Here's a list of things I have done in and around the MB area. It includes amusement parks, beaches, gardens, shopping, and more.
Shopping
Barefoot Landing - This is a large outdoor shopping complex, situated and separated in two halves by a large man made pond, which by the way, you can feed some really large carp at. The complex features the House of Blues (restaurant and concert hall) and Alligator Adventure, both of which are worth a visit. You could spend an easy 2-3 hours at the Alligator Adventure (see bottom of page). There is also a smattering of restaurants, both sit down, and quickie places. The shops here are pretty unique, although they are starting to get more and more 'chainy'. The gem store is a neat place to check out, there is a perpetual christmas store, and a bunch of other great places, not to mention the normal souvenier shops that you see everywhere else. You can get just about anything here. The place gets crowded after 6 pm, so head out early to get a decent parking spot. Traffic getting to this place can also be a hassle between 4-6 pm. Be on the lookout for a small local company that breeds and rescues big cats, they tend to be set up on the boardwalks with a few babies that you can pet for a small fee (which they say goes to the wildlife foundation, and to the care of their animals). This is one of my more favorite complexes, because out of all of them, this is the least crowded.Broadway at the Beach - This is the newest of the shopping complexes, and each year we visit it gets bigger and bigger. More restaurants, more shops, more other things. They have it all here; an aquarium, an IMAX theatre, a miniature golf course, enough restaurants to suit any taste, shops you'd find in the mall, shops you wouldn't find in the mall. It's a very eclectic shopping complex, and the nice thing is it is an outdoor one, similar to Barefoot Landing. You will also find most of the theme cafe's in this general area - like Hard Rock, Planet Hollywood, Nascar, etc. It gets VERY crowded here, and remains that way almost all day and night. Parking is a real treat to find, we usually end up circling several times. DON'T go here if it rains.... unless you like crowds, traffic, and headaches! There are many good places to eat here. The stores here are more "chainy" than at other places. You'll find a Victoria's Secret, Yankee Candles, and other familiar stores.
Waccamaw Pottery and Outlet Park - 3071 Waccamaw Blvd., Myrtle Beach (843) 236-6221. I haven't been here in awhile...I'm kind of done with the outlet thing. Prices aren't that great at outlets anymore. Though this place has a lot of variety, it doesn't have too many stores I'd frequent anyways. I do enjoy the Pottery outlet quite a lot. If you like pottery, this is the place to be. The complex is very large, I believe they run a shuttle between the sections of outlets.
Myrtle Beach Factory Stores - 4635 Hwy 501, Myrtle Beach (843)-236-5100. This is part of (I believe) the same complex as the outlet park above. There are several of them along Hwy 501. It's about a 20 minute drive from Myrtle Beach.
Pawley's Island Hammock Shops - These are among my favorite shops out of the whole area. Yes, it's a bit further of a drive south, and yes, they do have strange hours (they aren't open that late I believe), but the shops are not chains at all, and they all are very unique. The general store is my favorite. They sell eerything from Pawley's Tshirts, to incense, to bird feeders, and all kinds of little local things. The Hammock shop itself is really great if you are planning on getting a hammock. These are the kind to have. There is also a neat 'cooking' store, with gourmet items, unique pots and pans and ceramics, and other things. These stores are in the woods, but outside, so it can be a lot of fun, and really relaxing to browse here. Normally there are not that many crowds of people at all. I've hardly ever seen a big crowd here although business seems steady. There is only 1 or 2 small places to eat, and they too have weird hours. However, there is a good deli right across the street from the shops. Parking here is very limited, but we've never had a problem getting any. If you like candles, there is also a candle shop here where they hand make all their candles - they have some really neat ones made with seashells. Not cheap, but definetly unique. This is a place we visit every year.
There are also several malls in the MB area.
Amusement/Water Parks:Wild Water & Wheels - on highway 17 in surfside (not the bypass). I've been here several times, as a kid, and as an adult. It's a fun place. It's usually less crowded than the water park up in myrtle beach, and in my opinion, it's larger too and has more to do. Of course, it's not cheap. I believe last year it was around 25 bucks per person for a day pass. I like waterparks, but I don't go every year.
Myrtle Beach Grand Prix - This is another favorite park of mine. You can drive real formula one cars here (although they have a speed damper on them) and when you race, you compete for the 'time of the day'. There is one fastest time for both guys and gals, and last I checked, they gave out trophies to the winners. There are go-karts, chaparelle's, water bumper boats, and more at this park. It also has some water stuff not related to the cars. The only downside to this place is the crowds, and the price. You don't pay to get in, you pay for each thing you do. Last time I was there (about 6-8 years ago) they charged something like 20 bucks to take 10 short laps in the formula ones. And you have to be 16 with a license to drive these. You also have to apply for a license with them, and they charge you for that. A one time fee, and it's good for a decent time frame. This place is an easy place to bust about 100 bucks per person in a few short hours.
Outdoorsy Stuff
Black River Outdoors Center - About 2 years ago, I got bored of doing the typical Myrtle Beach things, and went looking for some other options - I found this place on the net. These guys will take you on a guided tour of some of the different flat water rivers in the area on a kayak. I went with my mom, my husband, my brother and his friend - the four of us, and we had our own guide. He charged 40 bucks per person for a 5 hour period of kayaking and stopping at different places to walk around. It was a really neat tour. We paddled RIGHT by an alligator...The only downside is that it was DEER FLY season, and when we got off to walk around a bit, we were literally accosted by flies... about 30 per person. We made a mad dash back to the boats, got in, and were fine. Oddly nothing bothered us while in the boats. Our guide was very knowledgeable about the local wildlife and flora and fauna, we got quite an education. By the way, no one had kayaked before besides me, and all found it very easy, although some complained about sore arms the next day! This place does offer a shorter 1 1/2-2 hour version, which might have been a better choice. You need to call them about a week in advance if you'd like to arrange a tour.
Brookgreen Gardens - If you've been to Myrtle Beach, but never been to the gardens, you must go! The flowers are beautiful at any time of the year, even in the dead heat of summer. Also, there are tons of sculpture pieces here, apparently the owner's wife was into collecting. The park fees are not too bad, about 8 bucks per person, and they are good for as many return visits as you can cram in a week. So, pass the pass on to a friend or family member with you that week that hasn't been. My biggest advice in this place is to try to go when it first opens, or later in the afternoon - because it is HOT HOT HOT in this place. Bring some water, or you'll end up buying it there anyways. Wear comfy shoes, there's alot of walking to do here.
Magnolia Plantation (west of Charleston) If you've ever wanted to see what the old south was like, this is the place to go. I can't speak for the house itself, but the gardens are beautiful, and the spanish moss is really cool. Most of the stuff here is outside, and there is quite a bit of walking to do. Also on the premises (but costing an additional fee) is the Audubon Swamp.
This place was definetly cool to walk through. If you like bird life or bird watching, this is the place for you.Charleston (Day tripping) - We usually plan a day trip down to Charleston on one of our days in Myrtle Beach. The area has a lot to offer. I'm planning on getting a seperate page up dedicated to the area, but for now - my recommendations are to just drive on down, it's about 1 1/2 hours south of MB, park at the visitor's center, get some maps and start walking! Or take a horse drawn carriage tour. The old buildings here are gorgeous, and the battery park at the end is great too. There is tons of shopping to do here, neat stores, malls, and posh hotels too. There are tons of restaurants to eat at. If you're a Jimmy Buffet fan, he has a margaritaville store in Charleston now. I haven't been yet, but am planning on it this year.
Kiawah Island - I haven't been here yet, but it comes highly recommended as a spot to check out. It's south of Charleston, and is supposedly a very large haven for birds and other wildlife. Being that I enjoy wildlife photography, this is a spot I plan to check out. There is also a large golf course/resort on the island.
State Parks:
Myrtle Beach State Park - There are 2 state parks in the Myrtle Beach vicinity, and this is one of them. I've only been 2 times, but the beach here is a lot larger. Problem is, it's also a VERY popular camping spot, and you will find it inundated with campers and families barbequing on the beach... It's not a very quiet or relaxing park just for that reason.
Huntington Beach State Park - THIS is the park to visit - at any time of the day. The beaches here are almost deserted, even in the middle of the day you won't have to fend off more than 10-20 total people, and a few fishermen. The beach is a lot wider, and it's a natural beach (sand dunes and all). The water is very clean and clear, and the sand is too. It is a good spot for hiking, biking, fishing, beach combing, relaxing, or touring the "Atalaya Castle" (an old building on the site that you can look around in for a buck or 2). There are daily scheduled events for children and adults alike, and I believe it cost 8 bucks or so per car to get in for the day. The neat thing about the park is that half of it is saltwater, and the rest is marshwater (freshwater). So there is a great variety of wildlife and birdlife to be seen. When you drive into the park and get to the main causeway, stop off right before or right after, and walk along the road. I'll bet you 100 bucks you'll see at least one alligator only a stone's throw away... I've seen some every time I've been; just keep your distance... while used to people, they are still wild. We usually pack a picnic lunch (there's no food on the premises) and take our beach chairs and stuff and head down one morning to make a day of it. There are beach houses to shower and change in, and places to get sodas and water. This park is directly across from Brookgreen Gardens.
Other:Ripley's Aquarium - This is another place I have yet to visit. Mainly because there is always a long line, and it costs about 14 bucks per person to get in. I hear that it is a really great aquarium though. One day I will check it out.
IMAX Theatre - If you haven't seen an IMAX movie before, GO NOW! This is a really cool way to 'experience' a movie. My favorites are the ones that involve motion - like "Speedway", "Coasters" and others like it (where you feel like you are actually driving the car! Incredible!) The screen is huge, from floor to ceiling, and you feel like you are really 'there' with the film crew. Advice on this? Get there at least 2-3 hours early to buy a ticket - and check the show times before you leave. They show about every 3-4 hours. This theatre plays about 3-5 different IMAX movies all day long. Watch out for the crowds on a rainy day!
Alligator Adventure (in barefoot landing) This link is to someone's photos of a trip they took to the alligator park. I don't believe I had my camera with me the time we went. We went after dark anyways. This place is really cool - it has tons and tons of alligators, snakes, birds, and other related animals. Make sure to check the feeding schedule so you can see the gators get their lunch! (or dinner). There are some snake demonstrations and other shows that go on throughout the day. The park is relatively small, (easy to walk) but it is packed with reptiles! Well worth the 10 bucks a person. This place was just added to Barefoot Landing about 3 years ago.
You may go to other Information links:
Restaurants / Places to StayOr visit photo sections:
Brookgreen Gardens / Magnolia Plantations / Charleston / Other Area Photos
(the above sections are coming soon)