Atlantic Beach may be small – only 4 blocks to be exact – but it still has a mighty history in the story of Myrtle Beach. In the early 1930s, Atlantic Beach was formed as a vacation spot for black families to visit and black-owned businesses to thrive. Many of the current residents are descendants of the Gullah Geechee people, who were former slaves from the West Coast of Africa. Atlantic Beach is between Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach and has always been named the “Black Pearl.” Today, the town is working hard to preserve its history and…

The very essence of the things we love about The Beach is due in part to the African American History of this area. The Grand Strand has been greatly influenced by its African American heritage and roots that date back to the 1700s – and is still shaping the region today as a major tourism destination. From what we eat to how we speak in the present day, so much of that can be traced back to the African History in the region. There are several locations beyond the beach that visitors can experience that tell this story. We’ll start with the…

If you’re one of the millions of people who are now telecommuting for work due to the Covid-19 pandemic, you’re in the perfect position to take a much-needed break and head to the beach. Work in the morning, beach in the afternoon, or vise-versa! That’s the beauty of it. You get to choose! Let’s face it. 2020 has been stressful! And with most vacations, concerts, and other gatherings canceled, you’re probably long overdue for a break! Why not take advantage of your telecommuting situation and head to the beach? Here, you can unwind and relax…

The Dinner & Tournament modified its guidelines to ensure Royal Guest safety After closing the doors in March in response to the coronavirus pandemic, Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament is lowering the drawbridge and reopening on Saturday, August 8 in Myrtle Beach. Medieval Times created an extensive reopening plan to ensure the health and safety of guests and staff, and now, tickets are available for purchase and Her Majesty is ready to welcome back her court of Royal Guests. Medieval Times will implement new modifications, including a…

This weekend brings two important dates for beachgoers everywhere—Saturday, June 20, is the official start of summer, and Sunday, June 21, is National Seashell Day! It’s fitting that these two dates happen within a day of each other, as summer at the beach (and especially Myrtle Beach) is the perfect opportunity to find some seashells. I’ve always enjoyed finding shells when I’ve gone to the beach, but never in the past set out with the intention to go searching for seashells. The recent quarantine due to COVID-19 changed that! Shelling is a…

The Beach is Back! The Myrtle Beach area is excited to welcome you back to the Beach! We are opening in a safe and smart way following the COVID-19 closures, so we're here when you are ready. From hotels and resorts to restaurants and attractions, area businesses have come up with ways to limit person-to-person contact, promote social distancing, and keep facilities clean. It is vital that employees and guests alike take care to keep hands clean and keep their distance. Local municipalities have worked very hard to develop regulations meant…

Brookgreen Gardens is a Grand Strand masterpiece on any day, but now, it’s especially exciting to visit as they are hosting an amazing art exhibit by internationally known artist Bruce Munro. Munro’s Southern Light exhibit opened on May 15 and it will run through September 12, 2020. I had the opportunity to visit Brookgreen and view the exhibit in mid-May, and I was blown away. The evening began with us watching a recorded Zoom call between Brookgreen’s marketing manager, Lauren Joseph, and Bruce Munro himself. He was supposed to be in…

As the Myrtle Beach area continues to reopen to visitors, we want to make sure our travelers are doing every thing they can to visit responsibly. Fortunately, there are many ways to safely social distance while visiting our shores! Here is a round-up of some of our favorite ways to make the most of your Myrtle Beach vacation while staying healthy: 1. Spend time on the beach! The beach is one of the easiest places to social distance, and sunbathers can enjoy the benefit of fresh air and sunshine while doing so. Just be sure to place at least 6…

Everyone is excited to hear that the Grand Strand beaches are open, and resorts and hotels are now allowed to take new reservations! While that is great news, opening at this time is going to require you to visit responsibly! If you choose to come to the Beach at this time, there are a few rules and regulations that you must follow if we are to open successfully and keep everyone safe. PLEASE DO NOT TRAVEL IF YOU’RE SICK Enough said. PLEASE PRACTICE SOCIAL DISTANCING First, social distancing guidelines are in place everywhere. Restaurants,…

The beginning of May marks the start of loggerhead sea turtle nesting season here in South Carolina. From now until October, female turtles will make their way out of the ocean and to the dunes, where they dig a nest and lay their eggs. A loggerhead sea turtle will lay around 120 eggs that will then incubate for around two months, 55 to 60 days until they emerge to make their journey back to the ocean. Volunteer groups throughout the Grand Strand make a great effort to protect these turtles, their eggs, and babies throughout the turtle season.…