YOUR TRAVEL... Myrtle Beach
By Mark Hallburn
Publisher
PutnamLIVE.com
Myrtle Beach has long been a favorite vacation destination for West Virginia families, and will continue to be in upcoming years as the Hard Rock theme park and more beach front hotels are added. It has been some time since we visited The Grand Strand, so Dolores and I grabbed our nephew, Daniel, and headed to the water.
Myrtle Beach is a great place to visit. But there are so many things to do, and places to stay, you could have a great week, or a so-so week, depending on your choices. This article gives you some of our recommendations of places to stay, visit, and activities to participate in.
Myrtle Beach consists of three towns. North Myrtle, Myrtle Beach, and South Myrtle. For practical purposes, they blend together. But most of the action---and congestion--is in North Myrtle and Myrtle.
Whether you are a beachgoer, golfer, shopper, restaurant lover, or enjoy attending shows, Myrtle Beach offers bountiful choices for your family to enjoy.
If you can't have fun here, you don't know how to have fun!
WHERE TO STAY...
There are literally hundreds of beachfront hotels dotting the beautiful shoreline from
South Myrtle Beach through
Myrtle Beach to North Myrtle
Beach. And many more a
block inland or farther to
choose from.
We chose the Meridian
Plaza, a time-share tower
located on the beach between 21st and 23rd
Streets, where General Manager Brian Barker and
his great staff made us feel at home.
The Meridian is an upscale
hotel, with outdoor and indoor swimming pools, indoor and outdoor spas, with small kitchens in each room. Translation: It is perfect for a family stay, is minutes from most of Myrtle’s attractions, and is kept in very good condition because they appeal to upscale tourists with moderate budgets. Affordable luxury is a great thing when traveling.
You can relax and enjoy breathtaking views of the beautiful Atlantic from your spacious, fully equipped executive suite.
Our one-bedroom suite had plasma flat-screen TV’s in the bedroom and living room, a fireplace and fold-out bed and sofa in the living room, and a sunken spa-bathtub in the bathroom. The kitchen’s breakfast bar had a telephone jack where I could plug in my notebook computer to keep in touch via e-mail.
Interior designers added luxuries to bring the suite above the "hotel look" including the plasma TV’s and luxury tile floors which are perfect for the beach. (A swipe of the towel cleans up the effects of wet feet.)
The kitchenette is great because you can fill up the refrigerator and cabinets with food for breakfast and lunch, keeping your travel costs down while having the convenience of food at your fingertips to grab between those trips to the beach or pools.
An on-site laundry facility is a convenience that. along with the kitchens in each suite, make Meridian Plaza feel less like a hotel and more like a home.
Meridian's heated indoor pool (and complementing indoor spa) is a must because of the summer thunderstorms which roll through Myrtle, sending beachgoers scampering for shelter. Some storms are short, and some occasional showers last for hours. There is nothing worse than staying at a hotel that only has an outdoor pool. When lightning evacuates the beach, you can head indoors at Meridian Plaza, keep swimming, and head outside when it’s safe.
If you like to walk along the beach, Meridian Plaza is a few blocks south of the Myrtle Beach pier, and a number of beachfront shops. Dolores loves romantic strolls under the moonlight as people send off fireworks into the night.
With more than 1,600 restaurants to choose from, with a huge variety, Myrtle Beach can meet anyone’s culinary tastes, from fast-food to fine dining
New to Broadway at the Beach in recent years is Jimmy Buffett’s "Margaritaville." This has to be one of the most fun restaurants we have ever visited. Though the wait can last hours (they give you a pager so you can shop until your table is ready), once inside, the fun and fantastic food make it all worthwhile.
Bring your colorful beachwear and don’t forget those flip-flops, Margaritaville takes casual dining to a new level.
Songleaders (Salt, salt, SALT!!!) on stilts make balloons for the kids, live bands perform, and the hurricane blowing in from the roof make Margaritaville unforgettable.
But you expect fun from theme restaurants. What you don't often get is great food. Margaritaville delivers great meals with huge portions that you end up taking back to your hotel to enjoy later. Every menu choice we made was delicious, but we will never forget the largest (and best) plate of nachos that we have found on the planet. This huge appetizer is bigger than the entrée’s of most restaurants.
Across the 17-Bypass from Broadway at the Beach is another great theme restaurant. Love racing? Love great food? Then you’ll love the Nascar Café. Tables are placed around Nascar vehicles and underneath banks of monitors showing replays of Nascar races from across America. Again, the food is fantastic and you’ll be carrying out some of the large portions.
If you like Mexican food, Chalupa's is one of our favorite restaurants for a taste the takes you South of the Border. Located just blocks from Meridian Plaza on Business 17, Chalupa’s authentic taste is better than the Mexican chain restaurants that you find in West Virginia. The food is great and the prices are very affordable.
Across town is a familiar bame to West Virginians. Cagney's brings fine dining to The Grand Strand, The classic dining room and many antiques enhance your pleasure as you enjoy wonderful food.
If you love music, you’ll love "One." This musical variety and comedy show at Barefoot landing blends a great mix of Broadway hits, American standards, and Gospel favorites into a beautiful show. “One’s” singers and dancers perform an eclectic playlist of songs that have audiences of all ages singing along. In a nod to family budgets, “One” has a children’s night where kids get in free-helping you stretch your vacation dollars while enjoying a great show.
Other great shows are Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede and The Carolina Opry in North Myrtle Beach, and The Palace Theater at Broadway At The Beach.
RIPLEY’S AQUARIUM...
There is plenty of
aquatic life in the Atlantic Ocean, but chances are you will never encounter sea life in the waves. Ripley’s Aquarium at Broadway at the Beach has put together a wonderful collection of sharks, rays, eels, and thousands of other other sea creatures. A "moving sidewalk" takes you slowly through a "shark tube" surrounding you with some of the ocean’s most talked-about creatures. Docents are available to answer all of your questions, and, if you’re daring, there is a ray tank where you can “pet” the rays as they swim by. (they feel like wet rubber.)
New to Ripley's for the Summer of 2006 is a Mars exhibit. I'm not sure how Mars is connected to the ocean, but if you can overlook that issue, the exhibit is worth visiting. Included is a movie about The Red Planet. You’ll learn a few things about Mars if you invest the 15 minutes for the interesting film.
PARASAILING...
But above and beyond the trip, was a highlight I want to recommend to everyone, whether at Myrtle Beach or any other of water.... Parasailing!
For those of you new to the activity, parasailing is simply attaching a parachute to someone's back, then pulling them by a rope by a boat, as the wind catches their chute and pulls them high above the water...
It's a rush beyond words, but at the same time, a very peaceful journey. All you hear is the wind rushing by, and the buzz of the boat motor down below!
Naturally, the views are breathtaking, of the beach, the hotels, and on my most recent adventure, a giant sea turtle floating below!
I took our nephew along, and we both rode solo, his first-ever trip. He was very nervous, but after landing, said "It was the coolest thing I've ever done!"
A lot of people are afraid of such an adventure, and as I soared above them, as they sat on the beach, I felt quite sorry for them for their lack of courage!!!
I strongly recommend Parasailing. It's good clean fun, and worth the $50 or so cost!
BROADWAY AT THE BEACH...
Dolores loves to shop, and her favorite place is Broadway at the Beach, an ecletic mix of shops, boutiques, and restaurants. In addition to Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville, you can dine at Hard Rock Cafe, Planet Hollywood, Joe's Crab Shack, Landry's, and Tony Roma's.
Crocodile Rock is a dueling pianos bar and grille that is a MUST for all music lovers. Their "piano men" sing and play their hearts out as patrons submit song requests with "tips." The crowd sings and shouts along, clapping and stomping their feet while everyone has a GREAT
time! Crocodile Rocks is worth a second and a third visit, just for the music. It makes for a very fun evening!
Dolores loves spending time (and money) at the "Build A Bear Workshop" a really cool store where you can customize and personalize your own Teddy Bear. Through the years she has created "Beachie" and a few friends that she Has enjoyed giving to her grateful friends and family.
BAREFOOT LANDING...
Barefoot landing (In North Myrtle Beach) has the "One" theatre, House of Blues, Greg Norman’s restaurant, a Crabhouse, and other restaurants and shops, and can be toured in about half-a-day.
Another site recommended by locals is the Carolina Opry, (Also in North Myrtle Beach) though we did not have time to visit this venue.
SEAFOOD...
There are
probably more seafood choices on Highway 17 than in all of West Virginia. Seafood buffets are extremely popular and offer choices for everybody, including, in many cases, Prime Rib. The downside is that they are a bit pricey. But if you are a seafood lover, these buffets are almost heaven.
BREAKFAST...
For some strange reason, there aren't any Tudor’s Biscuit Worlds in Myrtle Beach, so if you don't eat in your hotel room kitchen, the options are mostly fast food. Dolores' favorite is the K & W Cafeteria on Highway 17. She loves the "short stack" of pancakes.
SURF? WHAT SURF???
Hardcore surfers will be disappointed with the 3-foot waves, but if you really want to surf, you know the Atlantic is not where to go. Try Oahu's north shore! For families, Myrtle's waves are enough for small children, including our nephew's first trip to an ocean. Myrtle was a great place to teach him the basics of body surfing. Next year he wants to surf some real waves.
DISCOUNTS, DISCOUNTS, DISCOUNTS...
Discount Coupon books are available all over Myrtle Beach (We used several Monster Coupon books) and have deals from Burger King to Seafood Buffet restaurants. You can save some real money using the various coupon books. The visitor's center at Broadway on the Beach offers discounts to on-site restaurants, but have a limited supply, so stop by early in the day.... you'll save lots of money... Barefoot landing (In North Myrtle Beach) has the House of Blues, a Crabhouse, and other restaurants and shops, and can be toured in about half-a-day.
I spent most of my time at the beach, but did have fun at the Pavilion, as well as dinners at Broadway at the Beach and Barefoot Landing, a pair of restaurant and shop locations about a mile inland. Name the restaurant-it's at either of these locations.
We preferred Broadway at the Beach (In Myrtle Beach)which includes Hard Rock Cafe, Planet Hollywood, Joe's Crab Shack, Landry's, and Tony Roma's.
We boycotted the Liberty Steak House because the management there is stuck in tobacco row 1960's and doesn't offer a non-smoking section! SHAME ON LIBERTY!!!!!
There are also several wonderful seafood buffet restaurants throughout Myrtle Beach, though they are a bit pricey.
Of course, there are all the fast food options as well as my wife's favorite, K & W Cafeteria.
Hardcore surfers will be disappointed with the 3-foot waves, but if you really want to surf, you know the Atlantic is not where to go. Try Oahu's north shore! For families, Myrtle's waves are enough for small children, including my 10-year-old nephew's first trip to an ocean.
Discount Coupon books are available all over town (We used several Monster Coupon books) and have deals from Burger King to Seafood Buffet restaurants. The visitor's center at Broadway on the Beach offers discounts to on-site restaurants, but have a limited supply, so stop by early in the day.... you'll save lots of money...
PAVILION...
The summer of 2006 was the final months for The Pavilion. There is discussion of turning the landmark into more condominiums, While it is sad to see The Pavilion close, the new Hard Rock theme park promises to make people happy. Still, nothing will replace the smell of the ocean while riding roller coasters. Truly, Myrtle Beach will never be the same without The Pavilion.
Through the years, traffic in Myrtle Beach has become congested. Highway 17 has become a traffic jam, especially during rush hour and on the weekends when one week of tourists are leaving and the next group is arriving. While improvements have been made to Highway 501 for people coming in and out of the area, more improvements are needed for people in and around town. The 17 bypass, and Ocean Blvd. usually flow freely and have far fewer stop signs...
FINALE...
Bottom line, Myrtle Beach is a great place to spend a few weeks every summer. (You can’t possibly do everything in one week.) Whether you’re a swimmer, golfer, restaurant eater, or a shopper, Myrtle Beach has something for you.
