Discover the Magic of Lowcountry Celebration Park in Hilton Head

If you are looking for an amazing park and playground to visit during your Hilton Head Island vacation, be sure to check out Lowcountry Celebration Park and Adventure Playground. This must-see stop on your family adventures is featured in my 30+ Family-Friendly Activities on Hilton Head Island post.

What Is Lowcountry Celebration Park?

Lowcountry Celebration Park is a new 10-acre park on Hilton Head Island, completed in December 2020.

Where is Lowcountry Celebration Park?

Found on the Eastern side of Hilton Head Island, the park is conveniently located across from The Coligny Plaza Shopping Center on Pope Avenue. There is parking for both cars and bikes and the park is easily accessed via the bike paths that crisscross Hilton Head Island.

Exploring Lowcountry Celebration Park

The park is open from sunrise to sunset, 365 days a year.  There are restrooms on site which close at 10 p.m.  There are event spaces, benches with water views, walking trails, and an amazing playground at Lowcountry Celebration Park.

Adventure Playground at Lowcountry Celebration Park

Let’s start with the kids, and in my opinion, the highlight of the Lowcountry Celebration Park-Adventure Playground, also known as the pirate ship playground in Hilton Head.  Named after the ship that Captain William Hilton commanded when he discovered Hilton Head Island, Adventure Playground is a huge pirate ship playscape offering water mist cannons and loads of climbing inside and outside its massive hull.  

A younger kids’ playground is located next to the pirate ship for smaller adventurers. If the water cannons aren’t enough to cool off on a hot day, there is a small wading pool, ideal for toddlers in the same area as the pirate ship.   

In my opinion, Adventure Playground is the best playground on Hilton Head out of the 4-5 we explored.  If anything ever beats it, I will be sure to keep you posted!

Lowcountry Celebration Adventure Trail

Within Adventure Playground, the Lowcountry Celebration Adventure Trail educates kids about fossils as well as sea shells and sea creatures found in Hilton Head.  Little J loved this space and spent time digging for fossils in the sand.  It is a small trail, perfect for kids, and keeps them in your sight within the Adventure Playground space.

The Natural Beauty of Lowcountry Celebration Park

As with most of Hilton Head Island, nature reigns supreme at this park.  There are plenty of palm trees, a walkway around the park, and a beautiful sculpture of the setting sun that is a must-see.  

The walking trail borders the pond in the park, offering boardwalks to cross over the water. We watched for fish and turtles during our visit. Little J was hoping for an alligator sighting, but thankfully we did not see any!

Picnic spots at Lowcountry Celebration Park

Just outside Adventure Playground, there is a huge lawn space in front of the Lowcountry Celebration Park Amphitheater, perfect for picnicking.  There are multiple restaurants across the street at Coligny Plaza Shopping Center where you can conveniently grab a picnic lunch. This is especially handy if you don’t have a kitchen at your hotel or resort. 

Lowcountry Celebration Park Events and Activities

The park offers year-round activities, concerts, and events at its amphitheater. There is a large lawn for event seating, so be sure to bring your chairs and blankets!

Family-friendly events

Lowcountry Celebration Park hosts most of the Island Recreation Center’s Community Events, including the Oyster Festival, Food and Wine Festival, Wingfest, and the Lowcountry Fish and Grits Music Festival. 

Holiday Festivities

If you are traveling to Hilton Head during the holiday season, be on the lookout for seasonal events at Lowcountry Celebration Park.  The park hosts the Hilton Head Tree Lighting and Hanukkah Celebration in December and is the starting point for the island’s St Patrick’s Day Parade in March.  

Lowcountry Celebration Park Concerts

The Lowcountry Celebration Park Amphitheater offers outdoor concerts throughout the year including Jazz in the Park, Savannah VOICE Fest, and even performances by the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra.  There are nights featuring local original musicians at an event called Crescendo on the park’s calendar.  Check out the Lowcountry Celebration Park schedule for dates and more information. 

For concert descriptions and details head to The Office of Cultural Affairs on Hilton Head Island’s website. The site offers more details about each event than the Rec Calendar.

Sandbox Children’s Museum

The Sandbox Children’s Museum is located just outside the entrance to Adventure Playground, within Lowcountry Celebration Park. The museum was originally built in 2005, recently renovated, and reopened in 2021. 

Check out the museum’s website for current ticket prices and hours. The museum operates in 3-hour general admission sessions.  Your ticket allows you to explore the museum for those 3 hours, prior to its closing and reopening for the next session later in the day.  Given the limited sessions (2 per day at most), I would advise booking in advance to ensure you have a spot.

The Sandbox Children’s Museum offers a hands-on experience for kids including a main sandcastle exhibit, dress-up area, STEM exhibits for older kids, and even a 3D sandbox.  

Events at Sandbox Children’s Museum

Be sure to check out the Sandbox Children’s Museum’s event calendar for year-round family fun! The museum offers themed and holiday events, as well as weekly family-friendly events.  

Monday Funday is a free event on Monday evenings with music and games. There is also a Family Fun Night, also free, on the first Friday of each month with family-friendly activities.

Holiday events at Sandbox include festivities around Christmas, New Year’s Eve, St Patrick’s Day, and Halloween, along with an end-of-summer party.

We were unable to visit the Museum during our visit, due to timing, but will look forward to checking it out in 2024 when we return to Hilton Head.

Tips for a Memorable Visit to Lowcountry Celebration Park

Here are a few tips to help you plan your visit to Lowcountry Celebration Park. Specifically when to visit, restrooms, parking, and food.  You know, the essentials when you are traveling with kids!

Best Times to Visit Lowcountry Celebration Park Hilton Head

With the exception of rainy days, I’m not sure there is a bad time to visit the park.  Especially since, even in the winter months, the average daily temperature rarely dips below 64°F.  Keep an eye on the weather if visiting in the winter. While rare, the temperatures can get below freezing in Hilton Head. Like the rest of Hilton Head Island, it can be very hot in the summer.  

Sun Advisory

If you are visiting Hilton Head in the summer, I would advise stopping by Lowcountry Celebration Park early in the morning or in the evening. This allows you to avoid the hottest part of the day. There is not much shade in the playground area of the park, something to keep in mind with very young or older visitors who may not tolerate the heat well.

Parking at Lowcountry Celebration Park

Parking is available at the Nassau Street entrance to the park, as well as street parking on Nassau itself.  The park also offers plenty of bike parking right outside the Adventure Playground fence.  We biked to the park multiple times during our trip and never had trouble finding a secure spot to park our bikes. 

Restrooms at Lowcountry Celebration Park

There are restrooms in the Adventure Playground space.  I found them to be clean and well-equipped with soap and toilet paper.  There is also a water fountain next to the restrooms. 

Food at Lowcountry Celebration Park

While there is no food available within Lowcountry Celebration Park (except of course during events like Wingfest, Oyster Festival, etc.), there are plenty of places within walking distance to grab coffee or a picnic lunch.

Lowcountry Celebration Park in Hilton Head

I highly recommend you check out Lowcountry Celebration Park for a memorable family outing in Hilton Head.  Let the kids run off some energy while you sip an iced coffee from a local vendor, pack a picnic lunch, or stroll along the walkways at sunset for a beautiful and relaxing end to your family’s day on Hilton Head Island. 

Looking for More Adventures on Your Family’s Hilton Head Island Vacation?

Looking for more family-friendly activities on Hilton Head Island? Be sure to check out my 30+ Family-Friendly Things to Do in Hilton Head with Kids for more ideas!