Hilton Head Vacation Rentals - Vacation Rentals Places By Owner

Each year, on April 22, we celebrate Earth Day to inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth’s natural environment. Founded in 1970, Earth Day is now recognized in over 175 countries, with some committing an entire week to activities focused on environmental issues.  Hilton Head Island, known worldwide for its beautiful natural environment, will honor this special day with a family friendly Earth Day Celebration.

 Earth Day was founded by Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson after witnessing the tragedy of the massive oil spill in Santa Barbara, California in 1969. Inspired by the student anti-war movement, Nelson realized that if he could create a movement with that much energy to get folks focused on air and water pollution that could spar an international commitment to conserving our resources and helping our planet. Senator Nelson built a staff of 85 people, announced the idea for a “national teach-in on the environment”, and the first Earth Day was celebrated.

On April 22, 1970, 20 million Americans gathered in the streets, parks and auditoriums to demonstrate for a healthy, sustainable environment in massive coast-to-coast rallies. Across the country, colleges and universities organized protests against the deterioration of the environment, and groups against oil spills, polluting factories, the loss of wilderness and the extinction of wildlife came together to share their common values of a cleaner, more natural planet.

Hilton Head Island values its natural resources and habitats and is proud to host a community Earth Day Celebration. The Green Resource Expo will showcase resources to support green living and businesses and celebrate the Island’s signature attraction – our natural environment. This family friendly free event will provide experiential learning activities for attendees of all ages, tools to care for our town’s sustainability and kick off an Island wide recycling initiative.  There will be live entertainment, a climbing wall for the kids, and an opportunity for attendees to pledge their commitment to recycle!

For more information on Hilton Head Island’s Earth Day Celebration or to download a free ticket for the event, visit www.experiencegreen.org .

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Who doesn’t love spring?  It’s a wonderful time of the year when we all can forget about the cold, dreary days of winter and set our sights on having some fun in the sun with our friends and family. Thoughts of Spring Break in a sunny island paradise with never ending beaches and days spent teeing off on the ocean side golf course fill our heads and let us know that spring is definitely in the air. So what are you waiting for? Rent your beach house, pack your bags and plan your escape to sunny Hilton Head Island, SC!   

If you are planning to spend your Spring Break in Hilton Head, you simply could not have picked a better time for your visit. The weather is near perfect; all of the Island’s favorite attractions are open, and with spring break dates varying around the U.S. from February 28th to April 25th, crowded beaches and restaurants are not a worry.
Spring Break is the perfect time to take a well deserved break from the hustle and bustle of your hectic schedule and have some fun. Whether you want to relax and spend some quality time with your family, share a romantic getaway with your sweetheart, or enjoy a fun filled adventure with friends, Hilton Head Island is a unique beach destination that offers activities, events and amenities that everyone will love.  

For those of you who are looking for an adventure during your visit, explore the Hilton Head waterways on an Ocean Dolphin Cruise, take a sail on a real America’s Cup Yacht or enjoy a day trip to discover nearby Daufuskie Island. Golf lovers may find themselves in a quandary though; they simply will not be able to decide which of the Island’s world class golf courses they will play each day! In fact, Golf Digest readers recently named Hilton Head Island #10 on its list of the World's Best Golf Resorts! Couples who are seeking a romantic getaway will enjoy a sunset dinner cruise or couples massage at one of the Island’s luxurious spas. Hilton Head is also well known for being a family vacation destination and boasts plenty of family friendly activities that everyone can enjoy. A fun way to see many of the Island’s attractions is by bicycle! Rent some bikes and hop on one of the many bike paths around the Island and start exploring! Families will also enjoy visiting the lighthouse in Sea Pines Plantation, playing a round of mini-golf at one of the many adventure filled courses and learning more about the S.C. Low Country at the Coastal Discovery Museum.    

If you are planning to join us on Hilton Head Island within the next few months, be sure to book your vacation beach house or villa rental now because it is a popular destination this time of year. Many families choose to spend Easter Week on the Island and thousands will gather for the Annual PGA Heritage Golf Tournament in April.   

We’re looking forward to seeing you soon!

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The Annual Hargray WingFest is always a huge hit with locals and visitors of Hilton Head Island and promises a great time for all. Come out and try some of the tastiest wings in the South as local restaurants compete for “bragging rights” for the best wings on the Island. Whether you like them hot, mild, spicy or barbequed, this is definitely the place to be to “get your wing on!”

This fun, family, community event will be held at the Shelter Cove Community Park from 11a.m. to 6:00p.m. on March 19th. The wing judging begins at 1:30, so be sure to be there show your support for your favorite and to cast your vote for the “People’s Choice Award.”  In addition to the wing cook off competition, WingFest will also have live entertainment from Deas Guyz and Good People, as well as a big screen television for viewing all of the “March Madness” Basketball games.

Admission for WingFest is $5 for everyone 13 and older and tickets must be purchased to sample wings. Be sure to bring the kids along because they will have a blast at this community event with the children’s play area featuring laser tag, rock climbing, and a bungee jump!

All entrance fees collected will benefit the Hilton Head Island Recreation Association's Scholarship Fund. For More Info: www.islandreccenter.org, (843) 681-7273 or info@islandreccenter.org.


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It’s that time again folks. At 2 a.m. on March 13th we will set our clocks ahead one hour, marking the beginning of Daylight Saving Time in the U.S. While some people dread this time of year because they look at it as losing an hour of their day and adjusting sleep patterns, on Hilton Head Island, we look at it as a friendly reminder that summer is just around the corner!

To the locals and visitors of our beautiful Island playground, turning the clocks ahead means that we get more time to spend in the Carolina sunshine. It means longer walks on the beach, plenty of daylight for that bike ride along our favorite shore and extra time to play a round of golf at one of our many world class courses on the Island.
 
Although we Islanders do love our extra outdoor time, it does still make you wonder why we do turn our clocks ahead each year. The main purpose of Daylight Saving Time (called "Summer Time" in many places in the world) is simple: we have discovered an easy way to get more from our sun and to make better use of daylight. Changing our clocks ahead during the summer months actually moves an hour of daylight from the morning to the evening, allowing us to do just that.

Another perk of Daylight Saving Time is that less electricity is used because people plan outdoor activities  during the extra daylight hours and they are not at home using appliances and lights. Studies done by the U.S. Department of Transportation actually showed that Daylight Saving Time trims the entire country's electricity usage about one percent each day. This small percentage might not sound like much, but it really does add up on a nationwide level to make a big difference.
 
Although Daylight Saving Time gives us the opportunity to enjoy extended sunny summer evenings, its implementation has seen controversy since Benjamin Franklin first conceived the idea in 1784. Even today, some U.S. states and its territories, do not observe the time change. Hawaii, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands, and Arizona do not adjust their clocks at all.

Facts and history aside, 68% of Americans like Daylight Saving Time simply because people like to enjoy long summer evenings. We on Hilton Head Island would have to agree with them because more time for boating, golf, beaches and playing in the sunshine is our way of life on this beautiful Island on the Carolina Coast! 

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St. Patrick's Day was first celebrated in the U.S. in 1737 in Boston. Today, we celebrate March 17^th by “wearing of the green”, celebration festivals, parades and drinking a green beer or two. Hilton Head Island will be celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with all sorts of festivities from family events to athletic endeavors and the Island will even host their Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade which has been recognized as one of the Top 20 Tourism Events in the Southeast for the month of March.

One reason St. Patrick's Day is thought to have become so popular is that it takes place within a few days of the Official First Day of Spring, which means the weather in Hilton Head is absolutely perfect for an outdoor celebration. The 28^th Annual Hilton Head Island St. Patrick’s Day Parade will be held on Sunday March 13^th and is the Island’s largest free spectator event. The family oriented annual parade features more than one hundred floats, marching bands, local dignitaries and more. The Island’s inaugural St. Patrick’s Day Parade was held in 1983 and consisted of merely a small fire truck complete with a Dalmatian dog and an unorganized bunch of walking participants. Now, twenty eight years later, this official town event has more than 3,000 participants, has been recognized as one of March’s Top 20 Tourism Events in the Southeast and boasts around 20,000 spectators each year.

The Island will also celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with The 16^th Annual Hilton Head Shamrock 5K Run and Fun Walk. Join over 300 participants for the “Running of the Green” on Saturday March 12^th for the 3.1 mile run and health walk which will award prizes for the winners and include a block party that will be held after the race with refreshments, door prizes and more!

If you’re in the mood to try some authentic Irish cuisine on Hilton Head, you’re in luck. Reilley’s Grill and Bar, with two island locations – The Port Royal and Hilton Head Plazas, has been serving the Island for almost 30 years. Try their Cottage Pie, Corned Beef and Cabbage or Blarney Burger for a great St. Patrick’s Day dinner. Also dishing out Irish cuisine is Murphy’s Irish Pub, located in Heritage Plaza. The folks at Murphy’s are so excited about St. Patrick’s Day, they actually have a ticker that counts down the days until March 17^th! The Bangers and Mash, Shepherd’s Pie and Fish and Chips are the perfect fare for an Irish Celebration. In addition, just over the bridge in Bluffton, SC you will find Katie O’Donald’s, where you get the sense of being in a local Irish Pub right here in the S.C Low Country. They offer Irish Potato Skins, The Irish Dip and Dublin Steak and they even host an “all you can eat” Fish Fry on Friday nights!

For additional information regarding these events, contact The Shamrock 5K Run and Fun Walk  www.bearfootsports.com or The 28^th Annual Hilton Head Island St. Patrick’s Day Parade

www.stpatricksdayhhi.com.

The Hilton Head Island Chamber of Commerce announced today that TripAdvisor, the world’s largest travel site, has recently declared “America’s Top Vacation Rental Hot Spots for 2011.” These vacation destination ratings are based on TripAdvisor’s search data and site editors and they have narrowed it down to the “10 Best”, which includes our beautiful Hilton Head Island!

We are pleased that TripAdvisor has recognized what we know and millions of travelers have already discovered - Hilton Head Island is a wonderful place to vacation. Hilton Head received the #9 Spot in the “Vacation Rental Hot Spots for 2011” and here’s what TripAadvisor had to say about the Island:

“Vacation rentals can offer families and groups of travelers significant savings over other accommodation options,” said Hank Hudepohl, director of vacation rentals at TripAdvisor. “Our list shows off some of the best vacation rental destinations in the U.S. where travelers can save big, ranging from prime summer beach spots to areas with first-rate ski resorts.”

  #9 Hilton Head, South Carolina - 2,040 vacation rentals on TripAdvisor
"A fabulous beach destination for the entire family, Hilton Head offers a relaxing place to escape with miles of pristine sand, 24 top-notch golf courses, upscale shopping and outdoor activities galore.
Potential Vacation Rental Savings: $2,000 for a weeklong trip." ~ TripAdvisor

Hilton Head Island is gearing up for one of its favorite annual events and it promises (once again) to be a great time for all. Experience the wine, fresh local seafood and other culinary delights on the beautiful South Carolina Low Country Coast at the The 26th Annual Hilton Head Island Wine & Food Festival. Once just a small wine tasting, this popular event has grown to be one of the East Coast’s largest outdoor public wine festivals, and has in fact received the 2011 Bon Appetite Seal of Approval.

The five day Festival kicks off on Tuesday March 8th and runs through Saturday March 12th with the official opening festivities at the “Uncork The Festival” Mardi Gras Masquerade Ball themed party. Then get ready for a spectacular feast, as the 3rd Annual “Great Chefs of the South Dinners” begins at various around the Island. This fun and delicious event has our favorite Island chefs creating unique dishes and experiences to celebrate this annual festival and spotlight our local bounty. Festival goers have the opportunity to dine with wine experts from around the country as they enjoy scrumptious food and wine pairings from our fine local chefs.
 
“The Grand Wine Tasting and Auction” gets underway on Friday night at the Sea Pines Resort Harbour Town Conference Center. This is your chance to learn all about some of the best wines and allows you to taste a variety of premium wines and purchase your favorites to take home with you.

Probably the most popular event of the Festival, “WineFest” will be held on Saturday at The Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn Plantation. This is your opportunity to be a part of the largest public outdoor wine tasting event on the East Coast! There will be over 400 wines, live entertainment, food samplings from Island restaurants as well as live and silent auction. Come out and support your favorite local food and beverage staff member at the Waiter’s Race and Bartenders Challenge, which is always a crowd favorite. You also will not want to miss the Outdoor Gourmet Pavilion which features cooking demonstrations by local chefs and your chance to taste some of the best food in the Low Country.

For additional information regarding Festival events and ticket sales contact (843) 686-4944 or visit www.hiltonheadwineandfood.com.

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Although it had its origins in slavery, the history and culture of the inhabitants that call Hilton Head Island and the Lowcountry coastal region of South Carolina “home” is an inspiration to all Americans. Living simply just as they did more than a hundred years ago, these people, whose ancestors are known as the Gullah subscribe to high religion and the celebration of spiritual redemption in leading their daily lives.

The original Gullah were African slaves who were shipped across the Atlantic from West Africa to work the cotton plantations of the South. While plantation owners built their fortunes upon slave labor, the slaves were able to create something of their own -- the unique culture that is now known as Gullah. With that culture came a thriving mix of language, folktales and superstition, a mix that has shaped generations of families who live on Hilton Head Island and in the Lowcountry today.

Today, the descendant of West Africans who were brought to the coastal islands of South Carolina and Georgia in bondage are striving to preserve a way of life. Gullah is more than simply the language and name of a people. It encompasses the essence of struggle, spirituality, perseverance and tradition. February 1st through 28th 2011, Native Island Business and Community Affairs Association, Inc. (NIBCAA) will host the Gullah Celebration which showcases the rich cultural heritage of the Gullah people and their history on Hilton Head Island. We invite you to come and celebrate Gullah on Hilton Head Island where your soul will be transformed by the spirit of the Gullah Culture.

For additional information regarding events, group ticket sales, and brochures, contact 843-815-2147 • Gullah Celebration info • visit www.gullahcelebration.com

Do you have a favorite dining hot spot? Is there a popular restaurant you’ve always wanted to visit? Do you just need help planning what’s for dinner tonight? And how about lunch – looking for a new lunch special? Get ready for the 3rd Annual Restaurant Week, being held January 15-22, 2011. This special week in Hilton Head, South Carolina is modeled after similar popular events held in NYC and Los Angeles. Restaurant Week features local participating restaurants which will be offering specially price-fixed “prix fixe” menus. Visit the Chamber of Commerce web site for menus and information on participating restaurants and vendors. This exciting celebration of food is a wonderful compliment to any vacation rental this week in Hilton Head. Imagine, each day and night of during your rental is practically planned out. No cooking. No cleaning... just a week of indulgent delights from the best dining places on Hilton Head Island!

"From Your Place to Ours", Hilton Head Places.com

We're pleased to introduce our latest feature to HiltonHeadPlaces.com, Google Maps! This is a web mapping service application and technology provided by Google. Each listing on HiltonHeadPlaces.com receives a free map which shows a street map view and a terrain view. Considering Hilton Head's small size, but sometimes confusing roadways and traffic circles, Google maps makes it easier than ever before to find that perfect vacation beach rental in Hilton Head. To view a map on a listing, simply click the 'Google Map' tab next to the 'Slideshow' tab as shown here. From here, you can switch between views to see the location of the property. Keep in mind that EXACT pinpoint locations are close, but not always 100% accurate. For instance, if a specific unit is located in a larger rental complex, the address may not reflect the general complex rather than the unit. Of course our best advice is to always talk to rental owner when booking for complete details! If you are looking for a wonderful Hilton Head vacation rental, click here to see all of the areas on the Island. If you're a vacation rental owner who would like to advertise your property in Hilton Head, click here to get started.