Things To Do
Terry’s Top 10: Must-see Myrtle Beach attractions
My wife and I came to Myrtle Beach for our honeymoon 15 years ago and never left. What started as a vacation has become a staycation. We used to celebrate our anniversary by leaving Myrtle Beach in July for Key West, New Orleans, Chicago, the Bahamas, the Outer Banks or the mountains. But now that we've been there and done that, we've come to realize that if millions of visitors come to Myrtle Beach for vacation every year why can't we?
It's just like any other vacation, except without all the driving and flying and hotel costs. We just try to hit new places to make it seem like we're somewhere else. So after years of staycationing, we've stumbled across more than a few cool Myrtle Beach attractions – from favorite restaurants and bars to spots on the beach. I'll share my top 10 with you, if you promise not to all show up on our anniversary night out. Remember, we're trying to get away from the crowds, not start them:
10) The Palace Theatre : The Palace gives locals and visitors a taste of Broadway just next to Broadway at the Beach without having to go to New York. The theater is a charming setting, small enough so that there are no bad views of the stage yet spacious enough that it never feels crowded. The Palace brings some strong productions to town given the size of the Myrtle Beach market. Word to the wise: Bringing the whole family can be a bit pricy so check out the discounted matinees.
9) New York Prime: I can't believe we lived here 15 years before we dined here, but it could have taken us that long to save up enough money to do it. Expensive as it is, it was worth every penny. We enjoyed New York Prime's steaks, service and wine selection just the other night and found it to be one of our best dining experiences anywhere. We plan to go back, as soon as we save up enough money to do it again. Word to the wise: The filet literally melts in your mouth.
8) Island Vista Resort: It's rare that we need a local hotel, but when we want a weekend getaway or we have visitors come to town, that's the place. As the only oceanfront hotel for about a mile in both directions, Island Vista offers luxury as well as seclusion. It's new so the rooms are nice and the pools, hot tub and lazy river are outstanding and with no nearby hotels the beach is often empty. Word to the wise: It holds a luau on Mondays and a reggae band on Thursdays.
7) Sea Captain's House: Lots of seafood places have come and gone over the years but as far as Myrtle Beach restaurants go, the Sea Captain's House has stood the test of time, and for good reason – it's awesome. The oceanfront restaurant puts a Lowcountry and Southern spin on traditional seafood dishes and offers great views so you can see where you supper was swimming just a few hours earlier. Word to the wise: Ask for a table by a window and don't fill up on pre-meal hushpuppies.
6) Myrtle Beach State Park: You would never guess that you are just a few hundred yards away from the neon lights of Myrtle Beach while you are standing on the undeveloped and often secluded beaches of the park. For just $4 per person, you can escape the bright lights and big crowds and get a taste of what it's like to have your own stretch of beach to yourself. Word to the wise: Locals can buy annual passes for $50 that are good for admission for everyone in your vehicle.
6) Mr. Fish: Hidden among all the upscale seafood restaurants and all-you-can-eat buffets is the best kept secret for fresh, local seafood. Mr. Fish, located on Highway 17 near 31st Avenue North and operated by seafood distributor Ted Hammerman, offers the best catches with Ted's personal twists – shrimp and grits, blackened grouper and fresh oysters. Word to the wise: Forget the menu and order off the dry-erase board. The specials are where it's at.
4) Brookgreen Gardens: With botanical gardens and amazing sculptures, this almost 10,000-acre park features the best of natural and man-made wonders. My wife had to talk me into this one since I'm not so much the artsy-fartsy type but I have been back many times, usually for the special concert series or for the sunset boat tours that take you through the Lowcountry swamps of the old rice plantation. Word to the wise: Pack a picnic lunch and lots of bug spray.
3) House of Blues: With HOBs located in big cities like New Orleans, Chicago, L.A. and Boston, little ol' North Myrtle Beach is lucky to have one. I've never been big on theme restaurants, but HOB is different. The Southern and soul-food style dishes are tasty and the live music scene is happening. The concert hall brings big acts to the area that would never come without such a venue. Word to the wise: Try to avoid big sellout crowds because HOB packs them in like sardines.
2) Huntington Beach State Park: This truly is one of the prettiest places in our little corner of the planet. Huge dunes parallel the pristine coastline and there aren't many people on the beaches in between. You can walk down to the jetty and out into the ocean to fish, stroll out on the pier into the saltmarsh to see gators and all kinds of birds or check out Atalaya Castle. Word to the wise: The best way to get the full experience is to camp for a couple of nights.
1) For all the high-priced places with big crowds and long lines, my favorite place in Myrtle Beach is still the cheapest – the beach – which is free. Whether you're looking for a place to spend the day or a romantic spot at night, find a quiet stretch of beach, bring a blanket and a picnic basket and melt into the sand and the sound of crashing waves. It's truly what makes our town special. Word to the wise: Pour your wine in a cup so the beach cops won't hassle (or run over) you.
