Hot weather, cold weather? Myrtle Beach, South Carolina offers a variety of tourist attractions. With mild weather almost year round it's a popular destination offering over 100 golf courses, 60 miles of beach, affordable accommodations, shopping and water activities. Myrtle Beach is one of the most tourist friendly cities in the state offering a variety of activities, family friendly atmosphere, bright lights and free beaches.
Step 1
Do your research. Determine how long you can stay and coordinate with anyone else going on the trip.
- Will you be golfing?
- Do you intend to visit the Freestyle Music Park or one of the other outdoor activities?
- Are you a beach person or traveling during the summer?
- If you're shopping at one of the many outlets you should also pack accordingly. Sales tax is not as high in Myrtle Beach than some cities so you may want to stock up on new clothes for work or school.
- Many hotels offer efficiency rooms (small stove, refrigerator, microwave, coffee pot, pots, pans, dishes and utensils)
Step 2
Plan for the weather for the season you will be visiting. Do your laundry, then, decide on how many days you will be there.
- If it's five days, pack 10 outfits(in case of a spill or rip in your clothing, to have for an emergency.)
- South Carolina gets hot in the summer so if you're traveling in the summer you should bring an extra outfit for each day.
Step 3
Pack hats, sunglasses, sun screen, and your bathing suit and plenty of beach towels. Bring a few different SPF options and plenty of aloe. With the large beach areas it's easy to get burnt.
Step 4
Golfing and fishing are popular tourism attractions and you should remember to pack appropriately for those excursions.
Step 5
Remember not to forget sandals, golf shoes, walking shoes and flip flops.
Step 6
Pack your usual needs, underwear, socks, bras, deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, and any medications that you are taking.
Step 7
Capture your trip by taking a camera.
Step 8
Pack extra zip lock bags to keep your findings in them: Sea shells are abundant and gift shops with affordable gifts are easy to find.
Step 9
Don't fret if you forget something. Wings and Eagles offer t-shirts, swimsuits, shoes, hats, shot glasses and souvenirs for friends and family. They also offer sunscreens and aloe for sun activities. They have locations on almost every corner along the strip.
Step 10
Pack a boogie board or surfboard if planning to ride the waves. If you don't have room you can pick up one at the beach for just a few dollars. South Carolina isn't known for their surfing so don't worry about that surf board.
Step 11
Bring a MP3 player, CD player and CDs to listen to for your drive, cruising the strip or other activities.
Step 12
Bring a fishing pole for salt water and any tackle you may need. The peers will offer an opportunity to buy a multi-day fishing license but it's not much less than an annual license. If you forget something fishing supplies are readily available at the peer store or at one of the Wal-Marts along the way.
Step 13
Pack your confirmations for any reservations you've made online.
Step 14
Pack a map if you're driving. The streets are numbered with Kings Highway (Restaurant Row) and Ocean Blvd. (The Strip) being the two main drags but bypasses can confuse the locals. You may end up in North Myrtle Beach. When it's packed it can take a while to travel off the highway.
Step 15
Take the phone number of your hotel. Since many great hotels, motels and inns are still family owned and operated you may not find your reservations online.
Step 16
Take a notebook and keep a list of future hotel options, restaurants, scenic attractions, etc. You won't be able to fit it all in one trip and those great mom and pop pancake houses don't advertise much. You may forget where it is.
Step 17
Pack a tote bag for towels, Mp3 players,and ID for your explorations. Pawley's Island, Georgetown and great historic sites are nearby.
Step 18
Pack some cash or grab some at an ATM. Although all beaches are free and there are no toll roads you may enjoy buying a refreshment from a beach vendor.
Step 19
Don't forget your ID. Myrtle Beach has great clubs with some overlooking the beach. There are also teen clubs. It is now legal in South Carolina to get tattoos and great artists have launched the state's tattoo industry around the Grand Strand area.
Step 20
Bring your game. Myrtle Beach has great Putt Putt/Miniature Golf courses with fantastic structures and thought out entertainment.
Step 21
Bring your appetite. Restaurant row offers familiar restaurant chains along with dozens exclusive to Myrtle Beach.
- For something hip you can try the Hard Rock Cafe' (the only pyramid in Myrtle Beach), House of Blues or Planet Hollywood.
- There are also 100+ seafood restaurants, some offer buffets that are truly all you can eat. These sometimes offer great views with nautical themes and buffets to rival Las Vegas.
Tips
- Keep hairspray, toothpaste, and shampoo in separate zip lock bags, that way, if they leak, your other items are free of a sticky mess.
- Keep an eye on the weather. Don't let the forecast for thunderstorms scare you. Afternoon thunderstorms are common through the summer.
- Like all vacation destinations your rate will depend on when you book. Unlike the Jersey Shore you can easily spend less than $200 a night on a hotel or beach house. Houses usually rent for $1000+ per week. If you find an individual renting you may get it for less.
- Myrtle Beach offers two bike weeks over the summer.
- Helmets are not required by law when riding a motorcycle but you will go to federal prison for touching a loggerhead turtle or stealing its eggs. Helmets are now required in the city limits of Myrtle Beach.
Warnings
- Do not forget to wear your sunscreen.
- Don't forget to bring a light jacket or pants. The beach and the strip experience a temperature drop and get windy after dark.
- Bring a light rain jacket in case it rains so you will not be hot or wet.
- Although helmets are not required when riding a motorcycle in South Carolina (and the reason for such popular bike weeks) you should always wear a motorcycle helmet when riding.
- The Shag is the state dance in South Carolina and is frequently done to beach music. Although it may have alternate meanings in other countries "The Shag" or "To Shag" is almost exclusively considered either a dance or a type of carpet in South Carolina.
