Getting the whole family together under one roof can often be daunting. Making calendars align, convincing the kids to be nice to each other, and finding somewhere big enough for everyone to stay together can feel like the world's end. We can help walk you through how to plan the perfect multi-generational family trip to Hilton Head so you can focus on family on your next stay.
Looking for a home with up to 10 bedrooms? Browse our large group vacation rentals for availability to fit your entire party comfortably with a bevy of amenities and prime locations on the island.
What Makes Hilton Head a Great Destination for a Large Family
A lot of planning goes into a multi-generational family get-together outside of a family member’s home. The needs of the kids are different than the adults who face different obstacles than their parents. Hilton Head makes for a great destination due to its location, proximity to nearby attractions, and easygoing climate.
Getting everyone to agree on a destination is hard, but on Hilton Head, you can unite the lovers of nature with the fans of the beach. If you prefer a day full of shopping, spa treatments, and eating out, Hilton Head Island can easily accommodate you just as much as the outdoor adventurer who prefers fishing, kayaking, and hiking.
As a tourist destination, Hilton Head’s many outfitters, tour guides, and charter companies are well equipped to handle parties of 10+ with ease.
How to Pack for Your Trip
Creating a packing list for the beach for multiple generations needs to take everyone’s needs into question. The last thing you want to do is to forget an inhaler, someone’s medication, or pack sunscreen that does not protect fragile skin.
During the regular tourist season (spring and summer), you should bring clothes appropriate for warm to hot weather. Accessories include but are not limited to:
- Beach towels
- Beach chairs
- Sunscreen
- Sandals
- A cooler
- Medication/First-aid kit
- Waterproof bag for your wallet, keys, and phone
- Portable charger for small devices
In the fall and winter, you should augment this list with light sweaters, pants, and blankets to take advantage of the cooler temperatures. Make sure to ask everyone in your family for a list of essentials and pack doubles of things you cannot get at a grocery store.
The Best Excursions for Large Groups on Hilton Head
Traveling with large groups can be a bit of a hassle sometimes. You are forced to take multiple vehicles to go anywhere, you command a lot of attention, and you have to plan nearly everything ahead of time. As we mentioned earlier, Hilton Head has plenty of fun things to do for large groups. Here are a few of our favorite excursions on the island and on the near shores.
- Kayaking – The intercoastal waterways of Hilton Head are a true treasure that has to be explored. Kayak Hilton Head run two-hour guided tours in Broad Creek where you can see dolphin and other native wildlife.
- Biking – Not a guided experience but renting bikes for everyone and exploring the various bike trails is a great way to explore Hilton Head at your own pace. There are several local bike shops to rent from and bike paths that take you on the beaches, past the dunes, or through nature preserves filled with singing birds and beautiful flowers.
- My Adventure Hilton Head – Ziplining is certainly a daunting ask for the elders in your family, but My Adventure Hilton Head can make for a great escape for the younger members of the family while the grandparents and young kids go shopping, to the beach, or bowling. My Adventure Hilton Head has great group challenges including their brand new GoKart track!
Take Advantage of Cooking in Your Vacation Rental (or go out!)
Going on vacation usually means that you leave the cooking behind and embrace going out to dinner every night. Unfortunately, the cost of eating out (especially with a large party) can be extremely cost-inefficient and picky eaters can be borderline impossible to account for everyone’s needs.
With local grocery stores on the island, a large kitchen, and essentials for cooking, we recommend at least being prepared to cook breakfast and lunch at home. Cooking a meal on the grill outside while kids jump in the pool and the smells of fresh meat waft over the deck are the heart and soul of many a successful vacation.
Still, you are in a new place with excellent local seafood so you are bound to go out at least ONCE for dinner right? Here are a few of our favorite places to eat for large groups on Hilton Head Island.
- Hudson’s Seafood House on the Docks – Located quite literally on the docks, Hudson’s Seafood House is filled with vibrant flavors, mouth-watering smells, and local favorites. If you are new to the Lowcountry we highly recommend the shrimp and grits and the key lime pie if you have room for dessert.
- San Miguel’s Mexican Café – Located in the Shelter Cove Harbour community, TripAdvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Award-winning San Miguel’s Mexican Café is a delight to the senses. Great for large parties looking to enjoy authentic Mexican food, San Miguel also features several vegetarian and vegan-friendly options.
- Poseidon Coastal Cuisine – We cannot get enough of our fresh, local seafood on Hilton Head. Poseidon Coastal Cuisine serves up the freshest crabcakes, mussels, and other high-quality favorites for an upscale lunch or dinner in their award-winning eatery.
Enjoy Your Hilton Head Vacation Rental
Now that you have an idea of how to plan your multi-generational family vacation, it is time to find a place to stay! At Beach Properties, we have several large homes that can fit the whole family in some of the most sought-after neighborhoods on the island. Take a look at our inventory below, and experience the Beach Properties difference firsthand.