5 Ways to Celebrate the Holidays in Litchfield and Pawleys Island

We suspect you knew what you were doing when you scheduled a holiday getaway to Litchfield Beach.

The offseason is great in Litchfield and Pawleys Island. Many travelers wait for this time of year to escape winter’s throes and find some serenity on the marsh walk. That doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty to do.

What’s So Great About Litchfield?

Isolated from the hubbub of Myrtle Beach, Litchfield is a favorite escape from the beach. The area has a rich history of hauntings and innovation. (The rope hammock and pimento cheese have their roots here.) It’s a laid-back location for waterfront scenery, tremendous food, and friendly folks.

What to Do for the Holidays in Pawleys Island and Litchfield

1. See Night of a Thousand Candles

Majestic year-round, Brookgreen Gardens takes on a lovely luster for the holidays. Imagine sculptures and intricate gardens illuminated with 3,000 hand-lit candles. See why Travel+Leisure magazine considers this the state’s best Christmas lights.

Try this: If this event is your first visit to Brookgreen, come again after the holidays. It’s a gem of the Lowcountry.

2. Holiday Shop at The Original Hammock Shop

It’s a symbol of the region — the Pawleys Island hammock, circa 1938. Peruse the largest inventory of riverboat captain Joshua John Ward’s leisure invention. Bring home a bit of that island pace, and grab a couple more for holiday gifts.

Try this:  If you’re there while Melvin is weaving, stop and watch. It’s a rare glimpse at an artisan practicing an incredible craft.

3. Take a Winter Walk On the Beach

There are plenty of places to get in your steps, but the beach might be No. 1. The wind’s stiffer, the waves angrier in cool weather, but the crowds are also sparser. Embrace that feeling that you have such an iconic location all to yourself, if only for a moment.

Try this: Wear a waterproof jacket. If you do get wet out there, you definitely also want to stay dry.

4. Enjoy an Intracoastal Waterway Sunset at Gulfstream Cafe

Tasty cuisine, nightly show at sundown — what more could you ask for at dinner? It’s a nice balance of laid-back atmosphere and a next-level menu. It’s THE spot for southern cuisine and local seafood. You’re in for a treat!

Try this: Time your visit for the Early Evening Menu. It includes Steamed Peel-and-Eat Shrimp, Southern Fried Seafood, and more.

ice-skating

5. Go Ice Skating

In Myrtle Beach? Yes! Through Jan. 2, head to Burroughs & Chapin Pavilion by the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk. It’s the first year for this event, on a covered, outdoor rink. It’ll have a holiday feel, with lights and other themed touches.

Try this: Not a seasoned skater? Choose figure-skating skates rather than hockey skates. They have a longer blade for better stability.

Get a Great Room (And Value) At Litchfield Inn

Come stay by the sea and close to Brookgreen Gardens, at Litchfield Inn. It’s an amazing place to return to year after year, season after season. Subscribe to the Litchfield Inn website for updates and specials. Then, book your next stay today.