Overview
Historic Sites & Plantations Near Myrtle Beach
Located just south of the Grand Strand, South Carolina’s Lowcountry is one of the most scenic and history-rich regions in the country. And while Myrtle Beach is not technically part of the Lowcountry, it’s just a short drive away from some of the area’s most unique cultural gems. The best part is that, if you plan it out right, you can experience several of the region’s attractions in one day trip, and still have time to enjoy a great Lowcountry meal for dinner. These sites are must-see’s for anyone interested in American and Southern history.
Brookgreen Gardens
This former plantation near Myrtle Beach is one of the most popular attractions along the Grand Strand, and its beautiful botanical gardens host one of the largest outdoor sculpture museums in the US. After plantation days were over, Brookgreen Gardens was founded by Archer and Anna Hyatt Huntington in 1931 and is a designated National Historic Landmark listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This site near Myrtle Beach covers 1,600 acres and includes three historic 18th- and 19th-century plantations.
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Kaminski House Museum
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The Kaminski House stands out among the more than 60 antebellum homes in Georgetown, South Carolina. Originally built by the “King of Georgetown,” Paul Trapier, this house overlooking the Sampit River is steeped in history. The home is open for group, school, and individual tours. Docent-guided tours for individuals are offered Monday through Saturday during three time slots each day. Call to reserve your spot to see this historical site just 35 miles from Myrtle Beach.
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Day Trips to Charleston
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This tour company offers day trips to Charleston, South Carolina, to see the city’s historic sites during an all-inclusive tour. The bus departs right from Myrtle Beach resorts and offers tours Monday through Saturday. This all-inclusive package includes bus transportation, a carriage tour of the city, a boat tour of Charleston Harbor, a tour of Fort Sumter, and a tour of Boone Hall Plantation, and you’ll have time for shopping and lunch. These tours start at $149 per person.
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Charleston Adventures Day Trips
Explore the historic coastal city of Charleston, South Carolina, with the experienced guidance of Charleston Harbor Tours. They provide transportation to and from Myrtle Beach. The trip includes options for a carriage ride or shopping at the Charleston City Market, plus a 90-minute Charleston Harbor Tour, and a tour at Boone Hall Plantation. This excursion departs from Myrtle Beach.
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Waccamaw Lady Plantation River Tours
These two-hour scenic boat tours set off from Murrells Inlet, South Carolina. Climb aboard the Waccamaw Lady riverboat and enjoy a local historian’s narration of the area as you cruise by six rice plantations and observe trunk gates along the fields, and see slave cabins around Myrtle Beach. The scenic surroundings in these wildlife areas also afford glimpses of alligators, eagles, osprey, and other natural sights.
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Hobcaw Barony
This plantation is just south of Pawleys Island in Georgetown, South Carolina. Set on 16,000 acres of land, this historic site near Myrtle Beach is the former winter retreat of Wall Street financier and presidential advisor Bernard Baruch. The property is now a nature preserve, but the caretakers also offer tours of the property and mansion and the 19th Century slave village. The 1,800-square-foot Discovery Center offers a look at the history and ecology of the land through artifacts and photographs.
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Hopsewee Plantation
A visit to this Revolutionary War-era plantation near Myrtle Beach is a step back in time like no other in the area. Preserved but not restored, the original brick and black Cypress house (circa 1735) still stands on the grounds. Visitors can also take a stroll through the natural grounds where plenty of moss-covered live oaks add to the serene sense of history the plantation offers.
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The Rice Museum
Here’s a little known fact: In 1840, Georgetown produced almost half of the American rice crop and the region’s output was vital not only to the rest of the colonies but also to other countries. In addition to the permanent collection and rotating exhibits that feature the works of local artists, the Museum is also home to the Browns Ferry Vessel, the oldest vessel on display in the nation.
Atalaya Castle at Huntington Beach State Park
Atalaya is a former castle located at Huntington Beach State Park in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina. The castle served as a winter home for Archer and Anna Hyatt Huntington, founders of Brookgreen Gardens. This National Historic Landmark is available for tours Wednesday through Saturday during daily hour-long time slots.
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