Visit The Small Town Of McClellanville In South Carolina, The Place That Inspired “Paradise”

Much of the movie, Paradise, starring Don Johnson, Melanie Griffith, and Elijah Wood was filmed in McClellanville in 1991. Paradise was a rural town where a troubled 10-year-old boy was sent by his mother to live with friends. It turned out to be a healing experience for both the boy and his new guardians, who also were struggling, having recently experienced great loss. McClellanville is one of the most beautiful small towns in South Carolina, the type you really have to see in person to fully appreciate.

McClellanville is a very small town with a population of only about 600 people. When you visit, you'll understand how it was chosen as the setting for a rural town called, "Paradise."

Stop by the McClellanville Diner on Highway 17 to get a bite to eat. If you're arriving early, it does serve breakfast.

Or grab a delicious burger for lunch!

Established in the early 1850s, McClellanville has historically been a charming seaside fishing village that became the summer home for wealthy rice planters who left their plantations during the warmest summer months each year. On Pinckney Street, there's a boat landing owned and maintained by the Town.

A permit is required to launch any type of watercraft at the landing.

Near the boat landing is a nice playground area for your children to run around and play after being in the car for the trip.

The Saint James Santee Episcopal Chapel of Ease on Oak Street is a must-see, truly beyond-words-beautiful...

... both inside and out! It was built in 1890 as a chapel-of-ease for the Wambaw Church within the Saint James-Santee Parish.

For lunch or dinner, you're going to want to have seafood at T. W. Graham and Co. on Pinckney Street.

You can dine inside or outdoors at one of the small tables.

Spend some time at the Santee Coastal Reserve WMA to experience more of the absolute natural beauty of this area. A former gun club property now managed by SCDNR, it's a 24,000-acre nature reserve with lots of things to see and do.

You could make this a day trip or stay overnight at this peaceful cottage on a 12-acre horse farm. You may even want to make it a weekend in this "Paradise" locale!

Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith found it to be so relaxing that they were able to bring their entire family along while filming the movie. Johnson said, "It was like having a real job for a change. We went to work, came home, and there were the kids. It was a joy."

Have you ever been to McClellanville, one of the best small towns in South Carolina, before? What did you think? Did you have any memorable experiences there? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below!