Our onsite programs offer experiences to learn about Lowcountry nature, history, culture and art in interactive and creative ways. Choose from a variety of programs year-round.
Blue Crab Discovery
Blue crabs achieve a great metamorphosis, beginning as one of millions of microscopic eggs and eventually developing into active predators with powerful claws. In this family-friendly program, you’ll learn about the intriguing life of the Atlantic Blue Crab and their importance to the Lowcountry’s ecosystem, history, and economy. This hands-on experience includes recreational harvesting, cooking, cleaning, and tasting blue crab’s highly prized meat.
$20 per adult. $10 ages 4-12. Space is limited.
Butterfly Learning Station
AT THE KAREN WERTHEIMER BUTTERFLY HABITAT
Join us June through August.
Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 10–11 am
Free. No registration required. Closed on rainy days.
Camellia Garden Talk & Tour
Camellias are fascinating plants with a rich history. While they are not native to the American continent, they have been part of the southern landscape since the 1700s. Tour the Manske Camellia Garden, home to more than 135 species, and learn tips for growing and caring for these “winter roses.” Program includes a short walk on uneven terrain and sturdy walking shoes are recommended.
The Camellia Garden Talk & Tour program will resume in the winter. Please check back in December for dates and times.
Coastal Chronicles
Journey through more than 4,000 years of Hilton Head’s history in this new series that uncovers the people, places, and events that shaped the Lowcountry.
Tour Honey Horn with Captain Jack Stoney
Experience the rich history of Honey Horn with Captain John ‘Jack’ Stoney, antebellum owner of the property, and Patriot. Discover how Honey Horn has evolved over the past two centuries, and the people and events that shaped this remarkable place. Blending
storytelling with local history, this immersive program offers a unique opportunity to gain a deeper appreciation for one of Hilton Head Island's most treasured historic sites.
Civil War Era on Hilton Head
During the Civil War, Hilton Head Island played a crucial role as the Union's Headquarters of the Department of the South. Learn how the island became a strategic location during the war — from the Battle of Port Royal Sound to the creation of a massive hospital, several forts, and a civilian town that housed tens of thousands of people.
This program will delve into the remarkable figures that spent time on the island during and after the war, from abolitionist Harriet Tubman to Confederate President Jefferson Davis. You'll also learn what life was like for a soldier on Hilton Head and the origins of the island’s infamous Robber's Row.
Creature Craft
June, July and August.
When: Mondays and Wednesdays 1:30–3 pm
Where: Sea Island Room
Please arrive by 2:30 pm to allow enough time to complete your craft.
Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Creature Feature Series
Mondays, 1:30-2:15 pm and 3:45-4:30 pm
The Lowcountry is home to a variety of fascinating creatures, from marsh-dwelling crabs to curious reptiles and colorful insects. Join us for an exciting and educational experience where you can discover these animals up close through fun, hands-on activities. Each week, you’ll meet different live critters and uncover what makes them special.
A memorable after-school activity for families with their elementary-aged students and homeschool families and groups. Children must be accompanied by at least one registered adult chaperone, and multiple adults can register. Bringing a younger child who isn't participating in activities? They must still be included in your registration, so all attendees are accounted for.
- Sept 14: butterflies
- Sept 21: marsh critters
- Sept 28: crabs
- Oct 5: pond life
- Oct 12: alligators
- Oct 19: horseshoe crabs
- Oct 26: turtles
- Nov 2: anemones
- Nov 9: snakes
- Nov 16: frogs & toads
- Nov 23: marine invertebrates
- Nov 30: reptiles
Critter Meet & Greet
June, July and August.
Final Critter Meet & Greet is August 12, 2026
Stop by our outdoor Bird’s Eye Theater for “Critter Meet & Greet,” where you can safely get up close with baby alligators, turtles, lizards, snakes, and other fascinating Lowcountry creatures.
Family-Friendly: Children must be accompanied by a participating adult.
Drop in on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays between 9:30 am and 12:30 pm — no reservations needed for individuals and families.
Group Visits: Organized groups (children’s programs, tour groups, etc.) require a reservation. Contact dbrut@coastaldiscovery.org to schedule.
Discovery Lab Open House
Experience fun and learning for all ages in the Tom Peeples Discovery Lab. Get a closer look at some live Lowcountry animals - like fish, horseshoe crabs, hermit crabs, frogs, lizards, snakes, and baby alligators. Discover unique and fascinating stories about the region’s history and environment through hands-on, interactive displays and games.
Discovery Night at the Museum
There is something special happening AFTER HOURS at the Coastal Discovery Museum. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to participate in unique experiences on Thursday evenings. Programs will include hands-on art activities and demonstrations, special natural history programs, and presentations by museum staff and special guests. Check the online calendar to see what is coming. These evening workshops are designed for adults. Ages 13 and up.
See Upcoming Workshops
Explore Honey Horn
Begin your Honey Horn experience with this guided tour around the museum’s picturesque and historic grounds. Visit the salt marsh, see historic buildings, and learn about the gardens, plants, and trees that adorn this sprawling historic site. Your museum guide will share stories about Honey Horn’s past and its natural history.
Check Availability Private/Group Tour Options
Friday Feeding Frenzy
TGIF … even for our animals! Join our animal care staff and learn the ins and outs of how we care for and feed our animal ambassadors. You’ll get a chance to help feed them, too! From lizards to alligators, from fishes to crabs, this close-up, hands-on, educational experience is a memorable way to cap off your week.
Family-Friendly indoor experience that all ages will enjoy!
Hilton Head Island: Tales Through Time
Hilton Head Island has been visited and inhabited for over 4,000 years—from the earliest Indigenous communities to the era of large-scale development that began in the 1950s. This engaging program traces the island’s story through historical photos, artifacts, and interactive trivia.
Learn how the production of indigo—and later, Sea Island cotton—shaped Hilton Head during the plantation era, and how the island was transformed by the Civil War and Reconstruction. Hear what life was like when the island was accessible only by boat, before the first bridge to the mainland was built in 1956, and when Hilton Head was known as a world-class hunting retreat. Discover the vital role of Gullah culture and history in shaping the island we know today.
Whether you’re a history enthusiast or just curious about the island, you’ll enjoy fascinating stories and little-known facts in this lively journey through time.
Ages 7 and older, please.
Indigo Tie-Dye Party!
June, July & August.
Twist, twirl, tie and dye your own indigo tie-dye T-shirt as you learn about the significance of indigo in South Carolina's history. Includes one T-shirt (child small to adult XXL).
This fun and educational activity is perfect for families and friends.
Kids Story Time
This program returns in September.
Kids will enjoy hearing stories about Lowcountry wildlife and history. Tailored for preschool and lower elementary school children. No reservations required.
Life Under the Sea
There is a magical world full of fascinating creatures under the sea! Join knowledgeable museum staff and volunteers in the Discovery Lab to explore, create, play, and learn about ocean life. Who lives in those shells? What does a crab's exoskeleton feel like? How big is a sea turtle?
Discover the answers to these questions and much more. See and touch a few smaller live marine invertebrates, like a whelk and a horseshoe crab, and learn about the incredible adaptations that help these small creatures survive in the big ocean.
Family-friendly indoor experience for all ages.
Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Lowcountry Reptiles
This indoor program introduces you to some Lowcountry locals you might not have met yet — turtles, alligators, snakes, and other reptiles that live in our region. Learn about their habitats, behaviors, reputations, and the important roles they play in the environment — along with tips on how to safely share the Lowcountry with them. Yes, you’ll see live reptiles — and you might even get to touch one! Family-Friendly.
Marsh Critters
June, July & August
The salt marsh is a rich and vital habitat that is full of life. The Coastal Discovery Museum is your opportunity to meet the marsh critters in person as your guide shares a fun story about the varieties you might encounter while spending a day in the salt marsh. You’ll never see your local landscape the same way after this meet-and-greet with its wild cast of characters.
This family program is designed for preschool and younger elementary kids, but the whole family will enjoy it.
Check Availability
Segway Tours
Hilton Head Segway’s location at Honey Horn offers a unique way to explore the island’s natural beauty, history, and culture. As you ride, you’ll pass through the 70-acre grounds of the Coastal Discovery Museum, where interpretive signs highlight the surrounding salt marsh and maritime forest.
Our most popular offering, the Eco Discovery Tour is a fully guided Segway experience that winds along shell paths and shaded woodland trails. Led by knowledgeable local guides, this tour blends scenic views with insights into Hilton Head’s rich ecology and past.
The Eco Fun Ride, Ideal for Segway-approved riders of all ages, is a relaxed ride that focuses on fun and family time. You'll glide beneath moss-draped oaks and alongside open meadows—just pure enjoyment in a beautiful Lowcountry setting.
For those craving more adventure, the Ultimate Discovery Tour extends the Eco Discovery route with a visit to Jarvis Creek Park. This longer tour offers the chance to spot local wildlife—including alligators—in their natural habitat. It’s a memorable way to experience Hilton Head.
To book a tour, visit www.hiltonheadsegway.com or call 843-800-6004.
Sweetgrass Basket Workshops
Learn about the art of sewing sweetgrass baskets from renowned Gullah artist in this hands-on workshop. Sweetgrass baskets are world-famous cultural icons that have served as both an important economic resource and artistic tradition throughout Gullah history. Discover the techniques and stories behind this cherished art form, then learn how to craft your own basket using locally sourced natural materials.
A minimum number of participants is required for each workshop, so tell your friends!
Tom Peeples Discovery Lab
Construction for the second oldest structure on site, the Supervisor’s House, was started just before the turn of the 20th century by William Clyde, the owner of Honey Horn at that time. The house was occupied by the property’s supervisor, J. E. Lawrence, and his family. Stabilized and raised out of the flood plain, the building was renovated and opened as the Tom Peeples Discovery Lab in 2016, Hilton Head’s only multiple-term mayor, who was instrumental in protecting and preserving the museum’s 70-acre Honey Horn property. Today, the building is home to educational programs, classes, workshops, family activities, and more.
During the school year, the Tom Peeples Discovery Lab is used for student field trips and is now home to several live animal displays used for our educational programs.
Please visit the School Programs page to learn more about educational opportunities available for students, groups, and educators, and contact information to schedule your group visit. Many of our public programs are also held in the Discovery Lab. Check the event calendar to see what's planned.
Explore the Lab during Discovery Lab Open House!