travel guide Archives - Darling Darleen

Travel Guide to Hilton Head

Places to Eat, Shop and Visit while in Hilton Head, South Carolina

We call Hilton Head, South Carolina, our beach home– second to the Route 30A, Florida. So many wonderful summer time beach memories, and a place my children love to visit. Less than a four-hour drive from Atlanta, Georgia, Hilton Head was an easy family vacation spot. So, I am quite surprised that I haven’t done a travel guide yet, but better late than never! Although we have moved away from Atlanta, we are eager to continue our yearly visits to Hilton Head. Here is my Travel Guide to Hilton Head, South Carolina of places to eat, shop and visit.

One of the main attractions to Hilton Head is that the beaches are all open to the public. Hilton Head Island is about 12 miles long and are easily accessible and enjoyable to all. We love how wide the beaches are especially at low tide. The hard-packed sand on Hilton Head shoreline makes for an easy bike ride, and you have full access to 12 miles of beach front. We make sure to bring bikes and love to ride where we can find shells, marine life and washed up shark teeth.

Hilton Head Island is all about the beach. All.day.long! That is where you will usually find us. One thing we love about Hilton Head is that the shoreline is not lined with high-rise hotels. There are building codes and much of the natural elements are preserved, so you still feel like you are on an island. Spanish-moss trees, palm trees, sea marshes are all along the HH Island along with world-renowned golf courses.

To break up the beach, one place we love to visit and explore more of the HH island is Pickney Island National Wildlife Refuge . This is the perfect place to go on a morning or evening hike and see island wildlife. So many amazing birds that you won’t see anywhere else. If you are on a hunt for an alligator, this is the place to see them.

If you have little children, Lawton Stables is also a fun break from the beach. They have a small animal farm and pony rides. They also have horse-back riding travel guides around the island. My children love visiting Lawton Stables.

Harbor Town Lighthouse is a fun place to explore. We like to visit in the evening after a day at the beach and grab dinner around there. Although if you go in the morning, you may see dolphins near the piers. There is shopping and restaurants near the candy cane striped lighthouse, which is the center of Harbor Town. Climb to the top of the iconic Lighthouse to get a beautiful visit of the harbor.

There are a few shops we love to visit while in Hilton Head. We definitely make it a point to stop by these shops. Right across from Coligny Beach is a shopping center called Coligny Plaza this is located in the town’s center and a great place to walk from beach to shopping. We always stop by Quiet Storm to pick up any kind of items for our skimboards, surfboards and boogie boards. They have the best selection. I also like to pick up a new beach hat here and a cute tank top or see what sales they have on clothes. I love all of their selections. I also love to stop by Black Mineral Market to pick up stones and sliced agates for my jewelry shop. My kids always like to out a rock or two. They always have a great selection of rocks, minerals and shells at affordable prices. And the last shopping spot we always like to hit up while in Hilton Head is The Spice and Tea Exchange. They have exotic spices and recipes to use the spices. You can also find a wide range of olive oil and teas from around the world.

Feeding a family of six can get quite expensive, so we like to find friendly family restaurants that are really good and well priced. If you like seafood, the beach is the best place to find restaurants that have fresh fish and seafood. We tend to go where the locals like to go. Kenny B’s Cajun Seafood Hut is so good with the taste of New Orleans with a Southern style. The gumbo is amazing and barbecue shrimp. Get there early because there is usually a long line around 5 p.m! Another similar casual dining restaurant where diners arrive around before dinner is Sea Shack. This restaurant is HH best seafood secret. They have picnic tables outside the restaurant, and best seafood options you can get for a reasonable price. If you are looking for entertainment and a place for your kids to hang, the Salty Dog Cafe is a great place to go and HH’s famous restaurant. We love how it is right on the water and they have live music. Looking for pizza? Giuseppi’s Pizza and Pasta has the best pizza made with homemade dough. I use to recommend the French Kiss Bakery, which has the most amazing almond croissant. But we had the worst, horrible customer service experience the last few times we went that I vowed never to return. However, I hear they have new owners so I’m hoping they have change the negative attitude around.

Check out our family bike adventure video in Hilton Head:

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Travel Guide to Hilton Head, South Carolina: Our favorite Places to Eat, Shop and Visit while in Hilton Head, South Carolina || Darling Darleen #hiltonhead #familybeachtrip #summerbeach #hiltonhead #southcarolina

What To Do In Downtown Denver

What To Do in Downtown Denver

This past weekend I headed to Denver for a family wedding, which was so beautiful! I took my oldest daughter, and we had the best mommy/daughter girls trip seeing family and the beautiful union of my nephew and his bride. I made sure that the weekend was a long one, so we could spend quality time hanging out with family after the wedding. We spent a beautiful fall day in Downtown Denver, and the weather was so gorgeous and sunny in the high 60s. I fell in love with the vibrant, walkable downtown area of Denver with yummy eatery and eclectic shops. The last time I was in Downtown Denver I don’t remember it being this urban, cool gathering place of art galleries, boutiques and the best farm-to-table restaurants. Perhaps I missed it, but I was truly impressed this last trip!

We started off in Downtown Denver walking around Larimar Square and checking out all the specialty boutiques. Many of the shops have a distinctive fashion style from modern to bohemian to punk. All the shops are housed in Victorian-style buildings and the street is lined with light strings that hang across the main road. I hear the best time to visit is at night when the lights are on.

We did quite a bit of walking around Downtown Denver but these mules were so comfortable! My feet did not hurt. Truth is there is a lot of walk, so if you have sensitive feet wear comfortable shoes around Downtown Denver. However, there is quite a bit of parking lots around the area. After hanging out in Larimar, we walked up to Union Station, which is located in the heart of Downtown Denver. Union Station is a renovated 100-year-old train station with chef-owned restaurants, a hotel and numerous boutiques. I had the best homemade gingersnap and banana pudding ice cream at Milkbox Ice Creamery. And my brother loved his vegan Oreo cookie ice cream. You can play shuffle board, pool, chess or just read a book in the common area. It a great place to gather with friends.

Our last stop was just a short walk up to the Dairy Block, another historic block with tastemaker restaurants, a chic hotel and quirky boutiques. I loved the casual cafeteria style of eating with open communal tables. The alley way is the perfect spot to snap a picture or play bean toss games.

Here are a few of my items I packed for my trip to Denver in the Fall.

Casual Fall City Outfits:

Sporty Fall City Outfits:

The Ultimate Guide to 30A Florida

The Ultimate Guide to 30A Florida

When we lived up in Connecticut, we were obsessed with Cape Cod and it’s islands and visited the area multiple times a year. When I found out we were moving to the South, my heart ached because I knew our summer times at Cape Cod were coming to an end. But since we have moved to Atlanta, the Florida Panhandle, specifically the 30A, has become a new beach favorite and a replacement for our beloved Cape Cod. Just a short 5 hour drive and we are at the world’s most beautiful beaches. We visit the 30A quite a bit every year, that by request from so many of you, I put together the Ultimate Guide to 30A Florida–broken up by beaches of where to stay, eat and shop. Before I give you a breakdown of the 30A, so many have asked what exactly is the 30A. Well it is short beach highway, called 30A, located between Destin and Panama City. It’s quaint and quiet with charming chic beach towns that line the crystal emerald blue waters and white sandy beaches. The beach communities on the 30A have strict commercial and residential codes that prohibits high-rises and hotels to be built and construction to adhere to architectural details and codes. This keeps the charm of towns and keeps the large hotels out! The beach towns are very laid back and perfect for families. It’s not a place for beach clubbing and nightlife which is found in Destin or Panama City. So please stay away partygoers! 🙂 Check out The Ultimate Guide to 30A Florida!

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When is the best time to visit 30A Florida? Well, anytime is good, of course! But we LOVE love love going in September/October. The ocean water is amazing at this time. So calm and the perfect temperature. I love to take out my paddle board in the morning, and you see the most amazing marine life because there is usually no waves in the water and the water is so clear you can see right down to the bottom. Also, the beach towns are much quieter with less tourists. This year, I was lucky enough to have my sister Christine and her family came out to visit us in Seaside, Florida, and they loved it so much they are scheduling another visit next year at the same time.

Okay below is the Ultimate Guide to 30A Florida broken up by beach towns. As far as where to stay, here are some recommended websites. Since there are not a lot of hotels on the 30A, we usually book a beach house. In addition to Homeaway and Airbnb, here are some other websites we have used that manages many of the rental homes on the 30A. You can search by beach town:

Seaside, Florida

Fun fact: The Truman Show was filmed here!

My favorite things to do in Seaside is stroll the charming beach entrances. A great place to take pictures and watch the sunset. Look up the town events to see what is happening in the Square like the Farmer’s Market and Movie Night.

Where to Eat: Seaside Square is the place to be for good eats and yummy desserts

The Great Southern Cafe–we eat here every time we visit. Fresh fish and seafood with a southern flair. We love the open-air casual seating. It gets quite busy but worth the wait.
The Food Trucks at the Square–lined with numerous little food trucks, we like to get lunch here and frozen treats. I like to stop by and grab a smoothie in the morning and grilled cheese sandwich in the afternoon. And we are so excited they added a shaved ice and bakery.
Dawson Yogurt & Heavenly’s Shortcakes–two great choices for frozen yummy treats. We love to bike over to the Square just to get a ice-cream from Dawson or a strawberry shortcake from Heavenly’s.

Where to Shop: head to Seaside Square to find outdoor shops and restaurants

Perspicasity–a popular open-air clothing bazaar and a great place to find a beach cover up, flip flops or straw hat
Sundog Books–I love strolling and look through their unique books, prints, artwork and postcards
Modica Market–a gourmet grocery store with pre-made food, deli sandwiches and desserts. A quirky store with a lot of random knick knacks. I like to buy their spices.
The Seaside Style–pickup a Seaside t-shirt for the family. They also have the cutest children’s swimsuits.
Deja Vu–trendy dresses and tops and hats.
Duckies–a fun toy store that even attracts adults! My kids love this place.

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Watercolor, Florida

Watercolor is located right next to Seaside Florida

My favorite thing to do in Watercolor is bike to the park then take the bike trails over to Western Lake and watch the sunset. Biking around the charming neighborhoods to see the homes is also a favorite thing to do.

Where to stay:

Watercolor Inn— a luxury inn with great amenities and located right on the beach.

Where to Eat:

Fish Out of Water–over looking the beach and located in the Watercolor Inn, chic cafe with southern style seafood dishes
The Wine Bar–located right on the main drag, they have an extensive wine list but we like to go for the gourmet dishes.

Where to Shop:

The Blue Giraffe–find local art and gifts at this gallery
Fuss Boutique--casual, stylish clothes and shoes
Beachfolly–need a bathing suit? Head to Beachfolly!

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Alys Beach, Florida

Alys Beach is a fairly new luxury beach town with stark white homes with architectural details of angles and curves similar to the same architecture-style of Bermuda. The town’s stunning bright white buildings is a dramatic beautiful contrast against the emerald blue ocean. The town is fairly quiet since its mostly residential. Furture plans are in the works to bring in more shops and restaurants.

Where to Eat

George’s at Alys Beach Locally sourced and organic, George’s is a great place to stop for lunch or an early dinner.
Fonville Press–the local coffee shop that serves pastries and cafe-type food. Also pick up a good book to read.
Charlie’s Donuts–Get there early to grab homemade, freshly baked donuts
Piper’s Kitchen–a great place to grab a quick bite as you head to the beach

Where to Shop

Alys Shoppe–pick up a local t-shirt or a hat before you head to the beach

If you love architect, you can spend the day strolling through the neighborhoods admiring all the details.

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Seagrove, Florida (Watersound)

We love staying in Seagrove because beach houses are a little more cheaper and because the beaches are a little more flatter than Seaside…and that’s important if your husband and boys are into skim boarding!

Where to Eat

The Perfect Pig–tasty yummy chic bistro that serves breakfast and lunch with a focus on ham and bacon
Steamboat Grill–a good place to grab a burger or fried seafood
Cowgirl Kitchen–great atmosphere. Love the wraps and salads
Angelina’s–if you are wanting Italian food or homemade pizza, Angelina’s is the place to head.
The Hub at the 30A–definitely stop by The Hub which is lined with restaurants, shopping and entertainment

We like to go to Goatfeathers in Seagrove to pick up fresh seafood if we plan to do a low country boil, which we do frequently when we head to the beach.

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Rosemary Beach, Florida (Seacrest Beach)

Where to Stay:

The Pearl–chic and hip and with the cutest black and white striped awnings and most recognizable building in Rosemary
Rosemary Beach Inn–quaint and small, but charming boutique hotel right in the heart of Rosemary
Rosemary Cottage Rentals–the town has their own beach rental site for cottages

Where to Eat:

Sugar Shak–get your sugar fix here with ice cream and candy
Havana Beach Bar & Grill–located in The Pearl and has a Cuban and Spanish flare. Head there for brunch!
La Crema Tapas & Chocolate–inspired by the cafes of Barcelona with small and grand tapas. Its the perfect spot for people watching right on Main Street
Restaurant Paradis–country-chic seafood restaurant
Amavida Coffee and Tea--if you like tea like I do this place has some fun brews. Also pick up a yummy pastry.

Where to Shop:

Rosemary Beach Trading Co–cute gift shop with clothes to local finds. Definitely a place to stop.
Patchouli’s–fun shop with a great selection of candles, makeup and skincare items.
Ophelia–really cute swimwear with top of the line brands

Check out these previous beach posts on the 30A or search Florida

30A Florida