Myrtle Beach, also known as the grand strand has over 60 miles of beautiful sandy beaches stretching form the border of North Carolina south to historic Georgetown. If outstanding accommodations, friendly people, and fun in the sun are part of your vacation plans, the Myrtle Beach area is your vacation destination.
The Myrtle Beach area, commonly called The Grand Strand, consists of 12 separate communities, each with its own appeal. What they all have in common is the diverse entertainment whether you and your family enjoy the fun of amusement parks, water parks, race tracks, live entertainment theaters, nightclub activities, golfing, surfcasting, deep sea fishing, parasailing, surfing, ocean kayaking, nature walks, shopping, swimming or just lazing your day away in the sun on clean wide beaches, you are sure to find plenty to do in Myrtle Beach.
Dining Imagine, after your day in the sun, having your choice of 1700 restaurants to choose from, imagine the regional ingredients used to create authentic local flavors. If seafood is your pleasure you've come to the right place, how do you choose from shrimp, oysters, clams, scallops, crab, flounder, mahi-mahi, tuna, grouper, red snapper or the "catch of the day?" You may prefer a thick juicy steak grilled to your satisfaction, or the taste of Italy, the Caribbean, Mexico, China, or Japan. Take the whole family to Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede or Medieval Times Tournament for dinner and a show. Enjoy Southern cuisine at the House of blues, or treat yourself to elegant dining at the Litchfield country Club. Whatever your dining pleasure you are sure to come away satisfied.
Grand Strand shopping 3 traditional malls, 5 factory-outlet centers, one, The Waccamaw Factory Shoppes on Rte 501 in Myrtle Beach is divided into 3 malls! Barefoot Landing and Broadway at the Beach specializes in 100's of unique shops and boutiques and includes flea markets, beachwear and souvenir shops as well as art galleries and interior design. The faint of heart should go fishing!
Grand Strand Communities
Little River, Located just south of the North Carolina border along the Intracoastal Waterway, has a pop. of 7000. Known for it's charter boat business and commercial fishing, Little River is a favorite for the seagoing at heart. You can watch the boats unload their catches or rent a charter boat to go deep sea fishing. In May, come and experience the Blue Crab Festival which features a variety of delicious blue crab creations, as well as, crafts, entertainment and educational exhibits.
North Myrtle Beach, less populated than Myrtle Beach, famous for Shag Dancing clubs, home of the Barefoot landing with over 100 unique shops, 14 factory direct stores, 15 waterfront restaurants, the House of Blues for hot food and cool music, the Alabama theater for spectacular variety shows, Alligator Adventure for those who prefer the wild side of life. Golf courses include the Eagle Nest which boasts the 3 toughest finishing holes on the Strand.
Myrtle Beach, the best known town along the grand strand has a population of 23,000 and is the most developed area along the Grand Strand. Family Attractions include the Family Kingdom Amusement park and Water park on the ocean front, Myrtle Beach State Park, Broadway at the Beach, Family Mini Golf, South Beach Adventure, Myrtle Beach Pavilion Amusement Park, Myrtle Waves Water Park, Carousel Park, Ripley's Believe It or Not, Haunted Adventure and Moving Theater, as well as Ripley's Aquarium. The main center for theaters, shopping, nightclubs, and restaurants, Myrtle Beach also offers popular beaches for sunbathing, surfing or parasailing.
Surfside Beach, Known as "the family beach," is located 4 miles south of Myrtle Beach, offers the proximity to Myrtle Beach's attractions without the hustle and bustle of crowds. Sunbathe, swim, hunt for shells, fish off the Surfside Pier and enjoy the quieter pace of Surfside Beach. Eat at one of the local restaurants, visit Hudson's Surfside Flea Market, or see a show at Legends in concert. Attractions include Adventure Falls miniature golf, Tupelo Bay Golf Center, Wild Water and Wheels Theme Park, 5 local parks, or go parasailing at Shoreline Watersports, and don't forget to sample one of the seven local nightspots.
Garden City Beach, 8 miles south of Myrtle Beach, ends on the peninsula of Murrel's Inlet, Garden City Beach offers peaceful, sandy beaches. Enjoy great swimming April through October. Fish off The Pier at Garden City, go crabbing, rent water sports equipment, or rent a fishing charter from the Marlin Quay Marina.
Murrells Inlet, has dozens of seafood restaurants. Visit Huntington State Park, while there, see a 30 room Moorish style castle, walk along the pristine beach looking for shells, hike a nature trail, have a picnic, or go bird watching. Sports minded? See Captain Dick's or Express Watersports for parasailing, Banana boat rides, kayaking, scuba diving, Jet skis, or deep sea fishing. Go to Unusual Tours for land and water tours, they say no two are alike. Dive Myrtle Beach's wide variety of live reefs at Mermaid Diving. Visit Brookgreen Gardens, view 500 sculptures amidst formal gardens, take a creek boat cruise or see the wildlife exhibit and learn how wildlife influenced 19th century plantation life.
Litchfield Beach offers beautiful, uncrowded sandy beaches made for swimming, sunbathing, or watching the sunrise. Enjoy a round of golf at the Litchfield country Club, Willbrook Plantation or River Club. Play tennis, racquet ball or take a charter on a fishing boat. Dine at the Calypso Beach Bar and Grill for a taste of the Caribbean.
By Mary Song
Myrtle Beach is the top beach destination in the United States. Located in a 60 mile-long area called the Grand Strand, which boasts wide, scenic beaches, tennis, fishing, sailing, and scuba diving, in addition to great shopping at the Coastal Grand Mall. Myrtle Beach is also -proclaimed “seaside golf capital of the world,” with acres of green fairways adding color to the low-country landscape of white sands and oceanfront. Enjoy any of the 1,700 restaurants, many specializing in seafood.
Those who like it rough can explore camping options. On the other hand, those of us who prefer our little luxuries can try any of the areas hotels and resorts, such as Oceania Resorts, which offer luxurious homes away from home. You’ll be sure to find the accommodations that suit you when you visit Myrtle Beach.
Golfers can enjoy playing walk up rounds, with no reservations, or specialized golfing vacations that feature over seventy eight different courses in the area. Broadway at the Beach offers an aquarium and an IMAX theater, great attractions for families with children, as well as the upcoming Pavilion Nostalgia Park.
Hikers can enjoy the Huntington Beach State Park which offers fishing, trails, and public access to three miles of relatively isolated beach. This is the best preserved beach on the entire Grand Strand.
The park also features a freshwater lagoon, maritime forest, and salt marsh as examples of the area’s natural attractions. A visit to the park is a great addition to any Myrtle Beach vacation.
If you’re in Myrtle Beach for a 
