Escaping to the coast is one of our favorite things to do on the weekend. Usually we head to Myrtle Beach, but this time we traveled about 30-minutes further south to a little place called Murrells Inlet. It felt like we stumbled onto South Carolina’s best kept secret.
Did you know Murrells Inlet is home to the “largest and most comprehensive collection of American figurative sculpture” in the US? Or, that it’s South Carolina’s seafood capital? Or, that its state park is one of the top bird-watching areas on the East Coast? All this, plus it has beautiful beaches.
Ready to pack your bags? Here is our full weekend agenda for Murrells Inlet.
Huntington Beach State Park
We started our weekend at the beach within the state park. With three miles of soft sand the beach stretched beyond our sight. We loved how much quieter it was compared to any beach near Myrtle.
Lunch at Murrells Inlet Marsh Walk
As we didn’t bring anything with us for a picnic, we headed out of the park for lunch.
A seven-minute drive north, Murrells Inlet Marsh Walk is one of the best spots to grab a bite. There are about a dozen local restaurants to try.
On this trip we went with Dead Dog Saloon. Okay, so the name isn’t fantastic, but the views and the food were. Sitting out on their covered porch gave us a view of the boardwalk.
As for food, Jeremy opted for the Mahi Mahi Taco, which he enjoyed. However, I totally won this lunch with the Brisket Taco, which was amazing.
Atalaya Castle at Huntington Beach State Park
After lunch we went back to Huntington Beach State Park to do some of the attractions. Be sure to save your entrance receipt if you leave and come back to the park.
First, we went to check out Atalaya Castle, the former winter home of Archer and Anna Hyatt Huntington.
Archer Huntington was a wealthy scholar and poet, most noted for his translation of El Cid. Anna was a groundbreaking and award-winning sculptor. We’ll talk a little more about Anna under the section on Brookgreen Gardens below.
Built with no drawn plans, Archer had a clear vision of what he wanted Atalaya Castle to look like, which he described to the architect in great detail.
From the outside it looked a lot like a prison with barred windows and concrete walls. However, from the inside, the large courtyards, complete with towering palms, made a lovely refuge from the outside world.
With more than a dozen rooms to explore, including Anna’s art studios, it took us about an hour to make our way around the castle.
There was an additional $2 entry fee to visit “the castle on the beach,” but it was well worth it.
Trails and Boardwalks at Huntington Beach State Park
There were several trails in the state park, including a few boardwalks and lookouts. It was pretty easy to visit them all.
The walk across the causeway was the most popular and the most interesting. We found it a great place to check out the local wildlife and get some good birding photos.
Every year tons of bird enthusiasts, with their binoculars and long telephoto lenses, try to identify as many of the 300 bird species found in the park as they can. The park has a thorough birding checklist that everyone uses.
Dinner in Pawleys Island
For dinner, we went to Bistro 217 in Pawleys Island, about a 10-minute drive from Murrells Inlet. The restaurant was quite popular with locals, so we recommend making reservations.
We tried the snapper and the duck, both were delicious. Though it was a challenge to pick a dessert, we went with the Meyer lemon tart and couldn’t have been happier.
Where to Stay at Murrells Inlet
We really loved the Inlet Sports Lodge in Murrells Inlet. The location was convenient, the room was clean, comfortable, and spacious.
Best of all, it felt like they thought of everything. The rooms included kitchenettes. If you fish, there was a cleaning station with freezer storage. Plus, sporting equipment storage for those who bring bikes, etc. They even had a small rooftop lookout.
The only improvement could have been a better selection for the free breakfast, but then again, you can cook in your room.
Day Two in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina
Sunrise at Murrells Inlet Marsh Walk
First thing in the morning is the best time to take a walk along the boardwalks at Murrells Inlet Marsh Walk. The mornings are quiet and a bit cooler. Mostly you just run into fishermen ready to start their day. Plus, the birds are super active, making for great photographs.
Evenings are another nice time to walk the area, but with all the restaurants and bars open, there’s a completely different feel. In general, it’s just a lovely place to take a stroll.
Brookgreen Gardens
We spent most of our second day at Brookgreen Gardens, which was much more than just a garden. In addition to the botanical gardens, detailed sculptures decorate the park.
Remember we mentioned Anna Huntington from Atalaya Castle? Brookgreen Gardens, and most of the artwork throughout the park, was her creation.
Read our post on Brookgreen Gardens to learn more about Anna and these unique gardens.
Lunch in Pawleys Island
After leaving the gardens, we wanted to try a local microbrewery just down the road. Luckily, Quigley’s Pint & Plate also serves great food as we were starving.
The Yardbird Wings and Steak Sandwich were just what we needed. We paired these with the house made brews, Red Ale and an Uncle Fester.
Shopping at the Hammock Shops Village
As we were already in Pawleys Island for lunch, we made a last stop at the Hammock Shops Village before heading back home.
With a 100% southern feel it’s one of the cutest shopping areas. They have about 25 little shops, mostly focused on home goods and gifts.
It all started with the Hammock Shop, where you can still see the weavers making hammocks today.
Booking Your Trip to Murrells Inlet
- The closest airport to Murrells Inlet is Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR).
- You’ll need a car to get around the area. Check out rentalcars.com for local rental deals in Murrells Inlet.
- Fodor’s Guidebook on the Carolinas and Georgia is a good resource to have on hand if you plan on spending more than a few days in the area.
Where to Stay in Murrells Inlet
- Our preferred hotel in the area is The Inlet Sports Lodge. We love that we could cook right in the room and the central location.
- If the sports lodge is full, we opt for the Hampton Inn. It’s a good mid-range budget option close to the attractions.
- If you want to stay on the beach, go a little further north to Surfside Beach. Here you’ll find the Surfside Beach Oceanfront Hotel.
Planning a weekend in Murrells Inlet? Don’t miss Brookgreen Gardens, especially in December for the Night of a Thousand Candles.
We love this area so much! We go every vacation. I adore the story of Anna and Archer and loved going to see their home (the castle) and the gardens is such a great place! It’s by far one of my favorite places.
Us too! I found the park, and especially the gardens, so moving. We’ve been able to go a few times since writing the original post and I think I love it more each time. Plus, it’s such a great place for wildlife photography.
Glad you get to enjoy these beautiful places on your vacations and thanks for dropping us a message. It’s so nice to hear when others enjoy these special places.