Southern Living shares best bets for tourist activities and places to visit in Pawleys Island
Anyone who has visited Pawleys Island knows it is a very special place to enjoy scenic beauty and a laid-back atmosphere, and that there are plenty of activities to make the trip even better.
Now, Southern Living magazine has published an article titled “The 14 Best Things to Do on Pawleys Island, South Carolina,” highlighting fun and family-friendly activities and places to visit on and off the island.
The author of the article, Senior Travel and Culture Editor Tara Massouleh McCay, said she wanted to share how unique Pawleys Island is because it’s been special to Southern Living editor-in-chief Sid Evans, who has “been visiting the tiny sliver of Lowcountry land most summers since he was 5 or 6 and says it’s still one of his favorite places.”
“About 70 miles north of Charleston and 25 miles south of Myrtle Beach, Pawleys has a loyal fan base despite its small stature,” McCay wrote. “The entire barrier island is less than 4 miles long, and in most places, only about one house wide—which means water is everywhere you look.”
She also mentioned the intricate network of salt marshes and creeks on the west side of the island and the gorgeous views of the Atlantic Ocean on the east side.
Pawleys Island Mayor Brian Henry said that Pawleys Island is truly laid-back and non-commercial, with many fun activities awaiting visitors.
“It is a throwback to old beach vacations that people crave in this day and age of news, mobile devices, and always being ‘connected,’” Henry said. “Pawleys is the closest thing to getting away from the hustle and bustle. And people know Pawleys is just the place.”
He said that the best aspects about a Pawleys Island vacation are the uncrowded beach, beautiful and pristine marshland and its slower pace. Some of the best activities on the island are crabbing in the creek, reading a book while relaxing in a hammock and bike riding on island roads.
The mayor was thrilled to learn that Southern Living had once again given Pawleys Island its special stamp of approval.
Activities featured in the article include shopping, golfing, ecotours, beachgoing, historic churches, cuisine, and unique accommodations. The article goes beyond the historic island itself and to the mainland of Pawleys, as well, to fill up its list of must-dos.
Stroll and Shop at Hammock Shops Village
McCay writes that the historic heart of mainland Pawleys all started with the Original Hammock Shop, which was established in 1938. Today, the vibrant shopping village consists of 21 unique local shops, two restaurants, a playground, and several outdoor gathering spaces, she said. She added that people can still get an original Pawleys Island Rope Hammock from the legendary store, as well as seeing other historic buildings like The Schoolhouse and Waverly Building, two 1800s buildings that now house La Tierra Mineral Gallery and BisQit restaurant, respectively.
Play a Round of Golf
McCay suggested checking out the Hammock Coast Golf Trail, a collection of courses that spans Pawleys Island, Litchfield, and the surrounding area.
“The 18-hole course at Caledonia Golf & Fish Club has won multiple awards from golf publications for being a top public course, she said. “Another popular spot is the Jack Nicklaus-designed course at Pawleys Plantation.”
Natural Beauty
“Between Pawleys’ saltwater coast and its immense freshwater network of marshes, deltas, tidal creeks, and estuaries, there’s so much vibrant nature and wildlife to observe,” she said.
She said on Pawleys Island, you can expect to spot everything from alligators, turtles, crabs, dolphins, and otters to a huge variety of birds including Roseate Spoonbill, Osprey, Great Blue Heron, and Wood Storks.
Gear Up and Hit The Beach
Of course, it’s the beach that’s drawn visitors to Pawleys since the 1700s.
McCay wrote, “It’s not hard to find the beach on Pawleys considering the entire island is only about a quarter-mile wide.”
Visit Local Houses of Worship
Stopping by two local houses of worship, McCay said, is a must when visiting Pawleys.
On the mainland, she suggested, folks visit All Saints Church, an early 1900s Classic Revival-style church that’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
“If you go, be sure to also spend time in the church cemetery, which was established in the 1820s and is famously the final resting place of local legend Alice Flagg (who’s said to haunt the area) and celebrated poet and novelist James Dickey,” she wrote.
All Saints Church is located at 3560 Kings River Road, Pawleys Island, SC.
On the island, of course, the Pawleys Island House of Worship, also known as Pawleys Island Chapel, is must-see attraction on Pawleys Island.
“If you want to attend a Sunday service in one of the most gorgeous settings imaginable, the marsh side Pawleys Island Chapel is ready to welcome guests,” McCay said.
And it is worth the trip even if you don’t come for a sermon, she said.
Pawleys Island Chapel is located at 391 Myrtle Ave., Pawleys Island, SC; Call 843-237-2000.
Look For Shark Teeth at The Point
Collecting rare treasures including seashells and shark teeth is a wonderful way to spend part of the day on Pawleys Island.
“Evans recommends going to the Point, also known as the Southern tip of the island, at low tide to look for shark teeth. You never know what kind of treasures you might get to take home,” McCay said.
Where To Eat on Pawleys Island
For some of the best food on the island, McCay suggests dining with Chef Adam Kirby at his two restaurants Rustic Table and Bistro 217 (co-owned by Anne Hardee).
“At Rustic Table, the former state chef ambassador serves up his signature style of Southern comfort food with dishes like country-fried steak with Sawmill sausage gravy and sweet tea collards and Cajun seafood gumbo,” she said.
She urged people to save plenty of room for dessert because they’ll have a hard time deciding between favorites like the Pawleys Island Pie (made with chocolate chips and pecans) and the Roasted Banana and Chocolate Bread Pudding.
She said at Bistro 217, Kirby flexes his culinary muscles in a different way with fun fusion dishes like Korean Chili Seared Salmon with udon noodles and gochujang dashi and Horseradish-Encrusted Pork Schnitzel with roasted potatoes, kale, sauteed onions, and chasseur sauce.
Rustic Table is located at 10683 Ocean Highways, Pawleys Island, SC; Call 843-314-0164.
Bistro 217 is located at 10707 Ocean Highway, Pawleys Island, SC; Call 843-235-8217.
Have Dinner and a Drink at Frank’s
McCay highlighted another popular restaurant in Pawleys Island, Frank’s.
“There’s room for all at Frank’s, a Pawleys Island institution that has expanded over the years to include four dining venues and four bars, all on one sprawling property,” she said. “If you’re coming with last-minute plans, walk-ins are welcome in the Courtyard and Way Back Garden.”
Frank’s is located at 10434 Ocean Highway, Pawleys Island, SC; Call 843-237-3030.
Grab a Casual Bite at bisQit
She mentioned that bisQit, located in the Hammock Shops Village, has something for every craving.
“Of course, there’s a whole list of biscuit sandwiches (try the Lowcountry with root beer-braised pork belly, smoked gouda, slaw, and bearnaise aioli), but there are also burgers, pancakes, tacos, chicken fingers, fried shrimp, and even a lobster roll,” McCay said
bisQit is located at 10880 Ocean Hwy Pawleys Island, SC; Call 843-979-2747.
Where To Stay On Pawleys Island
Relax at a Historic Inn
McCay noted that The Sea View Inn has been welcoming guests since 1937 and has been owned by Brian and Sassy Henry since 2002.
Exhibiting true Southern hospitality, the Sea View still serves two meals to guests daily, which might include fried chicken, vegetables, homemade biscuits, and dessert.
The Sea View Inn is located at 414 Myrtle Ave., Pawleys Island, SC; Call 843-237-4253.
By Clayton Stairs / tourism manager for the Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce