It’s the most wonderful time of the year! We’re quickly headed towards Christmas, and one of the things that makes this time of year so special along the Grand Strand is Brookgreen Gardens ‘Nights of a Thousand Candles.’ I make every effort to attend each year, and I know I’m not the only one. For three weekends in December, the already majestic sculpture gardens are transformed by the evening light of over 4,500 hand-lit candles and countless sparkling lights. Attendees can wander the paths from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. with a cup of hot chocolate…

Those lucky enough to be spending the Thanksgiving holiday in the Myrtle Beach area are well positioned to take advantage of countless outstanding Black Friday shopping opportunities. From outlet malls to local specialty stores to national retailers, the Grand Strand is home to plenty of great shopping year round. But on Black Friday, many of these places open their doors as early as Thanksgiving night and offer incredibly steep discounts for those willing to brave the crowds and early hours. Below is a brief round-up on some of our favorite…

Travel Advisory as of September 22: Due to flooding and road closures surrounding the Myrtle Beach area, driving into the area will be very difficult for the next week or two. Fly, don’t drive. If you must drive into the area, expect heavy congestion, delays and changing detours. Check www.SCDOT.org , 511sc.org or call 511 for latest road conditions. Hurricane Florence has finally moved on from our beautiful Myrtle Beach destination. While we are thankful that the physical damage to our destination seems minimal so far, we’re very aware of…

The first Tuesday of every month through the end of this year, Barefoot Landing is hosting a fun ‘BFF Shop and Stroll’ Event from 4 to 7 p.m. I was excited to learn about this as I’ve been spending a good bit of time at Barefoot Landing lately. The addition of new restaurants like Lucy Buffett’s Lulu’s, Taco Mundo and Blueberry’s Grill, combined with the overall outdoor renovations the complex has undergone make it the perfect place to spend a Saturday. Or a Tuesday! The once-a-month BFF Shop and Stroll encourages visitors to bring a friend to…

One of the most magical areas of the Grand Strand can be found south of central Myrtle Beach in the North Inlet-Winyah Bay Reserve. The reserve encompasses over 18,000 acres of tidal marshes and wetlands and around 12,000 acres are part of the greater Hobcaw Barony property, a tract of historic and protected land on the Waccamaw Neck. Nature enthusiasts and avid kayakers love this unique area for its rich flora, fauna, and history. And on September 5, a naturalist-guided tour will take paddlers through the creeks of the North Inlet. The North…

In honor of Shark Week, we’re sharing the best tips for finding shark’s teeth in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. For children, one of the best parts of a beach vacation is the time spent on the beach collecting sea shells and, if they're really lucky, finding shark's teeth. I met with a long-time local and shark tooth hunting expert, Blakely Roof, who has found hundreds of shark's teeth along the Myrtle Beach shoreline. On a weekend, Blakely can find anywhere from 30 to 50 shark teeth. She’s shared with us her best tips for shark teeth hunting in…

While it may sound best to say that it’s always sunny in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, the truth is that it does rain from time to time. While the sunny days far outweigh rainy ones (Myrtle Beach is blessed with 215 sunny days a year), it can be frustrating to see clouds begin to form over what was planned as a perfect beach day. But a day or two of rain shouldn’t deter you from having a good time and making the most of your time away on vacation… especially when you take a look at the many activities perfectly suited for an overcast day.…

Here in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, we have a TON of activities to keep your little ones busy and entertained, but traveling here can be a different story. Whether you’re road tripping or headed to the airport, here are a few tips to make traveling with children just a little bit easier. Schedule travel around nap times. By traveling around nap times or even at night, you can ensure that most traveling time is spent with snoozing kids. This is especially helpful for little ones that get frustrated easily in a car seat. Travel light. Try to…

We recently had the chance to check out Tin Roof , Myrtle Beach’s newest oceanfront music venue, and it did not disappoint. They are offering a complete oceanfront entertainment experience with live music, cold drinks, and a delicious menu much larger than I was expecting! You might be familiar with the popular music venue, as this is the 15th location they’ve opened… but of the ones I’ve visited, this one is easily my favorite. Tin Roof is located on the third level of a 55,000 square foot, newly constructed building in the 1400 block of Ocean…

Yesterday (June 21) marked the official start of summer! Hurray! We’re looking forward to many, many days of fun in the sun here in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. If you’re headed to our shores in the coming months, here are a few tips to make sure your visit is as fun and safe as possible--whether you’re swimming, hunting for seashells or simply laying out: Sun Exposure Always, always, ALWAYS wear sunscreen. Regular application of sunscreen protects against painful sunburn and sun damage. Reapply after swimming and always bring along a hat…