Divine Fish House
(American) Business Highway 17, Murrells Inlet; 843-651-5800. $$$
Another post in Divine's culinary empire has already become a hot locale in only three years of operation. Located right next door to Bovine's, with equivalent views of the Murrells marshland, Divine's menu is a menagerie of selections from around the world with a focus on fish, from smoked-salmon florentine to sushi.
David Bardari's Community House
(Italian) Highway 17, Pawleys Island; 843-237-8353. $$$
David Bardari, who established this popular spot eight years ago after learning his trade in New York City, serves up various Northern Italian-inspired dishes in this small, home-style affair. The Atlantic salmon is lightly blackened and grilled, then served in a roasted garlic sweet-red-pepper coulis.
Southern Strand Plus
Orientation
Fly into Myrtle Beach International Airport, rent a car, and the Pawleys Island area is a thirty-minute shot down Highway 17, which also will be your main artery for getting around during your vacation.
Other Activities
Beaches: Public access is available all along the Grand Strand. The best uncrowded beaches are at Litchfield and Pawleys Island.
Brookgreen Gardens: This 300-acre property opened in 1931 as the first public sculpture garden in the United States and remains one of the finest gardens in the South, home of more than 2,000 species of plants and more than 500 works by 241 artists. Take nature walks through various native habitats. Call 843-235-6000.
Fishing: Murrells Inlet is the hotbed of South Carolina's superb fishing. Take your rod and enjoy surf fishing on the beach, or call Captain Dick's Marina (843-651-3676) for everything from half-day inlet fishing to an overnight private boat charter that features trolling and bottom fishing for the big boys.
Georgetown: Located about twenty minutes south of Pawleys Island, Georgetown is the third-oldest city in South Carolina. More than fifty historic buildings are still standing, and a new boardwalk lets visitors take in the river atmosphere with access to the stores and restaurants on Front Street. Don't miss the Kaminski House Museum, an eighteenth-century period mansion, and The Rice Museum. The Rice Paddy and the River Room are good restaurants for daytrippers.
Huntington Beach State Park: Take a wildlife tour of the 2,500-acre coastal park, or use the beach access and explore the maritime forests, salt marshes and deserted beaches on your own. The surf fishing from the park's jetty is popular. Call 843-237-4440.
Myrtle Beach: Although you probably don't want to stay here, you should certainly spend a day exploring, particularly if you bring the kids. The selection of miniature golf ranges from the absurd to the utterly ridiculous. There are also plenty of water parks—try Myrtle Waves (843-448-1026)—to keep most youngsters happy. The Myrtle Beach Pavilion (843-448-6456) is MB central, featuring arcades, an amusement park and, nearby, a Ripley's Believe It or Not (843-448-2331). There's also a NASCAR SpeedPark (843-918-8725).
Nightlife: Adults should enjoy the 57,000-square-foot House of Blues at Barefoot Landing (843-272-3000), a venue showcasing national and regional musical acts. Broadway at the Beach, a 350-acre development, offers an Official All Star Cafe (843-916-8326) if you want to get your sports-bar fix, as well as clubs for the dancing set.
Shopping: The Hammock Shops in Pawleys Island is a collection of twenty-two boutiques selling jewelry, gifts and clothing, but the highlight is the exceptionally comfortable Pawleys Island rope hammock, which everyone back home will appreciate. Get your golf supplies from David Philo at The Golf Center (843-237-1923).
