Best Day Trips from Bluffton, SC

Hilton Head Island: About 20 to 30 Minutes

The closest escape is also one of the easiest. Hilton Head Island is a short drive from Old Town, and it trades Bluffton's river for twelve miles of Atlantic beach. Spend the day at Coligny Beach, climb the candy-striped Harbour Town Lighthouse for the view, or rent bikes and follow the island's famous network of paved trails. Guests of the Inn also have access to a partner beach club on the island for pool and beach access, which the front desk can help arrange. It is close enough that you can be back in Bluffton for dinner.

Savannah, Georgia: About 40 Minutes

Just across the Georgia line, Savannah is the region's grand old city, roughly a forty-minute drive from Bluffton. Its historic district is built around a series of leafy squares shaded by Spanish moss, easy to explore on foot or by trolley. Wander Forsyth Park, walk the shops and restaurants along the riverfront on River Street, and take in centuries of architecture, history, and Southern cooking. It is the ideal day trip if you want a full city with deep history and plenty to do.

Beaufort, South Carolina: About 45 Minutes

For a quieter version of Lowcountry charm, Beaufort is about forty-five minutes up the coast. This small riverfront town has one of the best-preserved antebellum districts in the South, with grand homes under old live oaks and a walkable waterfront park looking out over the river. It is a place for a slow afternoon: a stroll through the historic streets, a carriage tour touching on the area's Civil War and Gullah-Geechee history, and fresh seafood by the water.

Daufuskie Island: A Short Boat Ride

Reachable only by boat, Daufuskie Island feels like a step back in time, unhurried, uncrowded, and rich in Gullah heritage. Through our partnership with Outside Brands, the Inn can arrange the crossing, which is half the fun. Once ashore, most people explore by golf cart, visiting the island's historic sites, quiet beaches, and the Iron Fish Gallery, where local artist Chase Allen sells his metal sculptures straight from the studio. It is the most off-the-beaten-path day trip on this list.

Charleston, South Carolina: About 90 Miles

The longest haul is worth it. Charleston sits about ninety miles up the coast, roughly an hour and a half by car, and it rewards an early start. One of the South's most beautiful cities, it is made for wandering: the pastel antebellum houses along the Battery and Rainbow Row, the shops and restaurants of King Street, the historic City Market, and some of the best food in the country. Give it a full day, and you will still want to come back.