America's Favorite Island® For Eight Years and Counting
If you’ve ever visited Hilton Head Island, you know that the Lowcountry is a special place. There’s a reason we’re affectionately known as America’s Favorite Island® — quite a few reasons, in fact, like white-sand beaches, catch-of-the-day dining, championship golf, and epic outdoor adventures, to name just a few.
It seems the readers of Condé Nast Traveler know this as well, because we’re excited to announce that we’ve once again been voted the #1 island in the U.S. in their 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards. We couldn’t be more proud of this incredible honor — especially since it marks our eighth year in a row winning the coveted award!
With breathtaking natural scenery, a vibrant arts and culture scene, and abundant opportunities for fun and relaxation, it’s easy to see why our island home continues to be celebrated by discerning visitors and prestigious travel publications, year after year. Read on to explore just a few of the things that have made us a beloved vacation destination for generations of travelers — and Condé Nast Traveler’s #1 U.S. Island for eight years running.
Rich in Culture and Spirit
At just 12 miles long by five miles wide, Hilton Head Island packs an impressive cultural punch. Live music, family-friendly festivals, gripping historical tours, and a dazzling local arts scene — whatever you’re looking for, you’ll find a world of enriching cultural offerings here in our corner of the Lowcountry.
Enjoy a fun-filled learning experience fit for the whole family at the Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn. This Smithsonian-affiliated institution boasts more than 2,000 square feet of indoor exhibits, plus a sprawling, 68-acre property crisscrossed by nature trails and boardwalks.
Take a step back in time at Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park, the first self-governed freedman’s town in the United States, where you’ll learn about the Lowcountry’s fascinating Civil War history and the inspiring story of our island’s Gullah people.
Or join locals at the highly anticipated Crescendo Celebration of Arts & Culture. On from October 10th to November 23rd, this annual festival includes concerts, readings, exhibits, tours, and hands-on activities designed to get your creative juices flowing. The festival's popularity draws visitors from far and wide, eager to immerse themselves in the arts and culture scene each year!
Sustainable By Nature
Hilton Head Island is a dream destination for lovers of the great outdoors. Our vital coastal ecosystem is home to an abundance of plant and animal life, including more than 220 species of native birds, approximately 600 resident bottlenose dolphins, and the endangered loggerhead sea turtles who return each year to nest on our shores.
America’s first eco-planned community, Hilton Head Island was designed in harmony with nature, inspired by the vision of Charles Fraser, who pioneered our island’s first resort community more than half a century ago. Fraser’s revolutionary approach helped to safeguard the natural landscape from overdevelopment, laying the groundwork for a visitor economy with a conservationist ethos at its heart.
Decades on, sustainability remains the bedrock of everything we do. This heritage of conservation is something we’re passionate about sharing with those who visit our island — from guided nature walks and adventures on the water to community-wide sustainability efforts like Outside Foundation’s oyster shell recycling program.
Island Time, Lowcountry Style
Crossing the bridge to Hilton Head Island can feel like entering another world — a place where leisure is plentiful, laughter is encouraged, and memories are made to last a lifetime. While you’re here, we invite you to slow down and embrace the Lowcountry way of life. Exactly what that looks like is up to you: from hiking and biking to boating and beachcombing, there are so many ways to make the most of your time on America’s Favorite Island.
Rent a beach cruiser and set out on a self-guided tour of the island’s more than 60 miles of bicycle and leisure pathways. Tee off in the footsteps of champions at one of 23 incredible golf courses, including oceanfront fairways and challenging holes designed by golf legends like Jack Nicklaus and Pete Dye. Or simply unwind with a soothing stroll along our miles of white-sand beaches for the ultimate wellness experience.
Escape to America's Favorite Island
Interested to experience the Lowcountry magic for yourself? Request a copy of our Hilton Head Island Vacation Planner today, and see firsthand why we’ve been named the best island in the U.S. for eight years and counting by the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards. Whether you’re finding your way back to our shores or visiting for the very first time, we look forward to welcoming you to America’s Favorite Island®.
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