The landscape here is pretty well developed near the coast – hotels, restaurants, houses, businesses, condos, etc. But drive ten or fifteen minutes inland and you can be in the middle of nowhere and, say, on a farm. That’s right, in addition to having some of the best beaches and golf courses in the world, the Grand Strand is also home to several working farms that are open to the public. Take a tour, pick up some fresh produce, or check out some beautiful gardens – whatever you do when you get there, it’s a sure bet that adding a trip to the farm is unique way to literally get away from it all.
Straddling the N.C.-S.C. border, this Little River farm is home to a farmer’s market full of fresh fruits and vegetables, a garden center with everything you could possibly need to facilitate the growth of your new plant, and a produce center that offers preserves, jams, cured meats, local honey, locally-produced barbeque sauce, and much more. Indigo Farms also features various activities throughout the year, from the pick-your-own-berries in the spring to bonfires and hayrides in the fall.
As the only historical living African-American farm in the country, this place is literally one-of-a-kind. The mission here is to replicate, celebrate, and perpetuate the activities and practices of the agricultural centers that were so important, indeed vital, to American life in centuries past. The educational experience here consists of the Freewoods Farm, a Wetlands Preserve, and a Main Street district.
The Living History Farm, an extension of the Horry County Museum, aims to re-create farm life in the area during the period of time from 1900-1955. Among the activities, visitors can expect to see and learn about are plowing with mules, soap-making, grits-grinding, cow-milking, and crop-harvesting – all things that can easily be taken for granted in today’s fast-paced world.
Hanging out on the beach all day, wandering or driving around the well-lit Boulevard at night, or riding rides at area attractions, it’s easy to forget how close the middle of nowhere is to Myrtle Beach. Located on the outskirts of Conway, approximately 25 miles from downtown Myrtle Beach, Thompson Farm & Nursery awaits visitors to its long-standing and well-kept 200+ acres of old-fashioned fun and tours. Established in 1845, the family-owned and operated 2011 South Carolina Small Farm of the Year hosts events and festivals of all sorts throughout the year. In addition to touring the oldest barn in Horry County, guests can get lost in the corn maze, play around in the pumpkin patch, or schedule a day to pick your own berries (mid-April through May). Other tours include the Spring Pizza Tour, during which participants pick their own ingredients, the South Carolina Farm History Tour, Tomato Patch Tour, Dirt-is-Fun Tour, Pumpkin Patch Tour, and the Pumpkin Playground Tour. Groups can also head out to the farm to take part in exciting and educational programs like Snakes Alive, featuring slithering reptiles from around the world; Amazing Alligators, showcasing live, local chompers; Animal Tracks Nature Detective; or an early morning Guided Bird Walk. Also, their petting zoo will engage kids and adults of all ages. In addition to entertaining guests, Thompson Farm is also a working agricultural farm, with seasonal crops including tomatoes, potatoes, bell peppers, corn, onions, oats, strawberries, and much more. They also provide fresh vegetables to a local co-op program, as well as to local restaurants that use the farm-to-table model for shaping their menus. Reservations are required for most of the activities and events at Thompson Farm, but they aren’t hard to make – just give them a call or email them through their website.
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