Hilton Head What Is Known For

Check your tide tables. At low tide, the island's beaches (12 miles of them) can be up to 600 feet wide. That's plenty of room for beach towels, fishing, and jogging or biking on the hard-packed sand. Two of the most popular strands: Coligny Circle (plenty of parking) and Folly Field at the northern end of the island.

Hilton Head's oldest course is now its newest. The championship Ocean Course, which opened in 1962, was redesigned in 1995. However, the island's landmark course has to be Harbour Town, set against a backdrop of Harbour Town's lighthouse; its twisting fairways and small greens culminate with the 478-yard 18th hole that borders the marshes of Calibogue Sound.

Finally a chance to perfect that backhand! With some 300 courts (grass and clay among them), you'll have all the court time you'll need. Among Tennis Magazine's Top 50: the Sea Pines and Palmetto Dunes Resorts courts, and those at the Shipyard Plantation (with 20 courts, including the island's only 3 indoor courts).