Why Go?
Tennis anyone? How about a beautiful game of golf? Would you like to go for a leisurely bike ride on the beach? If those questions make your heart skip a beat, then Hilton Head, South Carolina is the destination for your family.
Hilton Head boasts 12 miles of sandy beaches, 33 world-class golf courses and eight of the world’s top 100 tennis resorts. The island is also a lure for nature lovers, as towering old oak trees laced with Spanish moss, pure tidal creeks and lush woods dolloped among the landscape offer a picturesque stay in the Low Country of South Carolina. A strict sign ordinance prohibits towering and tacky billboard or shop signs from distracting from the natural beauty of this sandy isle and an emphasis on preserving the area wildlife means the community shines very little light around town so as not to disturb the area wildlife, including the nesting Loggerhead sea turtles that call HHI home.
Where to Go
Where to park your bicycle at night depends on your family’s style. Do you like restaurants and spas at your fingertips, as well as activity clubs to keep the kids entertained? Then some of the top resort hotels include the Inn & Club at Harbour Town Sea Pines Resort, the Omni Hilton Head Oceanfront Resort, the Westin Hilton Head Island Resort and Spa and Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort. (Yes, even Mickey knows that HHI is the place to be.)
If you are looking for a more relaxed experience then consider renting many of the available homes, villas or condos that offer lots of space and convenience for sprawling families. There are rentals available by owner as well as numerous area vacation rental companies ready to assist you in finding your home away from home.
What to Do
It’s an island, so of course some time at the beach is on the agenda. But let’s go over just a few tips to ensure you enjoy it to the fullest.
- Beaches. The beaches are expansive and depending on the tide, you may have a long stretch of packed tight sand ideal for bike riding or shallow tidal pools that serve as the perfect play spot for toddlers dipping their toes in the ocean for the first time.
- Fore! As far as tennis and golf is concerned, take your pick, but some of the most lauded when you are ready to hit the court are Harbour Town Golf Links and Heron Point for golf and Palmetto Dunes, Sea Pines and the Van De Meer Tennis Center. Be sure to take advantage of the golf and tennis lessons available for adults and children, so you can return from vacation with a new skill or two.
- Enjoy the Nature. Nature lovers should consider a kayak tour through the waterways and inlets that wind through the island or perhaps a trip to nearby Daufuskie Island where alligators, loggerhead turtles and snowy egrets run wild.
- Shop ‘Till You Drop. For some shopping, meander around Coligny Plaza for typical island fare from t-shirts to ice cream. For a more luxurious shopping experience, head to Shelter Cove Harbor & Marina where you can dine at your choice of restaurants as you admire the picturesque harbor and quaint lighthouse. This is also where many tours set sail, including the popular pirate boat adventures that will dazzle little ones.
- Experience the Southern Fare. Don’t forget you are in the heart of Low Country here, so you must sample some Southern local delicacies. For that, you’ll want to make a beeline for a Lowcountry Backyard Restaurant, where you will find one of the best shrimp and grits and Banana Puddin’ in the South. Just remember the restaurant is small and the food is mouth-watering, so get there for an early dinner if you want to beat the crowds.
Getting Around
Buses and taxis are in short supply in Hilton Head, so your own car (or a local rental) will be your best bet to get around the island with ease. It’s true the traffic can get a little hectic from time to time, so you might want to throw the car keys into a drawer during your stay. The best mode of transportation around the island is the good old-fashioned family bicycle. It’s not that cars won’t be needed, it’s that a far more relaxing vacation will be spent touring on the paved bicycle paths that weave adjacent to the busy roads. And it’s how you will truly be able to enjoy the Southern azaleas in bloom and perhaps even spot an alligator or two. Bike rental shops are peppered around the tourist hubs, but if you are visiting around Spring Break, be sure to secure your rentals the first day so you can enjoy a week-long rental at a good price.