Murrells Inlet: MarshWalk, Nature and Culture

Murrells Inlet combines the atmosphere of a historic fishing village with saltwater landscapes, wildlife viewing, art, and a distinctive culinary scene. This provides a varied range of options for planning your trip: You can spend days by the water, explore gardens and sculptures, or learn about the history of the area.

MarshWalk: Water, Fishing, and Lowcountry Cuisine

The Murrells Inlet MarshWalk is a ½-mile-long boardwalk along a natural saltwater estuary in the heart of the historic fishing village. The boardwalk represents the area's close connection with the water. Charter fishing is offered there, and guided kayak tours through the salt marshes can also be booked. If you prefer to collect culinary impressions, you will find restaurants serving Lowcountry cuisine and fresh seafood along the water.

Murrells Inlet was originally an 18th-century fishing village and is known as the “Seafood Capital of South Carolina.” This designation reflects the visible connection between fishing, the waterscape, and regional cuisine. If you like to divide your days between active pursuits and shared meals, you can make the MarshWalk one of the focal points of your trip planning.

Nature Experiences Between Park, Lake, and Ancient Oaks

Huntington Beach State Park has 173 campsites: 107 standard sites with water and electrical hookups, as well as 66 sites with full hookups for water, sewer, and electricity. For visitors interested in wildlife viewing, the freshwater lake there offers the opportunity to see alligators and, occasionally, mink.

A different natural setting awaits you at Brookgreen Gardens. The Live Oak Allée consists of 250-year-old Virginia live oaks planted in the early 18th century. The Lowcountry Zoo is home to native animals that would not survive in the wild. Brookgreen Gardens also offers an interactive program in which a staff member introduces visitors to a live animal. Depending on your interests, you can therefore combine landscapes, wildlife, and gardens.

Art, Gardens, and Atalaya

Brookgreen Gardens is designated a National Historic Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The sculpture collection comprises more than 2,000 works by 430 artists. Each day, a selection of tours, programs, and exhibitions is offered there; the gardens can be explored with a guide or independently. This makes a visit easy to plan whether you prefer to follow a set program or choose your own pace.

One of the area's defining historic buildings is Atalaya, the Moorish-style winter home of Archer and Anna Hyatt Huntington. Atalaya is designated a National Historic Landmark. The building is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; during daylight saving time, extended hours apply until 5 p.m. Every September, the Atalaya Arts and Crafts Festival also takes place; it has been held for more than 40 years.

History as Part of Trip Planning

The history of travel and the regional economy is also part of Murrells Inlet's character. In the 19th century, summer visitors generally arrived by steamboat and docked at Wachesaw River Landing. The area's history also includes the fact that successful rice plantations produced nearly 47 million pounds of rice in the 19th century. These historical connections give today's landscapes and attractions additional context, without requiring you to center your trip on a single theme.

Which Accommodation Fits Your Travel Plans

When searching for a vacation rental or vacation home in Murrells Inlet, it is worthwhile to first determine your preferred daily rhythm. Travelers who want to focus on MarshWalk, kayak tours, charter fishing, and seafood will plan differently from those who want to place Brookgreen Gardens, Atalaya, and the area's history at the center of their trip.

For a trip involving different age groups, it can also be helpful to plan several types of experiences: water activities, wildlife viewing, sculptures, gardens, and historical insights offer different ways to spend time together. What matters is which priorities you set for your stay and which type of accommodation fits into your plans.

More Destinations for Your Research

If you would like to extend your trip planning beyond Murrells Inlet, you can also view the pages on Pawleys Island and Georgetown.

For the higher-level travel overview: Georgetown.