On New Year’s Eve Day, we went on Outside Hilton Head’s Savannah Port Tour and were blown away by the vast amount that we saw and learned. It’s a 1.5 hour boat tour that leaves from The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa dock on Hutchinson Island and is offered year-round.
Despite having lived in Savannah for more than four decades, I am embarrassed to to admit that I knew little about all that goes at Port or Savannah, the nations largest port in volume – just upriver from Savannah’s Historic Riverfront.
Our captain USCG Boat Captain Peter Pearson shared his considerable experience to provide insight on how the Georgia Port Authority works. The tour also included Savannah history and a look into what a huge influence our port has.
A tour for all ages, you get up close to those colossal container ships and leave with a renewed appreciation of where we live.
So thankful that Outside Hilton Head offers this peek into one of Savannah’s treasures.
You don’t have to travel far from Savannah to find a prime family-friendly vacation. Hilton Head Island is teeming with fun ways to entertain the kids.
SEE SOUTHERNMAMAS.COM LATEST HILTON HEAD REEL HERE.
Hilton Head Island’s beaches are the No. 1 way. You can bike on this beach. You can play in the tidal pools at low-tide. Swim. Sand castles. Ride the waves.
FOR MORE KID-FRIENDLY LOCAL ACTIVITIES, VISIT THE SOUTHERNMAMAS.COM EVENT CALENDAR HERE.
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Bicycling on Hilton Head Island
Hilton Head Island offers over 50 miles of public bicycle pathways and nature trails. The hard-packed beaches are also popular for bicycling at low tide.
Also bike the self-guided Legacy Oak Program tour, which consists of 20 landmark Live Oak trees in Sea Pines Resort which range in age from 100 to 320 years in 15 locations. Each designated tree is on an easily accessible public property. Most are identified with a wooden bench engraved with the name of the tree, its estimated birth year and the program logo. Learn more here & download a pamphlet and trail map highlighting the history, location, size and age of each of the Sea Pines Legacy Oaks.
The park off Pope Avenue near the Coligny Beach parking lot and Coligny Beach Park features: *The Adventure Playground, named after the ship Captain William Hilton was on when he discovered Hilton Head Island. It features a reimagined design of the ship, playground, wading pool/splash pad and more. The ship includes: cannons that spray a light mist, crow’s nests, swing bridges, port holes, rope nets, periscopes. *An open pavilion and lawn for events. *A perimeter walk *Two fitness stations *Wi-Fi *Public restrooms
Take a free, self-guided tour of Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park. Established in 1862 on Hilton Head Island, Mitchelville is the first place in the United States where African Americans, out of slavery but not yet citizens, self-governed. This first self-governed town of freed slaves is commemorated in the historic site of Mitchelville Freedom Park on Beach City Road. Learn more here
A mere hour drive from Savannah, Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge is an easy getaway from Savannah to bike amid nature on 14 miles of hiking and biking trails. The refuge is open from sunrise to sunset daily. (Not located on Hilton Head Is. but between HHI and Bluffton)
The free animal farm includes goats, sheep, chickens, turtles, cows and alpacas. Kids can also pet a friendly retired Clydesdale, Woody, at the stables. Pony rides and horseback riding available for a fee.
The animal farm is free; there’s a $9 Sea Pines gate fee per auto. More info here. 190 Greenwood Drive, Hilton Head Island, 29928
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Free Skate Park
Free Skate Park @ Bristol Sports Arena. Free outdoor skate park. Ramps & rails for skaters of all abilities. Restrooms. Pads required. Details here. 4 Helmsman Way, Hilton Head Is. SC 29926.
Educational natural history and animal programs at a venue that includes salt marsh board walks, open fields, gardens, trails and a 1200 square foot butterfly habitat that is home to some 13 species of native butterflies to the Lowcountry. Explore natural history and cultural heritage on the 68 acre Honey Horn property. The Museum’s trails, gardens, live oaks, butterfly enclosure and Marsh Tacky horses are just a few of the fun experiences you will encounter during your visit. Mon. – Sat. 9-4:30 and Sun. 11-3. *Perfect rainy day activity. More info here. 70 Honey Horn Drive Hilton Head Island, SC 29926
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Sea Pines Forest Preserve
The 605-acre Sea Pines Forest Preserve includes easy trails to various points of interest including the 4,000-year-old Indian Shell Ring, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and a wildflower garden that’s amazing when in bloom. The walks range from 25 minutes to one hour. Bicycles are not permitted on the nature trails, so please park your bicycles at the locations provided. Open from sunrise to sunset. The Forest Preserve is free; there’s a $9 Sea Pines gate fee per auto. More info here.
The Gregg Russell Playground at Harbour Town is one of the top playgrounds in our area. Fenced, somewhat shaded playground that includes a treehouse; swings; numerous slides; lots of climbing bars, jungle gym bars, monkey bars. Just outside the fenced-playground is a water fountain; picnic tables; bathrooms; and plenty of spots for lunch, drinks or coffee and of course, the famous Harbour Town lighthouse which is open to climb for a fee plus $9 Sea Pines gate fee per auto. Harbour Town, Hilton Head, SC 29928
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FREE historical Stoney-Baynard Ruins, Sea Pines
The ruins of the old Baynard estate, the main house as well as attendant slave quarters, are permanently preserved within six-acre Baynard Ruins Park. The home was raided during the Civil War and Union forces made it their headquarters. Details here. The ruins are free; there’s a $9 Sea Pines gate fee per auto.
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Seasonal
Spring & summer events
Free family-friendly outdoor Gregg Russell concerts at Harbour Town, Sea Pines
A classic on Hilton Head Is. for almost four decades, Gregg Russell Concerts under the Liberty Oak in Harbour Town happen regularly during summer (weather permitting) & periodically during spring.
This family-oriented singer/storyteller performs sing-a-longs, ballads & silly songs with audience participation. Kids in the audience try to get Gregg to pick them to sing a song to the crowd, often using creative pick-me posters etc. Concerts are free; there’s a $9 gate fee per auto. Celebrating 40 years in 2016, Gregg has become a Sea Pines classic. Under the Liberty Oak in Harbour Town is where you’ll find Gregg Russell entertaining adults and children alike. His concerts are not to be missed. Find the concert schedule here.
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Free Sea Pines Trolley
Take the free Sea Pines Trolley to Sea Pines locations during summer months & some holiday periods. This is a way to entertain kids who are still thrilled by “bus rides etc”. The trolley offers an easy way to get around Sea Pines. Schedule info here. Trolley rides are free; there’s a $9 Sea Pines gate fee per auto. Good rainy day activity
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Beach access at Sea Pines Beach Club.
Sea Pines Beach Club has convenient access to the beach, Surf Shop, restrooms, shower facilities & Surfside Market featuring to-go sandwiches, salads, snacks & cold beverages. Details here. 87 North Sea Pines Drive, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina 29928. The beach club is free; there’s a $9 Sea Pines gate fee per auto.
Located off Pope Avenue on the south end of Hilton Head Island (about a 60 min. drive from Savannah), this interactive museum provides a place for educational play between children and their caregivers.
For ages infant to eight. 18A Pope Ave, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 (843) 842-7645 Daily rates & membership rates here. The Sandbox Children’s Museum, 18-A Pope Avenue, next to St. Andrew’s by the Sea United Methodist Church, Hilton Head Is., 29928 www.thesandbox.org
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FOR MORE KID-FRIENDLY LOCAL ACTIVITIES, VISIT THE SOUTHERNMAMAS.COM EVENT CALENDAR HERE.
Established in 1862 on Hilton Head Is. SC, Mitchelville is the first place in the United States where African Americans, out of slavery but not yet citizens, self-governed. This first self-governed town of freed slaves is commemorated in the historic site of Mitchelville Freedom Park on Beach City Road.
On your next visit to Hilton Head, visit this quiet, historically significant ocean-side site.
Mitchellville
*First town where enslaved people were freed following the Emancipation Proclamation
*Located just across the river from Savannah.
*The town was an important stop on the Underground Railroad and the first place to be governed by African Americans.
The park was created by the nonprofit Mitchelville Preservation Project to educate the public about the resilience of the freed people of Mitchelville. This 19th-century town of freed slaves was around before the Emancipation Proclamation was signed, when most of the African-American population in the South was still enslaved. Residents built homes, a one-room schoolhouse, stores, praise houses and created a new, self-governed culture.
Overlooking the marsh is a Bench by the Road, one of 20 memorial bench sites worldwide created by the Toni Morrison Society. The black steel benches are placed in areas to remember once-forgotten moments in African-American history. Learn more about the other Freedom Park exhibits here.
This looks like a fun daytrip from Savannah: The Kazoo Factory, also known has Kazoobie Kazoos, in Beaufort, S.C..
We’d love to hear comments from anyone who has visited this spot with kids. Feel free to comment on our Facebook page by clicking here.
The Kazoo Factory offers museum tours where kids can see how kazoos are made. The museum tours show how kazoos are assembled,
imprinted, packaged and shipped to all corners of the world. Kids can also make their own kazoos to take home.
Factory Tour Hours Monday – Friday 10 AM and 3:00 PM Admission: $4.00 per person (includes a build-it-yourself kazoo)
