South Carolina Lowcountry

Travel Guide

Tried to capture all this heron as it flew past. Put all of them in one image. Truly a good place to find some marsh dwellers.
Tried to capture all this heron as it flew past. Put all of them in one image. Truly a good place to find some marsh dwellers.
Some even have babies!
We saw a sign for some church ruins. How could I not go? These ruins are owned by a private owner and can be walked around free of charge. 

Known also as the Sheldon Church or Old Sheldon Church, the building was originally known as Prince William's Parish Church. The church was built as a chapel of ease in the English Georgian style, using the Roman Tuscan or Doric order, between 1745 and 1753.

The traditional understanding is that Prince William's was burned by the British in 1779 during the Revolutionary War, rebuilt in 1826, and then burned again in 1865 during the Civil War:
Lying amongst ancient oaks and scattered graves, the Old Sheldon Church ruins is a historic site in northern Beaufort County, South Carolina. Built between 1751-57, the Anglican church was primarily paid for by Lieutenant Governor William Bull, who "greatly assisted General Oglethorpe in establishing the physical layout of Savannah, Georgia." The church was partially burned during the American Revolution, only to be rebuilt and later dismantled shortly after the American Civil War. The church is often called Old Sheldon after Bull's plantation.

#History

Where to stay in South Carolina Lowcountry

Sunset at Harbour Town.

Sea Pines

While visiting Sea Pines, you might make a stop by sights like Atlantic Dunes by Davis Love III and Harbour Town Golf Links.

Sea Pines
Sunset at Harbour Town.

South End

If you're spending some time in South End, Sea Pines Forest Preserve and Coligny Beach are top sights worth seeing.

South End
Atlantic waves / Edisto Island Beach in South Carolina

Edisto Beach

You'll enjoy the beaches and riverfront in Edisto Beach. You might want to make time for a stop at Edisto Beach State Park or Plantation Course at Edisto.

Edisto Beach
At about the same time through the influence of Captain John Stoney and Mr. Isaac Fripp another congregation was formed and a church of wood, on a brick foundation, 40 x 30 ft. was built on Hilton Head Island. Divine Service was performed alternately at each church (St. Luke's Parish Church and Zion Chapel of Ease,) and since there was no Parsonage, the Minister resided with his parishioners.

In 1833, the Rt. Rev. Nathaniel Bowen, Third Bishop of South Carolina, consecrated Zion Chapel, it having been, the record cryptically says, "thrown out of use as to the worship for which it had been originally erected, but now happily recovered." Diocesan records show that Divine Services were regularly held in Zion Church until November 1861 when invasion of the Island by federal armed forces necessitated the flight of the island's white population. When the Rev. Dr. James Stoney

Mid Island

While visiting Mid Island, you might make a stop by sights like Robert Trent Jones Golf Course and Shelter Cove Harbour.

Mid Island
Aerial panorama view of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, USA.

South Forest Beach

If you're spending some time in South Forest Beach, Coligny Beach and Sea Pines Forest Preserve are top sights worth seeing.

South Forest Beach
Walkway to the beach.

North Forest Beach

If you're spending some time in North Forest Beach, Coligny Plaza and Coligny Beach are top sights worth seeing.

North Forest Beach
Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island

Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island

4 out of 5
130 Shipyard Drive Hilton Head Island SC
The price is HK$1,376 per night from 28 Feb to 1 Mar
HK$1,376
HK$1,884 total
28 Feb - 1 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this beach hotel in Hilton Head Island. Enjoy 2 outdoor pools, a full-service spa and 5 restaurants. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,236 reviews)
Rooms were clean. Staff was helpful. Especially appreciated the parents night out for Valentine’s Day!

Reviewed on 21 Feb 2026

Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island
Hilton Beachfront Resort & Spa Hilton Head Island

Hilton Beachfront Resort & Spa Hilton Head Island

4.5 out of 5
1 Hotel Circle Hilton Head Island SC
The price is HK$1,359 per night from 26 Feb to 27 Feb
HK$1,359
HK$1,794 total
26 Feb - 27 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury resort in Hilton Head Island. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 outdoor pools and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,432 reviews)
Staff was wonderful!! Room was clean and spacious. Bathroom door slider was broken but was a minor issue. Still one of my favorite places to stay even when it was a Marriott property years ago.

Reviewed on 20 Feb 2026

Hilton Beachfront Resort & Spa Hilton Head Island
Holiday Inn Express Hilton Head Island by IHG

Holiday Inn Express Hilton Head Island by IHG

2.5 out of 5
10 Tanglewood Drive Hilton Head Island SC
The price is HK$813 per night from 24 Feb to 25 Feb
HK$813
HK$894 total
24 Feb - 25 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Hilton Head Island. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (424 reviews)
Staff were very friendly

Reviewed on 22 Feb 2026

Holiday Inn Express Hilton Head Island by IHG
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Coral Sands Resorts by Palmera

Coral Sands Resorts by Palmera

3.5 out of 5
66 Pope Avenue Hilton Head Island SC
Stay at this golf aparthotel in Hilton Head Island. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 3 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in their ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (869 reviews)
Every door had broken hinges in the room and were very difficult to shut. The pull out bed was broken and would plummet several inches in height randomly when people sat or laid. Most upsetting was the pool. We specifically chose this place and I called in advance to confirm it was heated, they said ...

Reviewed on 27 Dec 2025

Coral Sands Resorts by Palmera
Island Links Resort by Palmera

Island Links Resort by Palmera

3 out of 5
1 Coggins Point Road Hilton Head Island SC
Stay at this golf aparthotel in Hilton Head Island. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 2 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (328 reviews)
Clean room and responsive customer services. I was not able to use my included 1 hr tennis court reservation because it wasn’t clearly mention that you have to pay equipment rental fee unless you bring your own. I was bit disappointed. It was overall good experience.

Reviewed on 2 Jan 2026

Island Links Resort by Palmera
Island Escape! Pool, Elevator, Pinball, Foosball, Arcade, Nursery,Infrared Sauna

Island Escape! Pool, Elevator, Pinball, Foosball, Arcade, Nursery,Infrared Sauna

Hilton Head Island SC
Stay at this family-friendly holiday home in Hilton Head Island. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, private pools and a sauna. Popular attractions Coligny Beach and Robert Trent ...
10/10 Exceptional! (36 reviews)
This home is top notch!! The kitchen is well equipped and modern. High end appliances and 2 full size refrigerators!!! Plus a wet bar in living room with an ice machine…each en-suite room is so comfortable and decorated in a different theme. Huge TV in living room. We loved the pool and hot tub! ...

Reviewed on 4 Jan 2026

Island Escape! Pool, Elevator, Pinball, Foosball, Arcade, Nursery,Infrared Sauna
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Explore a world of travel with Expedia