How to Spend 3 Days in Georgetown, South Carolina

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This smaller coastal gem boasts fresh seafood and walkability.

Growing up in the Palmetto State, our family trips every summer to Pawleys Island were marked by stops in Georgetown. It was a place we’d wake up in from a backseat snooze, get out of the car, and stretch our legs—never wondering what treasures might await if we explored a little longer. Last fall, I found out what I’d been missing. The third-oldest city in South Carolina is a destination, not merely a stop before Pawleys Island or Charleston. A weekend in Georgetown summons a vibe not easily found in “flashier” coastal locations: It is quietly Southern in a healing way with a historic riverfront full of charm and character.

MollyRosePhoto TheGeorge — The George, Image courtesy of Molly Rose Photography

FRIDAY:

Accommodations in Historic Georgetown range from a boutique hotel overlooking the Sampit River to a unique inn tucked into the historic district. I was happy to check into The George, an upscale, 56-room hotel with on-site dining. Open since spring 2024, The George is within easy walking distance of the Harborwalk’s shops and attractions. Meanwhile, Baxter’s Brewhouse Inn, located nearby on historic Prince Street, is a beer-drinker’s paradise and on my list for the next stay. Honored as the state’s first “bed and brew,” Baxter’s has just a handful of bedrooms, all individually charming, and a “beer parlour” featuring craft beers made by owner and brewmaster Joseph Baxter. My first meal in Georgetown would certainly be seafood, so Friday evening, I visited The George’s on-site restaurant, The Independent, for a menu of fresh, local options. With helpful nudging from the staff, I opted for raw oysters on the half shell and deviled eggs topped with smoked trout roe to start, then was torn between blackened local catch and Carolina pilau or the market fish with a chef-selected sauce. Nightcaps are best enjoyed at Eliza’s Waterfront Bar, where I savored a cocktail in the open air (in cooler months, the firepit makes it cozy), or at The Corner Tavern, also on Front Street, for a dive bar experience with well drinks and a round of billiards.

SATURDAY:

I woke up hungry, but fortunately it wasn’t far to Aunny’s Country Kitchen, a soul food diner just a short stroll up Front Street. This no-frills spot offers a menu of classic Southern breakfast dishes, ranging from salmon croquettes and shrimp and grits to good ol’ sausage and eggs. Afterward, I picked up an additional caffeine jolt at Purr & Pour, Front Street’s coffee shop and cat café, where you can admire (or adopt!) the felines, and the proceeds go to Georgetown’s Saint Frances Animal Center. For lunch, I continued my seafood trend at Rollin Local, a popular sushi spot with more than 40 specialty rolls, plus classic rolls and “landlubber” options like fried rice and chicken teriyaki. Another option on Front Street, Blue Bayou Bistro, has a more casual atmosphere and serves tasty po’boys and fried platters. I finished the afternoon shopping at local small businesses, such as Georgie Girl (where I befriended the staff and bought a fabulous fuchsia coat with a fur collar), Whimsy Roost, and Georgetown Marketplace. I grabbed dinner at Frank’s on Front (as it’s known locally), the sister restaurant of the well-loved Frank’s and Frank’s Outback on Pawleys Island. The refreshing 631 frozen g & t was a great start (for a nonalcoholic option, I like the dirty tonic mocktail), followed by the Instagram-worthy tuna poke stack and the shrimp red Thai curry.

SUNDAY:

Sunday brunch at Between the Antlers promised waterfront views and a menu of old-school Southern dishes. I was drawn to the Wild Santee “perlau” fritters, “over hammy collards and potlikker,” according to the menu, followed by a delightfully retro sandwich known as Brice’s Country Store: scored and fried bologna, American cheese, fried egg, lettuce, tomato, and Duke’s mayonnaise on toasted white bread. Afterward, burning off those “vacation calories” on the Old Georgetown Walking Tour was just the ticket. This 90-minute guided tour covers the picturesque historic district and offers an opportunity to explore additional local spots for your next visit bucket list.