Myrtle Beach in South Carolina is one of Americas favorite holiday destinations. With miles and miles of golden beaches, Boardwalks and Amusements galore the beach resort can satisfy almost every holiday makers needs.
Situated on the coast shared with neighboring North Carolina, Myrtle Beach forms the beginning of over 60 miles of beaches which run all the way though into its northern sister state. The resort itself has been a popular holiday destination for those in the northern states not wanting to travel as far south as Florida and the Gulf Shores for decades. The beach resorts also attracts tens of thousands of international visitors annually.
Well developed and long established, every visitor is well catered for and there really is something for every one. With a host of Amusement parks, mini golf parks, plenty of shopping and numerous restaurants the resort is well able to cope with the millions of visitors it attracts every year. With this in mind finding somewhere to dine is easy and not feeling rushed is a real plus. The uncrowded general feel of the resort makes for an enjoyable stay.
The beach area has several distinct areas starting with the unspoiled beauty fronting the Myrtle Beach State Park. Beyond the state park access to the beach front is offered via South and North Ocean Blvd. Running Parallel to the beach, most of South Ocean blvd is lined with beach front high rise hotel resorts and rental apartment buildings. These are located directly on the beach and offer unhindered access to the less crowded sections of the beach.
Moving further along South Ocean Blvd the pace of the resort picks up a bit and located between 6th Ave S and 3rd Ave S is the first of many amusement parks, the Family Kingdom Amusement Park which along with the Water Park includes roller coasters, Go-Karts along with candy stands and try your luck stalls. From this area and continuing northwards along the beach front road the restaurants and amusements grow in density with amenities spreading inland to the South Kings Hway.
Shortly after crossing the water inlet and amusement park the road turns into the North Ocean Blvd where you will find the second major pier and the beginning of the superbly clean and beautifully winding Boardwalk. Starting next to the pier at 2nd Ave N and Running for approximately a mile in front of the beach hotels the concrete Boardwalk ends and the wooden Boardwalk and Myrtle Beach Promenade Begins. Home to burger bars and beach outlets the Boardwalk then continues beyond the Myrtle Beach Sky wheel and on to the northern Pier, beyond which the beach is again lined with numerous Hotels. Much Beyond 31st Ave N the beach is fronted by private houses and holiday rentals.
Shopping In Myrtle Beach:
- Broadway at the Beach, 29th Ave N & Robert M Grissom Hway.
- Tanger Outlets Hwy 17, Kings Rd & Hwy 17.
- Barefoot Landing including Ron Jon Surf Shop, Hway 17 S. ( North Myrtle Beach )
Recommended Hotels in Myrtle Beach:
- Hilton Myrtle Beach Resort. Out of town, Quiet beach front location.
- Bluegreens Vacations, Seaglass Tower Ascent Resort Collection. Promenade Location.
- Carolinian Beach Resort with Water Park. N Ocean Blvd, Beach Front.
Top Attractions and amusements in Myrtle Beach:
- Ripley’s Believe it or Not, N Ocean Blvd.
- Myrtle Beach Zip-line Adventures, 9th Ave N and Main St.
- Broadway at the Beach, 29th Ave N & Robert M Grissom Hway.
- Family Kingdom Amusement Park, S Ocean Blvd.
- Jungle Lagoon Mini Golf Myrtle Beach, S Kings Hway.
- Pine Lakes Golf Course, N Kings Hway.
- Myrtle Waves Water Park, 10th Ave N.
Top tips:
- North Myrtle Beach and Myrtle Beach can be confusing as they share many road names, Double check locations.
- Shopping at Barefoot landing offers a more relaxed shopping experience and selection of restaurants although located 10 mins drive away in North Myrtle Beach.
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- Take in the East Coast of America – Drive I-95
- South Carolina
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Centered within the state park, Grandfather mountain rises to a height of 1812m above sea level. The peak itself it actually named Calloway Peak and stands just north of the main visitor center. Located at the visitor center is one of the biggest attractions within the park, The swinging bridge. Suspended at a height of around 5200 ft above sea level the suspension foot bridge spans between to peaks which lead to one of the steepest cliffs of grandfathers ridges. Once crossing the bridge onto the exposed rocky outcrop the views are spectacular and the whole of the skyline opens up looking across to the Grandmother Gap, Linville and the ridge town of grandfather itself.
The state park is also home to a small wildlife park which is focused on preservation of the local ecology and wildlife and is home to seven wild habits housing native animals including black bear, bald eagles, river otters and cougars. Its has to be noted that unfortunately Cougars no longer live in the wild within the state park area and are becoming increasingly rare throughout the Appalachian mountain range.
The grandfather wildlife park is located about half way along the entrance road which finally leads to the visitor center at the peak. Accessible from the same car park as the wildlife attraction is a large eco-friendly lodge building which is home to a small restaurants selling delicious treats where there is the opportunity to dine outside on a balcony with a view of the beautiful valleys below.
The Grandfather state park due to its high elevation is unfortunately only usually open seasonally and opening times are subject to change. Access is still available to hikers and trail walkers entering at various points from the highway but services will be very limited or closed when the main access road in shut to traffic.
The park is surrounded by award winning beaches both on the bay and ocean side which offer the perfect place to take a swim or just simply relax on the soft sands enjoying the year round sunshine. Blessed with a gentle offshore breeze the park offers the perfect venue to soak up the sun without over heating although please do bare in mind that the sun in the keys is extremely strong year round, it would be irresponsible of us not to recommend a good sun screen is used at all times.
Aside from the beaches and water activities the park also has miles of trails suitable for both walking and cycling, and from the trails you will find secluded beaches, mangroves and an abundance of wildlife and beautiful plants, don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled for nesting Iguanas dotted around the island. Unfortunately the chance to walk on a section of the original overseas highway is closed temporarily although it is still possible to walk the trail to see it close up. Forget any worry about getting lost either as trail maps are located around the park to help you find your way at your own pace.
Bahia Honda also offers a small selection of rental cabins and some 80 camping pitches. Spending a few evenings away from the rest of the world under a starlit sky is a perfect way to enjoy the keys and with low levels of light pollution is a stargazers dream.
The Jack Daniels Visitor Center is located at the original and still fully functional distillery, in fact all the Tennessee Whiskey is still made on site and the free tour will give an access all areas tour of the site which has little changed over the years, well with the exception of size. The site now houses almost 2 million barrels at any one time all stored throughout the surrounding hills in barrel houses using the very same methods as day one.
Jack Daniels has some what of a major following unlike any other drinks brand, with a global collectors market for its many limited edition blends and memorabilia. There is now a huge range of Jack Daniels products ranging for cookware, cooking sauces to clothing, hip flasks and Belts.