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Around Hilton Head...
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Golf is indisputably the most important of the things you can do on Hilton Head Island. Tennis is especially significant too. Fishing, parasailing, skiing, horseback riding, miniature golf and, of course, dolphin watching and beach walking are also worthy of some vacation time. Shopping includes some unique boutiques and some good outlet malls, enough nice choices for the discriminating. Don't expect the neon resort atmosphere of Myrtle Beach, with a zillion things to do, or a college town with prolific nightlife like Charleston or Wilmington, North Carolina. Go for the sunsets and the sophisticated lifestyle of a privileged few. Just expect a memorable experience, and you've got it. The Family Circle Magazine Cup features top women tennis players annually during late March or early April. Call (843) 785-9602 for information. The MCI Heritage Classic features top golfers during the third week of April annually. Check out the Hilton Head Celebrity Golf Tournament every Labor Day weekend. For information on both golf events call (843) 671-2448. For general information, contact the Hilton Head Island Convention & Visitors Bureau, (843) 785-3673.
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Shrimp, oysters, crab and fish top the menu of local specialties. They're fresh today, and you can count on hushpuppies and red rice to accompany the meal in many seafood restaurants. More than 200 restaurants on the island provide enough variety of international cuisine or basics to please any appetite. You'll also find some really fine wine lists in the classy restaurants. Here's a good start for sampling imported recipes or Lowcountry cooking in the resort atmosphere. Refer to our Preface for an explanation of the pricing code. Alexander's Restaurant This restaurant is conveniently located in the heart of Palmetto Dunes and within walking distance of Shelter Cove, the Hyatt and Hilton Resorts. Enjoy delicious specialties in the cozy dining room, wine bar or enclosed porch overlooking a picturesque lagoon. Appetizers include Oysters Madagascar, which is fresh Cockenoe oysters topped with smoked salmon, caviar and seasoned sour cream, or Seafood St. Jacques, which consists of scallops, shrimp and crabmeat baked in a delicate cheese sauce. Then you may choose a salad such as hearts of palm, mushroom and artichoke hearts á la Greque. Then try an entree such as fresh pecan-crusted mahi mahi served with mixed fruit chutney, black beans and toasted coconut. Or maybe you would prefer wiener schnitzel with scampi, an Austrian classic with a Lowcounty twist: breaded and pan-sautéed veal topped with sautéed shrimp and capers. Alexander's offers more than 100 wines to complement your meal. Go for a very fine dinner. Aunt Chiladas Easy Street Cafe Choose Mexican, Italian, seafood, steaks or just about anything else you can think of, and it's probably here in quantities for the whole family for lunch or dinner. Don't go with us if you don't want to be embarrassed during the all-you-can-eat crab-leg feast, which can be quite lengthy, but, oh, so delicious. The owner's Italian mother makes great entrees from the homeland, and steaks are outstanding, even though the restaurant claims a Mexican theme. Brian's Begin with an appetizer of lump crab and artichoke dip with parmesan cheese, garlic, white wine, cream and toasted pita or beef tenderloin carpaccio. Then for an entrée, choose from fine quality fish, steak, veal, lamb, or other splendid dishes. Also, the chefs are happy to do special items with 24 to 48 hours' notice. Brian's is open for dinner nightly. Cafe at Wexford A great choice for French cuisine, this cafe offers hot appetizers of escargot, traditional French onion soup in a crock with croutons and Swiss cheese or a slice of boneless duck stuffed with spinach, veal and cheese with bing cherry sauce. Paté or smoked Maine salmon are delicious cold appetizers. Entrees include sweetbreads sautéed in cream sauce with mushrooms and julienne strips of ham or crepes stuffed with chicken and mushrooms in a cream sauce with cheese. Daily specials are offered, and dinners are served with bread, salad, potatoes and vegetables. Crazy Crab Crazy Crab's two locations are well known by islanders and golfers alike, and everyone will send you there for lunch or dinner. The crab is the most obvious choice, and steamed seafood pots are usually a favorite. They have almost everything in them and require serious appetites. Dress is casual, and fun is a definite. Damon's Barbecued ribs and prime rib are specialties here. The famous loaf of onion rings is such a tasty huge appetizer that you will miss your dinner if you don't share it with several people. Open for lunch or dinner, Damon's also serves one of our favorite barbecue sandwiches of pulled pork (that means it's not chopped). Homemade rye bread is good, and you will never leave here hungry. Harbourmaster's Waterfront Fine dining in a dressy and elegant restaurant is a treat here. Linen napkins and proper service are an indulgence for special occasions. The rack of lamb is tender and mouth-watering, and the beef and fish are also good. Dinner is the only meal served, and you should definintely call for reservations. The Kingfisher At the water's edge, this is one of our favorite Hilton Head restaurants (serving evening meals only), and it offers a view in a bustling center of activity. Happy hour is fun in the harbour lounge or waterside deck, and shrimp, oysters and crab legs are great deals. Entrees are fabulous, including daily selections that can be grilled, blackened, Greek (sautéed with onions, artichoke hearts, black olives, garlic, sherry, lemon and feta cheese), herb encrusted or crab Dijon. Beef and poultry also are broiled or grilled to perfection. Reservations are accepted except for Tuesdays when fireworks displays create huge crowds and parking congestion. La Pola's Upstairs in a cozy indoor restaurant or on the porch, this choice Italian restaurant is the neighbor to The Kingfisher. Frozen drinks, beer and wine are varied. The view is spectacular and the food tantalizing. Artichoke fritters or fried calamari make great appetizers. Italian favorite entrees are good, and the specialties include culinary Olympic winners such as veal and artichoke hearts or chicken Chesapeake. Only dinner is served, and you will need to arrive early on Tuesdays for a parking space to watch the fireworks display over the water. Except for Tuesdays, reservations are accepted. The Nantucket Seafood House Open for dinner daily, the menu and the dialect are exactly as you would expect in a Nantucket restaurant. Everything includes an "h" whether it's spelled that way or not. You might begin with an "appetizah" of stuffed quahogs, which are "lahge clams baked with homemade stuffing." Then try the "grilled Edgahtown sahdfish" or the Ipswich fried clams flown directly into this kitchen. If you want to stay land-side, you will enjoy the 12-ounce aged "chahgrilled center cut N.Y. strip." Vegetable, potato, house salad and fresh bread accompany any entree. Old Oyster Factory Seafood of a wide variety is the specialty at the site of the island's original oyster cannery, a landmark experience and location. The atmosphere is casual overlooking the water. Old Oyster Factory is open for happy hour and dinner. Scott's Fish Market During deck weather you can enjoy the patio on the waterfront for creative fresh seafood, pasta, beef, pork or chicken. You'll find a full dinner menu, a great kid's menu and Hurricane Harry's Wharf Bar with a bar menu for every size appetite. Hurricane Harry's also features live evening entertainment. Go for happy hour or dinner. Tony Roma's Famous in many states for its ribs and sauces, Tony Roma's won't disappoint the pork or beef lover. Choose from Blue Ridge smokies, Carolina honeys, bountiful beef or red hots. Soups, salads, appetizers, burgers, chicken or sandwiches also are good, but we go for the ribs or maybe a shrimp and rib combo. Side dishes include a good variety, with especially tasty beans and slaw. Go for dinner; Tony Roma's does not serve lunch.
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Resorts are the best choices for Hilton Head visits, as you'll find the top golf courses are easily booked through the resort. Also you will enjoy the luxury and the amenities, not to mention superbly prepared food. The beaches in Hilton Head are usually private, unlike those in much of the Myrtle Beach area; therefore, the premium beach access, as well as the best golf course access, usually comes through the top-quality resorts. Rates are seasonal and vary depending on your choice of location and view of the harbor, marsh, fairway or beach. For Hilton Head Central Reservations call (843) 785-9050 or (800) 845-7018. Refer to our Preface for an explanation of the pricing code. Accommodations & Golf Hotline This full-service rental company rents condos, homes and villas of one- to four-bedroom size throughout the island area and specializes in golf packages. Most of the packages include a round of golf for four people once a day for seven days. Cart fee is additional. The condos hold the golf crown award given to the top five percent of the world's condos from Resort Condominium International. Call for a brochure with all the details. Crowne Plaza Resort At Shipyard Plantation Golf Course, this resort includes 340 rooms and suites, miles of beach, a complete fitness center, indoor and outdoor pools, the Van der Meer Racquet Club, two dining rooms, a lounge and a camp for kids. You also have coffee and tea in-room and any luxury you could want. Disney's Hilton Head Island Resort Nestled among live oaks on a 15-acre private island within Shelter Cover Harbour are 123 vacation villas where you may choose a studio or one-, two- or three-bedroom villa. Disney's Beach House is on the Atlantic Ocean with pool, snack bar, arcade, living room and games. Also here is Ben & Stretch's workout room, the Big Strike arcade, the Broad Creek Mercantile and a community hall with games and video library. The resort includes two pools, fishing pier with gazebo, shopping and dining within walking distance. Golf and tennis are available in several nearby areas. Relax here and find your own magic. Fairfield Inn Affordable lodging at this Fairfield Inn includes 14 two-room suites, and golf packages are available on any of 20 courses. Rates include cart. Complimentary continental breakfast is included for all guests. Amenities include an outdoor heated pool. Marriott hospitality meets affordable lodging here, and the convenience to golf courses is superior. Key Realty at Fiddler's Cove This affordable and convenient resort offers free tennis on 10 clay courts and free indoor racquetball. Golf packages for a foursome are a good value here. Some of the villas provide views of the lush fairways of the Port Royal Plantation golf course. Situated on the resort's 23 acres are comfortable two-bedroom villas, each with private balcony, a queen and two twin beds, two baths, living and dining rooms, fully equipped kitchen, color television, wet bar and washer/dryer. Also, you may enjoy two pools with heated spa and sundeck plus a tot lot for the little ones. It's a short walk to a wide stretch of beach and a short drive to shops and restaurants. Hampton Inn Hampton Inns the world over are dependable if you're looking for a comfortable place that is not an expensive luxury resort. Ask for a king or two double beds. Continental breakfast is quick to grab on the way to an early tee time. An outdoor pool and exercise room are offered. Refrigerators are in suites. Babysitting services may be booked. Hilton Head Vacation Rentals More than 125 villas, condos and rental homes are managed by this company. Any size family can be accommodated with small or multi-bedroom homes and every amenity. As part of your rental package, the staff will arrange your tee time on any of the public or semiprivate courses. Hyatt Regency Hilton Head The Hyatt has more than 500 rooms and provides a traditional quality accommodation. You can't go wrong here within the Palmetto Dunes complex. The hotel features a health club with massage, whirlpool and sauna, indoor and outdoor Olympic pools and a children's wading pool. Bikes and scooters are available; tennis and racquetball courts are also here. Dining, dancing and live entertainment are part of the experience. Five golf courses will keep you swinging, and others on the island and mainland are minutes away. Oceanfront Rentals This company manages about 175 properties that include your choice of luxurious or budget-type vacation rentals in all areas of Hilton Head. Golf packages can be arranged when you rent a villa or home of any size--from one to eight bedrooms. Some properties are on the ocean; others are on golf courses. Advance tee times are guaranteed on more than 30 area courses; free tennis, group rates and free accompanying non-golfer accommodations are offered. Palmetto Dunes Resort Access to five fabulous golf courses is the best reason for choosing to stay at Palmetto Dunes. Villas or vacation homes of one to six bedrooms are oceanside, on the harbor or on the fairway. You will enjoy the location and your family will appreciate the boating, 3 miles of beachcombing, pools or tennis on 19 clay, four Supergrasse and two hard courts including eight lighted for night play. The 2,000 oceanfront acres of this sophisticated resort and residential community are adjacent to Shelter Cove Harbour, a Mediterranean-style village with retail stores and restaurants fronting a deepwater marina. Meeting and conference facilities also are superb. Port Royal Village Near the 54 holes of Port Royal Golf Club, this collection of vacation villas and townhouse rentals is near the beach as well; it also has a top-rated tennis complex. It has a pool and offers an hour a day at the racquet club. Tennis courts are of all three surfaces. The resort will package golf for you at several nearby courses in addition to the Port Royal Golf Club. Vacations on Hilton Head A central reservation service claiming to be the largest one on the island, this company will arrange accommodations including a golf package in any price range requested. Discount greens fees and guaranteed tee times can be arranged on any public or semiprivate course, and a variety of accommodations is available with or without other amenities. Westin Resort & Villas More than 400 rooms in a luxurious facility stretching along the beach, spacious meeting rooms, cafe, restaurant and bar, tennis, pools and, of course, championship croquet and golf are all around you. This top-quality resort offers easy Southern charm and some of the best-prepared food you will ever find in a hotel setting.
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Player's Golf in the Shoppes on the Parkway sells equipment, apparel and accessories; call (843) 785-GOLF. Nevada Bob's is another large discount shop on the William Hilton Parkway, with better variety than the one in Myrtle Beach; call (843) 686-GOLF. Also, Las Vegas Discount Golf, Buckingham Plantation Drive, (843) 837-3399, is a new superstore that carries golf and tennis equipment.
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One of the best places to study
is where you can also play. The Golf Academy of Hilton Head Island
helps you learn then helps you receive a discount on greens fees at Port
Royal and Shipyard. A full-day program includes four hours of instruction
with video analysis, then lunch and 18 holes of golf. The half-day
includes a three-hour lesson with video analysis. Special programs are
designed for women and juniors, and a mini program will analyze and
correct flaws in your swing. Call (843) 785-4540 or (800) 925-0467.
Private instruction is available at many of the other fine resorts,
including a variety of quality programs at Sea Pines where you can also
study during the morning and play on the Sea Marsh Course during the
afternoon. Call (843) 842-1454 for information on a full-day, half-day,
beginner or short clinic.
For information on Marlene Floyd Golf Schools for Women, call
(800) 637-2694. She teaches 12 schools each year at Palmetto Dunes. The
two-day sessions allow only 10 or 12 students and specialize in classroom
and practice techniques for women only. |
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