Discover Writer
From quiet fishing villages to luxury resorts, the 60 miles of beautiful sand beaches known as the Grand Strand strings together a diversity of beach destinations, including North Myrtle Beach. Nearby options for entertainment and adventure make the Grand Strand an ideal destination for families.
Whether you’re looking to relax on your beach vacation or pack your itinerary with activities and adventures, North Myrtle Beach has you covered. While this coastal town offers endless, world-class golf and breathtaking beaches, it's famous for one thing in particular: the “Carolina Shag.”
Called the “swing dance of the South,” the Shag originated along the Grand Strand in the 1930s and 40s and has remained a fun tradition for locals and visitors alike—so much so that it's even South Carolina's official state dance. This fun-loving dance, combined with the Grand Strand's natural beauty and abundance of family-friendly attractions, makes North Myrtle Beach the perfect destination for a weekend getaway.
Get into the Swing of Things
Arrive in North Myrtle Beach in the late afternoon and head to your hotel. If you want to be right on the beach, book a room at Ocean Drive Beach & Golf Resort—you'll be within walking distance of most of the well-known destinations. If you're looking for a more budget-friendly option, stay at the Hampton Inn North Myrtle Beach at Harbourgate.
After you've checked in and freshened up, head to Myrtle Beach proper for dinner at South Carolina Chef Ambassador Heidi Vukov's restaurant, Hook & Barrel. Featuring fresh seafood dishes and delicious pastas, Hook & Barrel is known for its locally sourced ingredients and commitment to eco-friendly products.
Once you've had your fill, make your way back up to North Myrtle Beach and check out Fat Harold's—a legendary bar where you can almost always find couples out on the dance floor doing the Shag.
The shag is an integral part of North Myrtle Beach nightlife, but there’s no need to master the moves beforehand. Here’s where you can learn to dance the Carolina Shag in NMB.
A Day of Fun in the Sun
Start your Saturday morning off right with breakfast from Eggs Up Grill or Dino's House of Pancakes—both are great options. After breakfast, get out and enjoy everything the Grand Strand has to offer. There's golfing, shopping, dining and one of the biggest reptile parks in the world.
Once you've worked up an appetite, head to Flying Fish Public Market & Grill for a selection of Southern seafood favorites, sushi and creative cocktails, or check out Fenway Grille where they serve the same kind of hot dogs as Fenway Park in Boston. After lunch, it's beach time. Grab a few beach chairs and enjoy some fun in the Carolina sun.
After a relaxing afternoon spent on the water, head back to the hotel to get cleaned up before dinner at Peaches Corner. Peaches has been in Myrtle Beach for the better part of a century and is located right across the street from the old Pavilion.
Myrtle Beach is bustling with family-friendly attractions, including the SkyWheel—a 187-foot Ferris wheel offering views of the Atlantic from climate-controlled gondolas—and Broadway at the Beach, the No. 1 shopping and entertainment destination in the area.
The final stop of the night is the Spanish Galleon Nightclub. The Galleon, like Fat Harold's, is where you can go to see some of the best shaggers in the area. Enjoy beach music, great cocktails and incredible dancing at this legendary nightclub.
If you stay at the Ocean Drive Beach & Golf Resort, you'll be just a few short steps away from your room when you leave the Galleon.
One Last Day of Adventure
On your last day in North Myrtle Beach, treat yourself to breakfast at Croissants Bistro & Bakery. Another of Heidi Vukov's restaurants (and located right next to Hook & Barrel), it boasts some of the best pastries in the area.
Before you head out, be sure to stop by Barefoot Landing and explore the 50-plus specialty shops and unique boutiques tucked away in this beautiful outdoor complex. You’ll also find an impressive collection of restaurants and eateries offering everything from candies and pretzels to fresh seafood and pizza.
Have time for one more adventure before you go? Come face-to-face with some of nature’s fiercest and most beautiful animals at Alligator Adventure.
