Category: Vacation Rentals

Shop Til You Drop! The Best Shopping Along the Grand Strand

A lady really enjoying shopping.

No Myrtle Beach vacation is complete without the perfect souvenir! No matter if you’re all about kitschy and cheesy or high-class elegance, there are tons of great shopping opportunities waiting for you during your trip to Myrtle Beach and the Grand Strand! During your vacation to Myrtle Beach be sure to visit some of these awesome shops and shopping areas!

The Gay Dolphin

A trip to the Gay Dolphin is a can’t-miss stop on your Myrtle Beach vacation! Located along the famous Myrtle Beach Boardwalk and in operation since 1946, the Gay Dolphin is a giant gift shop encompassing three stories and over 30,000 square feet of anything and everything souvenir. Looking for a life-size pirate sculpture? Fine jewelry? Beachwear? Shark teeth? Whatever your idea of a perfect souvenir is, with over 70,000 unique items, the Gay Dolphin is sure to have it!

The Market Common

For first-class shopping in a modern downtown setting, The Market Common is sure to delight shoppers. The Market Common offers visitors a tremendous assortment of shops and boutiques including Pottery Barn, Orvis, Sunglass Hut, Anthropologie, Coastal Urge, and many more. In addition to the long list of great shops around the area, fantastic dining options are around every corner, with eateries like Co Sushi, Tupelo Honey Cafe, Travinia Italian Kitchen, and Nacho Hippo satisfying any appetite!

The Hammock Shops Village

The Original Hammock Shop opened in Pawleys Island all the way back in 1938 as one of the few roadside shops in Pawleys Island. The “arrogantly shabby” atmosphere that Pawleys Island is famous for remains but over the years new additions have joined the Hammock Shop, with many shops taking residence in historic buildings moved to and reclaimed as stores. Over 20 neighbor stores are located within the Village including Haute Hanger, Elegantz, The Freckled Frog, and Coastal Wine Boutique, all comfortably shaded under a canopy of live oaks and coastal pines.

In addition to these great shopping destinations, you can also scope out amazing deals at one of two area Tanger Outlets as well as Coastal Grand Mall, the largest mall in the state of South Carolina. The easiest way to have some extra shopping money during your trip to Myrtle Beach is to book your Grand Strand getaway! You’re guaranteed to reserve an amazing Myrtle Beach vacation rental at an unbeatable price.

Top 5 Ways to Spend Your Fall Vacation in Myrtle Beach

Fall pumpkin on the beach in Myrtle Beach,SC

There’s something very special about the Fall season- whether it’s the arrival of Pumpkin Spice Lattes, the changing colors of the leaves, or the slight chill in the air, Myrtle Beach in Autumn is truly something amazing to behold. If you are looking to spend your vacation along the Grand Strand at a time when prices are lower, the beach is less crowded, and traffic is much more manageable, then be sure to reserve your Fall beach escape today! Here are our Top 5 suggestions for enjoying your Autumn vacation in Myrtle Beach!

    • Enjoy the Great Outdoors at Area State Parks

      While Myrtle Beach may be known for its shopping, dining, and entertainment options, there is no escaping the natural beauty of our beach town. The Fall often offers up some of the greatest views of the Atlantic coastline, as well as the surrounding areas that provide other nature experiences as well. For example, spend some time with nature during your Fall beach getaway when you visit Myrtle Beach State Park or Huntington Beach State Park. Mild temperatures set the stage for a fun day of trail hiking, fishing, or animal-watching from either of these beautiful parks. Though the ocean water may be too cool for swimming, there are still tons of activities to do outdoors during your Myrtle Beach vacation. If you find yourself on the South end of the beach, look for the bike rentals at Litchfield, which are sure to provide hours of fun and adventure for you and your group. On the North end, take advantage of outdoor sightseeing adventures, including dolphin tours and dinner cruises. You will love the scenic beauty of Myrtle Beach during the Fall!

 

    • Take in a Festival or Two

      The Fall season is widely known as one of the busiest times of the year for festivals, and in Myrtle Beach, it is no different. Beginning in late September and running through the beginning of the holiday season, you can enjoy many events scattered throughout the region. September’s festivals include the Irish Italian Festival and St. John’s Greek Orthodox Festival among others, and you can experience the Myrtle Beach Seafood Festival, Hippie Festival, and Oktoberfest during the month of October. Experience the Dickens Show in November, as well as Holiday markets and bazaars at the Market Common and other exciting locations. Fall is the time for festival season, and Myrtle Beach has enough to keep your Autumnal vacation busy!

 

    • Brookgreen Gardens

      Even though Brookgreen gardens is also largely an outdoors space, there are so many great reasons to visit this attraction in the Fall, that it should get its own category! With thousands of trees, plants, and flowers, the gardens truly come alive as the Autumn colors come onto the scene. You will feel immersed in the sensations of Fall whenever you stroll through the sprawling grounds of Brookgreen Gardens. If you’re in the area on the weekend of October 7, make a point to stop by for the Harvest Home Festival, featuring a fun-filled day of scarecrow-building, craft-making, hayrides, and much more! Everyone will enjoy a visit to Brookgreen Gardens in the Fall.

 

    • Hit the Golf Links

      Every Fall season, countless golfers descend upon the Grand Strand for the fantastic weather, thrilling course challenges, and valued camaraderie that they come back to experience year after year. With great deals available, cooler temperatures, and less crowds, Autumn is the perfect time to bring your golf clubs to the beach! Make the most of your golfing excursion by reserving your beach getaway during the Fall.

 

  • Holiday Shopping

    With multiple shopping locations throughout the Grand Strand, you can easily get all of your holiday shopping done during your Fall beach escape in Myrtle Beach. On the North end, visit Tanger Outlets and Myrtle Beach Mall, located off of Highway 17. In Central Myrtle Beach, find great deals and special items at Coastal Grand Mall, Broadway at the Beach, and the Market Common. If you’re spending time on the South end of the Grand Strand, visit the Hammock Shops of Pawleys Island for a unique shopping experience. With tons of over stores and boutiques scattered throughout the area, there is definitely no shortage of shopping opportunities when you visit Myrtle Beach!

No matter your reasoning for planning a Fall vacation in Myrtle Beach, you and your family are sure to enjoy the cooler temperatures, great holiday shopping options, a wide variety of festivals, and the generally laid-back atmosphere of Autumn at the beach. Book your stay in one of our cozy beach homes today, and make the most of Autumn 2017.

Best Healthy Food Options in Myrtle Beach

A Banner for eating healthy in Myrtle Beach,SC

There’s no need to alter your eating habits when you travel to Myrtle Beach for vacation. With literally thousands of restaurants to choose from during your stay, there are plenty of dining options that offer healthy meals that won’t affect the scale! Check out our Top 5 Healthy Dining Spots in the Myrtle Beach area.

Bay Naturals

Located at 7611 North Kings Highway, Bay Naturals is known as Myrtle Beach’s “Original” healthy market. Shop here for a range of natural products, including food and cooking items, household cleaners, and personal hygiene supplies. In the back of the store, you’ll find a kitchen, where workers serve up healthy breakfast, lunch, and dinner options. The kitchen offers up a variety of organic smoothies, like the High Anxiety Stress Reducer, featuring Kava extract, Liquid B Complex, and a Power Scoop. Or you can opt for something a little less intimidating like the Lucky Leprechaun, which combines fresh spinach, frozen mango, frozen peaches, and almond milk. On the food side, they serve organic omelets and baked goods, salads, sandwiches, and burritos. Never fear, vegetarians and vegans, as Bay Naturals has plenty of meatless options available, like their famous Veggie Veggie Burger and Fakin’ Bacon, Lettuce, and Tomato sandwich. Stop by Bay Naturals for a meal that will leave you feeling healthy and ready to conquer your day in Myrtle Beach.

Mellow Mushroom
When you think “healthy,” pizza isn’t necessarily the first food that comes to mind. Luckily for pizza lovers, Mellow Mushroom offers up a vegan-friendly selection of items that include all of your favorites. The restaurant provides vegan pizza and calzone dough, and vegan cheese can be substituted for your meal as well. Try the Mega-Veggie Pizza, which comes with red sauce, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, green peppers, mushrooms, onions, black olives, Roma tomatoes, broccoli, banana peppers, artichoke hearts, and tofu! Feel free to build your own vegetarian or vegan pizza, or try one of their delicious meatless hoagies.

Be Well Meals and Juice Bar
Located in the Carolina Forest area of the Grand Strand, Be Well Meals and Juice Bar is one of Myrtle Beach’s newest and healthiest dining establishments. This charming cafe is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, and all menu items are free of dairy, soy, wheat, and GMOs. Be Well offers up delicious smoothies, like Pumpkin Pie Smoothie, featuring pumpkin, banana, agave nectar, and cinnamon, or Daily Detox, which combines cucumber, spinach, and pineapple! If you love pancakes but hate the calories and carbs they include, then try to Be Well’s Buckwheat Pancakes or Gluten-free Crepes for healthier breakfast options! Looking for something a little more savory? Build your own healthy bowl, where you can choose from items like diced chicken, ground turkey, sauteed lentils, or broken bean burgers with a variety of complex carbs, toppings, and seasonal greens. Fill up on these healthy foods when you visit Be Well Meals and Juice Bar!

Masala
Take a trip to India during your Myrtle Beach vacation when you visit Masala, located at 1711 North Kings Highway. While the restaurant offers traditional Indian-style food like Tandoori Chicken and Fish Tikka, Masala also provides diners with a 15-item vegetarian menu of delicious selections. Try the Aloo Gobhi, which features cauliflower and potatoes sauteed with onions and tomatoes. Other entrees include Bhindi Masala, Matar Paneer, and Mix Vegetable Curry. Masala also has plenty of delicious bread and rice options to accompany any of their healthy and hearty meals. For vegetarian food inspired by the flavors and culture of India, try out Masala in Myrtle Beach!

Mediterranean Bistro
The Mediterranean diet has been viewed as one of the healthiest in the world, and at Mediterranean Bistro (62nd Avenue North and Highway 17 in Myrtle Beach), you’ll find an array of healthy selections that reflect the values and cuisine of that region. Start off with a healthy appetizer like hummus dip with pita bread or Spanakopita (spinach, feta, and eggs wrapped in phyllo dough), and then move on to the bistro’s scrumptious salad, sandwich, or platter offerings. Featured salads include Greek Salad (you can add grilled chicken, shrimp, or salmon), Village Salad, or Tabouli Salad with cracked wheat, tomatoes, cucumbers, and parsley. Move on to the main course when you order favorites like Mousaka, Grilled Chicken Platter, Falafel, and Veggie Pita. You will never run out of delicious, Mediterranean options when dining here!

Although fried foods and indulgent desserts are a big part of the Southern way of life, there’s no need to break your diet while vacationing in your Myrtle Beach condo rental. If you visit one of these healthy spots, you won’t have to sacrifice flavor or variety in order to keep the scale in place. Stop by today for a delicious meal!

Prep for your Upcoming Myrtle Beach Spring Break

Myrtle Beach And Skywheel, showing the coastline.

It’s never too early to start making plans for your spring break vacation to Myrtle Beach, and after a long and chilly winter, we are sure that you are ready to get to the Grand Strand ASAP! With warm temps and endless entertainment, there is nothing like a spring break trip to Myrtle Beach. Here are some tips and products to help you get ready for an unforgettable spring break getaway to the Grand Strand.

 

Stock Up on Beach Games

Even though the Grand Strand has a ton of fantastic attractions to check out, the number one spot is still the beach itself. There are lots of great ways to spend a day along the sandy shores of Myrtle Beach. Games like Crossnet and Spikeball are all beach favorites that will bring plenty of high-octane competition to your beach day. For something a little more laid back, choices like Kan Jam, Bottle Bash, bocce, or cornhole are always great ways to enjoy some friendly competition as the waves roll in. For families with little ones, there are tons of easy and cheap games to play, from scavenger hunts and sandcastle competitions to limbo and tug of war.

 

Make a List and Check it Twice

While there is nothing wrong with making a stop at one of the many beachwear stores on your Myrtle Beach trip, no one wants to have to interrupt their day because they forgot something at home or at their rental. When you and your crew are heading to the beach, remember the essentials: a beach towel, sunscreen/lotion, and sunglasses. If you’ve got kids in tow, this list will likely expand to include a cooler stocked with water and snacks. After the essentials, there are some great beach gadgets that can help your day be more fun and comfortable, like a misting fan, portable Bluetooth speaker, or beach canopy.

 

Pack Like a Pro

As your spring break trip comes nearer, it will soon be time to pack up all your stuff in preparation for departure. Whether you are traveling to Myrtle Beach via airplane or automobile, condensing your belongings always pays off. Vacuum seal bags can help increase space in your suitcase or duffel bag for those souvenirs that you are sure to snag during your vacation. Packing shoes? Maximize space by stuffing them with underwear, socks or even charger cables. If you’re bringing shampoo or conditioner in mini-bottles, line the opening with plastic wrap then screw the cap tight to provide extra protection against unwanted leaks. And remember, many Beach Vacation properties offer washers and dryers in your condo, so don’t overpack if you don’t need to!

Now that you are armed with some tips to make your upcoming Myrtle Beach spring break vacation awesome, head on over to the properties page to see all the great vacation rentals available from Beach Vacations. From our modern one-bedroom beachfront condos at Meridian Plaza to sprawling four-bedroom villas at the Barefoot Yacht Club, we have the perfect accommodations for any family or group! Make plans for your best Myrtle Beach spring break yet and book with Beach Vacations today!