Family vacation at Myrtle Beach?
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Family vacation at Myrtle Beach?
We have been thinking of vacationing at Myrtle Beach this summer.
Has anyone ever been there? Is it really really commercialized?
Is it pretty there?
We love Hilton Head because it's beautiful and not to commercialized. There things to do, but it's not a loud party spot.
We want to go somewhere that is pretty, but not boring. We can't stand just lying on the beach all week long, we need stuff to do too.
Our kids will be 8 and 6 by then.
Any input would be appreciated!
TIA
Oh, Oh, Oh!!! This is my favorite topic! LOL! First off, let me say, after two vacations to Myrtle, we are now moving there in summer of 2008. Sooo...my opinions may be a bit biased! Teehee!
Yes, Myrtle Beach is hugely commercialized. But before you nix the idea, let me tell you this. Most of the high traffic area is right in the center of Myrtle Beach. If you stay further north on Ocean Blvd. it is still commercialized as far as high rises and such, but it is more of a family atmosphere.
However, if that is still not what you want, then simply stay in Surfside, which is about ten minutes south, and allows no buildings over three floors high. It is a little family oriented beach. And you are still within reach of all of Myrtle Beach's fun activities. Or you can go further north to North Myrtle Beach (separate city), Cherry Grove, etc. and those places, too, are much less commercialized, with all the convenience of driving a few minutes to get to everything.
When we vacation, we stay at the Northern end of Myrtle Beach at the Dayton House. It is just down the street from Broadway at the Beach which is a boardwalk around a lake with lots of shops, mini golf, Ripley's Aquarium, Build-a-Bear, etc. The Dayton House has great amenities, including a lovely grassy area between the hotel and the beach, complete with lounge chairs and tables with umbrellas.
When we move, we plan on trying to live in either North Myrtle Beach or Surfside.
There is SO much to do in Myrtle Beach that you will not have a bored moment. Between all of the miniature golf courses, and the dinner theatres, and water parks, and small amusement parks, and shopping, and state parks, and parasailing, and ocean boat tours, and of course, the beach, you will have more things you want to do than time to do them in. And most hotels have a lazy river and several pools on premises, with a few resorts having small on-site waterparks.
I don't think you would be making a mistake with choosing this area for a vacation. You can easily stay in a less commercialized area and still enjoy all of the attractions. Your children would love it! They are at perfect ages!
If you have any specific questions, let me know. I have tons of recommendations, and I have done lots of research. My sister now lives there, and still calls me to ask about things there!
In the meantime, you may want to check out a couple of websites:
Myrtle Beach Guide
Their message board is wonderful. I go there often. Just explore some of it, and you'll find tons of information.
Also:
SunnyDay Guide
You should also send off for a Stay and Play guide. They have tons of info. Also, check out the website. Lots of info. Go here:
Stay and Play Guide
Adena, i knew you would be responding to this with some enthusiasm! LOL I will check out the links right now!
My dh happens to be going down there on a business trip in a few weeks, so I told him to check the place out for a vacation spot. It sounds like tons of fun, i was just worried that we would be turned off because of the commercialism...but we could stay further south but still hang out in the more commercialized area when we want.
Thanks for all the info, i'm sure I'll be asking you more questions in the future.
I couldn't type fast enough! LOL! However, with re-reading it, I noticed I put "further south to North Myrtle Beach..." which makes totally NO sense at all! So, I went back and changed it to "further north".
We went last year and LOVED IT!!!!!!! I don't have much time, but check out Dayton House, it's a perfect place for families and right on the beach. Yes, get the Stay and Play guide and there is also a great online message board place full of info (I'm on the library computer and don't remember the address at the moment)... I sure wish I could go back this year! 
Janet!!!! Hi! I've missed you around! Can you believe we are actually MOVING there summer of 2008?!?!!! I am so excited!!! WHEN, not if, you get back down there, you will have to let me know so we can get together!
And I second the Dayton House...that's where we stay.
And the message board Janet is talking about is found in the first link up above. It's the one I was talking about. Here's a direct link to it:
Myrtle Beach Message Board
My DD and SIL have been going there every Spring for several years. They go to the same place every year, Pirate's Cove or something like that. They LOVE it!
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