Myrtle Beach, SC

Looks like the SCDOT is on to something....

When most people picture Myrtle Beach and the Grand Strand, they imagine crowded beaches, lively boardwalks, and nonstop entertainment. Yet just a short drive north in Little River lies a peaceful retreat that feels like a world apart: Vereen Memorial Historical Gardens.

➡️This article is supported by Jake Lee - Myrtle Beach & Pawleys Island Top Realtor , preserving and sharing the heritage of this extraordinary region.

This 115-acre preserve sits along the Intracoastal Waterway at 2250 Highway 179. As you pass through the gate, the sounds of traffic fade away, replaced by the rustle of leaves and the calls of birds. Well-maintained trails and wooden boardwalks wind through dense maritime forests draped in Spanish moss, across scenic salt marshes, and out to open views of the water. On clear days the waterway sparkles, with boats gliding past in the distance.

The landscapes change with every step. One moment you walk beneath towering live oaks. The next you cross boardwalks where fiddler crabs scuttle through the mud and graceful herons stand motionless in the shallows. Informative signs along the paths point out native plants and wildlife, turning a simple walk into an easy lesson in Lowcountry ecology. Picnic shelters, swings, a small playground, and gazebos invite you to linger. Many visitors head to the little waterfront beach to hunt for shells or pause at the charming Wishing Tree, an old cypress where people have hung oyster shells carrying personal hopes and memories for more than twenty years.

History runs deep here. The land was once part of Big Landing Plantation, home to the Vereen family since the late 1700s. Jeremiah Vereen Jr. and his relatives cultivated indigo on these grounds. During his 1791 Southern Tour, President George Washington stayed overnight with the family and traveled the historic King's Highway that still runs through the gardens today. This colonial route once linked Boston to Charleston and served as a vital north-south connection for messengers, traders, and early settlers.

In 1971 a descendant, Jackson H. "Jack" Vereen, donated these 115 acres to Horry County. That generous act preserved the site as a public garden and historical treasure. Near the entrance you will find the Vereen family cemetery, where an angel statue watches over graves dating back to the Revolutionary War and Civil War eras. The family roots trace to French Huguenot settlers, and their story adds a rich layer to every visit.

Search the hashtag on Facebook to browse more than 33,000 posts of local history, area photography, and amazing real estate opportunities 🙌 Learn more about Jake Lee at www.jakeleerealestate.com/about

Vereen Memorial Historical Gardens welcomes everyone. The roughly three miles of easy trails suit families, casual walkers, and birdwatchers alike. You might spot egrets and songbirds in the canopy or simply enjoy the quiet. Leashed pets are allowed, and the park stays free and open daily from dawn until dusk. Bring water, sunscreen, and bug spray so you can stay as long as you like.

Though it has grown in popularity over the years, the gardens still feel like one of the Grand Strand's best-kept secrets. It offers a quieter, more reflective side of the Lowcountry where nature and history come together without the crowds.

Photo credits: Gillian Yorkman, Phillip Ward, Betty Flanders, Michael Kane, Susan H., Glenn Howard.

All my favorite things 🌞 Do you love the beach? Jake Lee - Myrtle Beach & Pawleys Island Top Realtor

Well, bless your heart, this little treasure right here—"Old South Secrets from Puddin’ Swamp"—is more than just a recipe book. It’s a stroll down memory lane, a love letter to good Southern cooking, and a celebration of all the flavors that make life worth living. Compiled by the ever-talented Mae G. Turbeville and Eydie Green, this collection is as rich in tradition as the homemade caramel cakes it teaches you to bake.

➡️This article is supported by Jake Lee - Myrtle Beach & Pawleys Island Top Realtor , preserving and sharing the heritage of this extraordinary region.

Search the hashtag on Facebook to browse more than 33,000 posts of local history, area photography, and amazing real estate opportunities 🙌 Learn more about Jake Lee at www.jakeleerealestate.com/about