2025 Nature Spots Guide

Visitors who are expecting a grand and perfectly preserved Civil War fort may be disappointed when they make a visit to Fort Howell, but patrons who love a unique bit of history with accompanying earthen remnants, as well as a gorgeous wooded stroll, will find this Hilton Head Island site a delight.

A fascinating find off the beach, the Coastal Discovery Museum is sure to engage Hilton Head visitors of all ages, with a world of indoor and outdoor exhibits, all found on the site of a rich coastal ecosystem. With a series of exhibits that are always changing, guided walks and tours, and a special Kids Zone that gives young visitors an in-depth natural overview of this distinctive coastal landscape, there's clearly something for everyone at the Coastal Discovery Museum.

The postcard-worthy Driessen Beach Park is a little hard to find, and for most Hilton Head Island regulars, that's a very good thing. Seldom crowded, with plenty of parking spaces to go around, this relatively expansive park has plenty of room to roam, and plenty of beachside and wooded amenities to keep everyone in the family perfectly comfortable and completely entertained.

The Hilton Head Airport, conveniently located just off the main William Hilton Parkway, allows visitors to forego the long airport lines, distant parking, and traffic jams, and jump right into a leisurely, relaxing vacation. Currently serving private planes in addition to a commercial airline, high flyers will feel right at home at this accommodating, and fantastically located, gateway to the Hilton Head beaches.

Mitchelville Freedom Park is a deeply meaningful and historically rich destination that offers both a scenic natural setting and a powerful connection to America’s past. Located on the northern end of the island near Port Royal Sound, this park sits on the site of what was once Mitchelville—the first self-governed town for formerly enslaved people in the United States. Today, the park honors that legacy while providing a tranquil space for education, reflection, and recreation.