Can anyone tell me about Myrtle Beach?

[Minnie824]

We're thinking of going there next year Memorial Day weekend. Has anyone been there, that could suggest nice hotels and things to do w/a 2yo and 4.5yo? We found a Marriott we like, so we're thinking of that one, but still not decided. Thanks!

 

[SC Minnie]

It is a biker weekend over Memorial Day weekend. Be warned.

There are lots of putt putt places, the aquarium, the Pavilion. Your kids might like the shows like Midevil Times or Dixie Stampede too.

 

[Minnie824]

Thanks for the bike week info...would you suggest going a different weekend? Maybe the 1st weekend in June instead? Overall does that event make the area a lot more crowded?

 

[DrCavin]

Here is another board that has lots of info on MB area. http://www.funbeaches.com/

 

[Minnie824]

Thanks I'll check that out...if not Memorial Day, what about 4th of July weekend? Is that too crowded also?

 

[welovedisneyx4]

Myrtle Beach is great!

I don't have any info about Bike Week, but maybe try North Myrtle Beach. It is less crowded in general. We a going there in just a few weeks! Putt Putt is always fun, Barefoot Landing is a good place to go. It isn't just shopping. We have spent a ton of time there the past 2 years we've gone. (Our kids are 9 and 4 now). If fact, last year, that is where we spent most of our evenings. The kids wanted to go there more than the Pavillion and amusement parks. There are 2 amusement parks, the one at the Pavilion and Family Kingdom. Family Kingdom might be better w/ smaller kids, I think it isn't as crowded. You will have a great time.

 

[SC Minnie]

Anytime during the summer will be crowded. Just be patient and tolerant. Myrtle Beach is the #4 vacation spot in the country for the summer. Saw that on the news this morning.

Biker weekend makes the roads full of well, motorcycles. More partyers etc. It may not bother you at all. Like I said above just be patient and tolerant. The problem with the first of June is the graduation crowds, teenagers everywhere. The Marriott shouldn't be as bad as some of the smaller places on Ocean Drive. July 4th is extremely crowded too. I usually go in the off season so crowded to me may be different that it is to others.

 

[JBurke]

We went a few years ago over Memorial Day weekend. The bikers were very loud. Wouldnt do that again.
Although we liked the beach and other activities there, I didnt like the choices in hotels. Everything on the beach was pretty old, I would have preferred something newer.

 

[ashjohnson80]

Hi, I've been to Myrtle Beach soo soo soo many times and it is pretty fun. I prefer Charleston, but I don't know if they have as much stuff to do with kids, but it is more laid back.

There is one resort at Myrtle that has an oceanfront waterpark. I can't remember the name of it but I remember wanting to stay there. You probably don't want to stay close to the Pavillion area. It gets loud and rowdy around there at night and its hard to get to and from your hotel. Surfside beach is still in the area and not as crowded and North Myrtle Beach is really nice, plus you'd be close to Barefoot landing which is a really nice shopping complex. They have dinner cruises you can take from there and a lot of neat stores like a doggie bakery. There is also a hair place there where little girls can get braids and wraps done and a really neat store that sells different types of natural stones and stuff.
Broadway at the Beach is also a really neat shopping/entertainment complex. They have the hard rock cafe there that is shaped like a pyramid. Also some cool stores for kids, like a glow in the dark store, magic store, i think they have a ben and jerrys and other specialty toy stores. Also Ripley's Believe it or Not Aquarium is at Broadway at the Beach and it is probably the best aquarium I've ever been to. There are tunnels with sharks swimming overhead while you stand on a conveyer. And they also have a build a bear workshop there too.
Just make sure you know what area you're hotel is in and be careful around the Pavillion and you'll have a great time!

 

[richiebaseball]

North Myrtle Beach may be the place not to go on Memorial Day weekend as that weekend is the Atlantic Beach Bikefest. Thousands of bikers congregate in basically a 3-4 block area in a part of North Myrtle Beach. Traffic can be challenging, to say the least. Bypass highways added over the last few years have helped the situation but are mostly used by locals needing to go from place to place and not tourists seeing the sights.

I called the Myrtle Beach area home for 10 years and personally I would not visit Memorial Day weekend.

July 4th weekend gets pretty crowded as well. Remember, the 4th is on Monday this year so lots of people can take long weekends.

Non-holiday weekends and during the week are less crowded. But just like Disney advice, if peak times are the only times you can go, just be prepared for crowds and don't sweat the small stuff.

Richard

 

[welovedisneyx4]

richiebaseball, thanks for that info about NMB. I was not aware of that.

 

[MB MinnieGirl]

I live in MB and LOVE IT!!

The only time of year I'd like to be elsewhere is the month of May. We just got finished with the 10 day Harley event (350,000+ bikes!!) and there is another one this weekend - Memorial Day. My advise - STAY CLEAR during the month of May. Even us locals try and get of of town.

Any other month is great. It begins getting warm in late March early April and stays that way though Octber.

I'll send you a pm with my email address and more info. - feel free to email me with any questions...I'm happy to help out.

~~~Kelly

 

[Annette_VA]

We were just there May 7-14. We stayed in Garden City Beach, which is further south. We loved that area! Nice & quiet and just a short drive to the Pavillion area.

We *loved* Broadway at the Beach! It reminds me a lot of Downtown Disney. Definitely do Ripley's Aquarium - I was very pleasantly surprised by how nice of an aquarium it is.

We were there for the first couple of days of Bike Week. Man, were there a ton of motorcycles there! It was almost surreal. We couldn't even get into Barefoot Landing one day because of all the vendors set up in the parking lot.

Myrtle Beach is so much fun. There is just an endless amount of stuff to do. I can't wait to go back!

 

[ncgolfer]

Memorial Day weekend is Myrtle Beach is a no no. Tons of public nudity, sex, drug use during Black Bike Week www.blackbikeweek.info for additional info. Yes I have personally witnessed it as I made the mistake two years ago. Won't happen again.

 

[BigTim]

Memorial Day weekend is Myrtle Beach is a no no. Tons of public nudity, sex, drug use during Black Bike Week for additional info. Yes I have personally witnessed it as I made the mistake two years ago. Won't happen again.

Public nudity, sex, and drug. total stereotypes. I joined this forum just to protest this comments. there is more to offer then what you describe and that site isn't the official site, it only sell porno dvds in the name of Black Bike Week.

Thanks

 

[minniebeth]

OP, you mentioned being interested in a Marriott in Myrtle Beach...
in North Myrtle Beach, there is the Myrtle Beach Marriott Resort and Spa at Grand Dunes which is very nice. We've stayed there several times and like it. It's a nice family resort that's a little off the beaten path yet still very close to everything fun. The food is the only drawback, it's expensive, so we bring go off property and get subs, pizza, etc.

There's also Marriott's OceanWatch at Grand Dunes (villas) which are timeshares right next to the Marriott resort that the public can reserve on a nightly or weekly basis. They are pricey but the property is amazing, the units are beautiful and you have access to a kitchen.

These are our favorite in the Myrtle Beach area....
...and oh, yeah, the hospital is literally a half of a mile away I discovered. You don't want to be there, but just in case, it's close!

 

[MrsPete]

Thanks for the bike week info...would you suggest going a different weekend? Maybe the 1st weekend in June instead? Overall does that event make the area a lot more crowded?

Myrtle Beach is best avoided the first couple weeks of June. Those are "senior weeks", in which the whole place is over-run by just-graduated teenagers with little supervision. Prices will be sky-high, and everything'll be crowded.

Back it up to early May, or go later in the sumer.

You mentioned Marriott. Are you looking at Grand Dunes? It's a nice place, out of the middle of Myrtle proper, which is a good thing. Very quiet. A bit . . . stodgy? That's not quite the right word. It's very fancy, but aside from the wonderful pool, not that much fun. Also expensive.

My personal favorite place is in South Myrtle: The Grand Atlantic. It's condos, not fancy or new but well cared-for -- a very comfortable place. Several pools, a lazy river, excellent location. Kitchens and washer/dryers in every unit. Everyone I know loves the place, and it's a good value for the dollar. Family oriented.

Public nudity, sex, and drug. total stereotypes. I joined this forum just to protest this comments. there is more to offer then what you describe and that site isn't the official site, it only sell porno dvds in the name of Black Bike Week.

Thanks

I've lived nearby my whole life, and I assure you those things are not stereotypes. Go to North Myrtle, go to South Myrtle, and you'll find clean, family places. Stay in Myrtle itself, especially in the OD area, and you'll find those stereotypes. I avoid certain areas and certain times of year.

 

[crazelion]

I finding out information from this post.