Hilton Head Island Tourist Traps

 
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  •   Tourist Traps
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  • Charles Fraser bust
      Charles Fraser bust
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  • Memorial plaque
      Memorial plaque
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  • Faux Lighthouse at Harbor Town Marina
      Faux Lighthouse at Harbor Town Marina
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Most Recent Tourist Traps in Hilton Head Island

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Hilton Head Island a Potential Money Pit!
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graytones 4 reviews

So far, we've been in Hilton Head for 5 hours (we are planning to stay for three days) and we've been pressured three times by timeshare sales people. They are all over the island. They are in fake tourist information centers, restaurants, low-end hotels, everywhere but the shore of the beach. I am here with my husband and two small children and just want to relax on the beach and maybe visit some of the nature preserves, yet we are constantly being approached by these pushy people asking, "do you want free stuff?" By the third time I figured out that the free stuff had a price and it would be a hour and a half long pressure sales pitch to buy a timeshare in Hilton Head's newest gated community. For us, the free boat rides, put-put golf and dinner cruise is not worth my time. Beware - these people are everywhere and aggressive.

Unique Suggestions: I'm not sure how to avoid them without avoiding Hilton Head Island completely. Actually, that's not a bad idea.

Written Jul 1, 2009

Related to:
 Budget Travel
 Cruise
 Family Travel

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Tourist Trap Disguised as a Lighthouse
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3.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

grandmaR 6286 reviews
3 more images

A lighthouse is a tall structure topped by a powerful light used as a beacon or signal to aid marine navigation or a tower with a light that gives warning of shoals to passing ships. The facsimile lighthouse structure at Harbor Town marina is no more a lighthouse than are the golden arches at McDonalds.

There are no shoals to be warned about. The Coast Guard doesn't’maintain it and officially it’s not a lighthouse at all although it does have a beacon inside. It does guide boats in from the waterway on the mainland side of the island but the intentions of this lighthouse are to create an aid to commerce rather than an aid to navigation. It’s basically a tourist attraction that works as a three dimensional sign and symbol in the shape of a lighthouse promoting Hilton Head.

Other businesses are not allowed to have large promotional signs.

At the top is a souvenier shop.

Unique Suggestions: The lighthouse and the whole gated community concept was the brainchild of Charles Fraser. (photos 3 and 4). Just take the museum tour and don't give too much money to the Harbor Town marina for their funny shaped souvenier stand.

Fun Alternatives: There is a real lighthouse on Hilton Head (in the middle of a gated community of Palmetto Dunes on the Arthur Hill Golf Course) and it is possible to see it (from the ground) by applying for a pass for Palmetto Dunes.. You don't have to pay to get into Palmetto Dunes and you don't even have to get out of your car - the security person has a drive-up window.

Updated May 16, 2007

Related to:
 Luxury Travel
 Golf
 Sailing and Boating

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Beach photographer warning
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curlymaple 3 reviews

ProImage 360 - check out their BBB rating (F):
http://jacksonville.app.bbb.org/commonreport.html?compid=S80006302

Updated Dec 4, 2010

Related to:
 Beaches
 Photography
 Family Travel

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 ProImage 360 - check out their BBB rating (F):http://jacksonville.app.bbb.org/commonreport.html?compid=S80006302 

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Questions and Answers

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Q:  Looking for an inexpensive place to stay on Hilton Head. We have about ten people in our group, but we don't need beds for... 

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A: Hi - check out www.vrbo.com or www.homestay.com - you shouldn't have any problems finding something for 10 of you and it will definitely be cheaper than a hotel! The... 

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Top Hilton Head Island Writers

1

Bikes, Boating and Beaches (plus Golf and Tennis)

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 My sister won't stay at Hilton Head because of the "plantations", even though her husband would probably enjoy the golf. As far as I am concerned the big black mark on Hilton Head is the signature... 

2

Welcome to Hilton Head Island

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 This island is beautiful and very well kept. So much to do here, so make sure you have plenty of time to see all the wonders that this island has to offer. If you like golf, this is you place, with 10... 

3

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 I've got some interesting experiences in Hilton Head Island. I'd love to share with you the 16 tips I've written, the 9 photos uploaded, and 0 travelogues I've created. 

4

Hilton Head Island: A Southern Paradise!

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 Hilton Head Island, South Carolina was the site of many of our summer family gatherings. The first two times we stayed here we rented a condo with a community pool. Thereafter, our family rented... 

5

Hilton Head baby!

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 First of all, I gotz to say congrats to my friends Pia and Tommy on getting married! It was a beautiful and very emotional ceremony. It easily had to be one of the best wedding's I've ever attended.... 

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