FUN, SUN AND FUNK AT MYRTLE BEACH

A first-time visitor arriving here might ask, “But, where’s the beach?” Because the Myrtle Beach shoreline is hidden behind a stretch of high-rise hotels and condos, at first glance this is somewhat off-putting. There’s a bit of wannabe Miami, Palm Beach, Vegas here, (gambling is available offshore on boats that take you into international waters) but the good news is that every inch of the seashore is accessible to the public. Myrtle Beach is part of the sixty mile “Grand Strand” that runs from Wilmington, North Carolina, to Georgetown, South Carolina, and this local stretch has its own inviting character: imagine beach grass, a wide, white and clean strip of sand, the surf, a fishing pier and everywhere the dazzle of umbrellas in crayon colors. There’s no need to leave the beach for lunch either; many of the hotels that line it have snack bars or grills and bathing suits are welcome.

Incorporated in 1938 and named for the Wax Myrtle, you’ll find those flowered trees here in the city, and also sea shells embedded in sidewalks, casual indoor-outdoor spots like Dirty Don’s Oyster Bar and Grill, souvenir shops featuring not only the usual key chains and t-shirts, but real alligator heads. If the city sounds funky, that’s exactly what it is, and it’s also family friendly, with more happening here than surf and rays.

Myrtle Waves is a popular water park that includes a 700-gallon “volcano” that soaks guests every six to eight minutes, and Alligator Adventure is where the kids can watch a two thousand pound crocodile eat his lunch, or wander through the reptile house to see the rattlers and vipers. Nearby, the NASCAR SpeedPark is a car-racing-themed amusement park that has a 1200 track including tunnel and bridge, and a “tot rod” kiddie area, among other wheels activities. In a more serious vein, a large complex, Broadway at the Beach, includes a small exhibit that pays homage to the H.L.Hunley, America’s first submarine, built (and destroyed) during the Civil War. While all these attractions mean paying admission fees, some hotels offer package deals or coupons. (High season here is spring and fall.)

The most impressive exhibition is currently at the 87,000 square foot Ripley’s Aquarium, with its 5000 different species of fish. Here children can pet crabs or stingrays (stingers removed) caress a turtle, or watch a Scuba diver feed schools of fish. The sharks are big too, in more ways than one, but most remarkable is the chilling Titanic display. The film clips, photos of passengers, replicas of items found in its wreckage, like the crow’s nest bell that rang to signal the sight of the iceberg bring it very much to unnerving life. Most hair-raising is the recreation of the pump room with water gushing into it, and a water tank into which one dips one’s hand to test the icy temperature of the Atlantic the night the ship’s 1523 doomed passengers were plunged into it.

In the same complex are cheerier options, like shopping in its 100 specialty shops, or eating. There’s a Planet Hollywood, the NASCAR Café and Jimmy Buffet’s three-level Margaritaville, where the margaritas come in flavors like “Last Mango in Paris,” the atmosphere is tiki and the music is loud. For more elegant dining, head to Vidalia’s at the Radisson Hotel or to Papa’s on Ocean Boulevard.

Or take a picnic lunch to the La Belle Amie Winery, where the gift shop is as well-stocked as the bar and the friendly proprietors have tastings of their own–and some imported–reds and whites. Later, take in a show at the Imax, or better still, at the Palace, a 2,700 seat theatre that runs Broadway-caliber musical entertainments.

One must not describe Myrtle Beach, which is known as “The Golf Capitol of the World,” without mentioning its claim to fame. There are 123 18-hole courses within fifty miles, many in the immediate area. There’s also a 27-hole driving range and several themed miniature golf courses.

With or without golf clubs, visitors come from every corner of the United States and Canada. Since more than twelve million arrive in Myrtle Beach every year, obviously they’re doing something right in this corner of South Carolina.

For more info: www.mbchamber.com
Or call: 800-356-3016