May is one of my favorite times of year here along the Grand Strand. Not just because it’s around the time I’ll start swimming in the ocean, but because it marks the official start of some of our larger area farmers markets. Before tourism was the number one industry in Horry County (where Myrtle Beach is located), farming and agriculture drove our local economy. While the area has evolved as tourism has thrived, it is still home to a number of outstanding farming operations that provide us with fantastic seasonal produce, meat products, eggs,…

Held along the historic Little River waterfront, the ‘World Famous’ Blue Crab Festival is one of the largest festivals held along the Grand Strand each year. What started as a small gathering along the banks of the Intracoastal Waterway is now a premier festival that is projected to draw over 50,000 attendees to the area this weekend. The festival features live music; a kids’ zone; and around 300 arts, crafts, specialty food and business vendors. Beyond festival food, music and vendors, attendees can enjoy amazing local seafood from one of the…

Fishing is a great way to enjoy the natural beauty of the Grand Strand The Myrtle Beach, South Carolina area is home to some of the most bountiful natural beauty in the United States. Its temperate climate and affordability mean you can enjoy outdoor attractions year-round. Fishing has long been a premiere recreational activity in the Grand Stand, and you can enjoy all types--from deep-sea fishing to kayak fishing to pier fishing. The Grand Strand region has both saltwater and freshwater fishing thanks to the Atlantic Ocean, Intracoastal…

Thanksgiving is the perfect time of year for a family reunion or trip. And with a variety of accommodations and fun events and activities, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, is ready to help you ring in the holiday season this year. Several outstanding restaurants along the Grand Strand host Thanksgiving Day dining specials (so there is no need to cook!), and weekend events can help keep your crew entertained when not eating turkey leftovers. Thanksgiving Weekend Events 49th Annual South Carolina Bluegrass Festival Myrtle Beach Convention Center…

Naptime is very important -- especially when you’re on vacation and the kids are excited and active most of the day. Naptime is also beneficial for parents, as it gives you much-needed time to go off and enjoy some great activities without the kids! You’ll find fantastic ways to relax and unwind in Myrtle Beach while someone else monitors naptime. Get a massage, take a walk, paddle a kayak, or do some wine tasting and recharge your batteries so you can enjoy the rest of your vacation. Spas Indulge in much-needed R&R at any of Myrtle Beach’s…

One of the many great things about the Myrtle Beach area is that it offers plenty of fun things to do at low or no cost! First and foremost, our 60-mile-long beach is free for all to enjoy! Beyond the beach, there are museums, state parks, and more than 55 mini golf courses which can be enjoyed for a minimal cost. Myrtle Beach Art Museum This art museum adopted a Free Admission Policy in 2003, and it’s one of the few museums in the world with an ocean view. Play a game of “I Spy” with your kids to encourage curiosity while touring the…

The past couple years I’ve done a happy dance once May 1 rolls around. Not just because it’s around the time I’ll start swimming in the ocean, but because it marks the official start of farmers market season here along the Grand Strand. Before tourism was the number one industry in Horry County (where Myrtle Beach is located), farming and agriculture drove our local economy. While the area evolved as more and more people came to visit, it is still home to a number of outstanding farming operations that provide us with fantastic seasonal produce…

As a lifelong Myrtle Beach area resident, I’m not sure why it took me 29 years to make it onto one of our area’s dolphin watching cruises. I was missing out... Because now having done it, I can say It was one of the most memorable experiences I’ve had while out on the water along the Grand Strand. While there are multiple operators that offer great dolphin watching experiences-both out of Murrells Inlet and Little River-I hopped aboard Captain Mark Collins’ vessel with Blue Wave Adventures Dolphin Watch Cruise . Their dolphin watch cruise runs…

As a year round resident of the Grand Strand, I like to keep a running list of all the fun, free things to do throughout the busy summer season. While we love to take advantage of the many wonderful family-friendly attractions the Myrtle Beach area has to offer, it would get pricey if we were doing something with an admission fee every single day. One of my favorite free places to visit any time of year is Vereen Historical Memorial Gardens . Beyond being absolutely free to enter and explore, Vereen Historical Memorial Gardens is a must do for…

Explore more than 20 African American cultural sites along the Grand Strand, in both Horry and Georgetown Counties. The South Carolina African American Heritage Commission (SCAAHC) has created The Green Book of South Carolina, the first mobile web travel guide to African American cultural sites across South Carolina. This mobile book offers visitors and residents a user-friendly guide to celebrating and enriching cultural experiences across South Carolina, including several historic sites throughout the Grand Strand. It’s a contemporary homage…