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Hilton Head Island
3 Reasons You'll Love This Island off the Coast of South Carolina
By Shel Franco
Have you ever heard someone say they needed a vacation to recover from their vacation? It's easy to see why. After all, how relaxing is running from amusement park to amusement park? Factor in long lines and tight schedules, and it's a wonder anyone vacations at all. Fortunately, this isn't the case in Hilton Head Island, S.C., where a restful vacation is still alive and well.
"Every once in a great while you vacation somewhere that you simply fall in love with," says Charlie Clark, vice president of communications for Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce. "Hilton Head Island is that place for many families. While there's so much to do, there's also that rare opportunity to do absolutely nothing but spend time with family, relax, hang out on the beach and just rejuvenate."
This spring, I had the opportunity to experience Hilton Head Island. From miles of sandy beaches to world-class dining, this place has it all. If you're looking for a family-friendly vacation destination, read on for the top 3 reasons why Hilton Head Island should make your short list.
Hilton Head Island is a genuine island just off the coast of mainland South Carolina. The good news is that you can drive onto this island without much trouble – no miles of ocean-spanning bridges, no undersea tunnels, no ferries and no puddle jumpers. "About 80 percent of vacationers arrive by car, and they are not shy about driving long distances," Clark says. "Our top destination draws are Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania, D.C. and other far-reaching areas."
HHI, an acronym you've no doubt seen displayed on rear windows of a minivan or two, is about a 15-hour car ride from Chicago, Ill., 13 hours from New York, N.Y., and eight hours from Miami, Fla. Of course, you can skip the drive all together. "I think flying onto the island is a secret being discovered by more and more families," Clark says. "The Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport is only 45 minutes away, so it's also convenient and a very easy airport to maneuver with families. No shuttle bus needed for rental cars; it's all right there and easy to access."
