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Fun Times in Myrtle Beach

from Byways Ocean Views 2022

from Byways Ocean Views 2022, page 10

Fun Times in Myrtle Beach

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina is 60 miles of beautiful sandy beaches, exciting attractions, and celebrity-designed golf courses. It is home to high-rise hotels, resorts, oceanfront condos, and vacation rentals. Explore the boardwalk for a beachfront view of the Atlantic Ocean, or enjoy some of the best attractions, restaurants, and shopping Myrtle Beach has to offer at Broadway at the Beach.

Myrtle Beach is one of the major centers of tourism in the United States. The city’s warm subtropical climate, miles of beaches, 86 golf courses, and 1,800 restaurants attract over 20 million visitors each year, making Myrtle Beach one of the most visited destinations in the country.

Nearly 100,000 visitors a year are estimated to come from overseas, with tourists from Canada, Germany and the United Kingdom.

History

Located along the historic King’s Highway (U.S. Route 17), the region was once home to the Waccamaw people. During the colonial period, the Whither family settled in the area, and a prominent local waterway, Wither’s Swash, is named in their honor.

Originally called alternately “New Town” or “Withers”, the area was targeted for development as a resort community by Franklin Burroughs, whose sons completed a railroad to the beach and the first inn, Seaside Inn. His widow named the new community Myrtle Beach after the local wax-myrtle shrubs. After the railroad was finished, employees of the lumber and railroad company would take train flatcars down to the beach area on their free weekends, becoming the first Grand Strand tourists.

The summer season is long, hot, and humid in Myrtle Beach. Average daytime highs are from 83 to 91°F and average night-time lows are near 70°F. The coastal location of Myrtle Beach mitigates daytime summer heat somewhat compared to inland areas of South Carolina. Myrtle Beach has mostly mild winters of short duration.

The Grand Strand

So named by a newspaperman of the 1940s, the name has stuck, and it describes some 60 miles of wide, safe, beautiful, sandy beaches.

With all there is to do along the Grand Strand, visitors regularly report that the #1 reason they visit Myrtle Beach is for the beach itself. With more millions of visitors coming annually, it’s a good thing Myrtle Beach beaches remain friendly and safe, clean and inviting. Early morning beach walkers enjoy year-round quiet times as the sun rises over the Atlantic Ocean, and latenight strollers, flashlights in hand, marvel at the spectacular moonrises and the haunting effect of a night-time visit. Mid-day, especially in the summer months, the beach takes on a new energy while families and singles, young and old, relish in America’s favorite pastime.

Opened in 2010, the boardwalk has been recognized as the nation’s #3 boardwalk by National Geographic and one of the best U.S. boardwalks by Travel & Leisure magazine. The Myrtle Beach SkyWheel opened at the boardwalk in May 2011, and is a 200-foot observation wheel, similar to a ferris wheel, with glass gondolas that look over the Atlantic Ocean.

The area is home to numerous golf courses and minigolf courses along the Grand Strand and further inland. Myrtle Beach has been called the “Golf Capital of the World” because of its roughly 100 golf courses, the record 4.2 million rounds played, and many miniature golf courses. The majority of the area’s golf courses are public.

Explore the heart of the Grand Strand from its fivestar entertainment to its award-winning restaurants. Make plans to see some of the great theater shows in the area as they dive into their new seasons, or head to the oceanfront boardwalk. During the day you can beat the heat by heading to the beach or one of three waterparks. For those who are feeling a bit nostalgic, head to Legends in Concert, the Hollywood Wax Museum, or even Wonderworks.

Strolling through Broadway at the Beach, Barefoot Landing or the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk is free and a fun way to spend a summer day. Many events, including live music and festivals, are free and open to the public. Free fireworks shows throughout the year cap off a perfect beach day! Broadway features a wide range of outstanding activities for all ages, and there is always something new and exciting to do, including fireworks and special events throughout the year.

While you are at Broadway at the Beach, make sure to check out the Broadway Grand Prix, Ripley’s Aquarium, and Topgolf for those looking for a bit of excitement.

Uncover shopping treasures galore as you stroll the exciting world of Broadway. This colorful, relaxed, and enjoyable experience features one-of-a-kind shops and boutiques as well as nationally recognized names like Ron Jon Surf Shop, Savannah Bee Company, Earthbound Trading Company, and more.

Looking for great tastes? You’ll never go hungry at Broadway at the Beach. With an incredible selection of more than twenty inviting restaurants such as Wahlburgers, Hard Rock Café, Señor Frog’s, Margaritaville, Dave & Buster’s, and The Grumpy Monk, as well as a range of light-bite eateries, it’s easy to satisfy everyone’s appetite

Ripleys Aquarijm

The aquarium is an 85,000 square foot, multilevel collection of wonders of the sea. From the large tanks to small tanks, exhibits are interactive, educational, and fun for the whole family. In addition to the yearround sea life exhibits, they have seasonal and traveling exhibits so that each time you visit you can experience something new.

The aquarium also offers exciting experiences such as Diving with Sharks, the Stingray Experience, Behind-the-Scenes Tour, Sleep with the Sharks, Glass Bottom Boat Adventure, Birthday Parties, Camps, Live Shows, and more.

The centerpiece of the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk, the Myrtle Beach SkyWheel offers soaring panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean. When it opened in 2011, it forever changed the downtown Myrtle Beach skyline. Standing 200 feet above the ocean, the SkyWheel features 42 climate-controlled, enclosed gondolas, each seating up to 6 passengers.

Aside from the world-class views and recreational fishing, the many Myrtle Beach piers also offer a variety of dining and entertainment options. From simple hot dog stands to full-service restaurants, vacationers can find something to suit every appetite.

Many of the piers also offer live entertainment several nights each week during the summer months. Open-air rooftop bars and covered dance floors keep the atmosphere lively after the sun goes down featuring smaller acoustic acts and high-energy dance and rock ‘n’ roll bands. Younger vacationers taking a break from the sun and surf may enjoy endless varieties of ice cream and frozen treats without ever leaving the oceanfront.

One of the Grand Strand’s favorite entertainment attractions, Alabama Theatre offers area visitors an evening of singing, dancing, and comedy. Opened by country superstar group Alabama over 20 years ago, Alabama Theatre is a popular attraction bringing visitors from all over to experience the musical variety show. With One The Show, The South’s Grandest Christmas Show, and guest entertainers, Alabama Theatre has something for everyone.

The award-winning show blends two hours of highenergy music, comedy and dance in a luxurious theater complete with state-of-the-art lighting, sound and special effects. Though elements in the shows change throughout the year, one element remains constant: the level of world-class talent and production values that visitors have learned to expect on the Calvin Gilmore stage.

Featuring a cast of over 35 of the nation’s most talented performers, this variety show spans all genres to bring you the best hits of yesterday, today and everything in between.

Barefoot Landing

The excitement is building with Dockside Village, a walkable restaurant district featuring Lucy Buffett’s LuLu’s. Set along the Intracoastal Waterway, there is free day docking for boats and Dockside Village adds a whole new level of excitement with a children’s playground and amphitheater showcasing year round live entertainment and events.

At Barefoot Landing you’ll browse to your heart’s content as you discover a wealth of unexpected treasures at one of the many national retail shops such as Ron Jon Surf Shop, Chico’s, Sunglass Hut, Francesca’s and Earthbound Trading. Dining at Barefoot includes everything from upscale offerings with scenic waterway views at Greg Norman and Flying Fish, to local restaurants specializing in pizza, barbecue, burgers, and seafood. One of the largest piers on the East Coast, Apache Fishing Pier boasts a covered band shell and dance floor halfway down the pier. With nightly live entertainment from 8-11pm in the summer season, vacationers can dance over the ocean and beneath the stars for a truly memorable experience.

Featuring the Pier House Restaurant and an open-air rooftop bar, 2nd Avenue Pier’s dining and entertainment options offer something for everyone. The second-floor restaurant features creative coastal cuisine while the upstairs bar offers a relaxed atmosphere with live acoustic music and spectacular views of the coast.

For more information on visiting Myrtle Beach, visithttps://www.visitmyrtlebeach.com/groups

This article is from:

Byways Ocean Views 2022

by Byways, Inc.