HILTON HEAD ISLAND VACATION RENTALS, SOUTH CAROLINA |
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Why Vacation in Hilton Head Island |
| Combining breathtaking natural beauty with innumerable attractions, including excellent golf and a thriving vacation rental community, no doubt the boot shaped island of Hilton Head is one of the best resort communities in the United States. |
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Hilton Head Island Vacation Rental Information |
Hilton Head Island features a wide range of vacation rentals, such as comfortable privately owned homes, charming condos and quaint villas. A variety of Hilton Head Island vacation rentals offer panoramic views of the beaches and golf courses that populate the island’s landscape. Villas are either studio or 1-4 bedrooms for up to 8 people. The Hilton Head Island condos of up to 6 bedrooms with a maximum |
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| occupancy of 12 people. Other kind of vacation rentals available are houses and townhomes with 3 to 4 bedrooms that can easily sleep up to 8 people. The planned residential communities of Sea Pines, Shipyard, Palmettos Dunes, Forest Beach, Singleton, Burks Bradley Beach Area and Folly Field offer all the comforts and security of a resort, while maintaining the privacy of a Hilton Head Island vacation home. Some of the amenities common to most of the vacation homes are pools, Jacuzzis, air-conditioning, cable TV, VCR and DVD players and stereo systems. |
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Special Information for Booking Vacation Rentals in Hilton Head Island |
| Pets are generally not allowed; however, you can always check with the property owner as they may welcome your pets at an additional charge. In addition, the minimum stay will vary from season to season, though most rentals tend to have a 3-night minimum stay. Some of them may require you to pay a security deposit, cleaning fee and a 10% tax. It is advisable to check with the property owner in advance about these fees. Hilton Head Island maintains a strict environmental code that prohibits artificial light after dark and enforces a mandatory black out of all windows and outdoor light. Why? The lights confuse the Loggerhead Turtle hatchlings as they make their way out of their nests to the ocean. |
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Must See in Hilton Head Island |
Hilton Head is famous for its fabulous beaches and excellent golf. The natural and well-preserved beauty of the island creates cherished memories for each of its visitors. Dolphin tours are a definite must see --- take one of the chartered tours into the Atlantic Ocean to gaze at these magical creatures in their natural habitat. The Honey Horn Plantation, located on Hilton Head Island still contains
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| some of the island’s original homes that date back to the 1920s. For guided tours, contact the Coastal Discovery Museum or the Hilton Head Chamber of Commerce. Golfers can practice their tees at the highly sought after Harbor Town Golf Links course. If that’s not enough, a short drive will take you to Savannah where you can soak up the quintessential historic spirit of the town while taking a romantic stroll down the riverfront or riding on a horse-drawn carriage. |
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Sights and Attractions in Hilton Head Island |
| Expansive beaches and miles of paved biking and walking trails, combined with an abundance of innumerable sports activities on both water and land, can keep everyone busy for the length of their stay. Beautiful elegant homes, historic forts, community festivals and concerts invite visitors from far and wide, reinforcing its name as one of America’s friendliest cities.
• Coastal Discovery Museum
• Telfair Museum of Art
• Harbor Town Lighthouse
• Unique Museums |
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Outdoor Recreation in Hilton Head Island |
| Hilton Head is also a popular vacation destination for those looking to spend a quiet moment or two in nature's lap, and even for those who just can't wait to get into action with various sports and outdoor activities.
• Hiking and Biking
• Beach Activities
• Fishing
• Tennis |
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Golfing in Hilton Head Island |
| The island is home to 33 beautiful golf courses. Lessons, golf academies and custom club making are available for all skill levels. Most Hilton Head Island rental options come with a special relationship to some of the courses on the island, offering deals on memberships to those golfing facilities. The rental owners are able to lend their memberships to renters for up to 4 people.
The Harbor Town Golf links course is the most famous course on Hilton Head, as it hosts the annual MCI golf tournament, a famous stop for the PGA tour. This course is a part of a resort and has 18 great holes. The Country Club of Hilton Head is a semi-private club that offers a great location, surrounded by peaceful beauty. This 18-hole course, designed by Rees Jones, opened in 1896.
If you are in Hilton Head during the month of April, you can be a spectator at the MCI Heritage Classic Golf Tournament at the renowned Harbor Town Golf Links. The course itself is located on the Sea Pines Resort, inhabiting the easy elegance of the surrounding nature. Ticket packages and prices can range between $35 and $1350. |
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Hilton Head Island Fairs and Festivals |
| Throughout the year, Hilton Head Island holds numerous carnivals and festivals to give everyone a flavor of its local traditions and customs.
• Spring and Wine Festival
• Native Islander Gullah Festival
• Concours d'Elegance
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Dining and Nightlife in Hilton Head Island |
More than 250 restaurants, ranging from German to Caribbean, are located on the island and in the surrounding area. Great wines, fabulous seafood, five star chefs and luxurious dining are waiting for you any day or night of the week near Hilton Head Island. Catering and at-home chef services are available, as well as a selection of delicatessens, groceries and gourmet food shops that will suit all of your at-home dining needs.
For a fantastic experience tasting the local seafood, the Old Oyster Factory is very popular amongst vacationers and locals alike. Hudson’s Seafood on the Dock is another popular dining spot, with an exotic location where diners can watch boats of all sizes drift pass by. At Coligny Plaza you can enjoy an assortment of tempting cuisines and later catch a play at the theatre.
In addition to the year-round festivals on the island, one can experience fabulous theatre, music and dance performances at the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina. A fine selection of bars in the local area also offer a great time for all tastes, ranging from cozy little cafes to up-beat piano bars. For those who like to tap their fingers to good beats, the Jazz Corner offers trendy late night and after hours live entertainment. A full dinner menu is served from 6 PM to 2 AM. Another great place to groove is Monkey Business, Hilton Head’s most popular dance club, which is open Tuesday to Sunday from 8 PM until 2 AM. The cost of admission varies, as occasionally big name national acts will perform live under the disco ball light of this ultra-trendy club. |
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Shopping in Hilton Head Island |
Upscale shopping and bargain hunting are both possible at Hilton Head Island. The shopping areas include Hilton Head Island Commons, an open-air center with upscale shops and Silver Sands Factory Stores, where you can purchase branded apparel up discounted by as much as 75%. Other shopping areas include Hilton Head Island’s Harborwalk, Fort Walton Beach Main Street, Santa Rosa Mall, Shoreline Village Mall and Uptown Station. Everything can be found in Hilton Head Island, including clothing, sports equipment, home furnishings, jewelry, toys and electronics. . Discounts and deals are more likely in spring and fall seasons. Plan a vacation then if you want to avoid the crowds and avail some fabulous discounts, too!
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Best Times to Visit Hilton Head Island |
Gorgeous beaches, balmy cool breezes and a host of attractions makes Hilton Head Island a great year-round vacation destination. Spring is a good time to visit, as you get to see the blossoms of azaleas covering the island and accentuating the island’s near-perfect climate. Hurricane season rears its ugly head between the months of June and November. It is advisable to check the forecast prior to leaving home, just for safety’s sake. During winters the temperature usually ranges from 49º F to 63º F, while spring and summer sees the temperature fluctuating between 57º F to 89º F. The average rainfall is about 52”, with 230 days of sunshine. |
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Time Zone for Hilton Head Island |
| Eastern Standard Time |
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Getting To and Around Hilton Head Island |
The closest airports to Hilton Head Island are the Hilton Head Airport, situated just 5 miles from the island, and the Savannah / Hilton Head International Airport, located 45 miles from the island. Renting a car is recommended for you own personal convenience, as public transportation is not available on the island. Auto rentals are available at airports, as are shuttle services and taxis.
If planning on driving your own car, Hilton Head Island is accessed from Interstate 95 at Exit 8. Follow Highway 278 directly to a series of bridges, which will take you on to the Island. The Cross Island and William Hilton Parkways provide access around the island. Walking along the beaches is a great way to get around, but bicycling is more popular. |
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