Phillips Realty, Inc

Nicknamed “The Grand Strand,” and boasting 60 miles of white sandy beaches, premier resorts, historic landmarks, fabulous shopping, and first-class entertainment, Myrtle Beach has earned its title as #1 family beach in America. Myrtle Beach is the hub of both the Myrtle Beach metropolitan area and the Grand Strand, dominated by a complex of beach towns and barrier islands stretching from Little River to Georgetown, South Carolina. Even though they’re all connected, each stands with its own identity and unique qualities, making Myrtle Beach the ideal vacation resort as well as a great place to live. Myrtle Beach started out as a getaway for lumber workers from Conway, but since the latter part of the 20th century, has grown into a thriving city in its own right as well as a premiere vacation destination for people seeking a getaway from their busy lives.When you come for a visit, be prepared to not want to leave, because once you’ve seen Myrtle Beach, you'll be thinking this could be home!!

To learn more, visit: http://www.myrtlebeachareachamber.com/area/default.html

History

Prior to the American Revolution, the area that would grow to be Myrtle Beach was largely unpopulated until several families received land grants along the coast, including the Withers family who received an area around today’s Myrtle Swash, then known as Wither’s Swash. A separate grant was given to James Minor including a barrier island now known as Waties Island, near Little River.
In 1899, Burroughs and Collins, received their charter to build the Conway and Seashore Railroad to transport timber from the coast for inland trade, beginning service in 1900. After the railroad was finished, employees of the lumber and railroad company would take the flat train cars down to the beach area, becoming Grand Strand’s first tourists, even they were unofficial. At the turn of the 20th century, Franklin Burroughs wanted to turn “New Town” into a tourist destination that would rival the beaches in the north but died in 1897, leaving his dream to be fulfilled by his sons. They completed the railroad’s expansion to the beach and opened the Seaside Inn in 1901. After its original founding, New Town continued to grow until 1957, when it incorporated. The new name was chosen via a contest and out of all the entries, Mrs. Burroughs’ was chosen when she suggested naming the town after the Southern Wax Myrtle and the now famous Myrtle Beach was born.

To learn more, visit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myrtle_Beach,_SC

Attractions, Activities & Events 

The Sun Fun Festival  The 60th annual Sun Fun Festival takes place in June 2011 and is spread throughout the beautiful Myrtle Beach area. Highlights include the historic Sun Fun Festival Parade on Ocean Boulevard, concerts, a beach volleyball competition, a family festival and a fireworks display. http://www.sunfunfestival.com

SOS (Society of Strander) Fall Migration Although the heart of any SOS event is the nightlife in the lounges at the intersection of Main Street and Ocean Drive, you can't afford to miss the two monster events held right out in the sparkling sun of the crystal coast. You need to mark your calendar & plan to be on hand for both.  http://www.shagdance.com/calendar.htm

Myrtle Waves is an island of splashes, squirts, slides and waterfalls, the Caribbean-themed Saturation Station's main attraction is its 700-gallon volcano that soaks guests every 6-8 minutes. This interactive, water playground also contains three fiberglass slides up to ten feet tall, two four-level platforms connected by wood plank bridges, water shooters, and several continually flowing water fountains. Guests of all ages/heights can enjoy Myrtle Waves http://myrtlewaves.com/

Wild Water is so much more than a waterpark, check out the 18 holes of Mini Golf, Bumper Boats, Go Karts, and Kiddie Rides along with all the excitement of the area's best water park.   http://www.wild-water.com/interactive_tour/

Ripleys Aquarium is located at Broadway at the Beach, come join in the fun at the entertainment and dining complex, featuring everything from restaurants to rides, shops and a huge aquarium. To learn more, visit: http://myrtlebeach.ripleyaquariums.com 

Carolina Opry If you are looking for the best live entertainment attraction in Myrtle Beach look no further than The Carolina Opry Theater, home to the best shows on the Grand Strand. The theater presents three award-winning live entertainment experiences, The Carolina Opry, Good Vibrations and The Carolina Opry Christmas Special. The Carolina Opry is the only show on the Grand Strand to be Highly acclaimed by New York Times, CNN, USA Today, NBC Nightly News and many more, the only show to receive the state’s highest tourism awards, the Governor’s Cup and Most Outstanding Attraction, and the only show to be voted Best Show in Myrtle Beach every year since the poll began. The award-winning show blends two hours of critically acclaimed music, comedy and dance in a 2,200-seat theater with state-of-the-art lighting and sound.  http://carolinaopry.com/

For more fun things to do at Myrtle Beach, visit: http://www.visitmyrtlebeach.com/play/amusements_and_attractions.html

Shopping and Dining

The Market Common is a place where you can experience exceptional shopping and dining in a beautifully-designed village setting. From the nation’s most celebrated names in retail (Tommy Bahama & Victoria's Secret) to ice cream and pizza for the kids, and from one-of-a-kind restaurants to the most comfortable movie theater at the beach, The Market Common is always worth your time. http://www.marketcommonmb.com/

Broadway at the Beach South Carolina’s Best Travel Destination invites you to experience our 350-acre, festival entertainment complex that offers restaurants, entertainment, nightclubs and shopping. As the largest festival entertainment complex in South Carolina, Broadway at the Beach annually attracts more than 14 million visitors. Broadway at the Beach is home to 19 restaurants, more than 100 specialty shops, two movie theater complexes, a nightclub district and theaters that feature live shows and other major venues. Come to a paradise filled with non-stop celebrations. Broadway at the Beach- it’s Broadwayyy Fun! http://www.broadwayatthebeach.com/

Murrells Inlet Marshwalk provides restaurants and activities in the historic fishing village of Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, known as the “Seafood Capitol of South Carolina.”  Savory Lowcountry cuisine is bountiful here; so is fresh seafood, the finest steaks, and a range of mouth-watering delicacies prepared by some of the region’s award-winning chefs. From casual to upscale dining, you’ll find a delightful selection of notable restaurants along the Marsh Walk.  Great dining, and so much more... enjoy nightlife, fishing, boating, watersports, shopping and area events. Murrells Inlet is steeped in history and local lore, in a setting of unparalleled beauty. The Marsh Walk offers great views of the saltwater marsh with its wildlife, birds and spectacular scenery. Bring the family, and plan a day of fun and relaxation in this village known for its charm and Southern hospitality. We'll see you there!  http://www.murrellsinletmarshwalk.com/

More shopping info  http://www.myrtlebeachshopping.com/

Sports and Events

Myrtle Beach Area Golf allows you to experience the exhilaration of Myrtle Beach golf and enjoy the thrills of some of the world's most challenging golf courses, in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Tee off on North, South or Central Myrtle Beach golf courses, each designed to protect the natural habitat and wildlife indigenous to the area. Technically challenging and aesthetically beautiful, our greens have been created by world-famous architects -- including Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Robert Trent Jones, and Greg Norman.

Pelican Minor League Baseball-Official site for all the latest stats and info. With the success of the Myrtle Beach Pelicans' new parent club, The American League Champion Texas Rangers, great excitement is anticipated for the 2011 season. http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/index.jsp?sid=t521

Myrtle Beach Marathon is a weekend event with activities for the whole family. The marathon promotors support the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of South Carolina and the Horry County Chapter of the American Red Cross . Since its first year in 1998 the Myrtle Beach Marathon has  assisted the charities in raising almost $3 million. Contact them today and run the coast!   http://www.mbmarathon.com/site3.aspx

Parks & Recreation

Myrtle Beach State Park Located in the heart of the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach State Park offers great fishing off the pier, 350 campsites as well as cabins, picnic shelters, activity and nature centers. Enjoy their hiking trails as well as their free nature programs with admission to the park.

 Huntington Beach State Park Boasting 133 campsites, picnic areas with shelter, nature programs and the historic castle Atalaya that was once the winter home of renowned sculptor Anna Hyatt Huntington and her husband Archer. www.Huntingtonbeachsc.org

Brookgreen Gardens   In 1931, Archer and Anna Hyatt Huntington founded Brookgreen Gardens, a non-profit 501(c)(3) garden museum, to preserve the native flora and fauna and display objects of art within that natural setting. Today, Brookgreen Gardens is a National Historic Landmark with the most significant collection of figurative sculpture in an outdoor setting by American artists in the world and has the only zoo accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums on the coast of the Carolinas. www.brookgreen.org  

    For a complete list of happenings in Myrtle Beach, visit: http://www.visitmyrtlebeach.com/play/festivals_and_events.html