We are planning a vacation either during the week of Valentines Day, or the following week. My friend and I have never been to Myrtle Beach so it is our first choice. Where should we stay…N. Myrtle Beach or Myrtle Beach? Can you recommend a hotel that has a jacuzzi and indoor pool? We both like seafood so advice on where to go will be helpful. I’m also looking for good websites and things to do in the winter.
If it’s open…eat here :
Excellent food, very nice. It’s an old church that has been converted to a restaurant. Lovely…and terrific food.
Litchfield is also nice.http://www.litchfieldbeach.com/
Thank you thumper1 and carolinamom2boys. I’ll get a package soon with a map so we can decide where is a good place to stay.
Peak season I’d say N. Myrtle over Myrtle any day. Myrtle gets terribly crowded and can be rather tacky during peak season, but off season can be charming. Since you’ll be so far out of season, there may be more open in Myrtle proper than N. Myrtle. I don’t know the show schedules in February, but Medieval Times and Pirate’s Voyage are kitschy fun.
There’s lots of shopping, including outlet shopping. There are also listings of antique shops, but you have to drive around a bit to find them all. And if Medieval Times and Pirate’s Voyage aren’t to your taste, there are a number of other dinner shows you can attend.
There is a little town just over the border into NC called Callabash. It is LOTS of fun. There is a HUGE shop in the center that sells every kind of souvenir type of thing you can imagine…but it’s lots of fun. And they have terrific fudge!
Also, Callabash has a ton of consignment shops…so if you enjoy that you will like going there.
@thumper1 the store in Calabash NC is called Callahans. It is a MUST to stop and browse. They have a little bit of everything, including cheap/tacky, cute/moderate, and decent quality/high prices. They have entire section of Christmas decorations year round. Plan to spend at least one hour browsing. If Captn John’s Restaurant in Calabash in open during off season, be sure to eat a meal there. Get the hushpuppies with dipping sauce.
Do you realize that you are going in OFF SEASON to Myrtle Beach area? A lot of smaller restaurants and shops will be closed. You will NOT be sunbathing or splashing in the ocean. You will be wearing long pants and a jacket to walk on the beach. (Now, I LOVE to spend time at the beach in off season to avoid the crowds and have the beach to myself, but I know what I am getting when I head to that part of the coast in February.)
And eat ice cream at Painter’s. It has been around for probably 50 years, a real Hole in the Wall kind of place in North Myrtle Beach.
TonyK, I am very happy for you.
I will second Litchfield. That is a nice little resort and the prices are always reasonable. We usually stay there when visiting my parents. If you like to walk or run or bike, it’s great-lots of beautiful paved paths, indoor pool if you need it, little restaurant on site for breakfast. Their beach is beautiful and there are golf carts all around the resort to shuttle you from your room or condo to the beach. (Or you can drive your car) That area is much less crowded and developed than Myrtle or North Myrtle. Lots of great restaurants just a few minutes up the road in Murrells Inlet. It’s also very close to Brookgreen Gardens, which is a pretty sculpture garden park, and a straight shot down the highway to Charleston if you want to do a day trip there.
powercropper,
Yes, we know it will be too cold to swim but much warmer than Upstate NY. Indoor pool and a jacuzzi/hot tub will be all I hope for.
CountingDown,
This year began so terrible for me and now everything seems to have fallen into place. Even my Red Sox decided to go for the pennant and make me happy. It’s time to enjoy life.
Lennon,
Thank you!
We decided to stay in an oceanfront condo at Bay View on the Boardwalk due to a recommendation from a relative. Probably stop in Callahan’s in Calabash and eat in N. Myrtle Beach and Drunken Jack’s in Murrells Inlet. Off season rates are good and thanks to all of you.
Sounds great. What is “peak season” for that area?
One post on TripAdvisor defines peak season as Late May to Early September.
I was surprised to find oceanfront hotels offering rooms for next winter and early spring for as little as $40 to $50 per night. That’s about what our local motel charges for a fleabag room right on the highway.
MB and surrounding area has a lot of “inventory” as far as hotel rooms and rental condos. As someone mentioned above, it probably won’t be beach weather but I hope you get some beautiful bright blue skies and a bit of sunshine!
Have a great time. This is our new stomping ground. We are retiring to a beach town just north of Calabash. I love walking on the beach in the winter. My advice is to have an oyster roast at Ella’s in Calabash or visit Calabash Seafood Hut for fried seafood.