From beach combing and surf walking to heart stopping shows, living history and more golf than one family vacation will hold, the vacation possibilities are endless. Myrtle Beach is family friendly. Known for great golf and awesome entertainment, the area also offers an array of day adventures to create the perfect family vacation. You’ll find sun soaked beach days, shopping bargains, scrumptious seafood, kid-friendly golf and plenty of entertainment to fill the nights. Our idea menu includes the good stuff. Let the fun begin.
Castle a spell. MagiQuest is a new family vacation experience that utilizes patented technology to create a magical experience for participants. It all begins with a personalized “magic wand” to enjoy during the interactive adventure and keep for the future. Participants of all ages are quickly trained as “Magi,” (short for magical beings). The training results in skills that when used correctly set off lightning bolts, control music, open treasure chests and perform heroic deeds. The fun involves role-playing, teamwork, skill and imagination. Even Harry Potter would approve.
Play in the Sun. Myrtle Beach’s Family Kingdom Amusement Park has over 30 rides including an all-wooden roller coaster, the Swamp Fox, a long flume, Go-Kart tracks, bumper cars, a historical carousel, and the largest Ferris wheel in the state. Admittance to the park is free, and the rides are pay as you go – so family’s can do as much or as little as they want. For a great way to cool off families should try the nearby Ocean Front Water Park, Myrtle Beach’s only water park actually on the ocean. With three wet-and-wild water flumes, one with a 185-foot drop, two exhilarating speed slides and many other water-themed rides and attractions the water park is the ideal way to beat the heat.
Count the animals. Low Country History & Wildlife Preserve is part of the tranquil Brookgreen Gardens. The options for families are unique to the area. From bouncing along in an oversized jeep to gliding along in a 48-passenger pontoon boat, the experience will be one-of-a-kind. The all-natural exhibit showcases the history from the time of the early Native American residents. The Low Country habitats feature non-releasable animals and include a waterfowl aviary built over a tidal swamp, river otter and alligator habitats along a creek. Bonus points: Interpreters onsite provide a variety of ways for visitors to interact with nature and its inhabitants.
The wheels [on the bikes] go round and round. Burn off some energy, let the kids pedal and relax or skate along the Strand. Bicycles-n-Gear is Myrtle Beach’s premier cycling shop since 1988 has plenty of options for families. Located inside of the Sports Corner they carry only top-of-the-line bicycles, inline skates and everything you need to enjoy South Carolina’s Grand Strand on non-motorized wheels.
Create KidsArt at the beach. Easy to enjoy, family friendly and welcoming best describe The Franklin G. Burroughs-Simeon B. Chapin Art Museum located footsteps from the beach. They provide ongoing discovery programs for young children as well as families. The ambience created by the former beach house turned art museum is peaceful and inspiring. The contemporary galleries do not overwhelm instead offering an energizing tribute to art and living. Bonus points: Second Saturdays at the Art Museum offers a chance for children to explore their creativity through a variety of arts and themes. Fun stuff includes faux stained glass, photo journals, strip quilts, wearable art and sand candles.
Walk through the water. Believe it or not, Ripley’s has an amazing aquarium at Broadway at the Beach. It showcases some of the worlds' most curious as well as awesome aquatic life. Interactive and inviting the displays invite questions and provoke thought. Touch a horseshoe crab; pet a manta ray; crawl through a tunnel or watch a diver feed the fish; it is fun for all ages. New for 2006, Mars - the Search for Life. Explore the surface of Mars, Create a sandstorm and drive a Mars Rover in the exceptional hands-on exhibition that probes the question "Is there life on Mars"? Bonus points: Throughout the year they offer special camps for children.
Kids golf for free. The Myrtle Beach area has an organized program that provides young golfers, when playing with a paying companion, to play at no cost. Select a golf package and ask about the free golfing with children. The whole family can take advantage of these specials. Individual rounds or multi-course rounds are all priced to provide “Kids Play Free” every afternoon with a paid adult golfer. The rule is one junior for each paid adult and the deal may be combined with special golf packages making the option quite attractive. Discovery: Myrtle Beach is a First Tee community. Better yet, for those who enjoy the short game, Myrtle Beach area has nearly 50 mini golf locations so, having fun golfing does not have to be serious.
Explore together. If your holiday includes young children then a visit to the Children's Museum is a perfect fit. Located near Broadway at the Beach, the spunky space encourages little ones to touch, explore and play. Need to know: The Myrtle Beach website has a special section dedicated to kids. It includes coloring pages and word games.
To see the bigger picture, make vacation plans and take advantage of website online discounts go to www.visitmyrtlebeach.com
Here is the deal. No family vacation in Myrtle Beach is complete without a few deals. From the Myrtle Beach website print coupons to redeem on your vacation. Fun deals: Participating in the Amusements/Water Parks category: Broadway at the Beach, Brookgreen Gardens, Family Kingdom Amusement Park Grand Prix Family Thrill Park, MagiQuest, Myrtle Waves Water Park, NASCAR, Speedpark, Pavilion Amusement Park. U-Save Auto Rental and Planet Hollywood are on the list. Golf deals: For golfing you will find discounts provided by Cane Patch Par 3 Golf & Driving Range, Captain Hook's Adventure Golf, Dragon's Lair Fantasy Golf, Jungle Safari Mini Golf, Jurassic Golf, Midway Par 3 at South Beach Resort, Myrtle Beach National, Shipwreck Island Adventure Golf. Shopping deals: Find deals for shopping at Barefoot Landing, Bass Pro Shops, Coastal Grand Mall and Colonial Mall. Entertainment deals: Take advantage of discounts at Alabama Theatre, Carolina Opry, Legends In Concert, Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament and Palace Theatre. Get out on the water with Downwind Sails and Ocean Watersports. Find the deals at Myrtle Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. 1200 N. Oak Street, Myrtle Beach, 29577 or www.visitmyrtlebeach.com
Planning Details
MagiQuest. 1185 Celebrity Circle, 29577. 1(843) 913-9408, 1-866-353-6244 or www.magiquest.com
Family Kingdom Amusement Park and Ocean Front Water Park. 300 South Ocean Blvd, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577. 1 (843) 626-3447 or www.family-kingdom.com
Low Country History & Wildlife Preserve Brookgreen Gardens. 1931 Brookgreen Gardens Dr. Pawleys Island, 29585. 1(843) 235-6000 or www.brookgreen.org
Bicycles-N-Gear. 515 C Hwy. 501 Myrtle Beach, SC 29577. 1 (843) 626-2453 or www.bikesngear.com
The Franklin G. Burroughs-Simeon B. Chapin Art Museum. 3100 South Ocean Boulevard, Myrtle Beach, 29577. 1(843) 238-2510 or www.myrtlebeachartmuseum.org/kidsart.htm
Ripley's Aquarium. 1110 Celebrity Circle, Myrtle Beach, 29577. 1(843) 916-0888, 1-800-734-8888 or www.ripleysaquarium.com
Children's Museum of South Carolina. 2501 North Kings Highway, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina 29577. 1(843) 946-9469 or www.cmsckids.org
Content created by FamilyTravelFiles.com and images provided by South Carolina Division of Tourism. Copyright 2008.