LOWCOUNTRY LEISURE GUIDE Where to Go • What to Do MARCH 2020- MARCH 2021 HILTON HEAD | BLUFFTON | BEAUFORT | SAVANNAH Lowcountry Wildlife he Lowcountry abounds T with wildlife, making this area a natural wonderland. Listen for birdsongs from cardinals and mockingbirds by day, the familiar hoot of the barred owl at night and the bobwhite quail whistle at daybreak. Birders enjoy the diversity of avian creatures in the Lowcountry, particularly in the spring and fall. Some birds can be seen all year, including the great blue heron, night heron, white egret and laugh- ing gull. Bring a pair of binoculars to look for native and migratory birds. White-tailed deer roam the Lowcountry, nibbling on wild leaves and fruit. They can be shy during the day, but at sunset the local deer popula- tion tends to migrate, so beware of deer entering roadways at dusk or late at night. Near the many lagoons, alligators and bull- frogs are plentiful. Never feed, taunt or get too close to the local population of alligators – remember that alligators truly are wild ani- mals, however docile they may seem. Each year, loggerhead sea turtles nest on the beaches of the Lowcountry between May and August. Nesting occurs at night, when the female crawls ashore on the beach and digs a nest in the sand with her flippers. Loggerhead turtles typically lay between 100 to 125 eggs, before covering the nest with sand and returning back to the ocean. Approximately 60 days later, the baby sea turtles hatch and head towards the sea, ready to begin their journey of life. Keep your eyes and ears alert for wildlife in the Lowcountry. You won’t be disappointed! CHANGE YOUR LATITUDE Your New Home in Paradise It’s always been that happy place in your mind, and the spirit of adventure in your soul. It’s the state of mind when it all comes together in one of life’s perfect moments. When your mind wanders to this paradise, why not follow it home? We have heard your call… Minto Communities and Margaritaville welcome you to Latitude Margaritaville! Inspired by the legendary music and lifestyle of singer, songwriter and best-selling author Jimmy Buffett, your new home in paradise features exciting recreation, unmatched dining and FINtastic nightlife. With Minto’s 40 years of experience developing award-winning, master-planned communities and building quality homes for over 26,000 families, innovative new homes are a given. Escape to the place where fun and relaxation meet. Escape to island-inspired living as you grow older, but not up. Escape to Latitude Margaritaville. Visit online for more information LatitudeMargaritaville.com Latitude margaritaville hilton head New homes from the low $200s 13 Model Homes Open Daily! 356 Latitude Blvd., Hardeeville, SC 29927 Mon-Sat: 9:00am-5:00pm Sun: 11:00am-5:00pm (843) 287-9406 ©Minto Communities, LLC 2020. All rights reserved. Content may not be reproduced, copied, altered, distributed, stored, or transferred in any form or by any means without express written permission. Latitude Margaritaville and the Latitude Margaritaville logo are trademarks of Margaritaville Enterprises, LLC and are used under license. Minto and the Minto logo are trademarks of Minto Communities, LLC and/or its affiliates. CGC 1519880/CGC 120919. 2020 CONTENTS March 2020-March 2021 volume 37 number 1 Hilton Head 7 Hilton Head Island 8 Eco-Friendly Guide to Hilton Head 10 Hilton Head Events 14 Recreational Pathways Guide Bluffton 17 Bluffton 18 Shopping Guide to Bluffton 20 Bluffton Parks 22 Bluffton Events 23 Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge 26 5 Facts About Old Town Bluffton Photography by Joyce Harkins, Hilton Head Island Photography, Inc., Beaufort Southern Salt Marsh 27 Beaufort 28 Hunting Island 29 Beaufort Events 30 The Ace Basin 31 Film Location Guide To Beaufort 32 Spanish Moss Trail 7 Savannah 33 Savannah 34 Savannah Events 38 Photo Hot Spots Guide To Savannah 39 Why is Savannah one of 1177 America’s Most Haunted Cities? 40 Local Airports 42 Lowcountry Directory 46 Lowcountry Map Single copies of The Lowcountry Leisure Guide 2277 may be obtained by mailing a check for $5.00 for postage and handling to Island Communications, P.O. Box 5511, Hilton Head Island, SC 29938. e-mail: icom@ hiltonhead.com. Every effort is made to provide dependable data; however, the publisher does not war rant that the data herein is complete or accurate. Any rates, special offers, etc. are subject to change by the individual adver tis ers and are not guaranteed by Island Communications. Copyright 2020. 3333 Island Communications. All rights reserved. 4 LOWCOUNTRY LEISURE GUIDE | MARCH 2020-MARCH 2021 elcome to the Lowcountry! From award-winning restau- rants to fascinating historic sites, there’s so much here to Wexplore and enjoy. You’ll want to return again and again to experience the best that the area has to offer. Here's a quick overview of the main areas of interest in the Lowcountry: ..................................................................... HHiltonilton HHeadead IIsland,sland, SSCC This crown jewel of the Lowcountry offers 12 miles of white, sandy beaches and lush maritime forests, as well as award-winning dining, exceptional shopping and outstanding family-friendly activities. This boot-shaped sea island, nestled along the South Atlantic coast, has earned a well-deserved reputation as a beach, golf and tennis mecca. Hilton Head Island features wide beaches, gentle waves, rolling dunes and a temperate climate, providing the ideal setting for a diverse range of outdoor activities, from saltwater fishing to ziplining. BBluffton,luffton, SSCC Enjoy the “Bluffton State of Mind,” which is laid-back, quirky and fun, when you visit Old Town Bluffton. Wander the town’s historic streets, shaded by massive live oak trees, and discover creative art galleries, charming boutiques, delicious restaurants and inviting pubs. Tucked along the majestic May River, Bluffton offers an authentic Southern village atmosphere that is home to friendly locals, vintage Lowcountry architecture and fresh seafood. BBeaufort,eaufort, SSCC Southern charm comes to life in Beaufort, from its quaint waterfront dotted with porch swings, to its historic homes, which date back to 1717. Beaufort served as the inspiration for the setting of Pat Conroy’s novel, The Prince of Tides, and is featured in a wide range of movies such as Forrest Gump and The Big Chill. This former port, which was home to wealthy planters before the Civil War, boasts scenic streets shaded by massive live oaks, as well as cozy restaurants, lively festi- vals, friendly cafés and inviting boutiques. SSavannah,avannah, GGAA Founded by General James Edward Oglethorpe in 1733, Savannah originally served as Britain’s 13th colony in the New World. Today, it’s a foodie’s fantasy and a pedestrian paradise. Thanks to the innovative city plan developed by Oglethorpe, visitors can explore the National Historic Landmark District on foot, marveling at the network of squares that crisscross the downtown area. From the seaport charm of River Street to the cosmopolitan flair of Broughton Street, Savannah offers a wide range of options and experiences to suit every taste. Make the most of every moment in the Lowcountry. Happy travels! 6 LOWCOUNTRY LEISURE GUIDE | MARCH 2020-MARCH 2021 HILTON HEAD esignated “The Best Island in the Continental U.S.” in 2019 by Travel + Leisure readers, Hilton Head DIsland is a boot-shaped paradise brimming with white, sandy beaches and natural wonders. Adventure abounds on the many kayak nature tours, deep-sea fishing excursions, walking trails within wildlife preserves and over 50 miles of paved public pathways. No wonder Hilton Head holds a special place in many hearts. Whether enjoying an afternoon of shopping, playing 18 holes on a world-class golf course or savoring a meal at one of the hundreds of fabulous local restaurants, life on this Island is always laid-back. Beachfront hotels and harbor- side condos offer spectacular sunrise and sunset views, adding a taste of luxury as well. Eco-Friendly GUIDE TO HILTON HEAD PPaddleaddle oonn tthehe WWaterater Besides being a great workout and a lot of fun, kayaking and standup pad- dleboarding are environmentally safe ways to enjoy and travel the water. Several tours focusing on Lowcountry wildlife are offered in this area. RReductioneduction iinn PPlasticlastic Starting in November 2018, retailers in Beaufort Country stopped providing single-use plastic bags to customers. Throughout the Island, you will notice a reduction in the use of plastic straws and Styrofoam to-go containers. PPedaledal YYourour WWayay AAroundround On a 12-mile-long and 5-mile-wide Island, there are 6 miles of bike lanes, 117 miles of shared-use pathways, and 24% of the arterial streets have bike lanes or paved shoulders. Leave your car parked and enjoy the beautiful Island pathways and beaches. OOysteryster SShellhell RRecyclingecycling Local restaurants and residents are encouraged to work with the Oyster Recycling and Reef Build Initiative to collect oyster shells and safely return them to the water. Make sure to drop shells off at recycling sites, instead of throwing them into the water, because they might need to be treated for contamination. MARCH 2020-MARCH 2021 | LOWCOUNTRY LEISURE GUIDE 9 HILTON HEAD EVENTS MARCH 2020 www.laislamagazine.com Hilton Head Island Wine & Gregg Russell Concerts at Food Festival Harbour Town March 9-15 May 22-24, 27-29 www.hiltonheadwineandfood.com www.seapines.com HHI St. Patrick’s Day Parade Memorial Day Weekend Sale March 15 May 22-25 www.hiltonheadireland.org