Myrtle Beach... Southern Paradise Found.

Oh, boy, what wasn’t my favorite? I guess my absolute favorite had to be the Ripley’s Aquarium. I just loved the sharks! It offers a great look into the sea life and a chance to pet a manna ray! I also loved the trip to Georgetown for the boat tour and seeing the lighthouse. It makes for a very peaceful getaway from the dizziness of the beach.

Quick Tips:

If you are coming here during spring break, bike week, or over the summer, then you must plan well in advance. This place draws people from all over the world. And for those who live only a few hours away, we're here every weekend! So it does tend to get quite crowded. For a terrific getaway, you might try Christmas time! The weather is perfect, and there are so many things going on here. This place makes for the perfect getaway anytime.

Best Way To Get Around:

If you have not driven in, you need to rent a car. Everything is too spread out to try to get around by foot. Otherwise, you have to rely on taxis, and that can get expensive. Parking is at a premium, so try to plan all of your activities together so you can park and then walk.

While in Myrtle Beach, we stayed at the Red Roof Inn. Part of the chain of well-known moderate-stay hotels, the Myrtle Beach location is a gem. Conveniently located only 2 miles from the airport and less than 5 miles from the pavilion area, it makes a perfect place to stay while in Myrtle Beach.

We had a standard room, which consisted of two double beds, a desk, and a TV. Continental breakfast is served. The hotel lobby is clean and inviting. They have tons of information on local attractions. They do have a pool. Located next door is a putt-putt course. Several restaurants are within walking distance. And what about the beach you may ask? Well, go out to the back parking lot and keep walking. You are less than 5 minutes from the beach!

If you are planning a trip with Fido or Spot, this is the place to go. Pets are welcome here. My little girl, Jasmine, said she gives it two paws up! They also are proud sponsors of the Human Society. The rates are very reasonable. We went right before Memorial Day and paid $35 per night! So with great rates, a perfect location, and pets welcome,…what are you waiting for? You can go to www.redroof.com for more information or to make reservations.

If you are at Broadway at the Beach, stop by and check out the Myrtle Beach chapter of the Hard Rock. It is easily located, as it is housed inside a huge pyramid that looks more like it should be located outside of the Luxor in Vegas. While the Hard Rock isn’t exactly know for legendary cuisine, the food is nonetheless very good and satisfying, especially after a day of trotting around the beach. American fare is on the menu, with everything from pasta to burgers to sandwiches. While I normally order their very yummy burger, I decided to break with tradition and go with the fajitas, also very pleasing to the pallet.

Inside the Hard Rock is what everybody comes for. If you haven’t been inside a Hard Rock, you will be amazed at the large collection of memorabilia from rock-and-roll's best. Everything from Elvis to the Beatles to Hendrix to more modern legends such as Metallica can be found here. While waiting for your order, it is fun just to look at the walls adorned with records, instruments, clothing, and more. You will find a hip and trendy waitstaff to service you. Once you have chowed down, make sure to save room for the delectable hot fudge brownie sundae. There are plenty of places to walk off all those calories afterwards.

After satisfying your appetite, stop by the gift shop. Wearing one of the Hard Rock T-shirts is a way to stay hip and just let the whole world know what a world traveler you are. You can also pick up shot glasses, leather jackets, beer cozies, and more. Members of the Hard Rock pin collectors' club (and yep, there is such a thing) can pick up a variety of pins. If you are here during a very busy time, you may want to make advanced reservations. Reservations can be made at www.hardrock.com up to a month in advance.

Also located at Broadway at the Beach, you will find the Myrtle Beach Planet Hollywood. The round behemoth structure is hard to miss. Outside, there is a handprint hall of fame. Check to see how your print compares to the Governator's or Bruce Willis's. But ladies, there ain’t no amount of prying going to release Mel Gibson’s prints. Take it from me!

Like at the Hard Rock, people don’t flock here in search of gourmet-inspired cuisine. They come for the memorabilia inside. In this case, it happens to be movie and TV memorabilia. Bruce Willis, Demi Moore, Arnold Schwarzanegger, and Sylvester Stallone originally started the chain. So you can expect to see stuff from their movies here. Located near our table were the costumes from the original cast of the Musters, and Stallone's motorcycle from Judge Dredd hung over us. If you feel like someone is watching you, it is just one of the Predators up on the ledge. On the TV screens, they constantly have movies going. It is a fun atmosphere inside and a great place for the whole family. Once your belly is full, make sure to stop by the gift shop. Here you can, of course, get one of those Planet Hollywood T-shirts or sweats. That way, everybody knows you're cool enough to go to Planet Hollywood. You can also find a wide variety of other Planet Hollywood-embossed items, like glasses, pins, and very expensive leather coats. Check out www.planethollywood.com for more information.

For one of the best burgers in town, try Johnny Rockets. There are locations at both Broadway at the Beach and Barefoot Landing. If you have furry children with you, then check out the Barefoot Landing location. They offer outdoor dining, where your furry little one can enjoy a burger. My little girl loved it. If you have never been to a Johnny Rockets, then you really need to try one. Designed to resemble a 1950s diner, customers are offered great American fare. Mouthwatering burgers, hot dogs, chili, and awesome onion rings can be found on the menu. And make sure to check out the scrumptious milkshakes. The waitstaff is dressed all in nice, freshly pressed white uniforms. And music of that bygone area plays in the background.

Johnny Rockets opened its doors in 1986 in LA. Today, more than 150 restaurants can be found all over the States and in several countries. The food is fresh and yummy and very reasonably priced, especially compared to other chain theme restaurants. When you order fries, your waiter will make sure to pour some ketchup out for you. And at any minute, the staff might break out in a dance. This place will soon become a favorite of the whole family. They also have a gift shop, so make sure you check it out. Their shirts are certainly reasonable compared to Planet Hollywood and the Hard Rock. I got a logo polo shirt for $15. They set you back more than double that at the other two! Check out www.johhnyrockets.com for more info.

Less than an hour outside of Myrtle Beach sits the small and quaint town of Georgetown. Far from the hustle and bustle of Myrtle Beach, Georgetown is an oasis for those looking for peace and quiet. While visiting this beautiful and historic town, you should take a trip with the Carolina Rover.

The Carolina Rover offers a wonderful 3-hour tour to the remote North Island near Winyah Bay. Aboard the boat, there is a naturalist to offer the history and commentary of the natural tidelands. On the way to the island, you will pass many beautiful houses, some lovely islands, and lots of birds. You will also see and hear about the site of the Civil War wreck, the Harvest Moon. What looks like just a clump of sea grass or something is actually the top of the smoke stack sticking up!

Once on the island, you are offered an incredible beach not touched by development. You get about an hour to roam around the beach. The sand feels so soft between your toes. And unlike at Myrtle Beach, you don’t have to worry about what you step on. Bird lovers will love the variety of birds found on the island. And everyone will love all the seashells to be discovered and collected. Make sure to bring binoculars and something for the shells you have collected. The island is absolutely lovely and makes for a perfect place to take a romantic walk.

You will be told what time to be back, so make sure you are back on time. On the way back, you will pass the lovely white Georgetown lighthouse. The trip is fun and relaxing and offers a much-needed mental break from busy Myrtle Beach. It also offers you a glimpse into the fragile eco-system in South Carolina. The folks at the Carolina Rover have taken the precautions to make sure their trip is environmentally friendly. This is one trip you will want to make sure to take. You can get tickets and more information by visiting them on the web at www.rovertours.com.

While on the Carolina Rover tour, you get a chance to see the North Island Lighthouse, also known as the Georgetown Lighthouse. The 87-foot white brick tower dates from 1812. It was refurbished in 1857 and given its fourth order Fresnel lens. It was also refurbished again in 1867 to repair damage sustained during the Civil War. Today, it still remains an aid to navigation, making it the oldest active lighthouse in South Carolina. In 2001, it was turned over the South Carolina Deptartment of Natural Resources. It is listed on the Natural Register of Historic Places. It is also one of the most remote lighthouses on the East Coast.

The lighthouse is also reportedly haunted. It is believed that the spirit of a former lighthouse keeper still remains here. The spirit of the daughter of a former keeper also reportedly haunts it. A former keeper and his daughter left the house to go into town to get provisions. On the way, a storm came up and their tiny boat was capsized, drowning the little girl. Her sprit is said to have remained behind, warning visitors of the potential danger that may lie ahead!

When you book your tour with the Carolina Rover, ask about seeing the lighthouse. This is the only way to see the lighthouse. While the lighthouse is not open to the public, you can walk up to it. But the boat does not always dock near the lighthouse. So if you are intent on going, inquire when you make your reservations. You can visit www.rovertours.com for tour information. If you would like to find out more about this lighthouse or read general lighthouse information, visit www.lighthousedepot.com. The website offers comprehensive lighthouse information, as well as lighthouse-related merchandise. You can also find out about subscribing to the Lighthouse Depot. This is a terrific monthly magazine devote entirely to lighthouses!

Myrtle Beach is known for its golf. But for those who prefer to putt that little ball though a maze of lopsided turf and windmills, you will be glad to know that Myrtle Beach is also known as the putt-putt capital of the world! There are dozens of courses all over the grand strand to choose from. Most are open until midnight or later, especially during the heavy tourist season. Grab your kids and make a night out of hitting balls around a pirate, through a spooky skull-shaped cave, or over swinging bridges. Don’t come with a kid? Don’t worry; we didn’t either. But this fun form of entertainment is great for everyone.

We went with Captain Hook's Adventure. This is easy to spot because of the huge skull cave. It is one of the newest courses and can easily be located on King’s Highway. It is full of swinging bridges, lovely waterfalls, lagoons, and pirates. Sadly, however, none resembled Johnny Depp’s Captain Jack Sparrow. You have two courses to choose from: the Lost Boys and the more challenging Hook's Challenge. I went with the Lost Boys more because of my love of the vampire movie of the same name rather that the tale of Peter Pan.

You get 18 fun holes to get through. At hole 9, my husband was only slightly beating me, 22 to 29, but by hole 18, he had beat me 42 to 62! Oh, well. You will still have fun even if your hubby is winning. Just make sure to observe all of the rules. And being a non-parent, I will offer this advice to parents. If you have small children playing, please step aside and let others play, then go back to your hole. There is nothing in this world more annoying than holding up a line of people while your 3-year-old tries to play. And believe me, there are quite a few families out there doing this, oblivious to the fact that they are holding up everyone else!

From the fine folks at Ripley’s that bring you shrunken heads and very tall men, comes the very beautiful Ripley’s Aquarium, located at Broadway at the Beach. The aquarium is a $40-million, state-of-the-art, 87,000-square-foot aquarium. It is part of the American Zoo and Aquarium Association. Meaning, in additional to fun and entertainment, the aquarium also is home to a world-class marine facility that is involved with environment education, conservation, and research.

The Rio Amazon exhibit displays piranha and other beautiful fish that are found in the Amazon River. You can marvel at the animals in the sea life collection, such as a giant octopus, sea anemones, coral, jellyfish, a seahorse, and an array of dazzling fish. At the Sea-For-Yourself Discovery Center, you get a chance to hold a horseshoe crab or pet a gentle ray. A dive show and marine education classes are presented hourly.

The big attraction by far is the Dangerous Reef, a 750,000-gallon tank with the world’s longest moving glide path at 330 feet. Here you glide your away through a tunnel of beautiful and brilliantly colored fishes, rays, eels, and more. You also get a close encounter with quite a few sharks! Kids, both small and over 21, will love this. It is such a thrill to be this close to sharks. In fact, it was after seeing this that we decided to get certified to scuba dive, just so I could get closer to the sharks. When we were here, the glide path was off, offering us a chance to take our time going through the tunnel.

There is a café and gift shop on the premises. There are also several chances to have your picture taken for a souvenir. As soon as you walk in the door there is someone waiting to take a picture. For more information, to find out what is happing during your trip, or to purchase advanced tickets, you can go to www.ripleysaquarium.com. You can also purchase tickets right in the front. If there is a long line outside, duck into the visitors information store right on the corner. You can purchase tickets here, as well as tickets for most of the shows in town.

Robert Ripley was an adventurer and a cartoonist. While traveling the world, he began to amass a large collection of odd artifacts. During his lifetime, he visited 198 countries. In 1918, while working as a sports cartoonist for the New York Globe, he created his first collection of odd facts based on usual athletic achievement. The cartoon was an instant success. Peanuts creator Charles Schultz even drew for Ripley’s column at the age of 12! Today his cartoon still runs, his books are still published, and there is a Ripley’s TV show hosted by the handsome Dean Cain. Today Ripley’s museums can be found all over the country and the world.

Located on Ocean Blvd., the Myrtle Beach museum is hard not to miss. The huge two-story building looks like it has been cracked opened! Once inside, you can take a self-guided tour of the over-500 exhibits on display. Here you will find shrunken heads, a roller coaster made of over 30,000 matchsticks, a three-legged chicken, a portrait of Van Gogh made entirely of jelly beans, evidence of vampires (sadly nothing resembling Tom Cruise as Lestat, though), and a replica of Cleopatra’s barge, made entirely out of confectioners sugar! The museum is kinda campy, especially if you have been to any of the other locations. Overall, it is still a fun way to pass a few hours, and children love it. There is a gift shop on the premises. You can go to www.ripleys.com for more information.

Located between Highway 17 and Bob Grissom (not CSI’s Gill Grissom!) Parkway, you will easily find the mega shopping area known as Broadway at the Beach. This 350-acre shopping mecca is beautifully located around a manmade lake. Here you will find multitudes of restaurants, shops, and activities. In fact, you could spend days here alone. The area is divided into three shopping villages: New England Fishing Village East and West and Caribbean Village.

At the Caribbean Village you will find Planet Hollywood and the Hard Rock Café, Celebrity Square, and the Ripley’s Aquarium. New England Fishing Village East is home to the movie theater, the Butterfly Pavilion, Coastal Federal Baseball Field, Dragons Lair, the and IMAX Discovery Theater. New England Fishing Village West is home to Carousel Park, Pirates of the Carolina Coast, Myrtle Waves Water Park, NASCAR Speedpark, and the Palace Theater. Nearby you will find a Fairfield Inn, Hampton Inn, and Holiday Inn Express.

There are a number of chain restaurants here in addition to Hard Rock and Planet Hollywood. There is a Joe’s Crab Shack, Johnny Rockets, and Tony Roma’s Ribs to name a few. Here you can keep going even at night, with a number of nightclubs on the premises. Take a break and climb aboard a water taxi for a relaxing ride. At special times of the year (such as July 4th and New Years), you will find a spectacular fireworks display over the lake. All ages will "oooh" and "aaahh" at the Butterfly Pavilion. This is the first facility of its kind to incorporate a fully enclosed glass butterfly pavilion. The Palace Theater offers a variety of musical concerts, comedy legends, and the only place to find the Rockettes and the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. For more information, just go to www.broadwayatthebeach.com.

One of the most beautiful shopping areas can be found in North Myrtle Beach, just off the Intercoastal Highway. Barefoot Landing is part-shopping complex and part-preservation. Offering over 2,400 aces, more than 100 shops, and 15 restaurants, this shopping attraction is one of the most popular and beautiful places at the beach. Access to the shopping area is by several historic swinging bridges. It is built around a large lake. Here you will find a variety of birds, fish, and even alligators! You can find fish food in gumball machines around the lake.

Barefoot Landing is home to the Alabama Theater, Barefoot Princess paddlewheel boat, Grand Prix Family Thrill, House of the Blues, and Alligator Adventure. Alligator Adventure is an alligator park and reptile research institute. The perfect place to bring the whole family. Staff members can often be found on the Jay Leno Show. You can visit them at www.alligatoradventure.com. Throughout barefoot landing, you will often see staff members with animals from the park. While we were there, we saw one staff member with a HUGE turtle. My poor little 10-pound dog didn’t know what to make of this huge thing! Speaking of dogs, if you have one in tow, make sure to bring them here. Dogs are permitted if they are on a leash. Several of the stores will allow them in. There is a Bone Apetit Bakery featuring fresh-made treats for your pets. And Johnny Rockets offers outdoor seating and will allow your pet at the tables outside.

Golf fans will love this place. The Barefoot Resort and Golf offer courses built by Greg Norman, David Love III, Tom Fazio, and Pete Dye. Throughout the year, they have a number of celebrations going on, including Bike Week in May, Summerfest, a classic car show, trick-or-treating, and holiday celebrations. They are also involved with charitable organizations. The holiday celebrations from November and December offer a Toys For Tots Drive, and they offer several chili and rib cook-offs for charity. To see what is going on during your visit, simply go to www.bflanding.com.

Located at Barefoot Landing, you will find the House of Blues restaurant and nightclub. It was originally started by one half of the Blues Brothers, Dan Aykroyd, and Jim Belushi. Belushi is the brother of the late John Belushi, who made up the other half of the Blues Brothers. HOB got its start in Cambridge, MA, in 1992, but not before it first opened its doors to the homeless on Thanksgiving Day. The cooperation is still heavily involved in charity, from homelessness to music in schools programs. The House of Blues has a number of venues located in the U.S.

Southern cooks inspire the cuisine found here. The ribs here are divine and my favorite meal in the place. Their musical venues offer a variety of musical influences; everything from rock, country, folk, and more can be heard here. You never know who will be playing. But if you check out www.hob.com, you can see who is on the stage when you’re in town. While we were here, we were very lucky and got to see an outstanding performance by the legendary Aaron Nevil. The man is incredible, despite the fact that he looks like he could drop-kick just about anyone, and his voice is truly that of an angel. If he is in town, you will want to make sure to check him out. If you are here on a Sunday, make sure you stop by for the HOB’s legendry gospel brunch. The brunch runs from 9am-2pm and offers praise and thanksgiving with some of the best local and regional gospel artists. You may happen to be lucky enough to catch the Hallelujah Choir from Beaufort, SC, featured in the movie Forrest Gump. The HOB has set itself apart from other celeb-owned restaurants by continuously offering some of the best and legendary performers and by offering a start to new talent.

While you and your furry friend are taking in Barefoot Landing, make sure to take a stop in at Bone Appetite Bakery. Owner Tracy Johnson opened her unique store in 1999 and has been received praises ever since. Just like at a people-bakery, your faithful friend can paw out that yummy-looking bone treat she has her eye on. Tracy and staff use only the freshest and healthiest ingredients for their treats. They use wheat germ, carob, peanuts, tomato paste, garlic, eggs, and Parmesan cheese. Treats are made on-site and in small batches.

If you are interested in their products, you may visit their website at www.mbboneappetit.com for more information or to order treats. Buying your special pal treats from here will have you in great company with Oprah Winfrey, Rosie O’Donald, Richard Simmons, the late Mr. Rogers, Mary Lou Retton, and Governor Jessie Ventura, all of whom have happy pets, thanks to Tracy. My Jasmine says to tell you the best treat is the wheat germ hearts dipped in carob. For those with feline friends, they also offer a line of kitty treats. Needless to say, with such a wonderful store, Ms. Johnson is a proud sponsor of the Humane Society. This is the perfect stop for pets and their owners or those who are feeling a little guilty about leaving their best friend behind.

Myrtle Beach is a world-class destination. There is something for every taste here. You will find a variety of hotels, restaurants, and attractions as wide as the ocean herself. There weather here is beautiful year-round. The spring and fall offer much cooler weather than the dead heat of the Southern summer. The winter offers a respite from the cold weather found elsewhere. Christmas at the Beach is becoming more and more popular as families decided to spend the holiday relaxing, instead of in a consistent rush.

The most popular times of the year are the summer, spring break, Bike Week in May, and Christmas. If you are coming at any of those times, you will have to plan your trip in advance. Last-minute hotel reservations during any of these times are next to impossible to get. You can go to www.myrtlebeachinfo.com for visitors information and to request a free visitors guide. I highly suggest you do. There are also a lot of great travel guides out there. I purchased a great one from the Insiders guide. Or just get great advice from your fellow travelers here at IgoUgo. No matter which you do, just get the information you need and sit down and plan your trip well in advance. I would allow at least six months in heavy tourist season.

If you love dancing, check out the official dance of the Carolinas-the shag. The shag is an easygoing dance that is easily to learn. Many of the clubs in the area offer lessons. Shagging is danced to what we here call "beach music", or what everyone else may call Motown. Dancers shag to the sounds of the Platters, The Drifters, the 4 Tops, the Temps, or local legends such as the Charmin of the Board or Maurice Williams and the Zodiac. In mid-March, you can check out the National Shag Dance Championships (www.shagnationals.com) or check out the Spring Safari (mid-April) or Fall Migration (mid-September) held by the SOS (Society of Stranders).

There is so much to do here that you could spend weeks here and never get it all done. So during your first trip, make a list of things to do on this trip and save the rest for later. Myrtle Beach is a destination worth returning to again and again. Please come and enjoy our well-known Southern hospitality at one of the most beautiful places on the planet! I know you will be glad you did.