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Hilton Head, SC
Articles
Springfest 2003
Hilton Head Island offers an enjoyable vacation with multitudes of
activities and events to choose from in any season of the year. Spring
on Hilton Head is a celebration of all things wonderful—food, wine,
nature, community, patriotism, etcetera, etcetera, and etcetera. On the
way on to the island a quick stop at Vino & Vitto’s located in
Bluffton, the town just before the bridge to Hilton Head, is a special
treat to start the vacation off on the right foot. Vino & Vitto’s is a
gourmet food and wine shop proffering both eat in and take out cuisine
along with a wide range of wines and gourmet provisions. This is the
ideal place to stock up for that perfect picnic or early evening
cocktail on your balcony.
“Springfest” is the name given to a series of island events in March
and April, which draw visitors from all over the southeast. It was
designed by the hospitality industry to breathe some life into what
some consider an off-season time of year. This year Springfest began
with the premiere event, “Winefest”. This event draws thousands of wine
lovers from all over and is touted as one of the largest wine events on
the east coast. Hundreds of purveyors bring their wines and champagnes
to be judged by a panel of experts and then tasted by the public. The
event is held at Shelter Cove Community Park overlooking the marshes of
Broad Creek. A $30 per person fee nets the attendee three hours of wine
education accompanied by music, food and great community atmosphere as
well as a souvenir wine glass. If you would like to learn more about
wine this is an excellent non-threatening inexpensive way to do it.
Also during the event the gold and silver winners are presented along
with a wine auction. It is an incredible event many look forward to
year after year.
The St. Patrick’s Day Parade is another Springfest event that brings
out the child in everyone. Parade goers line Pope Avenue decked in all
manners of Irish garb rivaling any big city celebration. The parade
boasts the usual array of politicians, high school bands and scout
troops but this year it also offered the Anheuser-Busch Clydesdales,
Chicago Bagpipers, Shriner’s mini-cars, and much, much more. The
atmosphere was so friendly and small town that everyone felt like a
native. Following the parade there were parties with live bands all
over the island continuing into the wee hours of the morning.
Coligny Circle sits at the intersections of Pope Avenue and North
Forrest Beach Rd. There is public parking for the beach and scores of
restaurants and shops. The Seacrest Tennis Resort offers a perfect
central location to all of these. Within walking distance you’ll find
an array of activities for the whole family. The Wild Wing Café is a
very popular restaurant for both locals and tourists. It is affordable,
quirky, and fun. Many varieties of chicken wings are offered at very
affordable rates. Try the sampler platter of five different flavor
wings to get you started. Coligny Plaza is a small, self-enclosed area
of shops and restaurants. Black Market Minerals is always a favorite
for the whole family where the kids can purchase a bag full of
beautiful stones for the perfect vacation souvenir. Across the street
is a miniature golf park and the beach is just a short walk away.
Hilton Head has a wonderful beach to walk or ride your bike. Firm sand
allows easy traveling by bike or foot. Beautiful private homes and
resorts line the beach and the sunrise just should not be missed.
Hilton Head is comprised of many private communities called
“Plantations”. Sea Pines Plantation occupies the southern most end of
the island. At the “Circle” entrance to Sea Pines sits a cluster of
great restaurants. Reilley’s is a local favorite serving up superb
Irish and American fare for a very reasonable rate.
Outside the front door is a running count of how many days left to St.
Patrick’s Day. They are very serious about their Patron Saint. Located
right behind Reilley’s is Jump & Phil’s owned and operated by a couple
of local boys come home. Jump & Phil’s not only offered superb,
affordable fare but complimented it with great friendly service. The
Corned Beef Dinner is a must have for Springfest visitors. If that is
not enough, you can also find the fantastic Hilton Head Brewery in this
rich cluster of restaurants. With gorgeous lake views and a fun bar and
lounge this should be a must visit on your list of eateries. Happy Hour
is fun and inexpensive but both lunch and dinner are great also. Check
out the great T-shirts and hats for sale here. A sister to the Brewery
is The Lodge martini and cigar bar. Boasting a huge martini list ,
large humidor and special air handlers to absorb the smoke it is a fun
place to party any night of the week. A white chocolate martini is a
great way to end an evening.
Harbour Town and South Beach are two wonderful areas located within Sea
Pines Plantation. A $5 admission per car per day is collected at
entrance. The Heritage Golf Tournament is played here every spring.
Harbour Town sits around a circular marina with the famous lighthouse
at the mouth of the harbor. Here you will find great shopping, dining
spots and condo rentals. Welcoming rocking chairs are positioned all
around the circle allowing locals and visitors alike an opportunity to
fantasize about owning one of the fabulous yachts docked in this
marina. The views of the sound and islands beyond are spectacular and
boat excursions are available. Café Europa is a fine restaurant located
right below the lighthouse and offering wide vistas of the beautiful
Calibogue Sound. The menu is delightful and always fresh. It is a bit
pricey but well worth it. Save room for dessert.
South Beach is a small quaint marina refreshingly reminiscent of the
New England coast. Here you can have fun with the whole family and lots
of locals at the famous Salty Dog. T-shirts and hats are great
souvenirs here also. The South Seaport Café is also a beautiful place
to dine on fresh seafood while enjoying a marvelous marsh view. Some of
the prettiest scenery on Hilton Head can be found on your ride from the
Sea Pines Entrance to South Beach. There is a gardening area for
homeowners, an equestrian center and beautiful lines of very old live
oaks trimmed in their holiday moss. Make sure you take your camera!
Another spectacular harbor and my personal favorite is Shelter Cove
Marina, in Palmetto Dunes Plantation. Spring is when the azaleas bloom
and the entrance to Palmetto Dunes is always gorgeous. Here you will
find several fine restaurants, unique shops, an incredible marina, all
kinds of charters and well-appointed condo’s for rent. Every week
Shelter Cove offers a celebration of summer with music, food, crafts
and fireworks. It is a favorite of many. At either end of the marina
you will find superior seafood restaurants, the Kingfisher and
Harbormasters. Both offer incredible views but for a special occasion
the Harbormaster’s can’t be beat. You will be treated like royalty with
impeccable service and tableside cooking. Jackets and ties may be
required, so check when you make your reservation. San Miguel’s a great
California/Mexican restaurant and Little Venice is a fine Italian
restaurant both offering great outside dining options. Expressions, a
unique shop located in this area should not be overlooked. It is chock
full of novelties for all ages and is simply a fun place to shop. Once
again visitors find
comfortable rocking chairs all along the verandas to rest and
appreciate the fantastic view. The gigantic statue of Neptune attracts
photo enthusiasts of all ages. No one can resist posing for vacation
photos here. Shelter Cove is also the home of the Family Self Arts
Center offering theater and arts events year round. It is a wonderful
little theatre without a bad seat in the place. Matinees, wonderful for
children are offered with each production. You will also find an
incredibly pleasurable, cool Adventure Golf park that is fun for the
entire family. The butterflies here are gorgeous in the spring.
The north end of the island certainly cannot be overlooked. Well
hidden, but very much worth the hunt, is the BoathouseII restaurant and
marina on Skull Creek. The Boathouse II offers a wonderful, fresh menu
also a favorite of the locals. There is spectacular outside dining on
their terrace and great drinks at the Marker 13 bar. If the weather is
inclement, which it can be in spring, you needn’t worry or change your
plans because the BoathouseII offers beautiful Creek views from its
huge glassed in porch. This should be a definite Saturday or Sunday
brunch plan for your vacation. The inside has another bar, an
impressive homey stone fireplace and more seating. Come during happy
hour and act like a local, because this is where you’ll find them.
Don’t forget your fresh baked cookie on your way out. The Boathouse
boasts a gigantic dry boat storage garage and it is lots of fun to sit
in the wooden swing and watch the boats get loaded and unloaded. Many
yachts will dock here for a wonderful lunch or dinner on their voyage.
Spring is a fabulous time to vacation on Hilton Head Island. The island
is beautiful with flowers blooming prolifically, abundant wildlife, and
down home community spirit. The restaurants are re-opening for the
season with new enthusiasm and pride. Wine, parades, beaches, beautiful
tropical settings, and darn good food chase all the winter blues away.
Springfest is a great way to celebrate the end of winter and the energy
of spring.
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