Salty air, the smell of pluff mud, sunsets over the marsh, happy hour on the beach; all the laid back components of a beach vacation well spent. Beyond naps on the beach and leisurely mornings on the porch, I spend a good bit of time shopping local boutiques when I vacation to the Pawley’s Island and Litchfield Beach area.
Most vacationers hit the beach during the day and pack it up in the afternoon and then enjoy a night out dining on fresh seafood at a local restaurant. I do the reverse; my fair skin can’t handle too much sun (and I really try to watch it the older I get) so my routine on a beach vacation isn’t like that of everyone else’s. A typical vacation day for me usually involves sleeping later than normal; sipping coffee on the porch until mid morning; getting decently dressed to hit a few shops; eating lunch out (or a to go order during these covid times); evaluating high and low tide and the position of the sun and when I should go sit on the beach; ultimately, relaxing on the porch for just another hour or so; make some to-go happy hour drinks; pack some chips and dip in a cooler; head to the beach and watch the tide roll in; pack it up around 7pm to cook a late supper; take a stroll along the marsh afterwards to watch the sunset. It’s always the perfect day!
You may think I’m missing a lot of beach time (don’t worry, I get it in), but there’s some major perks to this routine! I enjoy having the restaurant meal in the middle of the day; most local places have a great variety on the menu for lunches and it’s usually cheaper. It also gives me the opportunity to explore shops and boutiques that I don’t get to frequently visit. I’ve compiled my favorite places in the Pawley’s Island area. If you make a trip to the coast this summer, be sure you check out these shops and restaurants!
Local Shops
You can’t mention Pawley’s Island without mentioning the Hammock Shops. There’s quaint mercantile shops that carry fun t-shirts and gadgets, local boutiques, a wine shop, a restaurant, a candle shop, a fabulous shoe shop. It’s easy to spend a full day at this one location!
As for Me and My House is an adorable gift boutique with everything from jewelry to home items to baby gifts. You can shop them online but they are undergoing site maintenance so get in touch via phone to place an order.
This new shop was so much fun! Susan Albright Happy Places is just that–a happy place! She is an artist who takes her prints and puts them on all sorts of items. Everything from dresses to wallpaper to pillows to shower curtains to cutting boards! I bought a set of napkins and I can’t wait to set my table with them. And you know how I feel about wallpaper; dreaming about which wall in my house would be the happy place for it!
The Shops at Oak Lea is another location filled with adorable boutiques! I enjoy stopping in Pawley’s Pedalar for shoes, dresses, and upscale men’s clothing. Eleanor Pitts has gorgeous china; I just love admiring the place settings local brides create!
I’ve been filling my summer wardrobe with items from The Joggling Board since I was a little girl. One side is a precious children’s boutique and the other side is a Lilly Pulitzer store!
Rose Arbor is my favorite home decor store; I could spend hours in there. I take that back–I do spend hours in there, ha!
Rose Arbor also has a location in Myrtle Beach. Each location has fabric and wonderful home decor! It’s worth visiting both locations; especially if you have an upholstery project. I bought fabric at both locations for my next vintage reupholstery projects.
Local Restaurants
Frank’s is fine dining at it’s best. They are only open for dinner, I believe. If you want to be more casual, check out Frank’s Outback. It’s a patio under the oaks and an oh so dreamy place for sharing drinks and plates with friends.
Chive Blossom is my favorite place to dine for lunch out. Hands down, they are the absolute best she crab soup you will ever put in your mouth. EVER! And I love how they offer a portion size that’s “just a sip” because you’re going to want to eat a full meal from this restaurant and taste as many good things as possible from them!
Bistro 217 is another favorite. They have a salad that is topped with seared scallops, goat cheese, sliced grapes, almonds…oh it’s so light and fresh and delicious! It’s located in a small strip mall, but the patio tucked away is so enjoyable. One of my friends had her bridal luncheon here and I think it may have been a favorite luncheon I’ve attended!
Rustic Table is a right next door and a sister restaurant of Bistro 217. My favorite dish is a summer salad filled with fresh corn, black eyed peas and topped with blackened mahi. Ok, I’ve got to recreate it soon. So yummy!
I know Eggs Up Grill is a franchise, but it’s so much fun to eat breakfast out while you’re on vacation! Something you don’t do back home. I love getting their gluten free pancakes!
And when you’re ready to head back home for the day, stop at the Seafood Market to pick up a fresh catch to cook for supper. I even pack a cooler and stock up on my way home so I can freeze it and enjoy seafood at home in a week or so!
I forgot to snap a picture of Get Carried Away! On your way into Pawley’s, be sure to stop and load up on pimento cheese, texas caviar, tomato pie, and lasagnas for the week.
Any place I left out? I’m always exploring new places when I head to the coast. Let me know if you go to any of these places and tell them I sent you! Enjoy the beach!
