Sapphire

Heading to Pawley's Island for several days and would welcome recommendations on places to go birdwatching, affordable restaurants (in the area), etc.

We may also take a day trip to Charleston and welcome suggestions for that area as well.

Thank you!

stumpworks73

If you like casual seafood, and oyster roasts in particular, visit Nance's Seafood Kitchen.

A more traditional and very popular MB seafood destination, try Drunken a Jacks.

suewoo

I'd go to Brookgreen Gardens.

On the way to Charleston, in Awendaw, is the Seewee Restaurant. Great casual lowcountry food.
The Cener for Birds of Prey is nearby. They do demos-check the website for a schedule.

Gretchen

Another vote for Brookgreen Gardens. And also Atalanta, across the street from Brookgreen--it is the very "interesting" home of the Huntingtons during the 6 months of the year they lived there. And there is Huntington Beach State Park right there also.
There are literally myriad good restaurants in the area.
Nance's is good for an oyster roast--the best place for that dish. It is a big "fish camp" style place.
Our favorite place in Murrell's Inlet is Russell's.
The Inlet Crab Restaurant is good--you can make reservations. It is a cute little colorful "shack" near the top of business 17 in MI.
At Pawley's, the Chive Blossom is wonderful--upscale, in spite of its look just at the Causeway across to Pawley's.
Frank's is probably the oldest and maybe best "white tablecloth" restaurant in the area. It has two parts--Franks and Franks Out Back. Both have EXCELLENT kitchens and service. Definitely make reservations.
If you go to Charleston, take Sue's advice to at least stop at SeeWee for a snack if it is open. It is fun.
Another Murrell's Inlet restaurant that is fun for lunch is Bubba Love's. If it is warm, you can eat outside. Another for lunch is Creek Ratz.
We have given the Divine's restaurants a pass of late. Expensive and not always local seafood.

Sapphire

Great suggestions! Thanks.

We have some extended family coming for part of the time. And at some point, we may have a group of 15-16 people (including a 10 year old, 2 year old and 1 year old) going out to dinner. Is there a family friendly, affordable place that comes to mind? And a place that might be good for take out pizza another night?

Gretchen

Nance's can easily take your large party at the going rate--not any more expensive than other seafood places. And for that crowd you can make a reservation.
The Island Deli and Café also has a back room you could make reservations for that crowd and the food is VERY good and reasonable. We eat there often. It's in Pawley's on route 17 in the little strip shopping center with the Mole Hole. As you may or may not know, there isn't any commercial stuff on the beachside of Pawley's Island. Pawley's is also on the mainland.
Pizza--just have to google it--we don't do no pizza at the beach!! LOL
If you want to buy seafood to eat in, go to the Seven Seas Seafood Market in Murrell's Inlet--it is 'way up on business 17 very near where the 17 bypass intersects--near the Inlet Crab Restaurant I mentioned. They have really good local seafood--and sometimes some really unusual fish.
The Chive Blossom I mentioned is great for lunch--and the portions are huge--you could split them easily.

Sapphire

Thank you for your help! I haven't been to Pawley's Island in a long while so this is very helpful. Looking forward to a change of scenery with all the snow we've had here (Philly area). Still waiting for the snow to melt in our yard!

Gretchen

Are you staying ON the island/beach or on the land side? Doesn't matter--just interested. We always take visiting friends to see the historic district on the beach. it's a little slice of old timey beach living.
Or, actually, our place at Litchfield has a Pawley's address.