North Myrtle Beach is, you guessed it, just north of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. This quaint coastal town was founded in 1968 when four small beach towns, Cherry Grove Beach, Windy Hill Beach, Crescent Beach, and Ocean Drive Beach, consolidated to create City of North Myrtle Beach. Today there are more than 15,000 permanent residents, and on any given day, there are large numbers of tourists enjoying this unique, pleasant town. One of North Myrtle Beach’s “claims to fame,” is that it’s the birthplace of the shag dance, which became the…

So, the kids have spent two days on the beach. They’re having an amazing time, but by day three you’re thinking it would be a great idea to get them out of the mid-day sun. Or maybe it’s raining, and the kids are raring to go, but the beach is out! What are you going to do? I’ve got great news for you! The Myrtle Beach area has an amazing variety of daytime mid-day activities that you will love just as much as the kids will. Rain or shine, you’ll never be disappointed in the entertainment options along the Grand Strand. Attractions WonderWorks…

The Myrtle Beach area is known for its 60-mile long beach and a plethora of amazing attractions, but like most places, the region also has an interesting history. Most of the Grand Strand area resides within Horry County (pronounced O-ree), and residents and visitors are lucky enough to have the Horry County Museum at their disposal, so they can learn about the area’s rich history and partake in many educational programs. Did you know that Horry County was once home to Native American tribes, or that events from both the Revolutionary and…

Each Grand Strand neighborhood has a unique history, but the story of Atlantic Beach, South Carolina is particularly interesting. Atlantic Beach is a small (about 128 acres) coastal town about four blocks long, nestled within the city of North Myrtle Beach. When several small beach towns consolidated to create North Myrtle Beach in the 1960s, Atlantic Beach declined, wishing to preserve their history and heritage. In the days of segregation, Atlantic Beach was formed as a vacation destination for black families. Throughout those years, the…

Litchfield Beach is a small and sophisticated community just 20 miles south of Myrtle Beach. Part of the greater Pawleys Island area, Litchfield has a totally separate vibe and is considered one of the Grand Strand’s 14 unique neighborhoods. The town took its name from a rice plantation that operated near the region in the 1700’s, and it has been carefully zoned to preserve its pristine beauty. Litchfield Beach was established in 1978, and it offers exclusive beach-front family vacation homes and a quiet, relaxed pace. There is a long section…

Twenty-two miles south of Myrtle Beach is a stunning barrier island named Pawleys. The southernmost Grand Strand neighborhood, Pawleys Island is one of the oldest resort towns on the east coast. In the 17 and 1800’s, plantation owners moved their families and often their livestock to the island for fresh ocean breezes and a healthier environment during the hot, humid summer months. A few of the original homes still stand in the historic district on this ruggedly-beautiful island. There are no commercial businesses on the island, as the town,…

Sometimes, a destination totally lives up to its name, and that is true with Garden City Beach, a small resort town located just ten miles south of Myrtle Beach! This quaint town is as charming as it sounds, and I highly recommend a visit to this unique Grand Strand neighborhood. Along the beautiful expanse of beach, you’ll find rows of multi-colored beach houses, many of which are available for rent ! In town, there are amusements, an arcade, shopping, restaurants, and the heart of the community, the Pier at Garden City ! This 668-foot fishing…

Socastee, South Carolina is located just west of the Myrtle Beach airport, around the junction of highways 707 and 544 in Horry County. This unincorporated section of Myrtle Beach has become a neighborhood unto itself in the past few decades, especially since the Air Force base closed in 1994. It was once a quiet community for soldiers stationed at the base (where The Market Common is located), but now it is a thriving community, with a large commercial center and rapidly-expanding residential areas. Socastee is situated along the Intracoastal…

Since its incorporation in 1964, Surfside Beach has had a reputation for being a “family beach,” and it certainly lives up to it. Surfside boasts quiet, tree-lined residential areas that will make you want to house shop and move on in. Beyond the obvious beauty and breathtaking ocean views, this town truly gets its charm from the residents and workers who call it home. Surfside’s beaches are cleaned daily and are under the watchful eyes of local police and life guards. Several beach access points offer restrooms and showers, and many provide…

Just a short drive west of the Intracoastal Waterway from Myrtle Beach is the master-planned community of Carolina Forest. This is a relatively new community that is booming with new construction, primarily residential, but you’ll also find some terrific restaurants, recreation centers, shopping and golf courses. Located between Myrtle Beach and Conway, you can easily access Carolina Forest off the 501 or from Robert Grissom where it turns into International Drive. Nearly half of this 25 square-mile area has been set aside for conservation, and…