The shopping centers in and near Hilton Head offer a mix of indoor malls and fresh-air arcades, retail stores and specialty boutiques, shops open year-round and sidewalk sales that last only a few days. In short, the island can provide almost any type of shopping experience that you could want.

Look for the Mall at Shelter Cove, a harbor-side gallery of shops featuring everything from gourmet food to the latest clothing trends. Notables include Ann Taylor, Brookstone, Off 5th/Saks Fifth Avenue and Talbots, though of course there are more down-to-earth stores like Claire’s or the Gymboree as well. Given its proximity to the sea, this is also an obvious place for some fine seafood dining after a long shopping spree; try the Harbourmaster’s Ocean Grill for a view of the marina or Kingfisher for live music during dinner.

To hunt down locally-made goods and high-quality merchandise at discounted prices, a trip to nearby Bluffton on the mainland is necessary. The historic Calhoun Street often hosts festivals and sidewalk sales, where shoppers can browse through wares by regional artisans that are often made on-site. The best place for bargain-hunting is probably the Tanger Outlet Center, where customers can purchase directly from brand name manufacturers. The mall includes factory-direct stores for Coach, Ralph Lauren, J. Crew, and Tommy Hilfiger, just to name a few.