Somewhat OT: Need Myrtle Beach Recs

[Harters2WDW]

Hello!

Heading to Myrtle Beach (specifically Cherry Grove section of North Myrtle Beach) this weekend to stay for a week with family. There will be six girls ages six months-7 years plus eight adults. Any recs for affordable (hence the budget board posting) and/or fun activities, restaurants, miniature golf, restaurants, etc. We'll be doing most meals at the rental.

TIA!!!

 

[Shmily1]

There is too much to do in MB!! We had a blast at the following places:

• Myrtle Waves--it's not WDW water parks, but it's the closest to one I've seen--fun!!
• Ripley's Aquarium--we spent hours there and I can't even tell you how many times we had to pet the stingrays. It was fun!
• Dixie Stampede--for a fun time and a great meal, this is the spot! The kids get to take part in the fun and we had a blast!
• Imax theatre--we live in a rural area so that was our first time at an Imax-- the kids all loved it!! It was about oceans or dolphins or something. The employees kept suggesting the flying one but I'm terried of heights!

 

[mrspopeye]

We went to a restaurant called the Filling Station- which is a pizza buffet similar to Cici's or Mr. Gatti's. What was neat about this place was their semi-famous busboy, Isaac. He cleans off tables in record time and sings. Very reasonably priced.

 

[NCRedding]

Your kids might enjoy the South Carolina Childrens museum (cmsckid.org)

There used to be smallish carnival area in the northern part of Myrtle that my DD enjoyed, but it may have closed.

 

[Greyhound22]

We are going to MB in early July followed by a few days at Disney's HHI. I had a friend recommend the Filling Station as well as River City Cafe and Seafarer Restaurant. You might want to give them a try.

 

[skysmom99]

We just returned from South Carolina. We all loved Huntington State Park. It has a great beach plus there were planned activities lead by the park rangers every 2 hours. We also enjoyed seeing the alligators. You can also tour an old home that is right there but we didn't do that this time.

I second the Ripley's Aquarium but it was pricey to me ($19 for 12 & up, $10 for 6-11 yrs old, $4 for 2-5 yr olds).

 

[poohbear8]

We go to NMB every year. Most attractions have discount coupons in the coupon books you find at the grocery stores, tourism places, and rental offices.

Dixie Stampede has a AAA discount I think. Lost of fun, but not cheap.

The ONE Show usually have kids free on certain days. http://www.alabama-theatre.com/06/GreatFamilyFun.html I have taken my DD for 2 years now and it's one of the things she enjoys the most. There is comedy, singing, and dancing.

Putt put golf will be cheapest during the day before 5pm. Many are play as much as you want. After 5, look for coupons to save a few dollars. In NMB, there is an air-conditioned volcano course. It's nice when it is really hot out!

Not cheap, but build a bear is down there. Coupons can be found in the books also.

Barefoot Landing has fireworks during the summer. They have shops and is a neat place to walk around. They have live tigers there and you can pay to have your picture taken with the cubs. To see them is free though.

River City Cafe also at Barefoot is a good place. We enjoy the burgers.

For seafood buffet, we go to Original Benjamins Calabash Seafood. They offer an early bird discount. We usually eat breakfast and a late lunch/early dinner around 3:30 or so. Then walk around Barefoot Landing to walk off all of the food we eat! Again, it won't be cheap, but it's one of the best seafood places we have found through the years. (IMHO)

 

[MomofSixinSC]

Broadway at the Beach is a fun place to stroll and people watch.

 

[bzzelady]

For seafood buffet, we go to Original Benjamins Calabash Seafood. They offer an early bird discount. We usually eat breakfast and a late lunch/early dinner around 3:30 or so. Then walk around Barefoot Landing to walk off all of the food we eat! Again, it won't be cheap, but it's one of the best seafood places we have found through the years. (IMHO)

Another vote for Original Benjamin's! Not necessarily cheap, but absolutely delicious with tons of variety and if you go away hungry, it is truly your own fault!

 

[Minnie M6]

We love to go to Barefoot Landing and walk around (okay, and shop . There are lots of restaurants there; our favorite at Barefoot is Joe's Crab Shack- prices are reasonable, food is good and it's very kid friendly.

We used a coupon last visit and went on a dolphin cruise from Murrell's Inlet, which is full of fantastic restaurants (although not exactly budget). There is tons to see and do; have a great trip!

 

[Shmily1]

There is also Brookgreen Gardens. It is an awesome garden area that will take a few hours. Very pretty!

 

[poohbear8]

I thought of more things:

Another fun place to eat is Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville at Broadway. I don't think I have used coupons there though. They play his music and have a large blender in the middle of the floor that starts mixing every so often. (kind of like how Rainforest Cafe has their thunderstorms) They also have had kids come and sing also.

A freebie just to say you saw it is at the convention center. The artist Wyland painted a mural on the back side of the building of underwater life. He is known for these murals. He will pick a building and come and paint the whole thing in a week or two. If you go to Broadway at the Beach, it's not too far from there to drive by and see it. If I remember right, as you face the front of the building, head to the left back side of the building to see it. I make a point to see any of his murals because they are amazing to see them up close.

NMB also has a flea market on Friday-Sunday. It's a mix of closeout stuff that people sell and garage sale type stuff. The sellers have a booth/table/small store they sell from each week. You can find fresh fruit there sometimes also.

For bait to fish, the grocery store is probably the cheapest place to buy it. Crabbing is fun and inexpensive. If you go down to the far end of Cherry Grove you can find an area you can crab easily. We buy chicken legs and tie them to a basket we bought there. Throw in the basket and wait. We usually have at least one or two steamed crab dinners while there.

 

[sissybells]

funbeaches.com is a good website with a lot of info. Hope this helps.

 

[Harters2WDW]

OP here...Thanks! This helps a lot! Any ice cream recs?

 

[dogodisney]

We are heading to N. Myrtle Beach the middle of July.

I have been collecting info about activities and saving it into a word document. I actually have sitting open onright now on my desktop.
These are some things I have saved along with some of the other things that have been mentioned.

Myrtle Beach Boardwalk & Promenade The1.2 mile-long Myrtle Beach Oceanfront Boardwalk and Promenade traverses through the sand from the 14th Avenue to 2nd Avenue Piers in Myrtle Beach. The boardwalk provides oceanfront views of the pristine beachline, numerous shops and restaurants along its path, and is divided into three different sections.
o The northernmost portion winds down from the 14th Avenue North Pier to Plyler Park.
o The mid-section is located from Plyler Park to the former Pavilion Amusement Park site at 8th Avenue North and encompasses more of a carnival-like atmosphere with oceanfront dining and businesses.
o The southernmost end of the boardwalk leading up to the 2nd Avenue pier has a meandering oceanfront park
Hot Summer Nights Weekly Events

Tuesday & Saturday Nights: Live Concert Series:
Bring you lawn chairs, blankets or just your companions as you sit back and enjoy the cool sounds of some of the hottest bands in the area. The entire family will enjoy the boardwalk atmosphere with music to suit every taste. You might catch a rising star as some of our musical talent is breaking onto the charts!

Wednesday Nights: 7/14/2010 The Beach’s Best Fireworks Display
Plyler Park boasts the best view in town of the Wednesday night fireworks. Bring your blanket and enjoy the spectacular display from the park, the new boardwalk or on our white sandy beaches. Wednesday night fireworks are a great way to add more bang to the middle of your vacation! Location: Off 2nd Avenue Pier. Best View is from Plyler Park

Thursday Nights: Bagpipers On The Boardwalk!
“O Danny boy, the pipes the pies are calling…” for you to come and enjoy the sounds of traditional Irish music from Myrtle Beach’s finest strolling bagpiper. Let the sea mist and distinct sounds of the pipes transport you to across the sea to the rolling hills of Ireland. To make the experience more authentic, enjoy an Irish ale at one of the many boardwalk cafes!

NEW Friday Nights: Dixieland On The Boardwalk:
Take in the down home southern styling of our strolling Dixieland Band. Get ready for some foot stomping, toe tapping fun as you enjoy one of the most inspirational sounds of the south. Get ready to sing along to American favorites like “As the Saints go Marching in” and “Basin Street Blues” as we get jazzy every Friday night on the new boardwalk!

I did not save the info for Sundays as we will not be there on a Sunday night.

Hope you have a god time.

 

[Straitlover]

OP here...Thanks! This helps a lot! Any ice cream recs?

At Cherry Grove: I always like to go to the little place next to the Beaulieu's IGA. Don't remember the name, but you can't miss it. It's not that the ice cream is so memorable, it's more nostalgia/tradition than anything. It's been there forever!

Be sure to check out the IGA, too. They have a pretty good deli and bakery section. Plus, they have every kind of beach souvenir known to man.

 

[Harters2WDW]

At Cherry Grove: I always like to go to the little place next to the Beaulieu's IGA. Don't remember the name, but you can't miss it. It's not that the ice cream is so memorable, it's more nostalgia/tradition than anything. It's been there forever!

Be sure to check out the IGA, too. They have a pretty good deli and bakery section. Plus, they have every kind of beach souvenir known to man.

The IGA was recommended to us by friends who have gone down to Cherry Grove for the past 30 years or so! We are going there. Good to know on the ice cream! I'm all for a little tradition!