The Best Shopping in Myrtle Beach

Attention shoppers! If you're searching for the latest in fashion and great deals, look no further! Myrtle Beach is home to dozens of the best shopping venues in South Carolina. From malls and outlets to boutiques and flea markets, you're sure to find the perfect shopping oasis. Sit back, relax and allow us to guide you to the best retail therapy the Grand Strand has to offer.

1.) The Tanger Outlets are a Myrtle Beach shopping hot-spot. Because of their popularity, they have two separate Myrtle Beach locations. Tanger Outlets North is set just off of Bypass 17 while Tanger Outlets South is located on Highway 501. They may share the same name, but each outlet center carries its own unique set of vendors so be sure to visit them both! Each location is famous for over-the-top sales and discounts.

Coastal Grand Mall

2.) Myrtle Beach is home to the second largest shopping mall in South Carolina: the Coastal Grand. Built in 2004, this mall houses over 170 stores including Old Navy, Bed Bath & Beyond, American Eagle, Brookstone and Abercrombie & Fitch. Their anchor stores include Dillard, JC Penney, Belk and Sears. In addition to the mall food courts, you'll find dozens of restaurants just outside the shopping complex.

3.) Settled around a picturesque 23 acre lake, Broadway at the Beach is home to dozens of unique shops that showcase local culture and  arts- a great place for vacation souvenirs! After a long day of shopping, be sure to dine at one of their many delectable restaurants, including Jimmy Buffet's Margartiaville, Liberty Steakhouse, and Yamatos.

4.) The largest open air flea market on the Grand Strand is located in Surfside Beach. At Hudson's Surfside Flea Market, you'll find 70,000 square feet filled with 400 vendor tables to browse. Their wide variety of commodities include purses, jewelry, kitchenwares, sunglasses, cell phone accessories and much more. Locals have named it the best flea market on the beach, and we're sure you'll love it as much as we do!

The Market Common

5.) The Market Common in Myrtle Beach feels like its own little town with quaint shops, town homes, a movie theater, restaurants, parks, and even a grocery store. Popular vendors include Barnes & Noble, Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Anthropologie and White House Black Market. The Market Common is the perfect shopping retreat for a beautiful day!

6.) Beat the heat by shopping at the indoor, climate controlled Myrtle Beach Flea Market. Boasting some of the lowest prices on the Grand Strand, this 80,000 square foot market features discount name brand shoes, golf clubs, jewelry, airbrush artists, beachwear, antiques and more. With their large number of varied vendors, this is shopping the whole family will enjoy!

7.) If you're heading to the North Myrtle Beach area, be sure to shop at Barefoot Landing. Over 100 specialty shops line their boardwalk, featuring regional apparel, shoe, jewelry, and gift boutiques. You'll work up a good appetite with all that shopping- make sure to eat at the Flying Fish, Johnny Rockets, House of Blues, or one of their other spectacular restaurants.

8.) The Hammock Shops are your stop for true Southern charm and low-country art. Founded in 1938 and set in a blooming park with moss-draped oaks, 20 shops feature the best of local craftmanship- including the famous Pawleys's Island rope hammock.

When you're packing to head to the Grand Strand, remember leave room for the souvenirs and great shopping finds that will be filling your suitcase on the return trip! Be sure to stop by the Official Myrtle Beach Welcome Center for additional area information and discounts. Happy shopping!

Family Road Trip Games

As you back out of the driveway to hit the road toward your vacation destination, your kids are energized with excitement and anticipation- for about 20 minutes. Before you know it, the complaining begins. “Are we there yet?” “I’m SO bored.” “How much longer?” But fear not, harried parents! We’ve compiled a list of road trip games that will keep your kids entertained, thereby helping you maintain your sanity.

License Plate Search: The classic family road trip competition! The object of the game is to find a license plate from every state. The player who gets the most states wins!  Download a great plate checklist here.

Fortunately, Unfortunately: In some families, it’s better to avoid competition to keep the peace. Try a silly game! “Fortunately, Unfortunately” is a great way to get everybody laughing. One person starts off with a Fortunately phrase (ie. “Fortunately, mom packed us a lot of snacks!”). The next person has to counter with an Unfortunately phrase (ie. “Unfortunately, Timmy ate them all while you weren’t looking…"). Continue building the story.

Word Searches and Word Scrambles: Desperate for some quiet time? Pull out the word games! They provide hours of entertainment and a little bit of brain stimulation. Hundreds of games are available in stores and on the web, but we found our favorites here.

Who Can Find It?: This game puts a fun twist on the classic “I Spy.” The person who is “it” thinks of a random person or object, not something they currently see (ie. a woman with a blue skirt or a green mini-van). The first person to locate the subject is the winner and thinks of the next item.

Draw and Fold: Unleash your hidden artistic talents! Holding a piece of paper vertically, fold it into fourths. The first person to take a turn will draw a head and shoulders in the top box. When finished, fold the paper back to hide the drawing and pass it to the next person. Artist #2 will draw the chest and upper arms, fold it, and pass it to the next person. Artist #3 draws the waist, hands and upper legs. Artist #4 draws the lower legs and feet. Finally, unfold the paper to see the crazy creation. Be imaginative! Originality makes for hilarious drawings. Find a template here.

Window Drawing: Before you head out, grab some window markers from your local craft store (be sure they’re the washable kind!). These specialty pens provide hours of entertainment. Play hangman and tic-tac-toe or draw a silly picture for passing cars to enjoy. Don’t forget to bring a cotton cloth to use as an eraser.

ABC Memory: Another tried-and-true classic. The first person begins by saying, “I’m going to Myrtle Beach and I’m bringing an alligator” (or anything that starts with the letter A). The next person repeats the first person’s statement but adds an item beginning with the letter B: “I’m going to Myrtle Beach and I’m bringing an alligator and a boogie-board.” Keep taking turns. If someone can’t remember one of the letters, they’re out! See if you can get all the way to the letter Z.

 20 Questions: This game has been entertaining families for years. Player 1 thinks of a noun (animal, person, object- anything!). The other players ask up to 20 questions that will give them clues as to what noun the player is thinking of. Player 1 is only allowed to respond with "yes", "no" or "sometimes." If no one has guessed the object after 20 questions, Player 1 is the winner! Otherwise, the person who guesses correctly takes a turn coming up with a new noun.

Remember, the joy is in the journey, not just in the destination. Look at the long drive as an opportunity to spend quality time with your family. These bonding moments are the ones you’ll treasure forever. But, when that moment does come that you need a break from the car, be sure to visit The Official Myrtle Beach Welcome Center in Aynor. You’ll find clean bathrooms, snacks, and all the Myrtle Beach information you’ll need to create the perfect family vacation!

Avoiding Myrtle Beach Traffic

Each year, nearly 15 million visitors from across the country flock to the beautiful beaches of the Grand Strand. With such a high volume of tourists coming in, traffic gets heavy.  We know it’s frustrating to be stuck in a jam. You’ve been driving for hours, anxious to start your vacation! Although traffic coming into Myrtle Beach is difficult to avoid, we have a few tips to make your trip a little easier.

1.) If you're coming from the north on I-95, downtown Florence is a high congestion area that we recommend bypassing. As an alternative, get on 38 at exit 181B, just a few miles past South of the Border. 38 will eventually become 501. Click here for a map.

2.) For those traveling from the south on I-95, go beyond Florence to exit 170. This will put you on North Willston Road (Hwy 327). Follow this road to East Palmetto Street (note: this stretch of road is also highways 301 and 76), which turns into 501 after Marion. To see a map, click here.

3.) If you're heading to south Myrtle Beach or Surfside, avoid taking 501 all the way into Myrtle Beach (it’s the best known route and therefore subject to traffic jams). Instead, take 501 to Hwy 544 and you’ll be cruising to the coast! Click here for a map.

4.) Carolina Bays Parkway (Hwy 31), running from North Myrtle Beach to Surfside, offers another way to avoid 501 congestion. Just after Aynor, take the Conway Bypass (also known as 22 or Veterans Hwy) to Carolina Bays Parkway. You can then ride Carolina Bays all the way to Grissom Parkway or to 544 depending on your final destination. To see a map, click here.

5.) If you're traveling on 501, elude some heavy traffic by taking El Bethel Road in Conway. Next, make a left on 378, which leads you back around to 501 South. Using this route, you will completely bypass busy downtown Conway. Click here for a map.

6.) For those of you traveling from or through Charlotte, be sure to avoid the Monroe area. Take I-485 to Hwy 218 East to save some time. (For full directions from Charlotte, click here. For a map, click here.)

7.) A brand new road,  Harrelson Blvd, was recently built in Myrtle Beach to assist with airport traffic. Harrelson acts as a fast connection between Bypass 17 and Business 17- a great alternative to 501 or 544. Be sure to take advantage of this quick route! Click here to view a map.

8.) The two main roads in Myrtle Beach include Business 17 and Bypass 17, both of which have heavy traffic in the summertime. When driving through central Myrtle Beach we reccommend taking Grissom Parkway instead. Grissom runs from 62^nd Avenue North to Harrelson Boulevard (near the airport). You’ll save yourself a lot of time and frustration. Click here for a map.

These simple tips will help you have a smooth trip, avoiding the worst of the beach traffic. We do, however, have one final piece of advice. When you reach Aynor, remember to take a break and stretch your legs at The Official Myrtle Beach Welcome Center. After providing you with additional driving tips, area information and discounted tickets we’ll send you back on the road ready for your perfect beach vacation!

Summer Days and Giveaways

The Official Myrtle Beach Welcome Center is giving vacationers the chance to win amazing Weekly, Monthly and Grand Prize Giveaways this summer season!

Conveniently located off Highway 501 in Aynor, South Carolina, stop in for a chance to win...

Weekly Giveaway: 3 Day, 2 Night Mini-Vacation in Beautiful Myrtle Beach

Monthly Giveaway: 50” Flat Screen TV

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

Congratulations to June's Winners!

Weekly Winners:

Ms. Williams, Calabash, NC

Mr. & Mrs. Chriscoe, Rockingham, NC
Mr. & Mrs. Morrison, Goldsboro, NC

Ms. Robertson, Piedmont, SC

Monthly Winner:

R. Howard and T. Leseaur, Fayetteville, NC

Premier Partner Highlight: New Show at Medieval Times!

When you stay in Myrtle Beach you can travel back in time to an era of castles and kings, lords and ladies and courageous knights fighting for the honor of the realm. Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament- one of the Grand Strand’s most popular attractions- is now thrilling and delighting audiences with a brand new show! Picking up where the original story left off, the saga continues as the struggle between good and evil unfolds before you.


Guests cheer their champion as he battles for victory in a series of medieval competitions. Admire the aim and accuracy of the knights as they charge on horseback to collect small rings with their lances and applaud their speed as they spur their horses on in a relay race to win the recognition of the fair princess. Most importantly, support your knight’s bravery as he competes for glory in the perilous joust. Once dismounted, the knights must battle using swords, maces, and bolas brought to them by their faithful squires. Finally, our brave champion will clash swords with the evil villain who threatens the peace and liberty of the entire kingdom. 


No medieval tournament is complete without a banquet fit for a king! As you watch the brave knights battle, you’ll feast on steaming tomato bisque with buttery garlic bread, tender oven-roasted chicken, BBQ spare rib and herb-basted potatoes. Remember, there was no silverware in the dark ages, so don’t expect any here! After dinner, dessert is a mouth-watering, flaky apple turnover. Our king, ever considerate of the needs and wants of his loyal subjects, also provides a vegetarian meal upon request.


Medieval Times is guaranteed fun for the whole family. To purchase your discounted tickets and for additional show information, stop by The Official Myrtle Beach Welcome Center  in Aynor, South Carolina. This is one attraction you don’t want to miss!

Parking on the Grand Strand

The car is loaded with boogie boards, coolers, and sunscreen and you’re ready for a fun filled day at the beach! The challenge:  Where do you park for public beach access? Grand Strand parking may seem a bit daunting for those vacationing in an unfamiliar area. We're here to guide you to the best parking on the Grand Strand:

The City of North Myrtle Beach

North Myrtle Beach is the home of the famous Cherry Grove Beach (a surfing hot-spot!), and also includes Atlantic and Windy Beaches. Access to parking lots at these locations can be found while driving along Ocean Boulevard. All parking is free in this area!

The City of Myrtle Beach

Myrtle Beach is one the most popular areas on the Grand Strand. Every summer thousands of people flock to its white beaches, warm waters, and new boardwalk. Fortunately, the city has more than enough parking to accommodate such large crowds! Most of the city is managed by street parking meters. From 31st Ave North to 29th Ave South and 69^th Ave North to 77 Ave South, meters are in effect from March 1^st through September 30^th, 7 days a week, from 9:00 am to 12:00 am (so if you want to watch an early morning sunrise, you’re in luck!).
A quick word to the wise: pay attention to the stickers on the meters. Blue stickers are worth a maximum of 2 hours of parking, red stickers - up to 3 hours, and green stickers allocate all day parking for $6. Be careful! The city does a good job monitering the meters.

The Pavilion Parking Garage

If you prefer to keep your car off the busy streets, the Pavilion Parking garage is located in the heart of Myrtle Beach and is just south of the SkyWheel. The prices vary according to the season.  They offer daily, nightly, week-end, weekly, and monthly rates. The pay station at the garage accepts credit and debit cards-- it's a great option if you don’t have change!

The City of Surfside Beach

Surfside Beach, known as the family beach of the Grand Strand, is located just south of Myrtle Beach. Like its larger neighbor, Surfside manages beach parking by meters at a rate of $1 an hour. No shirt, no shoes, no change? No problem! Surfside’s convenient self-serve pay stations accept coins, credit cards, and debit cards. Be sure to display your printed receipt on the dashboard of your vehicle.

The parking lot located at Surfside Pier also accepts cash, but bring small bills because the meters do not make change. However, a change machine is located at Eagles Beachwear across the street. In addition to the pier, metered parking is available on 3rd and 6th Ave North, Yaupon Drive, and 3^rd to 5^th Ave South.  As with Myrtle Beach, beware of expired meters.

Garden City Beach

One of the lesser known beaches in the area, Garden City is conveniently located just south of Surfside Beach. If you want to avoid the hustle and bustle of busier areas, this is the ideal place. You’ll find several public beach access points off of South Waccamaw Drive, the road running nearest the ocean. The best part? Garden City offers free parking!

Huntington and Myrtle Beach State Park

The meticulously preserved beaches of Huntington and Myrtle Beach State Parks are local favorites. Here you can enjoy sand and surf, hiking, picnic areas, and beautiful scenery. Because entry into the park is monitored, parking is not only quick and easy but also safe. Huntington Beach State Park, located 15 minutes south of Surfside, charges an entry fee of $5 for adults (13+) and $3 for children (6-12). Myrtle Beach State Park costs $3 for adults (16+) and admits seniors (65+) and children at no charge. Hours of operation for both parks run from 6:00am to 10:00pm in the summertime.

Now that you know where to park, come enjoy a stress-free vacation along our famous coastline. On your way to the Grand Strand, don't forget to stop by The Official Myrtle Beach Welcome Center to receive additional information, maps and all things Myrtle Beach!

The Famous Grand Strand Beaches

Summer Days and Giveaways

The Official Myrtle Beach Welcome Center is delighting vacationers with a chance to win fabulous Weekly, Monthly, and Grand-Prize drawings!

Weekly Giveaway: 3 Day, 2 Night Mini-Vacation in Beautiful Myrtle Beach

Monthly Giveaway:  50” Flat Screen TV

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

May's Lucky Winners:

Weekly Winners:

Ms. Thompson from Atlanta, GA

Ms. Trumbull & Mr. Hughes from Beach Lake, PA

Mr. & Mrs. Coppla, Cannastota, NY

Mr. & Mrs. Parks, Apison, TN

Monthly Winner:

Mr. & Mrs. Charles Harriston of Lexington, KY