We are planning to visit South Carolina next year and are not familiar with the area. We are considering staying in either Hilton Head or Myrtle Beach - those who are local, which would you recommend? As this is our first visit to the area, what other cities nearby should we make sure we see? Charleston? Savannah? Thanks for any input!
I am not local but have been to both. Hilton Head is quieter and more upscale. Myrtle Beach has high rise hotels and a trailer park on the beach. It’s a more carnival atmosphere. I’ve never been to Charleston or Savannah but would like to see both someday.
Don’t have a lot of time to give details but Hilton Head, definitely. They are very different and HH is much nicer, in my opinion. You’ll be less than an hour to Savannah and ~ 1 1/2 hrs to Charleston, both of which are worth seeing and easily done on a day trip from HH.
Hilton Head, x1000.
Hilton Head, definitely. Myrtle Beach is a tourist hub and not private at all. Hilton Head is relaxed with amazing restaurants, beaches, and Coligny Square. You should rent bicycles if you stay on North Forest Beach to bike to Coligny! They have the best ice cream there, too!
Not local but daughter did undergrad at College of Charleston and have spent lots of time on South Carolina beaches, but not Hilton Head or Myrtle Beach. Folly Beach, just south of Charleston, is very eclectic and one of our favorites–it’s quiet unless you stay near the center of town. Also near Charleston, just north, is Sullivan’s Island and Isle of Palms. All of these are close enough to allow you to go into Charleston and see the sites. My brother owns a house on Kiawah Island, about 25 miles south of Charleston, which is a gated golf and beach community. We have stayed there and also love it, has great biking trails and has been built to retain a natural environment. We tend to stay off the beaten trail and that’s why we haven’t been to Hilton Head or Myrtle Beach.
What time of the year are you planning this visit?
Another vote for Hilton Head. We took a day trip to Savannah (what a wonderful city!). After a few hours at the beach, we biked, golfed, shopped at the outlet malls, ate out at amazing eateries that are so reasonably priced…can’t go wrong. Very laid back with absolutely no crowds and just upscale relaxation.
I live near here. HHI, Isle of Palms, or St. Simons Island all nice and worth the trip. The poster who said Myrtle had a carnival atmosphere did a good job of describing things.
I’ll just say this, we went to Myrtle Beach for a work conference and nicknamed it “dirty Myrtle”. There is so much else great in SC, I’d truly miss that stop.
Hilton Head, for sure!
Hilton Head!
Anywhere but Myrtle Beach. Probably too far and OT, but Sanibel Island, FL is our favorite beach. A beachcomber’s paradise.
My parents had a house in Port Royal Plantation, which is on the Atlantic side of Hilton Head, had no condos, and did not allow short term rentals. It had a wonderful long, wide uncrowded beach. Other parts of the island can be fairly congested, with more short term traffic, some on the intercoastal are more boating oriented, etc. There was a resort hotel–the Westin–at the end of “their” beach which was very nice. They belonged to the health club there, and we would go for tea and so forth. I think it had a significant golf course, if that’s your thing. Staying there would enable you to access the quieter beach and the rest of the island.
My in laws had a time share in HH until this year - last week of October. It is an amazing week to go … no crowds, but perfect weather.
Thanks to all for the input, it was extremely helpful! Hilton Head wins hands down! So nice to have one decision made.
@thumper1 - we are planning to go mid-late June, right after school gets out.
Since you are going in the season…summer…I would,agree that Hilton Head would be a bit nicer…and more costly.
TBH…there are some areas north of Myrtle Beach that are lovely…we stayed in Longs. But I would not suggest that area for summer travel.
We were there last April and spent three days in Longs and three in Charleston. Plenty to see…and a lovely time to be in that area.
Hilton Head is lovely and upscale. However, North Myrtle Beach has a lot to do And is fun, so I don’t think you should get the wrong impression. Broadway at the Beach, Barefoot Landing are two huge outdoor venues with shops and restaurants that are fun to walk around in the evening. But…it’s very family oriented and is a crowded place in the summer.
We had a wonderful family trip to Myrtle Beach six years ago. We found plenty to do, and enjoyed the beach and pools. The seashells were large and the sand was coarse, a contrast to our trips to Daytona Beach with the fine white sand and tiny seashells. We were surprised at how close the tall hotels were to the beach and how narrow the beach was.
Do you want to rent a whole house or staying in hotel or condo. If you like to be close to Myrtle Beach stuff, you should go south to Litchfield/Pawleys Island or Debordieu (nice gated all houses). Sullivan’s Island or Isle of Palms in Charleston.
I don’t love HH myself but definitely higher end than Myrtle Beach proper. It has a very resort feel.
If you want old school beach houses and family feel you have some other options. If you get out to either side, north or south, of MB it is much more family friendly. We went north when I was growing up - used to be called Cherry Grove. South around Surfside Beach also ok. Good if want to be close to fun/tacky Myrtle Beach without staying there.
Litchfield and DeBordieu are favorites - can head up to Murrell’s inlet for Seafood or down to Pawleys or from DeBordieu down to Georgetown. DeBordieu is all one gated area with amenities depending on who you rent from. Litchfield is a mix of a few hotels, North and South area of homes and Litchfield By the Sea is big gated area with mix of condos with several pools and tennis courts.
Edisto is one of best of “back in the day” feel - not much there but houses and beach, not even many businesses. Don’t even think there are hotels.