Located just 25 miles south of Myrtle Beach down US Route 17 lies the barrier island and our Home of Pawleys Island Hammocks. Described and trademarked by locals as “Arrogantly Shabby” Pawleys Island and it's surrounding area boasts a wide variety of places to explore, eat and golf. These are our Top 10 places (in no particular order, we love them all!) we recommend.
1. Atalaya Castle
Just North of the Island is Huntington Beach State Park, home of Atalaya Castle, a Moorish-inspired castle that started its construction in 1931. Coined from the Spanish term for watchtower, Atalaya was the winter home of Archer Huntington and his wife Anna. Archer was a noted authority of Spanish culture, philanthropist and sculptor and built the castle during the Great Depression, offering jobs to local laborers to help boost the economy.
Over the years Atalaya Castle was used as an art studio for Anna Huntington, a barracks for the United States Air Corps in World War II, and a State Park. The castle has thirty rooms to explore as well as a courtyard in the center where a large forty foot tall water tower resides.
You can find more information on Atalaya Castle, including their audio tour, on their website https://www.atalayacastle.com/.
2. LOCAL
Also known as Local Eat Drink Celebrate, Local is located in the Hammock Shops Village and is one of our go-to food favorites for us at Pawleys Island Hammocks. Co-owners Keith Eastbrook and John Dabrowski have embraced "Eat Local" messaging, working with local vendors and artists to provide the best food and events within the community.
Local's menu includes: fresh seafood, meats, vegetarian, and gluten-free options, as well as local brews from across the Carolinas. Be sure to check their Maryland-Style Crab Cakes, the most popular item on the menu with crab locally sourced from North Carolina.
You can find their menu, catering options, as well as an event schedule where they feature local artists and food specials weekly on their website https://www.pawleyslocal.com.
3. Pawleys Plantation Golf & Country Club
Another well known activity in the Pawleys Island area is golf with over a dozen golf courses within 20 miles of the island. A Jack Nicklaus Signature course, the Pawleys Plantation Golf and Country Club opened in 1988 and is a proud member of the Waccamaw Golf Trail. Pawleys Plantation also features one, two and three bedroom villas as well as a conference center that can accommodate up to 300 people, making it a great place for families and business to visit alike.
For tee times, specials, lodging and directions visit their website at https://www.pawleysplantation.com/.
4. Brookgreen Gardens
Across Highway 17 from Atalaya Castle is Brookgreen Gardens, another property owned by the Huntington family. Developed on the property of four former rice plantations covering 9,127 acres. Brookgreen Gardens features 250 year old Oak trees, a butterfly garden, and one of the largest collections of American figurative sculptures in the country.
For more information, including ticketing and directions, visit their website https://www.brookgreen.org/.
5. bisQit
Self-described as Southern Comfort eats, Bisqit is a family-friendly restaurant located in the Hammock Shops Village. BisQit checks off each of the boxes when it comes to southern food offerings. BisQit offers its own BisQit signature sandwiches, handcrafted burgers, cocktails, creamy milkshakes, "Qid's menu" and "Other Stuff" such as Nashville Hot Chicken Tacos, Lobster on a Roll, and Friend Shrimp Platters.
For more information and reservations visit their website https://www.bisqitsc.com/.
6. Caledonia Golf & Fish Club
A Mike Strantz design, Caledonia Golf & Fish Club is rated annually as a top 100 public golf course in the United states by Golf Magazine, Golf Digest and the Golf Channel. Opening in 1994, Caledonia describes it's course as "18 signature holes" with the pinnacle being the 18th hole, a par 4 where you might be playing in front of a crowd located behind the green at the foot of the clubhouse.
For information on tee times, golf packages, and directions visit their website https://caledoniagolfandfishclub.com/.
7. Frank's and Frank's Outback
Located just south of the Hammock Shops Village on the Ocean Highway is Frank's and Frank's Outback Restaurant. For over 50 years the location featured Marlows Supermarket, a local favorite owned by the Marlow Family. In 1988, after the owner Frank Marlow retired, the supermarket and its lease was purchased by Salters McClary and his wife Elizabeth. They turned the space into what is now Frank's Restaurant, named in honor of Frank. In 1992, the house behind the restaurant, also owned by the Marlow family, was purchased and eventually became Frank's Outback.
Frank's Restaurant features upscale indoor dining, while Frank's Outback offers a more casual informal outdoor dining experience. The offerings are similar but the experiences are not. Executive Chef, Pierce Culliton features locally sourced flavors and eats from the Low Country and around the globe.
For more information, menus and reservations, visit their website https://www.franksandoutback.com/.
8. True Blue Golf Club
A sister course of our #6 pick Caledonia, True Blue Golf Club is another Mike Strantz designed golf course that is a must play when visiting Pawleys Island. Rated by multiple golf publications in their Top 100 lists, True Blue features an 18-acre practice facility, a full stocked pro shop and an inviting grill room.
For more information about True Blue Golf Club including tee times and golf packages, visit their website https://www.truebluegolf.com/.
9. Huntington Beach State Park
Located on 2,500 acres of land in Murrells Inlet is Huntington Beach State Park. Leased to the state of South Carolina in 1960 by the Huntington family, owners of Atalaya Castle and Brookgreen Gardens.
Huntington Beach state park features fishing, boating, camping, hiking, swimming, and birdwatching. Located inside the park are 107 standard campsites, six walk-in sites for tent camping, three picnic shelters, and a nature center.
The nature center features a number natural history displays and live animals, including a saltwater touch tank. There you can touch a number of marine wildlife, including baby alligators, a fan favorite.
For more information visit their website https://southcarolinaparks.com/huntington-beach.
10. High Country Olive Oil
Founded in 2011, High Country Olive Oil is a purveyor of ultra premium extra virgin Olive Oils, aged Italian Balsamic, fine specialty foods and body care products and gifts.
Located on Ocean Highway in the Hammock Shop Villages, High Country Olive Oil is described as a fun place to visit with welcoming staff.
High Country Olive Oil's staff is very knowledgeable and encourages you to sample all the flavored oils and balsamic vinegars while also offering recipe advice. You wont find a better match for bread, salads and sautéing.
For more information on High Country Olive Oil, including store hours and their online shop visit https://highcountryoliveoil.com/.