Myrtle Beach South Carolina Guide to hotels, vacation rentals, golf, attractions, beaches, and more!

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Myrtle Beach South Carolina Guide

Myrtle Beach is unique among resort towns in the variety of fun things to do

It's a vacation spot that appeals to men, women, and children of all ages with its warm weather and beautiful beaches. Just when you think you've got this resort area figured out, you discover some new attraction or amusement park which changes your perception of this oceanfront vacation destination.

Myrtle Beach is the ultimate playground for kids, both big and small, of all ages, from toddlers to teenagers and beyond.

This lovely city features an incredible number of attractions for families who are looking for an entertaining way to spend a few days away from the demands of school and work.

Among Myrtle Beach's must-see attractions is the Myrtle Beach Pavilion Amusement Park, which offers nearly 40 thrill rides, including the mind-boggling Hurricane roller coaster. The park is also home to an arcade, games of chance and skill, souvenir shops, and snack bars which offer such treats as funnel cakes and cotton candy. In fact, the park boasts some eleven acres worth of entertainment, just across the street from the Atlantic Ocean.

When you tire of walking around the grounds, you can always rest in the pavilion, which provides an intriguing line-up of entertainment, including beach bands, jugglers, and clowns. If your teenagers enjoy dancing, they can also explore the Attic, the city's only nightclub for those under age 21 years of age.

For some aquatic fun, consider a trip to the Myrtle Waves Water Park. The water park lays claim to more than 30 rides accented by one million gallons of water. A special children's area can keep your little ones entertained, while a team of lifeguards can help keep you safe. You can choose from a varied selection of rides, from the Ocean in Motion wave pool to the toddler-inspired Tad Pool. Turbo Twisters and Riptide Rockets provide a seemingly endless stream of swerves and chutes, while the Night Flight slides offer you a twisting, turning adventure.

For some high-octane fun, you might want to drive to Myrtle Beach's NASCAR Speedpark, which puts you and your family in the driver's seat. You might begin your driving adventure on the Qualifier or the Young Champions track, then consider accellerating into the Gatorade Family 500. And the youngest members of the family can take a turn on the car-themed kids' rides or spend the afternoon enjoying the indoor playground. In the NASCAR SpeedDome, you'll find a high-tech, interactive arcade, along with a three-story climbing wall.

So, whether you'd like your clan to experience the thrill of a rollercoaster, the splash of a water park, or the adventure of race car driving, Myrtle Beach has the attractions to keep your family revved-up for an afternoon, a day, or an entire week of heart-racing entertainment.

If you really want to give your child a memorable birthday present, consider spending the day at one of Myrtle Beach's many attractions.

In addition to pursuits such as gazing at the ocean and lying on the beach, you can explore the area's unique activities. You might want to begin your birthday celebration with a visit to South Beach Adventure. Its operators call it the ultimate family activity park and, after just a single afternoon, you'll quickly discover why. The park includes seven go-car tracks, the most exciting being the Race of Champions course, which features speeds of up to 40 miles an hour. You can also test your skill in Thunder Alley's 25 snake turns or race beneath the bridges of the Road Rockets track. South Beach Adventure also sports bumper boats, airboats, a musical carousel, children's swings, and an indoor arcade.

After investigating the park's numerous attractions, you can take a stroll through the souvenir shop, or grab a bite at the snack bar. For some educational entertainment, you can take your child to Ripley's Aquarium, where he or she can explore the majesty of oceanic life. Another possibility is the Children's Museum of South Carolina, which offers a stunning array of exhibits. The museum's "Magic School Bus" is encircled by various activities designed to foster scientific experimentation and observation. Young scientists can explore "Bubble Mania," "Fairway Physics," and the "Children's Museum ER." The museum also offers craft activities which allow youngsters to practice their artistic skills; children can also bring their creations home to show their parents. What is especially wonderful about a children's museum is that it allows young people to exercise their imaginations while also learning valuable information about the world around them. Admission to the museum for children ages 3 and older is $4; children age 2 and younger are admitted free. But the fun does not stop there. For an adventure that allows your children to use all their senses, check out the Imax Discovery Theater, a visually-appealing, emotionally-riveting form of entertainment.

Meanwhile, if you're in the mood for a sports challenge, there's always Captain Hook's Adventure Golf or Hawaiian Rumble Golf.

So whether your child is fascinated by sports or by science, by aquariums or airboats, you're sure to find a thrilling birthday surprise in Myrtle Beach.

As many know, part of the fun of visiting Myrtle Beach is having a chance to relax at one of the area's world-class resorts.

The accommodations reflect the mood of the community: tranquil, inviting, visually-appealing. You'll probably want to choose your lodging based upon location, your transportation needs, and your individual taste. One option you might consider is Camelot by the Sea, a top-notch hotel only a mile from downtown Myrtle Beach and four miles from Myrtle Beach International Airport.

The resort features cheery, well-furnished guest rooms to make your stay comfortable. The Camelot is known as the area's first "theme" resort, which is decorated with a Medieval feel. The resort also features water attractions such as a lazy river, indoor and outdoor pools, a children's pool, and jacuzzis. If you decide to stay at the Camelot, you'll find yourself in close proximity to fine restaurants, stores, and clubs. The resort also caters to a mature clientele--you must be 24 years or older to reserve accommodations there. Another tempting possibility is the Caravelle, an outstanding hotel ten miles from the airport. The concierge can help you buy tickets to any of the area's major attractions, and give you directions to get you there quickly.

The rooms provide you with scenic views of Myrtle Beach, making your stay all the more enjoyable. Each room includes kitchens, data ports, a coffee/tea maker, a hair dryer, iron and ironing board. Like the Camelot, the Caravelle is convenient to excellent cuisine, premiere shopping, and high-quality entertainment. Or perhaps you would prefer the Coral Beach Resort, an oceanfront hotel featuring ten pools and whirlpools, along with a poolside bar and grill. Incredibly enough, the resort also boasts its own eight-lane bowling alley. The subject of a $2.5 million dollar renovation, the Coral Beach prides itself on its warm service and friendly atmosphere. Of course, when planning a vacation, finding the right accommodations always represents a challenge.

But fortunately, in Myrtle Beach, given the fact that there are so many resorts and hotels from which to choose, you have a good chance of finding the lodging that's right for you. And odds are, you'll also have a good time doing it.

And You really shouldn't leave Myrtle Beach without visiting its engaging entertainment complex, Broadway at the Beach.

Situated on 350 acres in the heart of the city, the complex offers not only top-notch theaters and hotels, but also specialty amusements, a New Orleans-like nightclub district, more than a hundred amazing shops, and a number of tantalizing restaurants. Some of the area's hottest attractions include The Palace Theater, Carousel Park, Pirates of the Carolinas, Celebrity Square, Hard Rock Cafe, and Planet Hollywood.

From its very inception, Broadway at the Beach was hailed as a revolutionary entertainment concept. A year after it opened, in 1996, it was selected as the Top Tourist Attraction at the Governor's Conference on Travel and Tourism. The South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism also named it the winner of the 1997 South Carolina Governor's Cup as the state's top travel destination.

Meanwhile, for avid shoppers, nothing beats the newest and largest shopping mall in Myrtle Beach: Coastal Grand Mall.

You probably won't want to end your Myrtle Beach vacation without picking up some souvenirs at Coastal Grand. Once you start browsing through the mall's fine selection of stores, you may not want to stop--the shopping there can be quite an addictive experience. If you grow hungry during your shopping excursion, you can also restore your strength at one of the mall's restaurants.

With so many stores to check out, live shows to see, attractions and beaches to enjoy with the kids, you just may wish you could stay here all year long.