Bluffton

Day Trips

Begin the day with a Southern-style breakfast at Local Market, where fresh biscuit sandwiches set the tone for exploration. Wander along Calhoun Street, admiring its preserved Victorian-era architecture. Pause to photograph the charming town square draped in Spanish moss.

Grab a gourmet picnic from Native Oyster and head to the Old Town Bluffton Oyster Factory to learn about the town’s 19th-century maritime history. Browse local galleries and boutiques showcasing Lowcountry art and crafts. Stop by the Heyward House Museum for a guided tour of one of Bluffton’s oldest residences.

Dine at a waterfront restaurant overlooking the May River, sampling local shrimp and grits. Catch the sunset from the adjacent park as the sky reflects off the water. Afterwards, enjoy live music at a nearby bar or café featuring regional musicians.

Start with a latte and pastry at a cozy café before heading to the Bluffton Arts and Seafood Festival Gallery. Explore rotating exhibits featuring Lowcountry painters and sculptors. Chat with local artists about their inspirations and techniques.

Take a self-guided mural tour through Old Town, pausing to photograph vibrant street art. Visit The Art League of Hilton Head’s Bluffton satellite for a hands-on workshop in watercolor or pottery. Sample artisanal chocolates and confections at a boutique sweet shop.

Attend an intimate theater performance or live concert at the Historic Heyward House courtyard. Sip on a craft cocktail under twinkling bistro lights. Wind down with gelato from a nearby dessert parlor.

Fuel up with a light breakfast at Bluffton Café before meeting your guide at the marina. Board a stand-up paddleboard and learn basic gliding and paddling techniques. Glide through marsh channels, spotting herons and ospreys along the way.

Switch to a kayak and head upriver, exploring secluded coves and tidal creeks. Pause on a sandy bank for a packed lunch while enjoying panoramic water views. Keep an eye out for playful dolphins weaving through the current.

Return to shore for sunset cocktails at a riverside bar. Share stories of today’s wildlife sightings with fellow adventurers. Wrap up the evening with a fresh seafood dinner at a dockside bistro.

Drive to Palmetto Bluff Resort and enjoy a gourmet breakfast buffet at Canoe Club. Embark on a guided nature tram tour through centuries-old live oaks and cypress swamps. Learn about local ecosystems, from salt marshes to maritime forests.

Rent a bike and pedal along shaded trails winding past serene lagoons. Stop for lunch at Buffalo’s Café, sampling their signature steaks and salads. Continue to the Wilson Village shops to browse upscale boutiques and art galleries.

Reserve a table at Octagon Lawn for an al fresco dinner under the stars. Experience live southern jazz music as you dine on local seasonal fare. End the day with a peaceful stroll along the May River boardwalk.

Enjoy breakfast at High Tide Café before joining a Gullah heritage walking tour in Old Town. Listen to stories of the region’s African-American communities and their enduring cultural traditions. Visit the Cultural Center at Palmetto Bluff to view historic artifacts and exhibits.

Drive to the Penn Center on St. Helena Island for a guided museum tour exploring Gullah history. Sample traditional rice dishes and sweet potato pralines at the onsite café. Attend a storytelling session featuring Gullah folklore and music.

Return to Bluffton and dine at a farm-to-table restaurant specializing in Lowcountry cuisine. Savor dishes cooked with heirloom ingredients and authentic Gullah spices. Cap off the night with a moonlit walk through a local sculpture garden.

Arrive at a local culinary school for a hands-on cooking demonstration. Learn to prepare shrimp and grits from scratch, mastering the perfect creamy texture and seasoning. Taste homemade hush puppies fresh from the fryer.

Take a market tour with your chef to hand-select fresh seafood, seasonal vegetables, and Southern spices. Return to the kitchen and craft a complete three-course meal, including a classic she-crab soup. Share your creations with classmates over wine.

Head back to Old Town for dinner at a recommended café to compare techniques and flavors. Enjoy a casual evening chat with your chef instructor about Lowcountry food traditions. Treat yourself to a scoop of locally made sorbet before bedtime.

Rent a road bike and set off early to beat the heat, pedaling along May River Road. Pass by historic plantations and marshlands while your guide points out native flora and fauna. Stop for coffee and snacks at a roadside general store.

Switch gears to hiking on the Okatie River Preserve trails. Traverse boardwalks through hardwood forests and observe turtles basking on logs. Break for a lakeside picnic featuring local cheeses and fruit.

Return bikes to town and relax with a cold craft beer at a brewery taproom. Catch the sun dipping below the treetops from an outdoor beer garden. Sample tasting flights and chat with the brewmaster about local grain selections.

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at Home Café before heading to the marina. Board a private river cruise vessel with panoramic viewing decks. Settle in with coffee as you learn about the May River’s tidal rhythms and wildlife.

Cruise past oyster beds and marsh islands while the captain narrates local history. Spot egrets, pelicans, and occasionally a playful pod of dolphins. Lunch on board features a charcuterie spread with Lowcountry specialties.

Position the boat for an optimal sunset view, capturing vibrant oranges and purples over the river. Toast with champagne as the sky transforms and river breezes cool the deck. Disembark and head to a nearby waterfront tavern for a nightcap and light appetizers.

Tee off at Crescent Pointe Golf Club with a scenic early-morning round. Play through lush fairways lined with towering pines and live oaks. Rehydrate with refreshing lemonade and snacks at the halfway house.

Return to the clubhouse for a gourmet lunch featuring local seasonal produce. Head to the resort spa for a rejuvenating massage using locally infused botanicals. Relax in the sauna and outdoor whirlpool overlooking serene gardens.

Dress up for a fine-dining experience at the clubhouse restaurant, where Lowcountry lobster tails and prime steaks feature on the menu. Pair your entrée with a carefully selected regional wine. End the night with a starlit stroll along a manicured garden path.

Meet a local naturalist at dawn for a guided photo expedition through Bluffton’s wetlands. Capture shots of wading birds, marsh reflections, and misty sunrises. Learn composition techniques to highlight wildlife behavior.

Visit a secluded rookery by boat to photograph nesting herons, ibises, and spoonbills. Enjoy a packed gourmet lunch on a shaded dock. Practice macro photography with native wildflowers and insects in a nearby pollinator garden.

Head back to town for a casual dinner at a garden-patio restaurant. Share your favorite photos over dessert and coffee. Reflect on the day’s wildlife encounters under a canopy of twinkling string lights.