If you are looking for a more relaxed atmosphere; located south of Myrtle Beach, in Georgetown County, you will find Pawleys Island.  Being one of the oldest seaside resort towns in America, Pawleys Island has several 18th century historic sites.  Along with  wonderfully preserved history, you will find beautiful sandy beaches and well manicured, challenging golf courses.  These uncrowded beaches are among the most beautiful on the coast of the Carolinas.  There are several attractions in Pawleys Island and Litchfield Beach to occupy your time while on your vacation.

Brookgreen Gardens is a historic landmark, offering an outdoor museum of sculptures, gardens, and zoos.  There is always a festival or new exhibit to enjoy.  The Butterfly House exhibit is open through October.  They also have several activities for the kids, as well as tours for the whole family.
Huntington Beach State Park offers several attractions, including the historic Atalaya castle, freshwater lagoon, saltwater marsh, 3 miles of sandy beach, and various wildlife including birds, alligators, and dolphins.  Huntington also has guided kayaking or canoeing tours of the saltwater marsh.  To take a break from your busy day, there is a sheltered picnic area to stop and enjoy lunch.

Whether you are looking for shoes or souvenirs, the Pawleys Island shopping options have what you need.  The Hammock Shops offer over 20 unique shops and restaurants, including the Original Pawleys Island Hammock Shop, that has been around since the late 1800‘s.  You can rest in one of the many hammocks or rocking chairs placed along the oak tree shaded walkways connecting the shops.  There is something for everyone in this unique shopping area.

The prestigious, well manicured golf courses bring many vacationers to the area year after year.  There are dozens of options when looking for a place to play a round, a few located in the Pawleys Island/Litchfield Beach area are mentioned below.
True Blue Golf Plantation has won awards for “#1 in the Myrtle Beach area“, “Top 25 Courses in the South” and “Top 100 America’s Greatest Public Courses” by Golf Digest.  Proud of their beautiful surroundings, incredible elevations, and vast fairways, this course is sure to give you a good game.  Caledonia Golf and Fish Club, True Blue’s sister course, is known for it’s historical landmarks from being built on an 18th century rice plantation.  Also, a winner of “Top 100 America’s Greatest Public Courses” and “Top 100 You Can Play” by Golf Magazine.  It’s beautifully aged oak trees, and winding streams add a challenge to the course.  Pawleys Plantation Country Club, a Jack Nicklaus course, offers the unique scenery of the Pawleys Island marsh.  Heritage Golf Club designed their course around the century-old oak, freshwater lakes, and marshes.  Winning the award for “50 Best Public Courses in America” by Golf Digest, these lush, rolling greens are a must.

There are several award winning restaurants in the Pawleys Island and Litchfield Beach area, that have been featured in numerous national magazines for the excellent service and delicious meal choices.  Begin your day with breakfast at Eggs Up Grill.  Winning “Best of the Beach” five years in a row, Eggs Up Grill prides itself on a simple menu, quality food, and a friendly atmosphere.  Enjoy a candlelit dinner at Frank’s Restaurant and Bar, where they offer fine dining cuisine.  Frank’s Outback, is located behind Frank’s, and offers seating inside the candlelit dining room or on the outside covered patio.  They offer a similar menu, and the same dedicated service.  Frank’s Outback has live entertainment on the weekends.  Austin’s Ocean One Restaurant and Cabana Bar are located right on the beach.  With beautiful views of the ocean while you dine on one of the delicious choices from their “Contemporary American” style menu.  Quigley’s Pint and Plate, located in Litchfield, brews their own ales and lagers. Offering a casual, family-style atmosphere, you can dine in dining room, bar area, or outside patio.  Besides their extensive “Low Country” style menu, with a variety of choices for kids, you will find several Happy Hour menu and drink specials.

With all of these options, how can you not visit the Low Country while vacationing in your beach rental home?

Tags: Litchfield Beach, Pawleys Island, things to do

This entry was posted on Monday, May 17th, 2010 at 8:20 pm and is filed under Area Lifestyle, Vacationing. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.