In that last blog, I covered some fun day trips from Charleston part 1: 1) heading west - to see the mighty Angel Oak in person, and 2) to the north, to visit Mepkin Abbey.
This time, we’ll head northeast up the coast for another great outing.
The Lowcountry’s Highway 17
If you’ve spent much time around the Charleston area, no doubt you’ve been on Highway 17, either 17 N (north) or 17 S (south).
17 South heads down the coast toward Savannah, Georgia, and in fact becomes known as “Savannah Highway” in West Ashley. East of Charleston and the Cooper River, Highway 17 is known as Johnnie Dodds Boulevard - the major thoroughfare in Mount Pleasant.
For this particular day trip, you’ll be heading up the coast on Highway 17 North, toward Georgetown and Myrtle Beach (although you won’t go that far), to the area known as “South Carolina’s Hammock Coast.”
Along the way, you might want to…
Grab some seafood.
You’ll be driving roughly parallel to the Atlantic Ocean, so eating fresh seafood is a given.
You’ll pass right by McClellanville, a well known shrimping village. Grab a bite at TW Graham & Company Seafood Restaurant, at 810 Pinckney Street in the McClellanville Historic District. It’s the oldest business in town, having been around since 1894. The serve up plenty of fresh local shrimp, Gert’s Famous Crab Balls, fried green tomatoes, homemade crab, shrimp & corn chowder, and lots of options for non-seafood eaters, too. Be sure to check their Facebook page as their lunch and dinner schedules vary by season.
Then keep heading north on Highway 17, past Georgetown till you get to…
Pawleys Island - for a shopping stop.
Check out the “shabby chic” town of Pawleys Island. The island itself is long, thin and mainly residential, with lots of beach cottages and homes right along the ocean. It’s fun to cross the small bridge out to the island and just drive around to get a quick feel for the vibe.
Back on Highway 17, be sure to stop at the world famous Hammock Shops, an institution since 1938. Pawleys is, of course, the home of the beloved rope hammock that’s emblematic of coastal Carolina beach homes. It’s why this area is known as “South Carolina’s Hammock Coast.”
Watch live demos of how they’re made. Plus there are plenty of cute shops of all sorts, clustered together for your shopping pleasure. Hammock Shops Village is located at 10880 Ocean Highway - yet another local name for Highway 17.
Then head north toward Murrells Inlet. Keep an eye peeled on your left for…
Brookgreen Gardens
A National Historic Landmark and Lowcountry treasure, Brookgreen Gardens is a rare blend of nature, art and history, all rolled into one.
Established by Archer and Anna Hyatt Huntington in 1931, this preserve stretches over 9,100 lush acres. Brookgreen is home to the nation’s largest collection of American figurative sculpture, a wildlife preserve/Lowcountry zoo, plus expansive botanical gardens. The result is unlike anywhere else on the planet.
Sculptures are situated amidst the stunning gardens. It’s inspiring to stroll through and see how they suddenly appear, in the perfect setting for each one. The Brookgreen collection includes over two thousand sculptures by 430 artists, as well as paintings, etchings and other works of art, housed in three different galleries, plus extensive research and storage areas.
If you’re into history, you can take interpretive excursions deep into the preserve to explore the colonial and antebellum history of the land, once owned by the prominent Alston family, and formerly known as Oaks Plantation. Animal lovers can observe some of the many species native to the area in the Lowcountry Zoo, one of just five AZA-accredited institutions in the state.
Brookgreen Gardens is open every day from 9:30 a.m. till 5:00 p.m., and it’s easy to spend a whole day here, there’s so much to see. Thankfully general admission tickets are good for seven consecutive days, so you can come back if you like. It’s located at 1931 Brookgreen Drive in Murrells Inlet.
Brookgreen’s Very Special Events…
Brookgreen hosts many special events, workshops, programs and exhibits throughout the year. Be sure to check the website for what’s going on when you’re planning your day trip.
Two are definitely worth scheduling your visit around:
During the holiday season, it’s Nights of a Thousand Candles - when Brookgreen is magically transformed into a wonderland. Over 2,700 hand-lit candles and millions of electric sparkling lights are situated all throughout the landscape, twinkling from the trees and reflecting in the water below. Listen to live music, sip warm cider, or dine in their popular Austin’s Harvest Restaurant (with reservations).
Dates for the 2024 holiday season are from November 30th through January 5th, with a special preview night on November 29th. Tickets are purchased separately from general admission, and word to the wise: they sell out early and fast. Read more about Nights of a Thousand Candles on our website, or the event page.
During the summer months, it’s Summer Light: Art By Night - a similar magical experience on select Wednesday and Saturday nights. Gates open at 6:00 p.m. for ticketholders, and gardens remain open until 10:00 p.m. Live bands perform as you stroll through the gardens like the Oak Allée, Beyond the Garden Wall, the elegant Conway Glass display, and the Children’s Garden with its "blooming flora.” Read more here.
Heading up South Carolina’s Hammock Coast is just one of many terrific day trips from Charleston, SC.
All best,
Lowcountry Lisa
your Isle of Palms vacation blogger