by VICTORIA HENLEY
CTFashionMag.com
The defining landmark botanical attraction of Myrtle Beach, S.C., Brookgreen Gardens, is much more than merely a garden. It combines art, biology, ecology, comprehensive and informative reading materials– and even a miniature educational zoo complete with live animals- for a one-of-a-kind, viscerally stunning experience you will not find anywhere else.
Spiritually enriching, artistically inspiring, and exceptionally curated, Brookgreen Gardens has firmly cemented its status as the premier natural attraction to visit in the Myrtle Beach area, providing an enlightening experience and a respite from the city’s non stop hustle and bustle.
Established in 1932, Brookgreen Gardens initially was developed on the property of four rice plantations, and eventually evolved over time into the world class destination as we know it today, featuring American figurative sculptures, the Lowcountry Zoo, and trails through several ecosysystems in nature preserves on the property, and much, much more.
A visit to Brookgreen Gardens is much more than simply an outing or another bucket list attraction, but rather a haven of peace, a celebration of the beauty of nature, and a stunningly curated reminder to slow down and enjoy the simple things in life.
We highly recommend arriving early to the gardens to ensure that you can cover as much ground as possibl.
We have listed below just a few of our choice favorite sights to see on the expansive 9,884 acres of Brookgreen Gardens during your next visit:
THE BOTANICAL GARDENS:
Brookgreen Gardens is the floral jewel of South Carolina’s coast. Located north of Charleston and south of Myrtle Beach on South Carolina’s Hammock Coast, the property preserves this historic site’s natural and cultivated landscape.
AMERICAN SCULPTURES
Brookgreen Gardens contains the largest and most comprehensive collection of American figurative sculptures in the country, displayed in a stunning garden setting, three galleries and a visible storage and research facility.
THE LOWCOUNTRY ZOO:
The Lowcountry Zoo has been an important element of the mission for Brookgreen Gardens since its inception. It is the one of five institutions accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariumsin South Carolina.
The AZA is America’s most respected organizations for zoos and aquariums.
All of the native animals in the Lowcountry Zoo were either bred and raised in captivity, or have sustained a major disability due to injury. In either case, these animals could not survive in the wild.
Other notable, world class exhibitions are
The Rosen Gallery, an exquisite gallery designed to present and display various works of art in a plethora of genres and mediums, which was featuring the Annual Awards Exhibition for National Sculpture Society during the time of our visit.
A gallery dedicated to acclaimed Hyperrealist artist Jane Jones encourages visitors to take a quiet, contemplative look at her exquisitely detailed and superbly life-like acrylic paintings of flowers in still-life settings.
A sublime and serene way to get fresh air and exercise, Brookgreen Gardens also offers a plethora of easily accessible walking trails, which enable visitor to get some cardiovascular exercise while studying the beauty of nature all at once.
Special thanks to Lauren Van Liew for arranging our visit to spotlight the beautiful Brookgreen Gardens!
WEBSITE: www.Brookgreen.org
PHONE NUMBER: (843) 235-6000
INSTAGRAM @brookgreen_gardens
