Where to stay in Myrtle Beach (Socastee, North Myrtle Beach: oceanfront, amusement park, condos)

[Njrover0216]

I am traveling to Myrtle Beach the end of April with my young children for vacation. I am looking for a pet friendly place to stay perhaps a condo or house. Should I look in North, Central or South Myrtle Beach? If we do not stay in Central Myrtle Beach will I still be able to visit Central Myrtle and find parking?

I haven't been to Myrtle in about 8 years. What is there to do for young children(around the ages of 3 and 5)

[Dawne]

Here's a link for pet friendly accommodations: Myrtle Beach Pet Friendly Hotels Lodging Condos

There is a parking garage in downtown Myrtle and there are a number of places you can park on the street or in little side areas that lead to the beach. I think all are metered or require payment as you leave.

When my kids were 3 and 5 they really enjoyed the animal things: Alligator Adventure at Barefoot Landing, Ripley's Aquarium at Broadway at the Beach, and the Waccatee Zoo on Enterprise Road off of Route 707 below Socastee. Here are some links:

Welcome To Alligator Adventure || Reptile Capital of the World!
Ripley Aquarium of Myrtle Beach (http://myrtlebeach.ripleyaquariums.com/ - broken link)
Waccatee Zoological Farm - The 'Beast' Kept Secret In Myrtle Beach

The Children's Museum of South Carolina is an excellent hands-on place for kids to touch and explore and do things: Children’s Museum of South Carolina, Myrtle Beach, SC

Of course, there are TONS of miniature golf places to choose from. Dragon's Lair at Broadway at the Beach (BATB) is pretty cool for kids. There are many that are pirate themed and many that are animal themed. There's a nice little playground area at BATB also, which is nice to take a rest from shopping to allow the kids to get rid of some excess energy.

Brookgreen Gardens is also a nice place to visit. They have a little zoo and a boat ride, both of which cost a bit extra. Your ticket to the Gardens is good for seven consecutive days, so if you don't get to see it all, or want to go back another time, you can. Brookgreen Gardens Myrtle Beach -- Ever Changing. Simply Amazing.

There are also two oceanfront state parks: Myrtle Beach State Park and Huntington Beach State Park (right across from Brookgreen Gardens).

There is so much to do that you can't possibly do it all in one trip. Of course, a lot depends on the weather when you're there, but if it's raining in one area (say the north end) you can often head to the south end for the day as it probably won't be raining there.

Enjoy!

[Njrover0216]

Thank you for the abundance of information! I will definitely be going to some of these places.I am debating on which area to stay in as well. Would you recommend staying in North Myrtle and playing in the sand there, then heading to Myrtle to do things?

[Dawne]

We usually stay at the south end, near the MB/Surfside Beach line. We actually usually camp in our motor home at Ocean Lakes. We've stayed at Dayton House and Dunes Village (both over New Years). I understand from friends that North Myrtle Beach has wide, beautiful beaches that aren't as crowded as MB proper. Surfside Beach bills itself as a "family" area and Garden City Beach is also nice. No matter where you stay you'll find that you want to drive to other things.

There's a new boardwalk in MB near where the old Pavilion Amusement Park used to be. They'll also be building a giant wheel (like a huge ferris wheel with enclosed cars like in London and other places) and I understand a sky ride will be built in that area as well in the next few years. Lots has changed in the 8 years since you've been there. So much changes in just one year. Our favorite first thing to do is get back in the car (after we've rested up from the drive there) and go see what's new.