Visiting Myrtle Beach's gardens, state parks, and historical landmarks offer a unique cultural experience-much more than the standard franchise restaurants, children's museums, amusement parks, and water parks. Here are three sure-fire destinations that will cleanse your tourist-trap-filled-palate:
Brookgreen Gardens provides perfect opportunities for all-day trips. Brookgreen is a preserve of native flora and fauna offering a natural park, a wonderful preserve, and historical sites. Only a short 20-25 minute drive from Myrtle Beach, Brookgreen Gardens offers 1000s of acres of cultural attractions. There is a sculpture garden with magnificently designed figurative statues. With over 900 sculptures representing American culture from the early 1800s to the present, Brookgreen is a spectacular peaceful retreat. While you gaze at the amazing art, you can walk through the forested swamps, sandy ridges, a salt march, and fresh tidal swamps; brilliant natural displays of perennials, shrubs, and majestic trees cover the landscape. A zoo is also on the grounds. The little ones will love the Brookgreen Gardens Zoo, with creatures from raging bulls to flying eagles, and you can surprise them with a boat excursion. Riding a jeep deep into the preserve is also an option for the adventurous ones, and on a daily basis Brookgreen Gardens offers exhibitions, excursions, and educational events.
Huntington Beach State Park is a nature lovers wonderland. Located near Brookgreen Gardens, the remote beaches of Huntington Beach await those wanting to escape the touristy regions. There's fishing, crabbing, camping, birding, and hiking trails. This palm tree-lined park offers tours exploring the natural trails, views of the alligators, and observations of Atalaya: a Spanish-style castle. Families can picnic under the shelters, play on the beach, or camp in one of over hundred camp sites.
The Pavilion in Myrtle Beach is a truly unique amusement Park. Salt water filled-air mixing with freshly made cotton candy and funnel cakes delight while riding on the carousel, on a nearby cruise, or playing on the beach under the majestic sky.To amuse all vacationers, there's dancing, dining, swimming, sailing, and golfing. There are plenty of carnival-style rides for little ones and roller coasters for older children. The Pavilion is part of Myrtle Beach's history with classic rides and German Baden Band Organ playing sounds to excite the soul. This clean family amusement park is a day of absolute fun.
Discovering Myrtle Beach's off-the-beaten-path adventures will prove to be a rewarding vacation because of the historical places and cultural experiences not found close to home and--who knows--you may not even miss the water parks!
This tidbit of real travel advice was brought to you by Lili Melton
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