Hilton Head Islandcast

The soul of Hilton Head Island is found in its history and natural beauty. The old pine trees, beautiful long sandy beaches, wildlife that shares its home with us, and magnificent sunrises are part of what makes Hilton Head Island a must visit destination year in and year out. So, on this episode Mandy and Chris talk about some of the conservation efforts being made to care for our island’s natural beauty. They also offer some great tips and tricks on how you can help keep Hilton Head Island beautiful for generations to come!

There are so many fun things happening this fall on Hilton Head Island, and especially for Halloween! In this minisode, Mandy gives you a run down of where to take the little ones trick-or-treating and offers a few other more spooky activities for the adults and older kids. Plus, Chris tries his hand at telling a ghost story, and we have a few more Fall events to talk about. This is a jam packed, king-sized, Snicker’s bar type of a minisode. Oh, and make sure you listen with the lights off

With Crescendo festival in full swing (see Episode #27), we wanted to bring back one of our favorite guests, Blake White, from Lean Ensemble to talk about the upcoming theater season. On this episode, Blake has brought along Amanda Sox who will be staring in the upcoming production of “Who Am I This Time? (and Other Conundrums of Love).” During our conversation we cover everything from disturbing plays to Spongebob Squarepants to life as an actor to Amanda’s own podcast The Nervous Record. Then, we talk busking in Amsterdam, hiking the Appalachian Trail, living on a sail boat, and of course music with this episode’s musical guest Jos Vicars. This episode is jam packed with great stuff, so make sure to listen and then share with your friends!

We’re still watching Hurricane Florence, but we thought we’d offer a nice distraction from the cone of uncertainty. Besides… it’s our two year anniversary and we are going to celebrate with a few fantastic guests! In this episode of the Hilton Head Islandcast podcast, Mandy and Chris talk to Jenn McEwen from the Office of Cultural Affairs and Patti Maurer who is one of the organizers of Crescendo and the president of the Island School Council for the Arts. We get the inside scoop to our month-long(ish) festival of performance, visual arts, history, and music. Then, we’re so happy to welcome back Geno and Andrea Miller (As Husband And Wife), to talk about the upcoming release of their EP and their two album release shows. This episode adds a ton to our to-do list, and we wouldn’t have it any other way!

Hilton Head Island is hosting several great events during the month of September, and we want you, our dear listeners, to know all about them. So, in this August minisode Mandy gives a rapid fire rundown of her top 5 things not to miss in the month of September. Her list contains a little history, some food, and even a few princess! Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast using one of the links below, leave us a review on your favorite podcatcher, tag us in your Instagram posts, and send Mandy an email at mandy@hiltonheadislandcast.com

You may be doing some back to school shopping, you might be gearing up for pumpkin spice everything, or Don Henley’s “Boys of Summer” may be playing in your head, but here on Hilton Head Island summer continues on late into the year. So, on this episode of the Hilton Head Islandcast Mandy and Chris discuss some of their favorite ‘summer’ things to do, even after school has started. From grilling at the beach, to arts festivals, to hands-on learning, to pickelball, this is a great list of activities to include in your endless Hilton Head Island summer. Then, stick around for a great conversation and music with Bobby Magyarosi. Bobby shares a couple of songs from his upcoming album and talks about the beauty of never shoveling snow on Hilton Head. Don’t put your flip-flops away just yet. This episode will keep the summer vibes going all the way into Thanksgiving!

We're always on the look out for new adventures to go on, restaurants to try, people to meet, and hidden gems on our beautiful island. In this minisode we have two of those for you, dear listener! First, Mandy and Chris take a field trip to a beautiful plot of land behind Barnacle Bill's Seafood Market, and talk with Kyle Lord. Kyle recently launched the new Mullet's food truck, and has just raised the bar for dive-bar style seafood on Hilton Head Island. Then, we talk with George Hirsch, a local man who recently released his own cookbook called "The College Man's Cookbook." We talk dorm room diets, recipes, and even a little golf. Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast using one of the links below, leave us a review on your favorite podcatcher, tag us in your Instagram posts, and send Mandy an email at mandy@hiltonheadislandcast.com

Talk to anyone that visits or lives on Hilton Head Island, and they will tell you that our beaches are beautiful, the food is top-notch, and the scenery is spectacular. But we're not sure that anyone knows, or experiences, Hilton Head Island better than our guest Heather Rath. In this episode, Mandy and Chris get all sorts of new tips, tricks, and ideas on how to get ever more out of our time on this beautiful island. We talk about everything from our favorite parks to rainy day activities, Native Islanders to Native Americans, fish tacos to fishing lessons, and so much more! This is a whirlwind episode full of wonderful, useful information. You may have to listen to it a few times just to catch it all. You're definitely going to want to share this episode with your friends!

Fourth of July is fast approaching, and there is no better place to celebrate than on Hilton Head Island. With three different fireworks shows (all on the water), great parties, a 5k, and of course the beach, Hilton Head does Independence Day right! In this minisode, Mandy and Chris give you the run down of the three major fireworks displays, times and locations, best viewing spots, best restaurants with great viewing spots, and more. This minisode of the podcast has everything you need to make the most of your 4th on the island. And don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast using one of the links below, just us a review on your favorite podcatcher, tag us in your Instagram posts, and send Mandy an email at mandy@hiltonheadislandcast.com

Baseball may be America's pastime, and it may be a staple of summer, but it has NEVER been more fun and exciting than it is in our neighbor city Savannah. The Savannah Bananas are what today's guest, Tyler Gray, calls a baseball circus! The Bananas are the biggest party in Savannah, and we couldn't wait to meet with them. So on this episode of the Hilton Head Islandcast, Mandy and Chris sit down with the Banana's Director of Fun, Tyler, Gray, to talk about the how the Bananas came to be, what to expect for this upcoming season, and how exactly we 'Stop The Bacon'. You're definitely going to want to share this episode with your friends! And don't forget to get your tickets to a Banana's game using the link below. They are almost sold out for the season!

Hilton Head Island is just a small island off the coast of South Carolina, and yet it is packed full of world class adventures, restaurants, beaches, golf courses, tennis courts, and bike paths. And lately, we've been learning that Hilton Head Island is also a thriving center for arts and culture! With that in mind... in this episode, Mandy and Chris sit down with Blake White who is the Founding Artistic and Executive Director of the Lean Ensemble Theater.

Everybody knows that Hilton Head Island has some of the most beautiful beaches in the United States, but found along the miles of beautiful sand and ocean are individual beaches that provide visitors with different and unique experiences. In this episode of the Islandcast, Chris and Mandy break down the advantages of the island’s 6 most popular beaches. You’ll learn which beach has the best parking, walk ups, waves, bars, and more.

Everyone knows that Hilton Head Island loves a festival. In this minisode, we run down six(ish) upcoming festivals that are not to be missed. Whether you’re in to boats, history, cars, running, art, eating, or a combination, there is a spring Lowcountry festival for you. We’ve also listed all of the event links on HiltonHeadIslandcast.com to help you plan out your weekends in the next few months. And as always, don’t forget to subscribe to the Islandcast using your podcatcher of choice, and tell your friends!

Not only is Hilton Head Island one of the most beautiful travel destinations in the United State, it also boasts an arts and culture community that is much bigger than its size or population. From a world-class symphony orchestra to art galleries a plenty, from an endlessly engaging history to a thriving community of musicians, Hilton Head Island is an art patron's dream. In today's episode Mandy sits down with Jenn McEwen, the Director of Arts and Culture for Hilton Head Island, to discuss the myriad of ways to experience the arts on Hilton Head Island. Then, signer/songwriter Sara Burns stops by to chat and share two wonderful original songs.

The East Coast’s largest ice cream store is on Hilton Head Island! In this minisode, we take a field trip to The Frozen Moo in Coligny Plaza to try out a few of their 90+ flavors and chat with owner Jack Daly. We learn about the process of making ice cream, and what is in store for the coming summer season. After listening to this minisode, we promise that you’ll want to stop by on your next visit to the south end of Hilton Head Island.

Anyone that has ever picked up a club and tried to put a small white ball in a hole in the ground hundreds of yards away knows that golf is a beautiful, simple, frustrating game. On today’s episode, Mandy talks with Chris and special guest Hope Arent about top tricks and hacks to get the most of every round of golf. So the next time you head out to the links on Hilton Head Island, in Bluffton, or wherever you are, these 6 golf tips / tricks / hacks, will make your round enjoyable (even if you’re like Chris and spend most of your time in the woods and sand). Then, duo As Husband And Wife bring some incredible music and even more incredible personality to the podcast. They join Mandy and Chris to chat about love, music, and Michael Jackson covers.

Hey listeners! We know how much you loved our Food Glorious Food mini(mega)sode, about all the great restaurants on Hilton Head Island. Now we’re following it up with an episode dedicated to our favorite spots, across the bridge, in our favorite mainland town Bluffton. Again, we had a blast talking and laughing with our friends Bob and Anne Hinely about all of the great places to eat in Bluffton, and we cover a wide variety of eateries. Everything from food trucks, to pizza joints, to elegant dining experiences, and Anne offers some great vegetarian ideas to help round us out! Whether you vacation on Hilton Head Island every summer, live in the Lowcountry, or are planning your first visit, you’ve got to take a trip across the bridge and visit these amazing Bluffton restaurants.

Hilton Head Island has a full and rich history that reaches back to the Civil War, the American Revolution, the Roman Empire, and ever further. In this episode of the Hilton Head Islandcast, Mandy and Chris talk with Lou Benfante, president of the Heritage Library Foundation, and get some great insight into our island's rich and beautiful history. We also find out about how the Heritage Library has been helping locals, and can help you, trace your family line. Plus, Brad Wells joins us to chat about music, slowing down, and writing upbeat songs.

Welcome to 2018, a year full of possibilities, days at the beach, golf games, and bike rides. In this episode of the Hilton Head Islandcast, Chris and Mandy discuss some of their personal and podcast goals for 2018, and of course it all has to do with getting the most out of this beautiful island. Hopefully there are a few goals for you to add to your Hilton Head bucket list, and maybe you have a few suggestions for us. So give the episode a listen, and if you haven't done so yet, make sure to subscribe and give us a review on your favorite podcast app! And don't forget to send us a message, leave a comment below, or connect with us on social media!

Christmas time is here, and our family is gathered together to celebrate. So, Mandy and Chris take the opportunity to interview them and ask what their favorite Hilton Head Islandcast episodes are. Take a listen as some of our biggest fans (not that it's a competition) recommend their favorite episodes and make some suggestions on future Islandcast episodes.

It's Christmas once again, and we are getting very excited! The golf courses will be closed, the beaches will be open, and all of our favorite bands will be bringing Christmas cheer. In this episode we Mandy welcomes back the Mermaid of Hilton Head to talk about her new Christmas book, where the mermaid teams up with Santa Claus! What's not to love about that? And then our musical guest, La Bodega, joins us for a little Christmas sing-a-long. We had a blast recording this episode, and we know you will love listening to it. Make sure to share this with your friends (you can even call it a present if you want), and don't forget to subscribe and review our podcast on whatever platform you use for podcasts. If you haven't picked on year, there are a few links below to get your started.

Thanksgiving is here! So Mandy and Chris talk about a few Island features that they are thankful for. Whether its enjoying the beautiful beaches, the amazing weather all year round, or all of the wonderful people, there is so much about Hilton Head Island to be grateful for. So check out the minisode, and then let us know what piece of Hilton Head stirs gratitude in your heart. And don't forget to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and to tell your friends!

In this episode of the Hilton Head Islandcast, Mandy is joined by Chris and their friends Rob and Kristen Benson to talk about our favorite places to get an adult beverage. We hit places in Bluffton and all across the island to give you, our beloved listeners, a full list of bars and restaurants to hit the next time your in the Lowcountry. Have a favorite watering hole that we missed? Let us know! Leave us a message in the comment section below! And don’t forget to share this with your friends.

The town of Hilton Head Island is going through a visioning process, and they want to your ideas. The campaign, Hilton Head Island – Our Future, is seeking the input from island residents, part-time residents, and regular vacationers in an attempt to determine the best course of action for our island’s future over the next twenty years. In this minisode, we sit down with Emily Sparks who is the Project Lead for the Town of Hilton Head Island’s Our Future vision project. Emily shares the purpose of the project, tells us how we can get involved, and politely laughs at Chris’ jokes. Make sure to listen to the minisode, check out the website, and visit one of the engagement events this fall. And don’t forget to tell your friends, subscribe to our podcast, and send us a kind review.

We've had our first couple of days with temperatures under 90 degrees, the humidity is starting to drop, and life on Hilton Head Island is absolutely beautiful.  That's why we're counting down our favorite places to eat outside in Bluffton and Hilton Head.  This is the perfect list of restaurants, coffee shops, bars, and picnic areas to take advantage of the Lowcountry's best eateries and scenery. Got one on your list that isn't on ours?  We'd love to hear about it.  Leave us a message in the comment section below!  And don't forget to share this with your friends.

It’s Time For Fest Fest! We love our festivals here on Hilton Head Island, and in this minisode we break down our Top 5 fall festivals. These festivals cover everything from art and music, to cars, to beer and burgers, and even the vegan lifestyle. So take a listen, and then mark your calendars, because there are exciting things happening all over the Lowcountry this fall. And don’t forget to subscribe, give us a review, and share our island love with your friends!

In addition to beautiful beaches, winding bike paths, and friendly faces, Hilton Head Island is home to one of the greatest stories in American history. Mitchelville was home to the very first self-governed settlement for freedmen in the United States, and it happened right here on Hilton Head Island! On this, our 1 year anniversary, Mandy and Chris sit down with Ahmad Ward, Executive Director at Mitchelville Preservation Project. This conversation taught us so much more about our island, the beauty of the human spirit, and how even today we can be involved in the work of Mitchelville. Plus, we had the distinct please of talking to local musician Jared Templeton about his time on Hilton Head. Jared plays us a few songs and tells us where to find the best cheesesteak in the Lowcountry.

Hilton Head Island is most definitely the best island in the United States, but sometimes even we get rain. In this minisode Chris and Mandy talk about their top five ways to enjoy a tropical rainy day. Whether we're headed to the movies, watching the rain from our porch, or out playing in it, there are a ton of ways to enjoy a Hilton Head downpour. Just make sure to have your umbrella and a dry pair of flipflops!

Recently, the readers of Travel and Leisure magazine named Hilton Head Island the #1 island in the continental United States, and #2 in the world! Obviously, we already knew how great Hilton Head was, but this is an incredible honor and we are so proud of our little island and everyone in it. We thought that this would be the perfect time to sit down with Hilton Head Island's mayor, Mayor David Bennett, to talk about what makes Hilton Head Island such a great place. Oh... and fair warning there is a ton of gushing about how kind and friendly the people of Hilton Head really are. Plus, Chris sat down with local musician Zack Stiltner to hear a few songs and talk a little country music.

The Sandbox Children's Museum is one of Hilton Head Island's hidden little gems. Located off of Pope Avenue, it is the perfect place to bring your children to get out of the heat, or the rain, while on vacation. Packed full with a pirate ship, airplane cockpit, model trains, arts and crafts, and of course a sandbox, this wonderful little interactive museum is sure to be your little one's favorite island spot. In this minisode we sit down with Caroline Rinehart, Operations Manager at The Sandbox, to get a little behind the scenes info. This is definitely a minisode you'll want to share with all of your parent and grandparent friends.

There are so many ways to have a perfect day on Hilton Head Island. The beach, golf, tennis, biking, relaxing pool side. Well in this episode we layout the plans for a perfect day that might just make the top of any top 5 list. There's adventure, culture, relaxation, and of course great food. You'll definitely want to add this day to your plans the next time you visit Hilton Head! Plus a special thanks to Dave Masteller from The Jazz Corner, and Alex Reyes from Zipline Hilton Head for helping us make this day absolutely perfect.

Our beautiful island has just had a serious upgrade! This year, the town of Hilton Head has launched a pilot program to allow FOOD TRUCKS at some of the local beaches. Now, you can get a taco, hot dog, or lobster roll without leaving the beach! We think maybe the town has been reading our minds, since they have now combined some of our favorite things about Hilton Head Island. In this minisode, we talk to Lori Holland, owner of the Lowcountry Lobster truck, and we get the details about when and where to find these beacons of deliciousness.

Get ready for the second half of our incredible Pretty Darn living room concert. Here it is, dear listeners, part 2 of the Islandcast exclusive concert with one of our favorite local bands, Pretty Darn. In this half, the band plays us the rest of the songs on their incredible debut album, talk about the wonderful things about Hilton Head Island, and play a round a Book, Food, Movie. Also, make sure to subscribe, review, and share this podcast, so your friends can catch some good vibes too.

In this episode of the Hilton Head Islandcast, we are changing things up. We are bringing you, our beloved listeners, part 1 of a 2 part Islandcast exclusive concert with one of our favorite local bands, Pretty Darn. You may remember one half of Pretty Darn, Nick Poulin, as our very first musical guest! Well, now they have released a beautiful album, and they join us to play the music, talk about the songs, share their love for our island, and so much more. We had such an incredible time hanging out with our friends and listening to this fantastic band, we know you'll love it to. Also, make sure to subscribe, so that you get the first update when we release part 2 of this episode next week.

Hey listeners! It's getting warm down here on our beautiful island! It's time to break out the board shorts and bikinis, and find yourself on a gorgeous Hilton Head Beach. So in this minisode, we thought it was time to share with you some of our favorite beach hacks. Mandy and Chris discuss some of their favorite ways to make the most of the beautiful Hilton Head Island beaches, including a few hints on where to go, what to do, where to park, what to bring, and of course... what to eat. Plus, there are hints and tips no matter how you like to visit the beach. Want to camp out and stay all day? We've got you covered. Looking to chill with very little preparation? We've got tricks for that too. So, grab your beach chair, give it a listen, comment below, share with your friends, send Mandy an email (mandy@hiltonheadislandcast.com). Plus, don't forget to head on over to your favorite podcast catcher (like iTunes, Stitcher, or Google Play) to subscribe and give us some 5 star reviews. Also, if you want to read a little bit more about the best beaches on Hilton Head Island, check the link below to Palmera Vacation Club's blog and their post "The Definitive Ranking of Hilton Head beaches." That will help you figure out exactly what Hilton Head beach fits the experience you're looking for.

In this episode of the Hilton Head Islandcast, we take a short trip back over the bridge to our charming mainland neighbor, Bluffton. It used to be said that Bluffton is a state of mind, and in a lot of ways that is still true. Mandy talks with local celebrity, and owner of The Corner Perk, Josh Cooke about the wonderful and quirky things about Bluffton, South Carolina. We learn about some of the great places to eat, who to call for a ride on the May River, where to find historical landmarks, how to pronounce the word boiled like a local, and so much more. Plus, Mandy sits down with local musician, and manager of The Roasting Room Lounge, Jordan Ross. Jordan shares some stories about his time on Hilton Head, a little bit about one of our favorite music venues, and sings us his life story in three songs. Also, make sure to check out HiltonHeadIslandcast.com for all of the links to the people and places mentioned in this episode, and don't forget to subscribe and leave a nice little review!

Hey listeners! We are so excited to share minisode #4 with you! We had way too much fun talking and laughing with our friends Bob and Anne Hinely about our favorite places to eat on Hilton Head Island. We cover a little bit of everything, and we mention more than a few places that you’ll want try on your next visit to Hilton Head Island. If you've listened to our podcast before, you know that we love to talk about all of the great places to eat on Hilton Head, but on this minisode (which we’ve lovingly deemed a Megasode) we spend the whole time talking about our favorite restaurants for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We do suggest that you eat something before you listen to this episode, otherwise you’ll end up heading our to eat before you finish. So, grab a snack, give it a listen, comment below, share with your friends, send Mandy an email (mandy@hiltonheadislandcast.com), and don’t forget to subscribe on iTunes, Google Play, or where you get your podcast.

It's the most wonderful time of the year! It's Heritage time! We're so excited about the 2017 RBC Heritage Classic, and not just because of the great golf to be seen. The Heritage is a HUGE social event, where everyone gets together to see and be seen, to eat and drink, and to enjoy the beautiful spring weather here on Hilton Head Island. In this episode Mandy sits down with local Heritage guru Tara Cibula and talks about how to do The Heritage like a local. Oh yeah, and Chris chimes in every once in a while too. Plus, our music this episode is second to none. We are joined by local legend Martin Lesch. We talk about jazz, street tacos, and a whole lot more. This one is going to be a classic!