Did you know Hilton Head has a lot to offer in history and culture? In addition to cruising around on bicycles and e-bikes, we love exploring the stories about our island community, enjoying its art and crafts, and sometimes even engaging in a bit of supernatural exploration. So we’ve pulled together some of our favorite ways to get to know Hilton Head a bit better — past, present and future.
Arts, Culture & History
Artworks in oil, acrylic, pastel, mixed media, and more by 100+ artists from throughout the country are on exhibit at 2025 Biennale, the 29th national juried exhibition. It’s the longest-running of its kind in the area and takes place at Art League Gallery at Arts Center of Coastal Carolina through June 13. https://www.artleaguehhi.org/
Head to the Lowcountry’s home for nature, art, history, and culture, the Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn. This 70-acre property features exhibits, trails, and educational events. It’s free to visit, or you can head to one of the special summer programs like the Blue Crab Discovery, the Gullah Heritage Trail Tour, Kayaking Tour of Jarvis Creek, or the Dolphin & Nature Cruise. https://www.coastaldiscovery.org/
Sure to catch your eye from afar, the Harbour Town Lighthouse Museum is both a beacon and a landmark. Head up the 112 steps to take in incredible 360-degree views from the top or learn about the 50-year history on a Lighthouse Legends Tour. https://harbourtownlighthouse.com/
Beneath Your Feet – Hilton Head’s Forgotten History Through Historic Maps, held at USCB Hilton Head Island Campus, rediscovers lost history and traces the development of the island through more than 300 historic maps. This talk is offered by Joe Grondalski on Wednesday, May 28 at 1:30 p.m. Additional dates are available.
Something Spooky
Did you know Hilton Head has a haunted cemetery? It’s said the spirit of 19th-century William Baynard still haunts the empty Zion Cemetery mausoleum where his wife and treasure once lay. Visit on a sunny summer’s day to chase the ghosts away from what is the island’s oldest existing structure. https://www.hiltonhead.com/hilton-heads-haunted-cemetery/
Get the stories behind the ghost on a paranormal tour of Hilton Head, Daufuskie Island, and the nearby waterways. A Ghost Ship Cruise featuring haunted tales of the Lowcountry is a comfortable way to take an afterlife adventure. https://www.vagabondcruise.com/ghost-ship-cruise/