I never heard of The Lowcountry before 2019. Since then, I have come to know that The Lowcountry is a geographic and cultural region along South Carolina’s coast, including the Sea Islands. The Lowcountry, a large part of which sits at or below sea level is known for its seafood, historic places and favorable climate. I retired here in 2020.
Bluffton is the town that connects Hilton Head Island to the mainland. The bridge starts in Bluffton. I am going to separate my comments on Hilton Head Island (HHI) and Old Town Bluffton however. They are different places with different lures. Old Town is precisely that – a place with history (not burned down by the Yankees in 1863). HHI is more of a resort .
Church of the Cross 1857 by Jay fraser4
You come to Old Town Bluffton to kick back and relax. Maybe dip your toe in the Hilton Head Island waters for beaches or golf but Old Town and Bluffton overall has its charms. The weather that attracts most is the tropical summer from June through September. The shoulder seasons are the most temperate and the only cold time of year is January and February.
Spanish Moss
The golf that interests many vacationers is highlighted by the Hilton Head National course (it’s here on the mainland) and Old South Golf Links. Both are well done public courses. There are others that are open to the public and you can find them at Where To Play Golf in Bluffton Hilton Head. But by and large the best courses are private so unless you have privileges from another membership or know a resident in the top plantations (Carolina lingo for gated communities) such as Belfair or Berkeley Hall or Colleton River then you are limited. The key is to not waste your money at Eagles Pointe or Crescent or Rose Hill, once nice courses that suffer from neglect.
You do not need to go near HHI to find great food. I recommend the same three to just about everybody – The Bluffton Room for fine dining, FARM for creative farm to table and The Pearl for good local cuisine in a nice setting. They are within a two-block walk of each other in Old Town. But there is Italian, Asian fusion, southwestern, seafood and every kind of cuisine you might want all within a mile of two of each other in Bluffton. Don’t forget the oysters.
There are pubs (Calhoun Street Tavern), brew pubs ( Lot 9), wine bars (Wine Time) and all sorts of places to get a refreshment. The locals flock to the Old Town Dispensary in Old Town, reputed to once be a pharmacy.
Walking around Old Town and you will see art galleries, lots of restaurants, bakeries, ice cream shops, retail shops and plenty of places to spend some time (and money). You will also see the scenic May River.
Sunset on the May River
Stay right in Old Town at the Old Town Bluffton Inn or head just nine miles south and you will find Montage at Palmetto Bluff on the banks of the May River. If you venture down that way, be sure to have dinner at The River House.
Up for some local adventure, a river cruise, dolphin watching, kayaking or birding on Pinckney Island or a stop at Daufuskie Island (John Mellancamp has a home there) try May River Excursions. They have it all.
I have my biases but Bluffton is a great way to introduce yourself to Southern charm. Hilton Head Island is right there, Savannah is 40 minutes south and Charleston is two hours north. Or just stay in Old Town. It is a relaxing way to spend some time. If you are there on a Thursday, check out the Farmers Market. Crab soup to die for.