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Myrtle Beach, South CarolinaFor a change of pace and scenery, plus some terrific food and a variety of entertaining things to do, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, is a great place to go. The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce reports that approximately 13 million visitors head to the Myrtle Beach area every year, many of them from North Carolina. Year-round visitors and vacationers are attracted to the area's abundance of lodging, dining and shopping opportunities, world-class golf courses, impressive array of live entertainment venues and profusion of attractions. The Grand Strand's subtropical climate averages a pleasant 64 degrees with about 215 sunny days per year in which to soak up some rays on the beaches. If you travel through North Myrtle Beach on U. S. Hwy 17 Bypass, the trip will take approximately 1 3/4 hours from downtown Wilmington, about 69 miles. However, with the opening of the new S.C. Highway 31Expressway (just off S.C. Highway 9), you can access points of interest all along the Grand Strand without sitting in traffic waiting to get there. A trip to the Myrtle Beach Airport (via U.S. Highway 501, East) takes about 1 1/2 hours, or stay on S.C. 31 until it ends at S.C. Highway 544, take Highway 544 East to U.S. 17 Bypass, then south to Brookgreen Gardens and Murrells Inlet. For the daytripper, Myrtle Beach is the Strand's entertainment nerve center. The focus of downtown Myrtle Beach is Ocean Boulevard. Before entering Myrtle Beach proper, the length of U.S. 17 (here called Kings Highway) is known as Restaurant Row, where dining establishments stand shoulder to shoulder. Another rapidly growing Myrtle Beach entertainment hub is U.S. 17 Bypass between 21st and 29th Avenues North, with the huge Broadway At The Beach shopping and entertainment complex as its center (see the following Entertainment section). There are more than 1,700 full-service
restaurants along the Grand Strand, which includes Horry County and parts of
Georgetown County. Along with fresh-catch seafood and all the usual regional
specialties, you'll find other samples of Southern fare such as chicken bog
(chicken, seasoned rice and sausage), she-crab soup, alligator stew,
crawfish, Calabash-style seafood and the ever-present Southern staple — hush
puppies. Numerous upscale, fine-dining establishments have been added to the
mix over the years. All-you-can-eat buffets are everywhere, so bring a
hearty appetite.
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The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce operates four information centers where you can pick up or order information about the area: Myrtle Beach Office, 1200 N. Oak Street, Myrtle Beach, (843) 626-7444; South Strand Office, 3401 U.S. 17 S. (Business), Murrells Inlet, (843) 651-1010; the Ashby Ward Myrtle Beach/Grand Strand Welcome Center, 1800 U.S. 501 W., Aynor, (843) 626-7293; and Myrtle Beach International Airport, 1100 Jetport Road, Myrtle Beach, (843) 626-7444. To contact the chamber for information or to request brochures, call (800) 356-3016. For groups or meetings, call (800) 488-8998. Another helpful resource is the North Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce, 270 U.S. 17 N., North Myrtle Beach, (843) 281-2662 or (877) 332-2662. There you can find out where to go for beach music and shag dancing as well as get the inside scoop on local restaurants. Separate from Myrtle Beach, the City of North Myrtle Beach has its own treasure trove of attractions, marinas, golf and a variety of accommodations. The South Carolina State Welcome Center is on U.S. 17 right at the state line, near Little River, (843) 249-1111. This is a convenient place to gather brochures about the Grand Strand or other South Carolina destinations, including nearby Georgetown, Charleston and Columbia, the state capital. Many of the publications contain discount coupons that are good at dozens of Grand Strand locations. Staff members are on hand to answer questions, make suggestions and offer assistance in making hotel/motel reservations. It's open seven days a week except for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's days. Summer hours are March through October 9 AM to 5:30 PM. Winter hours are November through February 9 AM to 5 PM. Of course, an excellent resource is
The Insiders' Guide® to Myrtle Beach and the Grand Strand, which
can be purchased in local bookstores or online at
http://www.insiders.com/myrtle-beach. |
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Shopping Shopping is one of the most popular activities on the Grand Strand. The area is replete with shops and boutiques of every description and specialty, but it's the discount shops and factory outlet stores that are most renowned among die-hard shoppers. More than 100 discount outlets and specialty shops await you at the Tanger Outlet Center on U.S. 501 W., (843) 236-5100 ext. 107. Among the most popular shopping complexes, this one includes "Off Fifth," a Saks Fifth Avenue outlet, Banana Republic, Crabtree & Evelyn, Bass, Lenox, Nike, Reebok, Jones New York, Brooks Brothers and many more name-brand stores. Growing rapidly is the newer Tanger Outlet Center on U.S. 17 North at Veteran's Highway (S.C. 22), (843) 449-0491. Tanger has more than 75 brand name stores, including apparel, hosiery and intimates, home furnishings, footwear and accessories plus a food court and customer service lounge. The complex is close to Colonial Mall and Barefoot Landing, so you can have non-stop shopping. Barefoot Landing, 4898 U.S. Highway 17 N. in North Myrtle Beach, (843) 272-8349 or (800) 272-2320, one of the most popular shopping magnets in the area and open year round (although hours vary seasonally), emulates a charming seaport village atmosphere. It surrounds a 27-acre freshwater lake and borders the Intracoastal Waterway. With more than 100 specialty shops and outlet stores plus 16 restaurants (most are waterfront), you can keep busy all day. Kids and adults will enjoy a break from the rigors of shopping by riding the Barefoot Carousel, (843) 272-8349, an authentic representation of an old Barnum & Bailey carousel with 41 animals cast from original molds. After you've shopped 'til you've dropped and eaten your fill, take advantage of convenient attractions that are within walking distance: the Alabama Theatre, (843) 272-1111 or (800) 342-2262, founded by the musical group of the same name; the House of Blues, (843) 272-3000, a Bayou-style bistro; Great American Riverboat Company, sightseeing on the Intracoastal Waterway, (843) 650-6600 or (800) 685-6601; and Alligator Adventure, (843) 361-0789, a zoo of regional and exotic reptiles, amphibians and birds (hours vary seasonally). A huge, new, enclosed mall on a 170-acre site at the intersection of U.S. 17 Bypass and U.S. 501 at Harrelson Boulevard (on the south side near Myrtle Beach International Airport) will fulfill your shopping dreams. The Coastal Grand-Myrtle Beach, (843) 839-9100, is a 1.5-million-square-foot shopper's paradise. The mall offers five anchor department stores including Belk, Dillard's and Sears, and roughly 120 other stores, featuring national and regional retailers. Here you'll find everything from Victoria's Secret and Glamour Nails to Gap, Bed, Bath & Beyond, Express, Starbucks, American Eagle Outfitters and Zales Jewelers. The mall features a selection of international and specialty food vendors plus a number of popular free-standing restaurants. A Cinemark movie complex features stadium seating in each of its 14 theaters. Other shopping destinations include Broadway at
the Beach, 1325 Celebrity Circle, (843) 444-3200; Colonial
Mall, 10177 N. Kings Highway, (843) 272-4040; and the
Myrtle Beach Flea Market, 3820 S. Kings Highway, (843) 477-1550.
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Attractions The Grand Strand draws visitors by the thousands to an amazing range of attractions, including themed water parks, amusement rides, museums (both educational and just plain fun), arcades, go-cart tracks, sightseeing cruises and so much more. The listings in this section are a small sampling of what's available so make plans to stop by or phone the visitors centers listed in Tourist Information section of this chapter. You won't want to miss the array of shops along Ocean Boulevard. Places like the Gay Dolphin Gift Cove and the ubiquitous Wings, Eagles and Pacific Discount beach accessories stores make the stopping worthwhile, not to mention a plethora of small shops filled with fun beachy stuff. The NASCAR SpeedPark, U.S. Highway 17 Bypass at 21st Avenue N., (843) 918-8725, features action-packed excitement year-round for the whole family, with seven custom stock-car tracks, race simulators and racing games, plus the interactive games found in the SpeedDome. Family Kingdom Amusement Park & Water Park, 300 S. Ocean Boulevard, (843) 626-3447, is the home of the legendary all-wooden roller coaster, the Swamp Fox, along with an interactive laser dark ride called The Pistolero and the 110-foot Slingshot. Among the park's 33 other rides and attractions is a section called Kiddie Land with 18 rides for very young children. This is the Grand Strand's only oceanfront water park. Be sure to visit Ripley's Aquarium, (843) 916-0888, which is located at the edge of Broadway at the Beach. Fascinating sea-life exhibits and enlightening programs are an integral part of this award-winning attraction. Sharks, jellyfish, stingrays and exotic fish are among the many creatures on display. The "Titanic" exhibit is well worth seeing. Combine the excitement of a Las Vegas casino with the flair of a Southern riverboat to understand the appeal of the Southern Elegance Casino Cruise, 4491 Waterfront Avenue in Little River. The 175-foot Southern Elegance is docked along the historic waterfront in Little River (about three miles north of North Myrtle Beach off U.S.17) and offers cruises daily. All three decks are devoted to casino entertainment. Las Vegas–style live dealer table games are offered on one deck, and video poker and more than 200 slot machines are located on all decks. The Southern Elegance also features an observation deck, food and beverage service, an elevator and a full-service lounge that is available for private parties. For more information or cruise schedules, contact the Southern Elegance Casino Cruise office at (843) 249-9811 or (877) 250-LUCK (5825), in Wilmington call (910) 798-0250. Free shuttle service to and from the ship is provided. The Hurricane Fleet Deep Fishing Center,
(910) 579-3660, (800) 373-2004, offers a variety of cruise opportunities
designed to show off the charms of the Myrtle Beach area from the waterway.
These tours originate from Hurricane Fleet Marina, The Waterfront at
Calabash in Calabash, North Carolina. One of the most popular excursions,
the Dolphin Adventure Cruise, takes passengers from inland waterways to the
ocean, where they can get a close-up glimpse of fishing vessels, shrimpers
at work or dolphins at play. Group rates are available. Call ahead for
reservations or to inquire about schedules and deep-sea fishing cruises. All
of the boats are U.S. Coast Guard approved. Bait, tackle, rods and reels are
supplied on all fishing cruises.
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Combine the excitement of a Las Vegas casino with the flair of a
Southern riverboat to understand the appeal of the Southern
Elegance Casino Cruise, 4491 Waterfront Avenue in Little
River. The 175-foot Southern Elegance is docked along the historic
waterfront in Little River (about three miles north of North Myrtle
Beach off U.S.17) and offers cruises daily. All three decks are devoted to
casino entertainment. Las Vegas–style live dealer
table games are offered on one deck, video poker and more than 200 slot machines
are located on all decks. The Southern Elegance also features an
observation deck, food and beverage service, an elevator and a full-service
lounge that is available for private parties. For more information or cruise
schedules, contact the Southern Elegance Casino Cruise office at (843)
249-9811 or (877) 250-LUCK (5825), in Wilmington call (910) 798-0250. Free shuttle
service to and from the ship is provided. The Hurricane Fleet Deep Fishing Center, (910) 579-3660,
(800) 373-2004, offers a variety of cruise opportunities designed to show off the charms of
the Myrtle Beach area from the waterway. These tours originate from Hurricane
Fleet Marina, The Waterfront at Calabash in Calabash, North Carolina. One of
the most popular excursions, the Dolphin Adventure Cruise, takes passengers
from inland waterways to the ocean, where they can get a close-up glimpse of fishing vessels, shrimpers at
work, or dolphins at play. Cost for this cruise is $21 per person ages 12 or older, and
$18 per person for those younger than 12. Group rates are available. Call ahead for reservations or to inquire about
schedules and deep-sea fishing cruises.
All of the boats are U.S. Coast Guard approved. Fishing gear
-- bait, tackle,
rods and reels -- are supplied on all fishing cruises.
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Entertainment Nightlife and Myrtle Beach are practically synonymous. Live music, dancing, dinner attractions and stage shows form the core of one of the most active seaside scenes anywhere, and there are plenty of open-air bars along the boardwalk in which to relax with a drink and the sound of the surf as the backdrop. The preeminent dinner attractions and live theaters in the area are quite touristy, and tickets may be a bit pricey, but the shows are consistently well-done and family-friendly. Reservations are recommended for all of them. The first of its kind in the area, The Carolina Opry at the north junction of U.S. 17 Bypass and U.S. 17 Business, (843) 913-4000 or (800) 843-6779, is one of the state's top tourist attractions. Shows offer a mix of comedy and music — standard country hits, bluegrass, gospel and medleys drawn from popular oldies — plus a special Christmas spectacular. Legends in Concert, 301 U.S. 17 Business S. in Surfside Beach, (843) 238-7827 or (800) 960-7469, and Tribute! The Concert, 701 Main Street in North Myrtle Beach, (843) 913-4444, (800) 313-6685, are Vegas-style musical extravaganzas featuring impersonations of famous performers of yesterday and today such as Frank Sinatra, Rod Stewart, Marilyn Monroe, Elvis and Ray Charles. In the 1970s, a then-unknown group named Alabama played for tips in Myrtle Beach, earning a loyal following. Having since achieved superstardom, Alabama opened the 2,000-seat Alabama Theatre, 4750 U.S. 17 S., (843) 272-1111 or (800) 342-2262, at Barefoot Landing in North Myrtle Beach. The theatre features One - The Show, a one-of-a-kind entertainment experience combining music, comedy and Las Vegas–style glitz. On most weekends throughout the year, Alabama Theatre features touring celebrity performers such as Kenny Rogers, the Oak Ridge Boys, Eddie Miles, Billy Ray Cyrus, the Coasters, Drifters and The Platters. One of the area's two dinner attractions, Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede Dinner & Show, 8901-B U.S. 17 N. Business, (843) 497-9700 or (800) 433-4401, is a theatrical icon of Southern culture, complete with music, horsemanship and a colorful depiction of the conflict between the North and South. The 90-minute show, held in a huge 35,000-square-foot arena, is complemented by an impressive four-course dinner. Shows are staged nightly at 6 PM (6 and 8 PM during the summer and on weekends in December). Travel back in time at the Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament, 2904 Fantasy Way, for a hearty medieval feast. While you eat, chivalrous knights engaged in authentic jousting matches and hand-to-hand combat try to win your favor and the hand of a chosen Queen of Love and Beauty. The "castle," air-conditioned and wheelchair accessible, is located at the Fantasy Harbour-Waccamaw entertainment complex on U.S. 501. For reservations, call (843) 236-8080 or (888) 935-6878. One of the grandest entertainment complexes anywhere in the region is Broadway at the Beach on U.S. 17 Bypass at 21st Avenue N. Open year-round, this 350-acre attraction includes no fewer than 10 nightclubs in Celebrity Square, a lively nightlife venue. The grand Palace Theatre, (843) 448-9224, (800) 905-4228, seats more than 2600 and is home to Spirit of the Dance, a popular Irish dance show. It also hosts several different productions throughout the year. There are 20 restaurants (including Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville and a pyramidal Hard Rock Cafe), a 23-acre lake featuring water-taxi tours and pedal boats, kiddie rides in Carousel Park and three hotels, plus enough specialty shops and boutiques to satisfy the most die-hard shoppers. For more information, call the offices at (843) 444-3200 or (800) 386-4662. Here you'll also find Myrtle Beach's largest movie complex, the 16-screen Carmike Broadway Cinema, (843) 445-1600, plus Ripley's Aquarium, (843) 916-0888, the six-story movie screen housed at IMAX Discovery Theater, (843) 448-4629, and Gondola Adventures, a romantic tour in the tradition of old Venice, (843) 278-8148. Adventure in Science, History & Nature,
featuring "The H. L. Hunley Experience," (843) 913-7899, is an interactive,
historically accurate exhibit devoted to the Civil War–era submarine the
H. L. Hunley. It is housed in the new 4,200-square-foot Adventure in
Science, History & Nature building. MagiQuest, (843)
913-9460, is an exciting, interactive family attraction utilizing patented
technology to create a magical experience. After selecting a personal wand,
participants are quickly trained as "Magi," allowing them to set off
lightning bolts, control music, open treasure chests and perform heroic
deeds.
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Golf
The Grand Strand area boasts approximately 120 regulation courses, some designed by top names in the game, including Palmer, Fazio, Dye, Norman, Love and Nicklaus. Add in the mild year-round sub-tropical temperatures, a wide variety of accommodations and attractive golf packages, and the area's self-proclaimed title as the "Golf Capital of the World" is well-justified. There are also plenty of driving ranges, par 3 courses and pro shops scattered up and down the Strand. Greens fees are lowest from November through February, and golf packages are accordingly most affordable during that time. When you tire of serious golf or just want to have fun with your family or friends, try some of the nearly 50 miniature golf courses — many are quite creative. The Myrtle Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, (843) 626-7444 or (800) 356-3016, can provide details on golf packages, or you can call Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday, (800) 845-4653, for a free color Golf Vacation Planner. Another good source for information is Myrtle Beach's golf magazine, On The Green, and accompanying DVD, available at chamber of commerce offices and visitors centers. One of the longest-running annual Myrtle
Beach golf highlights is the PGA Tour Superstore World Amateur Handicap
Championship presented by DuPont, celebrating its 24th year in 2007. Dubbed
"The World's Largest Single Site Golf Tournament," this popular competition
is played on 75 of the area's courses over the four-day event in late
August/early September. It is the largest tournament of its kind with an
incredible 4,000 players journeying from all over the United States and even
from many foreign countries to compete. For more information on this and
other area competitive golf events, call (800) 833-8798.
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Murrells Inlet, South CarolinaGrowing in popularity, with a personality quite different from its big sister to the north, Murrells Inlet is well worth the extra 10- or 20- minute drive. A true old fishing village, the Inlet is known for its delectable seafood; in fact it's called the "Seafood Capital of South Carolina." Fresh grouper, flounder, shrimp, clams, oysters and crabs are prepared by chefs at more than 30 restaurants along the creek. One of the most popular dining establishments is Drunken Jack's on U.S. 17 Business on the waterfront, (843) 651-2044. The restaurant features seafood "right off the boat," prepared to perfection grilled, blackened, sautéed or Southern-fried and served with their famous hush puppies and honey butter. It's open daily for dinner from 4:30 to 10 PM. December and January hours vary and are usually weekends only, so call for times. Rich in history, folklore and tales of pirate treasure, Murrells Inlet will captivate you. If you didn't stop to pick up tourist information before now, you can find it at the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, South Strand Office, 3401 U.S. 17 S. (Business), Murrells Inlet, (843) 651-1010. For starters, be sure to check out the following places. Brookgreen Gardens, U.S. Highway 17 S., 1931 Brookgreen Gardens Drive, Murrells Inlet, (843) 235-6000 or (800) 849-1931, demands a visit. Brookgreen, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is located on a 300-acre section of a 9,100-acre coastal South Carolina wildlife preserve. Brookgreen boasts the first and largest permanent outdoor installation of American figurative sculpture. It features more than 550 works by hundreds of top-name sculptors and continues to expand in scope. Guided tours, lectures and occasional workshops and concerts are offered at this combination arboretum, aviary and outdoor museum. Brookgreen Gardens is 18 miles south of Myrtle Beach, off U.S. 17 at the south end of Murrells Inlet. The gardens are open daily from 9:30 AM to 5 PM, but are closed Christmas Day. From the end of March through April, Brookgreen is open until 8 PM. The gardens are at their peak during this time and offer an unforgettable display of color. Free wheelchairs and strollers are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Lunch is served at the Pavilion Restaurant 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM. Light refreshments, including coffee, cappuccino, wine, beer, desserts, scones and muffins, are available at The Old Kitchen from 10 AM to 4 PM. Or, bring your own picnic as tables are provided, but don't feed the alligators. Huntington Beach State Park, directly across from Brookgreen Gardens on U.S. Highway 17 S. (16148 Ocean Highway), three miles south of Murrells Inlet, (843) 237-4440, has a lovely beach, freshwater lagoon, maritime forest, nature trail and boardwalk out in the salt marsh. It offers opportunities to observe the coast's diverse natural environment, watch tall wading birds, pelicans and raptors, glimpse alligators and commune with the wildlife. You can swim in the ocean and go crabbing, surf fishing or picnicking and camping (127 campsites). Huntington Beach State Park is the site of the historic Atalaya castle. The former winter home and studio of noted American sculptor Anna Hyatt Huntington and her husband Archer Milton Huntington, Atalaya is also listed as a National Historic Landmark. Park hours November through March are daily 6 AM to 6 PM; April through October, hours are 6 AM to 10 PM. Pets are allowed in most outdoor areas, however they must be under physical restraint or on a leash not longer than six feet. Head boats are available for 5-hour, 9-hour, 11-hour
and 25-hour trips at Capt. Dick's Marina, 4123 U.S. 17
Business (Kings Highway South) on the waterfront in Murrells Inlet,
(843) 651-3676 or (866) 557-FISH (3474). Capt. Dick's offers private
charters as well as inlet fishing and shark fishing. Cruises include
ocean sightseeing cruises and the Saltwater Marsh Explorer Adventure.
Parasailing is available as well as Jet Ski, pontoon and boat rentals.
Reservations are recommended. It's open March through November. Spring
and fall hours are 9 AM to 5 PM; Memorial Day to Labor Day hours are 5
AM to 10 PM.
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Continue to North Carolina's Central Coast |