There are plenty of fun ways to spend your vacation on Pawley’s Island, in Georgetown, and surrounding areas. Whether your crew is history buffs, nature lovers, or kids with energy to burn, there’s a tour everyone is sure to enjoy! Guests love to explore the Lowcountry during their visits but don’t always know where to start, so we’ve put together a collection of our favorite local tours, museums, and nature preserves to help plan the perfect vacation itinerary.
Hammock Coast® Tours & Activities
Explore South Carolina's Lowcountry
Tours
Browse the fun tours in Georgetown, Murrells Inlet, and more!
Boat Tours
Want a lowkey tour that gives you a chance to sit back and take in the sights of the Grand Strand? You can do just that by taking one of the boat tours that launch from Georgetown. Local guides Lowcountry Boat Tours and Wallace Sailing Charters offer cruises with lighthouses, sunsets, and a variety of tour options. Lowcountry offers tours heading upriver beneath the grand oaks to historical landmarks, while Wallace offers sailboat tours in WInyah Bay and out towards the coast. Climb aboard and take a morning cruise with both Lowcountry Boat Tours and Wallace or opt for a beautiful sunset onboard. Both launch from Georgetown and take passengers on either a historic river tours sunset tours and more.
Walking Tour
Old Georgetown Walking Tours was founded by veteran and photographer Paige Sawyer, to preserve and share the history of Georgetown. The tour route is picturesque, idyllic for a leisurely stroll on a sunny morning. Compare how things once were to modern-day as you make your way through the historic district and waterfront.
Old Georgetown Walking Tours >>
Haunted Tour
If you’re feeling brave, take a walking tour after dark led by lantern light with the Ghost of Georgetown. Explore the haunted harbor after dark as you hear stories of those lost at sea, pirate hauntings, and ghosts of the heartbroken. Available year-round, these tours depart on Fridays at dusk.
Bike Tour
If you have an active group and want a fun and unique way to explore historic Georgetown, Front Street Pedal offers a guided bike tour that’s a blast! Pedal on comfortable bikes from the waterfront and into the historic district, through 300 years of the Lowcountry’s history.
Museums
Georgetown is one of the oldest cities in the United States meaning its full of rich history. Thanks to the organizations who work on the preservation of stories and historical locations, there are numerous museums and historical sites to explore! Some popular museums include the Kaminski House Museum, Hampton Plantation, and the South Carolina Maritime Museum.
The Kaminski House
The Kaminski House Museum is a stunning example of a Georgian-style home that was built in the mid-1700s. Over time this home has been owned by many wealthy and influential families in Georgetown.
South Carolina Maritime Museum
The South Carolina Maritime Museum celebrates the state’s second-largest port. With over 300 years of history, the museum features exhibits that are fun for all ages and offers programs for those looking for a more in-depth explanation.
South Carolina Maritime Museum >>
Brookgreen Gardens
Brookgreen Gardens is a guest favorite! This garden is second to none with its variety of attractions, self-guided tours, and programs that include Q&A with guides, interactive classes, and meeting the animals. Explore the manicured gardens, Enchanted Storybook Forest, and sensory nature trails. Then head to the Lowcountry Zoo and meet the creatures that call South Carolina home. Stroll through the American Sculpture Garden and examine more than 2,000 pieces on display.
The Hampton Plantation
The Hampton Plantation is a state historic site that was owned by many wealthy and influential families. Now the impressive architectural home stands to remind us of the wealth and power these families held as a result of profits created by intensive rice production and the labor of enslaved African Americans. Tours include notes about architecture, the evolution of the house over time, as well as insight into the people who lived there.
Attractions
Sandy Island
The tour to Sandy Island gives a unique point of view for both sightseeing and historical insight. The Island is 12,000 acres of stunning Lowcountry. 3,000 acres are owned privately by residents who are descendants of enslaved Africans; the other 9,000 acres are a wildlife preserve. This tour showcases the traditional Gullah way of life, the history of the island, and its unique ecosystem.
Huntington Beach
Huntington Beach State Park offers wildlife viewing, hiking, guided programs, and historical interpretations all on a stunning 2500 acres. With the variety of wildlife including loggerhead turtles, and 300 species of birds living in this beautiful setting in a preserved ecosystem on the Grand Strand, there’s no secret to why this park is a local favorite. For nature lovers, there are even endangered plants and animals that call this park home. Spend your day getting in touch with nature, wandering the trails, and taking in the views.
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Browse our blog for itinerary ideas and top activities for your Hammock Coast® vacation.
