1. A day at the beach
Nothing says "Myrtle Beach" quite like the beach itself. There are so many great places to enjoy it, from Pawleys Island to Ocean Isle, it's impossible to sort them all out.
But if you're in for a slightly different beach experience, try the strips inside the area's two state parks.
Myrtle Beach State Park has a mile-long beach, plus walking trails and a maritime forest. This angler-friendly seafront allows surf fishing and is divided in half by the park's fishing pier. The northern end includes a small boardwalk, picnic facilities and a playground; the southern side is more of a natural habitat that features large dunes and less clutter.
The secluded Huntington Beach State Park features three miles of pristine beaches, as well as some extraordinary salt marshes and access to historic Atalaya. This Spanish-styled castle - the winter home of scholar Archer M. Huntington and his wife, sculptor Anna Hyatt Huntington - offers a great retreat for those who prefer not to spend all day on the sand.
Where: Myrtle Beach State Park is just south of Myrtle Beach on Kings Highway; Huntington Beach State Park is a bit farther south just beyond Murrells Inlet on U.S. 17 (near Brookgreen Gardens).
Details: The parks charge small admission fees. Myrtle Beach State Park: 843-238-5325; www.myrtle beachstatepark.net ; Huntington Beach State park: 843-237-4440; www.huntington beachsc.net .
2. Golf the Grand Strand
Summer - between the high seasons in the spring and fall - is a perfect time to enjoy the weather and grab better prices on one of the area's favorite pastimes.
With about 100 area courses to choose from, you shouldn't have any trouble finding a place to play. Seven local spots were named among Golf Digest's 2009-10 "Top 100 Public Courses You Can Play" list, including Heritage Club, The Dunes Golf and Beach Club, Tidewater Plantation and Golf, Caledonia Golf & Fish Club, The Grande Dunes Resort Course, Barefoot Resort's Fazio and Dye Club courses.
Where: Courses stretch 60-70 miles along or near the coast.
Details: Visit www.myrtlebeachonline.com for details on all area golf events, course contact info and online tee time booking.
3. Get wet
In the heat of the day, there's nothing like a dip in the water to cool you off. Add the excitement of rushing down a huge water slide or splashing in the wave pool, and a visit to an area water parks becomes the perfect summer retreat.
Now in its 20th season at the beach, Wild Water & Wheels offers 24 water slides, multiple pools, a kiddie lagoon and a lazy river. The park also has plenty of dry-land fun, including go-karts, bumper boats, kiddie rides and miniature golf.
Family Kingdom Water Park makes the most of its oceanfront location by cramming multiple speed slides, water flumes, a children's area and a lazy river into a fun-filled yet compact area.
Although admission to the park is separate from its sister space across Ocean Boulevard, combo passes allow you to ride everything the Family Kingdom Amusement Park has to offer.
A bit farther from the beach, Myrtle Waves boasts 30 attractions on 20 acres and bills itself as South Carolina's largest water park. Its rides include the speedy Turbo Twisters, the serpentine Snake Mountain and the ever-popular Arooba Tooba, which shoots riders around an enormous bowl before funneling them down to the pool below. The park also offers a wave pool, kid's areas, private cabanas and more.
Wild Water & Wheels, 910 U.S. 17 S., Surfside Beach. Details : 843-238-3787; www.wild-water.com.
Family Kingdom Water Park, 300 S. Ocean Blvd., Myrtle Beach. Details: 843-626-3447; www.family kingdomfun.com .
Myrtle Waves, 3000 10th Ave. N., Myrtle Beach. Details: 843-918-8725; www.myrtlewaves.com.
4. Catch a baseball game
Anyone who has seen The Myrtle Beach Pelicans play knows that a night at BB&T Coastal Field is as much about entertaining the masses as it is about baseball.
Upcoming promotions such as the Cowboy Monkey Rodeo (this Saturday) are a great addition to the Carolina League action, which offers a nightly chance to catch up-and-coming major league talent.
The park's weekly promotions range from family-friendly (Kids Eat Free Mondays, Webkinz Wednesdays and Free Stuff Fridays) to more adult-oriented events, such as the ever-popular Thirsty Thursdays during which fans can get dollar beers from 6 to 8 p.m.
Where: BB&T Coastal Field, 1251 21st Ave. N.
Details: 843-918-6000; www.myrtlebeachpelicans.com.
5. Get a great deal
With a retail-space-per-capita figure that ranks among the top shopping locales in the world, Myrtle Beach has long been recognized as a destination for spending some cash. But these days, no one wants to spend without knowing they are getting a deal.
Tanger Outlets offers good prices on extra inventory items from national chains; stores run the gamut from apparel and accessories to sports and specialty shops.
The made-over U.S. 501 location features a slate of stores such as Nike, Polo Ralph Lauren and Levi Strauss factory stores. The U.S. 17 location features outlets for a bevy of brands such as Adidas, Carter's, Gap, Liz Claiborne, Coldwater Creek, Ann Taylor and Aeropostale.
And if more than 100 retailers isn't large enough for your insatiable shopping appetite, new stores are always popping up - such as recent additions Carolina & Co., Four Seasons Outlet and Toys R' Us Express.
Where: 4635 Factory Stores Blvd. (off U.S. 501, near Carolina Forest Boulevard; 10835 Kings Road (near S.C. 22).
Details: 843-236-5100 (U.S. 501 complex); 843- 449-0491 (Kings Road); www.tangeroutlet.com.
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