You moved to an area filled with beautiful, natural surroundings and historical sites. To help you enjoy the beauty around you from Murrells Inlet to Georgetown, I created a list of a few places you should go see.
Brookgreen Gardens
Brookgreen Gardens is a 9,127 acre property located in Murrells Inlet and founded in 1931 by Archer and Anna Hyatt Huntington. It is listed as a National Historic Landmark and also listed on the National Register of Historical Places. During your visit, take in the botanical gardens, the sculptures, the Lowcountry Zoo and learn about Lowcountry history. Each season, the exhibitions and special events change so check the website often. Nights of a Thousand Candles is a personal favorite!
Driving Directions to Brookgreen Gardens
Atalaya Castle
Atalaya Castle was originally built as the winter home of Archer and Anna Hyatt Huntington in the 1930s. To help the local economy during the Depression years, the Huntingtons employed locals to build the home as well as maintain the house and gardens. Anna Hyatt Huntington also used the home as her studio were she sculpted bears, horses, dogs and other animals. During World War II, Atalaya Castle was used by the United States Air Corps as barracks. Now, Atalaya Castle is part of the Huntington Beach State Park and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In addition to tours and weddings, the Atalaya Arts and Crafts Festival is held annually.
Driving Directions to Atalaya Castle
📷 Photo Credit: Kara Stovall Photography – Kara is a local photographer if you need family pictures.
Huntington Beach State Park
Huntington Beach State Park is a 2500 acre state park located in Murrells Inlet across Hwy. 17 from Brookgreen Gardens. The state park features 3 miles of pristine beaches (head to the north beach and walk north to see the Garden City Beach Point and the jetties), surf fishing, walking trails and camping. In addition to some of the best bird watching in the state, you can also spot alligators, loggerhead turtle nests and other endangered plants and animals. You can also explore the Huntington Beach State Park Nature Center. You can pay per visit to access the Park or you can purchase an annual pass that will also allow you entry into all state parks in South Carolina.
Driving Directions to Huntington Beach State Park
Myrtle Beach State Park
The other state park in our area is Myrtle Beach State Park which opened in 1936 built by the Civilian Conservations Corps. The Park is located on the south end of Myrtle Beach near the Market Common. The highlight of the park is 1-mile of beautiful beach where you can fish from the fishing pier or surf fish. If you would like to stay overnight at the park, they have 278 camping sites and well as six cabins built by the CCC for rent. Other activities at the Myrtle Beach State Park include walking trails, playground equipment, bird watching and a nature center. You may also be able to see loggerhead turtle activity during sea turtle season. Horse back riding is allowed from the third Saturday in November to the last day of February. As with Huntington Beach State Park, you can purchase an annual pass or pay per visit.
Driving Directions to Myrtle Beach State Park
Oyster Landing
Oyster Landing is a dirt road located just north of the Huntington Beach State Park entrance in Murrells Inlet and is named for the oyster recycling area. Keep driving past the oyster recycling area and you will reach a small parking area at the inlet. The size of the parking area depends on the tide. Oyster Landing is a great place to drop in your kayak or paddleboard, launch a small fishing boat or fish from the shore.
Driving Directions to Oyster Landing
Hobcaw Barony
Hobcaw Barony is 16,000 acres of land that was formerly a working plantation but is now a research hub. The Hobcaw House and surrounding land is owned by the Belle W. Baruch Foundation, a private non-profit foundation. The Foundation preserves the cultural history and natural environment of Hobcaw Barony for research and education. Many notable guests stayed in the home including Winston Churchill and Franklin D. Roosevelt. Tours of the property include a two-hour bus tour, the North Inlet Boat Tour, Villages of Hobcaw Barony, several Hike Hobcaw tours, boat tour and more.
Driving Directions to Hobcaw Barony
City of Georgetown
The City of Georgetown is full of history. Georgetown, founded in 1729, is the third oldest city in South Carolina (Charleston and Beaufort are older). Indigo and rice grew well in Georgetown and helped grow the economy. Georgetown is also well known because of the battles and unconventional warfare between Francis Marion (aka The Swamp Fox) and the British Army during the Revolutionary War. Today, learn about Georgetown’s history by walking around the Georgetown Historic District (there are some beautiful homes!), taking a trolley tour of the city or enjoying one of the other tours. When it is time to eat, try one of the many great restaurants in Georgetown.
Driving Directions to Georgetown
I hope you have a few places from this list you would like to visit and you can enjoy the beauty around you from Murrells Inlet to Georgetown. There are many more! As you visit, let me know your favorites places and any places not on the list. I’ll share those with other clients.
See you around town!
PS…If you are up for a day trip or a short get-away for the weekend, drive south on Hwy. 17 to Charleston.