Pawleys Island Attractions
For over two centuries the Lowcountry has been host to rice barons, presidents & pirates, as well as farmers, shop keepers & plantation workers…all of whom have left an indelible imprint that now forms the culture and landscape of the tidelands.
In celebration of this rich past an amazing assortment of historical, wildlife viewing, eco-friendly pastimes & cultural attractions awaits in this region where history, water & wildlife abound. Museums, theaters featuring live productions, art galleries, parks & nature preserves are all found locally or within an easy day-trip distance.
Two jewels of the area are Brookgreen Gardens & Huntington Beach State Park. The perfect blend of culture, wildlife and preservation with sculpture gardens, a 50-acre wildlife park, extensive nature trails, and one of the best-preserved shoreline ecosystems open to the public.
Historical AttractionsHistoric Tours
Free Pickup from Most Hotels,Myrtle Beach
(800) 277 - 1197
Georgetown Tour - Kaminski House built in 1761, The Rice Museum, Riverwalk Shopping (Quaint Boutiques and Antique Stores) & Narrated Tour of Hobcaw Barony.Wilmington Tour - City of Wilmington 1770, The Burgwin Wright House, Lunch Cruise aboard the Henrietta II Riverboat & shopping in the Cotton Exchange District.
Hobcaw Barony
22 Hobcaw Road,Georgetown
(843) 546 - 4623
A 17, 500 acre research reserve, Hobcaw Barony is one of the few undeveloped tracts on the Waccamaw Neck. The Native Americans called it "hobcaw," meaning between the waters. In 1718, the land became a colonial land grant, a barony. Sold and subdivided into plantations extending from the river to the sea, Hobcaw Barony was part of the great rice empire until the turn of the 20th century.
Old South Carriage Tours
2 Anson Street in The Market,Charleston
(843) 723 - 9712
Tour the historic streets of Downtown Charleston by horse drawn carriage!
SpiritLine Harbor Tour
205 King Street, Suite 204,Charleston
(843) 722 - 2628
Come discover the history, beauty and fun of cruising Charleston Harbor...perfect whether you're a history buff, or just want to enjoy the water!
The Winyah Indigo Society Hall
509 Prince Street,Georgetown
Chartered by King George II in 1758, the coastal society grew from the old Convivial Club, organized in 1740, as a result of the prosperous growth of the indigo plant. The present building was build in 1853 to serve the society and has been used as a school, meeting place, library, and as a hospital for Federal troops during the Civil War.
LighthousesCape Romain Lighthouses
Highway 17,McClellanville
If you have an adventurous spirit, then Cape Romain is the place for you. It's not that there is a lot to see once you arrive but the quest of getting there is the challenge especially if you don't know the area well. When I was getting together a list of the lighthouses to visit when starting this book, Cape Romain didn't show up in most of the lighthouse books that I owned. I had heard it mentioned but it really slipped my mind until we passed a sign on our way down Route 17 from Georgetown to Charleston. It read Cape Romain Marine Sales and had a small lighthouse pictured on one side. I drove a few miles, not thinking much about it until a light went on in my head. We turned around and pulled into the gravel enclosure where I had first noticed the sign where there a variety of fiberglass boats on display. Inside the office I inquired if there was a lighthouse nearby. After learning there was, they gave me a small map to help us find our way.
Georgetown Lighthouse
North Island,Georgetown
Looking out towards the Atlantic Ocean, the Georgetown lighthouse sits at the mouth of Winyah Bay leading in to historic Georgetown ten miles away. Many of the locals around Georgetown call it the North Island lighthouse as it sits on North island and some didn't even know what I was talking about when I referred to it as the Georgetown lighthouse. It is after all, about twelve miles away from Georgetown by boat on North Island. The first lighthouse on the island was built of wood in 1801and the lantern was lit with, at that time, plentiful whale oil. Two years later everything was washed away by a storm. Another lighthouse was built of brick in 1812 but major damage during the Civil War put an end to its usefulness.
Morris Island Lighthouse
Morris Island,Charleston
The first lighthouse at Charleston was built in 1767 just after the French and Indian War when South Carolina was still a British Colony. A copper plate attached to the cornerstone of the lighthouse read, "The First Stone of this beacon was laid on the 30th of May 1767 in the seventh year of his Majesty's Reign, George the III." Burning pitch and oakum provided light and later candles were used.
MuseumsKaminski House
Front Street,Georgetown
Willed to the City of Georgetown, the Kaminski House is filled with antiques collected by the Kaminskis. There is an observation deck overlooking the river and a gift shop in the old butler's quarters. Tours Mon. - Sat . 10 a.m.. - 4.pm.
The Rice Museum
Front Street,Georgetown
The museum features dioramas depicting the production of rice and indigo as well as artifacts from these operations, maps and other exhibits. Rice Museum is open Mon - Sat 9:30 a.m.-4:30p.m
Parks and WildlifeAlligator Adventure
4604 Highway 17,Myrtle Beach
(843) 361 - 0789
At Alligator Adventure you'll find yourself face to face with nature's fiercest and most beautiful animals. Located adjacent to Barefoot Landing in North Myrtle Beach, one of South Carolina's most outstanding tourist attractions, Alligator Adventure is one of the largest facilities for reptile life in the world. During your visit to the park you will be guided through beautiful natural swamps and marshes, where you'll encounter an amazing array of reptiles, lizards, turtles, giant frogs, and exotic birds from around the world!There is always something to see and do at Alligator Adventure. Visit us for a fun filled event for the entire family on your next vacation to the Grand Strand. Alligator Adventure is Naturally Wild, Naturally Educational and Naturally Fun. Admission for Adults is $14.95, Seniors $12.95, Children ages 4-12 are $9.95, discounts are available, and children 3 and under get in free!
Brookgreen Gardens
Ocean Highway,Murrells Inlet
(843) 235 - 6000
In 1931, Archer and Anna Hyatt Huntington, founded Brookgreen Gardens, a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation, to preserve the native flora and fauna and display objects of art within that natural setting. Brookgreen is one of the country's leading cultural and educational institutions and a National Historic Landmark. Within it's more than 9,000 acres are the Lowcountry History and Wildlife Preserve, the Huntington Sculpture Garden and the Center for American Sculpture.One of the newest ways to support Brookgreen Gardens is through our Adopt An Animal or Sculpture Program.
Butterfly Pavillion
Broadway at the Beach,Myrtle Beach
(843) 839 - 4451
Now this is one of the most interesting sites of the Grand Strand. Unlike any other place in the United States, at the Butterfly Pavilion you can learn about unique insects and creatures first hand. Where else can you find yourself surrounded by tens of thousands of butterflies and learn about entomology?
Cape Romain National Refuge
Highway 17,McClellanville
The Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge is a 64,000-acre Class I Wilderness located in northeast Charleston County. It was established in 1932 as a migratory bird refuge and is accessible only by boat. Today, it is the largest nesting rookery for loggerhead sea turtles outside of Florida, averaging 1000 nests per year. It is also home to many other endangered species, among them the American alligator, American kestrel, bald eagle, glossy ibis, least tern, osprey, peregrine falcon, and wood stork. On Bulls Island efforts are being made to assist in the recovery of the red wolf population.
Carolina Safari Jeep Tours
Pick Up at Most Resorts,Myrtle Beach
(843) 497 - 5330
Get Wild about Wildlife! Travel to exciting ecosystems: the Salt Marsh, Cypress Swamp & Fresh Water. See the egret, great blue heron, american bald eagle, osprey, wood stork & ibis.
Coastal Exploration
Huntington Beach State Park,Pawleys Island
(843) 237 - 4440
This series will give you the opportunity to explore the mysteries of the Carolina coast as park naturalists lead you into the fascinating worlds of wildlife, ecology and history. You can study the diverse ecology of a salt marsh, get an up-close look at an american alligator, use a seine net to collect some of the unusual sea creatures that inhabit the Atlantic Ocean or tour the Huntington's castle, Atalaya.
Hobcaw Barony Nature Camps
22 Hobcaw Road,Georgetown
(843) 546 - 4623
Take advantage of your own back yard and learn about environments that surround you. Join Sarah Wilson on a three-day adventure as she explores a freshwater pond, the saltmarsh creek and a hidden swamp in the woods. Capture and identify critters using nets, hands or a cane pole. Wear "creek shoes" and bring bug spray. Open to elementary school-aged children.
Huntington Beach State Park
16148 Ocean Highway 17,Murrells Inlet
(843) 237 - 4440
Huntington Beach State Park is a remarkable place of varied habitats. A freshwater lagoon is home to marsh hens and alligators. A salt marsh is a nursery to abundant plants and animals. The dune-protected beach is bordered by sea oats and a maritime forest offers the shade of loblolly pines.This 2,500-acre park is considered one of the finest birdwatching domains on the East Coast. Among the waterfowl are the great blue heron, snowy egret, oystercatcher and eastern brown pelican.A nature trail extends through the forest and winds along boardwalks in the marsh, where visitors view alligators from observation decks.Two campgrounds provide 133 sites near the beach. There is surf fishing or fishing from a park jetty.Of historic interest is Atalaya, the palacial former winter home of noted American sculptress Anna Hyatt Huntington, which is open for tours year-round.
Ripley's Aquarium
Broadway at the Beach,Myrtle Beach
(843) 916 - 0888
See life differently! Discover Ripley's Aquarium, South Carolina's most visited attraction and winner of the 1999 Governor's Cup. Come face to face with huge, deadly sharks on a 330 ft. underwater glide pathPet a Stingray or hold a horseshoe crabEnjoy thrilling hourly dive showsAttend fascinating educational presentations or campsExperience interactive hands-on exhibits for all ages New for 2004 the “Titanic, Island of Life” Exhibition! This unique interactive educational exhibition was designed exclusively for Ripley's Aquarium and will be on display in the changeable display area of the aquarium. The overall exhibition experience features 28 “Titanic” themed exhibits that include hands-on experiences, interactive exhibits, films and live marine life.
Historical AttractionsGeorgetown Historical District
Waterfront,Georgetown
As the state's third oldest city, Georgetown dates back to 1729 when the town was laid out by Elisha Screven. The four-by-eight block grid is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This area is bordered by Wood, Church, Meeting and Front Streets, with Front Street running alongside the Sampit River. A bustling seaport in colonial times, tall masted sailing ships laden with goods from Europe docked here and left with the trade products of the Lowcountry - indigo in the mid 1700's and rice, cotton and lumber in later years.
Lowcountry Plantation Tours
711 Front Street,Georgetown,SC
(843) 477 - 0287
Plantation River Tours, Lighthouse & Shell Island Tour, & Ghost Story & Harbor Tours.
The Charles Fyffe House
15 Cannon Street,Georgetown
Dr. Charles Fyffe, a Scottish physician, came to SC in 1748 and soon became one of Georgetown's leading citizens, he was a charter member of the Charleston Library society and one of the first stewards of the Winyah Indigo Society. In 1763 he bought the lot on which this house was to be built and and erected the house soon thereafter as his residence.
His ownership came to an unhappy end. When the colonists rebelled against the mother country, Fyffe remained loyal to Great Britain. As a consequence he was banished and his property confiscated and sold. He never regained his home. The Fyffe House is a two-and-1/2 story Georgian style house. The main part of the house is under the pyramidal roof supported by a king post trussing system.
The Strand Theater
Front Street,Georgetown
This art-Deco building is in the League of Historic American Theater listings. The marquee is original, and the 40's-style box office was built for the movie ''Made in Heaven.''
LighthousesSullivan's Island Lighthouse
Charleston
The Sullivan Island lighthouse near Charleston, South Carolina replaced the Morris Island light just across the Charleston Harbor. Built with steel girders and sheathed with aluminum panels, it stands one hundred and sixty-three feet high, almost twice as high as most lighthouses. The triangular shaped lighthouse is the only one in the United States equipped with an elevator. There is also an office space at the bottom of the tower. When first lit in 1962 the lighthouse had a complex array of high-intensity lamps that put out 28,000,000 candlepower. The bright light was intense enough to be dangerous so in 1967 a lower intensity light with 1,170,000 candlepower was put into use.
MuseumsHobcaw Barony Visitor Center
22 Hobcaw Road,Georgetown
(843) 546 - 4623
The small interpretive museum provides daily access to information about the history, ecology, tours and programs of The Belle W. Baruch Foundation's property. Free exhibits feature information on Native American artifacts; Naval stores production; the rice culture; the Baruch Family; aquariums and saltwater touch tank; seashells, skins and skulls; "Belle's Legacy," a 20 minute videotape shown on request.
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