Brookgreen Gardens, Murrells Inlet, South Carolina

I know, I know - you don't want to leave the beach. But if you can drag those tootsies out of the sand, Brookgreen Gardens is well worth your time. I knew there would be lovely gardens and dramatic sculptures to gaze upon, but I truly didn't realize how much more this place offers. Also - let me blow your mind here - this place is great for young kids. You're thinking, "Yeah, right, my kid is ALL about sculpture." But would your kid enjoy the birds of prey aviary? The butterfly garden? An alligator-spotting boat ride down the Waccamaw River? I was surprised and impressed. We saw the butterfly house; the Lowcountry Zoo, with its aforementioned eagles and owls, as well as otters, gators, and barnyard animals; ...

If you need a break from all the cheesy activities in Myrtle Beach, or are looking for a great place for an afternoon stroll, or even to entertain the kids go to Brookgreen. Brookgreen Gardens is a very large garden and sculpture collection. This is one of the largest collections of bronze sculptures in the US skillfully displayed in beautiful southern style gardens complete with HUGE old oak trees, spainish moss, and cammillias. They have a variety of activities to keep you occupied. A small historic walk outlines the rice plantation that used to be here, and a decent small zoo with local animals including very entertaining river otters. All of this for one admission that is good for a week! They allow outs...

Absolutely awesome place to visit in the spring.  (Lovely at other times; rather hot in the summer.) Besides lovely landscaping, these gardens have one of the largest collections of sculpture in the US.  It is located on an old rice plantation across from Murrells Inlet State Park.  This really rich guy (I think his name was Archer Huntington but I haven't been in many years and may be wrong), used to own the property where the state park is and the area where Brookgreen Gardens is.  His wife (Anna?) did a number of the pieces featured in the garden; however, there are many sculptures from other artists. They used to live in the huge Moorish-type stone house (located at the state park) but don't anymore.  Ev...