Hilton Head Guide » More About Hilton Head: Overview
Overview
Originally settled by English planters, the island was used for producing cotton, indigo, rice and sugarcane until the outbreak of the Civil War, when Union soldiers invaded the island and most of its inhabitants fled. Some of the African-American community remained and kept its Gullah heritage alive. During the 1940s, Hilton Head's plentiful pines attracted the attention of the lumber industry. In 1956, landowner Charles Fraser decided the area was best suited for leisure activities and founded Sea Pines Resort, the island's largest gated community. Many other similar planned communities have been added since, including Palmetto Dunes and Port Royal Plantation.
Today, tourism and real estate are Hilton Head's top sources of income. While commercial development has flourished, restaurants and stores must adhere to strict standards to preserve the island's ecology and aesthetic appeal. Lakes and marshes dot the island and thick, sturdy trees with cascading branches flank the landscape. Wildlife has been carefully protected, so it's not unusual to spot a deer emerging from the woods or a gator's head skimming the surface of a lagoon.
A golfer's paradise, Hilton Head features an extensive selection of courses, many of which are tied to resorts. Located in Sea Pines, Harbour Town Golf Links is the premier site for tournaments and hosts the PGA Verizon Heritage Classic each year. Skilled players vie for the opportunity to play at Golf Links or its sister course at Long Cove Club.
When not on the green, most visitors spend their days basking in sunshine and ocean breezes, strolling on the island's wide, peaceful beach and catching waves in the Atlantic. Hilton Head's #1 landmark, the Harbour Town Lighthouse, draws folks to the surrounding marina and shopping center, where they may admire the docked yachts, browse storefronts, and cool off with an ice cream cone. Boat tours, such as the popular dolphin cruise departing from the marina, give guests an opportunity to view native wildlife, nearby islands and learn about the history of the area.
Many topnotch restaurants draw on the island's personality and offer magnificent seafood and Southern cuisine in attractive, relaxed. Other restaurants, specializing in international cuisine, present appealing alternatives to traditional island fare; upscale bars and lounges add another dimension to island life. As for shopping, waterside shopping centers and numerous gift and souvenir shops cater to vacationers, but you'll also find art galleries, specialty stores and a highly popular outlet mall.
Hilton Head takes the heart of resort life – golf, beaches, shopping – and provides it in a natural wonderland, where visitors may escape the trappings of commercialism. Its shore, water, trees and wetlands have been protected with care, and other attractions, from legendary greens to picturesque marinas, only enhance the island. Whether swinging clubs on a world-famous course or watching a breathtaking sunrise on the beach, vacationers and residents agree this scenic destination offers timeless appeal and unexpected thrills.
