Roofing Contractor inMyrtle Beach, SC.

Planning a family vacation to a great beach in SC? Myrtle Beach is a clear favorite, and it is easy to see why. As one of the most popular beaches for vacationing in SC, Myrtle Beach offers top-notch hotels and resorts along with tons of family-friendly activities along the Grand Strand. So we’ve gathered up reviews and coverage from Kidding Around into one convenient guide! Our guide includes places to stay, where to dine, fun activities, and more to help you create the perfect vacation.

This article includes:Where to Stay at Myrtle BeachWhere to Eat at Myrtle BeachThings to do Indoors at Myrtle BeachThings to do Outdoors at Myrtle Beach

Planning a Trip to the Coast of SC: Myrtle Beach

At just about four hours from the Upstate, the sun and fun of Myrtle Beach is a popular destination for residents of the Upstate and SC. Myrtle Beach was designed with vacationers in mind, with hotels, resorts, and motels to fit any budget. There are plenty of places to stay, which helps keep the rates low and affordable for families. Aside from fun on the beach, there are unique and awesome attractions to keep families entertained. Everything from dinner shows to museums, amusement parks, water sports, shopping, and even an aquarium! There are also 90 golf courses and 50 mini golf courses to play at, making Myrtle Beach a top vacation destination for golf lovers.

Let Kidding Around be your guide to planning the perfect trip to Myrtle Beach for your family! We know where to find all of the cool stuff because we’ve gone and checked it out ourselves!

Where To Stay in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

As one of the most accommodating beaches in SC, Myrtle Beach has approximately 425 hotels to choose from! You’ll never have a hard time finding an oceanfront room, or a resort with all of the amenities you desire. Finding the best of the best is what we aim to do, so below are some recommendations for spots we’ve stayed in ourselves, along with additional places to stay along the Grand Strand.

This article contains Stay22 affiliate links.

If you are looking for a less commercial beach vacation experience in SC, Myrtle Beach probably isn’t it. However, North Myrtle Beach is just a few miles north of the hustle and bustle of central Myrtle Beach. You will find less nightlife, quieter beaches, and more rental homes and condos here.

Some of the top-rated resorts in North Myrtle Beach include the expansive Club Wyndham Ocean Front Resort. This resort offers five pools, fully equipped kitchens, and is just a few miles from Barefoot Landing for exceptional shopping and dining. There is also the highly-rated Avista Resort. This family-friendly resort in North Myrtle Beach offers two outdoor pools, a lazy river, is oceanfront, and is close to golf courses.

Where To Eat in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Nothing works up an appetite quite like a day spent on the beach, and Myrtle Beach is the place to be! From seafood freshly caught off the dock and live music on the pier to romantic dinners for two, we’ve got some delicious spots to recommend that we have tried ourselves that are affordable and worth a visit.

Things To Do Indoors in Myrtle Beach, SC

What To Do Outdoors in Myrtle Beach

When you head to the beach for some fun, fitting in a few extra activities is one of the most exciting things to plan. There’s certainly no shortage of them in Myrtle Beach! Here are some of the ones Kidding Around team members have enjoyed!

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WMBF) - From convenience at the beach to fun additions to nearby playgrounds, the city of Myrtle Beach is one step closer to checking several things off its master list of city-wide improvements.

City officials said everything from playground equipment to pathways reach a point where they need replacing, and it’s why the city is hard at work on several new projects.

One new improvement started with updates to Futrell Park.

“Colorful, said Britney Alfero, a Myrtle Beach resident. “You know it’s like there’s a little toddler playground and it’s actually quite peaceful to come here,” she added. It was a new sight for a new resident Alfero.

Alfero, a mother of two children, said she’s been living in Myrtle Beach for just six months, and said she’s excited for the brand-new addition to the park.

“It’s really nice, there’s like more to do.,” said Alfero. “The other playground was just like a little slide and some swing, and it’s a big upgrade.” City workers said along with a new playground, they installed a new, state-of-the-art Astroturf surface that makes it easy for kids to play on.

That’s not the only project in the works.

when hurricane Ian swept across the grand strand last year, dunes and walkovers for dunes were damaged, making beach access more difficult.

“The hurricane kind of destroyed 12 of them either destroyed them completely damaged them,” said Jay Hood, the Capital Projects Director for the city of Myrtle Beach. “You know, everything has an age limit so it’s time to revamp and bring them back up.” The city is set to either replace or restore 15 dunes walkovers in the city from 80th Avenue North all the way to 29th Avenue South.

Nearby residents said the project is happening at the right time.

“I think mostly it’s progression,” said Martin Folk, a Conway resident. “I mean it’s keeping up with the times, it’s making things a little more convenient.” “Especially for handicap, they really need it, they really need it,” said Darlene Pierce, a Conway resident. The city said the project should be complete by next spring, and residents said it’s worth the wait. “The good things take a while anyway so they do things, everything first right here it’s not shabby and just thrown together, they actually put some thought into it to the people here that live here, so we’re really happy.” Said Folk.

Other additions to Futrell Park include a new Splash Pad that’s set to open on June 1.

Copyright 2023 WMBF. All rights reserved.

Rocco Tinitali is helping to bring a taste of the Polynesian Islands to the Grand Strand.

The 33-year-old American Samoa has been performing the art of fire knife dancing for the last five years. Now, he brings his performance to a new luau show at River Island Adventures in Longs.

It’s one of three Polynesian shows you can find this summer in the Myrtle Beach area.

Tinitali followed his wife, who is also American Samoa, to the Myrtle Beach area. The couple currently live in Longs.

He learned how to fire knife dance from his brother-in-laws.

Tinitali performs with Hula Fire Entertainment, but his wife’s family conducts performances at another Polynesian dinner show.

It definitely is a family affair.

Tinitali said knife dance is a traditional Samoan art. “The way to get use to (the) fire back home is you cook with a rock fire,” Tinitali said. “The rocks are very hot. Whenever you get close to them, you burn yourself.”

Tinitali picked up the performance art easily, but it doesn’t mean he still doesn’t feel the heat. “I still burn myself,” he laughed.

He travels all over performing the fire knife dance.

Here’s where you can see him and his family locally.

Tinitali will perform as part of Adventure Luau, a new show being offered by River Island Adventures.

Jeff Cline with the Longs company, 1249 Vera Road, said by text that the show will be offered every Friday beginning at 6:30 p.m. from June 2 through Sept. 29.

Cost is $54.99 per adult, $24.99 for ages 6 to 15 and free for ages 5 and younger.

The two-hour outdoor dinner and show will be along the river bank and offer authentic music and performances from the Pacific Islands, such as hula, poi balls and fire knife dance.

Dinner will include: kalua pork, shrimp with mango relish, cilantro lime rice, roasted vegetables, Hawaiian slaw, grilled pineapple, Hawaiian rolls and pineapple poke cake.

Cline said there may also be a Christmas luau during the month of December.

Performances will be by Hula Fire Entertainment with hula dancers from Aloha Island Experience, Cline said.

Go to rivr.info/luau or call 843-882-7487.

Polynesian Fire is a live music and luau dinner show. It features the Lavata’i brothers, who were born and raised in the village of Nu’uuli on the island of Tutuila, American Samoa.

The brothers learned the art of Samoan fire knife in 2002, training with Chief Olo “Freddie” Uluao Misilagi Letuli, who is known as the inventor of fire knife dancing.

“It’s interesting, ask the average local and they probably haven’t heard of it,” said operator Jason Wright about the show, although it’s been performing since 2015.

Wright got the idea for the show after attending a similar one in Hawaii. He was visiting Myrtle Beach and noticed that no one really had shows, so he decided to open one here. He operates another one in Daytona Beach.

People thought he was crazy when it first started, Wright said. No he sells out shows six days a week, he said.

When he partnered with the Lavata’i family for the show, “it changed everything,” Wright said.

The show takes place at 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday at the St. Johns Inn, 6803 N Ocean Blvd., Myrtle Beach.

Cost runs from $29.99 to $69.99. Tickets can be booked at Polynesianfire.com or by calling 843-424-1978.

Town of Surfside Beach will offer Summer Beach Hula Shows from 7 to 8 p.m. every Monday from June 5 through August at the 3rd Avenue North Beach Access.

Admission is free, but tips are accepted.

It’s suggested that attendees should bring a chair or blanket.

Businesses say they are preparing for the throngs of bikers who will be driving along the streets of the Grand Strand next week as part of Bike Week.

Also known as the Spring Bike Rally, the 84th Myrtle Beach Harley-Davidson Week will be May 12-21. It has been held since 1940.

Organizers say about 300,000 usually attend the festival every year.

The south end of the Grand Strand is where most of the bikers will park their bikes, particularly at such popular bars as Suck, Bang, Blow and The Beaver Bar.

Crowded establishments, loud music, and socializing in large groups make up the vibe of the week-long festival. People are usually gathered in and outside biker hotspots, visiting different vendors and stands.

Bikers also tend to congregate at the parking lots of nearby Harley shops, hoping to buy some gear or just post up on their bikes.

One of the ways businesses are preparing is by offering a number of events and live music for the motorcyclists planning to come to the longtime annual event.

Will Couch is the owner of Suck, Bang, Blow, one of the bars in Murrells Inlet that bikers usually frequent during their stay at the beach.

“We have made several improvements around our concert stage to accommodate more people,” he said. “We are expecting big crowds and are prepared for it.”

Couch, who also rides, said his team prepares all year for the event, adding there are many moving parts that make it a successful event for them.

Suck, Bang, Blow will host stunt shows and feature live music and DJs throughout the week.

“We at SBB just enjoy bringing everyone together,” Couch added. “We love seeing all different types of people coming together to have a good time.”

Myrtle Beach Bike Week LLC is a North Carolina-based company that provides information about the rallies, including places bikers can lodge and eat while they’re in the area.

Sonny Copeland, with Myrtle Beach Bike Week, said he begins planning for Harley week as soon as the last one ends.

It takes a lot of time and effort, he added.

Copeland said one of his priorities ahead of bike week is organizing the vendors, and that process hasn’t changed much.

Depending on the weather, there may be anywhere from 250,000 people to 300,000 staying in Horry and Georgetown counties to participate in the rally, he said.

Suck, Bang, Blow has been open since 1996. They rely on and appreciate their local customers throughout the year but look forward to the visitors that come every May, Couch said.

“It’s a fun, safe and easy going environment that’s welcoming to everyone,” Couch said.

For fall bike week, the crowds tend to revisit the same hangouts from the spring rally. Fall bike week usually happens around the end of September and beginning of October.

In September, some events for fall bike week were canceled more than halfway through the event as the area prepared for Hurricane Ian, which hit the weekend of Oct. 1.

Plantation Pancake House - Offers a motorcycle-friendly breakfast every day

Location: 1003 U.S. 17 Business, Surfside Beach

Suck, Bang, Blow - The bar will have bike stunt shows, DJs and live music each afternoon and up until late.

Location: 3393 U.S. 17 Business Murrells Inlet

Spokes and Bones - With two stages, Spokes and Bones has plenty of live music for bikers to enjoy. Rock Gods, a rock tribute act with over 20 characters, is a featured concert on the evening of May 19.

Location: 2340 Highway 17 South, Murrells Inlet

Blitzburgh Sports Bar and Grill - The bar will host nine total concerts, including the Guns and Roses tribute band, Nightrain International, on the nights of May 12 and 13.

Location: 3100 Highway 17 Business, Murrells Inlet

Barnacle Bill’s Rum and Raw Bar - Singer-songwriter Brandon Lambert is scheduled to perform at Barnacle Bill’s Rum and Raw Bar, according to bar staff. Check the Murrells Inlet bar’s social media for the upcoming full schedule.

Location: 3552 Highway 17 Business, Murrells Inlet

The Rat Hole - The Socastee bar will host such events as biker Olympics and chocolate pudding wrestling along with vendors selling items such as patches and cigars.

Location: 3833 Socastee Blvd., Unit B, Myrtle Beach

Bubba’s Bar and Grill - Honky-tonk band Devil’s Cut will perform at Bubba’s Bar and Grill, located by Ocean Lakes Campground. For four nights, the bar has DJs scheduled until 2 a.m.

Location: 1125 Dick Pond Road, Myrtle Beach

Fire to Table by Fat Boys - The Murrells Inlet restaurant, 3415 Highway 17 Business, has scheduled live music during bike week. The music begins from 6 to 10 p.m. May 12 and continues Friday and Saturdays and Wednesday and Thurdsday through May 20.

This story was originally published May 8, 2023, 6:00 AM.

Bikers will start rolling in to Myrtle Beach for the 2023 Spring Rally this week, so now is the perfect time to make those last-minute plans to visit.

While many locals dread the increased traffic and large crowds, thousands of visitors flock to the Grand Strand to show off their motorcycles and enjoy the South Carolina coast.

Here are the answers to five frequently asked questions about this year’s Bike Week.

The 84th Annual Myrtle Beach Bike Week will take place May 12 through 21, 2023. The event, also known as the Spring Bike Rally or Harley Bike Week, has been held since 1940.

“Bike Week is where people come to ride, to enjoy each other’s company, to have a good time. They come for the brotherhood and the sisterhood,” said Sonny Copeland with Myrtle Beach Bike Week LLC.

While motorcycle owners flock to everywhere on the Grand Strand, coastal areas like Georgetown, Murrells Inlet, Surfside Beach, Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach draw the most bikers.

Many concerts and vendors are centered on the north and south sides of Horry County.

“Stay where you want to and enjoy your vacation,” was Copeland’s advice to first time attendees.

Live music schedules and vendor plans will continue to be released up until Bike Week. Here are the concert schedules for 6 biker-friendly bars.

Keep up to date on the latest events by following the social media pages of popular establishments like Beaver Bar, the Rathole, Spokes and Bones and Suck, Bang, Blow.

Keep in the loop on Spring Beach Rally plans by joining the Myrtle Beach Bike Week Facebook Group.

Horry County hosts three large motorcycle events each year. Black Bike Week, held in Atlantic Beach, SC will go from May 26 to 29 in 2023. The 2023 Fall Rally takes place from October 2 to 8.

This story was originally published May 8, 2023, 10:51 AM.