Hilton Head
You'll need to slow down if you want to fit in at Hilton Head. This 42-square-mile barrier island may attract a more affluent clientele, but you don't have to hustle to keep up with the Joneses. Follow the locals' relaxed pace—the population is made up of Gullah, or freed slaves who settled in the area, and East Coast mainlanders who make Hilton Head their second home. Because of the world-class fairways, your holiday companions will most likely be white-haired seniors and young families (thanks to the clean beaches). So if you're looking for a rollicking nightlife scene, this may not be the spot for you. This isn't to say there's no nightlife – it exists, but usually in the form of leisurely sunset dinners and live music on the waterfront. In short, if you've come to Hilton Head, you've come to relax.
If you know anything about the island, you know that it got its wealthy status through golfing, tennis, and "spa-ing." However, you could spend your whole holiday here without ever picking up a golf club or a tennis racket. The island is rich in natural beauty, such as the Coastal Discovery Museum and the Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge, as well as 12 miles of sandy beaches. So, whether you come to see low country fauna, practice your backhand, or simply rest on the sand, Hilton Head offers something for you.
The Best Hotels in Hilton Head:
- The Inn & Club at Harbour Town-The Sea Pines Resort
- Montage Palmetto Bluff
- Omni Hilton Head Oceanfront Resort
The Best Things to Do in Hilton Head:
- Coligny Beach Park.
- Daufuskie Island
- Mitchelville Beach
Rankings:
- 2 in Best South Carolina Beaches
- 5 in Best Places to Visit in the Carolinas
- 6 in Best Family Beach Vacations in the U.S.
Rating:
- 15 in Best Weekend Getaways in the South
