Family Friendly Fun at Myrtle Beach

Myrtle Beach attracts about 14 million vacationers every year.  People from all over the country flock to this popular tourist destination in the continental region because of its more than 60 miles of inviting beaches.  This makes Myrtle Beach the largest vacation resort in South Carolina's Grand Strand.  If you ever find yourself on the East Coast, this is the area to check out, especially during summer.

Why you should visit

Myrtle Beach is just one of the numerous beaches you can find along the Strand but it has the most in terms of restaurants, amusement parks and entertainment.  Other than that, there are plenty of attractions you can check out after soaking the sun on the sand – museums, shops, nature preserves, even golf.  Many of the golf courses don't require local membership to get in.  Who says you need to leave your golf clubs behind when you're in Myrtle Beach?

The beach

Myrtle Beach has a reputation for being a family-friendly vacation spot and it is.  The many entertainment spots and activities you'll find in the area are designed for families, so it's not unusual to find hotels that make sure your family never gets bored.  If you're going during the summer, you'll find the place humming with a myriad of activities along with different groups of people who descend on the place to check out its souvenir shops and its beaches.

Myrtle Beach's most famous attraction is its long stretch of clean, white sand, offering you plenty of fun in the sun.  Go swimming, surfing or sailing, or get a tan at the beach.  The waters are warm and inviting.  Or have your own share of the Myrtle Beach's sea life and go fishing. 

Family-style amusements

Myrtle Beach is more than equipped to show you some good old-fashioned amusement park fun and there's plenty to choose from.  The Pavilion, for example, has been around for 50 years and has seen young kids grow to become parents who bring their own kids to check out the assortment of shows and rides.  These days, there are about 40 rides to choose from, enough to keep you busy and exhilarated for hours.

If you're looking for a few good shows, Myrtle Beach won't disappoint.  This is where you'll find the Carolina Opry, one of the best and brightest shows the region has to offer.  If you prefer a magical experience, check out Le Grande Cirque, staged at the Palace Theatre.  The amazing physical tricks and the remarkable skills of the performers are guaranteed to keep you and your family glued to your seats.

Want to go check out the crocs and the alligators?  Head off to the Alligator Adventure, a reptile zoo housed in an 11-acre area on Highway 17 at Barefoot Landing.  Follow a guide as you walk on a wooden boardwalk and watch a variety of reptiles, frogs, birds and tortoises in the swamps and marshes. 

Still on Highway 17, check out the Brookgreen Gardens, a 70-year-old sculpture garden that is the largest and the oldest American showcase of figurative sculpture.  There are more than 500 artworks here, featuring the talents of over 300 artists.  The Lowcountry Trail is also found within the gardens and is a great place to check out the native wildlife.

Can't get enough golf?  Myrtle Beach won't let you down.  Choose from 18-hole to the more challenging 27-hole golf courses.  A golf course you don’t want to miss: International World Tour Golf, which features 27 holes inspired by the best and most loved around the world.  Each hole is accompanied by a bronze plaque, explaining which admired course inspired its creation.

Gastronomic delights

And what's a Myrtle Beach vacation without some good chow?  There's seafood galore, combining some of the best seaside-inspired cuisines with the romance of outdoor dining.  Check out The Sea Captain's House on N. Ocean Boulevard.  This place is an institution, serving many of Myrtle Beach's visitors for over 50 years.  Whether it's shrimp, clams, scallops or crabs, there's plenty of dishes to choose from.

You can also dine on the waterfront at the Capt. Dave's Dockside, which overlooks Murrell's Inlet.  This place offers great views during the day and especially during the night.  Another place you might want to check out if you prefer to mix art and food is The Collector's Café, which boasts of a great menu, hip ambience and marvelous art work.  Better still, many of the stuff you'll find there are for sale, enough reason for you to bring back a piece of Myrtle Beach home when you leave.