We are just back from an incredible 13 day Trip to WDW over Christmas and now I am planning March Break. We are contemplating driving to Myrtle Beach (we are located in Eastern Ontario).
I have lots of friends who have provided insight for MB but thought I would solicit this group too! Where to stay, where to stop to make the drive more fun, what to do while we are there?
We are a family of 4 (DD's 14 & 11). Love being active and we are not much for sitting idle!
A+ and I did MB last March and had a great time. No kids though for that trip, just the two adults.
Driving down, we did 2 nights stay each way, not really necessary but A+ goes car crazy pretty easily, so we took our time. We had a great visit to the Hershey Factory (Hershey PA) on the way down. Not at all like the tours at the old Hershey factory in Smith's Falls ON. Huge chocolate store too, got lots of goodies for the family back home. Also stopped at Aunt Ruby's peanuts in Enfield NC. Yum. On the way back, we spent a half-day driving Skyline Drive in Virginia, with a stop at the Luray Caverns. Both were worthwhile diversions.
It is quiet season in MB in March, and yes it is a bit cold. The ocean was absolutely frigid when we were there, but walking the beach was fun. We stayed a Sheraton Broadway Plantation, a really nice resort about 3 long blocks back from the beach (walkable, but parking was reasonable). The resort is really well situated for entertainment and dining. The pools were warm and well protected from the cool breezes nearer the ocean. It is a timeshare property, so you can rent from a timeshare owner or directly from Sheraton. There are lots of options right on the beach as well, but we would stay at Sheraton again if we returned in March; in summer I would want to be beachfront I think.
Diversions we tried: Brookgreen Gardens - a huge estate with sculptures located throughout the grounds. Probably only appropriate if your kids are into culture. We also spent a day touring Charleston SC - great city, very walkable, very historic. Kids would probably enjoy a ride on Skywheel; a beachside Ferris wheel.
Unfortunately a lot of the fun park type attractions aren't open in March (Family Kingdom, etc). MB has more Mini-Golf courses than any other location in USA, and hosts the annual championship (didn't even know they had one of those for Mini-Golf!). These will all be open. There are lots of options if you like to "putter" around!
