Hilton Head Attractions

While only the grown ups may want to take advantage of the Robert Trent Jones golf courses on the island, everyone can appreciate a round of mini-golf. Adventure Cove offers 36 round of golf on two Caribbean-themed courses. This activity is fun for all ages.

It's hard to visit Hilton Head and not get a hankering to hop on a bike and tool around. The island really caters to bikers, and the wonderful network of trails offers a chance to explore the beach and plantations on two wheels. Palmetto Dunes, Sea Pines and Shipyard are some of the most popular destinations. The island is flat and totally manageable, whether you are a new rider or an old pro with a baby trailer attached to the back. Most hotels either have onsite bike-rental locations or have arrangements with bike-rental companies that deliver. Please check with your local accommodations.

Strolls through Hilton Head will provide you with opportunities to catch glimpses of alligators and turtles, but the Hilton Head Coastal Discovery Museum is a living and breathing museum that will enable you to see much of Hilton Head's wildlife in one stop. The museum overlooks Jarvis Creek and the surrounding salt marsh. The grounds are developed as outdoor exhibits, focused on the history and native flora and fauna of the area. They also offer beach and coastal tours and cruises. One of the highlights offered by the museum is late-night turtle-watching, when you can observe endangered loggerhead turtles during mating season. This activity is fun for children ages 5-12.

Children love these family-friendly cruises, which give you a chance to view the island from the water. But, more importantly, they offer a chance to see the island's beloved dolphins up-close. Hilton Head is known for dolphin sightings, even strolling on the beach, but on the cruise, you may even get a chance to lean over the side of the boat and pet one. The 12-passenger cruise travels down Broad Creek, where guest can not only see dolphins, but also mink, otters, ospreys, sea turtles, great blue herons, great egrets, snowy egrets, oyster catchers, cormorants, brown pelicans and numerous other birds. This excursion is ideal for children, ages 5-12.

The red and white candy cane-striped lighthouse has been a hallmark of the island for years and is a must see for visitors. You can climb to the top of the 90-foot tower for a bird's eye view of the whole island. Completed in 1970, it was the first privately financed lighthouse to be built since the early 1800's. It's also ideally situated right next to several dining and shopping options and the marina so you can make an afternoon out of it. The lighthouse is ideal for children, ages 4-16.

The world can have Bono and Madonna, but Hilton Head has Gregg Russell and Shannon Tanner. The two local icons, who sing under the Liberty Oak Tree in Harbour Town and on a stage overlooking the Shelter Cove Marina, respectively, have been entertaining locals and tourists for more than 20 years. These performers sing and play guitars, crack jokes, play games and lead sing-a-longs for the crowds with a huge range of tunes for all ages. In the summer, there are nightly performances, but check the schedule online to see show availability. Schedules are available at GreggRussel.com and ShannonTanner.com.

This hands-on, interactive museum truly offers endless opportunities for fun, from playing with magic sand and trekking across a rock-challenge course to playing musical instruments, "cooking" an exotic meal and sailing away on Captain Hilton's ship of discovery. You can also host tot and toddler birthday parties there. It's open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is ideal for children ages 2-8.