If you’re looking for a change of pace during your Myrtle Beach vacation, a Georgetown, SC day trip trades the boardwalk buzz for waterfront charm, walkable streets, and centuries of rich history.
Located less than an hour south of Myrtle Beach, this small South Carolina town packs museums, shopping, and stories into one easy day. Use Landmark Resort as your home base, spend the day exploring Georgetown, and you can still be back on the oceanfront by dinner.
Book your stay at Landmark Resort and make Georgetown your next adventure.
Getting There: An Easy Drive South from Myrtle Beach
One of the best things about a Georgetown day trip is how easy it is to get there. From Landmark Resort, the drive south on Highway 17 takes about 45 minutes, which leaves you the whole day to explore.
Because the trip is so short, there’s no need to rush. You can leave after breakfast, wander downtown Georgetown at your own pace, and return to Myrtle Beach without travel eating into your vacation.
Morning: Start on Historic Front Street
Photo Credit: Kirk Fisher
Front Street is the heart of downtown Georgetown, and it’s the perfect place to begin. This is the main drag of South Carolina’s third oldest city, and the locally owned shops, galleries, and cafes give it a character that big chains can’t match.
Grab a coffee at the cozy Grit and Grind and take a slow walk past the storefronts, then duck behind them to the Harborwalk. This boardwalk runs along the Sampit River, where shrimp boats and pleasure craft drift by, and birds work the water’s edge.
The waterfront is one of the best spots in town to slow down and soak in the view. Take your time here, because this riverfront stretch sets the tone for the rest of the day.
Step Into the Past at the Kaminski House Museum
For a deeper sense of the town’s story, the Kaminski House Museum on Front Street is a must-stop. This Georgian home was built in 1769 by merchant Paul Trapier, once nicknamed the “King of Georgetown.”
A guided tour walks you through rooms filled with original antiques and American and English art. Docents share intriguing tales of the families who lived here from colonial times through the two World Wars.
Tours run Monday through Saturday at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m., so the late-morning slot fits a day trip nicely.
Midday: Dig Into Georgetown’s Rich History
Georgetown sits among the oldest cities in South Carolina, and its local museums make that history easy to explore. The free Georgetown County Museum is a great next stop, with artifacts and exhibits spanning nearly 300 years.
It’s one of five museums clustered in the historic district, including The Rice Museum, the South Carolina Maritime Museum, and the Gullah Museum. You can visit one or string several together, since they all sit within an easy stroll of the waterfront.
For visitors who love history, this concentration of local museums is rare for a town this size. Few places let you cover this much of America’s past in a single afternoon.
Lunch on the Waterfront
By midday, you’ll be ready for a break, and Front Street delivers. The restaurants along the harbor serve fresh Lowcountry seafood with views of the river and passing boats.
Grab a table on a waterfront patio and enjoy the unhurried pace. These are some favorites:
- Buzz’s Roost: A laid-back waterfront spot serving seafood baskets, sandwiches, tropical drinks, and some of the best sunset views on Front Street.
- Thomas Cafe: A local institution offering classic Southern breakfasts and lunches in a casual setting that’s been serving Georgetown for generations.
- Angell Bros. Grill: One of Front Street’s most popular waterfront dining spots, it combines Lowcountry flavors with a modern gastropub feel.
Afternoon: Hopsewee Plantation and the American Revolution
Photo Credit: Karlsson Photo
Standing on this ground brings the Revolutionary War era to life in a way no textbook can. For families and history lovers alike, it’s the highlight of the trip.
About 14 miles south of downtown, Hopsewee Plantation is where Georgetown’s story connects directly to the founding of the country. Built around 1740, nearly 40 years before the Revolutionary War, this rice plantation overlooks the North Santee River.
Hopsewee is the birthplace of Thomas Lynch Jr., one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. It’s one of just a dozen surviving birthplaces of the men who signed that document, which gives it a real place in the history of the American Revolution.
A guided tour leads you through a home still furnished with 18th and 19th century antiques, with much of the original woodwork intact. The tour shares stories of the patriots and planters who lived here, as well as the enslaved people who worked the land.
Tours run on the hour from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday, so an early-afternoon visit works well. Afterward, the on-site River Oak Cottage Tearoom serves Lowcountry favorites and a Southern tea service for a perfect winding down.
Late Afternoon: Shopping, Antiques, and One Last Stroll
Photo Credit: Justin Heckman
Back in town, Front Street is built for browsing. The boutiques, art galleries, and antique shops are nearly all locally owned, so each stop feels a little different from the last.
Pop into a few stores, hunt for antiques, and pick up something made by a local artist. The relaxed, no-pressure feel here is a refreshing change from busier shopping areas up the coast.
When you’re ready to wind down, take one final walk along the Harborwalk. Watching the light shift over the river is a fitting way to close out the day before pointing the car back north.
Time the drive right and you’ll roll into Myrtle Beach hungry and ready for a great meal. Cap off your day trip at one of the best restaurants in South Myrtle Beach, just minutes from Landmark Resort.
Georgetown vs. Myrtle Beach: Why Do Both
Myrtle Beach is all about energy, attractions, and nonstop fun. Georgetown offers history, quiet streets, and a slower waterfront rhythm.
That contrast is exactly why the two pair so well. You get the excitement of the Grand Strand and a calm, history-filled day trip without choosing one over the other.
Plan Your Georgetown Day Trip from Landmark Resort
When you’re planning a day trip to Georgetown, where you stay makes all the difference. Landmark Resort keeps it simple with an oceanfront location that puts the drive south within easy reach.
Located right on the beach in Myrtle Beach, Landmark gives you quick access to Georgetown’s museums, Front Street, and Hopsewee Plantation while keeping you close to the Boardwalk, dining, and entertainment back home. It’s a flexible base for exploring the whole region without packing up and relocating.
On-site amenities make your downtime just as fun as your day trips, with indoor and outdoor pools, a lazy river, hot tubs, a seasonal waterpark area, on-site dining, and ultra convenient direct beach access.
Book your stay at Landmark Resort today and start planning the perfect day trip to Georgetown!