Brookgreen Gardens Day Trip from Myrtle Beach

Brookgreen Gardens is off US Highway 17 Bypass between Murrells Inlet and Pawleys Island, at 1931 Brookgreen Drive. From Myrtle Beach, follow the highway south toward Murrells Inlet and use the gardens’ street address for your destination.

Plan to arrive with enough time before the daytime-admission gates close at 4:30 p.m. Parking is available, including designated parking for RVs. If you are planning more outdoor stops around the area, you could pair this outing with a separate day trip to Huntington Beach State Park.

Brookgreen Gardens combines landscaped botanical gardens with American sculpture, a Lowcountry Zoo and exhibits about Lowcountry history. Founded in 1931 by Archer and Anna Hyatt Huntington, it is designated a National Historic Landmark and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The sculpture collection contains more than 2,000 works by 430 artists. The Live Oak Allée offers a different kind of landmark: its 250-year-old live oaks were planted in the early 1700s, when the site was four rice plantations. Indoor galleries display smaller sculptures and other artworks, alongside the gardens’ outdoor setting.

For a broad introduction, Brookgreen 101 is a daily, one-hour interpreter-led electric-vehicle tour, with departures at 11:00 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. Tickets cost $12 for adults and $8 for children, in addition to garden admission. Excursion schedules and availability can vary, so check the official site before you go.

General admission includes all gardens and galleries, the Lowcountry Zoo and exhibits in the Lowcountry History Center; the ticket is valid for seven consecutive days. Admission is free for children three and under, $14 for children ages 4–12, $25 for adults ages 13–64 and $23 for seniors 65 and over.

Brookgreen Gardens’ daily hours are 9:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m., with daytime-admission gates closing at 4:30 p.m. A complimentary shuttle runs between the Purdy Center Welcome Plaza, Lowcountry Center and Lowcountry Zoo from 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

Dining options have different daily schedules: Austin’s Harvest Restaurant is open from 11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m., The Old Kitchen from 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m., Courtyard Cafe from 10:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. and Purdy Center Coffee Bar from 9:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Hours, prices and services can change.

Wheelchairs and mobility scooters are welcome in all venues. Brookgreen recommends closed-toe shoes and asks visitors to stay on paths and avoid approaching, feeding or disturbing wildlife.

Swimming and wading in pools, ponds and other bodies of water are prohibited. Pets are not allowed, and may not be left in vehicles on the grounds; service animals specially trained to assist disabled persons are welcome.

Allow enough of the day to choose among the gardens, sculpture, zoo and history exhibits rather than treating the visit as a quick stop. The included seven-consecutive-day admission gives you the option to return, while the complimentary shuttle can help you move between three named areas during its operating hours.

If you want a guided overview, set aside an hour for Brookgreen 101 and choose one of its departure times. Add time for walking the grounds and for a meal if you plan to use one of the on-site dining venues. Closed-toe shoes are recommended, and paths are the best way to explore while respecting the grounds and wildlife.

Where is Brookgreen Gardens?

Brookgreen Gardens is in Murrells Inlet, off US Highway 17 Bypass between Murrells Inlet and Pawleys Island.

What does general admission include?

It covers the gardens and galleries, the Lowcountry Zoo and exhibits in the Lowcountry History Center.

Are pets allowed at Brookgreen Gardens?

No. Pets are not allowed on the grounds or in vehicles there. Specially trained service animals that assist disabled persons are welcome.

What should you wear for a visit?

Brookgreen recommends closed-toe shoes and asks visitors to stay on paths. For seasonal packing ideas around Myrtle Beach, see this month-by-month weather guide.