The Grand Strand is known for many things. It ranks among the top destinations in the world in shopping space and unique tourist-driven attractions; its golf courses both full-sized and mini are legendary; and it's the world-renowned home of beach music and shag dancing. Here's a look at a few great things that you'll only find here:
Buy some beachy trinkets.
The Gay Dolphin, a Myrtle Beach institution for more than five decades, is the place to start for folks looking to take home souvenirs or to fill their abode with beachy items.
This well-known gift shop, which extends from Ocean Boulevard to the oceanfront right in the heart of Myrtle Beach, boasts an inventory of more than 60,000 items, organized into "coves." With more than 50 coves to explore, you can easily find items such as stuffed animals, souvenirs, golf memorabilia, nautical items, toys, swimwear, ceramics and shells, or you can just get lost exploring one of the area's true treasure hunts.
While it may be the area's largest of its kind, The Gay Dolphin is far from the only shop around these parts that deals in knick-knacks.
Where | A quick survey of some of the area's shopping centers reveals a few of the many options for bargain hunters looking to discover some truly unique items:
Broadway at the Beach, 1325 Celebrity Circle, Myrtle Beach, holds many hidden treasures with a bounty of gift shops including The Mole Hole Christmas shop; The Cat Shop, which caters to feline lovers; the cleverly named Who You Callin' a Crab; and many others.
The Market Common, Farrow Parkway at the former Myrtle Beach Air Force Base, is home to The Lazy Gator, which specializes in unique gifts and Christmas treasures and also has a location in Murrells Inlet.
At Barefoot Landing, 4898 U.S. 17 S., North Myrtle Beach, offerings include a nostalgia store called American Vintage, an everything-in-indigo shop called Purpleologist, Two Palms Home Decor and More and plenty of others.
The south end offers one of the area's most established destinations for gifts in The Hammock Shops village in Pawleys Island. Established in 1938, this area houses more than 20 specialty shops - including the original Pawleys Island Rope Hammock shop - clustered beneath moss-draped oaks and gardens.
How much | A day full of browsing costs nothing and can in itself be a lot of fun, but only those with epic levels of willpower can get out without spending at least a few bucks.
Contact info | Visit the following sites for more information on the shops above: broadwayatthebeach.com, lazygatorgifts.com, themarketcommonmb.com, bflanding.com, Thehammockshops.com.
Fun factor | No matter what you're into - whether it be wood statues, unicorns, lighthouses, etc. - there's likely someplace that sells it.
Shag the night away.
The shag was designated the S.C. dance in 1984, stemming from its swing roots on the Grand Strand several decades earlier. Alabama, which began its storied country music career at The Bowery in Myrtle Beach, pays tribute to it in "Dancin', Shaggin' on the Boulevard."
Anyone who wants to dance the shag will never fall out of step in North Myrtle Beach. Various clubs polish their floors for anyone to shag, whether to welcome the annual Junior SOS extravaganza for youth, starting Tuesday for six days, or the Society of Stranders' Spring Safari every April.
The music melds many genres such as pop and rhythm & blues. Think of the Drifters' "Under the Boardwalk," Gene Chandler's "Duke of Earl," Mary Wells' "My Guy," The Tams' "Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy" and The O'Kaysions' "Girl Watcher."
Where | Some hot spots for shagging include:
Ocean Drive Beach and Golf Resort, 998 N. Ocean Blvd., which contains the OD Beach Club and home of the Shaggers Hall of Fame. Details at 800- 438-9890 or www.oceandriveresort.com
Fat Harold's Beach Club, 212 Main St. Details at 249-5779 or www.fatharolds.com.
Ducks and Ducks Too, 229 Main St. Details at 663-3858 or ducksatoceandrive.com
How much | Prices vary by club
Contact info | The Society of Stranders maintains a link with a few dozen shag clubs across the Southeast - shagdance.com
Fun factor | People of any age can pick up this classic dance. Besides yielding a form of exercise, not only for one's arms and legs, the dance keeps smiles front and center and infuses folks with a taste of coastal Carolinas culture.
Walk by the marsh.
The Murrells Inlet Marsh Walk makes its mark with a slew of seaside restaurants: Bovine's, Bubba's Love Shak, Captain Dave's Dockside, CreekRatz, Dead Dog Saloon, Divine Fish House, Drunken Jack's, Spud's Waterfront Dining and Wahoo's Raw Bar and Marina.
Many of the eateries also have menus of entertainment as varied as their choices of food, with musicians such as Gary Brown, the Paul Grimshaw Band, The Necessary Band and Sea Cruz.
Anyone with a hunger for boating, fishing, water sports such as scuba diving, or just shopping and just natural scenery, can find a place to make a day or evening memorable in Murrells Inlet. Circle the first Saturday every May, too, for Belin Memorial United Methodist Church's annual Blessing of the Inlet.
Pricing and hours | Vary by restaurant and activity
Contact info | murrellsinletmarshwalk.com
Fun factor | A walk or ride - in car, boat or on a bike or motorcycle - through Murrells Inlet will stir one's appetite, not only to eat, but to relax and see what makes the coast sparkle in scenery and serenity.
Stroll through Broadway.
Where else in the world - let alone on the beach - can you see a pyramid, a fire-breathing dragon, an oversized frog, a pirate ship, a lighthouse bar and the Statue of Liberty all within a single walk? Broadway at the Beach, of course.
This shopping center, which recently celebrated its 15th anniversary, consists of more than 350 acres of retail shops, eateries, clubs and attractions around a large manmade lake, known as Lake Broadway.
The shops consist mainly of specialty stores such as the It's Sugar candy shop; Retro Active '70s, '80s and '90s apparel shop; and Ridemakerz, a build-your-own-model-car store.
Entertainment is plentiful here for all ages. For the kids there's the carousel park, Ripley's Aquarium, Dragon's Lair mini golf, MagiQuest, the Pavilion Nostalgia park and the Soar + Explore Zipline and Ropes Course . Adults will enjoy Celebrity Square, an area that comes alive at night with more than a dozen clubs and bars.
Those looking to top off a full day of shopping with a good meal have plenty of eateries to choose from. High-profile eateries such as Hard Rock Cafe and Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville tend to be packed with tourists nightly, while more low-key spots -- such as Amici's and Key West Grille -- offer a touch of class.
Where |1325 Celebrity Circle, Myrtle Beach
Pricing and hours | Vary by restaurant and activity
Contact info | 444-3200 or broadwayatthebeach.com
Fun factor | With so much to do, it's hard not to like what Broadway has to offer. It can get a little packed throughout the summer though, so for those who prefer to go low-key, it's best to visit very early or very late.
Take your pick of mini golf courses.
About 30 mini golf courses grace the coastal Carolinas from Calabash, N.C., as far south as Murrells Inlet.
Hawaiian Rumble Golf in North Myrtle Beach is home of the Masters National ProMiniGolf Championship every autumn.
Cancun Lagoon Mayan Adventure Golf in Myrtle Beach has courses that lead inside and out. Other standout courses include Mt. Atlanticus Minotaur Goff and Shipwreck Island Adventure Golf in Myrtle Beach, Adventure Falls Golf in Surfside Beach and Gilligan's Island Funland Golf in Garden City Beach.
Many places have play-all-day rates until 6 p.m. Let little children play and let them fill the score card just to practice number writing and addition: Nobody loses.
Where | Kings Highway up and down the coast
Pricing | Generally $5 to $9 a round for 18 holes (clip discounts from the stacks of various coupon books in racks in lobbies of, and outside, area stores).
Hours | Mainly 9-10 a.m. to about 10-11 p.m. spring until later autumn
Contact info | For more info on mini golf in general, visit www.prominigolf.com.
Fun factor | Especially for quality family time, or a date, after dinner. Anyone driving through the heart of Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach will see why the Grand Strand reigns as the mini golf capital of the world. Choose your color ball. Play in the day, and savor a great view from heights at sites such as Pirate's Watch or Jungle Lagoon miniature golf, or play at night, as the traffic whizzes by and the ocean breeze adds to the "ahhhh" factor.
E-Mail
Print
The Sun News Terms & Conditions and Commenting Policies can be reviewed here.