Heading to Myrtle Beach’s Grand Strand and looking to play some golf while you are there?  With over 70 golf courses to choose from every kind of golfer can find his or her match.  Most of the golf courses consist of water hazards and plenty of sand bunkers to make the game even more interesting.

The Man O’ War course boasts of back to back island greens and water on mostly every hole.  Contrary to most coastal golf courses where the layout is flat the Glen Dornoch course actually has high undulations built into the course to create shot-making at its’ finest.  Myrtle Beach also is home to a TPC (Tournament Players Championship) course that allows the amateur golfer to play where the pros play.   

For others who may not want to golf there is fishing, boating, jet-skiing, bicycling, shopping, festivals and great seafood dining.  Myrtle Beach is a destination for all four seasons.

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To old timers, Myrtle Beach is all about laid back family vacations at the beach-lazy days spent strolling in the sand and sultry evenings on the boardwalk with sticky cotton candy and a poket full of quarters for playing skee ball. The only golf anyone played involved windmills and clown obstacles on astro turf-covered miniature golf courses. Boy, has that changed!

Today, Myrtle Beach is all about golf. With over 90 courses along the 70 mile stretch of coast known as the Grand Strand, it may well be the most golf-rich area in the the country. The mild climate allows for nearly year round play and the variety of links ranges from ultra exclusive to bargain basement.

With so many to golf courses, it’s sometimes difficult to choose which ones to play during your visit. Numerous golfing websites offer club reviews and star ratings based on playability, course layout, conditions, scenic beauty and other factors. In addition to the top courses in the area, some also flag the worst Grand Strand golf courses in an effort to keep the entire area from suffering reputation problems caused by just a few.

The best way to get real Myrtle Beach vacation deals is by booking a special package that includes lodging along with carts and greens fees. Sometimes, meals and entertainment are also included and you usually get to choose which courses you wish to play. At under $70 bucks a night for an off-season Stay and Play package, it’s almost cheaper than staying home. So, do some shopping and snooping around before you book your next golf trip to the Myrtle Beach. You’ll be glad you did!

We’ve talked in the past about how “pet friendly” Hilton Head Island is - as a mom I feel I’m remiss in not mentioning all of the Hilton Head activities and attractions for Kids and Families!  Beyond the beach and digging in the sand, there are tons of things for kids to do in the area - things that are going to amuse mom and dad also.  Lets face it, a happy kid on vacation leads to happy moms and dad’s on vacation.

 If you’re into adventure - try out Adventure Cove (warning there’s music on that site!).  This entertainment center has a water park, a parachute ride, laser tag, a 4D movie theatre, bumper cars, virtual roller coasters and more.  You could spend a whole day here and not run out of fun stuff to do before you ran out of the energy needed to do them all!

The Art Cafe is a hit with everyone - select your own potter and paint it - make your OWN Hilton Head souvenir for Grandma and Grandpa - it’s the perfect gift.

 The Coastal Discovery Musem is open year round and offers a great variety of indoor and outdoor exhibits.  There are activity centers and you can sign up for one or more of 11 different cruises that take you around the island to learn more about the unique history, flora and fauna.

Saddle up for a ride through the Sea Pines Forest Preserve with Lawton Stables (843) 671-2586.  Sea Horse Farms (843)681-7746) offers beach rides.  Keep in mind, minimum age for trail rides from both purveyors is 8-years-old.

If you’re going to be on-island from June through August - the kids might enjoy some Kayak lessons or even Kayak Camp.  Outside Hilton Head offers something for kids starting at age SEVEN!

If you’re staying at a resort some will offer on-site kid’s programs - but if you’re choosing a vacation rental or other lodging - consider putting together a variety of activities and making your own kid camp!  I always recommend vacation rentals as I love to have a kitchen and not have to rush to breakfast when the kids’ feet hit the floor.

photo courtesy terren in Virginia

What better way to enjoy your next beach vacation than to take Fido or Fifi along for the ride!  The best part about choosing Hilton Head for your next Pet Friendly vacation is the realative “dog friendly” atmosphere you’re sure to enjoy.

Sun, water and sand are a ball-doggie’s dream as you wander the beaches and parks that surround Hilton Head Island.  Just remember, Dogs are banned from the public beach from June 1 through Labor Day weekend - but from October 1 through March 31 - they can play off-leash to their heart’s content.  Other time’s they’re allowed but need a 6-foot leash from 10am to 5pm. 

Activities for you and your pooch are sure to be fun and a great photo op.  You can rent a double kayak from Kayak Hilton Head and use their private access to Broad Creek - which runs right through the center of the island.  A bottlenose dolphin might even nudge alongside to say hello!

Visit Best Friends Dog Park which is located off Hwy 40.  Dogs are allowed unleashed in the park and leashed outside on the beaches.  Water and cleanup bags are available on-site.

Take your pooch for lunch at Skillet’s Cafe.  It’s cafe with an oudoor patio where dogs are allowed - just make sure Rover is leashed and under your control at all times.

Obviously finding accommodations for you and your pup on the island will be necessary.  There are a variety of hotels and pet-friendly Hilton Head rentals.  I recommend a vacation rental mostly because of the convenience for you AND your pet.

image courtesy: from **spaceMonkey**

Myrtle Beach South Carolina is a classic East Coast beach resort. It sits right smack in the center of The Grand Strand, a 60 mile long crescent of dune-protected wide sand beaches that stretches down the coast of the Atlantic from the border between the two Carolina’s.

There’s something - well, really at least a hundred things - for everyone to do. It’s the kind of place that generations of Southern families return to year after year and decade after decade and, when South Carolinians speak of “the beach”, there’s no doubt that they are referring to Myrtle Beach.

A favorite spot for these loyal fans was the Myrtle Beach Pavilion. Built in 1908, it was a center of entertainment and activity for all ages through out the last century. The old Pavilion is gone, but it has been replaced with the Pavilion Nostalgia Park, which recalls the historic atmosphere and the old school favorite rides - including a stunning 1912 carousel, a totally unique world famous pipe organ and all the boardwalk food you can chow down.

The grand reopening of this classic beach amusement park is a great excuse to take advantage of the Myrtle Beach vacation deals offered in the area. Take a step back in time and visit the Grand Strand this summer for a respite your family will fondly remember.

Learn more about Myrtle Beach

Myrtle Beach Bike Week

Things to Do in Myrtle Beach