Brookgreen Gardens is one of the Myrtle Beach area’s most dearly loved attractions, and for good reason. It’s a beautiful place that you could literally spend days exploring. There is so much to do and see at Brookgreen Gardens and that’s one of the reasons that once you buy an admission, it’s good for a whole week. While at Brookgreen Gardens you will immerse yourself in history, art, beauty and even a few cute animals at the zoo.
About a week ago I had the chance to visit Myrtle Beach and one of our stops was Brookgreen Gardens. I was blown away at how big this place was. I only had a few hours to spend exploring so it didn’t take me long to jump right in. My first stop was the butterfly house which is filled with different types of these beautiful insects. The admission into this butterfly exhibit is an additional charge but well worth it, in my opinion. Once your inside you’ll be able to explore these gorgeous butterflies up close and personal.
Outside of the butterfly garden this is also a fun playground and zoo where you can visit the animals. I didn’t get a chance to spend much time at these places but would definitely love to take my kids back.
After the butterfly house and exploring the grounds for a bit, our group decided to take one of the optional tours that are offered at Brookgreen Gardens. These tours are also an additional charge but honestly its something you don’t want to miss. The Oaks Plantation History and Nature Excursion is offered by either boat or bus, I took the bus excursion.
The tour lasts about 50 minutes and it takes you through the backroads of the gardens where you will hear about the history of the Laurel Hill Family. You’ll ride along side an interpreter and see up close historic Live Oaks to a plantation cemetery, a Civil War earthen fort site, and a historic rice mill chimney and a panoramic view of the Waccamaw River. Here are a few photos I took while on the tour.
Graves of two slaves of the Laural Hill Family
Part of a historic rice mill chimney. The house next to it was burnt down during the Civil War.
Road covered with historic Live Oaks leading to what used to the the Plantation owners house.
I could literally go on and on about how much I love Brookgreen Gardens but honestly this is a place that you have to see for yourself in person. I took over a hundred photos on the property and trying to narrow it down was super hard. I wish I could show them all to you.
To learn more about Brookgreen Gardens in Myrtle Beach be sure to visit them online at http://www.brookgreen.org/.
*Travel and Accommodations were provided by Visit Myrtle Beach. All opinions expressed are honest and my own.