Hilton Head Island, Bluffton, and the Lowcountry

You’re in a state-of-the-art theater. The lights are dimmed, the curtain is raised, and the orchestra strikes into the opening number of a Tony award–winning musical. Times Square? Think again. You’re on Hilton Head Island.

Hilton Head Island is known for its unspoiled beaches and world-class golf. But there’s more to this stretch of Lowcountry than outdoor pursuits, and visitors are taking note. With only 37,000 year-round residents, the area boasts a surprising number of arts offerings, including dozens of galleries, a symphony orchestra, theater, choral society, museums, dance companies and more. It’s easy to see why author John Villani named Hilton Head Island number 22 in his book The 100 Best Small Art Towns in America.

Browse galleries where Lowcountry inspired landscapes hang on the walls. Stroll Bluffton’s Calhoun Street, a quirky stretch of galleries and studios, to see artists in action (don’t miss potter Jacob Preston behind the wheel at his studio; his ceramic pieces are inspired by the nearby May River). Take the ferry to Daufuskie, a tiny island just one nautical mile off Hilton Head, where local artists specialize in metal sculptures and pottery pieces. Chat with them, learn about their wares, and if you’re lucky, you’ll get a lesson on the island’s history, too.

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