About the Area

Everything you could hope for in a vacation is wrapped up and waiting for you on the Grand Strand. Beautiful beaches, scrumptious food, fun-filled amusement parks, unique shopping, lively nightlife, adventurous watersports and fishing and historic sites pose new adventures around every corner. The tough part will be deciding what to do first, or what not to do, and you may think there is no way to do it all. But don't let that stop you from trying! Go ahead, unwrap your vacation package; everything on your wish list is right here.

Amusements

Naturally, the fun always starts at the beach, the Myrtle Beach area's No. 1 attraction. And it’s no wonder with sixty miles of beautiful beaches the opportunities for fun in the sun are never ending. However, for the more adventurous visitor we have the ride of your life awaiting! With two big amusement parks you can ride roller coasters, Ferris wheels, merry-go-rounds, and more, all while munching on cotton candy, corn dogs, snow cones, and other fun foods. For those a little faint at heart, don’t fret, we have something for you too! The Myrtle Beach area has many great parks in the area - everything from cool water parks to hot racetracks. Like playing "putt-putt"? We have close to 50 miniature golf courses. Or, if you’re attuned to a slower pace, enjoy a relaxing, wonder-filled outing at the world-renowned Brookgreen Gardens, an outdoor sculpture garden showcasing the works of nearly 250 American sculptors.

Theaters

The Myrtle Beach area has emerged as a hot spot for live family entertainment, offering the best in music, dance, comedy, dinner shows, and celebrity concerts. The plush, 2,000-seat Alabama Theatre is the setting for some of the best concerts and shows in town, as well as a top-notch variety show called One. The Carolina Opry, founded by musician Calvin Gilmore,started the Grand Strand’s theater boom in 1986 and continues to delight audiences year after year. No matter which side of the Mason-Dixon line you call home, you’ll have a whoopin,’ hollerin’ good time at Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede Dinner & Show. The House of Blues attracts standouts in the world of blues, jazz, gospel and rock. Legends in Concert is the place to go for superstar look-alikes (and sound-alikes) such as the Blues Brothers, Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Michael Jackson, Liza Minelli and many other legends. At Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament, knights on Andalusian stallions compete for the audience’s attention. With more than 2,600 seats, the majestic Palace Theatre is home to Spirit of the Dance, starring a 30-member international dance troupe, and the Rat Pack-The Las Vegas Show. “Tribute! The Concert,” a new production from Calvin Gilmore Productions, made its debut in March 2004. With theaters all over town, and a diverse offering, the Myrtle Beach area is officially in "show" business.

Shopping

Malls. Outlets. Boutiques. Bargain Warehouses. Specialty Shops. These words are music to shoppers’ ears. And this is especially true of vacationers. Parting advice? Wear comfortable shoes (this is not the time to strap on those sexy summer sandals). Pack a light purse or fanny pack. Start early, when you're well-rested and raring to go. And leave non-shoppers behind – they'll find plenty of other fun things to do on the Grand Strand.

Dining

Along the Grand Strand, more than 1,700 full-service restaurants are waiting to serve you. The choices are endless. Of course, we're famous for fabulous, fresh seafood, and we serve it up every way under the sun. Try traditional Calabash- or Murrells Inlet-style seafood, with tender morsels battered oh-so-lightly and deep-fried to perfection. Or order yours grilled, broiled, or blackened and topped with a delicate sauce.

Nightlife

The Grand Strand is well stocked with nightclubs, discos, sports bars, beach clubs, and other hot spots. It’s tough to say where to start. The best advice is to match your mood. Feel like dancing? The area has a wealth of dance clubs, where you can shag, disco dance, swing, two-step, or do whatever moves you and your partner. Sports fans will feel right at home in a local sports bar, sipping an ice-cold brew while the game of choice is played out on a big-screen TV. Like live music? It’s everywhere, in every style imaginable – pop, rock, country, blues, R&B, instrumental, and more.

Watersports/Fishing

Water lovers have other places to play as well, such as the Intracoastal Waterway, which runs along the entire length of the Grand Strand, or the Waccamaw River, winding past historic plantations and other gorgeous scenery. Take a cruise aboard a riverboat, or rent a personal watercraft or pontoon boat.