Envision your dream reunion—affordable lodging, a wealth of attractions, space for family bonding and group-friendly dining all abound. Relatives, no matter where they’re from, can reach the destination quickly and inexpensively. Imagine all this and more steps away from the pristine Atlantic Ocean, and the result is North Myrtle Beach. It’s no dream; North Myrtle Beach is an affordable, beautiful site to host your next reunion.
North Myrtle Beach Activities
Located on South Carolina’s Grand Strand stretch of resort towns, North Myrtle Beach offers dozens of outdoor activities. Most properties offer access to pools and public beaches, where visitors can swim, surf, boat and fish. Adventurous family members can visit Shark Waterpark 843, a 25-acre wakeboard pool and floating obstacle course. Ten golf courses wind between rental communities, with courses designed by Robert Trent Jones, Arnold Palmer and Greg Norman available for family competition or private lessons. If you have an athletic family, consider a tournament at the North Myrtle Beach Park and Sports Complex, the city’s new state-of-the-art facility. Encompassing 163 acres, the venue contains baseball/softball diamonds and soccer/lacrosse fields. Picnic areas and changing rooms are available onsite, so your family can spend an entire day without having to leave the property.
A more relaxing day can be spent horseback riding at Inlet Point Plantation Stables on nearby Waites Island. Experienced guides offer basic instructions and lead groups through over a thousand acres of untrammeled wilderness, with the option to explore the beach or plantations farther inland. Sunset and moonlight rides are offered, and the stables offer photo packages as keepsakes. Groups looking for Southern charm will want to visit Barefoot Landing, an entertainment district along the Intercostal Waterway. Specialty shops and boutiques offer sundresses and handcrafted jewelry, while your family can enjoy a seafood dinner and watch passing riverboats at the area’s many restaurants. Across the parking lot is the Alabama Theatre, North Myrtle Beach’s premier live entertainment venue. Shows are produced by Gaylord Entertainment of Nashville, and throughout the year they bring comedians, holiday shows and Broadway-quality productions to the stage. Group discounts are offered, and all shows are family-friendly.
For an adult option, consider a South Carolina winery. La Belle Amie Vineyard offers a variety of reds, whites and blues for family members 21 and up to sample. From Wine Wednesdays to Saturday Bonfires, there is a day of the week that will appeal to your vino tastes.
Where to Stay at North Myrtle Beach
When planning your reunion, accommodations are key. Do you stay in a traditional hotel, book a rental property or get in touch with nature at a campsite? Luckily, North Myrtle Beach offers numerous options in all three categories, with dedicated group travel advisors waiting to assist you. Dozens of hotels dot the area’s coastline, and most come fully equipped with air conditioning, wi-fi and pool access. Many also feature adjoining conference centers or reception halls for family meals or bonding time. Luxury hotels also offer poolside bars and spa services, and there are even some pet-friendly options. For more homey amenities, your group should consider one of the many condominium communities or beach house plantations. Condos are great for longer visits, as they include kitchens, multiple bedrooms and increased storage space, while beach houses are ideal for large groups. These fully-furnished homes often feature large living rooms and wraparound porches perfect for large social gatherings. Families who prefer to camp or need RV parking space will enjoy the Myrtle Beach RV Resort, which offers utilities and respite from the bustling coastline.
Dining
Maintaining a well-fed family is crucial to any reunion, and North Myrtle Beach boasts options to satisfy your crew’s entire stay. Seafood is the specialty here, and hundreds of restaurants along the coast serve savory shrimp and scallops to hungry visitors. Flounders Fish House in the Cherry Grove neighborhood serves local Low Country cuisine in an old fishing village atmosphere. Your family can dine on stuffed flounder, crab cakes and garlic mussels with stunning ocean views, while adults can indulge in a frozen cocktail. More savory seafood awaits at the Duffy Street Seafood Shack, which offers award-winning shrimp n’ grits and its original Duffy Street Rum Punch. Group members with landlubber tastes will want to try the handmade guacamole or quesadillas at Señor Willie’s Taco Shack, a local favorite found right on Main Street.
Traveling to North Myrtle Beach
Located midway between New York City and Miami, North Myrtle Beach is within a day’s drive of most metropolitan areas east of the Mississippi River. Visitors can reach the area by taking I-95 north and south or I-20 east to Florence, then a short journey on Route 501 will deposit groups right to the beach. If your family is arriving by air, Myrtle Beach International Airport has non-stop flights from more than 30 cities in the U.S. and Canada. Airlines servicing the airport are Allegiant, Delta, Porter (Canada), Spirit, United, American, ViaAir and WestJet (Canada).
With a variety of rental properties and an unforgettable Atlantic Ocean backdrop, North Myrtle Beach is the site for a dream reunion. Contact the North Myrtle Beach CVB, and experienced group travel planners can make this South Carolina dream your family’s reality.
