The area features some of the most challenging, beautiful and famous golf courses in the world.
But Myrtle Beach, which lures more than 14 million visitors a year, is increasingly establishing itself as a family destination with its abundant beaches, gleaming new resort complexes and amusement parks. Despite last year's closing of the Pavilion Amusement Park - a tourist favorite for 58 years - other fun family adventures are on tap, including miniature golf, arcade games and NASCAR-like racing.
Broadway at the Beach is Myrtle Beach's giant, mixed-use commercial district. The $250 million development covers 350 acres in the heart of the city and features shopping, restaurants, hotels, bars and nightclubs, all bordering a 23-acre lake.
If you're still nostalgic for the Pavilion, a new attraction, opening in July at Broadway at the Beach, is taking some of the old rides and making them new again.
Hotels
Hotels and resorts dot Myrtle Beach's beautiful shoreline.⢠The Breakers Resort, Oceanfront at 21st Avenue and 27th Avenue North, 843-444-4444 or 800-952-4507. This oceanfront resort was voted tops by local newspaper readers. The resort has three hotels just three blocks from the Myrtle Beach Convention Center. Amenities include restaurants, indoor and outdoor pools, a lazy river and even a pirate ship where kids can have their own adventures on the high seas. Summer rates: $179-509.
⢠Hilton Myrtle Beach Resort, 10000 Beach Club Drive, 843-449-5000. Perched on a pristine slice of beachfront at Myrtle Beach's north end, the Hilton resort has 385 rooms with an ocean view and private balconies. Two oceanfront restaurants serve fresh seafood. Call for rates.
⢠Crown Reef Resort, 2913 S. Ocean Blvd., 877-435-9125; crownreef.com. This award-winning resort hotel has a 125-foot oceanfront pool, indoor pools, kiddy pools, hot tubs and a 575-foot lazy river. Summer rates: $175-$212.
Restaurants
⢠Cheeseburger in Paradise, 7211 N. Kings Highway, 843-448-9293. A place for good cheeseburgers and good frozen drinks. Burgers range from $8.29-$9.29.⢠Austin's at Pawleys, U.S. 17 (Ocean Highway), Pawleys Island, 843-235-3800. austinsatpawleys .com. For an upscale dining experience, check out Austin's, where the owner and chef is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America. The menu features Southern fare with a French flair. Dishes range from salmon to filet mignon, priced $18.95-$49.95.
⢠Collectors Cafe, 7726 N. Kings Highway, 843-449-9370. This esteemed restaurant is incongruously tucked in a strip mall, but it has long won raves from visitors and residents alike. The ahi tuna and beef carpaccio are consistently popular. Entrees start at about $20.
⢠Filling Station Pizza, 1913 10th Ave. N., 843-626-9435. Even New Yorkers have been impressed with the hand-tossed creations at this longtime Myrtle Beach pizza joint. A buffet, including beverage, is $8.
⢠Crab Catchers on the Water Front, 4474 Waterfront Drive, Little River, 843-280-2025. With views of the Intracoastal Waterway from the deck, you can watch boats bringing in the catch of the day. The black sea bass, grilled shrimp, crab cakes and super-sized scallops all pair well with the fried corn and hush puppies. Entrees range from $8.99-$22.95.
⢠Peaches Corner, 900 N. Ocean Blvd., 843-448-7424. This Myrtle Beach institution serves up foot-long hot dogs ($3.75) and fresh-cut onion rings ($3.50). Also, don't miss the burger basket ($8) "all the way" with fries.
Shopping
⢠Barefoot Landing, Broadway at the Beach complex. More than 100 specialty and retail shops stretch along the Boardwalk, selling jewelry, toys, clothing, accessories and more.⢠Tanger Outlet Center, Highway 501, 4635 Factory Stores Blvd. The Myrtle Beach location of the popular chain of outlet stores features more than 100 brand-name retailers.
⢠Myrtle Beach Flea Market, 3820 S. Kings Highway. For a little bit of everything and a lot for less, check out the year-round flea market just south of the strip and across from Myrtle Beach State Park.
Nightlife
⢠Fat Harold's, 212 Main St., North Myrtle Beach, 843-249-5779. A beach-music and shag-dancing institution, Fat Harold's is where decades-old summer hits and dance tunes are reborn. There are two spots for dancing, and there are live bands and DJs most nights.⢠Crocodile Rocks, Broadway at the Beach, 1320 Celebrity Circle, 843-444-2096. Dueling pianos prompt audience requests and participation. Musicians tweak the songs and make them their own, creating a festive atmosphere.
⢠Bodo's German Brauhaus, 407 Eighth Ave. N., 803-448-1310. At Bodo's, you'll find authentic German cuisine, an intimate, subdued atmosphere and a wide selection of imported brews.
Fun
⢠Ripley's Aquarium, 1110 Celebrity Circle, Broadway at the Beach, 843-916-0888; ripleysaqua rium.com. Believe it or not, Ripley's has an attraction at Myrtle Beach where visitors can walk "through" an aquarium exhibit surrounded by giant sharks. Brave souls can also touch rays or hold a horseshoe crab.⢠NASCAR Speed Park, 1820 21st Ave. N. Extension, 843-918-8725. What's a trip to the South without a little NASCAR? At the NASCAR Speed Park, wannabe racers of all ages can zip around any of seven racetracks in cars of various sizes and speeds. There are also bumper boats, an arcade and snack bar.
⢠Tupelo Bay Golf Center, 1800 Business 17 South, Garden City, 843-215-7888. Take a few whacks on the driving range or test your short game on the pitch-and-put par 3 course.
⢠Pavilion Nostalgia Park, Broadway at the Beach. Opening in July, Pavilion Nostalgia Park will take old favorites from the historic Pavilion Amusement Park - classic rides, games and foods - and combine them with modern amenities.
Events
May
The Carolina Opry // 8901 Highway 17 North, Myrtle Beach at Mile Marker 204 / 800-843-6779 or thecaroli naopry.com. 8 p.m.-10:30 p.m. May 21. This award-winning show features a combination of music, comedy and dance. Kid-friendly. Ticket prices vary.Sun Fun Festival // various locations throughout Myrtle Beach / 843-626-7444. May 31-June 4. Parade, beauty pageant, sand-castle building, volleyball competition, live music, arts and crafts and food vendors. Times vary. Most events are free.
June
Corvettes at Myrtle Beach // June 1 welcome party at 11980 Highway 17 Bypass, South Murrells Inlet, June 2 car show at Broadway at the Beach / 843-650-3475 or myrtlebeach corvetteclub.com. See a variety of vintage Corvettes. Times vary. Free.Harborwalk Festival // various locations, downtown Georgetown / 843-546-1511. Midday to midnight June 30. Theater performances, live music, boat tours of the harbor, beauty pageants, a car show and more entertainment. Free.
July
Star-Spangled Celebration // Broadway at the Beach, Myrtle Beach / broadwayatthebeach.com, 10 a.m.-11 p.m. July 1-4. A half-week of Independence Day celebrations features parades, prize giveaways, fireworks and other festivities. Free.Murrells Inlet Boat Parade // Murrells Inlet / 843-651-5675 or mur rellsinletsc.com, 11 a.m. July 4. Dozens of boats will float down the creek during this annual parade. Fireworks will be shot off at 10 p.m. over inlet waters.
Summer Parrot Head Festival // La Belle Amie Vineyard, at the corner of Highway 90 and St. Joseph Road / 843-399-WINE or labelleamie.com. Noon-5 p.m. July 21. Live music by two bands, food vendors and wine tastings. $8 per person.
August
Beach, Boogie and Barbeque Festival // Valor Park Area, former Air Force base near Business 17 / 843-916-7239. Aug. 31-Sept. 1. Barbecue competition, live music, car show and outdoor movie screenings. Times vary. Free.