Myrtle Beach, SC - A Guided Tour
by Wendy Maxey, Managing Editor

Over the past decade or so, Myrtle Beach has experienced an explosive growth in tourism. The South Carolina city is nestled in the heart of a 60-mile long beach resort lined with a stretch of white sand commonly referred to as the Grand Strand.

Myrtle Beach is said to attract as many as 12 million visitors annually. It's only been in the past few years that the area has become such a hot tourist magnet. According to one published source, Myrtle Beach is the second most popular resort destination in America - after Orlando. (It's a much easier drive for snowbirds.)

Not only is Myrtle Beach known for its beautiful beaches, but the city also is a hub for serious (and not so serious) golfers. Currently, there are about 90 golf courses and more on the way.

Best Time to Go

Myrtle Beach is a pleasant place to visit year-round, but the spring and summer months are truly the time to go.

For travelers who want to enjoy a taste of Myrtle Beach before the summer rush, early spring is an ideal time to visit. Starting in April, the resort town hosts a number of festivals across the Grand Strand. You might not get tons of sun and surf during this time, but you will get the same amount of culture (if not more).

Although Myrtle Beach thrives on its tourist season, the area boasts a number of natural treasures that are best explored in the spring. Why not learn a little about the Waccamaw, a five-million-year-old "black water" river. Or take a tour of the plantations, which date back to the early 1800s. Stop off in Georgetown and check out the Rice Museum and the Hampton Plantation.

The summer crowd starts flooding in around early June. Myrtle Beach is a hot spot for teenagers, more specifically high school graduates. Students pretty much take over Myrtle Beach throughout June. In order to avoid the chaos this month, stay in North Myrtle Beach. This area is better suited to families and retirees.

If you want to stay in the heart of the city, plan your trip for July or August when more families hit the beach for their annual vacations. It's still pretty crowded, but not as loud.

Regional Breakdown

Myrtle Beach extends from the Little River near the North Carolina border to the banks of the Santee River. And somewhere in between, you'll find the Grand Strand, North Strand, Myrtle Beach and South Strand.

The Grand Strand gets its name from a journalist who dubbed his weekly column the Grand Strand. The name stuck to this area of beach, which is well known today for its many restaurants, stores, theatres, golf courses, amusement parks, beaches, etc. Many of the hordes of tourists stay along the Grand Strand during their visit to Myrtle Beach. Even those who stay on the outskirts of the Grand Strand trickle in and out a few times during their stay.

On the northern end lies Little River, a quaint fishing village unlike any other part of the Grand Strand. Aside from the fact that it's a more peaceful side to Myrtle Beach, Little River boasts ideal deep-sea fishing and attracts fishermen worldwide each spring (especially on the weekend after Mother's Day).

The North Strand is well known for its wide beach. In fact, area natives often indulged in "cruising the shore" until police finally were forced to restrict beach driving due to the North Strand's growing popularity. Instead of driving along the shore of the North Strand, residents and tourists are permitted to bike. You'll see all kinds of bikes along the North Strand, from unicycles to three-wheelers.

North Myrtle Beach houses the communities of Cherry Grove, Crescent Beach, Ocean Drive and Windy Hill. Many college students flock to North Myrtle Beach during the months of May and June. The area boasts beachfront houses that are well suited for large groups. However, as the summer rolls on, you'll find retirees and families staying in the many condominiums situated in North Myrtle. There's also a lot of golf to be played in North Myrtle Beach.

The largest of the Grand Strand's beaches, Myrtle Beach is definitely the most popular area for tourism. Myrtle Beach is often referred to as the golf capital of the world (and miniature golf capital of the world). It has received a number of awards from national magazines and is bursting at the seams with things to do.

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