Brookgreen Gardens Combines Sculptures & South Carolina Scenery

Escape to Brookgreen Gardens for a memorable day in Myrtle Beach.  The sculpture garden and wildlife preserve is located in Murrell’s Inlet, just a short drive from the popular beach destination.  Quaint, peaceful and serene, Brookgreen Gardens puts the full beauty of South Carolina on display.  Take a stroll through the manicured lawns and blooming gardens, admire the world-renowned sculptures and visit the wildlife that call the Gardens home.

There is something simply spectacular about the 9,200 acres of Brookgreen Gardens South Carolina.  From its beginnings in 1931, when Archer and Anna Huntington founded the estate, the focus of Brookgreen has been to preserve the native flora and fauna of the area while incorporating beautiful pieces of art into the natural setting.  That focus has led Brookgreen Gardens to earn a spot on the National Historic Landmark list and the Gardens are also recognized as having one of the most significant collections of American sculpture.    A varied mix of landscapes, from forested swamps to salt marshes, and low-hanging, twisting trees over 100 years old, make the setting of Brookgreen Gardens extremely picturesque. 
 

Live Oak Allee

Plan to spend several hours at Brookgreen Gardens as there is a lot to explore.  Every day a selection of tours, programs, excursion and exhibits are planned.  Walk the Lowcountry Trail to discover some of the area’s history, while a visit to the Zoo will put you up-close to native animals of the Carolinas like alligators, eagles, wild turkeys and deer.  A cypress aviary and butterfly house add to the Zoo, which is the only Zoo accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums on the coast of North and South Carolina.  



Samson and the Lion

One of my favorite places at the Gardens was the Live Oak Allee garden.  Here I found an area comprised of 250 year old oak trees planted when this land was used as a rice plantation.  Spanish moss and fern hang from the trees lined the garden space, framing it in a an ever-so-artful manner.  The heart and soul of the Brookgreen Gardens are the sculptures, which beautifully blend with the natural scenery and vibrant flowers.  There are over 1,400 works total, by over 350 artists.  Some of the standout pieces include the Alligator Bender, Diana of the Chase, Samson and the Lion, and Fountain of the Muses. 

Make time for a visit Brookgreen Gardens.  The expansive attraction is a hidden gem for many visitors, but ask any local and they rave about all the Gardens have to offer.  Plus, your admission to Brookgreen Gardens I valid for seven consecutive days so you can come back, explore even more or simply spend time in the solitude of this splendid South Carolina treasure.