Murrells Inlet

One of the oldest (and smallest) waterfront districts of the Grand Strand, Murrells Inlet is a town in Georgetown County, just 20 minutes south of Myrtle Beach. Though it stretches between the Waccamaw River to the west and the Atlantic Ocean to the east, the Inlet and its creek-front restaurant district, called The Marsh Walk, are its heart & soul.

Dating back to Blackbeard and other sea scoundrels, Murrells Inlet eventually developed into a fishing community where Blue Crab, Shrimp and other seafood was routinely harvested, processed and sold from the docks.

Seafood restaurants came next, and the region became known as the “Seafood Capitol of South Carolina.” With the growing restaurant business came a thriving night life, mostly because of the wooden, creek-side boardwalk district known as the Marsh Walk.

Coming into its own as a destination, the MarshWalk is ever-evolving and is known for its many restaurants, from ultra-casual seafood shacks to fine-dining, steak houses, Calabash-styled seafood buffet’s, and two really fine sushi establishments.

In-season and on most weekends, late night crowds enjoy live music from no fewer than a half-dozen music-friendly venues where appreciative crowds dance into the early morning hours. Additionally, boat cruises, kayak and jet-ski rentals, fishing excursions, and a full-service marina are all packed into this historic port.

Just off the Marsh Walk, in between U.S. 17 Business and U.S. 17 Bypass, Murrells Inlet has a thriving business district with movie theaters, shopping, more restaurants plenty of big-box retailers. West of U.S. 17 Bypass several championship-level golf courses add to the Inlet’s appeal. Several exclusive residential communities boast homes with ancient oak-tree lined streets, and highly prized riverfront locations.

Murrells Inlet has its raucous side, too, as it’s known as a motorcycle-friendly town with several biker-themed establishments catering to the free spirits on two wheels. Family-friendly, biker-friendly, and a fisherman’s and golfer’s paradise, Murrells Inlet has managed to reach out to a wide variety of visitors and residents, just as it’s done for centuries.