4. Harbour Town Lighthouse

We love Harbor Town - but the lighthouse is fake.
My family and I love Harbour Town. The harbor and surrounding restaurants are great. Outdoor acoustic music rings through the harbor from several venues. Just sit on a rocking chair and relax with a drink or ice cream for the kids in hand. The lighthouse is an icon, but it is not real.

I was very disappointed. Before coming to Hilton head, I looked on the internet for things to do. The light house was one that I found. When we got there, you had to pay just to enter Harbour town and then pay again to go into the lighthouse. The downstairs area where you pay had AC but the 114 steps up did not. It was so hot and with Asthma it was very difficult. I made the trip up and when I looked out, it was no big thrill. We werent very high up and there wasnt much to look at once up there. I wouldnt do it again, even for free. And my kids were bored to death. Oh and parking was horrible. Do a dolphin watch. We did the flying circus with the 6 of us and it was very relaxing and we saw alot of dolphins. Kids really enjoyed it.

The lighthouse was a let-down--it's not full size and it's basically just walking up a bunch of stairs, looking at pictures on the walls. At the top is a gift shop that's nothing special, but outside is a beautiful view of the harbor/inlet. Make sure you bring some quarters for the telescope-y thing. If you have small children, there's an awesome playground nearby. Oh, and you have to pay to ENTER the harbor area, which seemed a rip off to us but the playground and luxury yachts (fun to gawk at) made up for it.

This is probably hands down one of the most beautiful places on Hilton Head Island. There is a gorgeous harbor with great food and shopping. Most evenings they have live music that is preformed by the Harbor that is always wonderful. If you are going to Hilton Head Island this is a must go.