Brookgreen Gardens

Brookgreen Gardens is equal parts botanical garden, American sculpture garden, and zoological park. A general admission ticket gets you into all areas, including the Lowcountry Zoo where native animals of South Carolina’s swamps and woods—alligators, red foxes, river otters, and white-tailed deer—live in enclosures that mimic their natural habitats. With some 2,000 sculptures by 425 artists, the Brookgreen Gardens collection represents the largest and most comprehensive American figurative sculpture collection in the United States.

• Brookgreen Gardens is great for couples, families traveling with kids, and nature lovers.

• Wear comfortable shoes suitable for walking over uneven surfaces.

• Don’t forget to bring sun protection and insect repellent.

• The garden is wheelchair accessible, but wheelchairs are not available to rent.

The gardens are located off US Highway 17 Bypass between Murrells Inlet and Pawleys Island. The closest international airport is in Myrtle Beach, 13 miles (21 kilometers) northwest of Murrells Inlet.

The gardens are open daily throughout the year, and there’s always something in bloom no matter the season. Spring is typically the most popular time to visit, when azaleas, daffodils, poppies, and snapdragons are in bloom. If you visit during the summer, plan to arrive early while temperatures are still cool.

The land occupied by Brookgreen Gardens once comprised four Lowcountry rice plantations during the 1800s. These thousands of acres are now part of a history and wildlife preserve overseen by the garden, where visitors can learn about the natural and human history of the area by walking The Lowcountry Trail or taking a boat or vehicle excursion into the park.

The Brookgreen Gardens Loop is 1.4 miles long (2.25km), and it takes most walkers about 30 minutes to complete. That being said, Brookgreen Gardens has dozens of short walks that maze through the grounds, and you could spend several hours strolling the gardens, the art sculptures, the wildlife exhibits, and more.

The best time to visit Brookgreen Gardens is spring, many say. Around April, the gardens’ fantastic dogwoods and azaleas bloom, and spring ephemerals can be caught with any luck. Temperatures are warm but not hot, the sun is usually shining, and Myrtle Beach’s summer crowds are yet to arrive.

Many visitors spend roughly 2 hours at Brookgreen Gardens, though it’s best to allot 3–4 hours for your visit just in case. Between the gardens, the wildlife exhibits, and the sculptures, there’s a lot to see and take in. Moreover, some visitors spend multiple days; tickets are good for one week.

Yes, you can bring food to Brookgreen Gardens. There are two designated picnic areas on the grounds, and wandering the exhibits with a snack is allowed, too. There are also three dining options onsite: The Courtyard Cafe (grab-and-go fare, plus beer and wine), The Old Kitchen (light fare), and the Harvest Restaurant (full-service).

No, you’re not allowed to bring your dog to Brookgreen Gardens. That’s for the safety of your pup and the other creatures, as Brookgreen does contain a sizeable zoo—with animals not used to dogs. Pets are also not allowed to be left in your car.

Yes, picnics are allowed at Brookgreen Gardens. There are two designated picnic areas: one near the Russell Holliday Cottage and one near the zoo—both are scenic and a great spot for a bite. There are also three onsite dining options if you’d like your picnic supplemented with beer, wine, dessert, or snacks.