Friday, December 5, 2008

Our neighbor
to the North
Little River

North Myrtle Beach SC

Myrtle Beach South Carolina is considered one of the top eastern United States family vacation spots that draws millions of visitors each year to its seashores and wide, sandy beaches.

But when people say "Myrtle Beach", most of the time they mean the Grand Strand, which is actually several cities spreading out from Myrtle Beach, which is the epicenter.
( see map )

North Myrtle Beach, a city on the northern edge of the Grand Strand considered a bit more family oriented and quieter than its more famous sister city to the south, abuts the city of Myrtle Beach's northern edge just south of Barefoot Landing. Myrtle Beach and the greater Grand Strand area is enjoyed by both locals and those who choose to vacation here year after year.

North Myrtle Beach Condos & Vacation Rental Choices

There are many choices for accommodations here on the Grand Strand, and for all tastes and budgets. Rest assured, whether you're interested in a stylish hotel on the beach, a luxury condo overlooking the greens, or a vacation rental along the waterway, you'll find it here, usually with deep discounts!

Locals and new and returning vacationers cannot help but notice the continual changes in the landscape of the Grand Strand.

Every year, for decades, explosive growth has become the norm for the Grand Strand, with no indications of growth ending anytime soon.

Each year the Grand Strand adds new hotels, oceanfront condos, resorts, pre-construction condominiums for investors, unique attractions, entertainment theaters, golf courses, shopping centers, outlet malls, theme parks, water parks, live music venues, and a multitude of outstanding restaurants.

Although in the current economy its future is uncertain, the Hard Rock Theme Park, the first of its kind anywhere in the world, calls Myrtle Beach home. Also a first of its kind is the KISS Coffeehouse, which opened with worldwide media fanfare at Broadway at the Beach.

Restaurants for everyone are everywhere!

A pleasant surprise for first-time visitors is how many, and what a variety, of great restaurants serve the residents and visitors of the grand strand.

There are over 1000 restaurants, and not even locals can find time to eat at all of them!

Here on the Grand Strand you can find restaurants specializing in Italian dishes, Oriental cuisine, Japanese steak houses with entertaining chefs, southern-style BBQ ribs, classic American dining, and, of course, all-you-can-eat seafood buffets.

Some of our restaurants are downright entertaining, too. Be sure to check out the theme restaurants like NASCAR Cafe for race fans, Hard Rock Myrtle Beach for music lovers, Cheeseburger in Paradise and Margaritaville for Jimmy Buffet fans, and many others.

Myrtle Beach golf packages offer savings

Contributing to the Grand Strand's allure is the origination and continued offers of discount golf packages (the term golf packages also originated here, meaning a combination of lodging and rounds of golf for one price, usually reduced).

With over 100 golf courses (as many as all of Europe), the Grand Strand is now considered one of the top places to golf in the United States. And due to the great supply of courses, rounds are competitively priced and considered extremely reasonable by other area's standards.

Family-friendly activities abound

Although one of the biggest draws for families is our beaches, we're also known for lots of other family-friendly entertainment and family-friendly activities. The choices for your family activities while on vacation may include unique attractions, theme parks, and a variety of original and engaging amusements that impress visitors of all ages and from all walks of life.

Day after day of wholesome fun can be had at places like Ripley's Aquarium or Alligator Adventure, an alligator park and reptile research facility at Barefoot Landing. Along with alligators and crocodiles, frogs, snakes, birds, tortoises, and lizards are also on display.

And don't overlook the beauty of our many city and state parks and our tranquil marinas with breath-taking views of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway.

For those who enjoy live entertainment and shows, there are a number of entertainment venues with live shows and concerts, two of the most well-known being the Alabama Theater and the House of Blues.

There's also Dixie Stampede, the Carolina Opry, the Palace Theater, Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament, Calvin Gilmore's Tribute Theater, Legends in Concert, and Comedy Cabana.

Shopping malls & factory outlets

And if shopping is one of your favorite things to do on vacation, there are quite a few visit-worthy shopping malls, as well as factory outlets and specialty shops, sprinkled throughout the entire Grand Strand.

From feeding the alligators at Barefoot Landing to dining at one of the hundreds of restaurants, we're confident you'll find plenty of reasons to vacation on the north end of the Grand Strand year after year after year.

Real estate, relocation, and vacation homes

As evidenced by explosive growth in the Myrtle Beach real estate market, this area is a prime choice for relocation, second homes, or retirement living. The swelling population filling the strand is varied, hailing from all over the world.

So if you're considering relocating, this is the place, and now is the time!