A sub-tropical climate with warm weather year-round, twelve miles of white-sand beaches, hundreds of tennis courts, more than 20 championship golf courses, dense forests, ancient oaks draped in Spanish moss, great shopping, cultural amenities, and fun activities for the kids. No wonder Hilton Head Island, South Carolina is one of the most popular family vacation destinations on the East Coast.

If you're at home on the water, Hilton Head won't disappoint. Canoe and kayak tours meander through the island's waterways, creeks, marshes, and inlets. Along the way, you might spot bottle-nosed dolphins and an array of waterfowl. Adventurous paddlers can camp overnight on nearby Cumberland and Pritchard Islands. Curious about what's below the water? Try snorkeling or diving with the Island Scuba Club. If you'd rather stay above water, you can charter a yacht, rent a motorboat, take a cruise, sail, windsurf, Jet Ski, and boogie board.

Hilton Head's nickname – The Golf Island – embodies the reason so many travelers choose to spend their vacations here. Prestigious architects and famous golfers, such as Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, and Pete Dye, designed many of the island's golf courses, most of which are public. Kids can attend the International Junior Golf Academy, where they'll hone their skills under the tutelage of PGA teaching professionals. And anyone can participate in the annual Celebrity Golf Tournament, a fundraiser that pairs the famous and not so famous over Labor Day weekend. But Hilton Head is more than golfing and beaches; it's also a spectacular natural habitat. At the Sea Pines Forest Reserve, bird watchers will find almost 100 different kinds of birds. The Pinckney Island National Wildlife Preserve features more than 4000 acres of islands, marshlands, and tidal creeks, in addition to 14 miles of hiking and biking trails. Every summer, loggerhead turtles lay their eggs on the beaches of Hilton Head. Two months later, turtle progeny hatch and scramble to sea. The Turtle Talk and Walk, hosted by the Coastal Discovery Museum, teaches visitors about the loggerhead turtle's lifecycle and the finer points of coexisting with these unique creatures.



With dozens of galleries and a lively arts scene, Hilton Head's cultural offerings complement the island's outdoor activities. The Island Packet lists concerts, plays, movies, and community events, such as the annual Concourse d'Elegance and Motoring Festival, one of the most elite classic-car competitions in the U.S. There's also the annual Gullah Celebration, celebrating the culture of West African descendents originally brought to South Carolina to work as slaves on southern plantations.

Hilton Head has a wide range of accommodations, from luxury homes and resorts with golf courses, swimming pools, kids' camps, and private beach access to self-catered condominiums and modest apartments. High season runs from April to late fall, so the best deals are usually found in December through March.

As you might imagine, seafood is king in Hilton Head's many restaurants -- soft shell crab, shrimp, oysters, fish, you name it. A casual outdoor meal at the South Beach Marina and dinner at the shrimp boat docks during sunset are especially nice.