myrtle beach any reccomendations?

[figment3258]

Hi all

We live in ma but i want to get away to some where nice that we have never been. i have two girls ages 5 and 8 at trip. I am thinking about myrtle beach and just saw a comerical for buy 5 nights get 2 free. does anyone recommend a hotel? or one to avoid? Any attractions a must or ones that we should miss? any help would be great1 thanks!

 

[JaymeC]

We live in Wilmington, NC so Myrtle Beach is just a day trip away for us. I will say, unless you're either interested in beach or golfing it's hard to spend that much time in Myrtle Beach. There are some (nice) cheap hotels. We stayed at Long Bay Resort the last time we were there. It's not as great at the ads make it out to be and not as bad as some of the reviews we read made it out to be I think it was about $60/night? It had one really great kiddie pool with a submarine that sprayed water, a lazy river, and two pools. Our kids had a blast there. It also had a Starbucks that my husband loved...

As far as things to do, my kids (4 and 6) enjoyed Ripley's Aquarium, but I didn't think it was quite worth the expense. It was a small aquarium for the price, imo. But it was fun. There's also the normal Hardrock cafes and other touristy spots to eat. There's the alligator park which name escapes me at the moment that's lots of fun and tons of putt-putt. Of course the biggest attraction is the beach, and if you like laying on the beach I'm sure you'll have fun

 

[FuninMK]

We have stayed at the Bay View Resort twice during the off season. It is on the boardwalk/beach. It has a small lazy river, jacuzzi, and pool at the bottom of the hotel. Awesome prices in October and November. Make sure you get a room with a full kitchen.

 

[curly5]

We just got back from MB this weekend. We stayed at a friends timeshare for the weekend. So I really can't help you in the hotel area. I can say we prefer North MB to MB or South MB. Yes there are 3 different MB.
Be for warned there are no cheap activities there. You have plenty to choose from, but nothing under $50 for a family of 4 even with the coupons. About the only thing that is cheap....and I mean that loosely is putt putt. that's still going to run you about $7 adults and $6 kids.
Dinner shows? $100 + dollars for a family.
We stayed at the pool and went to the beach for a bit and walked the apache pier. It's the longest on the eastern coast. And that costs $2 and $1for each adult! But it's cheaper than the other stuff.
Honestly DH and I were wracking our brains trying to figure out what our boys wanted to do and what we could afford and then we stopped and listened to them....they wanted the lazy river and a pool and a hotel room. Go figure! They were happy little campers doing just that! And we didn't go broke!

 

[curly5]

Oh ya, there was a lso the zoo. It was a good price. $9 adults and kids....I can't remember.... we just didnt' have time left after finding the ad.

 

[sallysue66]

I live about 40 minutes from MB and go there often since my little town doesn't have a mall or Sam's! Every winter my sister & I take the kids to Dunes Village for a weekend. It's a nice condo hotel in a good area. It is in Myrtle Beach, ocean front, has great pools and is close to Broadway at the Beach. Broadway has the new Wonderworks and Ripley's Aquarium, an Imax and shopping. Dunes Village will have deals from time to time and they will email them to you if you sign up on their site. The Palace Theater has a house show called "Le Grande Cirque" and they will have special rates on their site sometimes.

 

[lpereira]

Pm me your interests and budget and i.ll send you info. I.d stay in north myrtle beach personally. Myrtle beach itself is a redneck riviera. Fine during the day but you want to get the children out before nighttime. North myrtle is cheaper you'll be able too stay right on the beach. South of myrtle is good if you want to do plantations and gardens.

 

[aprilgail2]

We have stayed at the Ocean Reef --LOVED it both times! Room had a balcony that overlooked the beach- you go down the elevator and you are at the pool--a few steps away you are on the beach!
We love going to Dixie Stampede, Broadway at The Beach, the water parks, mini golfing, we went on a dolphin watching boat trip that was fun.

 

[MSSANDRA]

We are about 4 hours away and we like Myrtle Beach. WE have stayed north-south and plain Myrtle Beach.. South we like Ocean Creek. They have Barefoot Landing which is sorta like Down Town Disney. There are lots of night time music shows and some dinner shows including a new pirate one. There are also tanger outlets that are good to shop. South Mrytle, we have not stayed in a while, We stated at Myrtle Beach Resort and liked it. There is a place called Brooke Green Gardens quite south that is a really neat garden/zoo/boat tour that we like.
In Myrtle we have also done the Ocean Reef and like it as well. There is a place, Camalot that is very nice but a little more expensive. AVOID Captian's Quarters....looks much nicer on web site that in person!

There is so much to do for your age children. Putt-Putt, a small but fun Theme park, water parks, go-carts, a new wonder works, a magi-quest, Ripley, and a brand new ferris wheel that is suppose to be one of the largest anywhere...have not done it yet.

Summer of course is peak season and prices show it. We love spring and fall.

The beach of course is lots of free entertainment and most resorts have extensive in and out-door pools!

 

[ncmickeyluvr]

We are about 4 hours away and we like Myrtle Beach. WE have stayed north-south and plain Myrtle Beach.. South we like Ocean Creek. They have Barefoot Landing which is sorta like Down Town Disney. There are lots of night time music shows and some dinner shows including a new pirate one. There are also tanger outlets that are good to shop. South Mrytle, we have not stayed in a while, We stated at Myrtle Beach Resort and liked it. There is a place called Brooke Green Gardens quite south that is a really neat garden/zoo/boat tour that we like.
In Myrtle we have also done the Ocean Reef and like it as well. There is a place, Camalot that is very nice but a little more expensive. AVOID Captian's Quarters....looks much nicer on web site that in person!

There is so much to do for your age children. Putt-Putt, a small but fun Theme park, water parks, go-carts, a new wonder works, a magi-quest, Ripley, and a brand new ferris wheel that is suppose to be one of the largest anywhere...have not done it yet.

Summer of course is peak season and prices show it. We love spring and fall.

The beach of course is lots of free entertainment and most resorts have extensive in and out-door pools!

Ocean Creek Resort is right on the border of North Myrtle. Across the street from Barefoot landing. We stay there at least once every year and always enjoy it. Very family friendly.

 

[scndbaswmn]

We go quite often and I can't really tell you any great places to stay. They have all been pretty good. Kingston Plantation has probably been the best and nicest. Barefoot Landing is a good time, lots of shops and restaurants. Broadway at the Beach as well. Family Kingdom would be fun too. The have a small amusement park and also a waterpark.

 

[mrodgers]

Honestly DH and I were wracking our brains trying to figure out what our boys wanted to do and what we could afford and then we stopped and listened to them....they wanted the lazy river and a pool and a hotel room. Go figure! They were happy little campers doing just that! And we didn't go broke!

Best part of 6 nights at Disneyworld according to my girls was the Hippy pool at Pop Century. Best meal according to my girls which includes LeCellier, 50's Prime Time, Hoop de Doo and others was the 2 counterservice credit pizza at Pop Century.

Free summer concerts at Plyler Park (Ocean Blvd and 10th street I think) every Saturday, Tuesday, and Thursday starts tonight (it's Wednesday, figures, hehe.) Fireworks all over the place, wish I could remember where the list was that I saw. Pretty much can see Fireworks every single night, from the beach, from the piers, at the various places off the beach, etc. Marsh Walk in Murrell's Inlet is free. Lots of stuff you can do in Myrtle Beach for nothing.

 

[njmom47]

We stayed in Myrtlewood Villas while in MB for a baseball tournament. We asked to be moved to another area where our basball friends were, and the original unit we had was nicer, although the 2nd place was fine. Apparently since we've been there, they have added a lazy river-type pool. We did cookouts at the bbq grills behind the units as well as cooking in the unit itself which saved money on going out to eat. Overall, we enjoyed staying there. Spent time at the beach, Broadway at the Beach was fun (we love to roam..feeding the fish was insane!), the kids did the waterpark and the amusements (car rides mostly as I recall). We did Ripley's Aquarium as well, fun but not cheap.

 

[augusta1]

We go to MB probably 3-4 times a year. We love Dunes Village because the kids love the indoor waterpark. It's usually our winter hotel, it also has a Seattle's Best coffee shop inside.
During the summer we really enjoy Kingston PLantation. The Embassy is nice or you can rent a condo in one of the high rises. They have a huge outdoor waterpark.

Barefoot Landing has tigers and you can get your picture taken. Also shops and restaurants.
We really enjoy Broadway at the Beach. Lots of places to eat and shops. Also has a movie theater, mini golf.
http://www.broadwayatthebeach.com/

Also at Broadway is Ripleys Aquarium http://myrtlebeach.ripleyaquariums.com/

Wonderworks
http://www.wonderworksonline.com/myrtle-beach/

Pavilion Rides
http://pavilionnostalgiapark.com/

MagiQuest
http://magiquest.com/

 

[DebMcDonald]

We're also from Mass and MB is one of our favorite places, but for us we don't fall into the tourist traps. Our oldest now 17 has been going since she was four and still has the fondest memories and can't wait to go back next year. Our youngest went for the first time a 6 months old and is now 7. Our 10 year old says that it's the best vacation ever. That being said, we have never gone in peak season of the summer and much prefer April school vacation or September (when the kids were young enough to pull out of school) We've stayed at Crown Reef when it was new and loved it, the Sea Crest years ago and hated it and our absolute favorite, Marriott Grand Dunes.

Our typical MB vacation is relaxation during the day of the pool and beach with one or two days of my husband golfing, early dinners and then miniature golf and family favorite. We've never done the shows, we never done the amusement parks and honestly we've never missed them. We also do love the aquarium (I find it better than Boston's). We also enjoy walking around Broadway at the Beach and Barefoot Landing.

If by chance you are driving we stop in Washington DC on the way home and spend a nice day or two and it's a nice way to break up the trip home and get a little history.

 

[neatokimmo]

We stay at Dayton House. Their grounds are very nice but their rooms are on the country side for furnishing. We eat at New China up north, there is a coupon.

Warning about DH - they are super anal about noise (which I like). If there are teenagers roughhousing in the pool security will make them stop. Motorcycles are not allowed on property and I think they've banned RVs. They constantly check wristbands to make sure non guests are not using the pools.

 

[rdevine10]

We have been a couple times. We have stayed at Compass Cove & Dunes Village. Loved dunes for the waterpark (we went off season, so it was like having the whole place to ourselves!). Compass was very nice as well, and now I believe it has a few waterslides too (there are a TON of pools & 3 or 4 lazy rivers too).

BTW- my kids just loving playing in the pools and going to the beach when we go. We also really enjoyed Broadway on the Beach.

The tripadvisor forums were VERY helpful when planning a trip to that area! Enjoy!

 

[Crystal0608]

I love MB. Check out tripadvisor, most reviews are spot on. Breakers Resort, Dunes Village, Carribean Beach, Dayton House, Captains Quarters, Avista, Best Western Oceanfront, & Westgate are some I've stayed at the past couple years. Most have indoor/outdoor pools, hot tubs, and lazy rivers which is a MUST with kids. The outside of Breakers is gorgeous. We had a sideview oceanfront room which was dated & the indoor pool was closed one night but decent price and wonderful location. Dunes Village has two awesome indoor waterpark areas and awesome rooms with comfy beds. Carribean Beach has a HUGE outdoor pool, right beside Sea Captain House (lovely oceanfront breakfast) but the beds were not comfy as Dunes. Dayton House rooms are dated, but the grounds & pools are kept up very well & I got front row garage parking over at the family suite. Best Western was a group trip, great views, but horrible wait on elevators & dryer would never shut off (fire hazard). Westgate was just plain horrible, tours all the time and hair in pool- only one I would completely stay away from. Travelzoo usually has nice last minute deals.

I love the Marsh Walk with live music at night. Broadway at the Beach is a must. My kids love Magiquest and they also have a really good fudge shop, an Imax, Margaritaville, Hard Rock, Rileys Aquarium...tons of fun things though some $$ all in one location. Easy to spend most of a day here. Ultimate California Pizza is a must-try the Moon Doggie on rosemary wheat for me, first place we stop at MB every trip (also delivers). My kids are usually happy playing at the resort and walking on the beach getting sea shells.