When you dream of your Myrtle Beach vacay, you imagine sounds of ocean waves, have visions of strolling along the grand strand, and think of multistory hotels and dining at onsite restaurants. But there is much more to discover about this beautiful city and all that it offers.
Johnny’s D’s Waffles and Bakery
Helmed by nationally renowned, award-winning Chef Jamie Saunders, it’s one of the best specialty breakfast restaurants you will ever visit. Delight in the delectable red velvet waffle. Other menu items such as crab and shrimp omelet, cinnaroll waffle, salmon benedict, bacon cheese fries, brisket tacos, smoked provolone burger as well as chicken fingers with waffles are quite tasty and tantalizing.
In The Lab with The Chemist
Featuring out-of-this world craft cocktails as well as simply divine modern cuisine, this bistro should certainly be placed on your Top Five List of restaurants to visit in Myrtle Beach You will love their spectacular cocktail presentations, really cool laboratory decor and absolutely delicious cuisine.
Stay Off The Beaten Path
The city has an array of beachfront accommodations and rentals. But if staying on the beach isn’t a priority, there are plenty of affordable, family-friendly options just off the beach. For example, Best Western Plus cottages are unique, budget-friendly, family-friendly homes that have privacy, a front yard, FREE breakfast, back yard with grill, full kitchen, living room, private bedroom and more.
Scatori’s Pizza and More Contemporary Culinary Cuisine
Enjoy the down home breakfast of Cracker Barrel at any time of day. Dive into the flavorsome All-You-Can-Eat stations at both Preston’s Seafood Buffet and The Original Benjamin’s Calabash Seafood restaurant. Z’s Amazing Kitchen is all that and more. Relish their shrimp “not so po” boy, pimento BLT, mahi mahi tacoz, seared salmon salad and buffalo chicken mac and cheese. Scatori’s Pizzeria and Italian restaurant is superb. For casual dining, enter on the left side and enjoy the oh so delicious hand tossed pies. For upscale dining, literally step right into the elegant restaurant for exceptional cuisine. Delight in the prosciutto wrapped shrimp, penne ala vodka or veal scatori. Ask Chef Kevin Levine about his sensational five-course chef’s dinner.
Interactive Attractions
A popular spring break and summer destination, the city has many family-friendly attractions. Pirates Voyage & Dinner Show offers a spectacular presentation. The food is great! Consider purchasing a front row seat to really see the amazing show. Ripley’s Aquarium, featuring the Glass Bottom Boat Tour and The Mermaids, live and in vivid living color, is a special treat. Enjoy the Alabama Theatre, Carolina Improv Company, WonderWorks, Hollywood Wax Museum and other cool attractions.
The World Famous Blue Crab Festival
Taking place from May 19 – 20, 2018, stroll along the Little River waterfront and enjoy live beach music, specialty food vendors, arts and crafts stands and catered seafood. The youth will enjoy their own kids zone as adults groove to the sounds of several entertainers that weekend. Cost is $5.
African American Attractions
Ever considered taking a cultural trip to Myrtle Beach? Have the kids learn about history as well as have fun frolicking along the beach. Consider these sites suggested by The South Carolina African American Heritage Commission. They include Atlantic Beach aka “The Black Pearl”, Cedar Grove Plantation Chapel, Hobcaw Barony Visitor’s Center, James A. Bowley House, Jonathan A. Baxter House, Keithfield Plantation, Mansfield Plantation Slave Street, Pee Dee River Rice Planters Historic District and The Lowcountry Trail at Brookgreen Gardens. See The Green Book of South Carolina.
A varied version of this article appeared in the April 2018 issue of Upscale magazine.