Located a short drive south of Myrtle Beach, Murrells Inlet, the "Seafood Capital of South Carolina" has a rich history that can be traced back to Native American tribes and 16th century Spanish settlers. In the 1700 and 1800s the area was home to many successful rice plantations.
Murrells Inlet also had a part in the Civil War with Confederate blockade runners using the Inlet to sneak cotton, rice, and other products to England. Many of the blockade runners were attacked by Union warships while trying to deliver their goods. The war took a major tool on rice plantations in the area causing the beginning of a decline that ended in 1916 with the shut-down of the last commercial rice grower in the area.
Murrells Inlet is well known for three main things, fishing, food, and Brookgreen Gardens. Fishing in the inlet dates back to the early 1900's. An all day captain led fishing trip in 1914 cost only $5 per person. For fishing trips for locals and tourists alike Captain Dick's marina in the heart of Murrells Inlet offers an array of fishing trips. They range from short cruises around the inlet to overnight fishing excursions. Also in the Murrells Inlet area is Wacca Wache Marina located on the Waccamaw River where you can go out on one of their tour boats or rent your own boat complete with supplies.
Food, it's hard to say Murrells Inlet and not have your mouth water or stomach grumble thinking of the amazing dishes served at Murrells Inlet restaurants. The Marshwalk and surrounding area in Murrells Inlet are home to some of the best restaurants in the greater Myrtle Beach area. If you love seafood a trip to the Myrtle Beach area is not complete without a trip to Murrells Inlet.
Brookgreen Gardens, a national Historic Landmark, began as the statuary gardens of Archer & Anna Huntington in the 1930s where Anna displayed her own sculptures. Today close to 70 of Mrs. Huntington's pieces can be found at Brookgreen Gardens which has the largest display of figurative sculpture by American artists in an outdoor setting. Across Highway 17 from Brookgreen at Huntington Beach State Park, you can find, Atalaya, the former home of the Huntington family.
Murrells Inlet is also home to many stores, great seafood and non-seafood restaurants, and golf courses. Murrells Inlet's population has been growing the last few years with the addition of many new communities. Whether you're coming for dinner, a vacation, or a lifetime, there is something for everybody in Murrells Inlet.
