Best day trip from Dunes Village Resort: Brookgreen Gardens
Brookgreen Gardens is an easy 30–45 minute drive south from Dunes Village Resort and makes a rewarding day trip for visitors who want sculpture, Lowcountry botany, and a small zoo. Plan to arrive when Brookgreen opens (9:30 a.m.) to see sculptures and gardens in cooler morning light and leave time to drive back before evening.
In this guide
- Why Brookgreen Gardens is a good day trip
- Getting there from Dunes Village Resort
- What to see and do at Brookgreen
- Suggested half-day and full-day itineraries
- Practical information: hours, tickets, and accessibility
- Back at Dunes Village: food and rooms for relaxing after the trip
- Tips for families and what to pack
Why Brookgreen Gardens is a good day trip
Brookgreen Gardens combines an outdoor sculpture collection, botanical gardens focusing on native Lowcountry plants, and a small zoo area with native animals. It offers a different pace from Myrtle Beach’s beachfront attractions.
For Dunes Village Resort guests it’s one of the nearest cultural destinations listed by the resort and is regularly recommended as a 30–45 minute drive from Myrtle Beach toward Murrells Inlet.
- Sculpture collection spread across outdoor garden settings
- Botanical displays emphasizing Lowcountry plants
- Lowcountry Zoo with regional wildlife exhibits
| Feature | Why it fits a day trip |
|---|---|
| Sculpture Garden | Outdoor walkable collection — best enjoyed in cooler morning hours |
| Botanical Gardens | Native plants and shaded paths for a relaxed stroll |
| Lowcountry Zoo | Short exhibits that work well with family schedules |
Getting there from Dunes Village Resort
Dunes Village Resort’s address is 5200 North Ocean Blvd, Myrtle Beach, SC; Brookgreen Gardens sits near Murrells Inlet and is typically a 30–45 minute drive south. Exact drive time depends on traffic and route chosen.
Public transit options exist across Horry and Georgetown counties, but schedules and routes vary; many visitors drive or take a taxi/rideshare for a day trip.
- Drive time: roughly 30–45 minutes (varies with traffic)
- If you prefer not to drive, consider taxi or rideshare — public transit is available but may not be direct
| From | Typical travel time |
|---|---|
| Dunes Village Resort (North Ocean Blvd) | About 30–45 minutes by car |
| Myrtle Beach area (central) | About 30–50 minutes depending on starting point |
What to see and do at Brookgreen
Start with the outdoor sculpture trails to get a sense of the collection and how works are sited among gardens. Paths vary in length and terrain, so wear comfortable shoes.
Visit the botanical areas and shaded garden rooms to see native Lowcountry species. If you’re traveling with kids, the Lowcountry Zoo offers shorter exhibits that are easy to include in a half-day plan.
- Outdoor sculpture trails — flexible walking distances
- Specialized garden areas with native plants
- Lowcountry Zoo exhibits and family-friendly areas
- Optional paid excursions (seasonal) like pontoon creek tours and guided mini-bus history tours
| Area | Suggested time |
|---|---|
| Sculpture trails | 60–90 minutes |
| Botanical gardens | 30–60 minutes |
| Lowcountry Zoo | 30–45 minutes |
Suggested half-day and full-day itineraries
Choose a half-day if you want to combine Brookgreen with another Murrells Inlet stop; choose a full day to include all sculpture areas, gardens, and a relaxed lunch. Brookgreen’s grounds are best seen at a walking pace.
Brookgreen also offers seasonal paid excursions such as a pontoon Creek Excursion and a Trekker mini-bus tour of historic sites; these run March through November and add time to your visit if you include them.
- Half-day (morning): arrive at 9:30 a.m., see main sculptures and gardens, visit the Lowcountry Zoo, depart midday
- Full-day: add a relaxed lunch near the Gardens and a seasonal excursion, or spend extra time exploring lesser-known garden rooms
| Half-day plan | Full-day plan |
|---|---|
| Arrive 9:30am, sculpture trails, botanical walk, zoo, depart ~1:00pm | Arrive 9:30am, sculpture trails, picnic or nearby lunch, optional excursion (seasonal), more gardens, depart late afternoon |
Practical information: hours, tickets, and accessibility
Brookgreen Gardens is open daily; published hours list a 9:30 a.m. opening and a 5:00 p.m. close. Confirm current hours and ticket prices on Brookgreen’s official site before you go.
Brookgreen charges admission; one source lists adult admission around $25 and children 4–12 around $14 with admission valid for several consecutive days. Check Brookgreen for current pricing, discounts, or membership options.
- Typical hours: 9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (confirm before visiting)
- Admission is required; verify current prices and multi-day validity on Brookgreen’s site
- Some excursions and tours run seasonally (March–November) and require separate fees
| Tip | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Arrive at opening | Cooler temperatures and easier parking; better light for sculptures |
| Bring comfortable shoes | Many paths and outdoor walking between garden rooms |
| Check seasonal tour schedule | Pontoon and mini-bus tours run only part of the year |
Back at Dunes Village: food and rooms for relaxing after the trip
After a day at Brookgreen, Dunes Village Resort offers on-site dining options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Admiral's Room serves breakfast, Captain's Café handles lunch and dinner, Perk's Up Coffee Shop offers Starbucks coffee and grab-and-go items, and the Cabana Tiki Bar serves drinks and small plates on the pool deck.
If you plan to rest at the resort, rooms that many families choose include Deluxe Studio, Deluxe Room, 2 Bedrooms, Oceanfront (Angle), and Suite, Oceanfront (Angle). Choose a room type that fits your group size and whether you want an oceanfront view.
- Admiral's Room — breakfast buffet (open 7:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.)
- Captain's Café — lunch & dinner (hours vary; 11:00 a.m. start listed)
- Perk's Up Coffee Shop — Starbucks and pastries (early morning hours)
- Cabana Tiki Bar — poolside drinks and small plates (seasonal hours)
| Room name (exact) | Why pick it after a day out |
|---|---|
| Deluxe Studio | Compact option with sofa bed for small groups |
| Suite, Oceanfront (Angle) | More space and oceanfront exposure for relaxing evening views |
| Deluxe Room, 2 Bedrooms, Oceanfront (Angle) | Larger groups or families needing separate bedrooms |
Tips for families and what to pack
Brookgreen is a walking destination with shaded garden areas; bring water, sunscreen, and a hat in warmer months. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended for garden paths.
If you’re returning to Dunes Village later in the day, remember water park hours at the resort run daily from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., and water park access is included with your stay if you want an evening swim back at the resort.
- Water and snacks for Brookgreen — picnic options depend on Brookgreen policies, so check ahead
- Camera or phone for sculpture and garden photos
- If visiting Brookgreen in March–November, check schedules for optional excursions (pontoon/trekker)
| From Dunes Village | Useful note |
|---|---|
| Bring a light jacket in spring/fall | Morning and late afternoon can be cooler |
| Plan pool or water park time after return | Resort water parks are open 9 a.m.–11 p.m.; access is included with your stay |
| Check Brookgreen tour schedules | Some excursions are seasonal and require advance booking |
