hilton head island
DESCRIPTION
One of America's Premier Group Travel Destinations, Hilton Head Island abounds with activities for groups of all typesTRANSCRIPT
14 June 2009 LeisureGroupTravel.com
The Beaches BeckonPerhaps the nicest place to unwind
on Hilton Head Island is the beach.Lush coastal forests line beautifulstretches of sand and surf, where theAtlantic Ocean sparkles in the sun.The most popular activity is strollingalong the incoming tides, feeling thewaves and sand between your toes,and collecting seashells. There arefive public beach parking areas todeliver your group right to the ocean– stop by the official Hilton HeadIsland Welcome Center as you arriveon the Island for directions. TheIsland’s beaches are also the nestingground for loggerhead sea turtles,which hatch annually in the softsand. To learn more about theseprecious inhabitants, your group canjoin the summertime “Turtle Talks &
Walks.” Contact the Coastal Discov-ery Museum of Hilton Head Island,http://www.coastaldiscovery.org/, toarrange for a trip.
Quaint MarinasCompletely surrounded by water,
Hilton Head Island is replete withnumerous marinas, each with itsown distinct ambiance and flair. Themost notable, the Sea Pines Resort’sHarbour Town yacht basin, is thehome of the iconic candy-stripedlighthouse (tours to the top for apanoramic view are available for just$3.) In Harbour Town, your groupwill enjoy soft walking paths thatlead to quaint shops and small out-door cafes. While wandering, impres-sive yachts, sturdy fishing boats,and colorful kayaks attract the eye,
and views over the Calibogue Soundprove peaceful and relaxing. In thesummer, evenings are marked by livelyfolk tunes sung by local minstrel GreggRussell, who has entertained childrenand adults in Harbour Town for morethan 30 years.
Seafood for EveryoneThere are more than 250 restau-
rants in the Hilton Head Island area.Local chefs work diligently everydayto prepare fresh seafood and deliciousexperiences wherever you go. Whilehere, local dishes such as shrimp &grits, oysters-on-the-half-shell, orLowcountry boil (shrimp, corn,sausage, potatoes) are sure to impress.Try Island favorite establishments in-cluding The Crazy Crab (north andsouth-end locations) and Marley’s Is-
L ocated in the “Lowcountry” of South Carolina,
Hilton Head Island is nestled centrally between
Savannah, Georgia and Charleston, South Carolina.
With plentiful beaches, abundant natural beauty and a
rich palette of daily excursions, the Hilton Head Island
area is a refreshing destination worth discovering.
While here, glimpse playful dolphins while dining on
a sunset dinner cruise. Together, catch a Broadway
musical at the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina; learn
more about the area’s rich native culture on the Gullah
Heritage Trail Tour; or take a trip to Old Town Bluffton,
Hilton Head Island’s charming neighbor just over the
bridge. Whatever your group chooses, they are sure to
be inspired and rejuvenated at every turn.
Hilton HeadA Refreshing Area Worth Discovering
There are over 12 miles of beaches with
hard-packed sand, perfect for biking and walking.
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LeisureGroupTravel.com June 2009 15
land Grille, which offer great cuisine,friendly service and comfortable seat-ing for groups. Myrtle’s Bar & Grillein Old Town Bluffton is another pop-ular choice and can best be describedas “Southern with a kick,” with cre-ative dishes, an extensive wine list andlive music nightly.
Lowcountry Gifts…and Tours
Bring a perfect “Lowcountry gift”home to your loved ones by visitingone of the many shopping villages andplazas in the Hilton Head Island area,ranging from one-of-a-kind boutiquesto brand-name outlet centers. At Col-igny Plaza, select souvenirs such asHilton Head Island T-shirts, beachtowels, nautical décor, and beach-in-spired jewelry. In Old Town Bluffton,
visit the historic Heyward House, andafterward bring home a “piece ofBluffton” from a Calhoun Street artgallery. Or, after embarking on a Gul-lah Heritage Trail Tour, purchase anindigenous “sweetgrass basket,” per-fect for any kitchen back home.
Relax and RejuvenateWhether you stay for a day or
for a week, the Hilton Head Islandarea offers groups numerous accom-modation choices. Relax in comfortand style in one of the Island’s manyselect service properties that offerexcellent customer service and classicSouthern hospitality. Several proper-ties have been recently renovated,with newly installed kitchenettesand refrigerators that will make yourgroup feel right at home. During
your stay, take advantage of compli-mentary breakfasts and refreshingoutdoor pools. Or, for a bit of fun,try tropically-inspired cocktails, suchas you will find at the TIKI HUTlounge, an Island favorite at theHoliday Inn Oceanfront.
In the Hilton Head Island area,your group will be relaxed and rejuve-nated with pleasurable experienceswherever they go. For more informa-tion, or to book your group’s next tour,visit the Hilton Head Island Visitor& Convention Bureau’s website,www.hiltonheadisland.org, or call1-800-523-3373 and speak directlywith sales and marketing managerBrenda Ciapanna ([email protected]) who will gladly helparrange your tour.
IslandEnjoy fresh
Lowcountry
oysters September
through April.
Harbour Town is one of six public marinas where groups can
dine, shop and enjoy Hilton Head Island’s waterfront vistas.
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Discover Hilton Head Island Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
�� HIGHLIGHTS
• Harbour Town Lighthouse in Sea Pines Resort
• Heyward House Historic Center in Old Town Bluffton
• Lowcountry Garden Tour
• The Arts Center of Coastal Carolina
• Nature Tours: Dolphin Cruise and Loggerhead Turtle Beach Walk
OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE:� Discover Gullah Heritage
46 June 2009 special section LeisureGroupTravel.com
�� DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY
DAY 1: Hilton Head Island
Morning: The Chamber of Commerce Official Welcome Center & Coastal Discovery Museum is the perfect place to begin our introduction to Hilton Head Island.
Afternoon: Discover Hilton Head Island with one of many toursdeparting from the Welcome Center. Professionally trained guides willtrace the Island's antebellum roots, the role the Island played in theCivil War, the Island’s unique Gullah culture and conclude with theIsland's modern day development.
Evening: Enjoy a sunset cruise aboard the Vagabond out of HarbourTown in Sea Pines Resort. Then dine marina side at The Crazy Crabrestaurant under our famous lighthouse.
DAY 2: Old Town Bluffton
Morning: Lowcountry Garden Tour.
Afternoon: Spend the day in Old Town Bluffton, starting at theHeyward House Historic Welcome Center, and then stroll alongCalhoun Street and experience the art galleries and eclectic boutiques along the way. Visit the historic Church of the Crosswhichoverlooks the May River. Enjoy a Lowcountry lunch at Myrtle’sRestaurant located in Old Town Bluffton.
Evening: Dine at any one of our Shelter Cove Harbour restaurants and then enjoy a Broadway musical at the nearby Arts Center ofCoastal Carolina. Enjoy a delightful performance by one of SouthCarolina's largest theater production companies.
DAY 3: Hilton Head Island
Morning: The Coastal Discovery Museum’s Beach/Turtle Walk offersa one-and-a-half-hour tour of the Island's magnificent dune-linedbeaches with a trained naturalist.
Afternoon: Lunch at any one of our indoor/outdoor Palmetto BayMarina restaurants and then set out on a Dolphin Watch Cruise oflocal waters. This tour offers an opportunity to view playful bottlenosedolphins in their natural habitat.
Evening: Enjoy dinner at Marley’s Restaurant, then head over toThe Jazz Corner for a night of blues.
CONTACT: Hilton Head Island Visitor & Convention Bureau� Brenda Ciapanna • www.hiltonheadisland.org
PO Box 5647, Hilton Head Island, SC 29938Phone: 843-341-8368 • Email: [email protected]