Hilton Head Flights And Sights

The Old South meets the Atlantic seaboard at Hilton Head. This laidback but upscale beach, golf, and tennis resort has broad, tawny beaches, warm seas, palm trees and rolling dunes. Graceful sea oats, anchoring the beaches, wave in the wind. The subtropical climate makes all this beauty the ideal setting for golf, tennis and for some of the Southeast's finest saltwater fishing.

Beaches

Hilton Head's public beaches have been ranked among the most beautiful in the world. Flat, broad beaches provide a firm surface even for biking and jogging. In summer, endangered loggerhead turtles lumber ashore at night to bury their eggs. Coligny Beach is the island's busiest strip of sand. Alder Lane is the choice for a less crowded outing.

Things to Do

Hilton Head has more than 50 miles of bicycle paths. The rolling greens of the local golf courses make this fairway heaven for professionals and novices. Tennis is a big draw, with Hilton Head hosting major tourneys on the pro tour. Horseback riding through beautiful maritime forests and nature preserves is reason enough to visit Hilton Head. And if all that outdoor activity is getting to you, head north to Charleston or south to Savannah; Hilton Head is about an hour from two of America's most charming historical cities.

Eating and Drinking

Local seafood is the specialty, with sweet creek shrimp boiled in beer in summer and fresh oysters roasted on open pits in the cool months. Expect to pay resort prices in Hilton Head, however, especially for shellfish. Budget options include delicious chopped pork barbecue sandwiches (ask for yours with fresh slaw), Southern fried chicken and Low Country favorites like seafood gumbo and shrimp perloo.

Nature

Dust your binoculars: Wildlife thrives here. Prime observation sites are on the south end at the Audubon-Newhall and Sea Pines Forest Preserves. Make your acquaintance with the bottle-nosed dolphin. Alligators are a prosperous lot here -- no danger if you keep your distance. You'll see a nature magazine's lineup of waterfowl -- the snowy egret, the large blue heron, and the osprey are front and center. Mammal inhabitants include bobcat, otter, mink, and wild boars.

With American Airlines flights to Hilton Head via Savannah, it's easy to plan a relaxing getaway to this South Carolina island. From unwinding on picturesque beaches to playing endless rounds of golf, there are many things to do in Hilton Head that will let you forget your cares and just enjoy a peaceful getaway.

One of the most popular activities in Hilton Head is golfing on the island's world-class courses. You'll be able to choose from gorgeous oceanfront courses, riverside courses, Lowcountry courses or courses winding through historic forests. Many of the courses on Hilton Head Island are designed by some of the most acclaimed professional golfers to have ever played the game. And the wonderful part is that many of these amazing courses aren't just at private clubs or resorts, but are public. One of our favorites is the Crescent Point Golf Club, the only public course in Hilton Head that Arnold Palmer designed. Maybe you want to brush up on your stroke before teeing off? No problem. There are not just one or two top-flight schools in Hilton Head -- there are four! Hilton Head is also a paradise for tennis players. The resorts on Hilton Head Island combined offer more than 350 courts, including all Grand Slam surfaces.

Once you've played a few rounds of golf or a few games of tennis, you'll find many other things to do in Hilton Head. For one thing, you could explore over 12 miles of pretty beaches. The kids will have fun tromping through the dunes or playing hide and seek among the natural grasses. The beaches on Hilton Head Island are incredibly family friendly, so bring along a kite and a picnic basket and spend an afternoon just hanging out.

When it comes to activities in Hilton Head, an often-overlooked pursuit is that of the arts. Hilton Head boasts a culturally rich heritage and a vibrant art scene. There is a great range of art galleries in Hilton Head, along with performing arts venues and the renowned Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra. Visit the Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn and learn about the region's Lowcountry heritage. The 68-acre Honey Horn property features interactive ways to learn about the native flora and fauna that kids will love.

With American Airlines, you can fly to Hilton Head, arriving in Savannah, and enjoy a relaxing vacation for the entire family. Plan your getaway today!