From Teresa Plowright,
Your Guide to Family Vacations.
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Myrtle Beach: background

Myrtle Beach -- named for the myrtle trees in the area-- is on the coast of South Carolina, 98 miles north of Charleston; South Carolina is the #2 state for tourism after Florida.

Myrtle Beach has become a year-round destination, but don't expect hot weather at Spring Break or outside the May-September peak season. (See temperatures). Some properties are stretching the season with heated pools and waterparks.

Myrtle Beach vacations for families

Start with the sandy shores: Myrtle Beach is in the middle of a 60-mile stretch of beaches called the Grand Strand. Myrtle Beach is a budget-friendly, family-friendly place; many hotels have kids activities and playgrounds. (Read Forum comments, below, about a family stay.)

Myrtle Beach fun parks

Myrtle Beach is also home to a bunch of amusement parks, such as:

• Family Kingdom Amusement and Water Park: wooden coaster, Ferris wheel, kiddie rides; plus an oceanfront water park
• Myrtle Waves Water Park- 30 rides and attractions including a truly gigantic water-tube slide
• Pavilion Nostalgia Park: after 50 years on the Grand Strand, the Myrtle Beach Pavilion Amusement Park had its farewell season in 2006, but a number or rides moved to Pavilion Nostalgia at Broadway at the Beach.
• Hard Rock Park: expected to open in 2008, this 140-acre park ties in with the famous brand of music-themed restaurants and hotels. The $400-million project will have 40 attractions, live-music amphitheater with state-of-the-art sound, roller coasters, kids' play areas.

MagiQuest
Something new: MagiQuest is a live-action fantasy adventure game played in a 20,000 sq. ft. area packed with special effects that get activated by a player's prize possession, the Wand.

Myrtle Beach theaters
Myrtle Beach is also known for crowd-pleasing live theater such as the the Carolina Opry and the Dixie Stampede Dinner and Show. You'll also find a Medieval Times, which of course kids love: a dinner show with horses, knights, and jousts.

Myrtle Beach vacations: watersports

The usual sports fun is available: parasailing, jet-skis, pontoon boats. Or how about kayaking in quiet waterways?

Myrtle Beach Vacations: where to stay

Kingston Plantation: 145-acre complex on the Grand Strand includes the Hilton Myrtle Beach Resort, an Embassy Suites Hotel, and condos. The Splash! pool complex has slides, waterspouts, kiddie pools, lazy river.

The Sea Mist Resort Hotel has a large water park with mini waterslides, kiddie wading pool, water swing, 3-story tube slide, lazy river; the water's heated in March, April and October. Also for kids: multi-level Castle-in-the-mist play station, mini-golf (seasonal). Check the Family Value Packages; also check visitor comments at TripAdvisor.com.

For other suggestions, see the Myrtle Beach Visitors Bureau. Many hotels offer packages, including golf packages, for those interested in the 100 golf courses in the area. This site also has vacation rentals -- beach houses and condos-- very popular with families, and family campgrounds with pools, playgrounds, etc.

Find out more about Myrtle Beach vacations:

• Visit the Myrtle Beach Visitors' Bureau site.
• check visitors comments at sites such as Tripadvisor.com
• Travel Myrtle Beachonline guide covers attractions, lodgings, golf, and more.

From the Forum:

Myrtle Beach S.C. :

We have gone a couple of times starting when our kids were 7, 4, 6 mo. Our last trip was when they were 9, 5, 2. We stayed in a condo just north of Myrtle Beach in Sunset Beach. This is a small island off the intercoastal waterway. It is primarily vacation condos (the company we used was the Odom Company). Since it is primarily families staying for a week, the beach was not crowded and filled primarily with families.. When the tide is low, small wading pools formed that our 2 and 5 year old just loved. Barefoot Landing is a nice shopping area with many specialty shops.... Be sure to go at night to see the fireworks/laser show and the dragon show at the minature golf castle. There are several small amusement parks around.

This brief profile is meant to introduce this destination to family vacationers; please note that the writer has not visited in person. Always check resort sites for updates.