By Phee Paradise
Myrtle Beach Hotels & Activities for Kids
A vacation in Myrtle
beach presents an ideal break for families with children. Besides the miles of beautiful
beaches where you can enjoy the usual beach and boardwalk activities such as swimming, building sand castles, arcades and miniature golf, unique attractions seek to entertain just children.
Hotels
Most hotels in Myrtle Beach welcome children and offer amenities designed for them, such as kid pools and game rooms. Your choice will depend on whether you want to be on the beach, near local amusements and of course cost.
Beach Access
The beach front is accessible to the public, even if you're not staying at a beachfront hotel. Drive along Ocean Boulevard and you will see blue signs with "Public Access" by small parking lots. A path leads from each of these to the beach. There is no charge to park in most of these lots, and many have a port-a-potty. During the summer season, lifeguards are posted at intervals along the beach.
Fishing
Surf or pier fishing does not require a license. Piers are located at 1304 N. Ocean Boulevard, 110 N. Ocean Boulevard and 3200 Springmaid Boulevard. Fees for fishing off the piers range from $6 to $10. There is also a pier at the Myrtle Beach State Park, which has an entrance fee per car.
Myrtle Beach State Park
4401 S Kings Highway, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
(843) 238-5325
Amusement Parks
Sand castles and water surfing are fun, but kids love amusement parks, and Myrtle Beach offers some interesting theme parks for a change of pace.
Myrtle Waves Water Park
3000 Mr. Joe White Ave., Myrtle Beach
(843) 913-9269
www.MyrtleWaves.com
Freestyle Music Park
211 George Bishop Parkway, Myrtle Beach
(843) 236-7625
www.freestylemusicpark.com
NASCAR SpeedPark
1820 21st Ave. N, Myrtle Beach, SC
(843) 918-TRAK
www.NASCARSpeedPark.com
Indoor Attractions
On a rainy you might want to go to a museum, live theater or play a unique game.
Children's Museum of South Carolina
2501 N Kings Highway, Myrtle Beach, SC
(843) 946-9469
www.CMSCKids.org
Ghosts and Legends Theatre
4818 Highway 17 S, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582
(843) 361-2700
www.ghostshows.com
MagiQuest at Broadway at the Beach
1185 Celebrity Circle, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
(866) 353-MAGI
www.MagiQuestMB.com
Zoos & Aquariums
If you children love animals and are ready to see something other than sand and waves, they will enjoy a trip to a local animal attraction where they can see alligators, sharks or tigers.
Alligator Adventure at Barefoot Landing
4604 Highway 17, North Myrtle Beach, SC
(843) 361-0789
www.AlligatorAdventure.com
Ripley's Aquarium at Broadway at the Beach
1110 Celebrity Circle, Myrtle Beach SC 29577
(800) 734-8888
www.RipleysAquarium.com
T.I.G.E.R.S Preservation Station at Barefoot Landing
4898 Highway 17, North Myrtle Beach, SC
(843) 361-4552
www.tigerfriends.com
Resources
About the Author:
Phee Paradise began writing professionally in 1996 when she covered town government for "The Sentinel," a weekly newspaper in Belchertown, Mass. She has written how-to manuals for student leaders and currently writes book reviews for a writers' blog. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from San Diego State University and a Master of Arts in communication from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Photo Credits:
Anodoin
