Hilton Head Island, South Carolina:
Golden Isle Serenity
by Carrie Miner
Hilton Head Island is known as much for its red and white candy-cane striped lighthouse and as it is a preferred playground of the jet-setters and political power brokers. But it there is so much more to do on this 12-mile long island off the South Carolina coast.
Hilton Head Island is the site of mysterious, prehistoric shell rings measuring 240 feet across and 9 feet high, as well as home to grand antebellum plantations. It is also the location of an assault by the Union against the South during the civil war, which was the largest U.S. launched naval attack prior to the invasion of Normandy.
Today, this island haven for families combines unspoiled natural beauty with luxurious resorts, championship golf and tennis, and some of the most beautiful white sand beaches on the Atlantic coast.
A Rich History
When English explorer William Hilton, landed on what is now known as Hilton Head Island, he met Spanish speaking Native Americans from the Yemassee tribe.  However, evidence shows that indigenous peoples had inhabited the island more than 4,000 years ago.
In 1664, William Hilton wrote about his discovery of the island in A True Relation of a Voyage Upon Discovery of Part of the Coast of Florida. “The lands are laden with large tall oaks, walnut and bays, except facing on the sea, it is most pines tall and good. The country abounds with grapes, large figs, and peaches; the woods with deer, conies, turkeys, quails, curlews, plovers, teal, herons…. There are oysters in abundance, with a great store of mussels; a sort of fair crabs, and a round shell-fish called horse-feet. The rivers are stored plentifully [sic] with fish that we saw leap and play.”
By the late 1800’s English planters discovered the island climate was conducive to growing cotton, indigo, sugar cane and rice crops, but the Civil War and the abolition of slavery changed the little island by virtually eliminating its labor force.
By the mid-20th-century, Charles Fraser, the son of one of the island owners, reinvented the island as a master planned resort community. It is now known as premier destination for its stunning seascape, ecological tourism and premier golf and tennis.
Tee Time
With more than 20 championship courses, Hilton Head Island is a golfer’s dream. The warm climate and sunny skies contribute to year-round golf – playing through South Carolina woodlands down to the blue waters of the Atlantic.
The sport of golf first took root here in 1786, when Scottish immigrants arrived in South Carolina and organized the nation’s first golf club. The Scottish influence takes shape at Harbour Town Golf Links (Sea Pines Resort, 843.785.3333). These greens are played during the MCI Heritage and the it’s top course in South Carolina.
The Sea Pines Resort also offers play on two other championship courses – Ocean Course, the island’s first, and the Sea Marsh Course. Best of all, the resort caters to future golfers with a junior golf program (843/ 363-4475) offered from June to August. Children ages 4 to 12 receive a fun introduction to fundamentals of golf under the direction of PGA golf professionals. Golfers 12 and older can even hit the links at the Sea Marsh Course for half the price, allowing them play time with their parents.
Other favorite places to play include courses at the legendary Palmetto Dunes and Palmetto Hall golf clubs (843/785-1138 or toll-free, 800/827-3006. Palmetto Dunes offers a junior golf academy under the direction of PGA professionals with two hours of instruction and play. Known as a number one family destination, Palmetto Dunes also provides a place for families to tee off together – with permanent junior tees at the Robert Trent Jones Course. Palmetto Dunes also offers a women’s only golf instruction program on the Arthur Hills Course.
 For more a copy of the Hilton Head Island Golf Planner, call 888.465.3475 or visit online at www.golfisland.com.
Meet Your Match
Although Hilton Head is affectionately known as “The Golf Island,” that sport has met its match with tennis. More than 300 courts in all three Grand Slam surfaces earn this Island the distinction of one of the nation’s top spots for tennis, according to Tennis Magazine.
Adults and children can get into the swing of things on a number of island courts.
Some of the favorite public courts serving up great games of tennis include the Hilton Head Island Beach and Tennis Resort (843. 785.6613), Sea Pines Racquet Club (843.363.4495) and the Port Royal Racquet Club (843.686.8803).
 Palmetto Dunes Tennis Center (843.785.1152), ranked as one of the “Top 50 U.S. Tennis Resorts” by Tennis Magazine, offers a game matching program and specialized clinics for all ages and skill levels.
If you need to learn the basics of serves and slams or if you just want to polish your style, you can also take advantage of the clinics at the world-renowned Van der Meer Tennis University (Shipyard Plantation; 843.686.8804 or toll-free, 800.845.6138).
Cultural Offerings
From visual to performing art, Hilton Head Island offers a cultural mix of art, music and dance. Named as one of “America’s 100 Greatest Small Arts Towns,” Hilton Head has a world-class Arts Center, the Hilton Head Orchestra and galleries by the dozen.
The entire month of May is devoted to the arts at BRAVO-Celebrate the Arts! (800.523.3373) with a schedule offering everything from Irish ballads to live demonstrations.
The Arts Center of Coastal Carolina (843.842.2787 or toll-free, 888.860.2787) offers a visual arts gallery, children’s events and a schedule of theater, music and dance.
The Coastal Discovery Museum (843.689.6767) offers a different approach with hands-on exploration of the natural history and heritage of Coastal Carolina. The museum overlooks Jarvis Creek and the surrounding salt marsh, three acres of which the museum has developed as outdoor exhibits on native flora and fauna. The museum’s nature tour, history tours and cruises are a guaranteed hit for the whole family – with everything from a sea island plantation overview to a marine study and dolphin cruise.
Artistic endeavors spill over into the trendy boutiques, antique stores and curio shops on the island. The Mall at Shelter Cove has a line up of recognized retail chains, but if you are looking for more unique items, hunt for unusual stores hidden away in the island’s intimate plazas and along the waterfront. Among the shopping hot spots are the dozens of boutiques and  galleries at the Harbour Town Yacht Basin and at South Beach Marina Village – making the search for something special or unique part of the fun.
Good Family Fun
Catering to families, Hilton Head resorts provide a host of youth-oriented activities. Westin Resort Hilton Head Island (843.681.4000) offers Camp Wackatoo for kids 4 to 12 and Awesome Adventures for older children ages 9 to 16.
Half- and full-day programs include everything karate and eco-tourism for the younger children and kayaking and windsurfing for the older set. Sea Pines Resort also ranks as a leading family friendly destination with its program Fun for Kids! –
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Want to know more about this memorable getaway? Visit our AG Concierge for more information.
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a summer day camp (ages 4 to 12) with an itinerary of putt-putt golf, beach games and dolphin cruises.
You can check out the other options for family travel in a complimentary issue of a Kid’s Guide to Hilton Head Island by calling the Hilton Head Chamber of Commerce (800. 523.3373).
Stay a While
There are plenty of other activities you can add to your island itinerary – horseback riding, biking, scuba diving, kayaking, boating, parasailing and charter fishing. Or you can look for seashells on Hilton Head Island’s pristine white beaches – including the trendy South Beach.
Whatever your style, this island paradise fits the bill. And as the day winds down, you’ll be treated to a South Carolina sunset – a pastel blend of orange sherbet, lemon yellow and frosty pink. All that’s left is to sit back and savor the experience. 
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Plan your route to Hilton Head Island with FlightPrep.com
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The Best of Hilton Head Island
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Best Season: The warm climate at Hilton Head ushers in an island atmosphere of sunny days and balmy nights. Prime season runs from Memorial Day through Labor Day with temperatures in the 80s and 90s. With the intense sunshine, be sure to wear sunscreen and a hat outside and bring a light sweater or jacket to ward off the chill in some of the indoor venues.
Best Landing: Your best bet to put down is at the Hilton Head Island Airport (HXD) is located mid-island and has one FBO and two runways. Before heading to Hilton Head Island make sure to check the airport’s noise abatement maps (www.hiltonhead
airport.com) used to reduce air traffic noise from areas northwest and southeast of the airport including Hilton Head Plantation, Port Royal Plantation, Palmetto Hall residential areas and along Broad Creek.
Best Dining: Island dining at Hilton Head draws from flavors worldwide to create a truly international epicurean experience. More than 200 eateries and restaurants in the area offer everything from American fusion to local southern fare. Seafood is the favorite here – with fine dining selections featured on the menu at Old Fort Pub Restaurant located at Hilton Head Plantation (65 Skull Creek Dr.; 843.681.2386). Another local favorite is the Crazy Crab Restaurant (149 Lighthouse Rd.; 843.363.2722), which serves up some of the best She Crab Soup on the island. Reservations are highly recommended during tourism time from June through August.
Best Places to Stay: There are plenty of pillows at Hilton Head Island found in a wide variety rooms, villas and houses on the island, but the best choices of the bunch are the family-oriented Palmetto Dunes (800.824.4215; www.palmetto
dunes.com) -- a 2,000-acre, mid-Island resort favored for its proximity to the island’s largest freshwater lagoon, 25 tennis courts and three championship golf courses -- and the legendary 5,200-acre Sea Pines Resort (843.785.3333; 888.807.6873; www.seapines.com), known it prime golfing opportunities including the Harbour Town Golf Links – ranked by Golf Magazine as the nation’s leading golf course. If you want to take the guesswork out of booking one of Hilton Head Island’s 10,000 rooms, call Hilton Head Vacation Company (800.845.7018 or 843.686.6100; www.hiltonhead
central.com).
Best Way to Get Around: If you plan on renting a car, you can pick one up from Avis (843.681.4216), but your best bet to enjoy this relaxed destination spot is to rent a bicycle and roam the 42-square-mile island along a multitude of interlacing bike trails.
Best Planning Resources: Hilton Head Island Chamber of Commerce; 100 William Hilton Parkway; 843.785.3673 or toll-free, 800.523.3373; www.hiltonhead
island.org.
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