Things To Do
The Most Luxurious Myrtle Beach Vacation Possible

Want a truly unique experience during your Myrtle Beach vacation? Why not spend the day hanging with Hercules, a 900+ pound Liger who is the world’s largest cat? That’s right. This mammoth beast lives right here on the Grand Strand at Myrtle Beach Safari. Located on a 50-acre preserve in an undisclosed area of Horry County, this unique wildlife attraction is home to more than 60 big cats and offers visitors a chance to to get up close and personal, with tigers, chimpanzees, elephants and other wild creatures. At $299 per person Myrtle Beach Safari’s Wild Encounters tour is definitely one of the area’s most memorable experiences.

Driving around town, you’re sure to see at least a few signs advertising $20 Helicopter Rides” … but really, who needs a 5 minute up and down” trip, when you can afford to spring for a grand tour of the Grand Strand. For $179 per person you can get a full trip around the area in a helicopter from either Helicopter Adventures near Broadway at the Beach or Oceanfront Helicopters near Myrtle Beach Airport. Depending on which company you choose you’ll be whisked away high above the beach heading north to Cherry Grove or the N.C. border before heading back down the coastline and being treated to amazing ocean views. This is truly the best way to see the ENTIRE beach.

Since opening in 2004, this upscale dining experience has racked up numerous accolades over the years. Being tabbed as the #1 Restaurant in America” by OpenTable (2014), recieving Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence and being named on the World’s Best Wine Lists” by The World of Fine Wine Magazine speak volumes about this North Myrtle Beach restaurant. But if you cut through the hype, what really makes this place special is a sleek, modern interior, outstanding service and an amazing wine list. Throw in great steaks and seafood and entrees like Cocoa & Chili Dusted Maple Leaf Farms Duck Breast or Mushroom & Black Truffle Risotto, and you’ve really got something special. Other great North Myrtle Beach restaurants include 21 Main at North Beach Plantation, Midtown Bistro and Joe’s Bar & Grill.

One location with two distinct atmospheres, Frank’s is a cozy indoor bistro while Frank’s Outback provide a unique outdoor setting — in a garden, under a canopy of trees — with white tablecloth candlelight dining. Both restaurants offer the same excellent service and food from world-class chef, Pierce Culliton. Inside you’ll find a great selection of small plates, salads, locally-caught seafood and a full chophouse menu. Outback, you’ll find variations on the same, with the addition of scrumptious appetizers and wood-fired pizzas.  Some favorites include options like Pan Seared Jumbo New Bedford Sea Scallops, Pan Fried Cornmeal Encrusted Grouper Served over Yellow Stone Ground Grits and Duck Two Ways: Pan Roasted Breast and Housemade Duck Confit. Also worth your time in Pawleys Island are Perrone’s Fine Food & Wine Market, Bistro 217, Chive Blossom Cafe and Austin’s Ocean One.

Situated inside a beautiful, turn-of-the-century Victorian home in Little River, the Brentwood serves up Lowcountry French cuisine” crafted by one of the area’s most notable chefs, France’s own Eric Masson. Choose from the four-course Prix Fixe menu or seven-course Chef’s Tasting menu or order off the main menu which includes a wide variety of small plates and amazing entrees. There’s an extensive wine list, an upstairs wine bar with live jazz and even a ghost tour where you can learn about the Brentwood’s haunted history. Also highlighting the Grand Strand’s north-end eateries are fellow Little River restaurants the Parson’s Table — a farm-to-table eatery in a historic building — and Clark’s Seafood & Chophouse.

Part fine dining restaurant, part art gallery, Collector’s Cafe is a must-try” restaurant in Myrtle Beach for any art enthusiast. Adhering to the motto life’s too short to eat boring food,” this local’s favorite offers dishes like Sonoran Spices Market Fresh Fish, Duck Au Poivre and Cioppino all artfully plated and presented by a friendly, attentive staff. Other recommended Myrtle Beach restaurants include local’s favorite, The Library, Southern/French fusion spot Croissant’s Bistro, Kingston Plantation’s Cafe Amalfi and Vintage Twelve and a hip, new downtown eatery called The Chemist.

They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but since you’re in vacation, you might as well sleep in, relax a bit and do brunch instead. And since you’re at the beach, why not add in a great waterfront view to go with your meal? There are several spots on the Grand Strand which offer just this, including Sea Captain’s House in Myrtle Beach, the Pier House Restaurant — which sits along the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk at Second Avenue Pier — and Gulfstream Cafe in Garden City Beach. Each of these eateries offer a combination of southern favorites and traditional breakfast items, and of course some top-notch mimosas and Bloody Marys. If you go, you’ll want to make sure and reserve a seat, as these popular spots tend to draw a crowd … but even so, we think this is a local tradition you won’t want to miss. And if you like a little music with your meal, you might want to try Gospel Brunch at the House of Blues.