When our family is planning a trip to Myrtle Beach South Carolina, it's like the night before Christmas all through the house. We usually start packing like Baltimore's former football team, the Colts. Under cover of darkness we load the vehicle with fishing gear, coolers, luggage, a few snacks, and some lemonade.
Even though it's only a 7 hour drive from the Baltimore Washington area, we usually do it in about 10. That's right 10 hours. First we have gotten to get through the mixing bowl in Springfield, VA which seems to take forever. Then there are the outlet stores where my lovely wife simply has to stop to reload her collection of every shoe known to woman kind. We also have our favorite dining spots, and of course no trip is complete without stopping for fireworks. Our son will need fireworks from at least two different vendors along I-95 South. Not the kind that sit on the ground, and burnout like a book of matches, but the stuff that takes to the sky, and illuminates our summer nights like the Space Shuttle from Cape Canaveral.
I'm willing to end shopping for the shoes, the fireworks, and a half dozen other stops that make up our 10 hour trek because by days end we'll finally arrive at one of my most favored vacation spots on the eastern eastern seaboard , The amazing Myrtle Beach.
The best way to begin a day on Myrtle Beach is with a sunrise stroll along the coast of the Atlantic. Myrtle Beach is divided into two areas, North Myrtle Beach and South Myrtle Beach, and there is plenty adventure on both sides.
Did I say South side? Well, the South side is the older side of Myrtle Beach, but new development is always taking place. One of the biggest attractions on the south side was the Pavilion Amusement Park which celebrated it's last season in 2006, but all is not lost. Some of the popular rides and artifacts are now part of The Pavilion Nostalgia Park. The Nostalgia Park is located at Broadway at the Beach, which opened in the spring of 2007.
The Herschell-Spillman Carousel, Tea Cup Kiddy Ride and The Caterpillar Ride are all very much alive at the new Nostalgia Park.
If you require more adventure, try the Family Kingdom Water Park.
They're located at 300 South Ocean Blvd. Family Kingdom also has an amusement park. Stop at the ice cream shop and pick up a scoop or two like the locals, or check out South Carolina's largest Garage Sale from 7am until 12noon on September 15, 2007. It will be held at the Myrtle Beach Pavilion Parking Garage.
Three level of shear bargains. Go early to catch the best deals. You'll find just about everything you need for the beach including sunglasses, hats, and sunscreen. You'll even find items like luggage, handbags, dollar items, and stuff for the home.
For mall shopping, check out The Coastal Grand. This mall opened in March of 2004. This is Myrtle Beach's newest mall. They have a great food court with plenty of entertainment. There's nothing like shopping a mall, you could almost live there if you like shopping as much as we do.
Looking for oceanfront accommodations? Just take in this extraordinary resort hotel.
Crown Reef Resort Myrtle is embroidered by Par 3 Golf Course on one side, and Whispering Pines Golf Course on the other. The Crown Reef Resort Myrtle will simply take your breath away. This intense resort has a 125 foot ocean front pool which crystal clear blue waters just beckon you to dive in. This enchanted property is almost magical at night, as its brilliant purple illumination lights up the southern night sky.
If you're looking to invest in a timeshare, just walk across the street to the South Beach Resorts owned by one of South Carolinas Premiere developers Burroughs & Chapin. This is one of the newer developments on the south side. Burroughs & Chapin also own The Crown Reef Resort Myrtle. I have actually seen the plans for even more expansion which will include high rise beach front condos right next door to The Crown Reef Resort Myrtle. These developments make the south end of Myrtle Beach's Ocean Blvd. The place to be when you vacation.
There are excellent dining choices throughout the south side or just outside your door.
Remember, the second to last hotel on the left is the Crown Reef Resort Myrtle. It is an awesome spectacle over looking the Atlantic Ocean. To experience this kind of luxury just visit [http://www.affordabletravelagents.com], and all your boardroom stresses will disappear with just one click.
North Myrtle Beach is littered with some of the finest dining choices you'll find in the state. There are numerous calabash seafood restaurants that feature the freshest seafood you'll find anywhere. Succulent crab legs, jumbo shrimp, garlic butted mussels, steamed clams, and oysters on the half shell just leap off your platter with flavor. As your taste buds dance to the tune of delicious, you'll enjoy a sense of satisfaction as your every seafood craving is quenched.
Now burn off some calories and stroll through some of the many local attractions like Ripley's Aquarium where you'll see sharks swim so close you can count the rows of teeth in their mouths. Check out some antique shops. You'll even find some sweet deals in Myrtle Beach's pawn shops. You'll find them organized and professionally managed.
All along the "Grand Strand" you'll find the finest quality hotels, restaurants, and golf courses. Wait a minute. I have not even mentioned the 60 miles of white, warm, sandy beaches. How could I forget that? I'm not one for swimming in the ocean, but I could not resist wading in the mighty Atlantic at Myrtle Beach. To have this, or an even better experience in South Carolina's finest resort city, let your fingers to the clicking on [http://www.affordabletravelagents.com] for hotels, event tickets, and car rentals. There's so much to choose from you will not be able to do it all in one trip. So, visit South Carolina's Myrtle Beach for more fun than you've had in a long time.