Customize YOUR LOT Experience: Some Ideas

Here are some suggested easy-to-navigate LOT itineraries featuring food, lodging, and special things to do. Get started finding great oysters (and other delectables) and gracious hospitality. Our oysters are the star. They are strongly tied into the culture and social fabric of our Lowcountry communities. From November through March there’s an oyster roast somewhere in the region almost every week. So check out the LOT Events calendar for starters. And thanks to commercial farming you can now eat oysters 12 months a year. Want great barbecue or regional specialties? Look for the LOT Trail Partner plaque and read their page profile for in-depth information. Maximize your time and stay according to your desires. Savor the Experience and Eat the Trail YOUR way! Please enjoy these suggestions.

Foodies, Gourmands & Epicureans

Just Three Hours: Iconic Hudson’s Seafood House on the Docks, Hilton Head Island; single select flights paired with craft beers or special wines chosen to complement. Wild harvest oysters also available. Full menu Trail Partner discount given as well.

One Whole Day: Kayak or SUP guided trip; Dolphin in-boat encounter; see how oysters are farmed at grower’s facility; afternoon drinks on deck at Bateau and dinner at Old Bull Tavern (both Beaufort). Overnight at very special Anchorage Inn, a waterfront boutique inn (c 1770), Beaufort.

Two Days: Day One – Outdoor adventure with May River Excursions on the historic May River, visit last shucking facility in the Lowcountry, followed by lunch at Toomer Family Seafood House (both Bluffton); afternoon at Port Royal Sound Maritime Center in Okatie; dinner at Pearl’s in Bluffton; overnight at Bluffton B&B. Day Two – next a.m. trip to oyster grower’s “farm” in Beaufort or Hilton Head Island; lunch with AquaCurean Trail Partner (your choice). Visit Spring Island Institute in Okatie; grab an authentic Maine lobster roll at Joe Love’s Lobster or a fancy dinner in Bluffton at The Farm; B&B overnight.

Adventurers

Just Three Hours: Zip Line Hilton Head & Aerial Adventure; lunch at Fishcamp on Broad Creek or Old Oyster Factory or Up The Creek. Trail Partner discounts for menu.

24 Hours: Coastal Discovery Museum (learn crabbing; throw a shrimp net) in a.m.; lunch at Crazy Crab; jet ski with Commander Zodiac; dinner at Black Marlin Bayside Grill oh Hilton Head Island; overnight at Shellbed Trail Partner. Next A.M. — Charter or party boat fishing or Zip Line Hilton Head.

Two Days: Day OneCapt. Hook party fishing boat a.m.; lunch at Captain Woody’s, Hilton Head; Afternoon — Outside Hilton Head kayak adventure; dinner at Old Oyster Factory; overnight with Shellbed Trail Partner. Day TwoPau Hana and Flying Circus charter sail in Calibogue Sound; lunch at Kenny B.’s Cajun/Creole. Play some miniature golf and shop in Shelter Cove; dinner at Poseidon Restaurant overlooking the marsh or Skull Creek Dockside (all Hilton Head Island); back to Shellbed Trail Partner lodging for night.

Historical & Cultural

Just Three Hours: Heyward House Welcome Center, Historic planter’s summer home and slave quarters, docent tours; Bluffton; lunch at Pearl’s or the Cottage or Bluffton Barbecue; explore the art galleries and shops. All in Bluffton.

24 Hours: Gullah Heritage Trail Tours on Hilton Head Island; lunch at FARM or Alvin Ord’s or Cahill’s (all Bluffton); Penn Center National Historic Landmark, St. Helena’s Island; shop at MacDonald’s Marketplace in Frogmore; dinner at Bateau or Plums or Old Bull Tavern (Beaufort); overnight at Beaufort Inn or Rhett House. Next A.M. — Shop Downtown Beaufort.

Two Days: Day OneBluffton Heyward House Welcome Center, docent tour of 1800’s home and slave quarters; self-guided tour of National Register Historic District and lunch at Red Fish (Bluffton); P.M. — visit to Kazoobie Kazoo Factory and Museum and Santa Elena History Center; dinner at Saltus River Grill (all Beaufort); overnight Anchorage Inn (c. 1770) Day TwoPenn Center (St. Helena) and Old Sheldon Church ruins (Yemasee) or Gullah-and-Geechie Tours; lunch at Johnson Creek Tavern or Gullah Grub, St. Helena; Beaufort History walk or van tour for history and Hollywood; sunset sail on C/V Second Chance from Beaufort Downtown Marina; overnight at historic Anchorage Inn.

Family Outing(s)

Just Three Hours: Maritime Center (Okatie) or Coastal Discovery Museum (Hilton Head) or Heyward House Welcome Center and docent tour (Bluffton); lunch at Trail Partner eatery with menu discount.

24 Hours: Bluffton Outdoor Excursion adventure on May River; Lunch at Toomer Family Bluffton Seafood House and trip to nearby shucking factory and Gavin House (Bluffton); P.M.– Zip Line Hilton Head & Aerial Adventure; and dinner with oyster lecture and single select oyster flights at Hudson’s Seafood House on the Docks; overnight with Shellbed Trail Partner; next A.M. – Maritime Center (Okatie), lunch at AquaCurean eatery and Shop Downtown Beaufort.

Two Days: Day OneCoastal Discovery Museum for hands-on oystering, crabbing, and shrimping; lunch at Old Oyster Factory; P.M. — ferry to Daufuskie Island and Historical/Cultural Tour; dinner at Hudson’s Seafood House on the Docks, with lecture and single select tasting, then order off menu for discount; overnight with Shellbed Trail Partner. Day Two – A.M. — head to Beaufort, stop at PRSF Maritime Center in Okatie, then on to Kazoobie Kazoo Factory and Museum followed by lunch at Plums (Beaufort); P.M. — visit Gullah-Geechee Center or Parris Island Museum or Santa Elena History Center (all Beaufort area) in afternoon, or take vintage Biplane Tour of Lowcountry in 1943 Tiger Moth; take a Southern Rose Buggy Tour through historic Beaufort; Eat at Panini’s or Lady’s Island Dockside; overnight with Trail Partner lodging.