My Myrtle Beach Evaluation

Well, the way that I arrived was by air, to their rather small, but well-performing airport. You really can't get lost there, unless you decide to leave the building. Then it's on through a network of streets, none of which are all that close to the airport apparently, at least not if you opt for a seemingly-short taxi ride. However, there are buses that go around the city, yet none seem to go to the airport.

What's right across from the airport, though, is the Coastal Grand Mall. Nothing special there, really, but they do have some stores which might not be in your area, so it's worth a visit. Plus the have Chik Fil 'A, so I was happy. :D

As you approach the actual shoreline, though, you will get into the crowded, bustling, downtown part of Myrtle Beach, and further up the beach are more hotels and motels. It's rather interesting to see some very nice hotels right next door, and intermingled with, some very run down motels. It's not exactly the most scenic strip, but at least some of the hotels are nice.

That is, until you stay there. Don't expect hotel security, or the local police, to do much that accomplishes anything. I don't even know why they have them, to tell you the truth. And definitely don't expect the guests to do anything quiet before 3:00 in the morning. Which includes loud music, very late night parties and after parties, illegal beach fireworks at 1:30am, and so on. Maybe a nice relaxing moment in the hotel hot tub? Only if you like kids jumping in and out of it all the time. Forget any guest following the posted, and unenforced, rules in the pool area too. It's a state law to not bring alcohol to the hotel pool areas, but apparently people don't follow that law either. Actually, the hotels sell alcohol in the pool areas, so that law really makes less sense, too.

If you like to shop there is also the very popular Broadway at the Beach, courtesy of a free beach to outdoor mall shuttle. Broadway is sort of a mall, but it's sort of an entertainment center as well. So many great restaurants, too! Lots of shops of various kinds. Even a couple of dance and music clubs. There's even an aquarium, and an upside down building, which is actually an upside down house/museum.

But, if you prefer shopping a little higher on the totem pole, there is the outlet store from Tanger. Lots of big name stores in another outdoor mall setting. But these are more middle and upper middle class than the other area malls.

Restaurants are quite popular at various times and locations, but don't expect too much for service or food quality. If you get something or someone good, though, please let them know, and spread the word! There are a few there, I've experienced one or two myself.

Golfing, though, is the main call for people to come to Myrtle Beach. And the courses are, of course, very nice. But the strangest thing for me is that in 95% of the beachfront stores, they do NOT sell golf balls. Not even those silly tourist ones, or anything. If you wanted a cheap t-shirt, you can get hundreds of trucksful, but if you want a souvenir golf ball from Myrtle Beach, you can't find many. The courses have their own, with their own logos and all, but that's not quite the same thing, is it?

Now for the actual beach itself. Well, it's a beach. Lots and lots of small, broken shells, but none cut my feet, so that was fine. No annoying people, loud music, or trash, though, so you can't complain. And that water is a comfortable temperature, not too warm, not too cold.

So, if you want to venture to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, or anywhere else in the southeastern or other parts of the States, make sure to book that exciting travel over at www.kingarthur.myttn.com !