It's become a treasured destination for him and his family.

In his new column "Mr. Southern Living," debuting in our June/July issue, TODAY anchor Craig Melvin shares five essential ingredients for his favorite beach vacation, from an old-faithful seafood dive to family time.

An Annual Tradition

Their pilgrimage to Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, began as a combined birthday and Christmas gift for his mother, Betty Jo. “It was important that as many family members [as possible] could get there,” he says of how they chose the spot. “We’ve been going back ever since!”

A No-Fuss Institution

Disposable plates and checked tablecloths are the marks of a bona fide seafood dive, so they always plan a pit stop at The Sea Shack for crab cakes and tasty sides. “I eat a lot of hush puppies,” Craig adds.

Coastal Souvenirs

“In addition to crabbing, my kids go seashell hunting,” he says, “which turns into me having to put four ziplock bags filled with shells in my suitcase to take them back to Connecticut.”

Good Tunes

“My beach-music playlist doesn’t change,” Craig says. “It’s the same songs I’ve been listening to for a decade: Hootie [& the Blowfish], Dave [Matthews Band], and seventies soul and funk.... I have a lot of [Chris] Stapleton on there now too.”

Plenty of Togetherness

A Southern summer is defined by many things, he notes, from a glass of bourbon to being on the water. “But the most important is family,” Craig says. “If you’re not doing it with family, you’re wasting a week. It’s all about making good memories.”