Top 5 Reasons to Visit Hilton Head This Fall

Friday, 10 February, 2023 With miles of pristine beaches and year-round sunshine, Hilton Head Island in South Carolina offers some of the best waterfront dining experiences in the country. Whether you want to enjoy a cocktail with friends or plan a romantic date night with your special someone, there's a restaurant on the island where you can dine with a view. Here are six of the best waterfront restaurants on Hilton Head Island. Hudson's Seafood House on the Docks With spectacular views and fresh-caught seafood, Hudson's Seafood House on the Docks offers a one-of-a-kind experience. Located on the edge of Port Royal Sound, the restaurant has an expansive dock where you can enjoy the warm sunshine or a gorgeous Hilton Head sunset. If you're lucky, you may even witness fishing crews bring in the day's catch of fresh fish. Inside the restaurant, you can still enjoy an uninterrupted view of the horizon, thanks to its floor-to-ceiling windows. Hudson's Seafood takes great pride in its fresh Lowcountry seafood. It partners with local fishing crews on the island, who supply over 90% of the restaurant's seafood. The restaurant's menu features an extensive selection of local shrimp, clams, and oysters. Hudson's Seafood also serves a popular Sunday brunch with a full oyster bar and entrees, along with homemade desserts. Location: 1 Hudson Road. Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday. Skull Creek Boathouse For a fun, casual experience with waterfront views, head to Skull Creek Boathouse. The restaurant overlooks idyllic Skull Creek and the marina. You can dine inside the glass-walled dining room for access to the full sushi bar, or grab a spot on the patio for drinks, food, and music. Whether you're coming for lunch, happy hour, dinner, or brunch, you'll enjoy the warm atmosphere and stunning views at Skull Creek Boathouse. The sushi bar includes favorites like shrimp tempura, spicy tuna, and California rolls, along with raw oysters, sashimi, and ceviche. You can also indulge in sandwiches, pasta, or fresh seafood. Skull Creek Boathouse also serves a vast selection of original cocktails, and during the summer months, you can grab a brew from the beer garden to enjoy while you watch the sunset. Location: 397 Squire Pope Road. Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday. The Old Oyster Factory The Old Oyster Factory, an award-winning restaurant along Broad Creek, offers a unique view of the marshland landscape. Take advantage of the gorgeous views by attending one of the restaurant's popular events throughout the year, such as wine and beer dinners or all-you-can-eat oyster roasts. The Old Oyster Factory is also a kid-friendly restaurant, making it the perfect choice for your next family outing. For dinner, the restaurant offers a full raw bar with oysters caught locally and along the Atlantic coast. You can also order appetizers, soups and salads, and entrees. The children's menu offers a variety of options to please even the pickiest eaters. On Sundays, bring your appetite for the restaurant's renowned brunch, featuring a variety of sweet and savory items like Belgian waffles, seafood omelettes, and steak and egg hash. Location: 101 Marshland Road. Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Fishcamp on Broad Creek With beautiful waterfront views and creative coastal cuisine, Fishcamp on Broad Creek is a longtime favorite of locals and visitors alike. The restaurant overlooks Broad Creek, providing incredible views of the sunset. Along with waterfront dining, Fishcamp on Broad Creek offers backyard games, live seasonal entertainment, and even a pet-friendly patio for your furry family members. Fishcamp on Broad Creek serves a variety of seafood, coastal, and American cuisine. You'll get your fill of fish with favorites like the seafood risotto and shellfish tower. On Sunday, come to Fishcamp for a late brunch, where you can enjoy delectable omelets, fried chicken and waffles, or smoked salmon avocado toast. The restaurant also serves a full bar menu with perfectly portioned bites to enjoy with a cocktail, beer, or glass of wine. Location: 11 Simmons Road. Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily; bar open late. ELA'S on the Water Overlooking Shelter Cove Harbour, ELA'S on the Water provides a peaceful setting for a casual meal with friends or family. All tables at the restaurant offer a view of the water and marina, allowing you to escape the stress of everyday life. You can enjoy live music at the energetic bar or plan a romantic evening for two on the garden patio. The restaurant also hosts private parties and special events, so you can enjoy the views on every important occasion. ELA'S serves fresh fish that arrive each day and sources its vegetables locally to create vibrant, seasonal dishes. Other items on the menu include butcher-cut steaks, vegetarian options, and classic seafood, such as crab cakes, pan-seared scallops, and steamed lobster. Choose a beer, cocktail, or glass of wine from ELA'S curated selection to complement your meal. Location: 1 Shelter Cove Lane. Hours: Dinner daily from 5 p.m.; Sunday brunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Coast, Oceanfront Dining For casual beachfront dining, make plans to visit Coast, Oceanfront Dining. With sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean, this restaurant at the Sea Pines Beach Club is the perfect spot for a relaxing family dinner or drinks with friends. In the summer, Coast often provides live entertainment on the outdoor patio, and it hosts other events throughout the year, such as oyster roasts and whiskey dinners. At Coast, you can enjoy traditional South Carolina cuisine, including a Lowcountry boil with andouille sausage, potatoes, and corn. The restaurant serves a daily fresh catch and plenty of other fresh seafood, along with shareable plates, tacos, and sandwiches. After a hot summer day, you can cool off with one of Coast's delicious frozen cocktails. It's open daily for both lunch and dinner. Location: 87 N. Sea Pines Drive. Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Admittedly, it's hard to narrow down the best waterfront restaurants on Hilton Head Island, but these are a few of our favorites. Which restaurant do you think offers the best views? Did we miss one of your favorites on the island? Send a message to Vaden Automotive, and we'll be happy to add your recommendation to our list. As a family-owned automotive group with dealerships serving Beaufort and Hilton Head, South Carolina, we're committed to being a full-service resource for the communities where we live, work, and play. Sunset on Hilton Head Island by Lee Coursey is licensed with CC BY 2.0

Friday, 13 January, 2023 The stunning coastal city that is Savannah, Georgia, is known for its elegantly preserved architecture, beautiful parks, and rich history. An interesting fact about this city is that it was a Christmas gift to Abraham Lincoln from Union General Sherman during the Civil War. When General Sherman was in charge, he burned Atlanta to the ground but was astounded by the breathtaking beauty of Savannah. So, he spared it and sent a telegram to President Lincoln, offering him the city. There are plenty more interesting facts like this one and stunning locations in this grand city. Our team at Vaden Automotive wants to help you plan your trip around the city, so we put together a list of four historical sites to visit in Savannah, Georgia. Savannah Historic District Savannah Historic District is home to many historical landmarks, including The Forsyth Park Fountain. The fountains were constructed in 1858 and reside at the north end of Forsyth Park. You may see similarly styled fountains around the globe, like in Paris and Peru. Enjoy the fountain's exquisite architecture with several benches surrounding it. In addition to the famous fountain, there are plenty of other sites that make this district a historical landmark, such as its distinctive grid plan and architecture from the 18th and 19th centuries. In 1733, General. James E. Oglethorpe, the founder of the Georgia British colony, created the original town layout, which is still part of the grid plan today. Additionally, most of the original squares are still there today and are enveloped by great time-period architecture, like Georgian, Greek Revival, and Gothic styles. In the Savannah Historic District, you can find many prominent locations, such as: The Spencer Woodbridge House from 1795. The Owens-Thomas House from 1818. The Gothic Revival Greene House from 1853. The Beaux-Arts style Edmund Molyneux Mansion from 1917. You can take a self-guided tour of the district, beginning at the restored Central of Georgia railroad station. Not only does this historic district have well-preserved buildings from significant periods, but it's also a meaningful area to the African American community, including Beach Institute, the first Black school from 1865, and the King-Tisdell Cottage from 1896, the home of a working-class African American family. Savannah Visitor Center's hours: Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Location: 301 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Savannah. First African Baptist Church In December 1773, with leadership from Reverend George Leile, the First African Baptist Church (FABC) played a critical role in the Underground Railroad. The church was officially established in 1773, making this landmark is older than the United States itself, which was established in 1776. Reverend Leile became ordained as the FABC's pastor in May 1775. Then, in December 1777, was recognized as an official place of worship. A few short years later, in 1782, Pastor Leile didn't want to risk re-enslavement, so he went with the British when they evacuated Savannah and then migrated to Jamaica. He was the first American missionary and the first Jamaican Baptist missionary. Today, some original church features remain, such as the light fixtures, the baptismal pool, and the pews in the balcony. As you walk through the church, you can still see holes in the floor where individuals using the Underground Railroad could breathe. The holes in the floor are in the shape of an African prayer, representing birth, life, death, and rebirth. You can purchase tour tickets online using the church's website. Tour hours: Sunday through Tuesday: Closed. Wednesday through Saturday: 1 p.m. Location: 23 Montgomery St., Savannah. Savannah History Museum Located in the former historic Central of Georgia railway's passenger station, you can find the Savannah History Museum. The city's history in the museum begins in 1733 and walks you through significant wars of the United States and the city, such as the American Revolution and the Civil War. Additionally, the museum takes you through Savannah's modern-day history, including substantial musical, cultural, and artistic contributions. This location is also where you can view the famous bench from the film, "Forrest Gump." After you're done looking at the museum and its many artifacts, go across the road to explore the Battlefield Memorial Park. This park is where soldiers fought the second bloodiest battle in the American Revolution. Here, at least 800 troops passed away or were wounded. Tickets are available online or in person at the museum. Hours: Daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Location: 303 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., Savannah. The Old Sorrel Weed House Museum & Tours The Old Sorrel Weed House Museum & Tours is a historical monument named by the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation as a must-see when you're in the area. Here, you can go on ghost tours in the evening and historical architecture tours. The architecture tour takes you through the Antebellum South, where you can look at exquisite Savannah homes, learn about the history of the buildings and city and see fine antiques from that period. During this tour, you see the main home, the Sorrel Weed House, known as one of the most haunted homes in Savannah. The original occupant, French Haitian merchant Francis Sorrel, had this home built by Charles Clusky in the 1830s. Clusky hosted notable guests like Robert E. Lee. If you choose to go on the ghost tours, you can spend an hour exploring rooms and hallways with a paranormal tour guide in one of the most actively haunted houses in the United States, the Carriage House. Purchase your tour tickets online using the museum's website. Hours: Daily from 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Location: 6 W. Harris St., Savannah. We know there are several fascinating museums and historical sites in our culturally rich city, so we're barely scratching the surface with our four suggestions. What do you think of our list? Did we miss one of your favorite historical landmarks? Contact us, and tell us about it. Our team at Vaden Automotive values our customers' opinions, especially about intriguing historical sites to share with locals and travelers alike. Visit our dealership in Savannah, Georgia, and speak with our team of sales experts about your wants and needs in your next dream vehicle. Or, you can browse our inventory of new cars and used vehicles. No matter what you're searching for, we want to help you find it and get you the best deal. Image by Philip Arambula is licensed with Unsplash License

Thursday, 08 December, 2022 Although known widely for its downtown historical district, Beaufort, South Carolina, is a phenomenal place to spend some quality time with the family. Whether you’re a local or just visiting, there are several great places to visit and things to do that the whole family can enjoy. Active families and history buffs will find quality entertainment in this great city. From outdoor activities, such as playing on a beach, to animal experiences, such as heading to a petting zoo, kids both young and old will have a blast with some keen planning. Read on to learn about our list of the top family-friendly activities in Beaufort. Beaufort's Barnyard and Petting Zoo For the animal lovers and future zoologists in your life, a trip to Beaufort's Barnyard and Petting Zoo is a great opportunity for some experiential learning. This reservation-only activity is worth the extra time and effort it takes to plan. You can feed the animals and pet the goats, pigs, and donkeys. Beaufort's Barnyard and Petting Zoo is easy to find on Burton Hill Road. To make your reservation, call 843-694-3363 or email beaufortsbarnyard@yahoo.com. SouthurnRose Buggy Tours Schedule a SouthurnRose carriage tour to get a full feel for the lovely southern town of Beaufort. The 50-minute tour gives participants a dose of history, with professional guides there to narrate the various exhibits. Learn about Beaufort's Civil War history, appreciate the antebellum and Victorian architecture, and marvel at the different Hollywood filming sites. Tours begin at $29 per participant and depart from the Waterfront Park area between 9:40 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Sunday tours begin leaving at noon. Horses will pull you along on this unique experience for lasting memories for everyone involved. SouthurnRose Buggy Tours is located at 1002 Bay St. For information or to find out more about the walking or ghost tours, call 843-524-2900. Gay Fish Company At Beaufort, few delicacies are as fresh and well-loved as the seafood. One of the best places to enjoy a fresh bite of the sea is the Gay Fish Company. This family-owned local fish company has served the community of Beaufort for many years and has an established clientele for a good reason. Professional chefs revel in serving up excellent seafood fare. They source, season, and prepare the best fresh local seafood available. Gay Fish Company is located at 1948 Sea Island Parkway on Saint Helen Island. To learn more about the menu offerings or for information on its holiday hours, call 843-838-2763. Parris Island Museum The Parris Island Museum is a 10,000-square-foot behemoth located on the Marine Corps Depot. Exhibits focus on the stories and honored past of the Marine Corps. Some of the displayed artifacts include items from Port Royal's important military role, spanning the American Revolution to the Civil War. You'll find the Parris Island Museum at 111 Panama St. The museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Admission to this impressive location is free. The museum is closed on New Year's Day, Easter, Christmas Day, and Thanksgiving Day. For more information, call 843-228-2951. The Chocolate Tree The lovely town of Beaufort was one of the locations where the Hollywood film Forest Gump was filmed. Rumored to be one of Tom Hank's favorite places to visit while he was in town, the Chocolate Tree is a must-visit. As Beaufort's one-stop-shop for fine chocolates and confections, it’s a beloved experience for chocolate lovers everywhere. Watch through a glass as chocolate is made right before your eyes, and sample some of their custom chocolates. Serving the Beaufort area since 1980, each chocolate is made in-shop using only the finest ingredients available. While here, be sure to try their Tiger Paws, a collection of chewy pecans covered in caramel and chocolate. For an assortment, get one of their boxes and ask for customer favorites like krispy clusters, molasses chips, and peanut pillows. The Chocolate Tree is at 507 Carteret Street. Hours of operation are Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. Local deliveries and U.S. and national shipping is available. For more information, call 843-524-7980. So there you have it. Vaden Automotive has enjoyed sharing our list of the top family-friendly activities in Beaufort, South Carolina. Whether you have little ones you need to entertain or are expecting family in from out of town and want to have an enjoyable experience and build memories, you'll find something for everyone in Beaufort. What do you think of our list? Did we miss your favorite annual family activity? If we did, please let us know. Leave us a message sharing your thoughts, and we'll be happy to check out your idea. You may even find we've added your suggestion to our list of the top family-friendly activities in the future. Woman holding a child outdoors with nature green background by Nenad Stojkovic is licensed with CC BY 2.0