The Pink Panel - August 2025
Moderated By Judith Lawrenson
Dear Pink Panel,
We have not lived here in the Lowcountry very long, so since it is one of the Top 10 spots to vacation in the US, we have decided to stay here! Any tips for what to do or what not to do? Could you share some thoughts, since you two are the locals?
Signed,
The Millers—Stay-Cay Family
Answers from the Pink Panel
Judith Lawrenson, Moderator: Boy, I would love to give you some HHI tips and bet Elizabeth would, too. Since I don’t know how long you have lived here, I am going to assume you haven’t done much. I can highly recommend a dolphin boat ride and/or any way to get out on the water. If you check online, you will see there are many dolphin cruises available. You will almost always see tons of sea life, our marshes, and it is all so beautiful.
Also, don’t miss spending time on the beach. My favorite beach is Folly Field, but there are many others that are nice, clean and offer restrooms and even restaurants and fun bars.
Speaking of which, there are so many really great restaurants on Hilton Head. Fresh-caught fish, and especially local shrimp, are specialties in many restaurants. You must try hushpuppies if you’ve never had them, and I would recommend giving tomato pie a try, too—you will love both of these Southern favorites. But we also have delicious Italian, Mexican, classic American, Mediterranean, Asian, even Indian restaurants, too. I would go as far to say that at least 88 percent of the restaurants here range from good to excellent. It’s hard to go wrong.
Don’t forget to go shopping, especially if your husband goes for a day of golf. Grab the girls and shop ’til you drop. There are so many lovely shops, but you’ll have struck gold just by going to the stores advertised here in Pink. We have exquisite taste…so trust us!
If you are into a picnic or park scene, just look online, and when you go take plenty of water. August is usually the hottest month of the year, so I’d say stick to water, beach and indoor activities.
Visit the Sandbox Interactive Children’s Museum if you have children under 12, and don’t miss going to Coastal Discovery Museum for the whole family, especially if you love nature and history. They also offer classes for kids and adults. I took a sweetgrass basket weaving class, and it was fabulous. I learned some about Gullah history, and we all actually wove our own small basket, too. I still have mine.
Oh, and did I mention golf? I don’t even know how many nationally rated golf courses we have, but you can’t go wrong with any course you choose. The Lowcountry is a destination for world-class golf and tennis.
My husband and I love HHI, but Bluffton and Beaufort have a lot to offer, too. Cute boutiques, art galleries, and restaurants are everywhere; you can easily spend a great day in either of these. Also, a quick trip up to Yemassee is highly recommended. It’s small-town Southern living at its best, offering many unique stores, antiques, art, coffee shops, a fabulous rug store, handmade and artisan offerings, history, a picturesque backdrop, and the LeCruset outlet store.
Elizabeth, what do you think?
The Final Word, Elizabeth Millen: You covered a lot, Judith, so I’m going to go a little different route. I’m a big reader and book lover, so I always visit bookstores when I’m visiting other towns. We have some cute local bookstores in Hilton Head, Bluffton and Beaufort, and, of course, a Barnes & Noble. The Lowcountry is a hotbed of local authors with many stories—both fiction and non-fiction—set right here. And you cannot forget the Pat Conroy Literary Center in Beaufort, which is the setting for many of his books, particularly The Prince of Tides. Beaufort is Pat Conroy’s hometown.
My tribe loves live music, and our area does not disappoint. So many of our restaurants and bars offer live music—anything from a singer with a guitar to full bands. And our talent pool is way above average!
I could go on and on, so I’ll end with this: Take in the sunrise on the beach as often you can. I know it’s early, but you can’t start your day more inspired and peaceful. AND take in the sunset as often as you can, too. Go to the other side of the island—Ela’s at Shelter Cove Marina is a fabulous spot to dine in the last ‘shine of the day. It’s gorgeous! Plant yourself anywhere along Skull Creek, Broad Creek, the Calibogue Sound or the May River at sunset, and you will be in for a treat.
Finally, if you truly want your staycation to feel like a vacation, you have to do things you don’t do day-to-day. So plan at least one out-of-the-ordinary thing each day for all seven days: 1. Drink frozen drinks; 2. Ride bikes; 3. Swim, get wet, submerse your body, get your hair wet; 4. Eat Lowcountry boil; 5. Go on a Segway tour simply because Segways are fun; 6. Make your own photography tour and go to the most scenic spots. Your phone is fine for quality pictures; 7. Go see Gregg Russell’s show in Harbour Town if you want a memorable evening of good old fun and laughter; and 8. Do everything Judith recommended.
Come on—make your staycation count. It’s not the week to clean out drawers. Go have fun and love where you live!
If you have a question for The Pink Panel, email Judith Lawrenson at at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. The Pink Panel will do their best to give thought-provoking guidance. Remember, panel members’ ages range from 13 to 80, so you are bound to get a wide variety of advice.
Meet the Panel--------------------------------------------------
- Judith Lawrenson: Pink Panel Moderator, freelance writer, volunteer, and educator
- Elizabeth: publisher of Pink Magazine, business owner, mom, writer, observer of life and human behavior
Would you like advice from The Pink Panel? Email Judith your question at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..