Shopping in Hilton Head
For a real taste of the region, many restaurants serve up their version of one the area’s most treasured dishes, a Lowcountry Boil. This mélange of shrimp, sausage, corn on the cob, potatoes and onions traces its roots back to antebellum times and is a mandatory accompaniment to any true oyster roast. Other local favorites include soft-shell crab and She-Crab soup. Locals also swap details of their favorite haunts for shrimp and grits, a truly Southern specialty.
Fast food options are available for those who want food on the go, but they may not look as familiar as others around the country. All Island restaurants must conform to a strict building code requiring construction to blend with the local environment.
TREASURE HUNTING BLISS
A wide range of retail options creates a shopper’s paradise. Browsers are tempted by stores that include chic boutiques, whimsical gift shops and exclusive outlet centers. More than 200 shops are located in intimate plazas, quaint marinas, elegant harbors and full-service shopping centers, all of which complement the environment and architecture of the Lowcountry.
Popular with shoppers, the Island offers a wide variety of boutiques, shopping plazas, two Tanger Outlet Centers and the newly redesigned Shelter Cove Towne Centre. In addition, you can stroll through the breezeways of the many outdoor shopping centers. Mundane strip malls do not reside in this part of the Lowcountry that favors protecting the unique and inviting Island atmosphere.
Of course, no shopping jaunt here is complete without exploring the many one-of-a-kind opportunities that flourish year-round. Places like Bluffton’s historic Calhoun Street feature an eclectic collection of local wares and crafts, many created on the spot.