Visitors familiar with Myrtle Beach’s attractions are invited to vacation this year in Georgetown County, SC ­ close to all the activity, yet a world apart.

Located south of Myrtle Beach, Murrells Inlet is known for its sumptuous seafood restaurants. This fishing village offers antique browsing, strolling the Marshwalk, jet skiing, championship golf, charter fishing, ecology tours, bicycling, etc. An intriguing history including ghosts and the legend of Drunken Jack make “The Inlet” a must stop. Murrells Inlet and Garden City Beach both offer accommodations from beach house and condominium rentals to hotels/motels to suit any budget. Brookgreen Gardens, located on the site of four colonial rice plantations, is home to trees and plants native to the Southeastern United States and 500 pieces of American figurative sculpture. Huntington Beach State Park offers visitors an up-close glimpse of wildlife and 7 miles of pristine undeveloped beachfront.

Progressing south on US 17 to the Pawleys Island/Litchfield Beach area, a place where families have been building lasting memories for generations, visitors can enjoy glimmering sunsets over salt marshes and white, sandy beaches. This area, known as “the oldest resort area in the nation,” has been a vacation home to families since rice plantation owners came during the hot summers to enjoy the cool ocean breezes. Fishing, crabbing, boating and building sand castles are favorite pastimes to pass on to children and grandchildren. Kayaking, canoeing, swimming, surfing and jet skiing are also great fun. This area is rich in history and Lowcountry beauty with majestic Live Oak trees, Spanish moss and vast expanses of marshlands. All types of accommodations are available for nightly and weekly rental.

The quality of golf in Georgetown County is unsurpassed. The list of course designers include Greg Norman, Pete Dye, Tom Fazio, Jack Nicklaus and others. Summer is a great time of year to take advantage of discounts, and some courses even offer free golf for children.

Historic seaport Georgetown anchors the county with its tree-lined streets and historic homes. The downtown area offers riverfront dining and shopping as well as plantations and other attractions. Visitors can learn about Georgetown’s extensive history from narrated tram and riverboat tours. Rice was first produced here in 1720. The flooding of black-water rivers nurtured the fields which made commercial rice production possible. These rivers also formed a seaport that opened the market for slaves brought to work the rice fields. Based on the methodology of wetland rice cultivation and the labor of knowledgeable enslaved Africans, the region produced more than 50% of the rice grown in the Unites States. The friendly town of Andrews is located west of Georgetown and offers visitors a peaceful agricultural alternative.

Georgetown County is a peaceful alternative to the hustle and bustle of its northern neighbor, Myrtle Beach. For more information on building lasting memories in Georgetown County, visit our Website at w or call toll free 1-866-368-TOUR.

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Eco-Tourism

Georgetown County, South Carolina, situated along the South Carolina coast between Myrtle Beach and Charleston, offers a variety of birding and wildlife-viewing opportunities for visitors to experience the natural beauty and tranquility of the area and the habitats of these fascinating animals.

The Waccamaw Neck, a long-settled peninsula between the Waccamaw River and the Atlantic Ocean, is home to Pawleys Island/Litchfield, Murrells Inlet and Garden City Beach. The town of Andrews defines the western-most extent of Georgetown County. The port city of Georgetown is situated among the area’s five rivers, and is the state’s 3rd oldest port. The county is made up of black-water rivers, tidal creeks and salt marsh grasses. This beautiful scenery is home to many species of birds and other wildlife. Georgetown County respects these habitats and has striven to preserve the natural environment for these birds and wildlife through several natural areas and thousands of protected acres of woodlands and marsh areas.

The fishing village of Murrells Inlet invites visitors and members of the community to ‘walk among the wetlands’ and enjoy the unspoiled natural beauty that exists within this small community. Murrells Inlet has constructed a 1,400 foot long Marshwalk that extends over the wetlands and plans to lengthen the walkway over the next several years. Walking along the marshwalk, you can see a variety of species of birds as well as other wildlife. Murrells Inlet also offers ecology tours that allow visitors to explore the waters off the coast. The village and the natural marsh ecology support the majority of jobs and industry in the area.

Also located in Murrells Inlet is Huntington Beach State Park. This picturesque oceanfront park, named after the philanthropist Archer Huntington and his wife Anna Hyatt Huntington, is a coastal escape of natural beauty. The park offers a fresh water lagoon, nature trails, daily nature programs, and a boardwalk from which visitors can view wildlife. Visitors can also enjoy the beach as well as spend time fishing and crabbing. Park hours are from 6am until 9pm.

Named as “one of the South’s top five gardens” by Southern Living Magazine, Brookgreen Gardens is truly a nature-lover’s paradise. Throughout the year, visitors to Brookgreen Gardens can enjoy the plethora of flowers and trees planted on the grounds, such as azaleas, chrysanthemums, snapdragons and dogwoods. A number of animals, birds and reptiles can be scene in their natural habitats as visitors stroll along the Lowcountry Wildlife Trail or enjoy the pontoon boat cruises that take guests through the old ricefield creeks. And unique to Brookgreen Gardens are the more than 500 works of American figurative sculpture that are displayed throughout the gardens.

For those visitors who are interested in exploring creeks, canals, salt marshes and other tideland areas, naturalist-guided eco-venture kayak tours offer the opportunity to enjoy first-hand the beauty of the area. Choose between exploring Georgetown’s harbor, the Black River Cypress Swamp, Sandy Island Nature Preserve, Huntington Beach State Park or Chicora Wood Plantation. Each tour is an adventure that brings you close to all species of animals from ducks, migratory shore birds, osprey and bald eagles to sea turtles, deer and wild turkeys and allows you to fully experience the natural splendors of Georgetown County.

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Georgetown County - Naturally

Georgetown County, South Carolina, situated along the South Carolina coast between Myrtle Beach and Charleston, is a peaceful alternative to the hustle and bustle of its northern neighbor, Myrtle Beach. The county extends from Garden City Beach south to the Santee River at the Charleston County line and offers visitors an array of opportunities ­ from fishing and boating to historical tours, a variety of dining experiences, 15 public golf courses, quaint inns and upscale resort accommodations, meeting facilities, and more.

The Waccamaw Neck, a long-settled peninsula between the Waccamaw River and the Atlantic Ocean, is home to Pawleys Island/Litchfield, the fishing village of Murrells Inlet and Garden City Beach. The town of Andrews defines the western-most extent of Georgetown County. It's a land of unspoiled natural beauty, black-water rivers and tidal creeks. The port city of Georgetown is situated among the area’s five rivers, and is the state’s 3rd oldest port.

Regardless of the time of year you visit Georgetown County, you will always find plenty to keep you occupied. Georgetown County is an area with little seasonality; the county is as popular in the spring and fall as it is in the summer months. And visitors return year after year to experience the natural beauty and tranquility that Georgetown County offers year round.

From historic attractions to unique accommodations, river boat tours, and championship golf courses, Georgetown County abounds with activities. There are numerous antique galleries, art and gift shops and boutiques located along the main byways throughout the county, in addition to museums, historic homes and plantations and a plethora of outdoor activities. Events such as the Blessing of the Inlet held in Murrells Inlet, the Harborwalk Festival held in Georgetown and the Minton Festival of Music and Art hosted by Pawleys Island give guests the opportunity to mingle with locals and fully experience the welcoming nature of the county’s residents.

Many exciting possibilities await visitors in Georgetown County! For further information on Georgetown County, please visit the website at www.visitgeorgetowncountysc.com or call the toll free number at 1-866-368-TOUR.

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Tee it up in Georgetown County

As part of the Myrtle Beach Grand Strand, Georgetown County is a golfer’s paradise. In the vernacular, “an ace.” With a smorgasbord of 115 courses from which to choose, you’re sure to find the layout and price range that suits you to a tee.

Georgetown County’s history was built on the growing of indigo and rice on plantations that lined its five beautiful, black-water rivers. Today, many of these plantations grow flag sticks on superbly maintained courses that wind around old reserve ponds and graceful cypress swamps. Links style courses that overlook our waterways, bays and ocean offer golfers challenges tempered with breathtaking Carolina Lowcountry beauty.

The quality of golf in Georgetown County is unsurpassed. The list of course designers who have worked their magic here reads like a who’s who. Greg Norman. Pete Dye. Jack Nicklaus. William Byrd. Tom Fazio. Mike Strantz. Ron Carl. Tom Jackson. Dan Maples. And Clyde Johnson.

Golf publications have recognized the high caliber of golf in Georgetown County. A Top 100 Course for Women is located on the Waccamaw Neck, with two others located in the neighboring Myrtle Beach area. And Golf Digest magazine ranks the Waccamaw Neck area as having the most Top 25 courses in 2001 in South Carolina.

With the quality and the variety of courses in and near Georgetown County, it’s easy to make golf a part of your vacation. Budget-minded golf packages are available at many of the area accommodations, and a number of courses offer programs that make golf for the entire family affordable and fun. So why not plan to make this vacation the one where you introduce the kids to the great game of golf?

Georgetown County, the oldest family resort area in the nation, is a peaceful alternative to the hustle and bustle of its northern neighbor, Myrtle Beach. The county extends from Garden City Beach south to the Santee River at the Charleston County line and offers visitors an array of opportunities ­ from outdoor activities to historical tours, inns and resort accommodations and meeting facilities.

Many exciting possibilities await visitors in Georgetown County! For more detailed information on area golf courses or further information on Georgetown County, visit the website at www.visitgeorgetowncountysc.com, or call 1-866-368-TOUR.

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History of Georgetown County

Georgetown County, South Carolina has a lengthy history that dates back thousands of years. More than 11,000 years ago, the first inhabitants of Georgetown County were probably Native Americans. However, it was not until 1526 that the first Europeans, the Spaniards, set foot in Georgetown County at the present-day site of Hobcaw Barony on the lower Waccamaw Neck (the portion of land between the Atlantic Ocean and the Waccamaw River). Although Spaniard colonization was unsuccessful, English planters and traders who arrived in the early 1700’s were able to successfully establish colonial enterprises on lands granted to them by Prince George ­ later King George II of England.

Today, many of the historic sites remain and allow visitors to grasp a sense of what it must have been like to live in Georgetown County in the 1700’s. Brookgreen Gardens, Atalaya and Huntington Beach State Park, Hopsewee Plantation, Hampton Plantation, the Rice Museum and Kaminski House Museum all take visitors back in time to when wealthy plantation owners would pack their homes up each summer and move to the beaches to escape the sweltering summer heat and when rice produced in Georgetown County was the economic backbone of the state.

Rice was first produced in Georgetown County around 1720 and was the first commercial crop in the area. The many black-water rivers found in Georgetown County once flooded and nurtured the fields that made the commercial production of rice possible. These rivers also formed a seaport that opened the market for slaves brought from West Africa to work the rice fields. Based on the African methodology of wetland rice cultivation and the labor of knowledgeable enslaved Africans, the region became one of the most prosperous producers of rice in the world, producing more than 50% of the rice grown in the United States. This prosperity continued through the end of the Civil War, when, with the end of slavery, plantations were unable to obtain laborers to work in the rice fields.

The rice fields are now empty reminders of the past. Left, however, are the present-day descendants of the Africans that were brought to Georgetown County from the Grain Coast of West Africa to produce the rice at the more than 200 rice plantations throughout the Lowcountry. Today, these descendants carry on the traditions of their West African roots through African “long-strip” quilting, the creation of sweetgrass baskets and the oral traditions of Gullah ­ a mix between English and African words and dialects.

After plantation life faded away, residents turned to other means to sustain the economy of the area, including the timber and cotton industries. Following the turn of the century, the paper industry built a plant in the City of Georgetown to take advantage of the abundant timber resources. And, over the years, the tourism industry began building momentum. Visitors came to the area and left having experienced what many generations had experienced before them ­ the peace and tranquility of Georgetown County.

Georgetown County, the oldest family resort area in the nation, is a peaceful alternative to the hustle and bustle of its northern neighbor, Myrtle Beach. The county extends from Garden City Beach south to the Santee River at the Charleston County line and offers visitors an array of opportunities ­ from fishing and boating to historical tours, a variety of dining experiences, 15 public golf courses, quaint inns and upscale resort accommodations, meeting facilities, and more.

Many exciting possibilities await visitors in Georgetown County! For further historical information or information on Georgetown County, please visit the website at www.visitgeorgetowncountysc.com, or call the toll free number at 1-866-368-TOUR.

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Inns and Boutique Hotels of Georgetown County, South Carolina

A visit to Georgetown County, South Carolina would not be complete without an overnight stay at one of the numerous inns and boutique hotels located throughout the region. From bed and breakfast hotels located in historic homes to plantation sites and oceanfront inns, Georgetown County’s inns are locations you want to return to year after year.

A few of these inns are located on the beach of Pawleys Island. One of those, the Sea View Inn, offers visitors a peaceful and unspoiled hideaway anytime of the year as well as two unique weeks that focus on personal wellness and development of artistic talent. During Wellness Week, relaxation techniques are emphasized, and individuals are taught how to make positive changes in their hectic everyday lives. The artist’s workshop is a week devoted entirely to developing artistic skills. Guests visit various locations and meet throughout the day to discuss the day’s activities. And for those who are more interested in relaxing on the beach or sitting on the porch at the Inn, there are plenty of opportunities to do so. Rates allow guests to experience many of the comforts of home, including three excellent Southern meals a day and a living room with games to play and all the books you would care to read.

The City of Georgetown is home to many inns and bed and breakfasts, many of which are very romantic, such as Alexandra’s Inn with its “Gone With the Wind” theme. The inn, reminiscent of “Tara” in the novel “Gone With the Wind” has five rooms which have all been named after characters from the book and decorated accordingly. A carriage house suite is located pool side for up to six guests. Rates for this bed and breakfast are based on length of stay, and thus, vary for each guest. The property is located in the heart of Georgetown, and several shops, restaurants and the city’s Harborwalk on the Sampit River are within walking distance.

The Litchfield Plantation, located in Pawleys Island, has been named one of the small luxury hotels of the world. Upon entering the gates of the plantation, guests are awed by the Avenue of Live Oaks that lead directly to the plantation. Guests may choose between a variety of different vacation packages and have access to the property’s beachfront cottage, meals in the Carriage House restaurant located next to the plantation house, two tennis courts and a pool. A variety of rooms are available in the plantation house, the nearby carriage house or the villas ­ all located throughout the plantation property.

Georgetown County, the oldest family resort area in the nation, is situated along the South Carolina coast between Myrtle Beach and Charleston and is a peaceful alternative to the hustle and bustle of its northern neighbor, Myrtle Beach. The county extends from Garden City Beach south to the Santee River at the Charleston County line and offers visitors an array of opportunities ­ from fishing and boating to historical tours, a variety of dining experiences, 15 public golf courses, quaint inns and upscale resort accommodations, meeting facilities, and more.

Many exciting possibilities await visitors in Georgetown County! For information on other inns and boutique hotels or further information on Georgetown County, please visit the website at www.visitgeorgetowncountysc.com, or call the toll free number at 1-866-368-TOUR

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Meeting Facilities in Georgetown County

Georgetown County, South Carolina, situated along the South Carolina coast between Myrtle Beach and Charleston, is an ideal location to host upcoming corporate meetings. With several upscale resort facilities and a variety of activities available in the surrounding area, Georgetown County offers a unique opportunity for groups and individuals to host conferences and small meetings.

Litchfield Beach and Golf Resort, located 20 minutes south of Myrtle Beach in Litchfield, South Carolina, enjoys “mixing business with pleasure.” The resort offers an array of options for dining, meetings, banquets and presentations and is proud to offer a full-size theater, boardrooms or several break-out rooms to guests for their important occasion. Three signature golf courses and the #5 ranked tennis resort (according to Tennis Magazine), a health club & spa, pools and miles of uncrowded beach are available on site, and historic tours are within a short drive.

Developed on the site of a former plantation and set among more than 500 acres of natural wetlands, lakes, live oaks and salt marshes, Pawleys Plantation Golf and Country Club is the perfect setting for small meetings and corporate retreats. With over 6,500 square feet dedicated to conference and meeting use, Pawleys Plantation offers planners a full service business center, group menus, audio video equipment, an executive boardroom, five meeting rooms and conference service staff to ensure an enjoyable stay. Pawleys Plantation also offers three dining facilities and a challenging 18-hole golf course to enjoy at the conclusion of meetings.

For smaller groups, the Hampton Inns in Georgetown and Pawleys Island/Litchfield are great options. The Hampton Inn in Georgetown overlooks the Pee Dee and Waccamaw Rivers and in Pawleys Island, overlooks a beautiful lake. Located directly off Highway 17, the hotels are conveniently located for business and leisure activities. Both hotels offer affordable meeting space for small groups and are located within short distances of local shopping, restaurants, premiere golf courses, state parks and historic sites.

Georgetown County, the oldest family resort area in the nation, is a peaceful alternative to the hustle and bustle of its northern neighbor, Myrtle Beach. The county extends from Garden City Beach south to the Santee River at the Charleston County line and offers visitors an array of opportunities ­ from fishing and boating to historical tours, a variety of dining experiences, 15 public golf courses, quaint inns and upscale resort accommodations, meeting facilities, and more.

Many exciting possibilities await visitors in Georgetown County! For additional information on other meeting facilities or for further information on Georgetown County, please visit the website at www.visitgeorgetowncountysc.com, or call the toll free number at 1-866-368-TOUR.

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Georgetown County ­ A Water Wonderworld

The earth is more than two-thirds water. With five rivers, the Intracoastal Waterway, swamps, old rice fields, bays, inlets and miles and miles of coastline along the Atlantic Ocean, that percentage seems to apply to Georgetown County, as well. So, whether you like to sail, ski, boat or fish, you’re invited to come and enjoy the peace of this water wonderworld because Georgetown County is truly a paradise for avid boaters and fishermen.

Each year, thousands of boaters come to Georgetown County via the Intracoastal Waterway that runs through Winyah Bay and the Waccamaw River. Private yachts and commercial tugs are frequent visitors along the Intracoastal Waterway in Georgetown County. And, according to many of the boaters who frequent our full-service marinas, the beauty of the Waccamaw River makes it the prettiest part of the trip from Florida to New England.

Pleasure boaters also run up these rivers. They come to view the native species of birds and wildlife, to ski and swim, and to picnic on the sandy shores that breach the curtain of marsh on the water’s edge.

The bays, inlets and estuaries of Georgetown County literally boil with life. Shrimp, crab and a profusion of fish make these beautiful saltwater havens their home. And this bounty makes these waters an ecological magnet. Birds flock here to reap the harvest and, just below the surface, flounder, blue fish, spottail bass, sea trout, jack crevalle, shark and tarpon gather for easy meals. Likewise on the surface, boaters of all types find this natural symphony irresistible. Although swimming in tidal inlets is not recommended, fishing, exploring and picnicking in these spectacular estuaries can be a rewarding experience for the entire family.

The magnetism of the sea draws fishermen and sailors alike. Close to shore, sea kayakers paddle among the swells as thrill-seeking sailors zip along aboard their catamarans and jet skis. Small fishing boats ply these waters for Spanish and King mackerel. For those interested in bigger game fish, a flotilla of bottom fishing and sport fishing boats wait patiently for your call at the local marinas.

And why not dock your boat in one of Georgetown County’s communities after a long day out on the water? For more than 200 years, seafood has been caught daily in the waters directly off the coast and then served in one of the area’s many dining establishments. The City of Georgetown invites guests to dock their boats at the quarter-mile long Harborwalk and stroll to one of the restaurants that line the harbor. Expertly prepared seafood and Lowcountry delicacies are sure to delight the senses.

Or dock your boat further up the coast in Murrells Inlet, the Seafood Capital of the South, and enjoy the perfect views from literally dozens of seafood restaurants all tucked in a row in this quaint fishing village. And while you’re dining, ask your waiter or waitress about the tale of Drunken Jack ­ the community’s renowned ghost. According to local legend, the notorious Blackbeard left behind a shipmate to guard casks of rum on the inlet island. When Blackbeard returned to the island much later, bones and empty bottles greeted him...and the legend of Drunken Jack Island was born. Afterwards, enjoy the Marshwalk that winds along the creek.

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