Some of the best afternoons happen at places you almost drive right past. Tucked into a quiet corner of South Carolina sits a working family farm where you can wander through fields, meet friendly animals, and pick fresh produce with your own hands.
What starts as a simple visit quickly turns into a lesson in history, tradition, and community that sticks with you long after you leave. Come hungry for a story and curious about where your food comes from.
A Working Farm Hidden Near the Coast
Just a short drive from the busy boardwalks and beaches, a peaceful stretch of farmland waits at 9989-10091 Freewoods Rd. Freewoods Farm sits in the Burgess community, and it feels like stepping into a slower, richer version of the world.
Officially, it is a working historic farm, but that label barely scratches the surface. You will find livestock, gardens, nature trails, and buildings that tell stories going back generations.
Visitors love that it blends learning with hands-on fun. One moment you are meeting farm animals, the next you are picking produce or hearing about the people who built the place.
It offers something rare: a genuine, unhurried experience where the goal is discovery rather than rushing to the next attraction.
Roots in African American History
What makes this place truly special goes far beyond its fields. Freewoods Farm stands as a living tribute to African American history, honoring free Black families who built sustainable lives on this very land.
Guests often describe the visit as moving. One person put it beautifully, saying the farm represents Black love, humanity, and the strength of ancestors who survived and thrived here.
Walking the grounds, you feel that weight and pride.
Educators and families alike treasure it for exactly this reason. Students can learn about the Burgess community, agriculture, and heritage all in one place, making the experience feel priceless.
Regulars mention that knowing their ancestors laid the foundation makes seeing the farm develop over the years genuinely emotional. It is history you can touch, not just read about in a textbook.
Guided Tours That Bring the Past Alive
Storytelling is where this farm shines brightest. Proprietor Mr. O’Neal Smalls and other family members lead tours that weave together personal memories and local history in a way no museum could match.
Visitors consistently praise how patient and welcoming the guides are. One guest recalled a helper named Jon who took his time explaining the history of the farm and his family, never rushing a single question.
The tours are described as enlightening and informative, perfect for families of all ages. You leave understanding not just what the farm grows, but why it matters.
Regulars appreciate that hosts share the rich background with obvious pride and warmth. Whether you are a curious kid or a grandparent, the guided walk turns a simple outing into something you will remember and talk about for weeks.
Fresh Produce You Pick Yourself
Nothing beats food that goes straight from the plant to your basket. During the right seasons, Freewoods Farm offers fresh produce for purchase, and part of the joy is gathering it yourself.
One delighted visitor remembered meeting a kind woman who cut collards right out of the garden for her, calling it a moment worth a blessing. That personal touch turns shopping into a memory.
Others mention the produce simply tastes better, describing it as delicious and worth returning for again and again. When everything is grown on-site, freshness is never in question.
The farm even welcomes volunteers to help pick the harvest, making it a hands-on few hours for kids and grandparents alike. Ask about seasonal timing, because what is ripe and ready changes throughout the year.
Homestyle Sugar Cane Syrup Made On-Site
Here is a treat you will not find at the grocery store. When the season is right, the farm produces its own Homestyle sugar cane syrup, made right on the premises using time-honored methods.
Guests have even been invited to join in, with one visitor proudly recalling how he helped strip the cane for the batch. He summed up the result in three simple words: it is good.
Watching syrup made the old-fashioned way connects you to farming traditions that many communities have lost. It is part cooking demonstration, part history lesson, and entirely delicious.
Picking up a jar means taking a piece of the farm home with you. Few souvenirs from a coastal trip taste this authentic or carry this much heart behind them.
Farm Animals and a Peaceful Nature Trail
Wide-eyed kids and outdoor lovers find plenty to enjoy beyond the gardens. The farm keeps livestock and maintains a nature trail, making it a favorite for animal fans and anyone craving fresh air.
One charming detail visitors love: the fields are still plowed the traditional way using donkeys. Watching that old method in action feels like traveling back in time.
Families describe the animals as a highlight, especially for younger visitors who get to see farm life up close. It is the kind of place where curiosity is rewarded at every turn.
Even on days when some buildings are closed, guests say wandering the grounds and spotting the animals is still worthwhile. The trail and open space alone make the trip feel relaxed, memorable, and a little magical.
A Rustic Barn Built for Celebrations
Beyond the fields, one building steals plenty of attention. The barn here doubles as a beloved event space, and it has hosted weddings, family reunions, graduation parties, and holiday gatherings.
Couples rave about its rustic charm. One newlywed described the space as breathtaking, with an unforgettable atmosphere that made their special day even more meaningful.
Guests praise how clean, spacious, and welcoming it feels, even calling it a lifesaver for a rainy day wedding when the beautiful interior kept everything cozy. A few note it can get warm in summer, so plan your season accordingly.
Between the storied setting and the kind hosts who share history with every guest, the barn offers a celebration backdrop that feels rooted in something real. It is charm you simply cannot fake.
Seasonal Festivals and Special Events
Timing your visit around an event can make the whole trip even sweeter. The farm hosts an annual calendar of festivals and gatherings that draw families back year after year.
One visitor described going on Juneteenth, saying the meaningful date made the whole experience more memorable. Others fondly recall festivals and community celebrations with warm, welcoming hosts.
Holiday visits are a hit too. Parents mention bringing their kids for Christmas events where the little ones had a blast, and many are already counting down to the pumpkin patch season.
Dinners prepared and served by the Winningham Family have earned praise from longtime guests as well. Because the schedule shifts throughout the year, it pays to ask ahead about upcoming events so you catch the farm at its liveliest.
Hours, Directions, and Planning Your Trip
A little planning goes a long way with a trip out here. The farm opens Monday through Friday from 7 am to 5 pm, welcomes weekend visitors on Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm, and stays closed on Sunday.
Best advice from past guests: call ahead at +1 843-650-9139 before you go. A few travelers arrived to find buildings locked, so confirming your visit saves disappointment.
Out-of-towners also mention the directions can be tricky, so lean on GPS and give yourself extra time to find the entrance. Arriving early keeps things stress-free.
The website at freewoodsfarm.com is another handy resource for details. Visitors repeatedly note the cost is very reasonable, making this an easy, budget-friendly addition to any Myrtle Beach getaway.
Why This Farm Deserves a Spot on Your List
If you want a trip that feeds both your appetite and your curiosity, few places deliver like this one. Between hand-picking produce, meeting animals, and hearing generations of history, every visit offers something worth remembering.
Families call it a fun few hours with the grandkids and a fitting activity for all ages. The reasonable cost and patient, friendly hosts only sweeten the deal.
What lingers most, though, is the meaning behind it. Guests describe the farm as authentic, enlightening, and deeply special, a genuine slice of South Carolina heritage you can walk through and touch.
Skip the crowded tourist stops for an afternoon and trade them for something real. Pack your curiosity, bring the kids, and leave room in your basket.
You will very likely be planning your return before you reach the car.
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