Bluffton Day Trips

Option 1 – Historic Walking Tour

Read our Blog Post about spending a day in Old Town Bluffton HERE.

1. Heyward House Historic Center, www.heywardhouse.org

(843-757-6293, 70 Boundary St, open M-F 10-4, Sat 11-2)
The Heyward House was built in 1840 as a summer home by a local plantation owner. Heyward House is only one of eight antebellum homes remaining in the area. It is located on the May River in what is now Bluffton’s Historic District. A slave cabin and the summer kitchen also remain on the property. Today the house remains virtually the same as it did when it was built over 170 years ago

2. Walking Tour

Use your Walking Tour Guide to meander the downtown streets of Old Town Bluffton.
There are many churches, homes and businesses that are historically significant to this town.
HISTORICBLUFFTONWALKINGTOURMAP

3. Lunch at a downtown local restaurant (See Visitors – Dining – Bluffton)

Bluffton has many fine lunch choices. Some are within walking distance of the tour.
Others are just a short drive away.

Option 2 – Hiking & Biking 

1. New Linear Trail
3809 Okatie Hwy, open daylight hours
The trail runs for 3.4 miles and ends at the banks of the New River.
The grass trail is generally flat. The route passes through some spectacular scenery with hardwood forest and swampland where wildlife abounds. Turkeys, deer, and waterfowl are some of the more common inhabitants of the area. Long-abandoned rice fields are often visible. Parking for the New River Linear Trail is accessible via a driveway off of S.C. Route 46.
TRAILMAP 

2. Victoria Bluff
Sawmill Rd, open daylight hours
Closed to hikers during hunting season (October through December)
Explore 4 miles of easy walking, crisscrossing trails and firebreaks as you discover the botanical wonders of this preserve. You should plan to wear protective clothing and insect repellent. Since the preserve is primarily managed for hunting, the preserve is closed to hikers from October to December.
TRAILMAP

3. Pinckney Island Wildlife Management Area
Hwy 278, between Bluffton & Hilton Head Island
This 4,053-acre national refuge consists of  salt marsh
and tidal creeks, forests, grasslands, and freshwater ponds. In combination, these habitats support a diversity of wildlife species. All trips begin and end at the parking area half a mile from the refuge entrance. Guided tours are available through the Coastal Discovery Museum, (843)689-6767.
TRAILMAP

TOURING_PINCKNEY_ISLAND

2. Lunch at a local restaurant or picnic (See Visitors – Dining – Bluffton)

There are many delicious restaurant choices conveniently located on Hwy 278.

Option 3 – Dolphin Watching Cruise or Kayaking Adventure

(See Visitors – Tours – Bluffton), Spend the day on the
beautiful May River viewing local wildlife and our
ever-popular dolphins.

Option 4 – Bike Trails

(Call 843-757-6293 for map of trails.)

Load up the bikes and head over to the Buckwalter Parkway.
Bicycle paths wind throughout wooded areas and
along the parkway. Bring along a picnic lunch and enjoy nature and fresh air.

Option 5 – Art Galleries

1. Stroll the ten unique art galleries of Calhoun St and surrounding area
www.oldtownbluffton.com
(Also see Visitors – Shopping – Bluffton)

2. Lunch at a local restaurant (See Visitors – Dining – Bluffton)

If sweet tea and a sandwich on the porch sound appealing to you, head over to
Calhoun Street for a lunch you won’t soon forget.

3. On Thursdays during spring and summer months, drift through the Bluffton Farmer’s Market on Calhoun St from 2-6 pm. Local produce, jams, honey, baked goods, prepared foods and many other surprises await you at this street party.