Hilton Head Vacations

Pedal to lunch, the tennis court or the beach. With more than 50 miles of bike trails on the island, you'll also find plenty of rental companies that make bike deliveries (and pick them up at the end of your vacation).

Sure, it's the busiest beach on the island, but you'll find plenty of room to stretch out. Join a beach volleyball game, rent a Hobie Cat or sand trike, or just sip cocktails at the beach bar. Take a break from your sun-worshipping at nearby Nearby Coligny Plaza, home to boutiques and eateries.

One for a golfer's bucket list, you'll feel like a pro as your caddie hands you a club on No. 18, a breathtaking hole framed by the lighthouse and Calibogue Sound. Nearby Harbour Town is filled with family activities including boat cruises, shops, restaurants, outdoor concerts and more.

Saddle up to experience Lowcountry as the original settlers did -- on horseback. This full-service equestrian center in the Sea Pines Resort area offers escorted Western style trail rides. The kids will love the pony rides and small animal collection.

Deer, alligators, rare birds, dolphins and wildflowers are just some of the Lowcountry residents you'll meet on this 4,000 acre island. Explore by hiking or biking. Better yet, have a local outfitter set you up with kayaks.

Hop a ferry to this pristine island one nautical mile from Hilton Head. You'll find a nearly car-free world where golf carts are the primary mode of transportation. Play golf, lay out on the beach, dine at rustic eateries, horseback ride and more. Weekenders, don't miss the Carolina seafood boil, live music and water views at Marshside Mama's Cafe.

This glamorous waterfront complex is best known for its swanky marina and red-and-white lighthouse. Take in the sights, do a little shopping, and have dinner at totally-worth-the-wait Crazy Crab. After dessert, bring the little ones to sing and laugh with Gregg Russell – a Sea Pines performer who's wowed crowds under the Liberty Oak for decades.

Located in Palmetto Dunes, this Mediterranean style village serves as a launch point for water activities, as well as a destination for shopping, dining and entertainment. Catch a Dolphin Cruise or watch the sun set with a margarita at San Miguel's.

If the open water after sunset isn't mysterious enough, brace yourself for a spooky trip across Calibogue Sound on the Vagabond. The fully narrated (and kid-friendly) voyage spins tales about the island's haunts.

Unless you're Federer, returning to your hometown courts will be a downer after playing here. Ranked one of the 50 great tennis resorts in the U.S. by Tennis Magazine, the center has 23 clay courts (eight lighted) and offers world class instruction for all levels and ages. Treat the kids to a lesson, then gather the troops for a family doubles match.

As the biggest island in the South Carolina Low Country, Hilton Head boasts a beautiful and varied natural environment, as well as a rich and unique cultural history. The island is part of the region where freed slaves settled, bringing a distinct language, called Gullah, and a culture that represents their African heritage. Learn more at the island’s Gullah Museum. But there’s no getting around it—Hilton Head’s top draw is golf, with 20 championship courses on Hilton Head Island and in nearby Bluffton and Daufuskie Island. Still, a Hilton Head vacation can be about so much more than hitting the links. Non-golfers can get tennis tips from some of the world’s best instructors—on hardcourt, grass and clay surfaces. The destination is great for kids too, and many families have been returning annually for years. Hike sea-grass trails, kayak through lush saltwater marshes, cycle the more than 50 miles of bike paths, teach the little ones how to catch crabs while catching a glimpse of dolphins not far from the shore. There’s also saltwater fishing, sailing and windsurfing. But if you just want to rest and relax, take your pick of several sandy beaches along the island’s nine miles of coastline. To learn more about the ecology and history of Hilton Head, the best place to start is the Coastal Discovery Museum, where you can also join nature and history tours as well as dolphin cruises. In between activities, make sure to take the time to try out Low Country cuisine, which brings Caribbean- and African-influenced flair to Southern favorites, and draws heavily on the island’s abundance of fresh seafood.

AOL Travel’s Hilton Head Guide

AOL Travel's Best Hilton Head Hotels