Andrew Delaplaine - Myrtle Beach: The Delaplaine 2015 Long Weekend Guide

MYRTLE BEACH

The Delaplaine

2015

Long Weekend

Guide

Andrew Delaplaine

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TABLES OF CONTENTS

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Yes, Ive traveled the world from New Yorkto London, Paris and Rome and lot of little country towns inbetween, but I spent my teenage years in this little seaside townin what even then was called (rather optimistically, we thought atthe time), The Grand Strand.

We moved into a grand two-story house rightacross from the beach. We lived on the upper floor and rented outthe lower floor to tourists during the summer season for extraincome. I can still remember my mother going out to hang theVacancy sign on a swinging shingle. It read, simply andaccurately enough, The Beach House.

Well, those days are LONG gone, buster. Thetown typified by hundreds of modest beachside cottages has givenway to tall high-rise hotels and condos. It looks more like theFlorida towns of Hallandale or Sunny Isles than the Myrtle Beach Iremember.

The arcades I remember as a kid are stillthere, though of course very much more high-tech than they used tobe. That feeling of being at a carnival or a county fair, a senseof the Midwaythat feeling is still a part of Myrtle Beachs littledowntown. I dont think that will ever go away.

Or that tension in the air that convincesyou (correctly) that every teenager coming here in the summer islooking to get laid. That wont go away either. (Itll happen heremore likely than it will at home.)

The big Ferris Wheel is really something.And the big music shows you get at Legends and other places tellyou the Big Money has arrived. And its here to stay.

Myrtle Beach has got to the ultimatelocation for the family-friendly vacation. There are dozens ofgreat activities for kids.

MURRELLS INLET

Though its only a few miles south of MyrtleBeach, Murrells Inlet can take an hour to get to at the height ofthe season. Still worth the trip. There are a couple of reallygreat restaurants down here (as well as a few dive bars). Try tomake time to visit Atalaya Castle, an old and unusual home built inthe 1930s by Archer and Anna Huntington. Archer donated the landwhere the nearby Brookgreen Gardens was created. Brookgreen is alsoa must-see place. (Anns sculpture is on prominent display atBrookgreen.)

Famed pulp crime writer Mickey Spillane(1918-2006) lived in Murrells Inlet. (He created the character MikeHammer.) Legend has it that he saw Murrells Inlet when flying overit in a plane and said, Thats where I want to live. And he didmove down, living here for the rest of his life.

CALABASH

North of Myrtle Beach youll find the smalltown of Calabash. They catch most of the seafood you eat right outof the inlet here. One seafood shack after another and theyll allpretty good.

PAWLEYS ISLAND is just a few miles south.This is where youll go to buy an Original Pawleys Island RopeHammock (assuming that you want one). Since theres no parking tospeak of, the beaches arent as crowded as they might otherwise be(which is why its such a great place to go, especially on aweekday).

There are a couple of little places, Sea View Inn and the Pelican Inn , where youcan stay if you want to keep the mayhem up in Myrtle Beach at armslength.

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You might fly into Myrtle Beach, but youwill definitely need a car to get around.

The town was never planned to handle bigcrowds, and theres that main drag, Kings Highway, thats alwayscongested in season. But theres not much you can do about it butgrin and bear it.

Best thing to do is use a bike once you getthere. Its more fun than being stuck in traffic.

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Note that when the term efficiency isused, it means theres a small kitchen in the room.

THE BREAKERS RESORT

2006 SE Ocean Blvd at 21st and 27th Ave,800-952-4507 or 843-444-4444

www.breakers.com

There used to be an old hotel on this sitemade of wood, with large porches that caught the ocean breezesbefore air conditioning. (I worked there as a night clerk in the1960s.) Its been replaced by a modern building with good rates.Very family-friendly. (They actually have 2 locations, here at 21stAve and up at 27th.)

CROWN REEF RESORT

2913 S Ocean Blvd, 843-626-8077

www.crownreef.com

Crown Reef Resort in Myrtle Beach featuresover 500 oceanfront rooms and suites with private balconies. CrownReef amenities and services include: over 20 pools, spas, andfountains, two restaurants, an oceanfront lounge, on-site golfdepartment, game room, oceanfront fitness center, free internet andairport shuttle.

DUNES VILLAGE RESORT

5200 N Ocean Blvd, 843-449-5275

www.dunesvillage.com

In its combined two phases, has the mostsubstantial indoor water park complex ever built at a comparableoceanfront resort in the Myrtle Beach area. The combined waterparks consist of a 30,000 square foot facility featuring an arrayof water attractions designed to wow guests, including a 250+-ftlong river ride, Myrtle Beach's first adult sized indoorwaterslides, a massive swimming pool with water volleyball andbasketball, a variety of hot tubs, kiddies wet deck with SillySubmarine and a kiddies play pool offering a delightful selectionof games and slides. Studios, 1, 2, 3, and 4 bedroom condos.

HAMPTON INN & SUITES OCEANFRONTRESORT

1801 S Ocean Blvd, 877-946-6400

www.hamptoninnoceanfront.com

Youve never stayed in a Hampton Inn likethis. Its got two larger towers and 7 pools (9 if you want tocount the Jacuzzi and the Lazy River). Theres a massive crowd forbreakfast in the 2 rooms dedicated to serving the hoards.

LONG BAY RESORT

7200 N Ocean Blvd, 843-449-3361

www.longbayresort.com

A family oriented property with numerouspools, sauna, exercise equipment and game room. Two choices fordining as well as Starbucks on site. Conveniently located toseveral shopping options, lots of dining choices, award winningshows and several golf courses. A wide variety of lodging options:oceanfront rooms, suites and 3 bedroom condos. All units areequipped with free hi-speed wireless Internet access.