IN THIS ISSUE
4
PALMERA VACATION CLUB’S SIX WAYS TO TRAVEL
Easily travel back to Hilton Head Island or plan a trip to anywhere in the world
5
PALMERA GO DESTINATION HIGHLIGHTS
Find inspiration for your next trip with Palmera GO’s travel guides
6-7
HILTON HEAD ISLAND’S FALL & WINTER SEASONS
Festivals and events, recommended activities, and more for the island’s coolest seasons
8-9
THE LOWCOUNTRY’S TASTIEST TRADITIONS
Learn more about the Lowcountry’s rich heritage in fishing, its iconic cuisine, and how you can enjoy it on your next trip to Hilton Head Island
10 WHERE YOUR LOVE FOR GOLF LEVELS UP
Let Chronic Games be your family’s new island tradition.
Notwofamiliesspendtheirtimeonour charmingislandinexactlythesame way Generationshavetraveledto HiltonHeadtoescapetheireveryday lifeandtoenjoyeachother’scompany onourpristinebeaches,beside peacefulmarshes,andoveradelicious Lowcountry-inspiredmeal.
Whetheryourfriendsandfamilyhave beenvisitingforaslongasyoucan remember,oryou’rehopingtostart thattraditionyourself,wearealways excitedtowelcomeyoubacktothe island
WehopethatthisissueofthePalmera Compassbringsbackfondmemoriesof timespentwithlovedones,aswellas givesyouideasofnewwaysto experienceHiltonHeadtogether. A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR
M MILLS
ABOUT
The Palmera Compass is Palmera Vacation Club's publication for members and guests of Palmera Vacation Club's resorts
PRODUCED BY
Palmera Vacation Club Marketing and Communications Department
88888PALMERA (8888872563) members@palmeravacationclubcom
Find previous issues of the Palmera Compass and other helpful travel content on the Palmera GO page on your Member Dashboard at palmeravacationclub.com
6 WAYS TO TRAVEL
PalmeraVacationClubhelps memberscreatecustomizedvacation experiencesyearafteryear,with opportunitiestoreturntoHiltonHead Islandorfindincredibledealson accommodations,activities,andmore toothergreatdestinationsworldwide.
Let’sfindthebestwaytobookyour travelwhetheryouwanttouseyour membershippointsornot!
PALMERA RESORTS
Stay with us at one of our four world-class resorts on Hilton Head Island, that are all Gold Crown and Top Awarded accommodations in convenient locations
VIP WEEKS
Need another week in paradise? These weeks give you an exclusive opportunity to purchase extra-discounted stays on Hilton Head Island throughout the year
SMART STAYS
Find highly discounted rates to be booked within 45 days or less at either of the beautiful Coral Sands, Coral Reef, Port O’ Call, or Island Links Resorts
PALMERA
INN & SUITES
Enjoy discounted nightly stays and access to private suites on Hilton Head Perfect for an extra night or two if you need more time home away from home
PALMERA ESCAPE VIA RCI
POINTS & CASH OPTIONS
QUEST
TRAVEL CLUB
CASH OPTION
Travel the world to any of the thousands of resorts available to you on the RCI Exchange Find amazing deals on 0-1,000 point vacations of a lifetime
Travel anywhere with access to incredible discounts on hotels, car rentals, cruises, activities, and more!
The collection of Destination Highlights is always growing, with a a new guide published every month!
Choosefromover30different destinationsandlearnmore aboutfamouslandmarks,the city’sculture,andabriefhistory ofthelocationaswellaswhat makesitagreattravel destination.
Findoutwhenyoushouldvisit, whatyoushoulddowhileyou’re there,whereyoushouldstay,
Known as a world-renowned alpine skiing destination as well as an outdoor enthusiast’s dream
DESTINATION HIGHLIGHTS PALMERA GO
Haveyoubeenwantingtogetout andexplorebeautifultravel destinationsthroughouttheUnited Statesandbeyond?
Takealookatthegrowinglistof DestinationHighlighttravelguides onthePalmeraGOpagefor inspiration!
and of course, Ways to Trave use to book yo
Scan the QR code to see the full collection of Palmera Vacation Club’s Destination Highlights on the Palmera GO page.
For now, take a look at the Top 5 picks that are perfect to visit in fall or winter!
The gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains can be as relaxing or adventure-filled as you’d like!
This city on Florida’s Historic Coast once made it on National Geographic’s Top 10 Holiday Light Displays in the World
The best time to visit is from Dec to Mar Ski season starts in mid-Nov and ends in mid-Apr
Home to the largest living museum in the world, this city has everything you’re looking for in a family vacation or weekend getaway and is decorated for the holidays starting in November.
what exactly is palmera go?
The Palmera GO page on your Member Dashboard is your resource for all things travel You’ll find the following:
HHI Updates & Events GO Videos Travel Guides Blog Articles & More!
FALL O N H H I
FESTIVALS & EVENTS
Island Jam 2024
Songwriter Festival
September18-22,2024
VariousLocationsonHiltonHead
Hilton Head Island
Shrimp Festival
September21,2024
HarbourTown
Rhythm & Brews
September28,2024
ShelterCoveCommunityPark
Lowcountry Fish & Grits Music Festival
October5,2024
LowcountryCelebrationPark
Rock & Ribs
October17-20,2024
GeneralColignyArea
Italian Heritage Festival
October19,2024
CoastalDiscoveryMuseum
Concours d’Elegance & Motoring Festival
October31-November3,2024
VariousLocations
Hilton Head Oyster Festival
November8&9,2024
VariousLocations
Hilton Head Lantern Parade
November23,2024
AlderLaneBeachAccess
average temperatures
september october
november
visitorsmaytradefall’straditional leaf-peepingfordolphin-spotting duringtheirstayonHiltonHead Island Whileyouwon’tfindany vibrantredsororangesinthe landscape,ourbeautifulmarshes andpristinebeachesstillawaityou intrueLowcountryfashion notto mentionsomeseriouslygorgeous weather,too!
Additionally,ourcommunity’s calendarisfilledtothebrimwith evenmorereasonstowelcomeyou backtotheisland Takealookata briefselectionofmostlyannual eventstakingplaceoverthecourse ofSeptemberthroughNovember.
Manyfamiliesgathertogetherand enjoytheirtimeontheisland duringThanksgiving Whether yourfamilylacesuptheirsneakers fortheisland’sTurkeyTrot5Kevery year,orcountsdownthedaysuntil HiltonHead’sOfficialHoliday Kick-OffFestival,there’snothing likefeelingtheholidayspiritduring yourtimeinyourhomeawayfrom home!
The fall and winter seasons are perfect for observing island wildlife, specifically migrating species and shorebirds.
must-do activities
Exploring the area’s inland waterways
The island will be far less crowded, so make sure to take advantage of the peaceful waters to take a scenic cruise, or better yet, a relaxing paddle in a kayak or on paddle board to see local wildlife firsthand
Touring the island by bike
Enjoy the fresh air and delightful fall weather while exploring the island’s flat, sandy beaches and miles of interconnected public pathways You’ll feel like the whole island is all yours!
Tee it up or go for aces
While island-favorite sports are played year-round on Hilton Head, playing a round of golf, or a game of tennis or pickleball is much more enjoyable due to the significant drop in humidity levels as the season goes on, and of course, more tee times and courts are available!
There’sreallynowhereelsein theworldaspeacefuloras relaxingasHiltonHeadIsland duringthewinterseason. Takeapageoutofthelocal’s bookandtrulyexperience “Slowcountry”living Keyword:“slow”
Asyouexplorethe12-mile island,stepbackandadmire itsnaturalbeautyallwhile leavingthatheavywintercoat behind Asthedaycloses,sit backandenjoyadelicious mealamongfriendswhile thesunsettakesyourbreath away.
Celebrate the holidays with blue skies and sunshine, and where snow is always scheduled only once a year
Winterisagreattimetodive intotheisland’shistoryand culture.Takeaturnthroughone ofHiltonHead’shistoric landmarksliketheStoney BaynardRuins, LibertyOak,or FortHowell,oneofthefourforts builtontheislandduringthe CivilWar HeadtoHistoric MitchelvilleFreedomParkto learnmoreaboutthefirstselfgovernedfreedman’stownin thecountry.
You’llalsofindthatindulgingin theLowcountry’scuisineisone ofthebestthingsonecando duringthistimeofyear Fresh seafoodismasterfullyprepared andevencelebratedinvarious festivalsandevents.We’renot sayingwehaveafavoriteseason, butifthere’sanoysterroast, countusin!
see hilton head’s night sky light up with cheer
It’s hard not to feel festive, especially when every corner of the island is brightly lit with colorful lights From marinas, to shopping centers, and even to Mitchelville’s Holiday Nights & Lights, you’re sure to be dazzled!
FESTIVALS & EVENTS
“42nd street”
December4-29,2024
ArtsCenterofCoastalCarolina HHI Jingle Jingle 5K & 10K
December22,2024
CrossingsPark
Snow Day
January25,2025
ShelterCoveCommunityPark
Chamber restaurant week
January25-February1,2025
February15-16,2025
February17-23,2025
VariousLocations
TASTY TRADITIONS TASTY TRADITIONS
The Lowcountry’s fare is best celebrated together and often!
SouthCarolina’sLowcountry isfamousforitscuisine,mostof whichismadeupofdelicious andiconicseafoodrecipesthat localchefshavemasteredand havevisitorseagerlyawaiting theirdinnerreservationsfor Theregion’scoastalwatersand inlandwaterwaysallowforan excellentcatch,especially importanttorestaurantswho prioritizesourcinglocally caughtseafood
Thesurroundingwatershave providedforthosewhohave livedonandaroundtheisland yearsbeforeBeaufortCounty waseverofficiallyestablished Thefishingindustriesinthis regionhavespannedcenturies, andhaveallplayedimportant rolesintheLowcountry’s livelihood
Commercializedinthe19th century,agrowingtourism industryinthelate20th centuryhighlightedfishingin theregion,offeringrecreational chartersandtours,andeven bringinglocalsandvisitors togethertocelebratethe Lowcountry’sheritagein shrimping,crabbing,andmore.
The shrimping industry is a vital component of the local economy and culture of Hilton Head Island.
The Lowcountry’s Iconic Cuisine
SHRIMP & GRITS
Sautéed shrimp served over grits.
HOPPIN’ JOHN
A mix of black-eyed peas, rice, and pork or bacon
SHE-CRAB SOUP
Soup of blue crab, crab roe, & sherry.
LOWCOUNTRY BOIL
Meant to share with large groups, shrimp, sausage, corn, & potatoes are boiled together with seasoning
RED RICE
Similar to jambalaya, rice is cooked with tomatoes and sometimes pork
“CAVIAR OF THE SOUTH”
Otherwise known as boiled peanuts (and they’re made exactly how you think they’re made)
What’s in Season?
OYSTERS
September-April
While you can find oysters on the menu year-round on Hilton Head Island, local harvests tend to stick to the “R-Rule,” meaning months with the letter “R” in it
SHRIMP
August-December
The third and final phase of shrimping season is for White Shrimp. They’re found in tidal creeks at the beginning of the season, but are then caught in the ocean by trawlers with nets.
BLUE CRAB
October-December
Most abundant from May to August, the best time to harvest the largest crabs is at the end of the year The Atlantic Blue Crab’s meat is sweet and delicious, and many island eateries offer their own take on iconic dishes like shecrab soup, crab cakes and more
GREEN PEANUTS
August-September
While SC’s season lasts until November, green peanuts are at their best in August and September in the Lowcountry Fun fact: boiled peanuts are our official state snack!
COLLARD GREENS
October-June
The official SC state vegetable grows throughout the year, but the peak harvests are in fall and winter. A staple to the southern diet, make sure you eat collard greens and black-eyed peas on New Year’s Eve to bring luck and prosperity into the New Year!
recommended recommended seafood restaurants seafood restaurants
OLD OYSTER FACTORY
Once an old oyster cannery, this restaurant has indoor and outdoor dining with panoramic views of the island’s marsh. (843)681-6040|oldoysterfactorycom 101MarshlandRd,HiltonHeadIsland,SC29926
FISH CASUAL COASTAL SEAFOOD
Known for fresh and delicious seafood plates, relaxed atmosphere with live music, and all-you-can-eat crab legs (843)342-3474|gofishhhi.com 1NForestBeachDr,HiltonHeadIsland,SC29928
POSEIDON
A mid-island destination that offers a robust dining menu as well as shopping, live entertainment, and dancing
(843)341-3838|poseidonhhicom 38ShelterCoveLn,Suite121,HiltonHeadIsland,SC29928
UP THE CREEK PUB & GRILL
Located in Broad Creek Marina, this hidden gem has delicious seafood baskets and other tasty items you’ll love.
(843)681-3625|upthecreekpubandgrillcom 18SimmonsRd,HiltonHeadIsland,SC29926
CATCH 22
A locally owned establishment that prioritizes using only the freshest of ingredients in their mouthwatering menu
(843)785-6261|catch22hhicom 37NewOrleansRd,SuiteK,HiltonHeadIsland,SC29928
NICK’S STEAK AND SEAFOOD
From hand-cut steaks to delicious seafood and even pasta dishes, Nick’s has “Something for Everyone” (843)686-2920|nickssteakandseafoodcom 9ParkLn,HiltonHeadIsland,SC29928
CAROLINA CRAB COMPANY
Located in Palmetto Bay Marina, sit inside or on the patio to enjoy delicious fried, blackened, or boiled seafood plates. (843)842-2016|carolinacrabcocom 86HelmsmanWay,HiltonHeadIsland,SC29928
Sweetwater Steamer
Experiencetheregion’smosticonicdishwith yourveryownpre-madeLowcountryBoilthat youcansteamathome
(843)715-3110|sweetwatersteamercom 37NewOrleansRdHiltonHeadIslandSC29928
South End Seafood
HiltonHeadIsland’spremierseafoodmarket specializinginfresh-caughtlocalshrimp,fish andmore.
(843)540-1109|southendseafoodcom 18ExecutiveParkRd 7A HiltonHeadIsland SC29928
Aqua Excursions
Expectatopnotchandfullypersonalizedfishing charterwithallnecessarygearprovided.
(305)393-5781|aquaexcursionsnet 43JenkinsIslandRd,HiltonHeadIsland,SC29926
Located on the south end of Hilton Head Island, Chronic Games is a virtual sports experience like no other. Best known for having cutting-edge golfing simulators, this facility has an impressive array of sports that are great for all ages.
Your family or group will have a personal game bay that gives a suite-like experience that allows you to sit back, relax, and enjoy tasty bites and drinks while you’re not up to bat (or swing, or throw, or...well, you get the idea!) T
So how does it work, and what should you expect? We’d recommend booking a simulator bay for your group ahead of time You can do so online, or, if you ’ re planning on staying for longer than the given hour or have more than six people, call to make your specialty reservation
While Chronic Games is a family-friendly experience, the layout and atmosphere also makes for a perfect date night or event space as well
Not only would this be a great rainy day activity, but try adding in an hour of fun to your trip’s itinerary by swapping out a lunch or dinner reservation with a visit to Chronic Games. Either way, you’ll want to arrive hungry!
T H E M E N U
Order tasty, shareable bites for your group that everyone will love--kids included! Adults will find a variety of delicious cocktails and beverages straight from the fully stocked bar
Visit nearby, Savannah, Georgia, and see the charming and historic town by day with access to 15 trolley stops throughout town. Or, hear the tales of “America’s Most Haunted City” by night with the Ghosts & Gravestones Frightseeing Tour.
Operating out of the Harbour Town Yacht Basin, visitors can experience HHI’s surrounding waters with an array of scheduled cruises. See dolphins, go shrimp trawling, have dinner or lunch, or even celebrate the holidays with Vagabond. (855) 245-8992 trolleytours.com/savannah
