North Myrtle Beach

North Myrtle Beach is an excellent beach vacation
that offers endless stretches of powdery white
sand and the crystal blue Atlantic Ocean. These
are all but the beginning of what a truly great
vacation in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina is all
about.

No matter if you are looking for a relaxing break
from your daily routine or a vacation filled with
activity, you'll find it all and then some in Myrtle
Beach. There is something for your entire family
here, including miniature golf, water parkers, fine
dining, shopping, and a lot more. Golf lovers will
find paradise in choosing from over 80 pro courses
in the Myrtle Beach/North Myrtle Beach areas.

When the sun goes down in Myrtle Beach, the fun
doesn't stop. Several fine dining restaurants
will tempt you with their delicious food. After
you have dinner you can visit one of the many night
clubs in Myrtle Beach that offers a dazzling array
of entertainment that includes comedy, country
music, rock 'n' roll, and of course the shag music
that the beach is so very well known for.

Tucked away from the hustle and bustle of life
you'll find endless stretches of sandy beaches
with the sounds and smells of the ocean. The salt
water marshes here are full of shrimp, crab, oysters
and even fish. No matter what you do, you can't
help but relax as the ocean breeze caress the
amazing landscape of North Myrtle Beach.

Located just eight miles north of the Myrtle Beach
area, North Myrtle Beach offers beaches that are
less crowded, the pace is much slower, and fewer
high rise hotels help to maintain a family oriented
atmosphere. Here, you can take early morning
strolls along the ocean and discover the endless
treasures that nature has left for you and your
family to enjoy.

Try Garden City

Nestled tightly between Surfside Beach and Murrells Inlet in the Grand Strand, visitors will find the subtle community of Garden City. Garden City, much like its neighboring beaches are well known as a family destination which trades the skyscraper-type resorts for traditional beach house vacationing.

Garden City has the quiet feel of a throwback beach community with the reach of the hustle and bustle of Myrtle Beach just eight miles away. Garden City visitors can look forward to a relaxing stay, trading the sometimes chaotic resort vacation for a “home away from home” feel.
The tranquility that can be felt while in Garden City can be thanked in part to the tragedy of Hurricane Hazel in 1954 which swept through the Grand Strand and only left two houses standing in Garden City. Since, Garden City has been rebuilt to almost 8,000 housing units with almost 10,000 residents according to the 2000 U.S. census.

In the heart of Garden City is the Garden City Pier. The pier is 668 feet long and admission is free to enjoy the Atlantic Ocean view and check out the fishermen’s daily catches. The pier also houses an arcade which has games for all ages and a café where visitors can dine with an ocean view. During the summer nights, the pier turns into a concert venue where visitors can enjoy live music under the rain shelter at the end of the pier.

Surrounding the pier are family-owned shops and stores with everything from groceries to beach entertainment items. More arcades can be found in the area surrounding the pier, including Slick Tracks Family Amusement Park which is home to the premier entertainment spot in Garden City with rides and go-cart racing. And one cannot leave Garden City without stopping into Sam’s Corner which has been a staple in the diet of visitors for years.

South of the Garden City Pier on Waccamaw Dr. is the Marlin Quay Marina which specializes in charter fishing trips and parasailing. In fact, Marlin Quay is the longest running parasailing business on the Grand Strand. While at Marlin Quay, one can eat lunch at the marina’s grill or take something to-go from the marina’s convenience store.

If golf is your forte, Garden City is the home of one of the most popular courses in the Grand Strand, Tupelo Bay Golf Center. Tupelo Bay houses an 18-hole course along with a 9-hole par 3 course and Runaway Bay, a 36-hole miniature golf course.

Garden City is a quiet beach community, but what it lacks in size makes up for in a “true” beach experience. It is what Myrtle Beach used to be before it gained its popularity and grew to tremendous heights. People who remember Myrtle Beach how it “used to be” love Garden City and come back to enjoy the quaintness that its beaches offer year after year.

Just a Little South: Surfside the Family Beach

This prime location was first known as Roach's Beach, with only one two story building in 1893. In 1952, the undeveloped beach was renamed Surfide Beach and became a popular family beach.

Surfside Beach is located directly south of Myrtle Beach is the tranquil seaside town of Surfside Beach, or what many have come to call it "The Family Beach." You will not find Surfside Beach to be as busy as Myrtle Beach, but to many that is the biggest selling point of the community.

Unlike most of the other towns that make up the Grand Strand, Surfside Beach has no huge oceanfront resorts. In fact, The Days Inn Surfside Beach Resort is one of the only oceanfront hotels located in Surfside Beach. Vacationers who visit Surfside Beach opt for the privacy of renting beach houses in lieu of the goliath-sized resorts that can be found throughout Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach.

That's not to say that Surfside Beach is not popular with vacationers. With its four campgrounds, Surfside Beach is the Mecca for those who trade plush amenities for the neighborly feel that campgrounds provide.

Pirateland, Myrtle Beach Resort, Lakewood and Ocean Lakes Campgrounds make it easy for guests who prefer the great outdoors to enjoy the beach and nature all while being just minutes from the entertainment and nightlife that Myrtle Beach has to offer.

With the Surfside Pier located directly in the center of Surfside Beach, fishing is one of the main activities that can be enjoyed by its vacationers. For younger visitors, a day in Surfside will fly by at Wild Water & Wheels Theme Park which offers water slides, go cart racing and miniature golf.

Nightlife in Surfside Beach evolves around many of its smoke-free bars and restaurants. In fact, Surfside Beach is the only town in the Grand Strand that has banned smoking in all of its public buildings.

Legends in Concert is the largest theater attraction in Surfside Beach, giving a home to celebrity impersonators from the likes of Elvis Presley, Madonna, Garth Brooks, Rod Stewart and The Blues Brothers among others.

Like all of the other towns that make up the Grand Strand, Surfside Beach does not have a shortage of restaurants. Crabby Mike's is the premier seafood restaurant in Surfside, serving over 120 items in its calabash-style all-you-can-eat buffet. Latitude 22 and River City Café are restaurants in Surfside that give guests an ocean view while dining and Spencer's Sports Bar is the main hangout for guests looking to catch the big game while on vacation.

Surfside Beach is a quiet, peaceful, yet enjoyable place to call home while vacationing in the Grand Strand. Within minutes of Myrtle Beach, Surfside offers tranquility in what can sometimes seem like chaos if visiting during the peak of the summer season.

Some tips for fun

Our Secret Suvinior: Another thing I do when I go is I make my own suvinior of the beach. I take an empty, dry, clean bottle, like a small gaterade bottle and fill it with dry sand that I find close to the walkways to the beach. DRY SAND ONLY!! You can even use a seeve, and after you fill the bottle, seeve through sand and put more 'objects' in the bottle. Lots of fun finds as you spin through the sand, looking to see what you find. You will be suprised! Kids love it and I put one on my desk at work, co workers play with it too, seeing what they can find. I'll take a Picture of the one I made 5yrs ago and post it. I know I posted this on this forum a couple years ago, but it will fit here also. Yes, Remove the Label!

Dinner Planning: By now I know what my favorite places are to eat and try to squeeze in something new. I know I have to get Crabby Mikes in at least once and some dinners we will cook in. I try to plan out when and where we are going the night before so we can plan the next day accordingly. Breakfast and Lunch are in the condo, probably on the balcony over looking the ocean.

I go through many myrtle beach websites and get an idea of things to do that I can't do when I'm home, like visit a light house, shell/treasure hunting, bodyboarding ect. and put them as a Must do. Most of these things are free or low cost if you research coupons and websites. Mini golf, water parks, amusement parks.. stuff like that I can do here so we save that for last if we have time and/or money.

Grocery Shopping: I always either buy too much or not enough. Meal planning ahead of time is good and STICK TO IT. I think this year we will go the store at least twice. The first time to get meals for the first few days. Left over stuff or stuff we didnt cook that we had planned, we will cook before going shopping for more. Which brings me to a new post that I will do shortly. lol

Shopping: I have nothing on that. I'm not much of a shopper and just kinda drive around and read store fronts for sales. OR use the coupon book. lol I hear The Gay Dolphin is a fun store to visit, so I may do that. Anyone have a fav store they like because of bargains or specialtys? I was told I have to visit the xmas store years ago and I never did.

Attractions: I always have to consider the kids and the total cost amt so we limit what we do and where we go. This is also still in research. The pirate ship sail boat ride sounds interesting though. We always do a dolphin watch and have learned NOT to dothe speed boat unless you wear goggles (not supplied, just my suggestion) and don't mind getting wet/soaked. Younger kids, especially, usually don't like salt in their eyes... The Aquarium is a must for first timers, but I don't think I want to pay to do it again.

REST AND RELAX the day before you are scheduled to leave. The day you are leaving you wont feel as if you forgot to do something because as you were relaxing and resting, it probably would come to you and you can get it done, assuming its nothing too major that requires reservations. AND you still feel rejuvinated before you head home.

82 Things To Do At Myrtle Beach

1. Soak up some sun while laying on the beach. Cost -Nothing
2. Shellin Cost -Nothing!
3. Window shopping!! Cost -Nothing
4. Watch the Sun Set/Rise (Cost-Nothing)
5. People watch (at times...priceless)
6. Fishing/Crabbing
7. Sit on the deck watching the ocean roll in - cost nothing
8. Watch a storm from the same spot - cost nothing
9. Wander the really large flea market near Murrells Inlet - Cost nothing ( unless you want it to)
10. Ride up ocean drive from downtown Myrtle until you have to go back out to hwy 17 and look at the beautiful homes and different resorts - cost nothing
11. Walk out on a pier and talk to the people fishing which is fun, interesting and - costs nothing
12. Grab a margarita at one of the pier bars - $5 at most
13. Float around out in the ocean and try to hop the waves - cost nothing except when u miss and go under ( and if you forget and wear ur sunglasses...it will cost you those)
14. drift through shops like Wings and look at the same things they had last year - which if ur smart will cost nothing
15. Go over to the mall at Murrell's Inlet when it's raining and get a manicure or pedicure - $20 to $30
16. Ride up to Calabash and walk around that huge store there looking....good hour or two - doesnt have to cost
17. Boggie Boarding
18. Try out some new restaurants and go back to the ones you love..cost...depends
19. Kick the kids out of the room and....well....you know...use your imagination!
20. Build a sandcastle to look like an Aztec temple. Get creative.
21. Take a dinner cruise on the Intracoastal Waterway.
22. Head over to Murphy's Law for a cheap cold draft beer - cost minimal. Hangover possibility - favorable
23. Crocodile Rocks - (Priceless if a Bachelorette Party is in attendance)
24. Pavilion Nostalgia Park - walk around and remember how they stole years of your childhood from you (Free if you don't ride)
25. Comedy Cabana - Take in a show (Expensive Cover and 2 Drink Min. the last time I was there)
26. Bungee Jump at Air Boingo
27. Shoot to the sky at Slingshot
28. Rent jetskis and/or take a dolphin tour...price $125 +$5 per extra rider (3 person max or 450 lbs whichever is 1st)
29. Walk the beach aimlessly at night and play keep away from the waves.....I love doing this - I'm the dork you see doing this!!!!
30. Feed the Giant Fish at Broadway at the Beach (Cost = $0.25)
31. Middle of the night....Sex on the Beach....and I don't mean the drink - priceless
32. Get it on, on the balcony
33. Putt Putt (fairly cheap)
34. A long shower (not my water bill)
35. Jumping on the beds (not my bed)
36. Getting Sand in the bathing suit and can't get it out. ( cost 5 hours of my time). But I rode some awesome waves.
37. Awesome photo opps all over the place (cost = time + prints)
38. Bronze or red (depends) glow from spending time in the sunshine! (cost - depends if you tan or burn and how red you get)
39. Dancing on the beach
40. Picking up the ladies (Cost = Your Pride, Ego, Possible Drink in the face, but could be priceless ending smile.gif
41. Find a new job and house
42. Watch TV33 over, and over, and over, and over....you get the idea.
43. Head down to Georgetown for a cruise of the pirate ship The Jolly Rover.
44. Get a dozen Hot-N-Now Krispy Kreme Doughnuts - Soooo Good! (Cost = $7-$8)
45. Hunt for Ghost Crabs on the beach at night (Cost = Price of Flashlight).
46. Play the Baseball Arcade Machines; Win a stuffed animal for your sweetheart (Cost = $0.25 at the Boardwalk, $0.33 at Garden City Arcade)
47. IMAX 3-D Movie - Broadway at the Beach (Cost = $11 - $15)
48. Myrtle Beach Pelican's Minor League Baseball Games - (Cost = $7 - $11)
49. Maze Mania - Human Sized Maze - Garden City - (Cost = $4 - $7)
50. Banana Boat Rides - Ocean Water Sports - (Cost = $15)
51. Play Vollyball
52. Lazy River
53. Sit on the beach & read the "wrapper planes" banners as they go by...Andrew calls them that!
54. Sidewalk shop at Broadway at the Beach
55. Visit Alice's Grave (Alice Flagg) at All Saints Church Cemetery in Pawleys Island
56. Search for "The Gray Man" before an impending storm occurs - Pawleys Island and surrounding area
57. Watching the drunks do Karaoke
58. Go to IHOP in the morning for that chicken Omelet
59. Parasail
60. Meet new people and find kids for your kids to play with before they drive you crazy & vice versa!
61. Watch a storm out at sea....truly awesome!
62. Yell "SHARK" and watch everyone freak out, realize you were being an idiot and then watch you get arrested while they throw their picnic lunch items at you..
63. Drinks at Celebrations!
64. Karaoke at Broadway Louie's.
65. Chill and stroll around Barefoot Landing. (Gotta show some love to the north end).
66. Stroll Brookgreen Gardens.
67. Stroll Ocean Blvd and pop into random resorts to check out the lobbies...and to use the restroom
68. Fly kites on the beach
69. Visit the Children's Museum
70. Check out the different bikes during bike week (and try not to go deaf from some of them)
71. Watch 32
72. Record 32 with camera phone or whatever and post on youtube or similar
73. Cruise Ocean Blvd all night in a big, tricked out diesel, fully loaded truck with all of your 18 year old friends in the bed of the truck - cost? daddy's money
74. Go to the mall and get a back rub in the water bed.
75. Look for a resort to get married at.
76. Go enjoy a day at Family Kingdom Amusement Park
77. And a day at Freestyle Music Park
78. Check out all the exhibits at Ripley's Believe it or Not Museum.
79. Openly ridicule the morons who neglected sunscreen while vacationing at a beach.
80. Ogle the golden tanned eye candy on the beach, but using caution so as not to ogle anyone under age.
81. Fireworks three days per week....all summer long.
82. Lose your lunch on the Slighshot ride on Ocean Blvd.

Just a start

One of the top domestic tourist destinations in the continental United States. With nearly 14 million visitors a year, it is no surprise that Myrtle Beach, with over 60 miles of warm, sandy beaches, is such a popular vacation choice for millions of Americans. If limitless vacation options are what you are looking for, then Myrtle Beach has them and Myrtle Beach.com has the information about them, giving you finger-tip access to information on Myrtle Beach hotels, golf courses, restaurants, shopping and everything there is to know about the "Grand Strand".