“A golfer’s paradise.” That’s what Hilton Head Island is often called, with its 24 championship courses and beautiful year round weather. But stay a week in one of its breezy beach rentals or condo rentals and you’ll quickly realize there’s more to this Southern oasis than golf. Only 12 miles by five miles wide, Hilton Head’s sparkling sandy shoreline is considered one of the best family beaches in the United States. Beach rentals provide amazing water activities and outdoor recreation for families and friends of all ages. Gorgeous condo rentals inland offer a plethora of land pursuits for the energetic and sporty vacationer.

Spacious vacation rentals – from beachfront villas and traditional country homes to airy summer chateaus – make Hilton Head Island the ideal family getaway. With mini golf at Pirate’s Island and Adventure Cove, the grown-ups aren’t the only ones hitting the links. Condo rentals on the south end of Hilton Head are minutes from The Sandbox, An Interactive Children’s Museum, offering educational play between kids and parents, like the Rhythm and Hues painting exhibit. Give the little ones a break from the sun at the indoor Island Playground, complete with inflatable slides, obstacle courses and a toddler exploration area.

The Arts Center of Coastal Carolina holds performing arts camps, theater classes, workshops and musical festivals. Beach rentals near The Coastal Discovery Museum offer indoor and outdoor wildlife exhibits with alligators, manatees and a native butterfly habitat.

Vacation rentals on Hilton Head Island also offer incredible attractions for adults and older children. Venture inland for miles of paved bike paths leading down gorgeous scenic trails. Fly along ziplines over magnificent live oaks and gaze at the boats, bogs and bottlenose dolphins residing in Broad Creek Marina. The wildlife outside your condo rental is vast and exquisite. Take a Hilton Head forest hayride to see bobcats, minks, deer, otters and eclectic species of birds, or hit the petting zoo and horseback tours at Lawton Stables.

All vacationers must see the Harbour Town Lighthouse, Hilton Head Island’s most beloved and well-known landmark. Visible from your panoramic beach rental, the lighthouse is accompanied by a museum teaching the history and tradition of this wonderful beacon.

Aside from the attractions, the outdoor recreational activities on Hilton Head Island are a plenty. Biking, hiking, sailing, boating, fishing, kayaking, jet-skis, parasailing and surfing are all at your fingertips in a Hilton Head beach vacation rental. Swim with dolphins and sea turtles for an up close look at the island’s aquatic life.

Vacation rentals on Hilton Head Island offer a social scene that families or couples will love. The island boasts over 250 restaurants and authentic cuisine. Hudson’s Seafood House on the docks is Hilton Head’s oldest establishment, serving up the freshest of oceanic chow with astounding views of the Intracoastal Waterway. Enjoy a romantic night under the starry skies at WiseGuys, a local see-and-be-seen hotspot with an award-winning wine list. Get your southern barbecue fix from The Smokehouse, plating local favorites like Gullah rice, gumbo, fried okra and delectable peach cobbler.

While the sunset marks the end of day, couples are just starting their night. Hilton Head beach rentals and condos are surrounded by excitement. Dance the night away at a beachfront bar, catch your favorite team at a sports joint or laugh until it hurts at the Hilton Head Comedy and Magic Club. Let the late-night romance set it in at The Jazz Corner, where nightly rhythm and blues serenade its patrons.

Enjoy numerous recreational activities or just relax on the pristine beaches of Hilton Head Island. TripAdvisor is the only place for the best deals on beach rentals, condos, vacation homes and more.