Myrtle Beach – Beaches and Activities Galore

Looking for a great East Coast vacation spot where a postcard-ready beach is your backyard? How about one where it’s not hard to find tons of fun activities? For travelers who might not see South Carolina at first glance, they’ve probably never heard of one of the state’s best-kept secrets, Myrtle Beach, which sits between the Atlantic Ocean and the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway. This lively resort town is the largest and most developed community within the Grand Stand, a 60-mile stretch of picturesque white-sand beaches that draws hordes of tourists each year. Although today the city has a population of close to 30,000, the area along what would become the Grand Stand was largely uninhabited before the American Revolution. Myrtle Beach became a city in 1957, about nineteen years after becoming an official city.

It is also not surprising that water sports such as scuba diving, canoeing, jet skiing, sailing and surfing are among the most popular attractions in the area. Avid shoppers can revel in the hustle and bustle of Coastal Grand Mall, the largest mall in South Carolina. Park visitors flock to Myrtle Beach State Park, whose Nature Center includes everything from live reptiles and saltwater aquariums to natural history exhibits. Located on 350 acres in the heart of Myrtle Beach, Broadway at the Beach is reputed to be one of the area’s premier shopping and entertainment hotspots, home to 17 restaurants, 3 theaters, multiple nightclubs, and over 100 specialty stores . If you are a golf fan, you can practice your swing at a number of world-class golf courses located throughout the city; those traveling on business can always hold meetings at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center. Started in 1951, Myrtle Beach’s annual Sun Fun Festival is the longest-running event in the city’s history and includes two days of free live entertainment, professional sporting events, concerts and children’s activities.

Whether you’re planning a family vacation or a romantic getaway, the Atlantic Breeze Ocean Resort offers all the comforts of home, plus exquisite ocean views. However, you don’t have to leave the property to enjoy a good swim: the complex has a large beachfront pool, a lazy river, a glass-enclosed indoor pool, and a children’s pool.

If you have children and a pet in tow, you shouldn’t miss the oceanfront Ocean Park Resort. One pet per room is allowed and children under 18 stay free. Travelers can sunbathe on one of two outdoor terraces before cooling off in any of the resort’s indoor or outdoor pools.

Kids 18 and under also stay free at the Patricia Grand Resort Hotel, located between popular attractions like Broadway at the Beach, Nascar Speedpark, and Freestyle Music Park. Grand Central Station, the new property restaurant, offers the perfect place to delight the senses. What better way to enjoy a steak or salad than while looking out over the stunning Atlantic Ocean?

Plus, if you’re in town on business, you’ll want to check out the Bay Watch Resort & Conference Center, where you can take advantage of the extensive banquet space for meetings and events of all sizes. However, it’s not all work and no play here; a fitness center, game room, restaurant, and sports bar/lounge are on-site to keep you well entertained.