Five museums in Georgetown’s historic district are within walking distance of one another: the Kaminski House Museum, the Rice Museum, the Georgetown County Museum, the Gullah Museum and the South Carolina Maritime Museum. Together, they offer different perspectives on the history of the town and Georgetown County—from rice cultivation to seafaring and Gullah Geechee culture.
Museums and Coastal History
The permanent exhibition at the Rice Museum, in the Old Market Building and Town Clock, documents the history of rice cultivation in Georgetown County. Five major river systems—the Waccamaw, Pee Dee, Black, Sampit and Santee—flowed through the county to the sea, enabling the widespread use of tidal-flow methods for growing rice. This offers a way to view the history of rice cultivation in the context of the region’s rivers.
The South Carolina Maritime Museum opened in 2011 on the waterfront in historic downtown Georgetown. Its collection includes the Fresnel lens from the former lighthouse on North Island. The Georgetown County Museum presents more than 300 years of local history and culture. The Gullah Museum adds to these perspectives with presentations on Gullah Geechee culture and history, as well as exhibits on the Gullah language, rice culture, foodways, art, crafts, music and spiritual practices.
Another event for those interested in maritime history is the Georgetown Wooden Boat Show, held every year on the third weekend in October. Confirm the dates before your trip.
Historic Sites and Their Stories
Hobcaw Barony brings together an expansive landscape and a layered cultural history. Its 16,000 acres encompass a wide variety of ecosystems found along the South Carolina coast. The property contains more than 70 cultural sites, including cemeteries, cabins once occupied by enslaved people and the Baruch family homes. A two-hour history tour offers a first-hand way to engage with this history. Access to Hobcaw Barony is available only through guided tours and programs; check tour dates and reservation options in advance.
Hampton Plantation State Historic Site interprets the history of a colonial-era plantation, slavery and rice cultivation in the region through the end of the Civil War. Visitors can explore the mansion and learn how it was built beginning in the early 18th century and altered over time. Walking trails wind through pine forest on the grounds, which also offer views of Wambaw Creek and the remains of former rice fields.
At Hopsewee, a historic house and cultural education are both central to the experience. Offerings include guided tours of the 18th-century house, a sweetgrass basket-making class and an indigo-dyeing workshop. The Hopsewee Historic Museum uses archaeological discoveries to expand the life stories of the people enslaved at Hopsewee. Tour and workshop dates may change; check the current program in advance.
Landscapes and Wildlife Viewing
At Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge, landscapes range from tidal rice fields to forested wetlands along the Waccamaw River and Great Pee Dee River. The refuge provides habitat for swallow-tailed kites and more than 200 other bird species. Visitors can explore interpretive nature trails, a mountain biking trail and a boardwalk. Canoe trips on the Pee Dee River and Yauhannah Lake, along with paddling tours through a blackwater swamp, offer different ways to experience the waterways and wetlands.
More than 300 bird species have been observed at Huntington Beach State Park. Boardwalks provide opportunities for wildlife viewing in salt marshes and at a freshwater lagoon; the Nature Center features exhibits on the region’s birds and marine life. Opening hours may change, so check them before your visit. North Inlet-Winyah Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, meanwhile, includes tidal and transitional marshes, oyster reefs, beaches, coastal forest and open water. These habitats are home to sea turtles, sturgeon, terns and wood storks.
Trails, Water and Outings
The paved Waccamaw Bikeway runs through the Pawleys Island, Litchfield and Murrells Inlet areas of Georgetown County. It is part of the East Coast Greenway, a 3,000-mile trail system along the East Coast from Maine to Florida. The MarshWalk in Murrells Inlet offers a different way to experience the coastal landscape: the 800-meter-long boardwalk runs along a natural saltwater estuary. The bike path and boardwalk differ in both form and the landscapes they pass through.
Brookgreen Gardens is a National Historic Landmark and offers a selection of tours, programs and exhibits for all ages every day. General admission includes all gardens and galleries, the Lowcountry Zoo and the exhibits at the Lowcountry History Center. The Creek Excursion travels through the creeks on a 48-foot pontoon boat and lasts about 45 minutes. Its dates are seasonal and may change; you should also check admission requirements before your visit.
Discover More Destinations
Discover more destinations: Pawleys Island, Murrells Inlet, Georgetown, Jasper County, Laurens, Horry, Clay County, Spartanburg
For the main travel overview: South Carolina.
