Article 2 (MINI GUIDE)

MYRTLE BEACH IS HAVING A MOMENT

An idyllic ocean paradise and the jewel in the crown of South Carolina's Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach has emerged as the hotspot destination in the U.S. – and not just for its 60-mile stretch of pristine beaches. Here’s a curated list of experiences and adventures that will have you falling in love with Myrtle Beach for the first time, or all over again. ROMANTIC SUNSETS Myrtle Beach has long been a favorite for families but it’s also a paradise for lovers, honeymooners and weddings. Stroll hand-in-hand along the 1-mile oceanfront boardwalk and promenade to take in the breathtaking beaches and watch the gorgeous sunset. Embark on a romantic sunset sail with Enchanted Sailing Charters to explore the magical Myrtle Beach shoreline and South Carolina waters at dusk on a 44-foot sailboat. Or go on a horseback riding adventure along the beach with Horseback Riding of Myrtle Beach, where your southern cowboy tour guide will point out pods of dolphins, American Bald Eagles, pelicans, starfish, jellyfish, and horseshoe crabs and even serenade you with a song. SOUTHERN CHARM Rich in history, tradition and charm, The Grand Strand has 14 different regions, including magical Myrtle Beach and each offers a unique glimpse into the past. Once the hideaway of pirates like Blackbeard and Drunken Jack, this stunning stretch of coastline caught the eye of early British colonists who established settlements and rice plantations. Journey through yesteryear by touring Hopsewee Plantation, built circa 1740, four decades before the American Revolutionary War. This National Historic Landmark, now a private residence in the heart of South Carolina’s Lowcountry, is surrounded by ancient live oak trees dripping in Spanish moss. Explore the home’s wide halls, brick cellar, attics and two original slave cabins, and learn about its current owners, previous residents and the slaves who lived and worked the plantation. Afterward, enjoy lunch or tea at River Oak Cottage, one of the state's best tea rooms. EPIC WATER ADVENTURES Given Myrtle Beach's practically year-round balmy temperatures, beyond your sand time, there’s plenty of aquatic action to enjoy, especially for adrenaline junkies. Grab the crew and go for a banana boat ride, try your luck at parasailing or carve up the ocean on a jet ski. If dolphin watching sounds like your idea of the perfect holiday, book a group cruise or private charter with Blue Wave Adventures Dolphin Watch Tour. And let’s not forget the waterparks, three to be exact – Myrtle Waves Water Park, Wild Water & Wheels and Splashes Oceanfront Water Park – where you can get your thrills floating down lazy rivers, braving 100-foot water slide drops and splashing and sliding to your heart’s content. CULINARY HEAVEN As foodies embrace the concept of culinary tourism – traveling to a destination to experience its authentic, signature, local fare – it goes without saying that the cuisine in South Carolina is a deeply ingrained part of its culture and allure. The Grand Strand has thousands of restaurant options from the elevated to the laid back, and while the area is famed for its fresh-caught seafood (try Cypress Dining Room at Island Vista), the cuisines range from Lowcountry cooking (traditional fare influenced by the area’s French, West African, and Caribbean past) to classic American fare (the endless steak houses are head-spinning), North Carolina-style Calabash buffets and plenty of delicious Italian, (try Vila Romano). The best place to sample its legendary seafood is in Murrells Inlet, aka the seafood capital of South Carolina, try The Wicked Tuna for epic views. You’ll find hundreds of Calabash (traditional lightly-breaded fried seafood) toward the northern end of the Grand Strand, while the Southern end is the heart of Lowcountry cooking – you’ll love the stone-ground grits, shrimp, blue crab, grouper and country ham at Sweet Carolina’s BBQ. WINE TASTING Myrtle Beach is also making a name for itself as a wine region and the best place to sample the fruits of its labor is at La Belle Amie Vineyard in the quaint town of Little River. Head to the wine-tasting room to sample private-label wines ranging from sweet muscadine to dry reds and bright whites. La Belle Arnie also hosts themed events with live music on the shaded lawn, so bring a picnic blanket. Wine connoisseurs should also make a reservation at SeaBlue Restaurant and Wine Bar in North Myrtle Beach, an elevated steakhouse renowned for its extensive wine list. ART AND CULTURE FIX There’s also plenty of art and culture to experience in Myrtle Beach thanks to its many historical museums, art galleries, musicals and theater options. Visit Horry County Museum to see photography, exhibitions and artifacts that showcase South Carolina’s rich history and Civil War era and to explore L. W. Paul Living History Farm, where you can immerse yourself in early 1900s life on a one-horse family farm. History buffs can also learn about the current and past citizens that have played a role in establishing South Carolina’s legacy and heritage at the South Carolina Hall of Fame at Myrtle Beach Convention Center. And artsy types will love checking out the works of nationally renowned and local artists at Georgetown Art Gallery, Seacoast Artist Gallery and Island Art Gallery. Music lovers will also be delighted to learn of the Carolina Master Chorale, a 70-person symphony community choir that regularly performs choral music, orchestral masterworks, opera, contemporary music, Broadway sensations, vocal jazz and gospel music.

The jewel in Southern Carolina’s Grand Strand crown, this 60-mile stretch along the Atlantic Ocean, runs from Little River down to Georgetown, South Carolina through the vacation hotspots of Murrells Inlet, Surfside Beach, Garden City, North Myrtle Beach and, of course, Myrtle Beach. Home to two state parks, a buzzy restaurant and bar scene, some of the best championship golf courses in the country and plenty of watersports, amusement parks, entertainment and shopping hotspots, Myrtle Beach is the ultimate vacation experience for beach lovers, history buffs, foodies, couples and families.

WHERE TO STAY Marriott Myrtle Beach Resort & Spa at Grande Dunes BEST FOR: Couples An oceanfront oasis at the north end of Myrtle Beach, the Marriott Myrtle Beach Resort & Spa has spacious guest rooms and suites, some with private balconies offering stunning views over the beach. Relax on the sand, swim in the indoor and outdoor pools, feast on delicious international cuisine and enjoy sunset cocktails at the on-site restaurants and bars. You can also indulge in some pampering at the luxe Hibiscus Spa (try their signature deep tissue massage), and keep up your workout regime at the hotel’s state-of-the-art health club. Breakers Resort BEST FOR: Families Breakers Resort has perfected the family beach holiday stay with three buildings all offering different room options and facilities. ‘The Hotel’ features oceanfront single rooms and three-room suites and has multiple indoor and outdoor pools and whirlpools. ‘Boutique North Tower’ has two- and three-room suites, a large children’s pool and whirlpool and ‘Paradise Tower’ has one-, two- and three-bed condos outfitted with a full kitchen, private balcony, laundry units, jacuzzis and a pirate-themed water park with a long lazy river. The dining options are also plentiful with many onsite restaurants and cafes – enjoy coastal Lowcountry fare and handcrafted cocktails at Strong Waters Craft Cocktails & Kitchen.

WHERE TO EAT & DRINK Aspen Grille An upscale, eclectic bistro in Myrtle Beach, Aspen Grille is the place to go for USDA prime steaks and good old-fashioned Southern food and hospitality – each dish is handcrafted from the local lands and waters. Enjoy Carolina crab cakes and mouth-watering rib-eye steaks and fabulous wine in this stylish, buzzy setting. Sea Captain's House A much-loved Myrtle Beach institution, this 1930s oceanfront beach house is all about dining on delicious fresh-caught seafood in a quaint, cozy setting. Be sure to order the Captain’s favorites; broiled crab cakes or traditional shrimp and grits. La Belle Amie Vineyard This wonderful operating vineyard in the quaint town of Little River has a wine tasting room where you can sip your vino in a rocking chair on the expansive porch, or sprawl out on the large shaded lawn to sample La Belle Amie’s private-label reds and whites under the Southern sun. South Brewing Cool off from the Southern heat with a cold microbrew at South Brewing in Myrtle Beach. They run guided tours of the brewery so you can learn all about trendy microbrews, watch the brewing process in action and then enjoy the spoils.

WHERE TO PLAY & EXPLORE BEACH With its balmy temperatures, mile after mile of white sandy coastline and beautiful azure waters, a perfect beach vacation is the biggest draw of The Grand Strand. Whether you’re seeking the oceanfront resort glamour-famed Boardwalk Promenade, complete with SkyWheel Ferris wheel of Myrtle Beach or more secluded spots like North Myrtle Beach, Cherry Grove and Surfside, or where ocean and nature collide like a Huntington Natural Park, there’s something for every sun-worshipper. NATURE Brookgreen Gardens/Huntington Beach State Park A 9,000-acre garden on the site of a former rice plantation, explore the abundant native flora and fauna of Brookgreen Gardens and the Spanish-style home of American philanthropist and sculptor, Anna Hyatt Huntington, who created the largest collection of figurative sculptures by world-renowned artists in America. Adjacent to the gardens is Huntington Beach State Park, where you can bask in the beautiful uncrowded 3-mile beach and enjoy hiking, biking, fishing and birdwatching. Murrells Inlet Explore the natural saltwater estuary with a two hour guided kayak eco-tour of the Murrells Inlet salt marshes by Black River Outdoors. Or stroll along the wooden boardwalk of this quaint, historic fishing village, which is also the scene of some of the most spectacular waterfront restaurants in the Grand Strand and plenty of lively bars and live music. HISTORY Hobcaw Barony Visit an immaculately preserved 1800s slave village to immerse yourself in the legend of Lowcountry at Hobcaw Barony in Georgetown County. Now a research reserve, the 16,000-acre cultural site has a 1740s plantation house you can tour and the richest diversity of ecosystems on the South Carolina coast. Salute the Past No trip to The Grand Stand is complete without tasting the spirit of Southern rebellion. ‘White lightning’ Moonshine is an un-aged corn whiskey made from recipes handed down from generations of moonshiners, and is yours for the sampling at South Carolina's first legal distillery Palmetto Moonshine. GOLF Play a round at any of the 100 championship golf courses in the Myrtle Beach region, some of the best and most challenging in the country. Designed by golfing legends like Arnold Palmer, Greg Norman and Robert Trent Jones to ensure the natural beauty and the habitat of the area is protected, tee off at Legends Resort Moorland Course or Man O War in Myrtle Beach, Barefoot Resort & Golf Fazio Course in North Myrtle Beach or the spectacular River Hills Golf Resort & Country Club and Country Club. ATTRACTIONS The Myrtle Beach area has emerged as a hotspot for live family entertainment – offering the best in shows, music, dance, comedy, dinner theater, celebrity concerts and movies.

WHERE TO SPA Cinzia Spa and Wellness Center Therapeutic treatments inspired by international rituals and ancient healing practices designed to cleanse and rejuvenate mind, body and soul is the philosophy at Cinzia Spa, a 1,700-square-feet sanctuary at North Myrtle Beach. Cinzia is the name of a mythological goddess, and bliss is guaranteed with their signature Fijian Ritual which includes a bathing ritual, coconut cream body glow and a body and scalp massage. Or Passage to India, an Ayurvedic bathing ritual that includes an herbal body scrub, body mask and a full body massage. The extensive spa menu also features skin rejuvenation facials, massage escapes, CBD treatments and full-day spa packages. Awakening Spa As its name suggests, the mantra of the luxury Awakening Spa is that through relaxation, self-care and rejuvenation, we awaken our senses and achieve ultimate health and wellness. Located at the beachfront Anderson Ocean Club, experience your personal awakening with the spa’s signature holistic anti-aging facials, therapeutic Myrtle Beach hot stone massage, mineral baths and hydrating body treatments – which all come infused with the most natural ingredients.

WHERE TO SHOP Broadway at the Beach Indulge in some retail therapy at this huge lakeside shopping, dining, entertainment and amusement hub in Myrtle Beach. Bursting with a New England/Caribbean/Charleston vibe, after you’ve updated your wardrobe, enjoy a well-earned dinner, head to the cinema or grab a cocktail and watch a live show. Barefoot Landing This buzzy shopping and entertainment village on the intracoastal waterway in North Myrtle Beach is set in a natural bird sanctuary setting. You’ll be spoiled for choice with over 75 retail shops, endless waterfront restaurants and plenty of live music action – don’t miss the jazz set at The House of Blues. The Market Common A chic brick and tree-lined urban precinct, The Market Common has upscale boutiques, cool restaurants, a day spa, bowling alley and movie theaters.

Your adventure begins here

WHERE TO EAT & DRINK Aspen Grille An upscale, eclectic bistro in Myrtle Beach, Aspen Grille is the place to go for USDA prime steaks and good old-fashioned Southern food and hospitality – each dish is handcrafted from the local lands and waters. Enjoy Carolina crab cakes and mouth-watering rib-eye steaks and fabulous wine in this stylish, buzzy setting. Sea Captain's House A much-loved Myrtle Beach institution, this 1930s oceanfront beach house is all about dining on delicious fresh-caught seafood in a quaint, cozy setting. Be sure to order the Captain’s favorites; broiled crab cakes or traditional shrimp and grits. La Belle Amie Vineyard This wonderful operating vineyard in the quaint town of Little River has a wine tasting room where you can sip your vino in a rocking chair on the expansive porch, or sprawl out on the large shaded lawn to sample La Belle Amei’s private-label reds and whites under the Southern sun. South Brewing Cool off from the Southern heat with a cold microbrew at South Brewing in Myrtle Beach. They run guided tours of the brewery so you can learn all about trendy microbrews, watch the brewing process in action and then enjoy the spoils.

WHERE TO SPA

WHERE TO PLAY & EXPLORE

WHERE TO SHOP