Myrtle Beach Vacations – Family Fun on the South Carolina Grand Strand

Family vacation fun at one of the most popular beaches in the USA…

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina is one of the popular tourist destinations in the United States.  Myrtle beach vacations can include fun on the beach, shopping at two of the most popular shopping areas (Broadway at the Beach and Barefoot Landing), many fine restaurants, great opportunities for side trips, hundreds of golf courses if that is your “thang”, and outlet stores….

The Myrtle Beach area is separated into three distinct areas….North Myrtle Beach, Myrtle Beach, and South Myrtle Beach.  Our family vacations have included visits to all three of the areas at different times, but we enjoy Cherry Grove (North Myrtle Beach) the best.

The North Myrtle Beach vacations area is dotted by tall condominiums, and family homes.  In North Myrtle Beach, you will find many quaint restaurants, the Cherry Grove Pier [more info], a much more relaxed atmosphere than you will find in Myrtle Beach, accommodations ranging from luxury oceanfront condos to quaint family-owned cottages.

The Myrtle Beach area is an older area which houses the Pavilion Amusement Park, hotels along the beach, many many theaters, and dinner theaters.  The nightlife is full and active on your myrtle Beach vacations.  Myrtle Beach boasts such attractions as Myrtle Waves water Park [ More Info], Ripley’s Aquarium [More Info], Nascar Speedpark [More Info], and numerous miniature golf courses.

South Myrtle Beach vacations area includes many very famous beaches…. Murrells inlet (South Carolina’s Seafood Capital), Pawley’s Island, Garden City, and Surfside Beach.

North Myrtle Beach – Cherry Grove

• We use Elliott Realty [More info] for our Condo rentals in the North Myrtle Beach area. They are efficient and the condos are clean and in good condition.  Since we try to book budget-wise family vacations, we look at second row condos during the peak season, and ocean front condos during the off-season.  Elliott has many great choices for both.  One of the condos that we have stayed at is The Ashworth [More Info].  We have stayed at the Ashworth during the winter on two occasions.  This is a very nice high rise Condo complex. The winter rate for a 4 bedroom condo was less that $130. There is an indoor pool,  and the outdoor pool and lazy river are also heated. This type of condo unit would be over $400 a night in the summer months.  We typically eat breakfast and lunch in the condo and go out for dinner.
• There are a number of chain Grocery Stores about 2 miles from the beach area along Highway 17. One of our favorite stores is Boulineau’s Grocery store. This store is located in the heart of Cherry Grove and is within walking distance of most of the condo complexes. The store is a combination grocery store and souvenir stand. There is also an extensive deli; as well as beach toys and swimming attire.  Try to go to Boulineau’s !!!!
• The Cherry Grove Pier is a great visit, just enjoy family vacations time walking and talking on the pier…. and for one of the greatest breakfasts that you have ever had, stop in the Driftwood Restaurant [More Info].
• A favorite restaurant is Preston’s Seafood and Country Buffet [More Info].  We spent Thanksgiving at North Myrtle Beach one year, and enjoyed Thanksgiving dinner at Preston’s – it was excellent!!!

Great Side Trips from Myrtle Beach

• Calabash, North Carolina is just a short drive to the north on Highway 179.  This is the home of Calabash style seafood –  Check out these Calabash North Carolina Restaurant Reviews on TripAdvisor [Click Here].  Calabash, North Carolina is a quaint little town.  All of the restaurants are on the water, and all are excellent.
• Southport, North Carolina – Southport is the home of the Southport Ferry  – a 30 minute ferry ride from Southport to Fort Fisher – Click Here for a listing of costs and schedules for the Southport Ferry.  Our kids have always loved this trip.  Southport, NC is about 45 miles from North Myrtle Beach.  The State of North Carolina offers ferry service from South Port to the tip of the peninsula below Wilmington. It is about a 45 minute drive from Cherry Grove to South Port. The price of the ferry is around $3. You actually pull your car onto the ferry and when the given the okay signal you can get out of your car and walk around the ferry. Be sure to take a loaf of bread for the kids to feed the sea gulls that follow the ferry on the 20 minute ride. We normally drive off the ferry and immediately turn around and get back on the same ferry returning to South Port. If you choose you could drive on up to Wilmington and tour the historic district. There is also a WWII battle ship on display in Wilmington. Other ferries from South Port go to Bald Head Island. Here is a picture of my son on the ferry – with his bread to feed the seagulls, and a a view from the ferry…..