25 Days of Easy Holiday Dessert Recipes

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Myrtle Beach!  The store parking lots are full of cars as shoppers are finding the perfect gifts for friends and family, twinkling lights from Christmas trees are a glow in the windows of homes, and when you turn on the radio, you can search the stations to find your favorite Christmas song you've been longing to hear since last year.  There is nothing that ushers in the Holiday Season more than wonderful smells of your favorite holiday delicacies that delight the senses and bring back wonderful memories of Christmases past. 

Would you like to bake but just don't have the time?  With all the hustle and bustle of the Holidays, here are 25 quick and easy recipe ideas that will get you into the Holiday Spirit without requiring hours in the kitchen!  You may see an easier version of your holiday favorite or find a new recipe to begin a new Christmas tradtion.

12 Easy Desserts

Five-Minute Fudge Wreath
Cowboy Cookies
Strawberry Pretzel Salad
Grandma Hiers' Carrot Cake
Simple Holiday Bark
Knock-You-Naked Brownies
No Bake Nutella Cheesecakes
Chocolate Volcano Cake
Pecan Toffee Tassies
Old Fashioned Apple Pie
Sweet Dessert Panini
Chocolate Croissant Bread Pudding


12 Easy Low-Calorie Desserts 
Pumpkin Spice Cookies
Angel Food Cake
Pumpkin Pie Pudding
Semolina Crema
Raspberry Tart
Chocolate Truffle Cheesecake
Christmas Strawberries
Lighter Chocolate Chip Cookies
Greek Yogurt with Oranges and Mint
Ginger Angel Food Cake
Leftover Pie Dough Cookies
Chocolate Macaroons



1 Family Favorite Dessert

Peanut Buttercup Cookies

1 package Pillsbury peanut butter cookie dough frozen
36 Reese's miniature peanut butter cups unwrapped

Slice frozen dough into 9 sections. Quarter each section. Roll each quarter into a ball and drop into mini muffin pan. (If the muffin pan is not Teflon, lightly grease before placing dough into pan). Bake as the package instructs. Immediately after taking pan out of the oven, press a Reese's miniature peanut butter cup into the center of each cookie. Let cool slightly before trying to remove. For best results, take the edge of a very thin knife and slide around the edges. Let the chocolate re-harden and then stack in an airtight container.   Store in cool area or freeze.

Variations:  If you have a favorite peanut butter cookie dough recipe, use that instead! You can also try using sugar cookie dough if you don't like peanut butter.

If you are coming to Myrtle Beach this Christmas, stop in the Official Myrtle Beach Welcome Center for discounts on tickets, shows, and other area attractions (and maybe a sample of your favorite recipe - Please!)  Happy Holidays and Happy Baking!

Premier Partner Highlight: Carolina Opry

If you are looking for amazing live entertainment for the whole family to enjoy, visit The Carolina Opry.  This theater presents four of the best shows on the Grand Strand including, "The Carolina Opry", "Good Vibrations", "The Carolina Opry Christmas Special", and "LIGHT Laser Extravaganza". 

The Carolina Opry

 This exciting two-hour show features the nation's top singers, dancers, comedians and musicians to entertain you. Performances cover a wide range of musical styles such as rock 'n roll, Broadway, country, classic hits, pop melodies and gospel. The show is always changing and creating new ways to incorporate music that everyone loves! Let Myrtle Beach fill your vacation with lasting memories from the Carolina Opry. 

Good Vibrations

Re-live the best of the Sixties, Seventies and Eighties in this fun and exciting 90-minute show.  Enjoy hits from legendary artists including the Righteous Brothers, Kiss, Elvis and the Beatles.  This show will make you want to sing along to your favorite songs and dance in your seats all night long! 

The Carolina Opry Christmas Special

Visit the Carolina Opry from the first of November through the beginning of January and watch the magic of the Holidays come alive through music, dancing and humor! Celebrate Christmas with the nation's top performers including America's Got Talent cloggers All That, piano genius Rocky Fretz and new voice featured on American Idol, Nathan Herron.  After watching this spectacular show, you'll walk away filled with the Spirit of Christmas that will last all year long! 

LIGHT Laser Extravaganza

 This 45-minute daily laser show is one you will have to see to believe! Choose from a number of shows including Classic Rock, Family Fun, Praise, Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd and Holiday. The incredible color and movement of the lasers, synchronized with music, creates a moving and unforgettable experience.  

laser light show featuring the same 

Don't miss the opportunity to experience the Carolina Opry on your next vacation! Stop by the Official Myrtle Beach Welcome Center in Aynor, SC.  We'll provide you with discount tickets to the Carolina Opry and other area attractions. For questions or additional information, call 1-843-358-8100. We hope to see you soon!  

Shop Black Friday in Myrtle Beach!

 

 

After a day of giving thanks and indulging in the most delicious dinner of the year, it's time to burn those calories by hitting your favorite stores for the biggest annual shopping event - Black Friday! Fortunately for vacationers, Myrtle Beach is a shopper's paradise! So, without further ado, here's your guide for planning a successful Black Friday:

Wal-Mart
2751 Beaver Run Blvd, Surfside Beach
545 Garden City Connector, Murrells Inlet
541 Seaboard Street, Myrtle Beach

Door busters include the Apple Ipad 2 for $399 and a $75 gift card with a 1 hour in-stock guarantee.

Open: 8pm, Thursday, November 22nd


Kohl's
8646 Hwy 17 Bypass, Myrtle Beach

Kohl's is offering early bird specials on items including toys, jewelry, android tablets and cameras. For every $50 you spend, you'll receive $15 in Kohl's cash!

Open: 12am - 1pm, Friday, November 23rd


Best Buy
1145 Oak Forest Lane, Myrtle Beach

Door busters include TVs, laptops, movies, Blu-Ray players, cameras and more! They will hand out tickets up to 2 hours before the sale starts.

Opens: 12am - 10pm, Friday, November 23rd


Office Depot
8678 Hwy 17 Bypass S, Myrtle Beach

Fantastic deals on electronics, including laptops and tablets!

Opens: 5am, Friday, November 23rd


Target
1150 Seaboard Street, Myrtle Beach
140 Sayebrook Parkway, Myrtle Beach

Door buster deals include the Xbox Kinect for $199! You'll also find the Kindle for $50 and sales on TVs, laptops and more.

Open: 9pm, Thursday, November 22nd - 11pm, Friday, November 23rd


Lowe's
8672 Frontage Road, Myrtle Beach
1160 Seaboard Street, Myrtle Beach

Amazing deals on all of your necessary housewares! Check-out their online ad to see hundreds of discounts available to you.

Open: 5:30am - 9pm, Friday, November 23rd


Home Depot
951 Oak Forest Lane, Myrtle Beach

Your one-stop shop for great deals on housewares! To see their extensive list of available discounts, click here.

Open: 5am - 9pm, Friday, November 23rd


Tanger Outlets
10835 Kings Road, Myrtle Beach
4635 Factory Stores Boulevard, Myrtle Beach

Discounts vary from store to store. Shops at the King's Road location include Old Navy, American Eagle, Ann Taylor, DKNY, Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger and more. Shops at the Factory Stores Boulevard location include Banana Republic, Chicos, Coach, Kenneth Cole, Ralph Lauren, American Eagle, Gap, Nike and more.

Opens 12am - 9pm, Friday, November 23rd


Coastal Grand Mall
2000 Coastal Grand Circle, Myrtle Beach

Discounts vary from store to store. Shops include Belk, American Eagle, Bath & Body Works, Dillard's, JC Penney, Kay Jewelers, New York & Company, Old Navy, Sears and more.

Most Stores Open: 12am - 10pm, Friday, November 23rd
Sears Open: 8pm, Thursday, November 22nd - 10pm, Friday, November 23rd


The Market Common
4017 Deville Street, Myrtle Beach

Discounts vary from store to store. Shops include Anthropologie, Bath & Body Works, Fossil, CityMac Apple Specialist Store, Victoria's Secret, Pottery Barn, Tommy Bahama, Williams-Sonoma and more!

Open: Click here for individual store schedules.

Be sure to stop by the Official Myrtle Beach Welcome Center for additional information and brochures. Happy shopping!

Celebrate Thanksgiving in Myrtle Beach

Thanksgiving is a great time to vacation in Myrtle Beach! We wanted to help you finalize your Thanksgiving plans and  have put together a list of restaurants excited to provide you with your perfect holiday feast.

We have separated the restaurants by location, so wherever you are staying you do not have to go far.

South of the Grand Strand

California Dreaming

2657 Beaver Run Boulevard
Surfside Beach, 29575 
843-215-5255 

California Dreaming is a locals' favorite.  Just a few minutes away from Plantation Resort, makes this restaurant ideal for the perfect Thanksgiving feast! 

Oven-roasted turkey breast, sugar cured ham, sweet potato casserole, green beans, honey-butter glazed carrots, mashed potatoes, southern cornbread stuffing, homemade giblet gravy, cranberry relish, cornbread muffins, pecan or pumpkin pie, coffee, tea or soft drink. 

Hours: 12-8 pm

Adults: $18.95

Children Under 10: $9.95

Reservations Recommended.

Salt Water Creek Cafe 
4660 US 17
Murrells Inlet, SC 29576
843-357-2433 

Salt Water Creek Cafe gives you an up-scale casual dining experience. Have Thanksgiving in style with slow roasted turkey breast, honey baked spiral ham, sweet potato with pecan topping, house-made stuffing, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, broccoli and cheese casserole, honey glazed carrots, house-made gravy, pumpkin or pecan pie. Limited menu also available.

Hours: 12-7 p.m.

Adults: $19.00

Children: $11.00

Grand Strand

Hard Rock Cafe

1322 Celebrity Circle

Myrtle Beach, SC 29577

843-946-0007 

Specially made for Thanksgiving, this three course meal includes a side caesar salad, turkey covered in gravy sauce served with garlic smashed potatoes, Pepperidge Farm stuffing, vegetables and cranberry sauce, and last but not least pumpkin pie topped with whipped cream!

Hours: 12-6 pm

Adults: $12.95

Children 10 and under: $7.95

Children 3 and under: Free

Reservations Recommended.  

Prices are subject to change.

Carolina Roadhouse

4617 North Kings Highway

Myrtle Beach, SC 29577

843-497-9911 

Thanksgiving dinner just like mom used to make!  It includes oven roasted turkey breast, sugar cured ham, sweet potato casserole, green beans, honey-butter glazed carrots, mashed potatoes, southern cornbread stuffing, homemade giblet gravy, cranberry relish, cornbread muffins, pecan or pumpkin pie and coffee, tea or a soft drink.

Hours: Special Thanksgiving dinner served from 11 a.m. until last seating at 6:30 p.m. and regular menu served from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m.

Adults: $18.95

Children under 10: $9.95

Reservations Recommended.

Ruth's Chris Steak House

8211 Marina Parkway

Myrtle Beach, SC 29572

843-839-9500

For those with discriminating tastes!  Your choices include Louisiana seafood gumbo, Caesar salad or steak house salad; 

roasted turkey entree with homemade gravy, cornbread, cranberry relish; a choice of garlic mashed potatoes, grean beans with roasted garlic, creamed spinach or sweet potato casserole; finishing with a pumpkin cheesecake and vanilla ice cream. 

Hours: 1-9 pm

Adults: $34.95

Children 12 and under: $14.95

Reservations Recommended.

North of the Grand Strand

Chestnut Hill

9922 North Kings Highway

Myrtle Beach, SC 29572

843-449-3984 

A feast fit for a king! A dinner buffet will be served featuring deep fried turkey, rack of lamb, prime rib, ham, shrimp, salmon and oysters.

Hours: 11 am - 7 pm

Adults: $29.95

Children 11 and under: $13.95

Children 3 and under: Free 

Reservations are recommended but are not required.

House of Blues

4640 Highway 17 S

North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582

843-913-3746 

Enjoy a Thanksgiving buffet accompanied by live jazz music! The buffet includes hand-carved turkey, roast beef with a jus and horseradish cream sauce, salads, boiled shrimp, macaroni and cheese, cornbread stuffing, red beans and rice, herb roasted potatoes, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, roasted vegetables, pumpkin and pecan pie, and white chocolate banana bread pudding.

Hours: 11 am- 7 pm

Adults: $22.95

Children: $9.50

$1.00 of each meal will be donated to Sea Haven Youth Shelter.

For the full Myrtle Beach entertainment experience, enjoy dinner and a show! 

Medieval Times 

2904 Fantasy Way

Myrtle Beach, SC 29579

888-935-6878  

Go back to the 11th Century and feast with the King in the Castle while cheering for one of six Knights as he competes in various tournaments. Medieval noble guests feast on garlic bread, tomato-bisque soup, roasted chicken, spare rib, herb-based potatoes, pastry of the Castle, coffee and two rounds of select beverages. A full-service bar is open for the Adults. Vegetarian meals are also available. 

                                                                                                                                     

Showtime: 6 pm

Adults:$42.50

Children 3-12: $26.00

Children under 3: Free   

    

Pirates Voyage

8901 North Kings Highway

Myrtle Beach, SC 29572

843-497-9700 

Set sail with Captian Scrooge and the mystical spirit of

Christmas as he discovers the true meaning of Christmas. The delicious pirate feast is filled with creamy vegetable soup, bread, roasted chicken, BBQ pork, buttery corn on the cob, mashed potatoes, and apple pie.  

Showtimes: 6 pm and 8:30 pm

Adults: $44.50

Children  4-11: $23.00

Children under 3: Free                                                       

                                                                                                                   

Other restaurants options include:

Cracker Barrel 

Dennys 

Greg Norman's Australian Grille 

K&W Thanksgiving Buffet 

Longbeards Bar and Grill 

New York Prime 

Be sure to stop by and visit us on your way into town at The Official Myrtle Beach Welcome Center. We can give you directions, discounts, and more! 


We wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Great Kid-Friendly Attractions During Myrtle Beach's Off-Season!

Myrtle Beach may be known for it's summertime fun, but the off-season also offers a wide variety of family-friendly activities (and less traffic, too). The area is filled with entertainment that provides hours of fun for the kids. With everything from shows to rides, these kid-friendly activities are sure to be fun for you, too!


WonderWorks

While Professor Wonder and his group of scientists were creating a contained man-made tornado at their lab in the Bermuda Triangle, they lost control of the daring experiment. The laboratory was lifted in the vortex and blown all the way to Myrtle Beach where it landed, upside down, on top of a Crab Shack. Luckily, the other experiments in the lab were not damaged and are now available for us to experience. This indoor amusement park offers dozens of activities that thrill (and educate!) both young and old. Feel how cold the water was the night the Titanic sank, play in the bubble lab, experience the winds of a Category 1 hurricane, try to make a complete revolution on the Extreme 360° Bike, lay on a bed of nails and ride the roller-coaster simulator! After you've wound your way through the 100+ exhibits WonderWorks has to offer, you'll finish off the fun with a 3 story indoor ropes course!

Medieval Times

The King and Princess cordially invite you to attend an evening of skill and competition where the most courageous knights of the realm compete for honor in a series of epic battles. Cheer your noble champion as he spurs his horse in the relay race, takes on his opponents in daring sword fights and finally rides in the perilous joust. But no 11th Century tournament would be complete without a banquet! As you watch the brave knights compete, you'll feast on simmering tomato bisque soup, golden garlic bread, tender oven-roasted chicken, BBQ spare rib, herb basted potatoes and a flaky apple turnover.

The SkyWheel

The sky's the limit! In May 2011, Myrtle Beach welcomed a thrilling new attraction: one of the largest observation wheels in the United States. This is unlike any ferris wheel you've ever experienced! After being seated in one of the 42 climate-controlled gondolas in groups of 2 to 6, you'll slowly be raised 187 feet in the air. Here, your jaw will drop at the panaromic views of the city and beaches along the Grand Strand. After the sun goes down, the SkyWheel illuminates the coastline with a breathtaking show.1 million LED lights set into the side of the wheel swirl in a variety of colors and designs to create the perfect backdrop for an iconic family vacation picture!

Ripley's Aquarium

Come find out why Ripley's Aquarium is South Carolina's most visited attraction! Explore the depths of the seas while traveling through the aquarium tunnel on a 340 ft long moving glidepath. You'll come face-to-face with dozens of sharks, snappers, sawfish, a sea turtle and a wide variety of beautiful fish swimming all around you. The aquarium's smaller tanks also feature tropical fish, piranhas, jelly fish, a Pacific Giant Octopus, poison dart frogs and more. If you're looking for a hands-on experience, be sure to stop by the Discovery Center and Friendship Flats, where you get to pet horseshoe crabs and stingrays!

Pirates Voyage

Ahoy, matey! Many years ago, dread pirates roamed the Carolina coast. Today, the crews of two fearsome pirate ships have returned and are fighting for their lost treasure! Watch as they battle on deck and in the water with daring acrobatics, thrilling sword fights, dives and even live animals. As you cheer on your crew, your captain will serve you a mouth-watering pirate feast that includes creamy vegetable soup, flaky buccaneer bread, half o' roasted cackler (chicken), the Captain's BBQ pork, buttery corn on the cob, mashed potatoes and apple pie.

MagiQuest

Upon entering MagiQuest, you find yourself in an enchanted realm where you use your own magic wand to help you in your journey to become a Magi.This indoor, multi-level attraction is like being inside a video game! As you wander through this magical land, use your wand to duel, gather wisdom from ancient wizards, slay dragons and make friends with pixies. Every Magi's experience is different based on the decisions they make and the battles they win. Each time you visit, your wand  remembers what you have done and what you have left to accomplish. Master your skills, beat the game and become a true Magi!

A visit to any of these fun-filled attractions will leave behind lasting memories that your kids will talk about for years to come. To top it all off, discounted tickets to most of these attractions can be purchased at The Official Myrtle Beach Welcome Center in Aynor! We look forward to seeing you and your family soon!

Premier Partner Highlight: Ripley's Attractions

When you're vacationing on the Grand Strand, there's an abundance of entertainment that the whole family can enjoy.  And the Ripley's venues are among the most popular of the must-see attractions! Ripley's, a Premier Partner of The Official Myrtle Beach Welcome Center, has been entertaining vacationers and locals alike for years, and you and your family are sure to have an experience you'll never forget!

Ripley's Aquarium
Sunday - Thursday 9am - 8pm, Friday - Saturday 9am - 9pm

Discover why Ripley's Aquarium is South Carolina's most visited attraction!  Each year, thousands of vacationers flock to see the wide variety of exotic fish and ocean life that call Ripley's their home.  Get a closeup look at some of the sea's most beautiful and dangerous predators as you move through a tunnel on the aquarium's 340ft glide path, where you'll come face-to-face with sharks, sawfish,  sea turtles, snappers and tropical fish.  Other tanks feature a Pacific Giant Octopus, coral, piranhas, poison dart frogs and more.  If you want to get hands-on, you can even pet stingrays and horseshoe crabs!

Ripley's Marvelous Mirror Maze
Sunday - Thursday 11am - 7pm, Friday - Saturday 11am - 8pm

Try your navigation skills in a 2,000 sq ft maze unlike any you've ever experienced!  Ripley's Marvelous Mirror Maze is designed to keep you turned around and laughing.  Hundreds of mirrors reflect dozens of pathways that lead you to tricky corners, dead ends and looping in circles.  The maze's LED lighting and digital sound take the experience to a whole new level.  If you're really looking for a challenge, use the kaleidoscope glasses, which create rainbow effects to increase your confusion and test your abilities!

Ripley's Believe It or Not! Odditorium
Sunday - Thursday 10am - 7pm, Friday - Saturday 10am - 8pm

Are you intrigued by the weird, odd and unexplained?  Then this Ripley's museum is just the place for you!  This famous attraction features a large collection of unusual artifacts from all around the world.  Over 500 exhibits display everything from shrunken heads to 9 legged-cows, transformers to a model of the world's tallest man!  This museum is sure to provide "weird, wild, wacky fun" for your whole family.

Ripley's Haunted Adventure
Sunday - Thursday 12pm - 7pm, Friday - Saturday 12pm - 8pm

Do you dare enter?  This multi-million dollar haunted house is sure to send a chill down your spine and set your heart racing!  As creepy ghouls guide you through the dark mansion, live actors, animatronics and intense special effects are strategically placed to scare and spook you at every turn.  This attraction is not for the faint of heart - enter at your own risk!




Ripley's Moving 5D Theater
Sunday - Thursday 11am - 7pm, Friday - Saturday 11am - 8pm

Ripley's Moving 5D theater provides the most incredible movie experience you'll ever encounter!  You have the opportunity to live the movie, not just watch it!  The virtual reality simulator sends you on a ride of bumps, dips and turns in seats that move in 8 different directions in sequence with the film.  To engage all of your senses, the theater also uses surround sound, special effects, 3D imaging and even smell!


Whether you visit all or one of these attractions, you are guaranteed to give your family a vacation experience unlike any other.  On your way to the coast, be sure to stop at the Official Myrtle Beach Welcome Center in Aynor to receive additional information and purchase tickets to these incredible Ripley's attractions!

Summer Days and Giveaways

  THE OFFICIAL MYRTLE BEACH

WELCOME CENTER

is offering visitors the chance to win

Weekly, Monthly and Grand Prize Giveaways for 
only ONE more Month!

Weekly Giveaway: Myrtle Beach 3 Day 2 Night Vacation

Monthly Giveaway: 50 inch Flat Screen TV

Grand-Prize Giveaway: 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee –Drawn November 2012

Congratulations to our 

October Winners!

Weekly Winners: 

Mr. Johnson and Ms.Thoreson, Simpsonville, SC

Mr. and Mrs. Dreise, Chathay, Ontario

Ms. Roz-Smith and Ms. Dukes, Abingdon, MD

Ms. Bowers, Hamlet, NC

Mr. and Mrs. Purcott, Johnson City, TN

Monthly Winner: 

Mr. and Mrs. Sanders, Clayton, NC

It's not too late - come in for your chance to win!

We are conveniently located off Highway 501 in Aynor, South Carolina.