Brookgreen Gardens — Attraction in Myrtle Beach

"Experience one of the most beloved holiday events in the Southeast, Nights of a Thousand Candles. See Brookgreen Gardens come to life amid the soft glow of more than 2,700 hand-lit candles and millions of sparkling lights. Walk the paths with a warm cup of cider, hear the sounds of holiday music, and celebrate the season with family and friends!"

If you're visiting Pawleys Island or MB, Brookgreen Gardens and Atalaya Castle (right across the street from each other) are absolute must-sees. These two unique attractions beautifully complement each other and provide a diverse range of experiences, from lush gardens to historic architecture. Brookgreen Gardens is a stunning 9,100-acre property that’s more than just a garden. It’s a perfect blend of nature, art, and history. The gardens are beautifully designed, featuring a variety of landscapes, from formal flower beds to wild, natural settings, and there's an extensive collection of sculptures scattered throughout the grounds. The open-air sculptures are diverse in style, and the collection is world-class, showcasing everything from classical pieces to more modern interpretations.

The park also has walking trails, a peaceful butterfly garden, and even a small zoo featuring native animals. Whether you're an art lover, a nature enthusiast, or just looking to relax in a gorgeous setting, Brookgreen Gardens has something for everyone.

Across the street, Atalaya Castle offers a stark contrast. This historic structure, once the winter home of the Huntington family, is an intriguing glimpse into the past. The Spanish-style architecture and its connection to the area's history are fascinating, and exploring the old castle grounds gives you a feel for how the elite lived in the early 20th century. The stories surrounding Atalaya, especially its ties to the local community and the family’s dedication to the arts, make it an engaging visit.

Both sites are well-maintained and provide plenty of opportunities for learning and leisure. The staff at both locations are knowledgeable and friendly, and you can easily spend several hours enjoying both attractions in one trip. Whether you’re exploring the beautiful and serene landscapes of Brookgreen Gardens or stepping back in time at Atalaya Castle, both offer something special and are an absolute highlight of Pawleys Island. Seasonally they do special events like last night's Nights of a Thousand Candles. You must buy tickets and book your table at their lovely Harvest Restaurant (food 3.5/5) in advance for special events.

Harvest Restaurant is located by the Rainey Galleries and offers a full-service menu with inside and patio dining. Wednesday - Sunday | 4:00PM - 9:00PM (Open for Nights of a Thousand Candles - Reservations Highly Recommended)

We...

What a beautiful day and more so place. As I said, if everyone could just walk through this place our country and it's people would be in a better place. Coming off 17 we entered this tranquil setting. Since we had Members Guests Tickets we didn't have to stop at the Welcome Center to purchase the adult $20 tickets. The entry gate was maned by one of the most pleasant employees who took our tickets and gave us easy directions to the Main Building. Plenty of parking is good. First make sure you stop by the outside information booth, this is a must as you get to see the entire layout of the Gardens as well as great information 5 ⭐. Next I hope you have comfortable walking shoes because you will doing a lot of. The good thing is there is plenty of Bench seating throughout. Now be prepared to take in Mother Nature's Beauty, 250 year old Oaks, flowers ETC ETC. Also make sure you stop in and view all the building's with various artists works, you will be overwhelmed. May I also add that various works throughout the Gardens are beautiful so a SUPER BIG 5 ⭐. Now the only negatives. The Domestic Zoo, while it is nice for little kids it's not much for adults. The other wild animals areas were quite a let down as was the Butterfly exhibit that was closed due to issues surrounding COVID, so cannot hold that against them. Any food you buy is expensive as was my $6.50 Chili Hot Dog and $1.25 Small bag of chips. Water and drinks are $2.00 (you may want to bring your own lunch) so this entire groupings only gets 3 ⭐. With that said I am not going to let that affect our absolute enjoyment of...

Brookgreen Gardens is a breathtaking fusion of art, nature, and history that completely captivated me. After spending time across the street at Huntington Beach State Park, we dedicated three days to exploring this incredible place—and even that didn’t feel like enough!

The entrance is beautifully understated, blending seamlessly into the landscape, but once inside, it feels like stepping into another world—one filled with inspiring sculptures, meticulously designed gardens, and a deep sense of history. As an art lover, I was in absolute awe of the extensive collection of American figurative sculptures, thoughtfully placed throughout the gardens.

We also took the tour of Atalaya, the home of sculptor Anna Hyatt Huntington and her husband, which added so much to our appreciation of the gardens’ origins. Throughout our visit, we encountered friendly and knowledgeable staff offering guided tours, and we watched an informative film that shared the fascinating story behind this special place. There’s even a boat tour available, though we didn’t have time for it.

One of the unexpected highlights was the Lowcountry Zoo, featuring native animals in naturalistic habitats—another example of how Brookgreen Gardens offers something for everyone. And with admission tickets valid for seven consecutive days, it’s well worth taking your time to soak it all in.

If you appreciate art, nature, and history, Brookgreen Gardens is an...