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going to Hilton Head in 1 1/2 weeks...any tips?

buzzy

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We are arriving next Friday (th 14th), going to Asheville/Biltmore and then arriving at Barony Beach on Sunday. We are leaving Saturday night instead of Sunday to Fayetteville to get a head start on the driving for Sunday. (We live in PA)
I have been calling II to try and get GO instead of BO, mainly because of the bike riding at Seapines but so far I have been unsuccessful. I have bikes being delivered by Hilton Head bicycle company although I am unsure when because they want to wait until I have a room number first. (I hope it doesn't take too long.

We were going to do the alligator presentation at the Coastal Museum but is would cost us close to $100 for a 45 minute presentation.

We are planning on doing a kayak tour on Wednesday, fireworks on Tuesday and plan on going to Savannah for a day trip and Charleston for a day trip.
We also want to go see Shannon Tanner at the light house.

I have a list of restaurants but we are mainly going to do earlybirds because we have 3 young kids so we eat earlier anyway.

I was going to try and request Morning Glory or Bayberry and see how it goes. I understand those building have been refurbished.

I do have a few questions about loose ends for us on the trip....

Will Savannah take a day or could be make it a 1/2 day trip?
Is Charleston not Charleston without going to one of the main plantations? Some of them seem expensive plus they seem to take all day in order to get your monies worth and we want to leave enough time to see the rest of Charleston. I really do not want to take 2 full days away from Hilton Head so if anyone thinks the Savannah or Charleston is not worth the day trip let me know.

Can you ride bikes at night? I understand that it is very hot there this time of the year so thought we would ride the bikes early or late but wasn't sure about lighting if we rode at night.

Is Daufuskie Island worth taking the ferry? It doesn't seem like there is much to do unless we have the kids visit for the pony rides?

Should I keep calling to switch to GO. Like I said, it was mainly the location in Seapines and bike riding that made us want to switch. My understanding is that we can ride there, it would cost us $5.00 (per car I think) but that we would have to rent bikes from them (not sure of the cost of that either)

Thanks for your help!
 

Janette

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You can get on and off the trolley tour in Savannah so you can take all the time you wish. We have had unbearable heat off the island this past week and today should be the worse. I started my walk at 6:20. Savannah and Charleston will be hot. Hopefully, there will be some relief before you get here. The island breezes keep the island a little cooler. I own at GO and Barony, but prefer GO so I would keep calling, It won't hurt.
 

vlapinta

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Savannah is only @ 1 1/2 hours away. We were there last April. It was just OK. There was a lot of construction going on. If I had to pick between Savannah or Charleston I would pick Charleston. I have been reading through the threads posted here, and to me it seems you cannot ride in SeaPines unless you stay in SeaPines or at GO, where they willl also give you a pass. We stayed at GO and rented bikes from them. We were given a car pass and bike pass. Have fun on your stay. We will be arriving Friday for a week. This year we are staying at Heritage Club to take advantage of the golf package.

Vicki
 

buzzy

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I have been reading through the threads posted here, and to me it seems you cannot ride in SeaPines unless you stay in SeaPines or at GO, where they willl also give you a pass. We stayed at GO and rented bikes from them. We were given a car pass and bike pass. Have fun on your stay. We will be arriving Friday for a week. This year we are staying at Heritage Club to take advantage of the golf package.

Vicki
I read a lot of the same posting too, but thought we could rent directly from sea pines. (I could be wrong about that) I also read different postings with different opinions as to whether or not we could rent from GO (since we are Marriott owners) and they would give us a pass. I guess we will ask when we get there and see what they say. This is why we are trying to get to GO, so that we don't have to deal with any of this when we get there
 

sugar apple

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Buzzy, I am in PA too!! I loved Barony Beach. I still have not had my baby so I was not able to do any of the excursions you are inquiring about. I hope you have a fabulous time.
 

jme

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keep trying for Grande Ocean for more than biking reasons, BUT, Barony will be fantastic too.....you won't be disappointed. Savannah can be done in a HALF day.....there's no reason to take a whole day when you could be back at HH. Skip Daufuskie.......you'd probably say, "yes, that was interesting".....but it kills a day because of the ferry ride and all the parking and waiting ,etc. Enjoy HH and do everything THERE that you can....your kids will enjoy the things HH offers far more than anything at Daufuskie. We've been going to HH for 40 years and have never visited Daufuskie as a famlily ...i've played golf there many times, so I've seen the island, and there's not much at all to it....not enough to take my family. jme
 

buzzy

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keep trying for Grande Ocean for more than biking reasons, BUT, Barony will be fantastic too.....you won't be disappointed. Savannah can be done in a HALF day.....there's no reason to take a whole day when you could be back at HH. Skip Daufuskie.......you'd probably say, "yes, that was interesting".....but it kills a day because of the ferry ride and all the parking and waiting ,etc. Enjoy HH and do everything THERE that you can....your kids will enjoy the things HH offers far more than anything at Daufuskie. We've been going to HH for 40 years and have never visited Daufuskie as a famlily ...i've played golf there many times, so I've seen the island, and there's not much at all to it....not enough to take my family. jme

JME, We are going to Asheville to see the Biltmore, as per your suggestion! I have called everyother day for Grand Ocean for the last few months at 9:00and still nothing but I will keep trying. Thanks for the suggestion on Daufuskie and Savannah. Do you suggest Charleston for the day? We just hate to have made the drive and not see something and it may be our last trip down south for a while. Thanks!
 

jme

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JME, We are going to Asheville to see the Biltmore, as per your suggestion! I have called everyother day for Grand Ocean for the last few months at 9:00and still nothing but I will keep trying. Thanks for the suggestion on Daufuskie and Savannah. Do you suggest Charleston for the day? We just hate to have made the drive and not see something and it may be our last trip down south for a while. Thanks!


Charleston is a destination that we adore! I do believe it would be worth a full day there when you do go....farther to get there and back, so while there you would want to stay longer....plus there's more to see....such as walking around the "Battery" area and walking around the old homes .....really beautiful.

Only caveat is that it's going to be hot, hot, hot, and a visit like that may be bordering on intolerable this time of year. If it were Fall or Spring, I'd say definitely go. August is a time we would skip. Just too hot to enjoy, and the kids get whiny..... after an hour of the heat, everybody gets whiny.

Now, regarding Asheville, I do recall your name and recommending that to you. When I saw your post, I wondered if that was you. .. anyway, definitely take your time and find out why Asheville is one of the best day trips you and your family will EVER make, period. It's worth a trip anytime, or multiple times. We can't get enough!

Asheville is a hundred times more fun than Savannah or Charleston, and after you see the Biltmore House, you'll understand....... Why more people don't do that when they come South is beyond me! It's probably one of the best destinations in the country, and people just don't take the time.....maybe they just don't know any better.

Before you go, take a few minutes one evening and Google George Vanderbilt and the Biltmore House, and read about them, especially George's life. .....his life was soooooo interesting, and then when you visit, MAKE SURE you rent the little HEADPHONES which describe each room as you go.....it talks to you at your own pace....you click off when you exit a room, and click back on when you reach the next. Having done both, headset and no headset, I definitely recommend strongly the headset for EVERYBODY....do it right!!!!!

When you read up on George and get excited, the house comes alive when you see everything, and you can almost hear the sounds of life then, and smell the smells.....personally I can smell the smells of a giant feast in the kitchens and dining room , say, during the Christmas holidays , imagining all the sights and sounds and smells , with all the guests and servants running to and fro.......just close your eyes and the place comes alive....it's truly amazing. And to realize it really DID HAPPEN not so long ago!!!!!

May be THE most amazing tour you'll ever do.....we've been all over Europe, and the Biltmore House pretty much blows everything away....and that includes dozens of castles, even Windsor Castle ......'course, George got a lot of his ideas from homes in Europe, and you'll see.....i'm sooo envious!

It'll be hot there in Asheville ,too, but inside it's fine. Still a "can't miss". ...Make sure you eat lunch in the "stables" cafe. Skip the winery. WOW, i'm jealous....i was just thinking THIS week about getting back to Asheville this Fall ourselves! Hope we can....and let me know what you thought!!! And if you have time to visit the Grove Park Inn, even if just to walk around and SEE it, take the time....it'll WOW you also! Evening dining (or breakfast) in the Blue Ridge Dining Room is awesome!!!!! The views are amazing toward the valley and the city lights at night in the distance are pretty....and the rocking chairs in the Great Hall and on the Veranda....WOW.......& what a sunset over the valley and over the mtns on the other side.....wow........

TAKE YOUR CAMERA !!
Best, Marty (jme)
 
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pcgirl54

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Here's my take.

Loved Biltmore Estate in Asheville. Do as Marty suggests and rent the headphones and also eat in the Stable on site. Go early and make reservations by 11am as the line get long. We made sure we were at Biltmore gates when it opened about 8AM. The Winery tour lines on the property are very long so we skipped it. http://www.biltmore.com/visit/dining/stable

Not far from Asheville we drove to Gatlinburg for the afternoon and then headed to Pigeon Forge which I really liked a lot. The Apple Barn is a must stop. http://www.applebarncidermill.com


While in Asheville go to the famous Grove Park Inn and have the breakfast buffet while you look at the view. It is $17 for adults. Marty recommened this to us. There is a walk in fireplace and a incredible spa. http://www.groveparkinn.com/Leisure/


I love Barony and HHI.

If you try to overdo you won't get to relax.

Savannah is 40 miles from Hilton Head

Charleston is 2.5 hrs away. And further out are the plantations we toured Middleton when we stayed at Myrtle Beach. Battery area with southern homes are nice.

Beaufort SC is a much smaller town with historic homes and a buggy ride and within 40 minutes.

If you saw Biltmore, Savannah and HHI that is plenty for sure and I am someone who wants to see it all.

When you cross that bridge to HHI most people do not want to leave. I have been 6 or more times and still have not been to Daufuskie. It is 13 miles from Sun City to the bridge in HHI.

Early bird specials are good and there are many inexpensive dining options.
 

Kenrabs

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A GPS system is a big help driving and at night is a must do to low lighting around the island.
 

buzzy

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Thanks everyone.....I didn't realize that Charleston is 2 1/2 hours away....5 hours of driving in one day, I hope it gives us enough time to see enough when we get there. We may have to play it by ear or may have to cut out a plantation and just walk around.

We will try and get over to the Grove Park Inn, we probably will not have time to go to brunch since we have the 4 hour trip ahead of us to get to Hilton Head but we will try and get over there to check it out.

Thanks for the website for the stables at the Biltmore house..I couldn't find prices....does anyone know how the prices are for a family with 3 kids? Is it kid friendly?...the food looks good.

I heard that the jellyfish are bad at HH right now....I hope not, or at least there are areas on Hilton Head that we can go to the ocean to avoid them, my kids will get freeked out, and if they see one jellyfish, that may be it for the ocean this trip. (actually, I hate to admit it by I am the same way)
 

pcgirl54

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Buzzy our meals for two adults were about $10-$14 a person. There were many families eating there and I thought there were children's meals.

You can buy tickets to Biltmore online. There is a welcome center where you check in. Just go early as it gets crowded as the morning goes.

There is a small courtyard outside the Stable Restaurant area which is to the right of the estate if you were faing forward. They have kiosks, tables and chairs and sandwiches for $5-$8.

There are also shops inside that area and wine tasting table in the back of the gift shop where you can bring a bottle home. I bought a beautiful bottle with the estate etched on the front and did not pack it in the suitcase as I did not want it to break. I forgot all about the 3 oz rule. So I had to give it away before I got through the security gate to board the plane. It broke my heart.

I had wanted to see Biltmore for so many years. I think we were there about 4 hours total and that includes seeing the greenhouse and driving around the back of the estate to go down to the vineyard shop and Riverbend Farm horse area. It is not worth the extra time to do that IMHO. The house and stable gift shop next to the estate and maybe the greenhouse would be more than enough then you can be on your way.

In the center of Asheville which is a great walking around town there are little bistros and also a Mellow Mushroom. subs and pizza. There is also one in HHI in Park Plaza. http://www.mellowmushroom.com


JME/Marty told me about these places and he was right on target as he is with HHI suggestions.
 

buzzy

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pcgirl54,

Thanks for the great suggestions and for mentioning what is Not worth taking the time to do. I hate wasting time. We are not wine drinkers so we will skip that altogether. We purchased our tickets through the local Asheville AAA and they mailed the tickets to us. They had a discount of $15.00 per person and kids are free. We are looking forward to seeing the Biltmore and Asheville. My sister graduated from college there.

Did you drive from Asheville to Hilton Head? I was just curious as to how long it took you.
 
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