Culture/Nature Mini Golf Entertainment Family Fun Fish/Cruise Charleston The eclectic nature of the attractions on the Grand Strand brings some fairly unique and wondrous opportunities for adventure into the world of nature as well as historiclocations. Children and adults alike will marvel at some of these one-of-a-kind attractions. Settlement in the region stretches back to pre-history when Native peoples inhabited the area. Fought over by the Spanish, French and English, the latter group held on to their claims, and the first town settlement in the area was Georgetown in 1730. Plantations grew up along the rivers where rice and indigo became the mainstay of the culture in this, the Lowcountry of South Carolina. Some of these areas have diverted back to wilderness and have gained the protection of the state and wildlife interests. Check out the cruise attractions section, some boat and safari tours are designed especially for those interested in exploring historic and natural sites, with a close-up view of the area. Alligator Adventure - Have a naturally wild time in this reptilian wonderland. Alligators, Komodo Dragons, snakes, lizards, turtles and so much more are housed in this unique reptile complex, which is one of the largest facilities like it in the world. Barefoot Landing / North Myrtle Beach Atalaya - An American castle built like a Spanish fortress by the Huntington family as their winter home. The former studio of American Sculptress Anna Hyatt Huntington is also on the grounds. Programs and tours are free with park admission. Hwy 17 at Huntington Beach State Park, Murrells Inlet Battleship North Carolina - Walk the decks of a living legend, moored in downtown Wilmington. Wilmington, NC Hwy 17 N Bellfield Nature Center - Open year round, learn about coastal environments, from the salt water marshes to the watery eco-systems of the lowcountry. South of Pawleys Island Butterfly Pavilion - New and absolutely wonderful, this is the first facility of its kind in the U.S., a fully enclosed glass pavilion featuring North American butterflies. A Discovery Center, Lorikeet aviary and a restaurant are also part of the complex. Broadway at the Beach / Myrtle Beach Brookgreen Gardens - The world's largest collection of American sculpture in a garden setting, Brookgreen was made up from several old plantation sites. Over 9,000 acres of gardens and wildlife refuge with more than 500 works of figurative sculpture are featured in a garden setting. Hwy 17 South of Murrells Inlet Franklin C. Burroughs • Simeon Chapin Art Museum - The museum hosts rotating and permanent galleries and offers classes. Museum store is on the premises. 3100 S. Ocean Blvd. / Myrtle Beach Georgetown Historic District - On the National Register for Historic Places, the city is known for its preservation of its historic homes, churches, commercial district and plantation sites. Hwy 17 South Hampton Plantation State Park - This early mansion has been preserved with sections exposed showing how it was constructed. St. James Church built in the 1770s stands nearby. Hwy 17 near Georgetown Horry County Museum - Exhibits feature the natural history of the area from fossils to modern wildlife. Native American culture is explored as well as the development of life in county to present times. Main Street / Conway Hobcaw Barony Visitor Center - An ancient land holding that traces back to a Spanish settlement in 1526. In 1718 the area became a barony of 12,000 English measured acres. South Carolinian and universal statesman, Bernard Baruch purchased the land holdings and built a retreat and shared it with friends such as Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, Sir Winston Churchill, Jack London, H. G. Wells and many others. Hwy 17 between Pawleys Island and Georgetown Hopsewee Plantation - A 1740 rice plantation and birthplace of Thomas Lynch, Jr., a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Hwy 17 south of Georgetown Huntington Beach State Park - A great place for shelling and enjoying the natural environs of the Lowcountry's coastal side. Atalaya, former winter home and studio of sculptress Anna Hyatt Huntington is on the grounds and open to the public. Camping is available. Hwy 17 South at Murrells Inlet Kaminski House - An 18th century house filled with period antiques, Kaminski House claims a view of the Sampit River. A great place for picnics. Front Street / Georgetown Myrtle Beach State Park - A 312 acre oceanfront park comprises one of the most popular beaches around. The park is one of the last remaining natural areas along the coast. Highlights include a pier, picnic areas, surf fishing, playground equipment, pool, snack bar and nature center. Hwy 17 South / Myrtle Beach Prevost Art Gallery - View exhibits by local and national artists which change monthly. Front Street / Georgetown Rice Museum - Preserving a significant period of history, this museum explores the culture of the area as it related to the rice trade. Adjacent to the museum is an herb garden maintained by the Lowcountry HerbSociety. Front Street / Georgetown Ripley's Aquarium - South Carolina's most visited attraction, this marvelous aquarium features a 330 foot underwater moving Glidepath which puts the visitor within inches of the sharks and stingrays swimming overhead. Hourly dive shows and a touch tank are also part of the wonderful attractions here. Broadway at the Beach / Myrtle Beach South Carolina Aquarium - Thousands of plants and sea creatures are housed in this exciting and beautiful aquarium, which is only a day trip away in historic Charleston. Charleston on the Harbor South Carolina Hall of Fame - Portraits in the alcove of the convention center pay homage to the great men and women of South Carolina. Noted are famous patriots, a Nobel prize winner and other illustrious natives and citizens who made their mark on the state, the nation and the world. Myrtle Beach Convention Center Spring Plantation Tour - Every year in late March, the Prince George Winyah Parish sponsors a weekend tour of several Lowcountry plantations, many of them are private homes, not ordinarily opened to the public. Past tours have included Chicora Wood, Esterville, Kinloch, The Wedge, Friendfield, Arundel, Exchange, Hampton Place, Weymouth, The Oaks, Rice Hope and Arcadia. Waccatee Zoological Farm - Waccatee is a 500 acre farm with over 100 species of creatures from traditional farm animals to exotics such as miniature horses, black leopards and birds. Enterprise Rd. / Myrtle Beach Reserve Early ...while your preferred accommodations are still available.