Murrells Inlet combines a waterside setting and fishing village history with themes of art, architecture and wildlife. The saltwater estuary takes center stage at the MarshWalk; Brookgreen Gardens, Atalaya and Huntington Beach State Park reveal other, very different sides of a visit.
Estuary, MarshWalk and Cuisine
The Murrells Inlet MarshWalk is a ½-mile boardwalk along a natural saltwater estuary in the heart of the historic fishing village. Charter fishing is one of the activities associated with the MarshWalk. Guided kayak tours through the salt marshes can also be booked in the MarshWalk area. These are different options: one appeals to those interested in fishing, while the other offers a guided trip through the marshes. Tour providers and booking options may change; check the specific tour in advance.
The cuisine also has ties to the water: the MarshWalk offers waterfront restaurants serving Lowcountry cuisine and fresh seafood. Murrells Inlet is known as the “Seafood Capital of South Carolina.” Individual restaurant offerings may change.
Culture, Sculpture and Architectural History
Brookgreen Gardens is designated a National Historic Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Its sculpture collection includes more than 2,000 works by 430 artists. Atalaya is the Moorish-style winter home of Archer and Anna Hyatt Huntington and is also designated a National Historic Landmark. The two cultural attractions have different emphases: Brookgreen Gardens and its sculpture collection, and Atalaya as a single historic winter home with a specifically named architectural style and function.
Brookgreen Gardens offers a selection of tours, programs and exhibitions every day; you can explore the gardens with a guide or on your own. One interactive program features a caregiver presenting a live animal. Check the program schedule and the operating details of the offerings before your visit.
The Atalaya Arts and Crafts Festival takes place every September and has been held for more than 40 years. If you would like to plan your trip around it, check the specific dates.
Wildlife and Camping
At Huntington Beach State Park, the freshwater lake offers the chance to spot alligators and, occasionally, mink. Brookgreen Gardens’ Lowcountry Zoo is home to native animals that could not survive in the wild. The nature theme therefore includes both possible sightings at the lake and the animals housed at the zoo.
For travelers weighing camping instead of a hotel, the site breakdown is also specific: Huntington Beach State Park’s 173 campsites comprise 107 standard sites with water and electric hookups and 66 sites with full hookups for water, sewer and electricity. Check reservation details before your trip.
Murrells Inlet Through History
Murrells Inlet was originally an 18th-century fishing village. In the 19th century, summer visitors typically arrived by steamboat and disembarked at Wachesaw River Landing. The history of Murrells Inlet runs from its origins as an 18th-century fishing village to the steamboat journeys commonly made by summer visitors in the 19th century, who disembarked at Wachesaw River Landing.
If you’re looking for hotels for a stay in Murrells Inlet, first decide which themes matter to you. You can then compare the listed locations and specific amenities of individual accommodations.
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