Brookgreen Gardens is just south of Myrtle Beach, SC and around Murrells Inlet. This park is considered a sculpture garden but a wildlife preserve. Brookgreen gardens is divided up into themed gardens with sculptures and the lowcountry zoo.
Entrance to the gardens
When arriving, guests pay their admission fee at a gate and there are discount coupons in some of the books in the Myrtle Beach area. When admission is purchased, the ticket is good for seven days. This is great if you have small kids and want to come back later.
After payment, guests have the option of starting in the sculpture garden or the lowcountry zoo. We decided to start at the zoo because we felt it was more interactive for our kids.
Lowcountry Zoo
The lowcountry zoo portion of the gardens has many animals you could find in the area and this allows guests to see animals in their natural habitat.
There were five baby otters when we visited and the kids loved watching them play. Guests will also notice there are sculptures celebrating the animals in the zoo.
As you go through the zoo, the walking paths are in the shade. However, make sure to bring some bug spray (or stickers) for the mosquitos.
Next, we encountered some eagles and birds of prey. As we continued, there was an area for alligators (we didn’t’ see any) and a waterfowl aviary.
This area has a brook with a bridge and a beautiful walkway. The birds in here are mainly ducks and the Spanish moss is perfectly hanging over the bridge.
As you continue on, there are other animals to see such as goats and donkeys. Overall, this area is great for younger kids.
Butterfly House
The butterfly house is an enclosed area where guests can get close to butterflies. Sometimes, they will even land on a guest and hang out. There are cocoons on display and it’s a nice place to just relax and enjoy these beautiful creatures.
Children’s Storybook Forest
The children’s storybook forest is a fun place for kids to use their imaginations. Pirate ships, castles and small classrooms allow kids to play in the garden with many props. There’s even a train from the Little Engine That Could.
Sculpture Garden
A short car ride or shuttle ride away is the entrance to the main gardens. My oldest daughter, who is 9, loved this part of the gardens.
As you enter, you will notice the beautiful gardens with gorgeous statues everywhere. This garden has some incredible sculptures and many pay homage to Greek/Roman Mythology.
There are so many breathtaking gardens and sculptures, guests will find themselves losing track of the time.
Near the back, there are a few art galleries indoors and that is perfect for guests on a hot summer day.
Also, I have to mention that amount of fountains. There are so many fountains with sculptures throughout the gardens and they are a perfect compliment to the art.
Brookgreen Gardens Café
There is a small café in the middle of the garden called the Old Kitchen Menu. Assorted menu items include quiche, sandwiches, mac and cheese, pies and ice creams. There are also hot, cold and alcoholic beverages for sale.
FAQs about Brookgreen Gardens
How long does it take to walk through Brookgreen Gardens?
I think anyone could spend an entire day here, but if you wanted to go a little faster, guests could walk through in a couple of hours. Your ticket lasts 7 days so you could leave and come back another day.
How much does it cost to go in Brookgreen Gardens?
Adults tickets (age 13-64) cost $20, kids (4-12) are $10 and kids under 4 are free. But don’t forget to bring a coupon to save money!
How can I find lodging?
Check out booking.com to get links comparing all the different hotels in the area!