the Freeport town center, where the action is. Many boaters come dock just off the town square, and locals say the boats get rows deep, just tying one up to another. A rowdy party sparks up just about every afternoon, with lots of middle-aged to senior drunk people hanging out to play cornhole and flirt. There were also sketchy bungalow rooms for rent right on the party square for, presumably, boat goers to sober up before floating back to Hilton Head, and, (eek) hook-ups. Seriously, this spot is a maskless spreader zone come lunch time each day, so I steered clear!  Pat Conroy's book, The Water is Wide, is based on Daufuskie. This means nothing to me for the stuff I read, so I can't expand, but it is meaningful to some. People say of Daufuskie, "it feels like another country" ehhh, not really. I guess this is based on the rustic island vibe? If you've been to the Caribbean you know a bigger cultural difference. Even parts of the FL Keys feel more non-domestic than this. I did feel like I was still in SC. One detail that reminded me of small Bahamian islands, was the broken down cars, just rotting in various places. I get that on an island it's not easy to get rid of an old useless car, and I appreciate the rustic character, but there were a lot of them, especially in one particular sport, which was otherwise really pretty, by the water. Perhaps these are going to be reclaimed for their steel by the local steel artist? IDK. But that, for sure, felt Caribbean-y.  Visited in mid-March and temperatures were mid-70s. But on the beach it got hot! Daufuskie is a 45min ferry ride from Hilton Head, and then a short drive to Savannah. It is the last island in SC, before you get to Tybee in GA.

I visited here on a tour and I'm so glad I did. It doesn't look like a lot but knowing that it has…read morebeen here for a few thousand years and how they were built just made it an amazing experience. I highly recommend reading about it, our tour guide Todd had some articles online I've read since visiting. There are only 3 remaining in the world, you should see it.

The ring is a national treasure as one of only few surviving archaic shell rings in the state. This…read morealong with its unsolved mystery (Who built it? Why? Why did they leave 300 years later?) makes it 4 stars in my book. I agree I got more excited after the fact once I learned more about it. You need to love history and be a romantic person to really enjoy this. Little kids will be easily bored. Luckily, Lake Joe is nearby (dedicated to kids and family fishing) Check the details on my blog. http://shoutaboutcarolina.com/index.php/2009/08/indian-shell-ring-history-pictures-hilton-head-free-things-to-do/

This area is full of shops, restaurants, cafes, galleries, boutiques, inns and hotels. A good part…read moreof these businesses are located in restored passageways and nineteenth-century cotton warehouses. Everyone seems to enjoy this area when visiting Savannah. But what is Factor's Walk...and how did it get its name? Why is it here? Factor means to "sell" or "factorize". In these same buildings that now house various businesses...men used to bale, factor and sell cotton. The iron bridges and walkways led to the office entrances...often on the 3rd, 4th & 5th floors of the buildings. Here, brokers worked on sales and managed exports. "Factors" determined the amount(s) of cotton that would be sold to any merchant. Factors Walk was named after these cotton factors. Although the cotton trade is no longer here, it is still very much a business district...just in a different way. Today it is more of a promenade for all to enjoy instead of just doing business. The walkways & bridges are beautiful and remain nearly the same. There are historic steps that are rather steep still in existence as well that lead below to the river front...use them at your own risk. The architecture in this entire area is amazing...and cost nothing to take it all in except a little time...and this is time that I highly recommend.

Great place to visit , great view a good spot to take great pics . Historic steps is beautiful…read moreloved it . The only thing I hated was a lot of mosquitoes but other than that it was a great place to walk by and get to know

This is one of those places that instantly pulls you in and makes you feel like you are part of the…read morehistory. Walking along the cobblestone street with the river right beside you is such a cool experience. You get amazing views of the water, big ships passing by, and that classic Savannah charm everywhere you look. There is always something going on here. Street performers, little shops, and great places to grab food or a drink all along the way. It is easy to spend a few hours just wandering in and out of spots and taking it all in. The mix of old brick buildings and lively atmosphere makes it feel unique compared to a lot of other places. The vibe really stands out. It is busy but in a fun way, not overwhelming. You see families, couples, and groups all enjoying the area, and it just has that welcoming energy. Whether you are there during the day or at night, it feels like there is always something to see. Overall this is a must visit if you are in Savannah. Great views, great atmosphere, and a lot to explore packed into one area. Definitely one of the highlights of the trip.

This is such a beautiful walk. The buildings are amazing and the view of the river is excellent. My…read morelittle cousin was so excited to watch a barge come through! And the bridge looks terrifying from the ground. There are so many shops and restaurants that you could walk down this street every day for a week and always find something new. Is it catered towards tourists? Yes, but I really think that you'll enjoy it.

The Stone Stairs of death are no joke and legitimately will ruin your travels of Savannah. These…read moreare the Evil Knievel of stairs and should not be attempted to jump use.... I was forewarned the I would die using these stairs or at least join the long list of tourists breaking bones falling down, should I make an attempt to use them.... After staring at these poorly designed stairs I wondered who actually used them when they were created over 100 years ago. But then again the standards have changed. Yet why allow them to be open for the public to fall down? Maybe it's the tourism board with Sponsorship from a local hospital in the area... Well, heed my warning and don't use the Stone Stairs of Death or you'll be sorry !

Did I take these stairs? No, but I thought about it until I saw a couple with their dog and the dog…read morebarely made it up - LOL I took another "use at your own risk" set of historic stone stairs that were less death-like and that was enough for me. Kudos to those who attempt them!

This is a small site requiring a brief trip down a gravel road that runs between the naval complex…read moreand some residences. It offers a picnic area, a bit of water access, and the remnants of a fort built with tabby, the shell-infused material distinctive to the region. There is some notably history despite the relative lack of military significance of the fort itself, and plaques are strewn about. Aesthetically, it is an interesting place. Not one where you'd spend a ton of time, but worth noting.

Tony and I was driving on a backroad near Beaufort and Port Royal and found this old Chapel built…read morein 1723...almost 300 yrs old. Oyster Shells were used to make the walls of this amazing chapel