Coastal Discovery Museum In Hilton Head

Coastal Discovery Museum Admission

The Coastal Discovery Museum Hilton Head is technically free. They do ask for a donation to visit and recommend $5 per person to help keep the place running. It’s well worth the donation if you can afford it.

Most of the special activities or tours are a small extra charge. You can sign up for them when you arrive or check their calendar and sign up online before you arrive. Some of the more popular activities like the Butterfly Habitat Tour and the Marsh Critters Meet and Greet do fill up. They have many of the permanent exhibits I’ve mentioned above but also rotation ones.

The Coastal Discovery Museum is located at 70 Honey Horn Drive. They are open 9-4:30 Monday to Saturday and 11-3 on Sunday. Check their website for additional information and updated hours before you go.

This memorable destination and unique Hilton Head attraction is one that will stay with me for years to come! This really is a special place that will make you appreciate the fragile environment of this magical Lowcountry island.

Salt Marsh Discovery Walk

The Coastal Discovery Museum Hilton Head has gorgeous marsh front boardwalks that extend into Jarvis Creek and the neighboring tidal creek. The boardwalks are lined with panels that help educate about tides and the salt marsh ecosystem.

At low tide, you can see oysters, and crabs, fiddler crabs and see how the marsh looks drained, and at high tide, you see more birds and fish.

You can do the walk at your own pace or sign up for a Salt Marsh Discovery walking tour to learn more about how the marshes work. There are interpretive panels along the route to read too.

Camellia Garden At The Coastal Discovery Museum

The Coastal Discovery Museum Camellia Garden at Honey Horn is recognized for its unique collection of 131 historic and exotic camellia plants located along a romantic, meandering pathway under some of the most magnificent oak trees on Hilton Head Island. The combination of the moss laden oaks and the beautiful camellia blooms, gives one a sense of peacefulness and an appreciation of the extraordinary nature of the Lowcountry.

Each camellia plant was selected from thousands of possibilities for its uniqueness and beauty. It is the only public camellia garden on Hilton Head Island. The bloom period starts in November and runs through mid-March.

The Garden was designed and funded by Fred and Donna Manske long-time benefactors of the Museum. The inspiration for the Garden came when the couple was walking the Honey Horn property back in 2008.About the Camellia CollectionTotal number of camellia plants: 131Number of distinct camellia cultivars or species: 8

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The Coastal Discovery Museum In Hilton Head Is Great For All Ages

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While we could make the case that most of the things to do on Hilton Head Island are family-friendly, some are more approachable to those with children over others.

The Coastal Discovery Museum is one such spot, and is the kind of place visitors of all ages can visit, appreciate, and enjoy in just a short amount of time!

So if you’re looking for a spot where you can visit for just a few hours to break up your beach time on Hilton Head, this free attraction is for you.

Events At: Coastal Discovery Museum

• Categories:Kids & Family Fun, Lectures, Talks, Classes, Movie Nights, Nature Based Experience

Critter Meet and Greet this summer at Coastal Discovery Museum Stop by the Coastal Discovery Museum this summer every Wednesday and Friday from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm for this casual Meet and Greet to learn about the alligators, snakes, and a few other fun critters that share Hilton Head Island with us. Take this

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The Coastal Discovery Museum

The Coastal Discovery Museum is one of the most memorable destinations on Hilton Head Island. Explore natural history and cultural heritage on the 68 acre Honey Horn property. The Museums trails, gardens, live oaks, butterfly enclosure, and horses are just a few of the fun experiences you will encounter during your visit. Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and Sunday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. 689-6767 or coastaldiscovery.org.

Welcome To The Coastal Discovery Museum

Come discover 68-acres of trails, venture through native gardens, marvel at the historic live oaks, visit our native butterfly habitat, and stop by the horse stable. Dive into our history and environment in the Discovery House exhibits. Just a hint of what awaits as you explore the natural history and cultural heritage of the Lowcountry at Honey Horn.Experience the soul of Hilton Head Island as you take in all that we have to offer. Explore the grounds and exhibits on your own or register for one of our guided experiences. We have something for all ages to enjoy.Every Time You Visit – You’ll Leave With Something New!

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The Large Garden Plot Contains A Variety Of Lowcountry Floratrees Bushes Vegetables And Palms

Learn the historical relevance of these plants. Find out which plants were used for medicinal purposes, clothing, and household goods. See indigo, rice, cotton plants and sweetgrass. Another section of the garden focuses on typical Lowcountry crops to include corn, okra, beans, sweet potatoes, collards and more. All plants/trees/bushes are labeled.

Over 100 camellia varieties are on display in this garden, located next to the Mary Ann Peeples Pavilion. There are two varieties of the common tea plant Camellia sinensis, and several varieties of the ornamental species Camellia japonica, Camellia sasanqua and Camellia heimalis with great variety of bloom color, size and form. This camellia garden was donated to the Musuem by Fred and Donna Manske, a Museum advocate and past Museum Board Member.

Sea Pines Forest Preserve:

The preserve was first started back in 1959 by the founders and developers of Sea Pines, but the history of the land goes back more than 4,000 years ago when nomadic Native Americans first inhabited the area. A portion of their ruins still stand today! Since then, the area grew crops like rice, indigo and cotton. The first trails through the preserve were constructed in the 1970s, but more have been added since then. www.seapines.com.

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Hands On Experience At Coastal Discovery Museum

The Coastal Discovery Museum is a cant-miss attraction for any Hilton Head Island vacation, but in summer it comes alive with a vibrant atmosphere unseen any other time of year. In addition to the gorgeous outside views, historical attractions, centuries old oak groves and South Carolinas oldest red cedar tree, the area teems with an abundance of wildlife including rare sea turtles and dazzling numbers of butterflies. Its truly a place for the whole family to discover something new and exciting. You can spend some time on the beach here, or you can wander around the beautiful property. There are also special events and guided tours year round.

An island treasure, the Coastal Discovery Museum on Hilton Head features hands-on activities, animal programs, rotating exhibits, events and guided tours that teach you about the natural history and cultural heritage of Hilton Head and the Low Country. Visit the marshes of Jarvis Creek with a docent to learn about the life cycle of the Atlantic Blue Crab. Enjoy interactive animal shows with alligators, birds, and reptiles, or join history and nature tours, and beach walks. Explore the Discovery House with permanent exhibits and the Kids Zone featuring artifacts, specimens and turtle tanks.

Visit And Explore At Your Own Pace

While theres so much to visit and explore at your own pace, the museum offers a constant stream of Discovery Events tailored with our community of guests and visitors in mind, inviting you to Fall in love with the Lowcountry all over again through a schedule of activities built to educate, entertain, and inspire.The museum provides Kids and Family events, markets and sales for strolling and shopping, all-community celebrations, and of course opportunities to plan and book your corporate events, weddings, and more on some of the most stately and serene public property the island has to offer.The Coastal Discovery Museum also hosts several annual festivals and events at its Honey Horn location. For a full list of all the different ways you can Experience the Lowcountry at Honey Horn, please check our calendar of events, home page, and for the latest information and announcements on programs, events, and festivals or contact to book an event of your own.

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Explore The Horn Trail

The Coastal Discovery Museum Hilton Head has several trails that surround the attractions. There is an Around the Horn Trail, which is 1.2 miles and includes the shorter Nan Lloyd Nature Trail. Pick up a brochure from the office when you arrive for a map and self-guided tour information. It’s a great walk for kids and adults and includes lots of pretty water views, a horse barn, bond, and a crab boardwalk.

The Coastal Discovery Museum Is Great For All Ages

At its core, the Coastal Discovery Museum has two distinct features.

The first is the museum itself and the second is the property at large . As visitors start in the museum first before going out to explore the property, we’ll begin there.

One of the best things about the museum here is that it covers a wide range of topics all concerning Hilton Head. There are exhibits on the wildlife, on the geological features of the island, history about the early settlers, exhibits about the Gullah , and history of the Honey Horn property itself and its journey to becoming the museum we know today .

These come together as a rather robust experience that gives a multi-faceted view to all things Hilton Head Island that you, to be quite honest, just won’t get anywhere else. But while these exhibits can be classified as small compared to other museums, they get the job done and prepare you for learning more as you head outside.

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Traverse The 68 Acre Honey Horn Property By Taking A Walk On The Around The Horn Trail

This three-quarter mile long oyster shell trail will allow you to see all there is to see here. The trail begins at the Discovery House and leads to all boardwalks, the Butterfly Enclosure, the Heritage Garden, the propertys cemetery and many of Honey Horns early twentieth century buildings. Along the way you will encounter interpretive panels, interactive exhibits, and the Museums active bee colony where Honey Horn Honey is produced! A portion of this trail includes the Lions Tail, a guide rope for the visually impaired.

The 1200 square foot butterfly habitat is open daily and is home to some 13 species of native butterflies to the Lowcountry. During your walk through the enclosure you will discover what types of plants are necessary to sustain butterflies throughout their lifecycle. You will encounter butterfly eggs, caterpillars, and chrysalis. And if you are lucky, witness a chrysalis evolve into an adult butterfly. Interpretive panels will provide additional information on the anatomy of the butterfly and how you can help them thrive.

Karen Wertheimer Butterfly Habitat

One of the most popular and coolest activities at the Coastal Discovery Museum is the Karen Wertheimer Butterfly Habitat. It’s a gorgeous 1,200 square food butterfly habitat and a greenhouse filled with nectar plants and host plants for butterflies to lay eggs.

It’s a super cool educational experience for kids because you can see the butterflies in all different stages including the chrysalis and caterpillar.

Plus, it’s pretty magical just to walk around and see the butterfly.

You can explore the habitat on your own or schedule a tour.

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Critter Meet And Greet

The Coastal Discovery Museum hosts animal meet and greets for kids of all ages. They have options to meet everything from marsh critters, and sea creatures, to snakes and reptiles. There is even a blue crab discovery tour.

The reptile meet and greet had so many fun animals including this turtle.

And an alligator!

This was a HIT with my kids and they are still talking about it.

They have indoor and outdoor opportunities to meet the local animals up close and it’s a great chance to learn more about the land and sea wildlife on the island.

Tours Walks And Classes

The Coastal Discovery Museum has an extensive range of tours, walks, and classes on a diverse range of topics. Sign up for a history or salt marsh walk, a butterfly or blue crab discovery tour, or another excursion that interests you. Or, take a class on indigo tie-dye, sweetgrass basketmaking, or bird-watching.

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Coastal Discovery Museum Hilton Head Island

The Coastal Discovery Museum is a magical place! It’s the perfect place to visit when you need a break from the beach or are looking for something unique to do in Hilton Head, that’s off the beaten path. This is also a great place to learn more about Hilton Head’s history and ecosystem. It’s a fascinating natural museum the chock full of interesting interactive exhibits that cover everything from local history, natural history, animals, and gardens.

There are a surprising and eclectic number of activities there. They have everything from a fun interactive butterfly habitat to interactive activities for kids like meeting animals up close! Plus they also host events like photography workshops, dolphin cruises, and classes on how to make sweetgrass baskets for adults.

The Coastal Discovery Museum is a beautiful and sprawling 68-acre honey horn property located on some of the island’s most historical grounds which were originally owned by William Clyde before there was even a bridge to the island. It’s located on the North end of the island just off the Cross Island Parkway on Honey Horn Drive.

There are nine historical buildings with one structure dating to 1859. It’s even home to South Carolina’s oldest Southern Red Cedar tree which dates back to 1595. There are also gorgeous live oaks everywhere.

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Native Plant Sale At Coastal Discovery Museum

Event Details

• Categories:Educational, Event, Show On Calendar

The Coastal Discovery Museum will host their annual Native Plant sale on from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. The museum will have a variety of native plants to cover diverse landscaping needs, from vines to blooming bushes to butterfly friendly landscaping. You will learn from the experts what are the best native plants for your landscape. Native plants have the advantage of being adapted to the local environment and therefore require little or no care at all. Native plants are also used by local wildlife in a number of ways and are great to attract local pollinators. Museum volunteers and master gardeners will be on hand to explain the value of the different species available at the sale. Among those the museum will have are native Lowcountry butterfly host-plants which are used by native butterflies to lay their eggs and raise their larvae, and without which they cannot survive.

This will be a great opportunity to enhance your garden with plants that require little care and provide great benefits to the environment. At this sale, we will only be able to accept cash or check. We anticipate a big crowd and we request that you wear a mask. The Museum is located at 70 Honey Horn Drive on Hilton Head Island.

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Learn About Hilton Head

You came to Hilton Head to explore and experience a new place on a fun, relaxing getaway. We have units as small as one bedroom for a small family or sweetheart getaway, all the way up to seven bedrooms for a large family or group reunion!

Youll have access to private outdoor spaces like a pool, balcony, or deck. Relax indoors in stylish bedrooms. After a visit to the Coastal Discovery Museum, make a meal in the fully equipped kitchen, then spread out in an open living area. For a luxury stay like no other, choose a premium unit to include perks like wood floors, flat screen TVs, an elevator and more to make your stay one youll never forget.

to start planning a fun-filled visit to Hilton Head Island and the Coastal Discovery Museum!

Visit The Coastal Discovery Museum On Your Hilton Head Vacation

When you come and stay at our Hilton Head Island resort, you can do so many things. Outside of your Hilton Head condo, theres a whole world to explore. Why not spend the day getting hands-on with the environment and learning all about what Hilton Head Island has to offer! The Coastal Discovery Museum in Hilton Head is the perfect place to visit!

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Plan To Walk Around The Property

While the Coastal Discovery Museum is located on 68 acres of property, the curated outdoor experience is a roughly two-mile round-trip walking path.

What we really liked about this one is that you can start to see some of the natural features of Hilton Head that you read about in the museum within just a short stroll around the property.

There are walkways that head out to a little creek that floods, and depending on the tide you may have any manner of wildlife spotting or seeing simple mollusks growing on the structure itself. There is a butterfly sanctuary and native plant gardens . There is an archaeological dig showing off a shell circle. There is even an impressive flower garden all with local varieties that bloom throughout the year .

Perhaps the best part is that there is no shortage of posted signs all along the property, so if you are wanting to learn about, well, literally anything, the museum has set up the experience to provide all the knowledge you need.

Overall, while you don’t need that much time at the Coastal Discovery Museum , this property offers a great introduction to all things Hilton Head and is most certainly worth a stop on a nice day.

The Coastal Discovery Museum is located at 70 Honey Horn Road in Hilton Head. It is free of charge but they accept donations.