Dining on Hilton Head is an adventure of diversity exhilarating as any fresh-air sport. Amazingly, there are over 200 restaurants from which to choose, many headlining top-name chefs that tantalize with their artistic creations. Fine dining here is elevated to an art form.

The island invites those who bask in its beauty to enjoy the many seaside vistas, and many of the restaurants take advantage of just that. Seafood is prepared always fresh and succulent, caught in the vast Atlantic and winding inland marshlands. A number of island establishments prepare their seafood Lowcountry-style from recipes preceding generations, with a variety of inspirations from Caribbean fare to dishes derived from the many influences of the South. The result is perfection.

There are new creations that come steaming from the creative kitchens of many elegant restaurants. When the weather turns warm, the scent of something sizzling is aloft on the tradewinds, with many areas of the island entertaining open-fire cookouts, some beachside.

Hilton Head's cuisine extends well beyond seafood, reaching to the four corners of the world with a menu of restaurant selections.

Atmosphere is another important element when deciding where to dine. With a plethora of choices, you can pick and choose. Go relaxed and casual or step out in elegance, either way, it's all right here. The spectrum ranges from the easy going atmosphere of oceanfront raw bars to the lavish setting of candlelit five-course dining. Dozens of island restaurants are situated along the harbors or fronting the ocean. Others capture the breathtaking expanse of the marshlands or a picturesque lagoon.

Following the feast, experience the island after dark, alive with an energetic nightlife. There's everything from coffee cakes and wine bars to live musical entertainment and comedy. Sports-oriented pubs welcome those ready to cheer for a favorite team with friends. During warmer months, the island's harbors spotlight live musical performances, many of which are geared for families. An entire gamut of dining and entertainment options await discovery while on Hilton Head, and with a selection as broad as the Waterway.