Myrtle Beach Attractions - Myrtle Beach Vacation Packages


	Myrtle Beach Attractions Myrtle Beach Suburbs Conway One of the oldest towns in South Carolina. This historic river town has preserved much of its past, including many centuries old live oaks. The Horry County museum chronicles local history and contains prehistoric artifacts. North Myrtle Beach In 1968, four small beach towns: Windy Hill Beach, Crescent Beach, Ocean Drive Beach and Cherry Grove Beach located on the northern edge of the Grand Strand, joined to form the City of North Myrtle Beach. Their goal was to provide unmatched services to its residents and tourists; create a unique, safe beach community; and offer a place with recreation and vacation facilities. More than 30 years later, the City of North Myrtle Beach is home to over 12,000 permanent residents, and many others call it home during vacations and weekend trips throughout the year. Murrells Inlet in the south end of the Grand Strand, Murrells Inlet is the oldest fishing village in the state. It is home to fishermen, writers, poets and more legends and ghost stories than any other part of the Grand Strand. The area's history recounts stories of pirates, aristocratic plantation owners, the daughter of a U.S. vice president being forced to walk the plank of a pirate ship, phantom lighthouses steering ships from storms and cemetery-walking ghosts. Georgetown 28 miles S of Myrtle Beach The lifestyle of pre-Revolutionary War days comes alive here. Named after George II, this etown of only 11,000 people contains more than 50 historic homes and buildings dating back as far as 1737. Masted ships sailed from this riverfront, bound for England with their cargoes of indigo, rice, timber, and "king cotton." You can take a leisurely stroll along the Harbor Walk, tour the antebellum homes, or dine at some of the favorite spots. Pawleys Island/Litchfield 25 miles S of Myrtle Beach; 12 miles N of Georgetown One of the oldest resorts in the South, Pawleys Island has been popular with vacationers for more than three centuries. During the 18th century, rice planters made the island their summer home so that they could escape the heat and humidity of the Low Country and enjoy ocean breezes. Storms have battered the island, but many of the weather-beaten old properties remain. The beaches here are among the best-maintained, least-polluted, and widest along coastal South Carolina. Because so much of the land is private, however, access to public beach areas is limited. Many visitors from Myrtle Beach come to Pawleys Island to shop for handcrafts, such as the famous Pawleys Island rope hammock. At various plantation stores (known as the hammock shops), shoppers can find wicker, pewter, miniature doll furniture, clothing, candles, Christmas items, brass, and china. Myrtle Beach Area Attractions Alligator Adventure (843) 365-0655 U.S. Hwy. 17 N. North Myrtle Beach An alligator park and reptile research institute that adjoins Barefoot Landing in North Myrtle Beach, this is one of the largest reptile facilities in the world. In addition to alligators and crocodiles, the natural 12.5 acre setting is home to a variety of exotic birds, frogs, snakes, tortoises and lizards. All are situated in natural surroundings that emulate the beautiful wetland habitats to which these animals are accustomed. Bellefield Nature Center U.S. 17 South of Pawleys Island The center is open year round, and admission is free. The Bellefield Nature Center, at the entrance to Hobcaw Barony, is operated by the Belle W. Baruch Foundation. The Center features displays and audiovisual programs on Hobcaw's history, coastal environments, local wildlife and the teaching and research programs of the Baruch Institutes. Visit the saltwater touchtank and snake displays. Audiovisual programs are also shown daily. There are no walking trails or self-guided tours, and advance reservations are required for guided tours and special programs. Brookgreen Gardens US Highway 17 South Murrells Inlet 843-237-4218 Located twenty miles south of Myrtle Beach, Brookgreen Gardens is known as the most beautiful sculpture garden in America. In 1930, Archer Milton Huntington, and his sculptress wife, Anna Hyatt Huntington, purchased four colonial plantations. In 1931 they organized a non-profit institution to preserve habitats for native plants and animals while providing an outdoor showcase for American Figurative Sculpture. Brookgreen is also home to a 23-acre Wildlife Park that protects the habitats of a wide variety of indigenous animals. Brookgreen's botanical gardens feature 2,000-plus species and sub-species of plants.. "The Springfield," a pontoon-type craft that accommodates approximately 50 passengers tours the flora and fauna of the creeks, as guides identify such and give historical aspects of the rice fields. Broadway At the Beach 1325 Celebrity Circle Myrtle Beach, SC 29577-7445 (843)444-3200 a 350-acre entertainment complex in the heart of Myrtle Beach, offers 20 restaurants including Hard Rock Café, Planet Hollywood, Official All Star Café, Easyriders Café and NASCAR Café. Broadway at the Beach, nestled around a 23-acre lake, features more than 100 specialty shops and attractions such as Celebrity Square nightclub district, Carmike's Broadway Cinema 16, The Palace Theater, NASCAR SpeedPark and Dragon's Lair Fantasy Golf. Broadway at the Beach also offers IMAX Discovery Theater and Ripley's Aquarium. Butterfly Pavilion Broadway at the Beach Myrtle Beach 1-877-280-2751 Open daily. Call for hours. The 22,500 square foot Butterfly Pavilion is a fully enclosed butterfly habitat featuring North American and tropical butterflies. It contains a 30 foot waterfall, a sunken pirate ship and colorful moths, butterflies, and birds. Interactive displays include a giant (walk-through) bee hive. Carolina Safari Jeep Tours (843) 497-3480 Tours take place twice daily during the summer; other seasons, once a day. Each specially designed tour vehicle seats 10 to 13 passengers and a tour guide "safari-style," allowing for an extensive and personalized overview of area history and local lore as well as tons of narrative information. The itinerary includes natural coastal attractions, historic areas, old plantation homes, two islands and an unexpected abundance of natural beauty. Binoculars are provided, and you're welcome to bring cameras; Franklin G. Burroughs and Simeon B. Chapin Art Museum 3200 S. Kings Hwy., Myrtle Beach (843) 238-2510 The museum features an art gallery, gift shop and an art education center. The art gallery building is housed in the former Springmaid Villa, a 1920s beach house that was saved from demolition. Renovations created 10 galleries with a total 3,600 square feet of exhibition space, a tea room and a large seminar room. Exhibits in the gallery showcase local and regional artists and national art exhibits. Children's Museum of South Carolina 2501 N Kings Hwy Myrtle Beach, SC 29577-3054 (843)946-9469 Family Kingdom Ocean Front Park 301 3rd Ave S Myrtle Beach, (843)916-0400 Family Kingdom is open from late March to late November. Operating hours vary, depending on the season. South Carolina's largest roller coaster and largest Ferris wheel are both available here. . The Swamp Fox Roller Coaster is a great wooden classic with a 62-foot drop. Children like the miniature locomotive that chugs around the grounds. The antique carousel was built in Germantown, Pennsylvania, in 1932. Other attractions include go-carts, bumper cars and the Express Himalaya. This home of family fun takes a great deal of pride in it's reputation as a "family-friendly" park. There is a separate area called Kiddie Land just for toddlers & tots. In Kiddie Land, you'll find lots of "small" rides, including a miniaturized ferris wheel and roller coaster. The Franklin G. Burroughs, Simeon B. Chapin Art Museum 3100 South Ocean Blvd., Myrtle Beach 238 2510 Tuesday - Saturday, 10 - 4 Sunday,1 - 4 Admission charged. The Franklin G. Burroughs, Simeon B. Chapin Art Museum is a public art museum for the visual arts and includes "the Villa" exhibition galleries. Its programs include local art shows, a permanent art collection and traveling guest artist exhibits. An art library and working studios support active educational programs. Hopsewee Plantation off U.S. 17 S., 12 miles south of Georgetown 843-546-6961 Schedule visit in advance. The plantation, featuring a view of the North Santee River, is open to the public early March through early November on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Other times are available by appointment. The plantation mansion, which was once the home of Thomas Lynch Jr., a signer of the Declaration of Independence, is surprisingly elegant in its simplicity.