August Beach of the Month: North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Along the Atlantic coast of South Carolina is a 60 mile string of beaches known as The Grand Strand. The most famous, and most popular, is Myrtle Beach. Originally settled by the Waccamaw Tribe, Myrtle Beach is now the second fastest growing metropolitan area of the US. Due to it's family friendly activities like miniature golf, water parks, outlet malls, and of course, those beaches, Myrtle Beach is a bit of tourist heaven. Families flock here all summer long for a long day of ocean swimming and seafood buffet dining for dinner. High rises dot the coast and bi-planes with ads trailing behind fly by. But there is another part of the Grand Strand that, while still catering to tourists, is a bit quieter and mellower.
North Myrtle Beach is it's own incorporated city sitting, obviously as the name implies, north of Myrtle Beach proper. It still has some high rises and oceanfront resorts, though notably less, and family activities such as Alligator Adventure. But there are more residential areas, homes for rent and a bit less traffic than it's neighbor to the south.
On my most recent beach trip I visited North Myrtle Beach and the nearby communities of Little River and Sunset Beach, North Carolina. I visited the Best Beach in South Carolina (voted #1 by USA Today Reader's Choice), took in a couple variety shows, ate at a famous Aussie golfer's restaurant and did a wine tasting at the Southeast's favorite winery. Come along and tour North Myrtle Beach!
What to Do
Alligator Adventure - The Reptile Capital of the World
A large facility for reptiles of all kinds located on 15 acres with some 200 animals. There are live shows including, of course, alligators and snakes. Located adjacent to Barefoot Landing and admission price is $24.99 for adults and $16.99 for children.
Duplin Winery
Enjoy a wine tasting or a glass of wine while listening to live music at the patio at Duplin Winery - The Winery of the South - known for it's sweet muscadine wine. We did a tasting at a very large bar seating about 25 people of some 10 Duplin wines for $5. Afterwards you can enjoy a glass of wine, or wine slushie or shop the retail area here.
Catch a Show
North Myrtle Beach is home to the Carolina Opry Variety Show which also hosts a magic show and an oldies show along with a Pirates Voyage dinner & show. Head to Barefoot Landing to watch One, The Show, another variety show featuring song and dance. We attended both One and the Carolina Opry which were quite entertaining - we saw everything from a tribute to Elvis, bluegrass instrumentals and dancers hanging from the ceiling to patriotic finales.
Cherry Grove Beach
Cherry Grove Beach was recently voted the Number One Beach in South Carolina by USA Today Reader's Choice. A flat, wide beach with tan, hard packed sand, Cherry Grove has free parking (along with paid parking) across the street, a pier, public walkways, some showers and plenty of room for skim boarding or even surfing.
The Big M Casino Boats
The Big M Casino Boats are the only casinos located in South Carolina and they cruise 7 days per week. Actually departing from Little River, instead of North Myrtle, the Big M prices range from free boarding with $10 for taxes and fees to $25 per person. There are slot machines and table games along with a buffet. Please be advised that once on board all games are cash only and you must be 21 to ride.
Where to Eat
Greg Norman's Australian Grille
Famed Australian golfer Greg Norman has a restaurant at Barefoot Landing located on the Intracoastal Waterway. Patio dining available and a Happy Hour menu is available at the bar. "Down under dining like you're in Sydney's finest Harborside restaurant"
Lulu's North Myrtle Beach
Also located in Barefoot Landing, Lulu's is Lucy Buffett' s (Jimmy's sister) restaurant highlighting family, food and fun. Specializing in coastal cuisine. Lulu's looks to be quite popular - try call ahead seating as there was a long line waiting to get in.
Clark's Seafood and Chop House - Little River
Located on the Little River Marina, Clark's is an upscale chop house with she crab soup and fried green tomato sandwiches on the menu. Happy hour menu available. We enjoyed lunch here in a very nice setting amongst the palm trees and boats.
Little River Waterfront Dining
Several restaurants located on the Intracoastal Waterway including Crab Catchers, Patios, Key West Crazy and Snooky's. Most have patio dining right on the water and specialize in seafood.
Where to Stay
Holiday Inn Express Little River
We stayed at this hotel located on the Little River Marina, right next to Clark's Chop House. Nice views of the marina, breakfast included and an outdoor swimming pool right on the water are included. Not on the beach.
The Prince Resort
Condominium resort located on Cherry Grove Beach. Includes a rooftop pool, lazy river ride, fitness center, and 1, 2, or 3 bedroom condos right on Cherry Grove Beach and steps to Cherry Grove Pier.
How about you? Have you experienced North Myrtle Beach - or Little River? Have you been to Cherry Grove Beach?
Linking up with: WATW at Communal Global, The Weekly Postcard at Travel Notes and Beyond and The Weekend Wanderlust Weekend Travel Blog Party!
North Myrtle Beach is it's own incorporated city sitting, obviously as the name implies, north of Myrtle Beach proper. It still has some high rises and oceanfront resorts, though notably less, and family activities such as Alligator Adventure. But there are more residential areas, homes for rent and a bit less traffic than it's neighbor to the south.
On my most recent beach trip I visited North Myrtle Beach and the nearby communities of Little River and Sunset Beach, North Carolina. I visited the Best Beach in South Carolina (voted #1 by USA Today Reader's Choice), took in a couple variety shows, ate at a famous Aussie golfer's restaurant and did a wine tasting at the Southeast's favorite winery. Come along and tour North Myrtle Beach!
What to Do
Alligator Adventure - The Reptile Capital of the World
A large facility for reptiles of all kinds located on 15 acres with some 200 animals. There are live shows including, of course, alligators and snakes. Located adjacent to Barefoot Landing and admission price is $24.99 for adults and $16.99 for children.
Duplin Winery
Enjoy a wine tasting or a glass of wine while listening to live music at the patio at Duplin Winery - The Winery of the South - known for it's sweet muscadine wine. We did a tasting at a very large bar seating about 25 people of some 10 Duplin wines for $5. Afterwards you can enjoy a glass of wine, or wine slushie or shop the retail area here.
Catch a Show
North Myrtle Beach is home to the Carolina Opry Variety Show which also hosts a magic show and an oldies show along with a Pirates Voyage dinner & show. Head to Barefoot Landing to watch One, The Show, another variety show featuring song and dance. We attended both One and the Carolina Opry which were quite entertaining - we saw everything from a tribute to Elvis, bluegrass instrumentals and dancers hanging from the ceiling to patriotic finales.
Cherry Grove Beach
Cherry Grove Beach was recently voted the Number One Beach in South Carolina by USA Today Reader's Choice. A flat, wide beach with tan, hard packed sand, Cherry Grove has free parking (along with paid parking) across the street, a pier, public walkways, some showers and plenty of room for skim boarding or even surfing.
The Big M Casino Boats
The Big M Casino Boats are the only casinos located in South Carolina and they cruise 7 days per week. Actually departing from Little River, instead of North Myrtle, the Big M prices range from free boarding with $10 for taxes and fees to $25 per person. There are slot machines and table games along with a buffet. Please be advised that once on board all games are cash only and you must be 21 to ride.
Where to Eat
Greg Norman's Australian Grille
Famed Australian golfer Greg Norman has a restaurant at Barefoot Landing located on the Intracoastal Waterway. Patio dining available and a Happy Hour menu is available at the bar. "Down under dining like you're in Sydney's finest Harborside restaurant"
Lulu's North Myrtle Beach
Also located in Barefoot Landing, Lulu's is Lucy Buffett' s (Jimmy's sister) restaurant highlighting family, food and fun. Specializing in coastal cuisine. Lulu's looks to be quite popular - try call ahead seating as there was a long line waiting to get in.
Clark's Seafood and Chop House - Little River
Located on the Little River Marina, Clark's is an upscale chop house with she crab soup and fried green tomato sandwiches on the menu. Happy hour menu available. We enjoyed lunch here in a very nice setting amongst the palm trees and boats.
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| Fried Green Tomato Sandwich |
Little River Waterfront Dining
Several restaurants located on the Intracoastal Waterway including Crab Catchers, Patios, Key West Crazy and Snooky's. Most have patio dining right on the water and specialize in seafood.
Where to Stay
Holiday Inn Express Little River
We stayed at this hotel located on the Little River Marina, right next to Clark's Chop House. Nice views of the marina, breakfast included and an outdoor swimming pool right on the water are included. Not on the beach.
The Prince Resort
Condominium resort located on Cherry Grove Beach. Includes a rooftop pool, lazy river ride, fitness center, and 1, 2, or 3 bedroom condos right on Cherry Grove Beach and steps to Cherry Grove Pier.
How about you? Have you experienced North Myrtle Beach - or Little River? Have you been to Cherry Grove Beach?
Linking up with: WATW at Communal Global, The Weekly Postcard at Travel Notes and Beyond and The Weekend Wanderlust Weekend Travel Blog Party!
Funny! We have never been to Myrtle Beach because some friends said they didn't like it, but these pictures are lovely. May have to give it a try. We have eaten at Lulu's n Alabama and loved it!
ReplyDeleteThere are alot of people who don't like Myrtle because it's so commercial but North Myrtle is a bit quieter. Thanks for visiting The Unpaved Road!
DeleteWow, I'm liking North Myrtle Beach a lot, seems more laid back yet still has so much to do. #TheWeeklyPostcard
ReplyDeleteIt's a bit more laid back - but still has a bit of the commercialism, too. A win-win if you want to keep your kids busy but you want to just chill. Thanks for stopping by, Alice!
DeleteI've so many great things about Myrtle Beach and even though we live in Florida and would be a great road trip, we still haven't gotten there! By the looks and sounds of this post, it makes me want to go there sooner. I especially love the patio restaurants with fresh seafood! Thank you for sharing and I'm pinning this to my "United States" board on Pinterest! #WeekendWanderlust
ReplyDeleteHope you make it to Myrtle Beach someday! And thanks for visiting The Unpaved Road!
DeleteI love the pier and the beach. I'd probably skip the reptiles, but there's plenty of other interesting places in Myrtle Beach to explore, I see!
ReplyDeleteYea, I'm not so much on the reptiles either but still enjoyed getting my toes in the sand. Thanks for visiting, Sharon!
Deletebeautiful place! #theweeklypostcard
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting, Tanja!
DeleteI haven´t been to South Carolina but the pictures of Cherry Grove Beach look so familiar to me: I might have seen it somewhere! Especially if you say it was recently voted no 1 in South Carolina by USA Today! Love flat, wide beaches - hope to visit both North Myrtle and Cherry Grove one day #TheWeeklyPostcard
ReplyDeleteI hope you do make it there someday - and thank for visiting The Unpaved Road!
DeleteYay! I love these beach of the month posts. I am all about mellow, so I think I would prefer staying here our of the hustle and bustle of the more touristy areas. I feel more relaxed just looking at your photos. Plus there's wine. #WeekendWanderlust
ReplyDeleteIt's always good with wine, right? Thanks for visiting The Unpaved Road!
DeleteNorth Mrtyle Beach looks lovely! Always love a good beach with a big pier! Would love to explore more of SC one day! Thanks for linking up with #TheWeeklyPostcard!
ReplyDelete(www.caliglobetrotter.com)
It's a beautiful and very uncrowded state with lots of fun things to explore - hope you get your chance someday. Thanks for visiting - and for the link-up, Lori!
DeleteGood times! I like the under the pier shot.
ReplyDeleteThanks! And thanks for visiting, Sharon!
DeleteThis beach area looks lovely and I especially like the seafood options and all the family-friendly activities. There are many things about this beach area that reminds me of southern California. We haven't been to the Myrtle Beach area or even SC but this post is inspiring me to check into it. Great, inspiring photos!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mary! And thanks for visiting The Unpaved Road!(If you ever make it to SC, I think you'll like it!)
DeleteTalking about Australian eateries, I had a fabulous meat pie this weekend. Seems like Australian restaurants and bakeries are gaining some popularity in certain area (at least in California beach cities). Other than that, this area of South Carolina looks really cool. I can see how the population is exploding in there. I bet you have a really nice quality of life and affordable prices (something we are missing here in the West Coast).
ReplyDeleteDefinitely a lower cost of living and affordable price, Ruth - especially compared to Southern California. I love the South Carolina coast - it's one of my faves. Thanks for visiting The Unpaved Road!
DeleteI`ve been looking for this post several days! I would liketi spent weekend at the beach in the near time.
ReplyDeleteSo i hope to get there by car . Thanks