Neighborhood Spotlight: Little River

Being a roofer is hard work, so sometimes we need to get away from it all. We love Charleston and we love Myrtle Beach, but once in awhile we need to step away from city life and go somewhere a bit more quiet. Luckily, Little River is just a short drive away.

A quick 20 mile drive from Myrtle Beach is all it takes to arrive at one of our favorite spots along the Carolina Coast. Little River is a peaceful fishing town, and that’s why we fell in love all those years ago.

It’s a great place to golf, fish, eat great seafood, and relax. Life is delightfully slow in Little River. As an added bonus, a stay in Little River always makes us feel like we’re a part of a living history. It has the feel of a quaint and historic village, even though it’s full of family fun and modern amenities.

Small Town, Big History

According to Little River’s official website, it’s the oldest town along the greater Grand Strand. As soon as you see the fishing boats, smell the air, and a centuries-old oak tree catches your eye, you know the claim is true. When you’re in Little River, you’re in for a dose of the good life at a leisurely pace. The people are friendly and the food is amazing, but there’s a real sense of history that just permeates the air, too.

Generations of shrimpers and fishermen have called Little River home over the years. You can embark upon all sorts of fishing trips, ranging from casual boat trips to more intense deep water fishing. The locals know what they’re doing, and they’re happy to pass some of their wisdom along to visitors.

Native American tribes called the gulf stream “Mineola,” which means “Little River,” before farmers and fishermen arrived in the 1600s and 1700s. Little River also became a popular destination for pirates like Captain Kidd, Blackbeard, and Anne Bonney. The South Carolina Pirates, our professional roller hockey team, are named in honor of the local lore.

If history’s not your thing, Little River still has you covered. It provides a home for plenty of charming, unique shops, great golf, live music, and world-class seafood. Enjoy a stroll or a picnic at Vereen’s Memorial Gardens, or enjoy a glass of wine from La Belle Amie Vineyard. Little River has something special for anyone who wants to get away from the relentless pace of city life.

Festivals and Events to Spare

Each year, when May rolls around, life in Little River picks up the pace. The annual Blue Crab Festivalis large and lively, and it’s a sight to behold. Even though it’s loud and festive, you still get the sense no one on the waterfront has a care in the world. With all of the food, live music, local arts and crafts, and friendly people, who could possibly be stressed out?

Beyond the Blue Crab Festival, Little River has plenty of other events to offer. We’re looking forward to the Little River ShrimpFest, which is a similarly lively affair. It should go without saying the food is to die for, but we love the carnival atmosphere, too. If you join us at ShrimpFest, you’ll see stilt walkers, balloon artists, and kids of all ages with painted faces. The music is always something special, too.

Late October brings the Great Pumpkin Hunt at Vereen’s Memorial Park, and kids can feed the animals at the Museum of Coastal Carolina every week. There are charity events, too, such as the upcomingWalk to End Alzheimer’s.

Life travels at a leisurely pace in Little River, but there’s still plenty to do.

Fun on International Waters

We can’t talk about Little River without mentioning the infamous casino boats.

From Little River’s website:

“These boats are steeped in controversy, constantly under threat of being shut down by the state or local government, yet there are many locals and tourists that enjoy the Las Vegas-style gambling on an ocean-going vessel.”

These casino boats do provide a Las Vegas-like experience, but instead of looking out at gaudy neon signs, you get an amazing view of the Carolina Coast. The boats travel out to international waters, where gambling is legal, so there’s no need to worry on that front.

Casino boats are popular with tourists, locals, and visitors from elsewhere along the Carolina Coast. If you set aside a little bit of time and money, it’s something you should experience at least once.

We spend most of our time in Charleston and Myrtle Beach, where there’s plenty to do and experience. When the hard work of being a roofer leaves us wanting a little break, though, Little River is the perfect place to get away from it all.

Premeditated Excellence

Randy Hann