Hidden Gems on Highway 544 in Myrtle Beach

3502 Hwy. 544, Conway

A colorful stop along Highway 544, Pelican’s SnoBalls serves New Orleans-style shaved ice in more than 100 flavors. The ice is soft and fluffy rather than chunky, and you can customize your SnoBall with toppings like condensed milk or even add ice cream in the center. Pelican’s also has a Garden City location, making it an easy stop whether you’re traveling Highway 544 or spending time closer to the beach.

Gary Lake Boulevard, Conway, SC

Part of the Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge, Cox Ferry Lake Recreation Area is a quiet outdoor escape just off Highway 544. The 325-acre property features about three miles of easy nature trails, including boardwalk sections, along with mountain biking, fishing, picnic areas and opportunities for wildlife watching and photography. It’s a great place to trade the beach crowds for a peaceful walk through wetlands and wooded habitat.

1625 Highway 544, Conway, SC

Carolina Marketplace is the kind of place where you can easily lose track of time browsing booth after booth of antiques, vintage finds, collectibles, home décor and unexpected treasures. With dozens of vendors under one roof, the selection is always changing, so no two visits are quite the same. Give yourself some time to wander — half the fun is seeing what you stumble across.

4620 Dick Pond Rd Unit E, Myrtle Beach

Are you looking for a heaping plate of meat & three? You’ve found the place! Today’s meat choices at Tanya’s Cafe included turkey and dressing, fried flounder, shepherd’s pie, or pork chops. Your choice of sides ranged from cole slaw to speckled butter beans to fried okra or squash to broccoli salad to peach cobbler. You say you just want a sandwich? Wait until you see that list! Most meals will run you about $10. Be sure to save room for that cobbler—oh, and don’t turn down the ice cream!

Tanya’s is only open until 2:30, so don’t drag your feet!

117 Maryport Drive Unit #1

My first “Duck Donut” was actually IN Duck (North Carolina, that is.) I spotted the bakery near my condo, mostly because of the line down the sidewalk. I checked it out, had my first maple & bacon donut, and history was made. Yum! I mean, you can’t go wrong with bacon—it makes everything better!

All self-respecting locals give directions based on where things “used to be.” Just so you know, Duck Donuts is where Surfside Kroger’s used to be, near the Ocean Lakes stoplight. Go on by and see Carlotta, the store manager. The best time to go is between noon and two, but ssshhh… don’t tell everyone! Ask to order from the secret menu, and get a Bacon in the Sun and maybe a Boardwalk (I don’t want to give away too much, but Oreos are involved!) Tell Carlotta I said, “Hey!”