Things to do in Myrtle Beach, SC

If you are planning a vacation to Myrtle Beach, SC, there are so many things to see and do.  Here are a few of my most favorite attractions and restaurants.

The first thing to do when planning a trip to Myrtle Beach, SC is to decide where to stay.  Depending on the type of vacation and who’s going with you, there are a number of ways to enjoy Myrtle Beach.  If your group consists of college-age folks who are ready to party, then the ideal place to stay is in Myrtle Beach.  If you are taking your family and you would like a quiet vacation, then North Myrtle Beach will be more your speed.

Stop by the Myrtle Beach visitor’s center on your way in to the beach and pick up a free map and some coupon books.  Drive towards the ocean until you find Highway 17.  This stretch of highway runs mostly parallel to the shoreline all the way from Myrtle Beach to North Myrtle Beach.  There is a 17 bypass that you will want to utilize if you are in a hurry to get from one beach to the other. If you want to cruise and show off your ride, stay on 17 business and take it slow.

When you get hungry, there are so many good restaurants to choose from.  If you want seafood, many people recommend the Calabash restaurants.  I enjoy a good rack of ribs and I find them every time at Damons Restaurant, which is located right on the beach.  You can eat your meal at Damons while you watch the waves crash into the shore.  Margarittaville Restaurant, which is owned by none other than Mr. Jimmy Buffett, will entertain you with your favorite Buffett tunes while you enjoy your meal and search for that lost shaker of salt. Speaking of Jimmy Buffett, if you are in the mood for an excellent burger, I highly recommend a little restaurant called “Cheeseburger in Paradise.”  For dinner and a show, you could visit “Dixie Stampede” or “Medieval Times.”

For entertainment, look no further than Broadway at the Beach.  This area includes restaurants, a movie theater, bars, dance clubs, and all sorts of fun things to do.  My favorite bar is a little Irish pub in North Myrtle Beach called Molly Darcy’s.  If you rent a condo at the Crescent Shores, it is right beside the pub, which means you have a short walk back to your room.  For the best shopping experience, I recommend either Barefoot Landing or the Tanger Outlets.  Don’t forget about golf and mini golf.  Myrtle Beach is a golf player’s dream.  There are so many courses to choose from, you could play a new one on every trip for years.  The mini golf courses in the Myrtle Beach area are top-notch and include a variety of different themes.

How to Protect Children from the Sun

With summertime approaching, we already dream of warm, sunny days and hanging out at the beach.  Be cautious of the sun’s damaging rays and protect your children so that they can enjoy the entire summer without painful sunburn.

Before each outing in the sun, encourage your children to apply sunscreen.  Choose the appropriate SPF for their skin type and don’t just assume that one product is fine for everyone in your family.  Also be sure everyone is outfitted with protective sun gear if you will be exposed to the sun for long periods of time, like on a nature hike.  Hats or umbrellas are helpful tools for keeping the top of your head protected.  Wear sunglasses with UV protection to keep your eyes safe.

If you are camping or going to the beach, take along a large umbrella, canopy, or tent to provide shade.  Teach kids to be conscious of the power of the sun and to spend some of their time playing in the shade.  Reward them with some cold ice cream when they show responsible behavior and get under the shade on their own.

Regardless of the activity, use a timer or a mobile phone with an alarm to remind you how much time you’ve spent in the sun and to let you know when it’s time to reapply sunscreen.  Young children are usually oblivious to the effects of the sun’s harmful rays until they walk in the door as red as a lobster and crying in pain.  As the parent or guardian, it is your responsibility to remind children how important sun protection is and teach them to use it properly.

As a backup, have some soothing lotion with Aloe on-hand in case you misjudge how much sun exposure you can handle.

How to Spend a Relaxing Day at the Beach by Yourself

A day at the beach with the whole family is fun, but a day at the beach by yourself is an entirely different experience.

Do some research online and find a quiet, secluded beach that is appealing to you.  The best beaches to visit when you are searching for a little peace and quiet are the more natural ones without an overabundance of hotels and residential homes.  Believe it or not, beaches like this do still exist and they’re not that hard to find.  You may have to drive a long way to get there, but it will be worth the journey.  Even beaches in close proximity to you may be less populated in the off-peak season and during the week.  Take plenty of supplies with you so that you are comfortable.  Pack a first aid kit in case you find yourself too far from civilization to acquire medical assistance.

Explore the beach and admire the awesome beauty of nature.  Take lots of pictures with your disposable camera, but leave everything else untouched so that the next person to visit the beach can enjoy its natural beauty as well.  If you were brave enough to bring an expensive camera, be very careful to protect it from sand and moisture.  Early in the morning and late in the afternoon are the best times to get dramatic beach photographs.

Find a secluded spot and spread your beach towel or bamboo mat.  Enjoy the soft, peaceful sounds of the waves crashing and the birds chirping.  Immerse yourself in that good book that you’ve wanted to read.  Don’t forget to apply sunscreen several times throughout the day.  You can still be burned by the sun’s ultraviolet rays on a cloudy, overcast day.

Do not swim in the ocean while you are alone.  If you are pulled away from shore by a strong rip current, there will be no one to save you.  Save swimming for your next visit to the crowded public beach with lifeguards.  Never turn your back on the ocean!

Take all of your belongings and your trash with you when you leave the beach.  If everyone can manage to do the same, the natural beaches that we have left can remain beautiful forever.