One of the most unique—and unlikely—sights in the sometimes-overdeveloped Grand Strand area is bucolic Brookgreen Gardens (1931 Brookgreen Drive, 843/235-6000, www.brookgreen.org, daily 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m., 9:30 a.m.–8 p.m. in April, $12 adults, $5 ages 6–12, under 6 free) directly across U.S. 17 from Huntington Beach State Park. An eclectic compilation of sorts, Brookgreen combines scenic, manicured gardens, copious amounts of outdoor sculpture by a host of artists, and a low-key but worthwhile nature center with live animals.

Once one of several massive, contiguous plantations in the Pawleys Island area, the modern Brookgreen is a result of the charity and passion of Archer Milton Huntington and his wife, Anna Hyatt Huntington. Seeking to preserve the area’s flora and fauna and celebrate American sculpture at the same time, the couple turned the entire place into a nonprofit in 1931.

Quite the sculptor in her own right, Mrs. Huntington saw to it that Brookgreen’s 9,000 acres would host the largest single collection of outdoor sculpture in America by far.

Designed and added onto over the past century, the sculpture gardens themselves are a sprawling collection of tastefully-themed, colorfully planted gardens that are generally built around a key sculpture or two. As you’re walking, don’t forget to examine the various nooks, crannies, and corners inside and outside the walls, where you’ll find hundreds of smaller sculptures, generally along natural or mythological themes.

The sculptures don’t stop there—you’ll see plenty of them out in fields, overlooking lakes, and tucked into bushes all around the site. In all, there are over 1,200 works by over 300 artists.

While most sculptures here tend towards a certain style—thick, robust, and often depicting some form of struggle—some are more whimsical and even downright charming, such as the one near the visitors center with several kids pledging allegiance to the flag. To learn more, visit the Carroll A. Campbell Jr. Center for American Sculpture on-site, which offers seminars and workshops throughout the year.

Botanists and green thumbs will find plenty to enjoy as well. At least 2,000 species of plants have been planted at Brookgreen, with something always guaranteed to be in bloom regardless of the season of your visit. A special treat is the stunning “Oak Allee” section, with some of the live oaks 250 years old. One huge and ancient specimen, the “Constitution Oak,” has been designated a “living witness” to the signing of the U.S. Constitution.

On the other end of the grounds opposite the gardens is the E. Craig Wall Jr. Lowcountry Nature Center, including a small, enclosed cypress swamp with a boardwalk, herons and egrets, and an absolutely delightful river otter exhibit where you can see the playful critters swim and frolic. Other animals include alligators and several species of raptors. Almost all the wildlife here have been treated for injuries which render them unfit for living in the wild again.

To add an extra layer of enjoyment to your visit, you can explore much deeper into this massive preserve by taking one of several tours offered on Brookgreen’s pontoon boat. Most of the boat rides are $7 adults, $4 children on top of regular admission; check the website for a schedule.