Lowcountry Gullah Heritage Tour

Start your trip on Hilton Head Island, where Gullah culture plays a vital role in the community's identity. Begin your stay at The Beach House Resort, a relaxed beachfront retreat infused with Lowcountry charm, or choose the Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa for a more luxurious experience, complete with sweeping sea views and spa amenities. 

Hilton Head Island's Gullah heritage is best experienced slowly. Begin your day with a Gullah Heritage Trail Tour, led by descendants of the island's first Gullah families. This two-hour experience will take you through historic neighborhoods, family campgrounds, tabby ruins and a restored one-room schoolhouse. It offers an authentic look at how the Gullah people lived, worked and preserved their culture over generations.

For lunch, head to Bullies BBQ, a local favorite known for its slow-smoked ribs and pulled pork, or visit Ruby Lee's South, where you can enjoy live jazz alongside Lowcountry classics like shrimp and grits or fried chicken for a lively midday break.

Spend the afternoon exploring the Gullah Museum of Hilton Head Island. Founded by cultural preservationist Louise Miller Cohen, the museum aims to preserve the Gullah culture that thrived on the island before the bridge to the mainland was constructed. Step inside The Little House, built in 1930 by William Simmons, Cohen's great-grandfather and a formerly enslaved man, to experience life on the island for the Gullah people during the 20th century. The museum also features around 500 artifacts displayed in various locations on the site, including the Little Blue House (also known as the "Dewey House") and the Great Dane Trailer. 

With more than 250 restaurants on the island, you can enjoy an award-winning French bistro one night and a casual crab house the next. For a fresh catch straight off the boat, visit Hudson's Seafood House on the Docks for dinner. Located next to the iconic Harbour Town Lighthouse, The Quarterdeck is another popular restaurant that offers a wonderful dining experience with delicious food and breathtaking views.

Start your morning with breakfast at Skillets Café & Grill, a popular spot known for its generous portions, skillet-style omelets and sweet potato pancakes. The outdoor patio seating makes it a great place to ease into a sunny Hilton Head day. Another long-time local favorite near the marina is Palmetto Bay Sunrise Cafe, which serves hearty Southern breakfasts—think crab cake eggs Benedict, shrimp and grits and fluffy pancakes—in a relaxed, family-run setting perfect for early risers before morning tours.

Next, visit Mitchelville Freedom Park, the site of the first self-governed town of formerly enslaved people in the United States. Walk the interpretive trails and learn how this pioneering community built homes, elected officials, developed laws and established the first mandatory education system for their children.

For lunch, stop at Skull Creek Boathouse, a laid-back waterfront restaurant serving local seafood and Lowcountry favorites. The menu features everything from sushi and oysters to ceviche and poke bowls, along with classics like shrimp and grits, hush puppies and fried green tomatoes. The outdoor patio and beer garden overlook Skull Creek, offering one of the best views on the island.

After lunch, enjoy a scenic one-hour drive north to Beaufort, crossing tidal creeks and oak-lined causeways along the way. Check in at The Rhett House Inn, a classic Southern bed-and-breakfast in Beaufort’s historic district, or stay at The Emerald Boutique Hotel, a stylish self-service property located in a converted downtown toy store. 

When you’re ready for dinner, head to Bay Street, Beaufort’s lively waterfront dining hub. Plums is a local staple serving dishes like locally harvested oysters, fish tacos and classic shrimp and grits, all with views of the Beaufort River. Or try Saltus River Grill, an upscale urban seafood restaurant featuring a modern Southern menu, raw bar and seasonal cocktails.

Start your day with a quick breakfast at Rain-N-Bagels, a small, family-run establishment renowned for its New York-style bagels made fresh each morning. If you prefer a more leisurely start, consider visiting Lowcountry Produce Market & Café. This spot combines a local market with a farm-to-table breakfast menu featuring house-made pastries, lemon pancakes and classic Southern breakfast plates.

After breakfast, take the scenic Sea Island Parkway to St. Helena Island, home to the historic Penn Center. Founded in 1862, it was one of the first schools in the South for formerly enslaved people and became a cornerstone of African American education and culture. During the civil rights movement, the Penn School served as a refuge for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, making it one of the most significant sites along the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor.

Today, the Penn Center spans a 50-acre campus with 25 preserved buildings and structures. Museum exhibits, interpretive displays and three galleries showcase the art, history and traditions of the Gullah Geechee people. Don’t forget to visit the gift shop, where you can find handmade crafts and contemporary works by local artists. Additionally, archival collections, oral histories and musical recordings highlight over 150 years of Gullah and African American history.

After exploring the campus, stay on St. Helena Island for lunch at Gullah Grub Restaurant. Owner and head chef Bill Green, known as the “Gullah Huntsman,” has been featured on Martha Stewart Living and Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations for his authentic Gullah cuisine. Enjoy traditional dishes like crab rice, okra gumbo and collard greens, often accompanied by stories from Bill himself about island life and the roots of Gullah cooking.

Spend the afternoon exploring the island’s quiet before continuing north toward Charleston, the cultural heart of the Lowcountry.

Start your morning in Charleston with breakfast at Miller’s All Day, known for its stone-ground grits, biscuits and hearty Southern fare. Or stop by Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit, a beloved local bakery serving warm, buttery biscuits filled with country ham, pimento cheese or blackberry jam.

After breakfast, spend the morning at the International African American Museum, which overlooks the historic harbor where many enslaved Africans first arrived in America. Inside, the Gullah Geechee Gallery presents one of the museum’s most immersive experiences, offering profound insights into the vibrant cultural identity of the Gullah Geechee people. Exhibits include a full-size bateau boat, a recreated praise house and multimedia displays that share stories of faith, community and resilience. 

Next, take a leisurely stroll through the Charleston City Market, one of the oldest public markets in the country. Here, Gullah artisans weave intricate sweetgrass baskets and sell handmade crafts while speaking in the melodic rhythms of the Gullah language—a blend of African, Creole and English influences.

For lunch, visit Fleet Landing Restaurant & Bar, a casual waterfront favorite that serves shrimp and grits, crab cakes and fresh local seafood, all with beautiful views of the harbor.

In the afternoon, take a Gullah Tour of Charleston, departing from the Charleston Visitors Center. Led by knowledgeable guides, the tour highlights significant sites such as the Underground Railroad, the Brown Fellowship Society and Catfish Row, made famous by the story of "Porgy and Bess." Each stop provides insight into the deep roots and enduring influence of the Gullah Geechee people in Charleston’s history. Note: Reservations are required.

Before dinner, enjoy a walk through Rainbow Row, Charleston’s most photographed street, where pastel-colored Georgian homes line the waterfront. Continue your stroll to White Point Garden for sweeping views of Charleston Harbor beneath towering live oaks.

For dinner, visit Hannibal’s Kitchen, a family-run local favorite known for its authentic Gullah dishes. Don’t miss their signature crab and shrimp rice, along with soul food staples like okra soup, lima beans, fried chicken and collard greens. If you’re in the mood for something more upscale, dine at Magnolias, where Lowcountry classics like shrimp and grits and fried green tomatoes are elevated with modern Southern flair.

Finally, cap off your evening with a drink at one of Charleston’s rooftop bars. The Rooftop at The Vendue offers panoramic views of the city skyline and harbor, while The Citrus Club atop The Dewberry features creative cocktails in a sleek setting with breathtaking sunset views.