Tell me about Myrtle Beach...

[tiff211]

DH and I are thinking of spending a couple of nights there for our anniversary in June.

 

[disney junky]

We used to vacation there quite a bit. It has really become built up in the past decade. We always stayed in North Myrtle. If you like shopping, there is Broadway at the Beach or Barefoot Landing (that's in North Myrtle). There are a couple shows that are great. We've been to Carolina Opry many times. There's also Dixie Stampede in the same complex. There are plenty of places to eat but a lot are the same...sort of assembly line buffet style. Do a little research with the locals and you'll find some nicer out of the way places. We enjoy going into North Carolina for seafood in Calabash county. There's a little restaurant that overlooks the docks, its called Captain Jules, great view watching the boats come in and go out. The seafood is great. Hope you have a great time.

 

[Tiffer]

I Stayed in North Myrtle as well. I LOVED it. We stayed at the Embassy Suites on the Kingston Plantation.

 

[theprincess]

WE are going too in June but to South Myrtle~hope I didn't make a mistake.

 

[Tinkerbelle'sMOM]

We too stayed at the Embassy Suites...it was really nice and the manager's reception in the evening and full breakfast is a plus! And it isn't far to Barefoot Landings and other things to see You can rent umbrella's and chairs on the beach and just hang out!

 

[disney junky]

WE are going too in June but to South Myrtle~hope I didn't make a mistake.

South Myrtle is nice too though North Mytle Beach is actually a town whereas south is a location. If you get through Myrtle Beach proper, which is really touristy and gets really crowded, there are areas south that are really quaint and laid back.

 

[tevagirl]

We are leaving for Myrtle Beach on April 30th. We go down every May for two weeks. I love the area. We (a girlfriend and I, we leave the hubbys at home) go to the beach, relax, and shop, shop, shop!

 

[KariC]

My family loves the southern end of the "Grand Strand". We normally do Surfside Beach. That way, you can drive to the more populated parts, but not be on top of other people, too. Litchfield Beach is really nice, too. There are some great places for seafood in Murrel's Inlet (south of Surfside, north of Pawley's Island?). To be honest, I don't see a difference in seafood from North versus South. I had a sil that MADE us all go to Calabash, NC, once just to eat "calabash". Anyway, it's the same (to my uneducated palate) in the south end.

We did live in SC for a few years, about 70 minutes from the beach in the winter (3 hours in the summer!), and a lot of the locals prefer the locations south of Myrtle Beach. Most of these areas don't have high rises, so that is probably the difference in population and crowded beaches. There's also a bit more restricitions (local jurisdicitions), more family like maybe. I think, it's been 2 years since our last trip there, that it only takes about 20-25 minutes on 17 bypass to get to Broadway at the Beach and the outlet malls (they're not on 17).

Have fun!

 

[rcraw45425]

We'll be there next week (DD11 and I) for a MS band competition. I'm scared, we're booked at Crown Reef resort, I won't have access to transpo (have to ride the charter bus as I"m a chaparone). I know we're going to Broadway at the BEach so I guess we'll hit a chain restaurant there, Friday night we're to go to Family Kingdom amusement park ). Saturday night is Medieval Times. Looks like 7 hours on a bus, ack!

 

[mmcguire]

We always went to MB growing up, and been going there in recent years too. Like another poster, we stayed at Kingston Plantation our past few trips. We rented condos in Brighton Tower.

I've stayed at Cherry Grove (north of North Myrtle), N. Myrtle, S. Myrtle (also camping at Lakewood) just plain ol' Myrtle and Pawley's Island, south of S. Myrtle. It's a 30-60 min drive end to end, depending on traffic (it can vary that much).

Shopping's been covered. Broadway at the Beach (BaB) is our preference, but Barefoot Landing (BL) is good too. Both have a lot of the same stores. Broadway has more bars if you drink.

Food was mentioned, but here's a little more info: BaB has our favorite, Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville (make dinner reservations at least a week ahead). They also have Hard Rock Cafe, Planet Hollywood, Key West Grille, Liberty, Joe's Crab Shack, a new KISS coffee house and I believe a Landry's. BL has Greg Norman's Autralian Grille (VERY nice -- would be a good anniv. place), a Polynesian place, the most excellent Crab House, House of Blues, Dick's Last Resort (where they treat you rude on purpose). I think they've got a Joe's Crab Shack too. Our fav. seafood place is Crab House at BL; fav. buffet is Preston's in North Myrtle.

Stuff to do: BaB has an IMAX theater and Ripley's Aquarium. There's also a NASCAR Speedpark & NASCAR Cafe across from Broadway at the Beach -- all kinds of go-carts. Golf is a big thing if you're golfers. I think they have more golf courses than any other city in the US. There are also a million mini golf courses. Our fave is Hawaiian Rumble Golf.

Hotels at MB can be SERIOUSLY hit or miss -- do your research! The hotels see a LOT of traffic, and a hotel that is only a few years old can quickly become worn and dirty. The former Pavilion area around Ocean Blvd and the lower-numbered Avenues can be pretty seedy.

Hope this is helpful, and have a great anniversary!!!

 

[pozey]

We've been to Myrtle Beach many times. It is really not that far behind Disney World as our family's favorite vacation spot.

Others before me have given some excellent advice.

About the only thing I could add is that there is an excellent website run by a MB local called www.funbeaches.com that has a lot of great information.

And the other thing.....if you enjoy BBQ, go to T-Bones (NOT T-Bonz) in Murrell's Inlet. They have fantastic ribs.

 

[tiff211]

Thanks for all the advice. I love seafood so I am looking for a great place. Is calabash a style of seafood or the location where the seafood is?

I am so nervous about where to stay, some places look so great online and in brochures and then turn out to be !! I am looking into embassys suites. I know we have stayed there other places and it's always a safe bet.

When we go and if we love it, we may plan a family trip there. Is it only worth going in the summer?

 

[UMTerp]

We just got back from MB two weeks ago and had great weather! When booking in the spring/fall I would pick a place that has at least one indoor pool for the kids.

Lots of great reviews on tripadvisor.com for hotels and activities.

Have fun!

UMTerp

 

[pozey]

Thanks for all the advice. I love seafood so I am looking for a great place. Is calabash a style of seafood or the location where the seafood is?

Calabash is a style of seafood. Something about fresh seafood, lightly breaded, and cooked fresh.

I am so nervous about where to stay, some places look so great online and in brochures and then turn out to be !! I am looking into embassys suites. I know we have stayed there other places and it's always a safe bet.

When we go and if we love it, we may plan a family trip there. Is it only worth going in the summer?[/QUOTE]
Here is a great website run by a local. http://www.funbeaches.com/

And it has a great message board, with lots of great people:
http://www.funbeaches.com/forum/

 

[mmcguire]

Is calabash a style of seafood or the location where the seafood is?

Actually, it's both. Calabash, NC is about 1 hour north of Myrtle Beach. The seafood is named for the town, but it's common throughout the area, so you don't have to go there to get it. Calabash style is nothing more than seafood that has been lightly battered and deep fried. I have lived in NC my whole life, and nearly every place I've had fried seafood in NC and SC has been prepared this way.

We went to Calabash once while staying in nearby Ocean Isle Beach, and found it to be a shameless tourist trap. There's one particular street with hordes of restaurants all claiming to be the "original" Calabash restaurant, and they charge ridiculous prices for their food.

 

[Laz]

Try this site:

www.myrtlebeachlive.com

I love mrytle beach! All of the above posts pretty well covers everything. Make sure you pick up the coupon books that have great bargins. MB is the mini golf capital of the world I think! It is lots of fun!

 

[KariC]

Actually, it's both. Calabash, NC is about 1 hour north of Myrtle Beach. The seafood is named for the town, but it's common throughout the area, so you don't have to go there to get it. Calabash style is nothing more than seafood that has been lightly battered and deep fried. I have lived in NC my whole life, and nearly every place I've had fried seafood in NC and SC has been prepared this way.

We went to Calabash once while staying in nearby Ocean Isle Beach, and found it to be a shameless tourist trap. There's one particular street with hordes of restaurants all claiming to be the "original" Calabash restaurant, and they charge ridiculous prices for their food.

Thank you very much! I should send this to my sil that made us go all the way to NC....(with their hungry (and diabetic) kids). Nothing "south of the border" was good enough at 7 pm at night. (No, I'm not bitter! )

 

[Green Tea]

I really don't like Mrytle Beach, except maybe in the off season. I think it is just TOO much. Too much traffic, too many people, just too much stuff. But for those that like active city scene vacations, it would be a nice place. I just like more seclusion on a beach.

 

[marshallandcartersmo]

I'm just giving this a friendly bump. Lot's of vacationing Disers around and some great opinions here.......

 

[LindsayDunn228]

We didn't really care for it. We were there visiting friends. It was Pigeon Forge with a beach on one side to us.

But most people enjoy it and you probably will too