On Site Tours and Programs

The blue crab’s life cycle begins with millions of microscopic eggs that eventually develop into active predators with powerful claws. Learn all about the intriguing life of the Atlantic Blue Crab and the important role they play in the coastal ecosystem and lowcountry history. Experience recreational harvesting, cooking, cleaning, and eating of the blue crab! (This is a hands-on learning experience and includes just a taste of blue crab meat).

April-October: Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9:30–11:30am.
$15 Adult / $10 Child (ages 4-12) / Not recommended for children under the age of 4.
Reservations required: call 843-689-6767 ext. 223 or register online.

Get up close and personal with some native butterflies! Learn about local butterflies and see all four stages of their life cycle (egg, larvae, chrysalis, and adult butterfly) during a guided walk through the Karen Wertheimer Butterfly Habitat. Discover just how easy it is to attract butterflies to your yard and how to increase butterfly numbers in the wild. This tour includes a 20-30min interactive indoor presentation prior to a guided walk through the Karen Wertheimer Butterfly Habitat.

May: Fridays from 3:00-4:00pm.
June, July, & August: Tuesdays from 3:00-4:00pm AND Fridays from 11:00am-12:00pm.
September & October: Fridays from 11:00am-12:00pm.

This is a FAMILY FRIENDLY indoor/outdoor experience.
$10 Adult / $5 Child (ages 4-12) / Children under 4 are free.
Reservations required: call 843-689-6767 ext. 223 or register online.

The Civil War is one of the most important events in the history or our country. South Carolina played a key role in the development and ending of the war. Hilton Head Island was home to thousands of Union soldiers during the Civil War. Find out why they were here and how they spent their time. Historic photographs, maps and artifacts tell the story of Hilton Head from 1861-1865.

Thursdays from 3:00–4:00pm
$7 per person (ages 7+) / No children under the age of 7 please.
Reservations required: call 843-689-6767 ext. 223 or register online.

Drop in and explore the Coastal Discovery Museum’s Discovery Lab!! Visiting the lab is a fun educational experience for all ages. Get a closer look at some live lowcountry animals like fish, horseshoe crabs, hermit crabs, frogs, lizards, snakes, and a friendly alligator. Discover unique and fascinating stories about the lowcountry’s history and environment through hands-on, interactive displays and games.

Open House:
April & May: Mondays and Wednesdays from 2:00-4:00pm.
June, July, & August: Mondays and Wednesdays from 2:00-4:00pm.
September, October, & November: Mondays from 2:00-4:00pm.

“Locals Lab Discovery” – One Saturday a month.
Geared to our local families who may not be able to attend during the week, but all are welcome!  Saturdays 6/16, 7/21, 8/18, 9/22, 10/20, and 11/17 from 10:00am – 12:00pm

No reservations required.
Suggested $2 per person donation.
FAMILY FRIENDLY. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Everyone must have fun!!

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 on site. Your museum guide will share stories about Honey Horn’s past and its natural history.

June, July, & August: Wednesdays and Thursdays from 11:00am-12:30pm.
$10 Adults / $5 Children (ages 4-12) / Not recommended for children under the age of 4.
Reservations required: call 843-689-6767 ext. 223 or register online.

Experienced professional photographer Scott Moody provides an opportunity for a unique family portrait experience at the Coastal Discovery Museum. The beautiful Honey Horn setting with its majestic live oaks, salt marsh boardwalks, and historic buildings is a great alternative to the beach for your family’s portrait. The fee includes the photography session and printable high resolution images.

Scott Moody has worked as a professional photographer for over 30 years in the Lowcountry. He provides professional portraits captured digitally. The customer then has the ability to print products and images on your own.

Time vary with the sunset. Portraits are offered Sunday through Friday. All reservations must be made over the phone. Please call 843-689-6767, ext. 223 to arrange your session.  $300 per session.

See history come alive through these hands-on, family-friendly programs led by experienced first-person interpreters. Check the event calendar to see full descriptions of these activities including:
Games of the Past (6/26, 7/3, 8/7)
Camp Dig It (6/19, 7/10, 8/14)
Living History with Captain William Hilton (6/12, 7/31, 8/28)
Indigo Discovery with Eliza Lucas Pinckney (6/5, 7/24, 8/21).

Only registered paid participants will be admitted into these programs. If participants are planning to bring a child, chaperone, spouse, driver, etc. they must also register.

FAMILY FRIENDLY
June, July, & August: Tuesdays 10:30-11:30am.
$12 Adult / $10 Child (ages 5-12) / Children under 5 are free.
Reservations required: call 843-689-6767 ext. 223 or register online.

The Honey Horn property has over 200 years of history, from the time when it was used as a working plantation for indigo and cotton to the Hunting Era when the property was a retreat for wealthy northern hunters. Learn about the Honey Horn cemetery and the people buried there. Visit the Museum’s Heritage Garden to see some of the historic crops grown in the Lowcountry; and learn about the Hacks who lived at Honey Horn from 1950 until the late 1990s. This walk takes you past the sites they lived and worked.

April & May: Thursdays from 10:00-11:30am.
$10 Adult / $5 Child (ages7-12) / Not recommended for children under the age of 7.
Reservations required: call 843-689-6767 ext. 223 or register online.

See it all! This tour will take you on a guided tour of the Coastal Discovery Museum’s grounds focusing on the natural history of the property. Explore the Salt Marsh on our three boardwalks. Dependent on the season, visit the Karen Wertheimer Butterfly Enclosure to see native butterflies at all stages of their life cycle. Visit the Carnivorous Plant Bog Garden, the Heritage Garden, and the Honey Horn Camellia Garden with over 120 camellia varieties. Participants will also be able to learn about the Museum’s two marsh tacky horses, descended from Spanish Colonial horses and used locally for generations.

April & May: Wednesdays from 11:00am-12:30pm.
$10 Adult / $5 child (ages 4-12) / Not recommended for children under the age of 4.
Reservations required: call 843-689-6767 ext. 223 or register online.

This is a casual “Meet and Greet” to learn more about the alligators, snakes and other critters that share Hilton Head Island with us. Joe Maffo, owner and founder of “Critter Management” will bring along some of his “friends” to share with everyone. Take this opportunity to walk-in and see these animals up close, take a picture and learn more about them. No reservations are required.

FAMILY FRIENDLY. Children must be accompanied by a participating adult.
June, July, and August: Wednesdays and Fridays from 10:00am-2:00pm.
$10 Adults / $5 Child (ages 5-12) / Children under the age of 5 are free.
No reservations are required.

Descended from horses brought to the Lowcountry in the 1500s, there are now around 300 Marsh Tackies left in existence.   Learn about the history of these adaptable horses and take a trip to our historic barn. There you will meet the museum’s two resident horses Comet and Hawk and learn about their care and conservation.

September-May: Fridays from 2:00-3:00pm.
$10 adult / $5 child (ages 4-12) / No children under the age of 4 please.
Limited to 15 participants.
Reservations required: call 843-689-6767 ext. 223 or register online.

All ages are welcomed at this Workshop hosted by artist Amiri Farris at the Coastal Discovery Museum.  Sit with us a while and enjoy the company of other budding artists as we take a step-by-step adventure into the world of painting!  Well-known artist Amiri Geuka Farris will guide you along the way as you create your own masterpiece.

We will be painting with acrylics, which will dry quickly, so you will be able to take your painting with you to show all your friends and family, and to serve as a reminder of what a wonderful day you spent making new friends and discovering your inner artist!

Thursday 5/17 – 11:00am-1:00pm
Thursday 5/24 – 11:00am-1:00pm
Saturday 5/26 – 11:00am-1:00pm
Saturday 6/2 – 11:00am-1:00pm
Saturday 6/9 – 11:00am-1:00pm
Saturday 6/17 – 12:00pm-2:00pm

$45 per person (ages 8 and up).
Please note: A minimum of 4 participants is required for this class to occur.
Reservations required: call 843-689-6767 ext. 223 or register online.

Step off the beaten path with our curator on this exclusive tour and learn to identify some of the remarkable plants on our property – from the largest trees to the tiniest flowers.  Some are edible, others are used medicinally; some attract insects, others are natural repellents.  Discover how plants provide for us and other animals and learn how they communicate with each other.

March-August: Mondays at 3:00-4:30pm.
$15 Adults / $10 Children (ages 6-12) / No children under the age of 6 please.
Limited to 6 participants.
Reservations required: call 843-689-6767 ext. 223 or register online

All ages are welcome at this Pop in Paint event.  Stop in for an hour and work with artist Amiri Farris to create a painting based on the Lowcountry and Sea Islands. All supplies are included. Enjoy the company of other budding artists as we take a step-by-step adventure into the world of painting! Drop in by between 2 and 3 PM to start your painting – and you’ll be finished in an hour!  Well-known artist Amiri Geuka Farris will guide you along the way as you create your own masterpiece.

We will be painting with acrylics, which will dry quickly, so you will be able to take your painting with you to show all your friends and family, and to serve as a reminder of what a wonderful day you spent making new friends and discovering your inner artist!

Cost is $30 per person and reservations are suggested.

Saturday 5/26 – 2:00-4:00pm (arrive before 3 to complete your painting)
Saturday 6/2 – 2:00-4:00pm (arrive before 3 to complete your painting)
Saturday 6/17- 2:00pm-4:00pm (arrive before 3 to complete your painting)

Alligators, snakes, and turtles oh my! Take a closer look at the fascinating and unique characteristics of local reptiles and amphibians. Interact with a few live critters and discover the importance of these often misunderstood animals. Learn how to protect these amazing creatures and safely enjoy sharing the lowcountry with them.

This FAMILY FRIENDLY indoor experience is also a nice escape from the afternoon heat or rain!
June, July, & August: Tuesdays from 1:00pm-2:00pm.
$10 Adult / $5 Child (ages 4-12) / Children under 4 are free
Reservations required: call 843-689-6767 ext. 223 or register online.

The Salt Marsh is a unique environment with a fascinating tale that is often overlooked. Most coastal creatures depend fully or partially on the Salt Marsh. The role the Salt Marsh plays as a filter for water and a nursery for many of the creatures that inhabit the coast is vital for the functioning of the coastal ecosystem. Learn from an expert how and why this particular environment is so important. Considered one of the most productive ecosystems on earth, the Salt Marsh is a place worth visiting and exploring while on Hilton Head Island.

September-May: Fridays from 10:00-11:30am.
$10 adults / $7 child (ages 4-12) / Not recommended for children under the age of 4.
Reservations required: call 843-689-6767 ext. 223 or register online.

Sea turtles live an extraordinary life. Explore the amazing journey of Loggerhead Sea Turtles from egg to adulthood. Discover just how easy it is to help protect these fascinating sea creatures. You will not see live sea turtles but this is a hands-on, eye-opening, experience filled with unique educational materials to see, touch, and interact with.

This FAMILY FRIENDLY indoor experience is also a nice escape from the afternoon heat or rain!
June, July, & August: Thursdays from 1:00pm-2:00pm.
$10 Adult / $5 Child (ages 4-12) / Children under 4 are free
Reservations required: call 843-689-6767 ext. 223 or register online.

Want to learn about nature and have fun at the same time? Take a narrated Segway tour! Travel through the property, traversing wooden boardwalks over the salt marsh, winding through the Live Oaks draped in Spanish moss. Catch a glimpse of historic Marsh Tacky horses. All while standing tall on your off-road, pollution free, Segway. Great for seniors, families, and friends. Ages 8 and older. Tours range from 1 ¼ to 1 ¾ hours, including training. Extended tours (14 and older only) leave the plantation to nearby Jarvis Park. $69 to $89 per person depending upon the length of the tour.

All booking for these tours is arranged through Segway of Hilton Head. Book online by clicking here or call 800-800-0424. If you don’t find the tour online, please call for availability.

Learn about the history of the Sweetgrass basket, one of the Lowcountry’s best known art forms, from a local Gullah basket maker. Then, try your hand at starting a basket of your own using locally found natural materials.

Select Saturdays at 10:30am.
Upcoming classes:   4/21, 6/2, 6/16, 6/30, 7/14, 7/28, 8/4, and 8/25

$65 per person.
Please note: A minimum of 5 participants is required for this class to occur.
Reservations required: call 843-689-6767 ext. 223 or register online.

Please call the Museum if you have a group interested in a Sweetgrass Basket Class on a day that is not on the schedule. Special arrangements may be possible.

Hilton Head Island has a fascinating history, from the earliest Native Americans inhabitants that harvested oysters and hunted Black Bear to the modern day residents and visitors who flock here to play tennis and golf. The island has gone through numerous changes and uses by diverse groups of people, from logging to farming, to hunting and finally today mostly as a tourist retreat and home to over 35,000 full time residents. Learn from a museum docent about these changes, and the tale of its participants from Native Americans, to Gullah islanders to modern day residents.

September-May: Tuesdays at 3:00-4:00pm.
$7 per person (ages 7+) / No children under the age of 7 please.
Reservations required: call 843-689-6767 ext. 223 or register online.

What lives under the sea? There is an amazing world of marine life under that sparkling blue ocean. Take a closer look at some of the smaller marine creatures. Find out what lived in those shells you find on the beach, feed a horseshoe crab and watch it chew with its legs, help a hermit crab find a new home, and much more!

This FAMILY FRIENDLY indoor experience is also a nice escape from the afternoon heat or rain!
June, July, and August: Fridays from 1:00-2:00pm. (No program on 6/1, 6/8, and 8/10).
$10 Adult / $5 Child (ages 4-12) / Children under 4 are free.
Reservations required: call 843-689-6767 ext. 223 or register online.