Immerse yourself in country culture, cuisine, and history at Fripp Island, South Carolina. You can enjoy the salty air of the Atlantic Ocean, as well as view wildlife at reserves situated further inland. Moreover, learn about the history of the area, embark on water adventures, go shopping, seek out the fine arts, or sample a bit of everything. Book your Fripp Island vacation rental today. Without further ado, here are the most scenic places to check out on Fripp Island.
1. Fripp Island
Enjoy a ton of fun when you stay on Fripp Island. At the northwest side of the island, you can cross the Tarpon Boulevard bridge across Harbor River to get to Hunting Island State Park where you can fish from the pier, surf, creeks and the lagoon. The 1859 Hunting Island lighthouse in the park beckons visitors to climb the 167-step spiral staircase for an unparalleled view of the ocean and the park from 132 feet up in the air. When you’re ready for some recreation closer to the ground, two golf courses on Fripp Island await your pleasure in scheduling your tee time. Imagine stepping out the door of your vacation rental and racing the kids across the sandy beach to the breaking surf of the Atlantic Ocean. Last one in is still a happy kiddo.
2. Frogmore
The quaint community of Frogmore on St. Helena Island offers small-time charm and centuries-old history. When you’re looking for places to eat, you can walk to the two eateries in the neighborhood. The Foolish Frog restaurant serves seafood, smoked ribs, fire grilled steaks and more. Bella Luna Cafe serves breakfast, lunch and dinner consisting of American and Italian foods. One reason families visit the island is to experience the African American culture of the low country area. The Gullah-N-Geechie Mahn tours take visitors to the first school for freed slaves, praise houses, and the Oaks cotton plantation, tasting authentic traditional Gullah food along the way. They speak Gullah, a language that combines African languages with English. Tours begin at the Penn Center, just half a mile from the center of town.
3. Port Royal
Anglers enjoy the South Carolina Coast, and Port Royal makes a good starting point for fishing cruises. Cast Away Fishing Charters trips include fishing licenses, bait, tackle and coolers for your beverages and food. The crew specializes in offering beginners to experienced anglers ample opportunities to catch impressive fish year round. Sea Wolf Charters trips include deep sea fishing as well as sightseeing cruises along the Beaufort River into Port Royal Sound. Narrators share the history of the area and point out dolphins and other wildlife along the way. When you’re ready for some food, Moondoggie’s Cafe and Grill serves southern food in a very casual atmosphere, and they welcome kids. You can also order takeout to carry back to your vacation rental.
4. Beaufort
Beaufort retains so much of the old Southern charm in its antebellum mansions found in the historic district downtown. You can tour the John Mark Verdier House Museum. It is an early 1800s mansion that features historical exhibits and furniture. A great way to see the town is to take a narrated horse-drawn buggy tour, offered by SouthurnRose Tours, to see the area from a different perspective. Captain Dick’s River Tours offers a sunset cruise in the bay and salt marshes. The daily tours depart from the Downtown Marina.
5. Hardeeville
Hardeeville is home to Pin Tail Creek Golf Course, which opened in 1963 as a course for Savannah, Georgia and Hilton Head residents. It’s an 18-hole course with Bermuda greens averaging about 3,000 square feet in size. The number three hole stands as the number one handicap hole on the course. When it’s time to get the family outside, the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge features many hiking and biking trails as well as marshes that are accessible only by boat. Visitors report seeing alligators, bobcats, wood ducks, bald eagles and swallow-tailed kites.
6. Fort Fremont
When you stay in Fort Fremont, the opportunity to step back in history awaits just outside your door at Fort Fremont Historical Park and Beach. You can explore multiple passages, doorways and staircases of the old fort. A walkway leads to a small beach access where families go to swim and relax on in the sun. If you like ghost stories, you can test your nerves at the old oak tree on Land’s End Road. Some say if you park there at night and turn off your car, you might see what looks like the headlights of a car in the distance. Then, it becomes a ball of light that comes straight at you. Theories suggest it being the ghost of a beheaded Civil War soldier, or runaway slaves who were caught and hanged, or victims of a 1940s bus wreck. When you get back to your vacation rental, it’s okay to leave the light on.
7. Hilton Head Island
Many opportunities for activities, adventure, and entertainment await you on Hilton Head Island. Pristine beaches where you can swim, sunbathe, surf and build sandcastles with the kids line the eastern side of the island in Coligny Beach Park. The park features walking and biking paths, free WiFi, swings and beach gear rentals. If you feel like taking to the air, H2O Sports offers parasailing adventures that can put you hundreds of feet above the water. On a clear day, the amazing views might reach as far as 25 miles away. Up to three riders of any age may fly side-by-side. You can also fly through the air with the greatest of ease when you visit ZipLine Hilton Head of Broad Creek Marina Adventures. It’s a two-hour tour through the trees, and flyers must be at least 10 years old. To include some culture in your stay, the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra features the music of Beethoven, Brahms, Ravel, Gershwin and Bernstein to celebrate diverse musical styles.
8. Green Pond
Rural Green Pond offers access to the Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, a favorite spot for bird watchers and nature enthusiasts. The impressive residents and visitors include roseate spoonbills, woodpeckers, bald eagles, ducks, and sandhill cranes. You can pick up a map of the 11-mile driving tour that leads to the best spots to see birds and other wildlife at the Donnelley office near the main entrance, north of the junction of US 17 and SC 303. Recommended stops along the way point out walking trails over various terrains that include forest and wetlands. Visitors report seeing lots of alligators and an occasional bobcat. You can drive a little over 12 miles north of your vacation rental, to Walterboro, for shopping, dining and movies.
9. Sheldon
You’re likely to find an interesting vacation rental in Sheldon, a small town steeped in history that reaches back to the Revolutionary War. The Sheldon Church, completed in 1753, was known as Prince William’s Parish Church. During the Revolution, locals used it as a military and political post as well as hiding arms and ammunition in a family vault. The British burned the church in 1779. The parish rebuilt the church, and it stood until the Union Army burned it in 1865. The ruins stand surrounded by live oaks dripping in Spanish moss. Nearby, more recent history provides the Oyotunji village, established in 1970 and known as North America’s oldest authentic African village. The community welcomes visitors to learn about the village, which is based on traditional Yoruba culture, art, customs and history.
10. Dataw Island
When you book your vacation rental on Dataw Island, you can sit on your back porch and enjoy watching dolphins frolic in the water or look out over the golf course. If you brought your golf clubs, Dataw Island is home to two 18-hole golf courses. Tom Fazio’s Cotton Dike course and Arthur Hills’ Morgan River course wind throughout the island, marshlands, civil war ruins, and immense live oaks that are hundreds of years old. To help you take in the beauty of the island, Camelot farms offers trails rides for beginners and experienced riders. The plantation ride lasts an hour, and the coastline ride to Saint Helena Sound lasts two hours. Children must be eight years old to ride the horses, but there are pony rides for younger ones.