Hands down one of the best places in the world: Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach
On one winding drive to and from South Carolina’s “Grand Strand” of broad sandy beaches is a country store called Sparky’s – so isolated yet so well-advertised by miles of beautifully gaudy Sparky-the-dog billboards that even the adults are exhilarated to finally come upon it.
From all manner of pecans to candy, gifts, souvenirs and even fireworks, Sparky doesn’t exaggerate much when he barks on his billboards that “Sparky’s Got Everything!”
Maybe. But so does Myrtle Beach’s Grand Strand.
It’s frankly one my top two favorite places on the planet.
It not only boasts “60 uninterrupted miles” of gorgeous beach, but hosts a truly dizzying array of restaurants, live entertainment, golf courses, miniature golf, fabulous outdoor shopping malls – and even a reptile zoo called Alligator Adventure with over 800 gators. My sweet wife, oddly enough, just loves reptiles and can’t get enough of this place – most notably of Utan “King of the Crocs,” considered the largest croc on display in America.
Here’s a rundown of some of Myrtle Beach’s best:
The Beaches’ Reaches
Grand Strand beaches reach from Myrtle Beach to North Myrtle Beach and beyond, and are some of the top beaches – or attraction of any kind – in the U.S. I loved “boogie boarding” – a low-impact form of bodyboarding – on the rhythmic, unthreatening waves with my kids onto the gently sloping shore.
We began our many visits to the Grand Strand at Myrtle Beach proper amid the hubbub of the area’s bustling ground zero. But we soon gravitated up to North Myrtle Beach, which we found newer-feeling, quieter and slightly more family-friendly.
The Way to Stay
Where to stay is a highly personal decision. If you’re a heavy sleeper, staying right on Ocean Boulevard in the middle of Myrtle is a trip in itself. I’m not – and we found the more spread-out North Myrtle Beach more restful – especially the many condos and such in Barefoot Resort across the highway from the beach – where you’ll also find Alligator Adventure.
Of course, there’s a ton and a half of places right on the ocean to choose from.
Resort to Shopping
Whether you want to grab some beachwear, souvenirs or edibles, or just enjoy a stroll on something other than gorgeous sand, Barefoot Landing outdoor mall (at Barefoot Resort in North Myrtle) is a must, as is Broadway at the Beach in Myrtle proper (though it’s blocks inland). You’ll find shops and restaurants for every taste and budget.
It’s also mandatory to stop in at The Gay Dolphin in the middle of it all, “Myrtle Beach’s oldest, largest, and most unique gift shop,” which dates back to the 1940s. If you make it south of Myrtle to the super-quaint Murrells Inlet, stop by the Lazy Gator gift shop. We love it, and I especially like the rocking chairs on the covered porch that overlooks the massive live oaks with Spanish moss.
All You Can Eat
Second only to the beaches are the Grand Strand’s myriad restaurants. Again, something for every taste and budget. From seafood buffets to burger joints and ice cream shops, as well as world-class steakhouses. On the latter, we’ve frequented Thoroughbreds Chop House and Greg Norman Australian Grille, both of which produce great steaks, prime rib, seafood, wines and an elegant but welcoming ambience. We also very much like Brick Oven Pizza.
That’s Entertainment
Myrtle and North Myrtle boast an array of live shows, from The Carolina Opry, Alabama Theatre and tribute shows at Legends in Concert, to Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show and Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament. Too much fun to list here. There’s even a Ripley’s Believe It or Not! and Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach, right in the heart of all the action.
I Shall Call Him Mini-Golf
If Myrtle Beach is known for anything after its world-class beaches it’s miniature golf. It is the undisputed mini-golf capital of the world, with some 50 courses dotting the Strand. One that stands above the rest, literally, is Hawaiian Rumble. Having been featured on The Travel Channel and NBC’s Today Show and even in the movie Chasers, Golf Magazine calls Hawaiian Rumble “one of the golfiest, must-see places in America.” Kathryn Hedgepath, author of Myrtle Beach Movies, writes that Hawaiian Rumble “is to miniature golf what Augusta National is to the PGA.”
Real Golf: Build it and They Will Come
Golfers come from all over the world to play more than 60 courses on the Grand Strand, designed by some of the best and most famous course architects, and “nestled between the tranquility of the North, the heartbeat of the Central, and the charm of the Southern courses.” You’ll see license plates from all over the U.S. – and at dinner hear all kinds of accents at the next table.
Yep. Myrtle Beach, just like Sparky’s, has everything.
