Shelter Cove Towne Centre on Hilton Head Island is not your ordinary shopping experience. Part mall, part plaza, it offers elements of each-one-of-a-kind boutiques and shops, a large department store and a food market-all in one convenient location.
And that's just for starters. The mid-island complex also features an eclectic selection of restaurants and outdoor cafés, ice cream, yogurt and confection shops, a craft beer bar and rooftop nightclub.
But what really sets it apart from other shopping areas is the waterside park and promenade overlooking Broad Creek. With a fountain as its focal point, Shelter Cove Community Park offers a playground for the kids, shaded areas to enjoy a picnic lunch, walking paths, park benches, a performance pavilion and a breathtaking view of the salt marsh.
Built on the site of the town's original indoor mall, the property has been transformed into an outdoor shopping center with palmetto-lined walkways, lushly landscaped courtyards and sidewalk cafés.
At one end of the complex is Belk department store; at the other end a Kroger grocery. Sidewalks and paved pathways between the two wind past eye-catching gift shops, upscale clothing boutiques and stores offering everything from sporting goods to jewelry.
Dining options are equally diverse. Start the day with a bananas Foster breakfast crepe at The French Bakery. For lunch, indulge in the popular toasted pecan cranberry chicken salad at Jane Bistro and Bar or a made-to-order burger and hand-dipped milkshake at Wayback Burgers.
You'll have an even tougher time deciding where to have dinner. Poseidon is always a favorite if you're in the mood for fresh seafood. Got a hankering for barbecue? Try Charlie Grangers, famous for its beef brisket. If it's a cold one you crave, head over to the World of Beer, offering 50 craft beers on tap, more than 500 in the cooler and a menu of tasty tavern fare.
Shelter Cove Towne Centre also plays host to a number of festivals and events throughout the year. The lineup of entertainment includes summer concerts and movie nights, car club cruise-ins and pub runs and a pumpkin patch and holiday festival of lights.
Bicycle trails from the north and south end of the island, Palmetto Dunes and Shelter Cove Harbour offer easy access to those who want to pedal to the center. To further entice cyclists, the bike-friendly destination features bicycle corrals, water fountains, restrooms and a tire air fill station at Kroger.
Afternoons and evenings, a shuttle service is available offering free golf cart transportation around the complex. Look for the eight-seat cart roaming the parking lot or call 843.505.6635 for a pickup.
Check the website for a complete list of Shelter Cove Towne Centre's restaurants, shops and upcoming events or call 843.686.3090.
