Myrtle Beach, SC

Family Fun  

Although Myrtle Beach has changed a lot in the last 30 plus years, now being more like a mini Orlando, Florida, it still holds unique attractions better known to locals that we felt the next generation should be aware of.

Local hotels, motels, camp grounds, etc. offers visitors a huge variety of overnight options. It has many attractions without the major hassles of the big city and expressways.  You could easily spend an entire week spending time doing various activities.

We were able to get a direct flight from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida to Myrtle Beach.  With driving time from our home in South Florida to the airport, we were at the Beach in about four hours versus a nine to ten hour drive.  We flew Spirit Airlines.  Travelers must be careful with the discount airlines, as they really get you with seat upgrade and baggage costs.  My husband and I packed in one suitcase which kept the baggage charges down.

Our journey began with a trip to the amusement park.  When I was young the amusement area was concentrated to the Pavilion area.  That area is now a zip line ride.  The Pavilion rides were moved to Broadway on the Beach and the area which is now referred to as the Family Kingdom Amusement Park which still has the Swamp Fox Roller Coaster.

Broadway at the Beach has several of the kid rides for young children under the age of five. It also boasts a variety of shops and restaurants.  The girls had a grand time last year in this area.  Next year when our 1.5 year old niece is old enough, we will take her here.

Being a bit older and a lot braver, this year we ventured to the Family Kingdom Amusement Park.  The evening included everything from what they referred to as the 'superman ride', zip line ride and other various fast and flying rides.  The excitement did not lesson throughout the night - watch us on the zip line ride.  The five year old declared: "This is the funnest place on earth!"

We finished off the night with a caricature rendition of each girl to remember the good time.

The following morning we set off for Brookgreen Gardens.  This is one of my favorite places. I always recall the beautiful statues and gardens.  

We started off by picking up a picnic lunch at our favorite fast food establishment and headed towards the picnic tables.  After an encounter with a very large squirrel we headed to the zoo.  Nothing compared to the big city zoos, this one features a small assortment of domestic animals and local area wildlife.  

We quickly found the large play area which includes different storybook houses and structures allowing kids to run around and lets the adults to rest in Adirondack chairs.  As our energy level was declining we decided to call it a day and save the gardens for another visit.

Important on our list was to visit the grave site of the famous Alice the Ghost.  The story of Alice Flagg of the Hermitage was told to the children in our family from a young age.  We thought this was a good time to continue the tradition.  

For those unaware of the tale, Alice was born into a wealthy family in the 1800's.  She became secretly engaged to a lumberman at the age of 15.  Her family upon learning of the affair and disapproving of the relationship shipped Alice off to school in Charleston.  While there she contracted malaria   By the time the family was able to bring her home, she died of a fever.  It is said that when her brother discovered the engagement ring on a ribbon around her neck, he ripped it off and threw it out the window.  Alice has been seen in her room at the Hermitage and cemetery believed to be searching for her lost ring.

We easily found the All Saints Episcopal Church cemetery and the grave that bears only one word: ALICE.  The girls walked around the grave 13 times backwards, left a token and made a wish. Sadly there were no sightings of Alice.

That afternoon we toured some of the beautiful golf courses in the area before heading to the Hammock Shops for a bit of shopping and ice cream.  This is also the location of the famous Pawley's Island Hammock Shop where you can try out hammocks and have them shipped to your home!

No trip to the Beach is complete without dinner in Murrells Inlet.  Last year our family met at Nance's and this year we went to Lee's Inlet Kitchen.  Both offer the wonderful little hush puppies that we adore.

The following morning was spent at Wonder Works which is located at Broadway at the Beach, followed by a great lunch and shopping along the boardwalk.

The day didn't stop there.  That evening we had reservations at the Pirate's Voyage which included participation in the show by the girls.  It was great fun to watch the gymnasts and divers.  They have very talented sea lions, dogs and beautiful birds.  This is a family must do.

Also if you want a great dinner, try the Flamingo Restaurant which is a local’s favorite.  

Of course you must get a trip to the beach in.  If you want to learn to surf or need a great surf shop, the best in town is Surf City.  Mark or Laura will hook you up!

Thanks to the small airport in Myrtle Beach, it only took ten minutes between drop-off at curb to sitting at gate for our return flight home.

I hope our great vacation will help you plan a great vacation of your own!

PS:  Made the cutest photo book to remember our vacation using Shutterfly.  I've used all the companies and this was really easy and on my doorstep in two days!