Andrews, SC

Andrews is a small, lowcountry town in Georgetown County, South Carolina, set amid the swamps, pine forests, and tidal riverways of the state's coastal plain. With a population of roughly 2,800 residents, it has the unhurried feel of a traditional Southern community, where the Waccamaw River and surrounding waterways shape daily life. The town is best known as a quiet gateway to South Carolina's Hammock Coast, a stretch of salt marshes, barrier islands, and historic plantations that draws visitors looking for a slower, more natural alternative to the busier Grand Strand. Andrews sits about 35 miles southwest of Myrtle Beach, the nearest major city, with Georgetown roughly 15 to 20 miles to the east along US-521.

Just east of Andrews, the historic port city of Georgetown offers a walkable waterfront, centuries-old live oaks, and a downtown lined with boutiques, seafood restaurants, and antebellum architecture. Visitors can stroll the Harborwalk along the Sampit River, tour the Kaminski House Museum, or take a riverboat cruise through the surrounding estuaries. The drive from Andrews to downtown Georgetown typically takes around 25 minutes, making it an easy day trip for guests looking for a blend of small-town history and waterfront dining.

A short drive further east along the coast brings travelers to Huntington Beach State Park, a 2,500-acre preserve known for its undeveloped shoreline, marsh boardwalks, and the elegant Atalaya, the former winter home of sculptor Anna Hyatt Huntington. The park is a favorite for shelling, birdwatching, and surf fishing, and it sits about 30 miles from Andrews. Nearby, Brookgreen Gardens sprawls across several thousand acres of former rice plantations and offers one of the country's largest collections of American figurative sculpture, set among formal gardens, native animal habitats, and a Lowcountry zoo. The gardens are roughly 25 miles from Andrews and are a major draw for visitors spending a week or more in the region.

Outdoor recreation surrounds the town, with the Francis Marion National Forest extending to the north and east. The forest offers hiking, horseback riding, hunting, and paddling on the Black and Wambaw creeks, all within about a 20-minute drive of Andrews. Closer to town, the Waccamaw River and its tributaries invite kayakers and anglers chasing redfish, flounder, and freshwater bass. For guests willing to drive a bit farther, Pawleys Island and Litchfield Beach are roughly 30 minutes east, offering some of the most laid-back stretches of coastline in the state.

Andrews appeals to short-term rental investors because it offers genuine value and authenticity just inland from one of the Southeast's most visited coastal corridors. Guests can spend the day on a crowded beach, exploring manicured gardens, or wandering a historic downtown, then return to a quieter, more affordable home base surrounded by river, forest, and marsh. With Myrtle Beach's attractions close enough for occasional trips but far enough to escape the noise, Andrews works well as a year-round destination that balances Lowcountry scenery, outdoor adventure, and easy access to the coast.