One-day escape: Brookgreen Gardens and Huntington Beach State Park

Start at your hotel: practical departures

Check out of your day with the concierge at Marriott Myrtle Beach Resort & Spa at Grande Dunes before you go; there’s a 24-hour front desk if you need help planning transit or tickets. Check-in for rooms begins at 4:00 PM and check-out is 11:00 AM, should you be arriving or departing that same day.

If you’re staying on property, pack snacks, water, sunscreen and comfortable shoes for walking; both Brookgreen and Huntington Beach State Park involve outdoor paths and uneven surfaces.

If you need a quiet pre- or post-trip spot, Rooted Grounds Coffee Company in the lobby opens early for coffee and pastries.

• Front desk/concierge: available 24 hours
• Pack: water, sunscreen, hat, comfortable walking shoes
• Hotel dining options if you stay late: Ocean's on 82nd, Ocean Blu Restaurant and Lounge, The Cove

Morning: Brookgreen Gardens — sculpture, gardens and wildlife

Drive from the resort to Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet first thing in the morning to make the most of cooler temperatures and the full-day schedule. Brookgreen combines sculpture gardens, historic Lowcountry landscape and a wildlife preserve.

Brookgreen offers miles of garden paths and indoor and outdoor sculpture collections. Expect to spend around 2–3 hours wandering the grounds if you want to see highlights and take photos.

• Arrive when Brookgreen opens to avoid midday crowds (check Brookgreen for current opening hours).
• Wear comfortable walking shoes; bring water and a hat for sun protection.
• Brochures and maps are available on site; guided or themed tours are often offered (contact Brookgreen for tour availability).

Midday: Huntington Beach State Park and Atalaya

Huntington Beach State Park sits almost directly across the highway from Brookgreen Gardens and is a short drive from the gardens’ parking area. The park includes wide beach access and Atalaya, a historic Moorish-style beachfront residence worth viewing from the outside or on a museum tour if available.

Spend lunch either at a picnic area inside the park (if you pack a lunch) or head into nearby Murrells Inlet for local seafood and marshfront dining before returning to the beach for a short walk or wildlife viewing.

• Park highlights: beach access, Atalaya (historic site), salt marsh boardwalks for birdwatching.
• Bring beach gear if you want a short swim or shoreline walk — facilities and rules vary by season.
• Check Huntington Beach State Park for current hours, admissions and tour schedules for Atalaya.

Timing and logistics for a single-day loop

A practical single-day schedule: leave the resort after an early coffee, plan 2–3 hours at Brookgreen in the morning, 1–2 hours for Huntington Beach State Park and Atalaya around midday, then return to the resort in the afternoon or early evening. Actual visit lengths depend on how much you want to walk, tour, or dine.

Both sites have admission and parking policies that may change seasonally; confirm current opening hours, fees and tour times on the official pages before you go.

• Drive time: Brookgreen and Huntington Beach State Park are commonly listed as roughly a 30–60 minute drive from the Myrtle Beach area depending on traffic and your starting point within the city—confirm routing and traffic before departure.
• Bring cashless payment methods; the resort advises that cash may not be accepted at the hotel and many local vendors prefer card payments.
• If you prefer not to drive, ask the resort concierge about local taxi or rideshare options.

Back at Marriott Myrtle Beach Resort & Spa at Grande Dunes: unwind or explore more

After your day trip, you can relax at the resort’s indoor or outdoor pools (pool access is complimentary for guests) or book a treatment at Hibiscus Spa, which is open daily from 8:00 AM–4:00 PM. Spa guests receive access to the pool and fitness center for the duration of the spa’s operating hours on the day of their treatment.

If you’d rather dine at the resort, Ocean's on 82nd serves breakfast and dinner and Ocean Blu Restaurant and Lounge serves light fare and cocktails; The Cove operates seasonally at the pool. Rooted Grounds Coffee Company is the spot for morning coffee before you leave.

• Pools: indoor and outdoor pools, hot tub, seasonal waterslide (pool hours commonly 7:00 AM–11:00 PM).
• Dining options: Ocean's on 82nd (breakfast & dinner), Ocean Blu (light fare & cocktails), The Cove (seasonal poolside American fare), Rooted Grounds Coffee Company (coffee & pastries).
• Spa: Hibiscus Spa — book early if you want an afternoon treatment after the day trip.

Which rooms to consider at the resort

If you’re using Marriott Myrtle Beach Resort & Spa at Grande Dunes as your base, room choices include oceanfront and resort-view options; consider a Room, Balcony, Oceanfront if you want direct ocean views from a private balcony. Other room names on property include Room, Partial Ocean View and Room, Resort View among the available types.

Accessible options are available — for example, Room, Resort View (Mobility/Hearing Access, Roll-In Shwr) — and the property lists rooms that include tubs or roll-in showers to meet differing guest needs.

• Room, Balcony, Oceanfront — ocean views with balcony (302 sq. ft.; 1 King Bed or 2 Queen Beds).
• Room, Partial Ocean View — partial views and flexible bedding (1 King Bed or 2 Queen Beds).
• Accessible option: Room, Resort View (Mobility/Hearing Access, Roll-In Shwr).

Tips and quick reminders

Confirm current opening hours and admission prices directly with Brookgreen Gardens and Huntington Beach State Park before you travel; hours and fees can change seasonally. Also check the resort’s current parking policy and any resort fee inclusions if you’re staying overnight.

If you’re planning a longer visit to Murrells Inlet after the park, allow extra time for local traffic and for finding waterfront dining. The concierge can help with local restaurant recommendations and current driving times.

• Check Brookgreen Gardens and Huntington Beach State Park official sites for tour times, admission and closures.
• Bring a charged phone for maps and contactless payments; many places in the area prefer card payments.
• If you need help with transit, ask the hotel concierge about local taxi and rideshare availability.