By Jayne Cannon

Hilton Head Island is a summer paradise, with ample opportunities for golf, tennis, fishing and other outdoor pursuits. But don’t overlook Hilton Head in winter.

Golf Packages
Winter golf packages—and a better selection of tee times—are easy to get at reduced prices for more than 20 challenging courses on the island and in the immediate area. These include the famed Harbour Town Links at Sea Pines Plantation, Palmetto Dunes and two recent arrivals, Eagles Pointe and Crescent Pointe created by professional golf legend Arnold Palmer and long-time tour player Davis Love III.

Tennis players enjoy the same opportunities on numerous courts at facilities like the Hilton  Head Island Beach and Tennis Resort with tournaments scheduled throughout winter months.
Numerous bicycling trails are enjoyed year-round, and the Island Recreation Center can help reserve a court for indoor sports like volleyball and basketball.

Many island fitness centers offer short-term memberships for access to exercise equipment and racquetball courts. Average temperatures hover in the low 60s in January and February.

Less Active
For culture, the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina schedules regularly changing art and photography exhibits and theater productions. The Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra holds year-round concerts.

Community celebrations and festivals continue in fall and winter months, like the Festival of Trees in November and Trolley Tours in December, highlighting Christmas decorations.

Fine dining is available in several island restaurants with Four Diamond AAA ratings.
Try Antonio’s for imaginative versions of traditional Italian dishes, or the Old Fort Pub for contemporary American food with Southern influences and a Continental touch. The popular Barony Grill in the Westin Hotel has been a AAA Four Diamond restaurant for 18 years