Catch Part 1 of the series here!
I love to relax on the beach – and Myrtle Beach provides plenty of opportunity to do so. However, there generally comes a point during a beach vacation when I need a change of pace – I’m sunburned, or I’m just ready for something different. Fortunately, the Myrtle Beach area provides plenty of off-beach activities.
Are you a golfer? Golf courses abound in Myrtle Beach! TPC courses, award-winning courses, courses for every ability – you’ll definitely find what you’re looking for if you’d like to hit the links! A golf getaway to Myrtle Beach can involve 36 holes a day without ever going to the same course twice! I’m not a golfer, but I love visiting the golf course restaurants. Sitting on the deck overlooking the course for lunch is so relaxing.
Although it is possible to plan a golf trip on the fly, it is better to arrange tee times in advance. Particularly if you are hoping to play several courses in a day or a weekend, you want to put plenty of thought into how you are going to time out your trip. Or, any of us at Upon A Star would be happy to help!
The Wizard golf course in Myrtle Beach
If you’re like me and miniature golf is more your speed, courses abound in Myrtle Beach! They are a very popular evening activity – you can find one in any direction from where you’re staying. Some even offer ice cream shops. What better way to end your evening than with ice cream and mini golf?
There are plenty of options for non-golfers, too! My favorite is Brookgreen Gardens, located south of the heart of Myrtle Beach in Murrell’s Inlet. In a former life, it was a rice plantation. There a quite a few southern plantations that have turned into tourist attractions. Many offer tours of the plantation house, the slave quarters, and various outbuildings, as well as garden tours. Brookgreen Gardens is different.
The plantation has been transformed into not only gardens, as the name suggests, but also a sculpture garden and a zoo featuring local animals. Walking through provides an amazing history lesson, as you can read about the original uses of each area of the plantation. Information about the sculptures is also provided.
The plantation has been transformed into not only gardens, as the name suggests, but also a sculpture garden and a zoo featuring local animals. Walking through provides an amazing history lesson, as you can read about the original uses of each area of the plantation. Information about the sculptures is also provided.
Tickets can be purchased for single or multiple visits, so it’s a good idea to consider how much time you’d like to spend there before committing to a ticket purchase. Remember, we’re here to help you decide which would be your best option!
But, if you’re not in the mood for quite so much art and history, a visit to Barefoot Landings or Broadway at the Beach might be what you had in mind. They are similar complexes, but different enough that it’s worth it to visit both.
Both feature shopping, dining, and activity options. Barefoot Landings also has overnight accommodations right on the property – I stayed in their condo rentals once, and I found it to be very comfortable.
Barefoot Landings features live entertainment at several venues, such as the House of Blues and the Alabama Theatre. The shows are always changing, so you’re likely to find something that appeals to you during your stay. House of Blues also has good food, so it’s a great option for dinner and a show. You can also experience the Alligator Adventure or take a ride down the Intracoastal Waterway on the Barefoot Princess if you’re up for something a bit more daring than taking in a show.
Broadway at the Beach also offers live entertainment, such as Legends in Concert. You can also take in a museum – perhaps the Hollywood Wax Museum, or Ripley’s Aquarium. Ripley’s Aquarium was a big hit with my niece, who was only a toddler last time she visited. If you’re looking for something even more interactive, try the Broadway Grand Prix or Dragon’s Lair Fantasy Golf. Or, for sports fan, the minor league Myrtle Beach Pelicans baseball stadium is also located at Broadway at the Beach.
Even if you don’t go to the beach at all, you’re sure to find plenty to do on your Myrtle Beach vacation – the area truly offers something for everyone! What would you like to try? Or, if you’ve been there, which is your favorite attraction? Let me know in the comments!
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