Traveling and vacationing bring separate images to the forefront of my imagination. Traveling means immersing yourself in the culture of somewhere new and exciting. Vacationing means escaping the daily grind, letting loose and relaxing. The two are bound to overlap at times but your destination choice is the determining factor. One easy way to decide whether a city is for travelers or vacationers is simply counting the number of mini-golf courses.
This brings us to the mother of all tourist traps, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. I don’t mean tourist trap in a negative connotation…well maybe a little. Myrtle Beach is geared up to attract your stereotypical vacationer. If you enjoy cramming your family into a minivan and heading for the coast where your kids can babysit themselves at the numerous arcades while you relax on the beach, Myrtle Beach is for you. If your a spring-break bro looking to binge drink and throw a Frisbee around with other like-minded party people, Myrtle Beach is for you. If you are looking for an adventure involving the exploration of a city with a rich history and unique culture, Myrtle beach may not be for you.
Things to do at Myrtle Beach
If you are an experienced traveler, you may know that its okay to indulge in a tourist trap every once in awhile. As a main destination Myrtle Beach falls short at qualifying for a traveler’s top pick but it is still worth checking out as a short day trip.
Explore the Boardwalk
This is a very different boardwalk from the one we mentioned in our Congaree National Park post. This is a much more familiar path that follows the beach and is lined with various food, shopping, and entertainment options. The brochures make it seem like the boardwalk is endless, but in reality, it is pretty short with most restaurants and shops crammed into a block or two. The rest of the walk is just lined with hotels.
At the ends of the boardwalk is 2nd Ave Pier & Pier 14, which jut out into the Atlantic Ocean. You can Fish from either pier with the purchase of a fishing permit. There are wooden chairs for you to lean against while you wait for a bite and sinks and metal tables to clean your catch. 2nd Ave Pier is privately owned and they charge an admission fee just to walk out and take pictures. It costs $2/person.
The Gay Dolphin
There are dozens of souvenir shops at Myrtle Beach. The granddaddy of them all is the Gay Dolphin. (I’ll pause while you finish snickering at the name). This place has an overwhelming amount of items. Everything from seashells to dragon statues to alligator heads. There are several stories and no direction so it is easy to get lost, but that is part of the fun. If you are looking to bring back a unique gift for a loved one or yourself, you are sure to find something here.
Catch Some Sun
Obviously, the #1 attraction is going to be the beach, it’s literally in the name. Lined with towering hotels backed right up to the sand, the beach gets fairly crowded. Don’t expect to find any secluded getaway spots here. Even during the shoulder seasons where it can be windy and rainy, expect a crowd of mixed tourists, some in bathing suits and others in winter coats. Even with the crowds and reputation for spring break partying the beach is really clean. Bring a blanket and some beach chairs with you, pick a spot, relax and do some great people-watching.
Overall
Ask the locals of South Carolina and they will tell you Myrtle Beach is a waste of time. For some, it may be, but in my opinion its worth going just to say you have been there. If you like to do touristy things make a vacation of out of it, otherwise, a day trip is all you need. Walk the boardwalk, grab yourself a souvenir and some grub, and unwind with your feet in the sand.
Chad can be summed up by his idea of a perfect day: Waking up early to watch the sunrise over the mountains, warm cup of coffee in hand then grabbing his camera and fly rod, hitting the trail to explore some uncharted territory followed by cold beers and campfire steaks. Chad is often joined on his adventures by his wife, Tori, and their dog, Kona.
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