Carolina’s Grand Strand
From a gondola atop the SkyWheel, nearly 200 feet above Myrtle Beach’s Oceanfront Boardwalk and Promenade, you get a fascinating view of this Southern city’s skyline and white sandy shores. But a closer look reveals that Myrtle Beach, situated in the heart of South Carolina’s Grand Strand, is also the soul of this 60-mile-long coastal vacation hotspot.
This area boasts much more than beautiful beaches. There’s an endless stream of entertainment options, from amusement parks with roller coasters and water slides (Family Kingdom) to more than 90 golf courses to outlet shopping malls, outdoor activities, and an eclectic mix of museums. Whether you prefer family attractions — Ripley’s Aquarium® of Myrtle Beach, go-kart racing at Broadway Grand Prix, and themed dinner shows — or local nightlife— Broadway at the Beach is lined with bars, dance clubs, and pubs — Myrtle Beach meets your vacation needs.
Must-Do: When splashing in the ocean or reading in the sand gets old, spice up your beach day with some water activities. Downwind Sails Watersports, which opened more than four decades ago and has two locations in Myrtle Beach, offers jet ski and kayak rentals, sailboat rides (and lessons), stand-up paddleboarding, and more for the beach bum-turned-adventurer.
Eat: Seafood in Myrtle Beach? A no-brainer. At Hook & Barrel, they not only serve up stellar (and, as part of their mission, sustainable) seafood, but also a great happy hour. Other highlights include the scrumptious seafood tower and she crab soup. Or satisfy your stomach with a family-style steampot at island-themed Bimini’s Oyster Bar & Seafood Cafe. The Oyster Roast comes with 42 oysters, served with slaw and hush puppies, and The Classic Steampot is a colossal feast: a half-dozen oysters, half-dozen clams, half-dozen mussels, quarter pound of shrimp, and a full pound of crab legs.
Day-Trip: Drive just less than two hours to see enchanting Wilmington, North Carolina. Visit Carolina Beach State Park to see the unique coastal marsh setting, as well as magical Airlie Gardens, where various scenes from notable television shows were filmed. From downtown Wilmington, take a water taxi across Cape Fear River to the Battleship North Carolina, a restored World War II vessel and National Historic Landmark. You can explore all nine levels of the ship, including living spaces, mess decks, and the engine room.
Through Getaway offers, Interval® members enjoy highly discounted resort stays, available for seven nights or less – without trading resort weeks or points.
