On an evening stroll along the MarshWalk — a boardwalk at the edge of Murrells Inlet on South Carolina’s Hammock Coast — you’ll hear the lapping of water against the wooden pilings beneath you, a light breeze rustling the palmettos above, and the bluesy beat of a live band emanating from one of several waterfront restaurants. To the east, across an expanse of calm, rippling water and marsh grasses, beach houses stand in formation under the waning light of a Carolina sky.
The historic fishing village of Murrells Inlet has long been defined by its sheltered location on the water. In the 1700s, the inlet provided a good hiding spot for pirates hoping to plunder trading vessels coming in and out of the port. Drunken Jack Island, in present-day Huntington Beach State Park, is named for a pirate who, according to legend, was accidentally marooned and left to die — but not without casks upon casks of rum to ease his passing. “It’s a fun story,” says Justin McIntyre, curator and maritime historian for the South Carolina Maritime Museum. “Not for Drunken Jack, of course!”
From the freshest local seafood prepared by award-winning chefs, the most amazing marsh views, and the best live entertainment around, the Murrells Inlet MarshWalk truly has something for everyone. Experience eight restaurants in one beautiful destination — all right here at the Murrells Inlet MarshWalk.
In the 18th and 19th centuries, Murrells Inlet’s port was used to ship rice grown in the surrounding Waccamaw Neck area to Britain. During the Civil War, the Union Navy blockaded the port, but local blockade runners that were able to evade the North’s ships carried turpentine and cotton through the Caribbean and on to Britain.
By the end of the 1800s, the area had become a summer vacation destination and developed a reputation for its incredible seafood. Over the next few decades, charter boats began taking visitors offshore to fish. Today, locals and out-of-towners alike still enjoy getting out on the water — for fishing, watersports, or eco-cruises — and relaxing afterward with a meal on the MarshWalk, which can be accessed by land or by boat. “You have all these restaurants that are formed around seafood,” McIntyre says. “They buy their fish and sell it fresh that day.” The tradition of seafood has persisted since colonial times, he adds, providing a “continuity through the centuries.”
Read on to learn how to spend a perfect day at this inlet destination.
At Dead Dog Saloon, try the breakfast burrito: home fries, bacon, scrambled eggs, and Cheddar cheese wrapped in a flour tortilla and topped with more Cheddar and green chile sauce. Photography courtesy of Dead Dog Saloon
Start your day off with the crab omelet (bacon included!) at Dead Dog Saloon, so named because the walls are covered with photos of diners’ cherished former canine companions. If you’re at the MarshWalk on a weekend, have brunch at Neptune’s Bistro & Raw Bar, known for its elevated cocktails, small plates, and oysters. At either restaurant, enjoy your meal on a deck overlooking the water.
Rent a kayak and take it for a paddle in the calm waters of the surrounding saltwater estuary. Photography courtesy of THE MURRELLS INLET MARSHWALK
Next, honor the area’s maritime history with a water excursion that leaves just steps away from the MarshWalk, or just around the corner.
After your adventure, it’s time to refuel and relax. When you’ve got your land legs back on the MarshWalk, enjoy a woodfire-grilled steak or brick-oven-baked pizza at Bovine’s. Or head to the nautical-themed Claw House, where you can start with the crab cake poppers with lobster sauce and finish with the seafood mac ’n’ cheese. Or check out the casual setting at Creek Ratz to try oysters from the raw bar before diving into fried flounder and shrimp. At Drunken Jack’s Restaurant and Lounge, you can have the fresh catch of the day served over succotash with a roasted bell pepper cream sauce.
Listen to live music at Wahoo’s Fish House. Photography courtesy of Wahoo's Fish House
Post dinner, stick around for live music and strolling along the MarshWalk. Stop in at Wahoo’s Fish House for a variety of live tunes every night or check out Wicked Tuna’s Tuna Shak, a tiki bar featuring bands six nights a week. You might just want to order a post-dinner snack — Wicked Tuna is known for its delicious sushi.
Plan your trip for February 27-March 3 to attend the MarshWalk’s annual Restaurant Week, in which all eight restaurants feature three-course menus for only $35, or drop by March 4-5 for the ninth annual Taste of the MarshWalk, where you can sample dishes from each restaurant, shop for crafts by local artisans, enjoy live music, and let the kids enjoy camel and pony rides, bounce houses, a petting zoo, and so much more. Plus, the MarshWalk hosts plenty of other fun seasonal events throughout the year.
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