PHOTO: HILTON HEAD ISLAND VCB
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Sunset at Hudson’s Seafood on the Docks in Hilton Head.
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The Coast of South Carolina |
The appeal of Hilton Head—scenic beaches, miles of nature-filled footpaths, two dozen championship golf courses—is established and enduring. But even on an island that draws more than two million annual visitors, there’s a quieter side. G&G contributor Gwen Pratesi shares where to find the less-crowded beaches, which bakery is a must-visit, how to get to an islander-favorite beach bar, and perhaps most importantly, the best time to visit (spoiler alert: It’s almost here). Get the tips below, and keep scrolling to discover more of the Palmetto State’s coastal secrets.
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EXPLORE MORE OF SOUTH CAROLINA’S COAST |
STORIES TO INSPIRE WANDERLUST
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Six Lesser-Known
South Carolina Barrier Islands |
The Enduring Charm of
the Grand Strand and Hammock Coast |
Ten Must-Eat Coastal Dishes
and Where to Find Them |
A Guide to a Charleston Garden Walk |
A Must-Stop Pie Shop on Highway 17 |
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Charleston’s St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church and Hotel Bennett.
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SUITE DREAMS: As if the appeal of Charleston’s award-winning restaurants, evocative architecture, and stunning Lowcountry coastline weren’t enough, the historic South Carolina city offers an abundance of best-in-class hotels. So how to choose where to lay your head? Picture your ideal vacation: If it’s ocean views and beachside sips, head to the barrier islands for resorts with four-star dining and spa services. Prefer to indulge in a world-class culinary scene? Station yourself on the peninsula, home to luxury hotels with concierge teams that specialize in helping guests secure coveted reservations. Whatever getaway you’re after, there’s the perfect Lowcountry lodging nearby. Find your ideal Charleston-area hotel.
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| With a devotion to perfection and a penchant for innovation, Mount Pleasant’s Mary Jackson has taken the age-old art of sweetgrass basket weaving to the world stage.
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Lexington, Virginia. Every year, I return to the Shenandoah Valley to revisit my college stomping grounds with friends. We’ve spent all four seasons in Lexington, but summer is my favorite time to visit: The river runs cold, the chestnut oaks burst with green, and restaurants celebrate the bounty of seasonal fruits and veggies. If you’ve been, you know the magic of this special pocket of Virginia. And if you haven’t, start here:
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Explore downtown: Small businesses line the historic streets of Lexington. At Earth, Fire, & Spirit, bowls, mugs, and plates swirl with heirloom glazes of rich reds, greens, and blues, reflecting the colors of the landscape. Purveyors on Main is a treasure chest of local goodies and wine, including Southern favorites like sweet Doux South bread and butter pickles, Birdie’s pimento cheese, and wood-fired sourdough loaves from Season’s Yield Farm.
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Sample the flavors: Weeks before our reservation at Red Hen, we study the weekly menu and pick out imaginary orders in anticipation, dreaming of their seasonal plates. Summer ingredients shine in dishes like trout romesco with bright pattypan squash and spiced pork chops with peach slaw. For pizza and Blue Ridge brews, we headed to Heliotrope and shared slices of honey-drizzled za’atar and heirloom tomato pies atop creamy burrata.
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Get outside: We brought our morning coffees from Roadmap CoffeeWorks to the Chessie Trail, an easy and flat path that snakes through the shade alongside the Maury River, where locals kayak, canoe, and float on inner tubes when the water’s high. After we clocked a few miles, we picked up Italian sandwiches from Pronto and drove out to Goshen Pass to cool off, devoting the afternoon to swimming in the cold, clear river water in the heart of a vibrant green gorge.
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MORE TRAVEL STORIES FROM G&G |
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