Georgetown, SC

Southern live oak trees drape over calm waters lining the seaport city of Georgetown, SC, creating a tranquil getaway that will make you love the Lowcountry.  

Less than an hour south of Myrtle Beach, Georgetown is a perfect rural escape. The waterfront community is home to retail shops, restaurants, museums, fishing grounds and boating activities. You can find all this in the Historic District, which runs parallel to Harborwalk, a picturesque wharf with bars and restaurants where you can dock and dine.

As the state’s third-oldest city, Georgetown SC became an official port of entry in the 1730s. In addition to rice and indigo farming, the region was known for harvesting and exporting timber. It was a main hub for cargo ships and foreign import due to its deep-water port. As you cruise down the river, you can still see remnants of canals that were cut into the rice paddies.

Stroll peacefully through Harborwalk to gaze over the edge of Winyah Bay where four rivers converge — the Sampit, Black, Pee Dee and Wacamaw. If you cruise north of Georgetown SC, the stunning bald cypress forest along the Wacamaw River presents one of the most beautiful scenes on the Intracoastal Waterway.

Neoclassical architecture lines the streets with everything from 18th century plantations to Victorian estates turned into museums and landscaped gardens left by rice and indigo farmers. Visit historic district highlights such as the Kaminski House Museum, Rice Museum, the Gullah Museum and South Carolina Maritime Museum.

Check out waterside music festivals, concerts and year-round theater performances at the historic Strand Theater. Don’t miss popular events such as the Wooden Boat Show (October 19-20), Taste of Georgetown food festival (November 2), and the holiday boat parade and tree lighting in December.

‍

WHERE TO DOCK  

Harborwalk Marina
843-546-4250

Located on Front Street in the heart of downtown, this marina is an ideal stop for transients with a 200-foot floating fuel dock, stationary pump-out, cable and OnSpot Wi-Fi, climate-controlled showers, restrooms, laundry facilities and a captain’s lounge.

‍

Georgetown Landing Marina
843-546-1776

Whether you’re a sport fisherman looking for action or a transient passing through, this marina has everything to offer. Located at the Pee Dee River Bridge near Georgetown SC's north end, the transient dock is aligned parallel to the current flow, allowing an easy approach and departure. It also offers ethanol-free gas, diesel and a full-service ship store.

‍

Hazzard Marine
843-527-3625

This is the only full-service marine repair and refit facility within the 85-mile coastal stretch between Myrtle Beach and Charleston, SC. It’s located in the historic district with a ship store, diesel fuel, vessel pump-outs and Bellingham concrete floating docks. About 37 wet slips accommodate vessels from 25 to 60 feet.

‍

WHERE TO DINE  

The River Room
843-527-4110

This popular seafood restaurant is in the main district where Front and Broad streets intersect. It’s a lovely ambiance fits any occasion and chefs serve specials such as Carolina grouper, Atlantic salmon and yellowfin tuna.

‍

The Big Tuna Restaurant & Raw Bar
843-546-1045

Also on Front Street, this dock and dine stop is another hip fish shack that cooks delicious seafood fresh off the boat. They offer seasonal specialties such as soft-shell crabs, fried grouper and oysters on the half shell. Be sure to ask owners, Bucky and Angie, for their select wine list.

‍

Independent Seafood Market
843-546-6642

You can find this Georgetown gem in a plain white shack at the water’s edge. The back door of the market opens to a dock full of shrimp boats and watermen. Offering plentiful portions
of fresh-caught seafood, customers often bring a cooler to stock up. Pick up their famous lobster, blue crabs, scallops, fish or shrimp.

‍