Myrtle Beach

[anniemae]

Is myrtle beach nice? Was thinking of going here but I don't know anything about it. Did some research and some say it's nice, some say it's "trashy." Anyone have any insight?

 

[Kingdome8]

We stay at Myrtle every year. We stay at the Seawatch resort. almost north Myrtle away from all the crowded part. 2 tower resort. Has lots of pools and hot tubs and lazy rivers. Great omelette guy. They do activities for kids. We don’t go to their boardwalk. But broadway at the beach is nice.

 

[Katie Dawn]

Is myrtle beach nice? Was thinking of going here but I don't know anything about it. Did some research and some say it's nice, some say it's "trashy." Anyone have any insight?

What is your definition of nice? There are nicer hotels and condos as well as "dives". It's fairly populated so don't expect there to be a ton of space between you and the next family. There's also a lot of activities for the family to do.

But it would be helpful to know what you mean by "nice".

 

[Sabeking]

I would say both to be honest. It just depends on where you go. The old boardwalk area has some suspect areas but there are also nice places. Broadway at the beach has some decent shopping and lots of restaurants. One of our favorite restaurants is Sea Captains. They have great she crab soup. If we don’t rent a one in Cherry Grove which is more north myrtle and less commercialized we may stay at the Island Vista.

 

[anniemae]

What is your definition of nice? There are nicer hotels and condos as well as "dives". It's fairly populated so don't expect there to be a ton of space between you and the next family. There's also a lot of activities for the family to do.

But it would be helpful to know what you mean by "nice".

I just meant the whole vibe of the place. People were saying it is "trashy." They said lots of college kids drinking a lot, shady areas, people said it's nicknames are "redneck riviera" and "dirty myrtle." I know everywhere has good and bad sections, but the overall vibe of MB seems to be that it is kind of suspect.

 

[mekay1012]

We like Myrtle Beach, but not in the summer. we prefer to go off season when it’s not as crowded.

 

[martikus]

What beaches have you visited that you like? It’s pretty tacky but certainly lots to do. We like the dunes village area of myrtle or north myrtle. We go because my husband went to college there. Don’t love the beach. We prefer Hilton Head. Much nicer beach, much less commercial. Bike ride places. Slower pace.

 

[fly girl]

I just meant the whole vibe of the place. People were saying it is "trashy." They said lots of college kids drinking a lot, shady areas, people said it's nicknames are "redneck riviera" and "dirty myrtle." I know everywhere has good and bad sections, but the overall vibe of MB seems to be that it is kind of suspect.

I finally went for a Myrtle Beach vacation this August. My honest take, Redneck Riviera. I did enjoy some aspects, but I will definitely say if you go, please go to North Myrtle. I didn't, lesson learned. I think you'd be happier in that area.

It isn't horrible, just not my scene. If I had to compare it to anything it is like comparing Disney to Six Flags. Six Flags feels kinda of trashy compared to Disney. I would still go, but the expectation is lower. That's how I feel about MB. Although I will say they have some really nice mini golf courses and dd and I really enjoyed that part.

 

[L&Lfan]

How does it compare in tackiness to the Jersey shore?

 

[RedAngie]

How does it compare in tackiness to the Jersey shore?

Not as bad as Sleaze-side Heights. About the same as Wildwood.

 

[OhhBother]

I live in Pawleys Island, about 20 minutes south of Myrtle Beach. There are beautiful beaches all along the Carolina coast. Do your research and determine what area most appeals to you. I love living here - we get the serenity of this beautiful area and we’re only 20 minutes from the amazing restaurants, activities and shopping in Myrtle Beach. Can’t go wrong with that!

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

Is myrtle beach nice? Was thinking of going here but I don't know anything about it. Did some research and some say it's nice, some say it's "trashy." Anyone have any insight?

Depends on when you go. It has one of the trashiest spring breaks anywhere. It regularly competes with Panama city Beach for trashiest spring break crowd. Also don't go during Bike Week unless you like that sort of thing.

Other than that it's no trashier than your average tourist spot. Expect quite a few calabash style fish buffets. Some of them are good. Others not so good. Note that the style is fried, light batter, light seasonings. So if you don't like that sort of thing, you're probably not going to enjoy them. Ironically, however, the featured item at most of them is not remotely a South Carolina thing. Snow Crab. There are quite a few Pancake Breakfast houses and kountry kookin places too. Some don't stay open past lunch. Others do. They don't really have anything close to a full sized amusement park or water park. They're all a bit small. There are quite a few mini golf places and T shirt shops and nick nack shops. Dolly Parton's pirate show is here. So is the Dixie Stampede. They have a couple of country music variety shows. If you've ever been to Pigeon Forge, think of a giant sized Pigeon Forge with a long beach instead of mountains. Many of the cheaper hotels on the beach are raunchy. The good ones there are pricey. We found it far more to our liking to stay about 5 miles off the beach and drive in. Much cheaper and we still got a clean room and the usual hotel free breakfast. Also note public beach access parking is free before 9 am but will cost you after that. And the meters are electronic in spots now so you have to install the phone app to feed the meter. They had a couple of Tanger outlet malls plus the genuine boardwalk near the beach and a Faux boardwalk shopping place with lots of stuff.
I think one of our favorite places was Dagwood's deli. Their $10 Northern sandwich fed us both it was so big. It was good. There are miles and miles of stores and restaurants and the like. But many of them are duplicates.

 

[Julie's Haircut]

DW and I spent about three hours there several years ago on our way back from Florida. It was my first visit in about 30 years. The central area has some pretty tacky and even trashy-looking motels and shops, but overall it's decent. There is a gift shop called the Gay Dolphin right on the boardwalk. It also has a street entrance. Some of the merchandise looks like it is the exact same crap I saw 30 years ago.

The nicer areas are south or north.

 

[SC Minnie]

There are parts that are OK and parts that are trashy. If you go research the area you are going to stay. We no longer go to Myrtle, haven't been in over 15 years. There are much nicer beach areas in SC.