Hilton Head is a perfect destination for a family vacation. Pack up the kids and enjoy a trip filled with fun, sun, great food, sandcastles, and even a little golf.
Hilton Head Island is known for championship golf, great tennis courts, luxury spas, white sandy beaches, gourmet dining, and total relaxation. It also is the perfect place for great family vacations. So pack the golf clubs and the kids and enjoy a getaway that has something for everyone.
Hilton Head Beach Walks and Sand Castles
Early mornings and late afternoons are the best time to visit the beach for cooler weather and fewer people.
Vacation mornings can get hectic so pack a beach bag the night before with beach towels, breakfast snacks, fruit, juice boxes, napkins, sunscreen, water, and your camera! Grab a coffee at the hotel or condo and you are all set. For a special treat, drive through a fast-food restaurant or visit a local bakery and get breakfast to go! Spread out the towels on the sand and enjoy it!
Late afternoon visits are a great time for building a sandcastle or a leisurely game of cards or a good book. If your condo or hotel is not on the beach, look for a public beach access area. Great care is taken to provide a family-friendly atmosphere on the beaches. Study the beach regulations to make sure you comply.
Water Sports At Hilton Head Include Kayaking, Crabbing, Boating
Depending on the age of your child, there is sure to be a boating activity that your family will enjoy. Kayaking, fishing, crabbing, sunset cruises, dolphin watching, discovery camps, and teen camps are just a few of the activities available for kids on the water. Check with the boating or charter company for recommendations that match your family’s interest and expertise.
Hilton Head Bike Trails and Paths Map
You can bring along the kid’s bikes or rent bikes by the day or week at several convenient places. Hilton Head provides nearly 50 miles of biking and walking trails. Many plantations also have bike trails or shared walkways. A bike pathway map is provided by the town of Hilton Head. For a real workout biking on the beach are great exercise and a lot of fun.
Coastal Discovery Museum at Hilton Head
Hands-on exploring the history, wildlife, and heritage of the South Carolina Lowcountry is the specialty at the Coastal Discovery Museum. The museum is located on the north end of the Island on three acres. Their Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn is near the intersection of Highway 278 and the Cross Island Parkway. There are roughly a dozen structures scattered around the property and guided walks are offered. Discuss your family’s interests with the staff to provide the perfect opportunity to learn about the Coastal area.
Kid-Friendly Dining and Restaurants On Hilton Head Island
Dining at Hilton Head is fun. Choose a restaurant with live entertainment, an outdoor patio, incredible views of the ocean or marshes, or a poolside meal. You will also find kids menus, booster seats, and lots of patience for tired kids. But don’t be surprised if the bread basket contains hush puppies instead of rolls!
Golf, Tennis, Spas, Great Dining at Hilton Head Resorts
Many families plan their vacations with another couple, siblings, grandparents, or their extended families. That gives the adults an opportunity to switch off caring for the children and the time to enjoy that round of golf, a game of tennis, a spa visit or a romantic moonlight stroll or quiet dinner!
Money-Saving Food Ideas for Hilton Head
Hilton Head has many fine dining options, but budget-conscious travelers can also find inexpensive places to eat, from local favorites to chain restaurants. Hilton Head Island is a vacation destination for warm weather, sunny skies, golf, tennis, and a great beach. Vacationers need to eat, and many restaurants serve the millions of visitors each year. Diners have many options to choose from, with expensive seafood restaurants a few steps from casual diners.
Lodging and entertainment can be expensive in the area, but travelers can save some money on cheaper meals. In a week’s vacation, a cheap dinner at a local restaurant, or breakfast in the room can allow for more time or for more activities.
Fast Food Restaurants on Hilton Head
The Hilton Head area is often referred to as the island itself, and the nearby mainland town of Bluffton, which automotive travelers pass through to get to the island. The main road is William Hilton Parkway, US Route 278, and the abundance of fast food is located on this road.
The familiar chains of McDonald’s, Burger King, Wendy’s, and Hardee’s are located on or near US 278. Slightly more upscale Panera and Atlanta Bread Company restaurants also have locations conveniently on the Island. Pizza is popular and reasonably inexpensive, and there are several local favorites, in addition to Pizza Hut and other national carry-out chains. BBQ can be a bit more expensive, but travelers with a refrigerator can save by stretching dinner into the next day’s lunch.
Sports Bars on Hilton Head Island
In contrast to the more expensive sit-down restaurants on the Island, there are sports bars in the area, offering sandwiches and another pub fare. On New Orleans Road, both Casey’s and Callahan’s offer reasonable prices and a fun atmosphere.
Many eateries advertise in the local newspaper, The Island Packet, and there are several publications for visitors, including the Restaurants magazine, Where to Go, and Island Events. Budget-conscious travelers should check these books for coupons.
Eating in the Room at Hilton Head
Most visitors stay at rental homes and villas on the island, and most of these are equipped with kitchens. Even some of the hotels have limited kitchen facilities. Visitors can save money by purchasing groceries at a number of local stores.
Piggly-Wiggly, Publix, and Harris Teeter are grocers well known throughout the southeastern United States which have one or more locations in the area. Fresh Market, a more upscale grocer, is located in the Shoppes on the Parkway, mid-island. Each of these stores also sells prepared food.
Eating in the room, or enjoying a quick snack can save money to enjoy an ice cream or gelato treat, or help to pay for some of the other fun activities on Hilton Head Island.