2023 Hammock Coast Visitors Guide

OFFICIAL VISITORS GUIDE

Water has shaped South Carolina’s Hammock Coast ® - be it rivers and marshes or Winyah Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. It’s important historically and culturally, and, today, it’s what defines Georgetown County as one of America’s premier vacation spots.

Surfers ride the waves. Kayakers explore the tidal creeks. Fishermen and boaters reel in stories along the rivers. And countless others soak up the sun on pristine beaches in Pawleys Island, Litchfield, Murrells Inlet, southern Garden City and the DeBordieu Colony near the historic city of Georgetown. Our unspoiled and uncrowded spots bring visitors throughout the year.

Our beaches are perfect for taking away the cares of everyday life. Southern Living, in fact, says three of South Carolina’s best beaches are found here on the Hammock Coast, and TripAdvisor named Litchfield Beach, with its consistent five-star reviews, as one of the Top 10 beaches in America.

Murrells Inlet is home to Huntington Beach State Park, a USA Today/10 Best nominee, where visitors can relax in more than 180 campsites, discover some of the best birding opportunities on the East Coast, and even explore historic Atalaya Castle. Seriously, we have a real castle at the beach!

Whatever beach you choose on the Hammock Coast, shell hunters are always amazed by the variety of offerings along the shores.

If shopping is something you enjoy, be sure to swing by any of our quaint shops, many

found on Front Street in Georgetown or at the Island Shops in Pawleys Island. While you’re here, be sure to visit the Original Hammock Shop, where rope hammocks are still made by hand, just as they have been since 1938. Swaying in a hammock is how we lovingly became known as the “Hammock Coast.”

If you’re craving a real Southern dinner, look no further than our many eclectic, locally owned eateries, and, of course, Murrells Inlet has long been known as the “Seafood Capital of South Carolina.” Visitors routinely whet their appetites while exploring the Inlet’s half-mile-long MarshWalk.

Of course, not to be missed is the “ever changing, simply amazing” Brookgreen Gardens, one of the world’s most incredible sculpture gardens, and home of the Lowcountry Zoo.

Historic Georgetown, the third-oldest city in South Carolina, has been named the Best Small Town in America and offers waterfront shopping and dining. In fact, Georgetown has 66 properties on the National Historic Register. Historic American figures such as George Washington and Harriett Tubman are intertwined in our rich history. Eighteen miles inland, you will find the small town of Andrews and the Black River, a favorite of locals and visitors for boating and fishing.

South Carolina’s Hammock Coast has your perfect vacation ready and waiting. We invite you to wake up to a beach sunrise or relax under sorbet-colored evening skies. This is a place like no other!

"South Carolina's Hammock Coast is known for its rich history, generous hospitality, and natural Lowcountry beauty."

-Southern Living Magazine, March 2023

Accommodations on the Hammock Coast ®

The Hammock Coast® is home to an array of accommodations to suit your style. Families may enjoy renting a beach house or creek-front home - there are all sizes and amenities varying from the simple beach house we all love to grand homes with swimming pools and hot tubs. Or, if your group is smaller, maybe a condo would work better for you.

Hotels are dotted through the area as well, offering great prices and a

familiar setting for your getaway. History buffs will want to take advantage of one of Georgetown’s bed & breakfasts set in historic homes that will give you the feeling of stepping back in time. Or, for the more adventurous, sleep under the stars at Huntington Beach State Park, where camping connects you to our gorgeous beaches. Wherever you stay, your vacation starts the minute you walk through the door!

Garden City

BEACH REALTY

131 N. Waccamaw Dr. • 843-651-5003

Vacation Rental • www.scbeachrealty.com

DUNES BEACH VACATIONS

128 Atlantic Ave. • 843-651-2116

Vacation Rental • www.dunes.com

GARDEN CITY REALTY

608 Atlantic Ave. • 843-651-2121

Vacation Rental • www.gardencityrealty.com

SEA STAR REALTY

125-A Atlantic Ave. • 843-651-1000

Vacation Rental • www.seastar-realty.com

SURFSIDE REALTY

213 S. Ocean Blvd. • 843-238-3435

Vacation Rental • www.surfsiderealty.com

Murrells Inlet

BROOKWOOD INN

5098 Hwy. 17 Bus. • 843-651-2550 • Hotel/Motel

ELLINGTON AT WACHESAW PLANTATION EAST

911 Riverwood Rd. • 843-357-5280

Resort • www.ellingtonresort.com

HAMPTON INN, MURRELLS INLET

512 Courtfield Dr. • 843-651-6687

Hotel/Motel • www.murrellsinlet.hamptoninn.com

HUNTINGTON BEACH STATE PARK

16148 Ocean Hwy. • 843-237-4440 • Camping

www.southcarolinaparks.com/huntington-beach

INLET SPORTS LODGE

4600 Hwy. 17 Bus.

877-585-9360 • 843-357-6106

Resort • www.inletsportslodge.com

WACHESAW PLANTATION

1930 Governors Landing • 843-357-1263

Vacation Rental • www.wachesaw.com

WATERSIDE RETREAT

385 Waterside Lane • 704-408-3477

Bed & Breakfast • www.murrellsinletbedandbreakfast.com

BOOK ONLINE dunes.com OR CALL 800.561.3870

GEORGETOWN COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MEMBER

Pawleys Island & Litchfield

BEST WESTERN

11445 Ocean Hwy • 843-235-0808

Hotel • www.book.bestwestern.com

CALEDONIA GOLF VACATIONS

369 Caledonia Dr. • 843-237-3675

Resort • www.caledoniagolfvacation.com

THE DIETER COMPANY

13253 Ocean Hwy • 800-950-6232

Vacation Rental • www.dietercompany.com

DUNES BEACH HOME RENTALS

13236 Ocean Hwy. • 843-237-4473

Vacation Rental • www.greatbeachvacations.com

HAMMOCK COAST LIFE

10993 Ocean Hwy • 843-894-1244

Vacation Rentals • www.hammockcoastlife.com

HAMPTON INN

150 Willbrook Blvd. • 843-235-2000

Hotel/Motel • www.hilton.com

JAMES W. SMITH REAL ESTATE

13336 Ocean Hwy • 800-476-5651

Vacation Rentals • www.pawleysvacationrentals.com

THE LACHICOTTE COMPANY

10554 Ocean Hwy • 800-422-4777

Vacation Rental • www.lachicotte.com

LITCHFIELD BEACH & GOLF RESORT

14276 Ocean Hwy • 843-237-3000

Resort • www.litchfieldbeach.com

LITCHFIELD REAL ESTATE & VACATION RENTALS

12980 Ocean Hwy • 843-237-4241

Vacation Rental • www.www.litchfieldrealestate.com

OCEANFRONT LITCHFIELD INN

1 Norris Dr. • 843-237-4211

Hotel/Motel • www.litchfieldinn.com

PAWLEYS ISLAND REALTY COMPANY

88 Linwood Altman Causeway • 843-237-2000

Vacation Rental • www.pawleysislandrealty.com

PAWLEYS PLANTATION GOLF RESORT

70 Tanglewood Dr. • 843-237-6000

Resort • www.pawleysplantation.com

PEACE VACATIONS

35 Capers Way • 843-237-7711

Vacation Rental • www.peace-vacations.com

THE PELICAN INN

506 Myrtle Ave. • 843-325-7522

Hotel/Motel • www.pawleyspelican.com

QUALITY INN & SUITES

7903 Ocean Hwy. • 843-237-4261

Hotel • www.choicehotels.com

BEST

&

STREETT

SEA VIEW INN

414 Myrtle Ave. • 843-237-4253

Bed & Breakfast • www.seaviewinn.com

TIDELIFE VACATION RENTALS

10744 Ocean Hwy • 843-314-0376

Vacation Rental • www.tidelifevacationrentals.com

TRUE BLUE RESORT VACATIONS

14276 Ocean Hwy • 843-237-3000

Resort • www.litchfieldbeach.com/true-blue-resort

Georgetown

BAXTER’S BREWHOUSE INN

824 Prince St. • 843-997-4812

Bed & Brew • www.baxtersbrewhouseinn.com

BAYMONT INN

120 Church St. • 843-485-0828

Hotel/Motel • www.wyndhamhotels.com/baymont

BAYVIEW MOTEL

1401 S. Fraser St. • 843-527-4421

Hotel/Motel • www.bayviewmotelgeorgetown.com

BUDGET INN

412 St. James St. • 843-546-4117

Hotel/Motel • www.budgetinn.com

620 PRINCE

620 Prince St.. • 843-485-4899

Bed & Breakfast • www.620prince.com

DEBORDIEU RENTALS

129 Luvan Blvd. • 843-527-9894

Vacation Rental • www.debordieurentals.com

ECONO LODGE

600 Church St. • 843-546-5111

Hotel/Motel • www.rodewayinngeorgetown.com

HAMPTON INN, GEORGETOWN MARINA

420 Marina Dr. • 843-545-5000

Hotel/Motel • www.hilton.com

HIDDEN MARINA & CAMPGROUND

894 Trout St. • 843-545-8633

Camping

www.hiddenmarinacampground.com

MANSFIELD PLANTATION

BED & BREAKFAST

1776 Mansfield Rd. • 866-717-1776

Bed & Breakfast • www.mansfieldplantation.com

QUALITY INN & SUITES

210 Church St. • 843-546-5656

Hotel/Motel • www.choicehotels.com

THE SHAW HOUSE

613 Cyoress St. • 843-546-9663

Bed & Breakfast • www.bbonline.com/sc/shawhouse

COLONIAL INN MOTEL

506 S. Morgan Ave. • 843-264-5291

Hotel/Motel

Flying to the Hammock Coast ®

Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR). Thanks to an expanded, easily traversed terminal, more seating capacity and a larger list of available destinations, Myrtle Beach International Airport is winning awards as one of the nest small airports in the United States. With more than 50 nonstop flights, MYR continues to see a growing number of passengers each year. It set another record in 2022 with more than 3.2 million passengers.

Direct flights are available from larger cities, such as Atlanta, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Detroit, New York City, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., and more! Ten airlines serve the airport, including Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Avelo Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Frontier Airlines, Porter Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Sun Country Airlines, United Airlines, along with nine rental car brands.

For details, visit www.flymyrtlebeach.com.

Charleston International Airport (CHS). Located in North Charleston, about 19 miles from the City of Charleston and about 75 miles from

the Hammock Coast®, this airport is a great option for air travel to your dream vacation.

The largest and busiest airport in South Carolina, Charleston International Airport sees more than 5.3 million passengers annually. There are 66 nonstop flights available, and 13 airlines serving the airport, including Alaska Airlines, Allegiant, American Airlines, Avelo Airlines, Breeze, Delta Air Lines, Delta Connection, Frontier, JetBlue, Silver, Southwest, Spirit, Sun Country Airlines, and United, along with eight rental car brands.

For details, visit www.iflychs.com.

Georgetown County Airport (GGE), which can accommodate smaller planes and jets, is the county-owned, publicuse airport located at 129 Airport Road, south of Georgetown, just outside the city limits on U.S. Highway 17. Nearly 150 flights are logged at the airport each day.

For details, visit www.georgetowncountyairport.com.

Get in the swing of things!

Some people arrive on South Carolina’s Hammock Coast® ready for a few days soaking up the sun on our beautiful beaches. Still, there are others looking for a different pastime.

And if that choice is golf, then you are in the right place! Georgetown County is one of America’s premier golf vacation destinations.

Don’t take our word for it. Listen to what some of the most respected names in the game have had to say about the area. The Hammock Coast is home to 14 public and private courses.

Award-winning courses like Caledonia, Heritage Club and True Blue dot the landscape here and routinely are ranked among “America’s 100 Greatest Golf Digest. Litchfield Country Club Willbrook Plantation have also been ranked among the nation’s Top 50 Courses for Women.

And add to that list of standouts Pawleys Plantation, the highly acclaimed Jack Nicklaus design that is one of South Carolina’s most scenic layouts.

Links Magazine even ranked Pawleys Island as the 10th best island in all of golf.

So, what makes golf along the Hammock Coast great? Georgetown County is home to stunning natural beauty. The centuries-old oak trees, salt marshes and naturally occurring bodies of water provided course architects with a near-perfect canvas (a drive down “Oak Alley” at Caledonia is exhibit 1A).

Famed designers such as Mike Strantz (True Blue, Caledonia) and Dan Maples (Heritage Club, Willbrook) made maximum use of the property they

Play 12 Award-Winning Courses While Exploring the South Carolina Lowcountry

South Carolina·s historic Hammock Coast is one of the oldest vacation destinations in America. including beautiful beaches. superb restaurants. eclectic shops. and an outstanding selection of accommodations.

Our courses have collected many accolades. among them. inclusion in America·s Top 100 from GOLF rv1agazine. and receiving six 4½ star and one 5-star course ratings from Golf Digest.

The result is a collection of golf courses that can stand alongside any in America.

An underrated facet of the area’s popularity is the diversity of experiences it offers. True Blue and Caledonia couldn’t be more different. Heritage Club showcases Lowcountry golf at its finest, while Pawleys Plantation wows players with a back nine routed along a saltwater marsh.

Litchfield, the Hammock Coast’s first course, features an old-school country club type experience, while Founders Club, the area’s newest layout, is a modern design from the jump.

The Hammock Coast provides a broad range of experiences for golfers and delivers unrivaled value, leaving little doubt as to why it’s one of America’s premier golf destinations.

Caledonia Golf & Fish Club

*DeBordieu Colony Golf Course

Founders Club at Pawleys Island

The Heritage Club

Litchfield Country Club

Pawleys Plantation

Golf and Country Club

*The Reserve Golf Club

River Club

Tradition Golf Club

True Blue Golf Club

*Wachesaw Plantation Club

Wachesaw Plantation East

Wedgefield Country Club

Willbrook Plantation

*Private Course

Courses on the Hammock Coast®

Hammock Coast® Beaches

Beach Access Points

Garden City Beach

The Hammock Coast ® area of Georgetown County has public beach-access locations along South Waccamaw Drive.

Huntington Beach State Park

There is general access to three miles of remote beach. A large parking area is available as well as accessible restrooms and showers. One beach access point has a longer ramp for easier wheelchair access. Lifeguards are on duty during the summer months. A limited number of beach wheelchairs is available at the gift shop on a first-come, first-served basis. Admission is $8 for ages 13 and older, $4 for ages 6-15; free for ages 5 and

younger, $5 for S.C. senior citizens. www.southcarolinaparks.com/huntington-beach

North Litchfield Beach

There are 12 public access points, but parking is limited and parking rules are strictly enforced.

Litchfield Beach

There are 6 marked public access points with limited parking.

Pawleys Island

The south end of the island has a 100-car parking lot, and 7 additional access points are available with limited parking. There is one beach wheelchair available on a first-come, first-served basis. Check with Pawleys Island Town Hall (843) 237-1698.

Beach Rules

Glass containers are prohibited on all Hammock Coast beaches.

Swimming is prohibited more than 50 yards from shore or more than chest deep.

It is illegal to tamper with the dunes or cut, bend or destroy sea oats.

Many beaches in Georgetown County are designated as fireworks-free. Check with your local police.

Most beaches allow dogs on leashes,

but portions of Huntington Beach State Park’s beach prohibits even leashed dogs.

Parking is limited, and rules are strictly enforced. In areas where parking is allowed, all four wheels must be off the pavement and in grassy area.

Wheelchair accessible boardwalks and ramps have been installed to provide access to at least one area of each public beach in Georgetown County. Beach wheelchairs are available at select locations.

Outdoor adventures await!

With such exquisite beauty surrounding you along South Carolina’s Hammock Coast®, spending time outdoors is impossible to resist. Perhaps you want to relax on the beach while enjoying the always-stunning Atlantic Ocean. Or maybe you’d like to try parasailing 300 feet above the water. Or slipping along the water’s edge in a kayak.

We have something for everyone!

On the Hammock Coast, water beckons visitors all year long.

International fishing tournaments are often broadcast around the world from the rivers that flow into our celebrated Winyah Bay, but folks enjoy casting a line (and telling big fish tales) here even when they’re not in a (televised) competition.

Birdwatchers flock to our region during every season to view migrating birds. Southern Living says the Hammock Coast is the best place on the East Coast to see birds, in fact. Get out your binoculars!

Here in Georgetown County, our love of water mixes with rich American history, too. You can get a little of both by enjoying a number of boat tours out of Murrells Inlet and Georgetown. Take a tour to a deserted sea island to search for seashells. Get a glimpse of the historic Georgetown Lighthouse - only seen by boat! And hear guides talk about

the history of our beautiful community.

If you’d rather stay on dry land to enjoy the view, you can certainly do that, too. Waterfront walks are waiting in Murrells Inlet and Georgetowncomplete with activities and dining.

Cyclists will delight in the Waccamaw Neck Bikeway which features flat, paved paths that run beside Highway 17 from Murrells Inlet to Pawleys Island. These paths are used by walkers and runners, as well - they are a beautiful way to spend time in the great outdoors!

Our award-winning golf courses and tennis courts will keep you soaking up the sun outdoors, too.

Amazing Brookgreen Gardens offers an outdoor adventure all its own. Established in 1931, Brookgreen is a 9,127-acre floral masterpieceand one of the world’s most famous sculpture gardens. The Murrells Inlet site contains the largest and most comprehensive collection of American figurative sculpture in the United States. The Lowcountry Zoo is there, as well. A visit to Brookgreen is a vacation inside your vacation!

And just across Ocean Highway from Brookgreen and fronting the Atlantic Ocean is the 2,000-acre Huntington Beach State Park, offering dozens of campsites, miles of pristine beaches and splendid wildlife viewing. At the park is Atalaya Castle, the former home of Brookgreen founders Archer and Anna Huntington - yes, we have a real castle at our beach here on the Hammock Coast!

While in Georgetown, visitors are always eager to take some of the many boat tours. Rover Tours , for example, offers relaxing and

educational sojourns that mix history, mystery and, most of all, fun. While on the tour, participants get a water’s view of the historic Georgetown Lighthouse and a chance to visit a barrier island in search of the perfect seashell.

Located just north of Georgetown is Hobcaw Barony, an internationally known center for research, education and conservation. Luckily, it’s also open for tours throughout the year. Tours of the property also include Hobcaw House, where Winston Churchill and President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and other 20thcentury leaders were frequent guests. Unique ecology programs are available along the beach, marsh and forests in this nature preserve.

And south of Georgetown, you’ll find the magnificent Hopsewee Plantation, built nearly four decades

before the American Revolution. It’s the birthplace of Thomas Lynch Jr., one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. A visit there must include lunch at the River Oak Cottage Tea Room.

Also on the southern side of Georgetown is the Tom Yawkey Wildlife Center, another pristine location to explore. The 24,000acre wildlife preserve, dedicated as a research area and waterfowl refuge, is located on three coastal islands at the mouth of Winyah Bay near Georgetown: North, South, and Cat islands, which are accessible only by boat. Visitors can join a guided nature tour of marsh, managed wetlands, beaches, longleaf pine forests and maritime forests.

Between the Litchfield and Murrells Inlet communities is Sandy Island, which is only accessible by boat. Tours de Sandy Island will take you to the island and give you a taste of the amazing history of the Gullah people who still reside on this small island. If you would like to stay longer, Wilma’s Cottage, owned by Sandy Island native Laura Herriott, is a five-bedroom cottage available for rent. Oh, and Laura’s delicious Gullah food is unforgettable!

Murrells Inlet’s waterfront brings thousands to experience “South Carolina’s Seafood Capital.” The half-milelong MarshWalk beckons hungry visitors to enjoy delicious Southern-style meals and beautiful water views.

While in the Inlet, children of all ages can experience the magic of sailing away in search of sunken treasure on exciting pirate adventures. Maybe you would rather sail high above the water on a parasailing adventure? Or rent a personal watercraft? Stop by Crazy Sister Marina for plenty of excitement on the water. Thrill seekers - don’t miss getting in touch with the folks at Express Watersports for fun and adventure. If you feel like taking things a little slower, rent a kayak and explore the beautiful marsh on your own!

Be sure to visit the Hammock Coast website at www.hammockcoastsc.com for a complete list of outdoor adventures available in Georgetown County.

Flock to the Hammock Coast ® for the Best Birdwatching

There are plenty of beachgoers who flock to South Carolina’s Hammock Coast®, but there are other visitorsbirds of a different feather, perhaps - who are just as keen to discover the avian wonders and beauty of our unspoiled area.

Birdwatchers know that hundreds of bird species can be spotted along the beaches, marshes and tidal creeks of the Hammock Coast, not to mention the pine forests and inland areas of Georgetown County. From eagles and woodstorks soaring overhead to egrets and herons making their way along the shores, the Hammock Coast is a birder’s paradise. In fact, it’s considered the best birding

area in South Carolina and one of the best in the Southeast.

So where are the best spots to see the most birds?

Huntington Beach State Park boasts a 330-bird checklist with an impressive rarities roster, including Roseate Spoonbill, Piping Plover and Swallowtailed Kite. Beyond the park, the six Hammock Coast communities offer additional opportunities for birders, who can spot Bald Eagles, egrets, herons, Ruddy Turnstones, Purple Sandpipers and so many more.

World-famous Brookgreen Gardens offers birders even more opportunities for sightings and offers daily shows about raptors and owls at its Lowcountry Zoo.

Bald Eagle

All photos courtesy of the Tom Yawkey Wildlife Center

And Audubon notes that birders should not miss Hobcaw Barony, due to its important location at the mouth of Winyah Bay. Hobcaw Barony, near Georgetown, is home to thousands of pristine acres. This large, undisturbed tract has extensive longleaf pine forests with Red-cockaded Woodpecker colonies and excellent Bachman’s Sparrow habitat.

And there’s also the Tom Yawkey Wildlife Center near Georgetown. Considered one of the most outstanding gifts to wildlife conservation in North America, the center was willed to the South Carolina Wildlife and Marine Resources Department, now the S.C. Department of Natural Resources, in 1976 by Tom Yawkey.

The Wildlife Center embraces North, South, and Cat islands, three coastal islands located at the mouth of Winyah Bay. Composed of nearly 31 square miles of marsh, managed wetlands, forest openings, ocean beach, longleaf pine forest, and maritime forest, the center is principally dedicated as a wildlife preserve, research area, and waterfowl refuge. The Red-cockaded Woodpecker, vanished from many areas of the United States, can still be found at the Yawkey Center and other areas of the Hammock Coast.

At the Yawkey center, tours are offered seasonally, typically from September to May, and capacity is limited to 14 people. Tours last four to five hours and begin at 10 a.m. Reservations are required for all tours and can be made by calling Patty Wham at the Tom Yawkey Wildlife Center office at 843-546-6814.

The Black River Cypress Preserve in the western section of Georgetown County also offers visitors a chance to see birds - some from the vantage point of a kayak. The preserve, which is privately owned, offers many opportunities for outdoor recreation, especially birding, along its diverse ecosystem.

Birds are in abundance on South Carolina’s Hammock Coast, and every season brings new and different birds - some as migrants making their way along the coast. If you’re an amateur birdwatcher or an expert birder, the Hammock Coast is perfect for you!

In February 2023, the Hammock Coast held its inaugural Birding Festival with attendees from 17 states and Canada touring Brookgreen Gardens, Hobcaw Barony, the Tom Yawkey Wildlife Center and Huntington Beach State Park over a three-day event. Our second annual festival is set for February 2024. To find out more about the 2024 festival, visit www.hammockcoastsc.com/hammock-coastbirding-festival.

Rosette Spoonbill

Red-cockaded Woodpecker

Dining on the Hammock Coast ®

South Carolina’s Hammock Coast ® is known for many things - stunning beaches, great golf and casual charm, come immediately to mind - but there’s another aspect that draws a crowd, too: its thriving dining scene.

From Murrells Inlet, known far and wide as the “Seafood Capital of South Carolina,” to fine dining in southern Garden City, Litchfield Beach and Pawleys Island - not to mention the beauty of the waterfront restaurants in historic Georgetown, the Hammock Coast is home to some of the Palmetto State’s best restaurants.

The MarshWalk , a half-mile long wooden boardwalk overlooking Murrells Inlet, is home to eight establishments that provide stunning views, fresh seafood and live entertainment. Drunken Jack’s, a Hammock Coast institution, and The Wicked Tuna, which features a varied menu and second story views of the inlet, are two of the MarshWalk’s most popular eateries. The MarshWalk is an idyllic spot to have dinner with the possibility of extending the evening to enjoy live music. And outside the MarshWalk, Murrells Inlet eateries are plentiful and popular with locals and tourists, alike, such as Costa Coastal Kitchen, where Italian-inspired dishes mix with scrumptious cocktails, and Cap’n Cork offers small dishes with a host of ales, lagers and wine, on tap.

Just down Ocean Highway, Litchfield and Pawleys Island deliver a white tablecloth culinary experience while maintaining the laid-back vibe the area is renowned for at locations such as Bistro 217 and

Austin’s Ocean One (overlooking the Atlantic Ocean). Eateries routinely highlight their hook-to-table fare, as Bistro’s Chef Adam Kirby - a South Carolina Chef Ambassador - showcases delectable seafood plucked from local waters.

Locally owned restaurants are the norm here, not the exception, and they boast seasonal menus, fresh local ingredients, and chefs that are at the top of their field. Hanser House, for example, has been a Litchfield staple for more than 25 years, where seafood is key and portions are large. And places like Pawleys Island Tavern (The PIT, as fans calls it), Rustic Table, bisQit, Pawleys Tap & Pour, and Quigley’s Pint + Plate feature a more casual menu - think meatloaf, burgers on biscuits, craft beer, et al - and are just as popular as their high-profile peers, providing a range of choices for vacationers to choose from.

With the option to dine along the Sampit River and take a relaxing stroll along the HarborWalk, an evening in Georgetown is unforgettable. Restaurants such as the iconic River Room offer views and dishes that inspire return visits.

Whether you are looking for seafood that is fresh from the boat, a prime steak, authentic Italian or anything in between, the Hammock Coast dining scene always delivers.

The following list highlights restaurants and caterers who are members of the Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce.

Garden City

OLD CHICAGO PIZZA & TAPROOM $$

2859 Hwy17 Bus. • 843-651-2337

Cuisine: Italian • Serves: Lunch/Dinner

Murrells Inlet

AQUINO’S JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE $$

4201 Hwy 17 • 843-651-4616

Cuisine: Japanese • Serves: Dinner

BOJANGLES’ FAMOUS CHICKEN $

12005 SC-707 • 843-357-0707

Cuisine: Fast Food

Serves: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

BOVINES $$

3979 US-17 Bus. • 843-651-2888

Cuisine: Steaks, Seafood, Pizza

Serves: Dinner

CAP’N CORK $$

4410 Hwy. 17 Bypass S. • 843-651-0537

Serves: Beer, wine, coffee

CHICK-FIL-A $

4400 Hwy 17 • 843-652-9955

Cuisine: Fast Food • Serves:Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

THE CLAW HOUSE $$$

4097 Hwy 17 Bus. • 843-651-4415

Cuisine: Seafood/Bar+Grill Serves: Lunch/Dinner

COSTA COASTAL KITCHEN & BAR $$$

4606 Hwy 17 Bus. • 843-299-1970

Cuisine: Italian • Serves: Lunch/Dinner

DEAD DOG SALOON $$$

4079 Hwy 17 Bus. • 843-651-0664

Cuisine: American • Serves: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

DRUNKEN JACK’S $$$

4031 Hwy17 Bus. • 843-651-2044

Cuisine: Seafood • Serves: Lunch/Dinner

LEE’S INLET APOTHECARY & GIFTS $$

3579 Highway 17 Bus. • 843-651-7979

Cuisine: Sandwiches/Soda fountain ice cream treats

Serves: Lunch

NEPTUNE BISTRO & RAW BAR $$

4139 Hwy 17 Bus.• 843-651-1515

Cuisine: Seafood/Sandwiches

Serves: Lunch/Dinner $ - UNDER 10

$$ - UNDER 20 • $$$ - UNDER 30

QUIGLEYS 707 PINT & PLATE $$

11887 Hwy 707 • 843-299-1452

Cuisine: Lowcountry/Sandwiches

Serves: Lunch/Dinner

SEVEN SEAS SEAFOOD MARKET $$

3476 US-17 Bus. • 843-651-1666

Services: Seafood Market

THE GRUMPY MUSTACHE $$

3140 Hwy. 17 Bus. • 843-357-9998

Serves: Lunch/Dinner

WAHOO’S FISH HOUSE $$$

3993 Hwy 17 Bus. • 843-651-5800

Cuisine: Seafood/Sushi

Serves: Dinner

THE WICKED TUNA $$$

4123 Hwy 17 Bus. • 843-651-9987

Cuisine: Seafood/Asian

Serves: Lunch/Dinner

Litchfield Beach

APPLEWOOD HOUSE OF PANCAKES $

14361 Ocean Hwy • 843-979-1022

Cuisine: Breakfast/American/Greek

Serves: Breakfast/Lunch

AUSTIN’S CABANA CAFÉ & BEACH BAR $$

The Litchfiled Inn, 1 Norris Dr. • 843-235-8700

Cuisine: Seafood • Serves: Lunch/Dinner

AUSTIN’S OCEAN ONE $$$

The Litchfiled Inn, 1 Norris Dr. • 843-235-8700

Cuisine: Gourmet American

Serves: Dinner

COASTAL DISH $$

14276 Ocean Hwy • 843-235-5516

Cuisine: American

Serves: Breakfast daily, Dinner on Fri and Sat

THE DECK TIKI BAR & GRILL $$

14276 Ocean Highway • 843-235-5516

Cuisine: American

Serves: Breakfast daily, Dinner on Fri and Sat

EGGS UP GRILL $

115 Willbrook Blvd. • 843-237-7313

Cuisine: Breakfast/Sandwiches

Serves: Breakfast/Lunch

HANSER HOUSE $$

14360 Ocean Hwy. • 843-235-3021

Cuisine: Seafood • Serves: Dinner

PAWLEYS TAP & POUR $$

13089 Ocean Hwy. • 843-979-1010

Serves: Lunch/Dinner

QUIGLEY’S PINT & PLATE $$

257 Willbrook Blvd. • 843-237-7010

Cuisine: Lowcountry/Sandwiches/Salads

Serves: Lunch/Dinner

Pawleys Island

7 BREW $$

10235 Ocean Highway • 479-646-2053

Serves: Coffee/energy drinks/smoothies/teas and more

BISQIT $$

10880 Ocean Hwy • 843-979-2747

Cuisine: Breakfast/Lowcountry/American

Serves: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

BISTRO 217 $$$

10707 Ocean Hwy., Unit D • 843-235-8217

Cuisine: Seafood/Steak/Pasta

Serves: Lunch/Dinner

CALEDONIA GOLF & FISH CLUB GRILL $

369 Caledonia Dr. • 843-237-3675

Cuisine: American/Seafood

Serves: Lunch

GET CARRIED AWAY

SOUTHERN TAKEOUT & CATERING $$$

10126 Ocean Hwy • 843-314-3493

Cuisine: Lowcountry • Serves: Lunch/Dinner

ISLAND TREATS $

10659 Ocean Highway • 843-314-9145

Cuisine: Ice Cream • Serves: Lunch/Dinner

LITTLE BASKET $$

13089 Ocean Hwy., Unit A1 • 843-979-2000

Services: Wine and home goods shop

LOCAL EAT DRINK CELEBRATE $$

10880 Ocean Hwy, Unit 21 • 843-314-0474

Cuisine: Lowcountry • Serves: Lunch/Dinner

PAWLEYS ISLAND TAVERN (PIT) $$

10635 Ocean Hwy • 843-237-8465

Cuisine: American • Serves: Lunch/Dinner

ROSIE’S PIZZERIA $$

10225 Ocean Hwy. • 843-314-3730

Cuisine: Pizza/sandwiches • Serves: Lunch/dinner

RUSTIC TABLE $$$

10683 Ocean Hwy • 843-314-0164

Cuisine: Upscale Southern • Serves: Lunch/Dinner

SMOOTHIE KING $$

10225 Ocean Hwy, Unit 601 • 843-314-3199

Cuisine: Smoothies

Serves: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

THE PALMETTO PUB @ PAWLEYS PLANTATION $$

70 Tanglewood Dr. • 843-237-6000

Cuisine: American • Serves: Lunch/Dinner

TRUE BLUE GOLF CLUB GRILLROOM $

900 Blue Stem Drive • 843-235-0900

Cuisine: American • Serves: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Georgetown

AFTER SIX BAR AND GRILL $$

630 South Fraser Street • 843-647-2334

Cuisine: American

Serves: Lunch/Dinner

BALL & QUE RESTAURANT $

1808 Highmarket St. • 843-546-9903

Cuisine: BBQ/Homecooking

Serves: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

BOJANGLES FAMOUS CHICKEN $

1305 N Fraser St. • 843-436-4646

Cuisine: Fast Food

Serves: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

GROUCHO’S DELI $

913 Front St. • 843-833-8515

Cuisine: Subs/Sandwiches

Serves: Lunch/Dinner

KFC $

2130 Highmarket St. • 843-546-6037

Cuisine: Fast Food • Serves: Lunch/Dinner

KONA ICE OF GEORGETOWN $

Mobile truck • 843-399-2458

Cuisine: Flavored shaved ice

RIVER ROOM RESTAURANT $$$

801 Front St. • 843-527-4110

Cuisine: Seafood/Steaks

Serves: Lunch/Dinner

Personal Chefs/ Catering

CAMPBELL CATERING COMPANY

843-651-0664

Services: Catering

GET CARRIED AWAY

SOUTHERN TAKEOUT & CATERING

10126 Ocean Hwy • 843-314-3493

Cuisine: Lowcountry

Serves: Lunch/Dinner

INLET AFFAIRS

4024 Hwy. 17 Bus. • 843-651-2904

Services: Catering/event venue

MY MIKE COOKS

(PERSONAL CHEF & PARTY HOST)

843-357-0546

Cuisine: Specialty

GRINGO NINJA PRIVATE CHEF SERVICE

843-457-3477

Services: Catering $

UNDER 20

Host your Special event on the Hammock Coast ®

A family reunion picnic on the beach, a wedding held in an avenue of ancient oaks, a marsh-front gathering under a Carolina moon or dancing the night away in a beautiful ballroom - how do you envision your special event? From a small party celebrating a new baby to the most elaborate wedding, the Hammock Coast® is the perfect backdrop for your celebration. The Hammock Coast is home to talented planners and vendors who will help bring your vision to life. These accomplished professionals will help you ensure that every detail is perfect - from location to catering to photography.

A creekside party in charming Murrells Inlet will wow your guests - several beautiful venues are available. The skilled caterers at Inlet Affairs can help you plan a party to fit your style and budget! Brookgreen Gardens is one of the area’s most beloved wedding venues, and there are several sites available for the ceremony and reception.

Historic locations, such as Pawleys Island Chapel on Pawleys Island, make spectacular settings for any occasion.

Caledonia Plantation in Pawleys Island has the Waccamaw River as the perfect backdrop and offers venues ranging from the casual and fun Fish Shed to the stunning Azalea Row. This is a great place to plan a barbecue celebrating that special family member’s birthday or anniversary.

Pawleys Plantation Golf & Country Club’s elegant venue combines classic southern architecture with country club ambiance. The Hammock Coast’s local musicians will add so much fun to your party.

Historic Georgetown adores a party and yours will become a memory that is cherished forever. The Kaminski House and the South Carolina Maritime Museum, both located on Front Street and directly on the waterfront, offer distinctive settings to celebrate a wedding or special event. Hopsewee Plantation, just south of Georgetown, is also available as a venue for larger events.

Your style, your way - however you choose to celebrate, the Hammock Coast will make your dreams come true.

Learn more at www.hammockcoastsc.com.

Pawleys Plantation Golf & Country Club

Brookgreen Gardens

The Kaminski House

Pawleys Island Chapel

Murrells Inlet

BROOKGREEN GARDENS

1931 Brookgreen Garden Dr • 843- 235-6000

www.brookgreen.org

INLET AFFAIRS

4024 Hwy 17 Bus. • 843-651-2904

www.inletaffairs.com

INLET SPORTS LODGE

4600 Hwy 17 Bus. • 877-585-9360

www.inletsportslodge.com

WACHESAW PLANTATION CLUB

1930 Governors Landing • 843-357-5130

www.wachesaw.com

WATERSIDE RETREAT

385 Waterside Lane • 704-408-3477

www.murrellsinletbedandbreakfast.com

Pawleys Island & Litchfield

CALEDONIA WEDDINGS & EVENTS

368 Caledonia Dr. • 843-222-9249

www.caledoniawedding.com

LITCHFIELD BEACH & GOLF RESORT

14276 Ocean Hwy • 843-235-5591

www.litchfieldbeach.com/weddings.php

LITCHFIELD COUNTRY CLUB

619 Country Club Dr. • 843-237-3411 Ext 3

www.litchfieldgolf.com/weddings

LOCAL: EAT, DRINK, CELEBRATE

10880 Ocean Highway • 843-314-0474

www.pawleyslocal.com

PAWLEYS ISLAND CHAPEL

391 Myrtle Ave. • 843-237-2000

www.pawleysislandrealty.com/pawleys-island-houseof-worship

PAWLEYS PLANTATION GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

70 Tanglewood Dr. • 843-237-6082

www.pawleysplantation.com/weddings

PAWLEYS TAP & POUR

13089 Ocean Highway • 843-979-1010

www.pawleystapandpour.com

PELICAN INN

506 Myrtle Ave • 843-237-2000

Event bookings through Pawleys Island Realty

www.pawleysislandrealty.com/weddingsandevents

Georgetown

DEBORDIEU CLUB

908 Bonnyneck Drive • 843-527-6202

www.debordieuclub.com

HOBCAW BARONY

22 Hobcaw Road • 843-546-4623

www.hobcawbarony.org

HOPSEWEE PLANTATION

494 Hopsewee Rd. • 843-970-2779

www.hopsewee.com

HOWARD CENTER

1610 Hawkins Street • 843-545-3530

www.gtcounty.org

KAMINSKI HOUSE MUSEUM

1003 Front Street • 843-546-7706

www.kaminskimuseum.org

MANSFIELD PLANTATION

1776 Mansfield Road • 866-717-1776

www.mansfieldplantation.com

SC MARITIME MUSEUM & MARITIME PARK

729 Front Street • 843-520-0111

www.scmaritimemuseum.org

WEDGEFIELD PLANTATION

COUNTRY CLUB

129 Club House Lane • 843-546-8587

www.wedgefieldcountryclub.com

WINYAH AUDITORIUM

1200 Highmarket Street • 843-461-1342

www.winyahauditorium.org

GEORGETOWN COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MEMBER

History Comes Alive on the Hammock Coast ®

A strong connection with the past is evident in every community along the Hammock Coast®. From Native Americans who once thrived along our bountiful shores to early Spanish, French and English settlers to Revolutionary War heroes and beyond, the rich history of the Hammock Coast is still a part of the present.

Hundreds of acres of protected land, museums, preserved plantation homes and cultural traditions carefully handed down through the generations make access to the past as easy as walking along the treelined streets of Georgetown or the sandy shores of Pawleys Island and

Brookgreen Gardens

Litchfield Beach. You will be drawn into the beauty of yesterday as you explore the fascinating history of the Hammock Coast.

First known for its lucrative indigo industry, Georgetown County became one of the richest areas in the nation through the production of Carolina Gold rice. The life of plantation owners was one of luxury and privilege, juxtaposed with the suffering of hundreds of enslaved Africans forced to complete the labor-intensive cultivation of rice.

The enslaved African-Americans of the plantation era developed their own unique culture, and the

Gullah Geechee ways are kept alive by their descendants through delicious cuisine, beautiful art and a distinctive dialect. Gullah Geechee art can be seen in museums, gift shops and boutiques throughout the area.

No exploration of Hammock Coast art and history is complete without a visit to Brookgreen Gardens , one of America’s premier sculpture gardens designated a National Historic Landmark and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Huntington Beach State Park, just across Highway 17, is the home of Atalaya Castle and a rich repository of natural beauty.

While well-known financier Bernard Baruch entertained Winston Churchill and Franklin D. Roosevelt

at Hobcaw Barony, his daughter, Belle, left an enduring mark on today’s world. Bernard Baruch purchased the property between 1905 and 1907 as a hunting retreat, and Belle, who was concerned by the development along the coast, began buying the property from her father in 1936. Upon her death in 1964, the 16,000acre property was transferred to the Belle Baruch Foundation, ensuring its preservation for future generations.

History lovers will also want to explore Hopsewee Plantation, home to one of the signers of The Declaration of Independence, Thomas Lynch Jr. Hopsewee is open to the public year round. Tours are available on the hour from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., and guests may enjoy a tea room with a full menu! This historic site also hosts numerous weddings and events.

Atalaya Castle

The City of Georgetown is proud to be the home of five fascinating museums.

The Georgetown County Museum, located on Broad Street in historic Georgetown, traces the history of the Hammock Coast through meticulously researched exhibits. The docents are knowledgeable historians excited to share their passion for the rich culture of our area.

is a wonderful place to start learning about this unique culture. Founded by Bunny and Andrew Rodrigues to promote and preserve Gullah culture, the museum uses Gullah and Lowcountry crafts, African artifacts and collectibles to tell the story of the Gullah people and the part they played in the building of South Carolina and the United States.

Tour the fascinating South Carolina Maritime Museum featuring photographs, documents, artifacts, and interactive exhibits related to

The Gullah Museum in Georgetown

South Carolina Maritime Museum

Georgetown County Museum Hopsewee Plantation

South Carolina’s rich and remarkable maritime history. This small waterfront museum is also home to the Fresnel lens of the old North Island Lighthouse.

Don’t miss the Rice Museum, located at the iconic clock tower on Front Street. This unique structure houses the museum’s permanent collection of dioramas, maps, paintings, artifacts and other exhibits that tell the history of rice cultivation in Georgetown County.

And no museum tour of the Hammock Coast is complete without enjoying the splendor of the Kaminski House . Of the more than 60 historic homes in Georgetown, the Kaminski House Museum stands out as one of the most representative of the Georgianstyle of the era. Learn what life was like in South Carolina’s third-oldest city on one of the museum’s docentguided tours.

If you’d enjoy a self-guided tour of homes and historic places, be sure

to stop by the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce’s Visitor Center at 531 Front Street and pick up two of our most popular brochures that allow you to stroll at your leisure while learning about our unique heritage. Our Historic Register brochure highlights the 66 Georgetown sites on the National Historic Register, and our AfricanAmerican Heritage Tour brochure puts the spotlight on the unique and powerful contributions from African-Americans who helped build our region.

Visit www.hammockcoastsc.com. for more information about experiencing the rich history and culture of the Hammock Coast!

Kaminski House Museum

More Than A Museum!

The Kaminski House Museum is celebrating 50 years as a Historic House Museum in 2023. Come Celebrate with Us!

Located in the Heart of Historic Georgetown

Visit KaminskiMuseum.org

11 am, 1pm &

pm

Kaminski House Museum

Wilma’s Cottage on Sandy Island

The Rice Museum

Friendfield Village at Hobcaw Barony

Hobcaw Barony

Gullah Geechee program at Brookgreen Gardens

Shopping Hammock Coast ®Style

From specialty shops and boutiques to art galleries and stores featuring hand-made crafts, South Carolina’s Hammock Coast® offers visitors a variety of unique shopping experiences.

Visitors can find unique, locally owned shops filled with arts, crafts, vintage furniture, home décor and jewelry, as well as candles, soaps and bath and body products.

Murrells Inlet has an array of fun shops to explore, such as Southern Splendor or MISC – Everything Murrells Inlet (it lives up to its name!). If you’re looking to step back in time, stop by Lee’s Inlet Apothecary, where the business lives up to its motto: “A drug store the way it used to be.” At Lee’s, located near the famous MarshWalk, you can still do a little shopping before taking a break at its authentic 1920s soda fountain, where lunch, homemade fudge, ice cream sodas and root beer floats are served up with a smile.

Heading south along Ocean Highway in Pawleys Island, visitors will find clusters of fantastic boutiques at The Island Shops, the Downtown Pawleys center, The Village Shops, The Shoppes at Sweetgrass and more.

Custom-made accessories at Lowcountry Jewelers and Christopher’s Fine Jewelry are sure to delight. And there is something for everyone at Driftwood Mercantile, Get Carried Away, La Tierra Mineral Gallery, Pawleys Pedalar Resort Wear, Rescued Treasures, Rose Arbor, St. Christopher’s, and more.

Not to be missed, of course, is The Original Hammock Shop, home of the famous “Pawleys Island Rope Hammock.” Relaxation is perfected

at this shop, where hammocks of all shapes and sizes can be found, along with outdoor furniture, shirts, gifts and even homemade fudge. You can even watch a demonstration of hammock weaving from artisans who have worked at the shop for decades.

If you need something to read on the beach during your relaxed-filled days on the Hammock Coast, be sure to stop by My Sister’s Books, where there’s every sort of printed volume available, from local history and pictorial delights to murder mysteries and captivating romance stories.

If you want to make every second of beach time count, Little Basket, a Pawleys Island-based shop, may just be the thing for you. There, you can order wine, snacks and even sunscreen. Just place your order and pick up before you head down to the sand. It’s that easy.

But if you’d prefer to go for a stroll, head further south to historic Georgetown, the third oldest city in South Carolina and well known for its charming downtown shopping district along Front Street and the Harborwalk. Southern Living calls Georgetown a “hidden gem” and has named it one of the best small towns in the South.

In Georgetown, take time to visit Monkee’s, Sara & Beth Gifts & Home, and Tomlinson’s, a department store fixture in the Carolinas for nearly 90 years.

Georgetown boasts five museums in its historic district: the Georgetown County Museum, the Gullah Museum, the Kaminski House, the Maritime Museum, and, located at the town’s iconic clocktower, the Rice Museum. As everyone knows, where there’s a museum – or five! – there’s got to be a gift shop – or five! – where you can find unique items to take home as keepsakes.

Additionally, other major shopping centers throughout the Hammock Coast include well-known stores such as TJ Maxx, Belk, Tuesday Morning, Chico’s and more. Grocery stores include The Fresh Market, Food Lion, Lowes Foods and Publix.

Make Memories on the Hammock Coast ®