Roanoke: ROADTRIP

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.

As we look to our backyard for local travel inspiration, hit the open road and head to the oceanfront paradise of Myrtle Beach to immerse yourself in beach relaxation, good old-fashioned Southern charm and the rich history of the Grand Strand. Not that journeying back in time need wait until you get there, as the driving route from Roanoke to Myrtle Beach is filled with historical treasures that warrant a pit stop.

THE ROUTE Drive Time: 5 hours Route: Follow US-220 to I-73 to I-74 to SC-38 and finally take US-501 S to Myrtle Beach.

THE ITINERARY 8:30 am: Depart Roanoke, VA. Grab your homemade southern biscuit and in-house roasted Grelen Gold coffee from Scratch Biscuit Company and drive south on US-220 S for 1.5 hours to Greensboro, NC. 10:30 am: Pit stop to visit Greensboro History Museum, NC. Explore the history, residents, cultures and events that shaped colonial Guilford Country from Native Americans, Germans, African Americans, Quakers, Scots-Irish to the Civil War and origins of the Civil Rights Movement. Adjacent to the museum is Mary Lynn Richardson Park where you can tour historic 18th and 19th-century households, and to immerse yourself in nature and history, the Tanger Family Bicentennial Garden is also worth a visit.

12:30 pm: Depart Greensboro, NC for Rockingham, NC. Get on the 1-73 to 1-74 and drive sound for 1.5 hours to Rockingham, NC. 2:00 pm: Lunch at Pattan’s Downtown Grille, Rockingham. Enjoy a quintessential Southern-style BBQ lunch (go for the beef brisket sandwich or their signature pulled pork tacos with sweet swamp sauce) at Pattan’s Downtown Grille. Then tour the Hamlet Depot and Museum, located in the only active Victorian Queen Anne train station in North Carolina, to explore the history of the Seaboard Railroad (founded in 1897). Get on I-74 E to SC-38 and enjoy a leisurely two hour drive to Myrtle Beach.

4:00 pm: Arrive in Myrtle Beach and check into Sea View Inn. A stay at this 1930s oceanfront inn on secluded Pawleys Island (a four-mile oasis located between Charleston and Myrtle Beach), also promises to transport you back in time with southern style cooking, hospitality and not a store in sight. Spend your days relaxing on a hammock on the porch as you stare out over the ocean and sand dunes. 7:00 pm: Time for Dinner. Head to Ciao, an elevated Italian restaurant in Myrtle Beach to indulge in fresh homemade pasta, meatballs and seafood dishes and sample their world-class wine menu.

Your adventure begins here

THE ROUTE

THE ITINERARY