The Myrtle Beach resort area gained popularity for its golf courses. It has grown to include entertainment for everyone from toddlers to seniors-and there’s a beach, too!
Golfing in the Carolinas
Myrtle Beach and the Grand Strand—the stretch of beachfront that runs from Calabash, North Carolina, to Georgetown, South Carolina—became well-known decades ago for the area’s beautiful golf_courses. The climate of this section of the southeast is ideal for great golf courses and playing weather. Golfers can take a week-long vacation and play to their hearts’ content while their non-golf-loving family members enjoy the delightful beaches and myriad of other activities.
The Myrtle Beach area has expanded to include a long stretch of beachfront hotels and condos, as well as numerous amusement parks, theaters, and resort-like shopping/entertainment destinations. Information on all the local attractions is available in the many guide books offered by Myrtle Beach’s hotels and businesses. These booklets contain numerous coupons to local golf courses, shops, deep-sea fishing, parasailing, restaurants, and amusement parks, so be sure to grab a few.
Choose an Amusement
Myrtle Beach has amusement parks for every taste and budget. The newest addition to this selection is Hard Rock Park, a brand-new, state-of-the-art amusement park created by the owners of the popular Hard Rock cafes and casinos. Located right in Myrtle Beach, the park recently opened in the summer of 2008 and features the spectacular roller coaster, Led Zeppelin: The Ride. Hard Rock Park has sections for fans of many rock genres, and rides and activities for children of all ages.
One block inland from the beach is Family Kingdom Amusement Park, with the Family Kingdom Water Park right across the street. The Family Kingdom boasts 30 rides, including South Carolina’s largest Ferris wheel. The Family Kingdom does not charge admission, so the rides can be paid for with individual tickets or an all-inclusive wristband. Tickets that include both the amusement and water parks are also available. The water park sits right on the beach, so you’ve got a great view of the ocean while you ride the water slides.
These are only two of the region’s many amusement and theme parks. There are scores of others, including Magiquest, Myrtle Beach Pavillion, and T.I.G.E.R.S. Zoological Park.
Theaters for Every Taste
Most people love an evening at the theater, and Myrtle Beach’s theaters run the gamut of live entertainment. For those who enjoy historical pageantry, there’s Medieval Times, right next to Hard Rock Park. Medieval Times offers a lively, Renaissance-style dinner and tournament, with authentic weapons, costumes, and knights in horseback competition.
Vacationers who are partial to country music and the rodeo won’t want to miss Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede and Dinner Show. The evening of family-oriented fun features a four-course down-home dinner. The spectacular, interactive show includes stunts by performers and a variety of trained animals. Audience members are always invited to join in the fun.
The Alabama Theater, Legends in Concert, and Le Grand Cirque are just a few of the many other venues offering live entertainment.
Shopping-Entertainment Destinations
Broadway at the Beach and Barefoot Landing are two of the Myrtle Beach area’s shopping-dining-nightlife attractions that encompass acres of stores, restaurants, scenic waterways, and pretty much anything else you’re looking for. Broadway at the Beach even has a small amusement park and an IMAX theater.
Barefoot Landing includes Umberto’s Pittsburgh Italian Trattoria, which has received consistently excellent reviews from food-lovers.
Beachwear stores also abound, so travelers are able to buy a collection of souvenirs for those back home.
And the Beach
Of course, there is the beach itself. Myrtle Beach has beachfront hotels and condos for every budget and taste. The gorgeous climate and warm waters are ideal for those whose idea of a vacation getaway is to laze on the sand and play in the waves. Information on hotels, condos, and resorts.
Myrtle Beach is also a popular honeymoon destination for newlyweds. However, every member of the family, young and old, can find something to make their Myrtle Beach stay a memorable one.