We've Always Loved Myrtle Beach and it Keeps Getting Better

 

 

 

With acclaimed golf courses, a dazzling culinary culture and magnetic year-round events, it’s no wonder 18 million travellers flock to Myrtle Beach annually. But the magic of this perennial favourite is that it continues to evolve and develop, maintaining its classic appeal while embracing new developments that will draw visitors back time and time again.

The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce and its partners are making it easy to visit this strip of sand and sun by offering discounts to Canadian travellers this spring until April 30, including during the 57th annual Canadian-American Festival, running March 10-18, 2018. 

From Little River in the north to Pawleys Island in the south, it’s time to set your sights on true Southern hospitality. Here are a few reasons why:

 

The great outdoors

The Myrtle Beach area, also known as the Grand Strand, received several accolades in 2018 including the “Best East Coast Beaches” by the Travel Channel and the “Top 10 Beach Town with the Highest Quality of Life” by Coastal Living. With miles of beachfront to choose from, the possibilities are seemingly endless. From fishing days with the family to jet skiing and surfing lessons in the sun, adventure seekers can find their fun at Myrtle Beach State Park. For those looking to reach historical heights, visit Huntington Beach State Park, a pristine site with sweeping beaches and the Atalaya Castle landmark. Translating to “Watchtower” in Spanish, this Moorish-Revival property formerly owned by Archer and Anna Hyatt Huntington has 30 rooms, a water tower and several art studios. As a contribution to South Carolina, the Huntington's left their winter retreat and an additional 3650 hectares of nature found at Brookgreen Gardens, a wildlife preserve and sculptural sanctuary.

African American history & Gullah Geechee culture 

Take a break from the beach and head straight to the Gullah Museum. This educational experience highlights the Low Country culture including Geechee, a Creole language. Learn about the descendants of enslaved Africans through tours lead by a native Gullah, with stops including an old schoolhouse and a slave market.  

 

Tasteful temptations

The farm-and-sea-to-table and craft brew scene continues to evolve and expand all over Myrtle Beach. Set to open this year is The Barefoot Landing New Restaurant District at the Dockside Village, which will have everything in one stop including Lulu’s, a restaurant owned by Jimmy Buffet’s sister. If entertainment sounds like an exciting side dish, stop by The Market Common, complete with high-end shopping and dining, or zip line down the Broadway at the Beach. Seafood fans should schedule a visit to Murrell’s Inlet for coastal Carolina cuisine, followed by a rustic boardwalk stroll at the Marsh Walk. Myrtle Beach’s cool factor includes Chef Philomena Mazzochetti’s Water Tree Café, an eclectic culinary experience, and the Sandlapper Grill, a southern eatery serving up home-cooked fare with flair. After dining on grandma’s favourites for less than $10, head to the Tin Food “A Live Music Joint” and Restaurant for boot-stomping tunes straight out of Nashville.

 

Shop 'til you drop

Need a bit of “retail therapy”? Myrtle Beach boasts two Tanger Outlet malls (the only Tanger Outlets in the State!). It’s also home to Coastal Grand Mall, the largest indoor shopping mall in South Carolina, offering up familiar brands plus those that Canadian shoppers don’t often come across at home. Visitors who prefer to skip the labels and find eclectic gems should spend time at the Shops at Pawleys Island, where there’s no shortage of hand-made items to choose from. Fun tip: Hammocks were invented in Pawleys Island, and so what better place to buy one?

Event season

Myrtle Beach will host the fourth consecutive Carolina Country Music Festival from June 7-10, featuring superstar headliners Zac Brown Band and Luke Bryan. Pack your silverware for the second annual Food Truck Festival, rolling through the boardwalk at Burroughs and Chapin Pavilion Place between April 20-21. Aviation aficionados can look up on April 28, as the U.S. Navy Blue Angels soar past at the Wings Over Myrtle Beach air show. Competitors can revel at the Saltwater Highland Games featuring Scottish whisky tasting and a Quidditch tournament, from March 23-25. And families can take in a live show at the Asher Theatre or step back in time at the Ripley’s Aquarium Pearl Harbor Exhibit.

The suite life

Luxury didn’t miss this sunny slice of South Carolina. With more than 98,00 rooms and suites and 425 hotels, condos, resorts, beach homes and villas to choose from, there’s a bed to suit every budget. Additionally, a slew of new properties are scheduled to hit coastal Carolina including South Bay Inn & Suites, a new oceanfront resort and waterpark, and the Marriott Hotel at 21st Avenue North Myrtle Beach, set to feature a 600-foot vista representing a maritime forest.