MYRTLE BEACH

  • Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, is a popular vacation destination on the Atlantic coast known for its sandy beaches, golf courses, family-friendly attractions, and vibrant nightlife. Here’s an overview of what Myrtle Beach has to offer:

    1. The Beaches

    • Pristine Coastline: Myrtle Beach boasts 60 miles of beautiful, wide sandy beaches, known as the "Grand Strand."

    • Activities: Visitors enjoy sunbathing, beach volleyball, jet skiing, parasailing, fishing, and surfing.

    • Family-Friendly Vibe: The beaches cater to families, with lifeguards, beachside amenities, and a generally relaxed atmosphere.

    2. The Myrtle Beach Boardwalk

    • Entertainment: The Myrtle Beach Boardwalk and Promenade is a 1.2-mile-long boardwalk known for shops, restaurants, arcades, and attractions.

    • SkyWheel: One of the most notable attractions along the boardwalk is the Myrtle Beach SkyWheel, a 187-foot-tall Ferris wheel offering panoramic views of the coastline.

    • Pier: The boardwalk has several piers, including the historic Second Avenue Pier, ideal for fishing and sightseeing.

    3. Family-Friendly Attractions

    • Ripley’s Aquarium: A top-rated family attraction with marine life exhibits and hands-on activities.

    • Amusement Parks: Family Kingdom Amusement Park and Myrtle Waves Water Park offer rides, water slides, and family entertainment.

    • Mini Golf: Myrtle Beach is known as the “Mini Golf Capital of the World,” with dozens of unique and creatively themed mini-golf courses.

    4. Golfing

    • Renowned Courses: Myrtle Beach is a major golf destination with over 80 championship golf courses designed by legends like Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus.

    • Golf Packages: Many resorts offer golf packages, drawing golf enthusiasts from around the world for its affordability and variety.

    5. Dining and Nightlife

    • Seafood: Myrtle Beach is famous for its seafood, especially in nearby Murrells Inlet, known as the “Seafood Capital of South Carolina.”

    • Local Restaurants: The area has diverse dining options, from beachside cafes to upscale restaurants offering Southern and international cuisines.

    • Nightlife: Broadway at the Beach and Barefoot Landing are entertainment complexes with bars, clubs, live music venues, and restaurants.

    6. Shopping

    • Broadway at the Beach: A massive shopping, dining, and entertainment complex with specialty shops and well-known brands.

    • Tanger Outlets: There are two Tanger Outlet locations in Myrtle Beach, with discounted designer stores.

    • Barefoot Landing: This shopping center by the Intracoastal Waterway has boutique stores and unique shops.

    7. Outdoor Activities and Nature

    • Hiking and Parks: Myrtle Beach State Park and Huntington Beach State Park offer nature trails, picnic spots, and views of local wildlife.

    • Kayaking and Fishing: The Intracoastal Waterway and nearby rivers offer kayaking, paddleboarding, and fishing.

    • Brookgreen Gardens: A nearby botanical garden and sculpture garden with stunning landscapes and historic sculptures.

    8. Events and Festivals

    • Myrtle Beach Bike Week: An annual event in May and October that attracts thousands of motorcyclists.

    • Carolina Country Music Fest: A summer event featuring top country music acts.

    • Holiday Events: Christmas at the Beach brings festive lights, parades, and holiday displays throughout Myrtle Beach.

    9. Climate

    • Warm Summers: Summers are hot and humid, perfect for beachgoers.

    • Mild Winters: Winters are mild, making it a year-round destination.

  • Myrtle Beach’s history is rich and colorful, shaped by Native American heritage, European settlers, tourism, and development over the years. Here’s an outline of the main historical periods and events:

    1. Native American and Early European Settlement

    • Native Inhabitants: The region was originally inhabited by the Waccamaw and Winyah tribes, who fished and lived in the fertile coastal area.

    • European Settlement: The first European settlers arrived in the 1700s. Kings Highway, now known as U.S. Route 17, was established as a colonial route along the coastline to facilitate trade and travel.

    2. Antebellum Period

    • Plantations: The surrounding areas of Horry County were home to rice and indigo plantations, though the sandy soil around Myrtle Beach itself wasn’t as suitable for these crops.

    • Slave Labor: Enslaved Africans were essential to the region’s economy, especially for labor on rice plantations. The Gullah culture, developed by African slaves along the coast, still influences the area today.

    3. Post-Civil War Era

    • Economic Shift: After the Civil War, the economy in South Carolina changed drastically with the abolition of slavery. The area’s sandy land wasn’t ideal for farming, so much of it remained undeveloped.

    4. Birth of Myrtle Beach as a Resort Town (1900-1940)

    • Burroughs & Collins Company: In the early 20th century, the Burroughs & Collins timber company (now Burroughs & Chapin) owned much of the land around Myrtle Beach. They saw potential in the area’s coastline for tourism.

    • First Hotel (1901): The Seaside Inn was built in 1901, marking the beginning of Myrtle Beach’s tourism industry.

    • Railroad Connection: The introduction of railroads made the area accessible to tourists, helping Myrtle Beach gain popularity as a vacation spot.

    5. Growth of Tourism (1940-1970)

    • Military Influence: During WWII, the U.S. Air Force set up an airfield (later Myrtle Beach Air Force Base) that brought service members and their families to the area, indirectly boosting tourism.

    • Hotel Boom: In the 1950s and 60s, more hotels and motels sprang up along the shoreline to accommodate the rising number of tourists.

    • Family-Friendly Atmosphere: Myrtle Beach began marketing itself as a family-friendly beach destination, a reputation it still holds today.

    6. Modern Myrtle Beach (1970-Present)

    • Myrtle Beach Incorporation: The city officially incorporated in 1957. Since then, it has grown significantly, with expanded infrastructure, attractions, and services.

    • Development of the Grand Strand: The “Grand Strand” name refers to the 60 miles of beach stretching from Little River to Georgetown. Over the years, this area became a highly developed strip full of hotels, golf courses, entertainment venues, and shopping centers.

    • Myrtle Beach Pavilion: The Myrtle Beach Pavilion Amusement Park, a beloved local attraction, operated from 1948 to 2006. Though it closed, it was replaced by newer entertainment spots like Broadway at the Beach and Myrtle Waves.

    • Golf Destination: Since the 1970s, Myrtle Beach has marketed itself as a premier golf destination, now featuring over 80 golf courses.

    7. Myrtle Beach Today

    • Population Growth: The city’s population has boomed, and it’s a popular spot for retirees and vacationers alike.

    • Continued Development: The Myrtle Beach area continues to grow with new resorts, shopping complexes, and housing developments.

    • Tourism Hub: Today, Myrtle Beach attracts around 20 million visitors a year. Its attractions now include diverse dining, high-end resorts, entertainment complexes, and a thriving nightlife.

    8. Legacy and Preservation

    • Historical Sites: Though development has altered much of the coastline, some historical sites remain, including Brookgreen Gardens, Atalaya Castle, and remnants of old plantations nearby.

    • Gullah Culture: The descendants of enslaved Africans have kept many Gullah traditions alive, including crafts, storytelling, and unique cuisine that reflect their history in the region.

    Myrtle Beach’s transformation from a small timber-owned area to a bustling tourist hotspot reflects its adaptability and growing appeal as one of the Southeast’s favorite destinations.