Hilton Head, South Carolina: background
Hilton Head is a small island -- just 12 miles long and 5 miles wide-- 35 miles northeast of Savannah GA, and 100 miles south of Charleston SC.
Hiltoh Head Island is a popular spot for families (and for golfers), and gets over 2M resort visitors a year.
Luckily, much natural beauty has been preserved even with this amount of tourism. The area is known for white-sand beaches, palm trees, live oaks, pines and other trees elegantly festooned with Spanish moss.
Hilton Head is generally an upscale destination. Resorts are located in gated "plantations"-- with names like Sea Pines and Palmetto Dunes-- that also have private residences. for example, Palmetto Dunes has Hyatt and Hilton properties plus private vacation homes.
Hilton Head: outdoors
- Nature lovers can choose from several nature preserves including the Sea Pines Forest Preserve with bridges, observation decks, and raised boardwalks for exploring the wetlands
- The Museum of Hilton Head offers guided tours of the beaches; you can also take private tours by kayak or bike.
- biking and horse-riding are top outdoors activities (though golf tops them both, with over 20 golf courses)
For accommodation, good family choices include Disney's Hilton Head Resort, Holiday Inn Express, and the Comfort Inn Hilton Head which has six wooded acres, three lagoons and an outdoor pool. Vacation home rentals are popular, too. The Hilton Head Chamber of Commerce site has suggestions for lodgings in its Vacation Planner, which also covers Activities, Eco-Adventures, History and Heritage, and Special Offers. Hilton Head Resorts: kids' programs
Most programs are seasonal, from Memorial Day to Labor Day; some continue year-round on weekends/holidays; some run also during spring break.
- Hilton Head Crowne Plaza Resort offers "Camp Castaway" for ages 3 to 12, with arts & crafts, beach games, scavenger hunts, field trips, "Children's Evening Adventures".
- Disney's Hilton Head Island Resort has programs for children, ("Disney's Discovery Club"), teens and families.
- Hilton Head Island Hilton Resort: has "Vacation Station" for ages 3-12, day and evening camps. Also: daily activities for families, and teen programs.
- Sea Pines Resort: has camp "Fun For Kids!" for ages 4-12; also offers EcoTour programs and family activities.
- Westin Resort Hilton Head Island:"Camp Wackatoo" for ages 4-12; "Awesome Adventures" for ages 9 - 16 has sailing, kayaking, windsurfing, boogie-boarding.
Keep in mind about Hilton Head Island:
- much of the beach is private-access. But once you're on a beach (through a public-access area), you're free to walk anywhere.
- children's entertainer Gregg Russel gives outdoor performances
More information on Hilton Head:
Check TripAdvisor for online travel articles about Hilton Head and for opinions posted by visitors.
This brief profile is meant to introduce this destination to family vacationers; please note that the writer has not visited in person. Always check web sites for updates.
