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I love the beach. When I can’t be at the beach, the next best thing is planning our next Myrtle Beach vacation.

To me, nothing compares. I love the sand between my toes, the smell of the salty air, the ocean breeze, and the sound of the waves crashing into shore.

Childhood Memories of Myrtle Beach

When I was younger, the experience was all about having fun with my family. As an adult with my own family, the experience means that much more. Making memories with my kids doing all of the things I remember so fondly makes the time together even more special.

As a child, Myrtle Beach was our family’s favorite vacation destination. The day would start with me eating a Krispy Kreme donut and end eating ice cream after a rousing game of putt-putt. Who cares if I lost every game? I was too happy being on vacation.

Making New Memories with Family

As an adult, I have a deeper reason for loving the beach so much.

I’m a teacher. After a difficult year, I yearn for time at the beach to reflect and renew. Nothing helps to nourish my soul more.

The ocean gives me back all that I have given over the year and then some.

Myrtle Beach was the first beach my husband and I took our kids to when they were old enough to enjoy the ocean. On a more recent trip, we joined up with my entire family (13 altogether, ranging in age from 6-71) and had ourselves an amazing time!

No matter how many times I’ve been to Myrtle Beach, I will never grow tired of it.

You can stay super busy with all there is to see and do or you can stay low-key and enjoy each and every moment sitting on the beach. The choice is yours. With so many options available at Myrtle Beach, you can do as little or as much as you want.

If you do decide to venture out, I have gathered some of our family’s favorite restaurants and places to visit with links to websites, menus, and location.

I begin however, with the most important part of planning your trip…finding your vacation rental.

Where to Stay

There is only one way for us to find the perfect place to stay while on vacation. Looking for accommodations large enough for multiple families, close to or on the beach, with a pool, AND pet-friendly would be impossible without the help of VRBO.

Using the VRBO search engine is super easy. Simply type in your destination, your arrival and departure dates (if you have them), and VRBO will show you all of your possible options. For me, using the filter to identify our family’s specifications is a game-changer (pet-friendly, 5+ bedrooms, 5+ bathrooms, private pool, on the beach or within walking distance). With over 2 million rentals worldwide, VRBO is the most popular vacation rental site in the US. Once you use it, you’ll see why.

Have questions? Read my post on How to Use VRBO and see how simple it is to find your ideal vacation rental. If you decide to rent, take along my Vacation Rental Packing List to ensure you have everything you need for a perfect getaway.

If you’re driving to the Myrtle Beach, you may want to read my post on What to Pack on you next Road Trip.

Restaurants

There are so many restaurants to choose from in Myrtle Beach that the choice can be difficult to make. Our family decides where to eat based on where our evening plans take us.

Some of the areas to consider visiting include:

• Broadway at the Beach
• Barefoot Landing
• The Boardwalk
• Murrells Inlet

Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen at Broadway at the Beach

 

The view and the Southern-Style food are fantastic! You may want to eat early if you have a large party but there is plenty to do nearby if you have to wait.

Basil’s Pizza

 

My family enjoyed pizza from Basil’s on our first night in Myrtle Beach. The casual, family-friendly atmosphere and friendly service along with their great food and prices make this one of our favorite places to eat.

Señor Frog’s

 

This fun and festive atmosphere add to the overall experience of eating at Señor Frog’s. We ate here for lunch and we didn’t have to wait for a table. The service was great and the food was delicious.

Things to Do

As mentioned earlier, you can choose to do as much or as little as you want when vacationing in Myrtle Beach. The options are endless. The list below includes some of my family’s favorites.

Barefoot Landing

Stroll through the beautiful scenery while you enjoy shopping, eating, and live entertainment. Situated along the Intracoastal Waterway, Barefoot Landing is a premier shopping and dining experience that has something for everyone.

 

Broadway at the Beach

According to Trip Advisor, Broadway at the Beach is South Carolina’s favorite travel destination and the largest venue of its kind. Here you will find specialty shops, dining, award-winning attractions, and a hoppin’ nightlife.

 

Myrtle Beach Boardwalk & Promenade

The award-winning Boardwalk and Promenade of Myrtle Beach is over a mile of restaurants, shops, attractions, and accommodations.

 

Miniature Golf

There is a reason why Myrtle Beach named itself the “Miniature Golf Capital of the World.” There are 50 courses within the span of 30 miles! Whew! No wonder my parents took us to a different one almost every night. We probably couldn’t choose just one.

The following is just a sampling of what you’ll find:

Hawaiian Rumble Mini-Golf (Rated #1 in the WORLD!)

 

Captain Hook’s Adventure Golf

One of the most popular mini-golf courses in Myrtle Beach.

 

Murrells Inlet MarshWalk

Stroll along a half-mile wooden boardwalk along a natural saltwater estuary before you sit down to enjoy live music, waterfront views, and a delicious meal. The MarshWalk is located in the center of the historic fishing village of Murrells Inlet.

Time to Plan

There is no better time to plan your beach vacation than now. With winter weather at its worst, stay toasty and warm inside while you look for the perfect place to stay and think about all the wonderful memories you will soon make with your family.

If you find that Myrtle Beach is too busy or commercialized for your taste, check out my post here on Dauphin Island, Alabama.

Download this free planning guide before you leave to make sure you and your house are ready.

Safe travels, my friend!