Gwen Davenport
Stretching from Myrtle Beach to Charleston, the Hammock Coast blends laid-back beach towns, rich history and outdoor recreation. Enjoy quiet sands, coastal flavors and adventures that fill your days without rushing.
Tucked along U.S. Highway 17 near Pawleys Island and Litchfield Beach, you’ll find the longtime fishing village of Murrells Inlet. Known as the “Seafood Capital of South Carolina,” it’s the kind of place where life slows down, the air smells of saltwater and dinner is always fresh.
With its stunning waterfront views, lively MarshWalk, world-class dining and rich history, Murrells Inlet has something for every visitor. Just minutes from other Hammock Coast communities like Pawleys Island, Litchfield Beach, Garden City, Andrews and Georgetown, Murrells Inlet is the perfect base for exploring the best of South Carolina’s coastal towns.
Note: This itinerary requires a car to fully explore the area.
Accommodations
Murrells Inlet offers a range of stays, from quiet luxury to cozy inns and waterfront spots, making it easy to unwind.
Just south of Georgetown, Wicklow Hall provides a refined Lowcountry retreat with a peaceful, tucked-away feel. In historic Georgetown, Baxter’s Brewhouse Inn refreshes the classic bed-and-breakfast, pairing comfortable stays with beloved craft beer.
Huntington Beach State Park offers RV sites with full hookups—including water, electricity and Wi-Fi—making it easy to settle in and stay awhile.
You’ll also find plenty of inviting inns and resorts nearby. Surfside Beach Oceanfront Hotel in nearby Surfside Beach features ocean views from every room and private beach access. If you need more space, Seawatch Inn at the Landing offers two- and three-bedroom condos filled with all the amenities you need for a true home away from home.
Explore Huntington Beach State Park
Begin your morning with a relaxed coastal breakfast before heading to Huntington Beach State Park. Enjoy fresh coffee, pastries, or quick bites at Milk & Honey Coffee Cafe. Prefer a classic breakfast? Eggs Up Grill is known for omelets, pancakes and filling plates. Or visit Neal and Pam’s Bar and Grill, a longtime local staple.
After breakfast, make your way to Huntington Beach State Park. Its pristine, wide-open beach is one of the state’s most recognizable landmarks, featuring a freshwater lagoon, salt marsh, maritime forest and beach that provide prime habitat for over 300 bird species.
Take a walk on the Sandpiper Pond Nature Trail, an easy two-mile path that winds through a coastal forest of oaks and red cedars and passes a saltwater pond, offering chances to see rare birds like the roseate spoonbill and snowy plover.
Stop by the Nature Center to see exhibits about local birds and marine life. One highlight is a touch tank featuring local marine species. The Gift Shop, located next to South Beach Access, is open daily with drinks, snacks, gifts, clothing, souvenirs, firewood and ice.
In the afternoon, shift your focus to the park’s most unique feature: Atalaya, the striking, Moorish-style winter home of renowned 20th-century sculptor Anna Hyatt Huntington and her husband, philanthropist Archer Huntington. Visitors can take self-guided or docent-led tours of the castle-like structure, where the cool corridors provide a welcome respite from the sun and sand.
After a day exploring the wildlife, it's time to explore the nightlife. The Murrells Inlet MarshWalk is the go-to spot for great food and live entertainment. If you arrive early, you can watch the fishing boats come in and enjoy the scenery. Look for goats on Goat Island and check out the statue of Bubba Love, a well-known local figure. Bubba grew up in the area and worked in restaurants with his mother. There’s even a lunch and bar spot named after him, Bubba’s Love Shak. On a recent visit, my husband and I tried a "Bubbatizer," which is a crab dip Florentine served with chips.
For dinner on the MarshWalk, let your appetite take you to local favorites such as Creek Ratz and Drunken Jack’s. Each spot promises a memorable meal in a warm and festive setting.
Seaside Adventures
Start your day with a hearty breakfast at Vinny's Cafe, where the owner serves up favorites from his hometown of Philly, including Taylor Ham and Philly scrapple, along with omelets, French toast and other breakfast standards.
After breakfast, take a dolphin watch cruise with Blue Wave Adventure Tours. Leaving from Crazy Sister Marina, this easygoing 90-minute trip explores the saltwater estuary, where you could see dolphins, sea turtles and other local wildlife.
If you’re looking to be a little more hands-on, try a guided kayak tour through the marsh channels for a quieter adventure. Nothing is more peaceful than paddling around the beautiful salt marsh for a couple of hours.
Adventure seekers should try Seakart Adventure, which lets you captain a jet ski–boat hybrid along a guided, easy-to-navigate route.
When lunchtime comes, you have several good choices. At Lee's Inlet Apothecary, the old-fashioned soda fountain creates a nostalgic setting for simple favorites like pimento cheese sandwiches, milkshakes and ice cream sodas.
If you want one of the best burgers in town, try River City Cafe. They offer more than 20 different burgers and serve crispy hand-cut fries. It’s easy to see why people call them the best burger on the Grand Strand.
After lunch, relax on the beach. There’s no need to hurry—just enjoy the sound of the waves and the steady ocean breeze.
As the day winds down, head back to Crazy Sister Fishing & Cruises for an evening on the water. Cruise through the inlet at sunset on a dolphin cruise or set sail on a murder mystery dessert cruise, where you’ll put your mystery-solving skills to the test.
For dinner, head to the MarshWalk, where you’ll find plenty of waterfront favorites. Dead Dog Saloon is a popular spot for relaxed coastal food, while Wahoo's Fish House and Bovine's serve everything from fresh seafood to steaks, all with waterfront views. It’s a simple and satisfying way to end your day by the water.
Spend a Day at Brookgreen Gardens
Begin your day with breakfast at Applewood House of Pancakes, just off U.S. 17. The menu has something for everyone, from pancakes and waffles to omelets and steak and eggs. It’s a great way to ease into the morning.
After breakfast, head to Brookgreen Gardens, where art, history and nature come together across more than 9,000 acres. Founded by Anna Hyatt Huntington and Archer Milton Huntington, the gardens blend sculpture with the natural Lowcountry landscape.
Enjoy a peaceful walk under the Live Oak Allée, where 250-year-old oaks stretch above you. These trees were planted in the early 1700s, back when the land was home to thriving rice plantations. Then explore the American Sculpture Garden, where works by Anna and other well-known artists are set amid the landscape. Three indoor galleries also display smaller sculptures, paintings and etchings.
Be sure to visit the Butterfly Garden, where four sections feature changing blooms, colors and movement, offering little surprises as you go further in. In the Palmetto Garden, you’ll see the whimsical Fountain of the Muses Garden, while the Brenda W. Rosen Carolina Terrace Garden is filled with perennials, roses, shrubs and mature trees.
The Lowcountry Zoo lets you get a closer look at native wildlife. Accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the zoo has been an important part of Brookgreen Gardens' mission since its inception. All of the animals have either been bred and raised in captivity or have sustained a major disability due to injury and cannot survive in the wild.
Guided walks from Mother Nature’s Cafe add extra insight. During this 50-minute tour, you’ll watch animals in their natural routines and stop to see them being fed. Tours start at the Plantation Barn on the Lowcountry Trail and are included with your garden ticket.
You can also purchase tickets for additional programs that focus on the property’s history, as well as the native plants and animals of the Lowcountry.
When you need a break, there are several on-site dining options, including the Harvest Restaurant, Courtyard Cafe and Old Kitchen. If you’d rather pack your own, a picnic fits right in here. Pick up sandwiches or something easy to go from Fox's Pizza Den before you arrive.
For dinner, try Perrone's Restaurant and Bar in Pawley’s Island, where coastal flavors take the spotlight. Begin with lobster bisque or crab soup, then pick from fresh seafood or dishes like duck breast or pork chops. It’s a relaxed and tasty way to finish your day.
If you have access to a kitchen, you can bring some local flavors back with you. Harrelson's Seafood Market and Seven Seas Seafood Market both offer fresh seafood and prepared favorites. At Harrelson’s, you can also buy crab cakes made by An Mathis Springs, known as the Crab Cake Lady, whose family owns the market. Stop by Lee's Farmers Market for produce, bread, and a few extras to complete your meal.
Admission to Brookgreen Gardens covers the gardens, galleries, Lowcountry Zoo and exhibits at the Lowcountry History Center. Your ticket is valid for seven consecutive days, so you can explore at your own pace.
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