Tell me about Myrtle Beach.........

[lukenick1]

Been thinking of a beach vacation this August. Don't want to go to Cape Cod again, too many great white shark sightings plus the water is gross. Been thinking about Myrtle Beach because it seems pretty budget and I've always wanted to check it out. Any advice? We are a family of 4 with 2 boys ages 10 & 12. Is it worth it? Any better suggestions?

 

[cjnix29]

We went to MB two years ago and had a great time! We stayed in North Myrtle, right on the beach. Lots of fun, lots of things to do! My son was 8 at the time, and he loved it. We are talking about next summer's vacation tonight, and it has come up on our short list again. Barefoot Landing is fun, they have a Magi Quest, which is better than any we have been to. DS could have spent all week inside! We took a day trip to Charleston, and took a ferry to Ft. Sumter. The beach was great! Have fun!!!

 

[ZoeBell]

We went a few years ago. We loved, loved LOVED it. But it was really hot. Stayed in a Hampton Inn right on the beach. I can't remember if we stayed North or South. We went later in August and while the ocean was beautiful and I could stay all day in it, we ended up using the pool more d/t the JellyFish. We seen a few people get bite?/stung?

The lone amusement park is nice and clean and small enough so that we adults could sit and my daughter and her friend could go around. They we around 11 at the time. It didn't open until 4pm.

A little tip if you like buffet restaurants. Sign up for Ryan's email list. They will send you coupons for so much off for lunch or dinner.

 

[KevinK]

My family of five go every Aug to Myrtle Beach. Lots to do. Broadway at the Beach is our favorite. Lots of restaurants and shops. Activities for kids including zip line, movie theater, rock climbing, speed boat, minature golf, and a children's museum that looks like it is upside down from the outside. The children's museum was a lot of fun but gets crowded. If you go try to be there at opening. Beaches are clean, no jelly fish, and warm water.

 

[LockShockBarrel]

I'd be all over the shark thing. You'd see me out in a kayak looking for them.

 

[Priorityonecb]

We just got back last week. We stayed at The Dayton House, right on the beach and great location. They have their own kitchens so we ate breakfast and lunch in the room. They have tons of free tables/chairs with umbrellas too which is unheard of in a beachy resort. Lazy river, indoor and outdoor pools, hot tubs, beautiful wooden swings under canopies over looking the ocean. We got a very reasonable rate and were very happy! Broadway at the Beach was our nightly must do. We ate there each night and the kids loved the shops and fun things to do there.

 

[Whyowhy116]

We stay in Garden City, which is 10 min south of of MB. We always rent an oceanfront house, which is great for the kids, as they can run out and play on the beach while we sit on the porch or make dinner. A weekly house rental with cleaning service was comparable to a nice hotel, and it offered so much more in terms of space, luxury and location. We saved a ton on meals because we cooked many meals at the house - lots of stops at the seafood markets! Yum! There aren't masses of people like there is downtown - its residential, and very quiet. Horses on the beach aren't an unusual site. A quick 10 min drive gets you back in the downtown action. I was hesitant to look look outside of Myrtle Beach, but after the first trip we found we really don't miss the crowds! You'll enjoy yourself no matter where you stay, it's a great area!

 

[parkwoodtech]

We go to Myrtle Beach frequently. We live about 3.5 hrs from Myrtle Beach. There is a lot of stuff to do and usually budget friendly. We usually stay in Garden City which is a bit quieter and off "The Strip" We like to go to Broadway at the Beach and just walk around. It is also a good little stroll around the boardwalk that was built a few years back. There is also Family Kingdom that is an amusement park right on the ocean. There are also other go kart tracks and other "amusements" throught out the area. You can also take a helicopter ride over the beach for like $20-50 per person. The ocean is nice and will not disappoint. You can get deals from Groupon also. There are a lot of kids eat free/cheap places. There are many buffets for breakfast and dinner. There are also 2 outlet malls in the area. You will also find many attractions like Ripley's Aquarium, Ripley's Believe it or Not, Magiquest and others.

 

[My3Princez]

We just got back. Had a great time. We stayed at one of the Oceana resorts and a nice bonus was that this summer they include FREE admission to the wild water ans wheels waterpark in Surfside eachB. You could go every day of your stay at the resort if you wanted to. With two boys, we made good use of that. If you want to do the go-karts and mini-golf part you pay $10, but the waterpark is all included.

 

[jamuth]

We had a nice time when we went. Lots of family activities. Sign up for Family Kingdom Amusement Park's email list. We got discount tickets and my kids had a great time. Also we loved the Original Benjamins Calabash seafood buffet.

 

[minnie1012]

We love it there. We are going again in July. We usually stay at Embassy suites at Kingston Plantation. It's a nice section of Myrtle Beach, the beach is quiet and very clean. At night we usually do miniature golf, Barefoot landing and Broadway at the beach. This year I am looking into a luau/fire show at one of the hotels.

 

[njmom47]

We went in summer of 09 and had a blast. The beach was awesome, the condo was nice, and Broadway at the Beach was a nice place to spend the evening. We did Ripley's too. I would go back.

 

[honeybunches]

Love Myrtle Beach! We stay at Sea Watch, it is so clean and the breakfast bar is delicious. We also get Restaurant.com certificates to save on meals.

 

[Woodmnky]

We are in NC and usually visit Myrtle Beach at least once a year. I love that there is a lot to do (both free & paid). Depending upon the time of year it can be very busy or pretty quiet. We alway stay at Ocean Reef Resort. If you sign up for their emails they will let you know when they are having a sale. We can usually get an Oceanfront Room with small kitchen for $600 a week.

There are some good restaurant certificates on Restaurant.com, however, I would recommend avoiding Shiver Me Pinchers are it was one of the dirtiest restaurants I have been in and the food was gross. The Original Benjamin's Seafood Buffet is awesome, but pricey at about $30 a person.

If you want to visit Ripley's Believe It or Not (including the aquarium) search online beforehand and you can get discount tickets.

 

[minnie1012]

Thanks to everyone that mentioned restaurant.com. Never thought to do that for vacation!

 

[CyndiLooWho]

Myrtle Beach can be a lot of fun. Try to stay away from "the Strip" - North Myrtle has lots of little condos for rent very reasonably. I think we paid $700 for a week in a brand new 2BR, 2BA condo with private pool the last time we went. Can't beat that! We ate breakfast and lunch in the condo most days and washed clothes there as well - both were money savers for us.

 

[honeydiane1953]

I was mistakenly under the assumption Myrtle Beach would be cheaper than our favorite Ft. Walton Beach. As for our family is wasn't! Fort Walton/Destin is by no means cheap however to us Myrtle was more expensive!

 

[Debkearsch]

Just got back home on Fathers Day, first time trip. We rented a 3BR/3BA town home in North MB for $800 for the week. Walking distance to Crescent beach. Lots to do, Broadway at the Beach was our favorite, lots of restaurants, and shops for everyone in the group. Lots of short day trips close, do your research first and have fun! Our kids para sailed for the first time, loved it! North MB seemed to be a little less crowded than MB proper.

 

[kirstenb1]

I'm thinking about renting a condo in North Myrtle next year. We'd be coming from 95 southbound. How bad is the traffic coming into the area? I think it's about 60 miles from 95, so am trying to figure how long that last leg of the trip takes?