Even though Deidre Kennedy lives in Charleston, SC, a city known for its beaches not far from the Hammock Coast, she and her family love to get away to Pawleys Island a few times a year. “My husband and I have been coming to Pawleys since we started dating, about 12 years ago,” says Kennedy, an interior and landscape designer and owner of Leaf Design Studio.
“Lucky for me, his parents built a house on the beach in 1987. His family has been going to Pawleys for four generations. Now we get to make those same memories with our kids.”
Why do you love Pawleys and continue to go back? What makes it different from other beach towns?
I swear, no matter how many times we visit, I still get butterflies in my stomach crossing the causeway! There’s something almost spiritual about driving in, with the beautiful beach houses, the creek and marsh grass all around you. You can physically feel the stress melting away.
I love that Pawleys hasn’t lost its charm. There’s no traffic, no crowded beaches; and if you’re staying [on the] oceanfront, sometimes it feels like you have the whole beach to yourself.
I also love the traditions! The Easter egg hunt and Fourth of July parade are so much fun, especially now that I have kids. There’s something really special about making the same kinds of memories my husband grew up making here. I also love how much the community cares about protecting the island, especially the sea turtles and their nests. It’s such a valuable lesson for the boys to experience as they grow up.
Do you have a favorite restaurant?
Chive Blossom Restaurant & Bar — they use fresh, local, seasonal ingredients, and their desserts are homemade daily by a fabulous local lady. It’s always one of our first stops!
What are your favorite things to do with the kids?
We spend most of our time on the beach. The boys love hunting for shark teeth and Pawleys shells. We’ve put together quite the collection over the years. We also spend hours fishing in the creek right across the street from the house. I love that we have the ocean on one side and the creek on the other.
In the off-season, we love Brookgreen Gardens. There’s always something going on for kids, and the trails are beautiful. Off season or peak season, we always make a trip to the PIT (Pawleys Island Tavern) and the Litchfield Restaurant for breakfast.
I grew up going to Garden City Beach, so sometimes we’ll head that way for putt-putt, Sam’s Corner, and the arcade. A little nostalgia for me!
Favorite nature spots?
Brookgreen Gardens, Huntington Beach State Park for birdwatching and Hobcaw Barony. I especially love the native plants, wildlife and natural beauty of this area. But honestly, just walking the beach or exploring the creek is pretty hard to beat. We’ve even seen whales from the porch. How amazing is that?
Any insider tips for first-timers?
Take advantage of the realty companies and their services! Check out The Pelican Inn for a true Pawleys experience. Book your bikes and kayaks ahead of time, and definitely make dinner reservations at Frank’s and Chive Blossom early.
And don’t overplan! That’s the beauty of Pawleys. You don’t need a packed schedule to have the best time. Some of our favorite days are the ones where we never leave the beach or creek.