Hilton Head Island

Hilton Head Island is a city and barrier island in South Carolina, just across the border from Savannah, Georgia. With an approximate population of 40,000, it is on a beautiful, sub-tropical 12-mile (19-km) barrier island. Hilton Head Island is a vacation playland with famous beaches and great golf courses that overlook the Atlantic Ocean.

Understand
Hilton Head Island was originally occupied by Native Americans, with Europeans first making contact in 1521. In 1663, Captain William Hilton came to the island and named it for himself, "Hilton's Head". The island was later settled, and activity on the island primarily consisted of farming, with the island serving as a base of operations for the Union blockade of the Confederacy. After the war, ex-slaves flocked to the island to work on plantations, with this legacy most prominent in the naming of communities on the island, which are known as plantations (though this naming convention is controversial given the ties the word "plantation" has with slavery). The first resort development occurred in 1956 with the development of Sea Pines Resort, with additional development coming over the following decades. Hilton Head Island remains a popular resort destination, and now boasts several resorts and other tourist accommodation.

By car
US Route 278 is the only road on and off the island. An interchange with Interstate 95 is along US 278 about 40 minutes west of the island. Between the island and I-95, US 278 intersects with South Carolina Route 170, which provides access to and from Beaufort and Savannah. Traffic onto the island can be particularly heavy on the weekend, when many arrive to and leave the island, so consider arriving and leaving on weekdays if you'd like to avoid the heaviest of traffic.

By plane
Hilton Head Island is served by two airports.
 * Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport is about an hour away from the island and served by seven airlines. The airport is directly connected to Interstate 95.
 * Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport is about an hour away from the island and served by seven airlines. The airport is directly connected to Interstate 95.

Air taxi and air charter companies such as Jetset Charter fly a variety of private charter aircraft, such as pistons and turbo props, for small groups and individuals into Hilton Head Island Airport (KHXD). Generally, private jet aircraft must fly into Savannah/Hilton Head Int'l (KSAV).

By train
The nearest Amtrak stations are in Savannah and Yemassee.

By car
Once entering the island, US 278 becomes known as the William Hilton Parkway. After traveling about a mile on the island, the road splits in two.

William Hilton Parkway continues as US 278 Business, a surface road around the eastern end of the island. US 278 Business is a four-lane divided highway, but most businesses on the island are along the road, making for a slow, 25- to 30-minute drive to the southern end of the island. US 278 branches off onto the Cross Island Parkway, a grade-separated expressway. While the Cross Island Parkway was previously a toll road, the toll has been removed and you can now drive the entire length of the Parkway for free. The parkway reduces the journey from the split to the south end of the island to five minutes.

US 278 and US 278 Business terminate at the Sea Pines Circle at the south end of the island. From this circle, cars can continue south on Greenwood Drive to enter the gated Sea Pines plantation, or east on Pope Avenue to head towards Coligny Beach, the major public beach on the island.

By bicycle
Hilton Head is quite cycling-friendly. All main roads and most major roads in the resort plantations have a companion bicycle path, and there are a few miles of paths that cut their own trail away from the roads. Although not lit for night riding, they are the perfect way to traverse the island during the day time hours. Bicycle rental stores are plentiful, although they may be expensive. Some golf courses may open up their cart paths to bicycles during non-playing hours (in the morning and at night), but other than this it is generally not a good idea to stray off the paths.

By bus
The Breeze Trolley is a public transportation service open seasonally around summertime. It operates two routes in the central part of the island, and it is free for all passengers. The trolleys arrive every 30 minutes.

See

 * Harbour Town. Visit to see how the upper class lives. Admire the multi-million dollar yachts in many different marinas and sailing in the Atlantic Ocean.
 * Jenkins Island. Right between the bridges from Bluffton to Hilton Head Island.
 * Shelter Cove. The Island's largest deepwater marina. During the summer enjoy live music and weekly fireworks.

Do

 * Beaches - Nearly 9 miles of Atlantic Ocean surf and beautiful beaches, all publicly accessible. There are several public parks that provide beach access.  From there, you can walk or bike the length of the island.  Recommended spots are South Beach, Disney's Hilton Head Island Resort area.
 * Golf courses - There are almost too many to count. Among the best:
 * Harbour Town Golf Links - While it has one of the most expensive greens fees in the Hilton Head area, here you can play the same course as the pros, as Harbour Town hosts the Verizon Heritage golf tournament every April. Among the best public golf courses is Hilton Head National in Bluffton one mile from the bridge to Hilton Head.  Greens fees and rates are very affordable for all.
 * Bottle-nosed dolphins - Take a boat tour. Seeing dolphins is virtually guaranteed; getting a good picture of one is another matter.
 * Kayaking
 * Bottle-nosed dolphins - Take a boat tour. Seeing dolphins is virtually guaranteed; getting a good picture of one is another matter.
 * Kayaking
 * Bottle-nosed dolphins - Take a boat tour. Seeing dolphins is virtually guaranteed; getting a good picture of one is another matter.
 * Kayaking
 * Kayaking

Eat
Ask some service employees for their recommendations for great Hilton Head restaurants. Well-known or busy does not necessarily mean good food. Coupons and menus are available in local tourism magazines.

To get started:
 * Woody's, Palmetto Bay Marina, south end of the Cross Island. Tasty and generally fairly priced with a nice atmosphere.
 * The Quarterdeck and Topside at the Quarterdeck, 160 Lighthouse Rd. +1 843-842-1999. Great views of Harbour Town, fantastic sunsets and outstanding food and service.
 * Tapas Restaurant, 11 Northridge Plaza, +1 843-681-8590. Cozy locals place. Incredible food.
 * Alexanders, take the entrance to Palmetto Dunes and it's further down on the right. Popular seafood restaurant, but also does a great fillet mignon.
 * Stacks, past the entrance to Palmetto Dunes on William Hilton Parkway in the direction of Sea Pines. Excellent for breakfast, diner-style, fast, friendly service. Be prepared to queue if you're not an early riser.
 * Woody's, Palmetto Bay Marina, south end of the Cross Island. Tasty and generally fairly priced with a nice atmosphere.
 * The Quarterdeck and Topside at the Quarterdeck, 160 Lighthouse Rd. +1 843-842-1999. Great views of Harbour Town, fantastic sunsets and outstanding food and service.
 * Tapas Restaurant, 11 Northridge Plaza, +1 843-681-8590. Cozy locals place. Incredible food.
 * Alexanders, take the entrance to Palmetto Dunes and it's further down on the right. Popular seafood restaurant, but also does a great fillet mignon.
 * Stacks, past the entrance to Palmetto Dunes on William Hilton Parkway in the direction of Sea Pines. Excellent for breakfast, diner-style, fast, friendly service. Be prepared to queue if you're not an early riser.
 * Alexanders, take the entrance to Palmetto Dunes and it's further down on the right. Popular seafood restaurant, but also does a great fillet mignon.
 * Stacks, past the entrance to Palmetto Dunes on William Hilton Parkway in the direction of Sea Pines. Excellent for breakfast, diner-style, fast, friendly service. Be prepared to queue if you're not an early riser.

Sleep
Being such a popular vacation destination, Hilton Head has many lodging choices. There are several hotels on the island, however a great and widespread accommodation alternative is the vacation rental. Vacation rentals are available in many types, from large condo buildings to quaint homes, new and old.



Go next

 * Savannah
 * Tybee Island