Brookgreen Gardens is a non-profit garden museum located just south of Myrtle Beach on Hyw 17 (Ocean Hwy) in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina. The garden was founded by Archer and Anna Hyatt Huntington and is now a National historic Landmark. This is a must see on any trip to Myrtle Beach.

Admission

The garden charges admission to the grounds, but the ticket is good for seven days from the date of purchase. Plan to visit Brookgreen Gardens in the early days of your vacation providing you flexibility to return. Admission includes access to the grounds, specific walking tours, access to the Lowcountry zoo, and more.

The Welcome center provides long-term parking, park maps, and access to the tram. Displays begin at the welcome center including a “Today in the Gardens” where visitors can learn the names of the plants and flowers they will see during their visit.

Activities

The garden is home to native flora and fauna along with objects of art set in the natural setting. Grand statues, old oak trees, and beautiful gardens provide a peaceful ambiance and calming effect over all who grace the grounds.

Many activities are available to visitors including walking tours, a butterfly house, film presentations, art exhibits, meet the animals presentation, and creek cruises.

The Huntington Sculpture Garden tour is presented daily and is included in the garden admission. This tour provides visitors with a brief history of the area and sculptures. Other walking tours are provided for additional fees including a Southern Trek that explores the back roads of the original plantations.

The garden provides activities for young children to include a walking zoo, a discovery room, and other outdoor adventures.

The Lowcountry Zoo

The zoo located on the grounds of the Brookgreen gardens is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and includes a great variety of animals from wild turkeys to river otters and alligators. The zoo is also home to many animals that have been rescued and preserved because of injuries the animals sustained while living in the wild or birth defects. These animals could not survive in the wild and are kept on display in habitats to promote education and suitable homes for the injured birds.

Mother Nature’s Cafe and Meet the Animals are tours provided free of charge with gate admission. The tours provide views of the animals being fed and how the animals interact in their settings.

The Butterfly House at Brookgreen Gardens

The butterfly house is a seasonal experience open from April through October weather permitting. The Whispering Wings butterfly experience allows visitors and up-close encounter with lush garden tropical plants and hundreds of butterflies.

Many varieties of butterflies are located in the exhibit and visitors may have the opportunity to see butterflies emerging from the pupa stage into the adult butterfly. A few varieties at the exhibit include Monarch, Swallowtails, Painted Lady, and Julias butterflies.

This display is great for visitors of all ages and you may even become a resting place for the butterflies as the fly around the exhibit. Bright colors such as white clothing often attract the butterflies. Visitors can use the program as an expansion on learning projects for homeschooled children or for simply to expand learning opportunities.

Dinning at Brookgreen Gardens

The Pavilion Restaurant is open daily for lunch and provides various options for your dinning pleasure. The area is Wi-Fi accessible and provides patio seating for guest. The menu consist of vegetarian choices, sandwiches, soups and salads. Although the prices are higher than typical restaurants offering the same fare, the food was delicious and fresh.  Other dining options include the Old Kitchen and the Lowcountry Center. Both of these locations serve a limited menu of snacks, fruit, and drinks.

The Brookgreen Gardens is a great experience and provides many options while vacationing in the Myrtle Beach area. As mentioned, visit the gardens early in your trip so you can return to take more tours and relax in the splendor of Brookgreen Gardens.