MYRTLE BEACH. The best places to eat, sleep and play in Myrtle Beach this fall and winter

Transcription

1 MYRTLE BEACH FALL & WINTER GUIDE The best places to eat, sleep and play in Myrtle Beach this fall and winter With more than 40 million reviews and opinions, TripAdvisor makes travel planning a snap for the 40 million travelers visiting our site each month. Think before you print. And if you do print, print double-sided.

2 INTRODUCTION TripAdvisor, the most trusted source for where to eat, sleep and play in thousands of destinations around the world, has collected the best insider tips from its 40 million monthly visitors to produce a unique series of travel guides. In addition to the best hotels, restaurants and attractions for every type of traveler, you ll get great advice about what to pack, how to get around and where to find the best views. Be sure to check out the guides at You ll find reviews for more than 479,000 hotels, 93,000 attractions and 580,000 restaurants on TripAdvisor.com. Learn from other travelers what to expect before you make your plans. Inside MYRTLE BEACH PACKING TIPS 1. My sons bring footballs and frisbees for the beach; they always meet new kids that want to join in. TripAdvisor Member 2. Summer temperatures mean light clothing is all that is required, while just a light jacket or sweater is adequate for the days or evenings in spring or autumn. Only slightly heavier clothes are needed for a winter visit. TripAdvisor Member, Myrtle Beach 3. Bring plenty of sunscreen and your sense of adventure that s about all you ll need! TripAdvisor Member, Myrtle Beach You may think a 60-mile string of wide sandy beaches and more than a hundred golf courses would be enough to lure vacationers to Myrtle Beach, but this popular coastal South Carolina city offers even more to enjoy. Also known as the Grand Strand, the Myrtle Beach area is a fantasy land of attractions from a national park to Dolly Parton s Dixie Stampede Dinner and Show to a 3-in-1 nightclub. The beach is the biggest attraction, of course, for its swimming, boating, fishing and sunbathing. In the summer, the population exceeds 500,000 people! The off-season brings smaller crowds, but no shortage of fun. With restaurants galore, a rocking nightlife and accommodations that run the gamut from high-rise beachfront hotels to campgrounds with indoor swimming pools, Myrtle Beach named for the city s signature myrtle tree is an all-around, year-round getaway. tripadvisor.com 2

3 Top VIEWS MYRTLE BEACH S BEST VIEWS The long stretch of the Boardwalk, connecting various restaurants and local shops, offers a beautiful view of the inlet. TripAdvisor Member, Myrtle Beach Boardwalk, Murrell s Inlet Where Pawleys Plantation is a tranquil golf course, on the southern end of the Grand Strand, that offers a bit of seclusion from the crowds. And the scenery is top-notch. TripAdvisor Member, Nanuet, N.Y. Pawleys Plantation, 70 Tanglewood Dr., Pawleys Island, to PLAY Apache Pier is open year-round. It is your basic fishing pier, supposedly one of the longest on the East Coast. It s nice for sightseeing (great view), and they frequently have entertainment. TripAdvisor Member, Maryland Apache Pier, North Myrtle Beach TOP 10 Attractions 1. Alabama Theatre, 4750 Hwy. 17 S., Barefoot Landing, The Carolina Opry, 8901-A N. Kings Hwy., Broadway at the Beach, 1325 Celebrity Circle, Crocodile Rocks, 1320 Celebrity Circle, Dolly Parton s Dixie Stampede Dinner and Show, 8901-B N. Kings Hwy., Le Grande Cirque, Palace Theatre, 1420 Celebrity Circle, The Market Common, 4017 Deville St. 8. Tanger Outlets, Kings Road, Leaps-n-Bounce, 3236A Holmestown Road, Mt. Atlanticus, 707 N. Kings Hwy., FAMILIES Kids will love the Soar and Explore ropes course. Some paths are balance beams, some rope bridges, some horizontal ladders. Fun and safe! TripAdvisor Member, Cincinnati, Ohio Soar and Explore Zip Line and Ropes Course, 1313 Celebrity Circle, I felt like a kid again. ROMANCE I really enjoy the new 2001 Nightclub with Razzies and Funky Town, it s easy to find something you like. Even Club Touch early in the evening can be a lot of fun! I think you all should give it a try. You ll enjoy yourselves! TripAdvisor Member, Myrtle Beach 2001 Nightclub, 920 Lake Arrowhead Road, MagiQuest is a new interactive attraction with more than 150 excuses to use a wand. Yes, a wand. I recently went to Myrtle Beach for vacation and spent three days at MagiQuest. My son and I got exercise and had a ton of fun playing the game. I felt like a kid again. TripAdvisor Member, Springfield, Ill. MagiQuest, Broadway at the Beach, 1185 Celebrity Circle, What a wonderful show Le Grande Cirque was. WOW! It was amazing. I just can t believe some of the things they did. I hope everyone has a chance to go check it out. TripAdvisor Member, Sewel, N.J. Le Grand Cirque, Palace Theater, 1420 Celebrity Circle, Our all-time favorite mini-golf in Myrtle Beach is Mt. Atlanticus. A great combination of outside/inside holes and unique features to keep you entertained. Well-kept and the 19th hole is a blast! TripAdvisor Member, Atlanta, Ga. Mt. Atlanticus, 707 N. Kings Hwy., relaxing and peaceful away from the hustle Make time for a day trip to Brookgreen Gardens. It s south of Murrell s Inlet, so stop for lunch on the water. America s first sculpture garden, consisting of 900 works on 50 acres of lovely greenery and flowers, is relaxing and peaceful, away from the hustle of the Myrtle Beach area. TripAdvisor Member, Albany, N.Y. Brookgreen Gardens,1931 Brookgreen Dr., Murrells Inlet, tripadvisor.com 3

4 Where to PLAY BUDGET It s an awesome time at Broadway at the Beach, awesome restaurants, great shopping, fish/duck feeding. There s also a corner of the locale that s awesome for late nighters. One word: Margaritaville!! TripAdvisor Member, Schenectady, N.Y. Broadway at the Beach, 1325 Celebrity Circle, We wanted to do things on a budget and still have fun. Leaps-n-Bounce was a great choice. For around $6, you can let the kids bounce until they can t anymore. And get this, the adult plays free. Perfect on a rainy day! TripAdvisor Member, Kentucky Leaps-n-Bounce, 3236A Holmestown Road, The Carolina Opry is THE show to see. I know what you re thinking: What makes this show different? Well, I ll tell you. It s how they treat their guests, the quality of entertainment and the decent price. TripAdvisor Member, Louisville, Ky. The Carolina Opry, 8901-A N. Kings Hwy., ADVENTURE On a Carolina Safari Jeep Tour, I learned new things about an area that I feel like I know inside and out. Where else can you be taken all over creation, told the history of the area, learn of the flora and fauna, learn about local lore and ghost lore all for the price of $40 per person? TripAdvisor Member, Myrtle Beach Carolina Safari Jeep Tour, pickup at most area resorts, EDUCATIONAL/HISTORICAL Take a break from the beach at the Children s Museum. The kids (ages 6, 5, 4 and 2) LOVED IT. The youngest loved the pretend pizza oven. The oldest loved the Medical Center area. The middle kids loved everything! The kids had a ball! TripAdvisor Member, Hamilton, Va. The Children s Museum of South Carolina, 2501 N. Kings Hwy., RELAXATION We went to North Myrtle Beach in January and the beautiful spring-like weather and lack of other tourists made this a trip to remember. The sandpipers and pelicans were on the beach every day and the sky was always blue. You can sit, relax and watch the day go by. TripAdvisor Member, Asheville, N.C. North Myrtle Beach Perfect on a rainy day! Dolly Parton s Dixie Stampede Dinner and Show was a complete hoot! Wellproduced, well-rehearsed and really decent, generous portions of food. It was great yelling and screaming. Beautiful theatrics, an unusually good rollicking time. The trick riders are darn good, and the finale is an old fashioned Americana goosebumper. Have fun! TripAdvisor Member Dolly Parton s Dixie Stampede Dinner and Show, 8901-B Kings Hwy. N., The Franklin G. Burroughs-Simeon B. Chapin Art Museum is really neat. Call ahead; they sometimes have excellent kids programs. TripAdvisor Member, Myrtle Beach The Franklin G. Burroughs-Simeon B. Chapin Art Museum, 3100 S. Ocean Blvd., The kids had a ball! With more golf courses than you can shake a club at, you have a lot of choices. Here s just one: King s North At Myrtle Beach National is the best golf course I ve played so far on the strand. There are a number of risk-reward holes, the best being #6, The Gambler. TripAdvisor Member, Wood Dale, Ill. King s North At Myrtle Beach National, 4900 National Dr., TripAdvisor members have posted more than 3,000,000 photos on the site. The good, the bad and the very candid. It s almost like being there! Huntington Park has abundant wildlife including deer and alligators. Don t let the kids wander the marshes or the trails by themselves. Seriously. TripAdvisor Member, North Carolina Huntington Beach State Park, Ocean Hwy., Murrells Inlet, It was great yelling and screaming. Pavilion Nostalgia Park lets you walk around and enjoy the sights, sounds and smells without having to pay an entry fee just pay for the rides you want. In addition to the standard pirate ships and midway games, the park is home to an original Herschell-Spillman Carousel from TripAdvisor Member Pavilion Nostalgia Park, 1171 Celebrity Square, The 312-acre oceanfront Myrtle Beach State Park has a mile-long strip of beach and a nature center. It is a very quiet, nice, clean park with lots of nature around. TripAdvisor Member Toronto, Ontario Myrtle Beach State Park, 4401 S. Kings Hwy., tripadvisor.com 4

5 What s the TOUR How to Get Around Staying patient is the key to managing traffic jams in Myrtle Beach. Also, it helps to avoid certain areas during certain times of day. Don t head south on the Route 17 bypass between the hours of 4:00p.m. and 6:00p.m., as it can be a nightmare with local residents heading home from work. TripAdvisor Member The Myrtle Beach area is a bit too long for most to comfortably walk (and it can be dangerous crossing the street). There is a local taxi service, although they are not nearly as cost effective as the Lymo buses. TripAdvisor Member The Lymo buses of the Waccamaw Regional Transportation Authority are the public transportation in the Myrtle Beach area. There are 50 vehicles serving 15 routes along the Coastal Carolina region (which includes Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach). The most frequently used route for visitors to Myrtle Beach is route 15, which runs approximately every hour. TripAdvisor Member Waccamaw Regional Transportation Authority, , WHERE to eat Want more information on Myrtle Beach? TripAdvisor.com offers free weekly updates filled with new deals, reviews and articles for Myrtle Beach or any other destination you choose. TOP 10 Restaurants 1. Luigi s Trattoria, st Ave. N., Abuelo s Mexican Food Embassy, 740 Coastal Grand Circle, Bonefish Grill, 7401 N. Kings Hwy., Villa Romana, 707 S. Kings Hwy., Ultimate California Pizza, 2500 N Kings Hwy., Rioz Brazilian Steakhouse, 2920 Hollywood Dr., Aspen Grille, 5101 N. Kings Hwy., City Bar, 7604 N. Kings Hwy., Collectors Cafe & Gallery, 7740 N. Kings Hwy., Sticky Fingers, 2461 Coastal Grand Circle, FAMILIES Angelo s Steak & Pasta is great for kids as they have a small Italian buffet as well as menu. TripAdvisor Member Angelo s Steak & Pasta, 2011 S. Kings Hwy., ROMANCE Absolutely the most amazing meal we have ever had was at Library Restaurant. The staff is amazing and friendly. My boyfriend ordered the Steak Diann, and he loved it. I highly recommend the French Onion soup! Yes, it is slightly expensive, but they do not skimp on food or service. It is well worth the money. TripAdvisor Member, Tennessee Library Restaurant, 1212 N. Kings Hwy., You know that when you get to a restaurant, just a few minutes after they open, and people are already lined up outside and parking in a lot across the street there s a reason, right? Right! This locals favorite has also become a returning tourist s favorite as well. The atmosphere at Sea Captain s House is great. TripAdvisor Member, Warren, Ohio Sea Captain s House, 3002 N. Ocean Blvd., Cannot recommend a restaurant more highly than Collectors Cafe & Gallery. If there is a last meal to be had in this life, it s the scallop cakes from Collector s Cafe. This is not your typical Myrtle Beach restaurant by a long shot: funky and fun artwork on the walls, open kitchen with seats available at the chef s table, several different dining areas all in an atmosphere I would call casual sophistication. TripAdvisor Member, Knightdale, N.C. Collectors Cafe & Gallery, 7740 N. Kings Hwy., We ate dinner at Villa Romana and our meal was absolutely delicious. Multiple courses were included, no matter what you order. First bruschetta, then soup, then salad (with the best dressing I ve ever tasted), then unlimited bread and marinara for dipping. Atmosphere was nice; beach casual clothes are acceptable. TripAdvisor Member, Cincinnati, Ohio Villa Romana, 707 S. Kings Hwy., We celebrated our anniversary at Thoroughbreds Restaurant and it was exceptional. The ambiance was romantic; the food and service was excellent. It is pricey but well worth the money for that special occasion. TripAdvisor Member Thoroughbreds Restaurant, 9706 N. Kings Hwy., tripadvisor.com 5

6 WHERE to eat BUDGET My boyfriend and I drive two hours just to have a Marvin s burger. Oh, and their waffle fries! Dip those little buggers in mustard and wash them down with an ice-cold beer, and you are in taste bud heaven! TripAdvisor Member, Sumter, S.C. Marvin s Sports Bar, 918 N. Ocean Blvd., HEALTH-CONSCIOUS Bangkok House is a wonderful gem. If you re adventurous, try their authentic fish sauce with minced Thai chili peppers it will clear your sinuses quickly. TripAdvisor Member, Seattle, Wash. Bangkok House, 318 N. Kings Hwy., HIDDEN GEMS In the mood for an All-American steakhouse? What can I say? I own a second home in Myrtle Beach, and I know what the locals know: The food at Carolina Roadhouse is just fantastic. They don t take reservations, but you can call ahead and get on a waiting list. TripAdvisor Member, Easton, Conn. Carolina Roadhouse, 4617 N. Kings Hwy., At Victoria s Country Cookin the food is excellent for the price. You can t go wrong. The country fried steak with gravy and the hamburger steak are my favorites so far. The service has always been fast and friendly. This is a great locals place to eat. TripAdvisor Member, Myrtle Beach, S.C. Victoria s Country Cookin, rd Ave. S., At SeaBlue Tapas Restaurant, don t be fooled by the strip mall location. The wine flight we chose was silky and smooth; the tapas platter was impressive and select. The dishes are small, made to share and to be ordered one at a time. The high quality service and ingredients justify the cost. TripAdvisor Member, Virginia SeaBlue Tapas Restaurant, 503 Hwy. 17 N., If you re looking for great Italian food, fresh pasta, homemade sauces and authentic Old World cooking, then you should go to Ciao! Don t let the plain exterior fool you. I grew up in New Jersey, so I know good Italian food, and this was just like going back home. TripAdvisor Member, Washington, D.C. Ciao!, 5223 N. Kings Hwy., We sat on River City s patio, which is adjacent to the lazy river of the resort next door. We really enjoyed the atmosphere, and the service was very courteous. Our meals were delicious. The kids enjoyed their junior meals, although they were more interested in feeding peanuts to the birds. TripAdvisor Member, Cambridge, Ontario River City Cafe, rd Ave. N., We never thought we d find an Ethiopian restaurant among all the mediocre, fried food establishments in Myrtle Beach. Redi-et is truly a find. The meat was well seasoned, and the vegetables were so fresh and flavorful, they could constitute a meal of their own. TripAdvisor Member, Washington, D.C. Redi-et Ethiopian Cuisine, 746 Main St., I have been going to Myrtle Beach since I was born, and Joe s Bar & Grill is my new favorite restaurant. Don t let the name fool you; this place is very nice. The outside area overlooks a beautiful saltwater lagoon. The waiter was excellent. The atmosphere is incredible. The food was unbelievable. TripAdvisor Member, Mooresville, N.C. Joe s Bar & Grill, 810 Conway Ave., SPECIAL EVENTS Celebrate the season with music and laughter at two of the most exciting theaters in town. The Alabama Theatre hosts The South s Grandest Christmas Show (November 2 January 1), culminating in a grand New Year s celebration. The Carolina Opry Christmas Special will feature music, dance and loads of laughs. (November 1 January 2) The South s Grandest Christmas Show, Alabama Theatre, , The Carolina Opry Christmas Special, Carolina Opry, , Fill up on mouth-watering barbecue, along with tasty wines and refreshments, as you chill out to the big band and reggae beats at the Island Fever Music Fest. (November 6) Island Fever Music Fest, La Belle Amie Vineyard, Highway 90 and St. Joseph Road, North Myrtle Beach, , Gear up for the holidays at the Market Common s Tree Lighting Ceremony, where Santa and a roster of live entertainers will help usher in the Christmas season. (November 26) Tree Lighting Ceremony, Valor Park, The Market Common, , There are ample ways to get active at the BI-LO Myrtle Beach Marathon, featuring a full and half marathon, a 5K race, a family fun run and raucous post-race parties. (February 17 19) BI-LO Myrtle Beach Marathon, Various venues, , Get to know the neighbors with a friendly soccer tournament, kite festival, riverboat rides, shag dance and more at the annual Can-Am Days. (March) Canadian-American Days, Various venues, , tripadvisor.com 6

7 Where to STAY FAMILIES We visit Myrtle Beach once or twice a year, and Island Vista will be our second home. The staff was great and treated my family like their family. This is a GREAT family place and a very clean place! TripAdvisor Member, Cincinnati, Ohio Island Vista, 6000 N. Ocean Blvd., ROMANCE We enjoyed staying at the Anderson Ocean Club on our honeymoon. Any request we had, they responded quickly and even called back to make sure we were satisfied. They have a full spa that I highly recommend. We had a couple s massage, and it was so relaxing. TripAdvisor Member, Winston-Salem, N.C. Anderson Ocean Club and Spa, 2600 N. Ocean Blvd., BUDGET Yes, Waikiki Village Motel has that 60s Brady Bunch appeal, but let me tell you, it did NOT disappoint. I have stayed at the Ritz, Waldorf and many other 4-5 star hotels. Although this motel does not have the amenities/ updated accommodations, it makes up for it in its ambiance and small charm appeal. TripAdvisor Member, Jersey City, N.J. Waikiki Village Motel, 1500 S. Ocean Blvd., LUXURY The Horizon was paradise. The suites were huge and had the most comfortable beds ever! The resort was quiet and clean with a great lazy river and pools. The indoor pool was a plus when it rained. Grocery store, ice cream shop, mini-golf and great restaurants very close by. TripAdvisor Member, East Syracuse, N.Y. The Horizon, th Ave. N., We stayed at Myrtle Beach Travel Park with three children and loved it. The pool was very nice and clean. Bathhouses were clean. My children could ride bikes all day long. I ll probably never stay in a motel/ hotel again. TripAdvisor Member, North Carolina Myrtle Beach Travel Park, Kings Road, Hampton Inn & Suites Myrtle Beach/ Oceanfront is outstanding. I have been staying here every year for the past three years, and every year I love this hotel more and more. The staff is outstanding and the rooms, and pools are ALWAYS clean. This is only a two-star hotel, but it has the service of a fivestar! TripAdvisor Member, Charlotte, N.C. Hampton Inn & Suites Myrtle Beach / Oceanfront, 1803 S. Ocean Blvd., After several disappointments at some of the big resorts, we decided to stay at the Indigo Inn. Wow! Gotta be one of the best values on the Strand. Eighth floor, great view and rocking chairs! Very clean, comfortable beds and a clean and functional efficiency area. TripAdvisor Member, Lexington, Ky. Indigo Inn, 2209 S. Ocean Blvd., I was ready to move in! Gorgeous beachfront, large pools, activities for the kids, great little poolside bar (awesome daiquiris!), large, well-appointed villas, helpful and friendly staff all in all a first rate experience. Best of all, Marriott s Ocean Watch is brand new, clean, and quiet. TripAdvisor Member, Connecticut Marriott s Ocean Watch, 8500 Costa Verde Dr., The Royale Palms had four pools right outside our door. The kids activities were wonderful, and they happened all day, every day. My kids loved it. Just a really fun atmosphere. TripAdvisor Member, North Carolina Royale Palms Condominiums, Beach Club Dr., Have questions about Myrtle Beach? Get insider advice from local experts in our forums. The majority of questions are answered within 24 hours. My fiancee and I went to the Ocean Reef Resort for a little summer ending vacation and loved every minute of it. Check-in was quick, the rooms were nice, but the best thing was the ocean view. We spent several hours on our balcony just taking in the smells and sounds of the Atlantic. TripAdvisor Member, New York Ocean Reef Resort, 7100 N. Ocean Blvd., Best Western Grand Strand Inn and Suites is a family-owned hotel, and that you see! The room was absolutely clean, with fresh, nice furniture and linen. The hotel is steps from the ocean. Nice pool; free breakfast in the lobby. We love it! TripAdvisor Member, Berlin, Germany Best Western Grand Strand Inn and Suites, 1804 S. Ocean Blvd., Marina Inn at Grande Dunes promises a one-of-a-kind stay. I ended up in a two-bedroom suite overlooking the Intercoastal Waterway. The room was absolutely gorgeous! Beautiful bathrooms, full kitchen I was ready to move in! TripAdvisor Member, Apex, N.C. Marina Inn at Grande Dunes, 8121 Amalfi Place, tripadvisor.com 7

8 Where to STAY HIDDEN GEMS Loved, loved, loved Roxanne Towers! We literally rode around looking for a decent place to stay, and I thought the building was pretty, so we stopped in. Loved the full kitchen and the washing machine and dryer (especially for drying all those wet clothes). Highly recommend and see you there next year. TripAdvisor Member, New Jersey Roxanne Towers, 1604 N. Ocean Blvd., see you there next year. The Carolina Winds is a must-stay! We went with the kids, and it had everything we were looking for. From beach access to indoor/outdoor pool to lazy river, it was a week we will never forget. We ll definitely be returning. TripAdvisor Member, Danville, Va. Carolina Winds, Oceanfront at 76th Ave. N., Serendipity Bed and Breakfast Inn is a great place to get away from it all. It s very quiet and not in the middle of all the big hotels, yet close enough to everything you need or want. If you re looking for the 1800s old home converted to a B&B, then this is not the place for you. This is a 1960s or 70s small motel that has been redecorated to look more like B&B rooms. The owner does everything possible to make your stay comfortable. TripAdvisor Member, Ohio Serendipity Bed and Breakfast Inn, st Ave. N., About TRIPADVISOR TripAdvisor is the largest travel community in the world with 40 million monthly visitors and featuring more than 40 million reviews and opinions of 572,000 hotels and attractions. TripAdvisor.com is the most trusted source for travel recommendations about where to go, where to stay and how to play for 72,000 destinations around the world. TripAdvisor.com also provides easy access to the major online travel sites to make booking your next vacation, your best vacation, easier than ever. Edited/compiled by Kristyn Lak Miller, Sheila Koenig and Michelle Schwartz This brochure and its contents are copyright 2010, TripAdvisor, Inc., all rights reserved. TRIPADVISOR, the owl logo and all other marks displayed herein are registered and/or common law trademarks of TripAdvisor and/or third parties. Representations made in this brochure are current as of its publication date. This brochure contains reviews, comments, photographs and other content regarding destinations, accommodations, airlines and other travel products and services submitted by users of tripadvisor.com. Reviews and ratings represent the opinions of such users. TripAdvisor does not sponsor or endorse any user content and therefore is not liable for any statements, representations or other information contained in such user content. Further, reference to any products, services, processes or other information of any third party does not constitute or imply endorsement, sponsorship or recommendation of or affiliation with, such third party by TripAdvisor. Such third parties are owned and operated by independent retailers or service providers, and TripAdvisor cannot ensure that you will be satisfied with their products, services, business practices or provided information. TripAdvisor recommends that you pursue any and all investigation you feel necessary or appropriate before transacting with any third party. tripadvisor.com 8