Added on March 21, 2014  The News Wheel   , , , ,
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Best Road Trip Destinations: Myrtle Beach

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Best Road Trip Destinations: Myrtle Beach

Myrtle Beach in Summer

Myrtle Beach has always been the go-to vacation spot for many people along the East Coast. Located in Horry County in South Carolina, it rests right in the middle of a large, continuous stretch of white sand known as the Grand Strand, making it the perfect place to stretch out on a beach towel and enjoy some sun. If you think it might be time for a beach adventure, there isn’t a better place to go!

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What You’ll See

In Myrtle Beach, silky sand stretches for miles, following the Atlantic Ocean in a white blaze. Because of the huge increase in population during the summer months, people dot the beaches and can be seen up and down the boardwalk and throughout town, opening you up to opportunities to meet any number of new people. Historic plantation homes offer a glimpse into the past, while shopping and golf give more relaxation-oriented tourists time to themselves.

Where to Stop

This vacation hotspot is a hub of activity, featuring more summertime entertainment than you could ever believe. Whether you’re looking for some family fun at amusement and water parks, a bit of romance with live entertainment, or to get a tan on the beach, there’s a never-ending supply of things to do. If you’re interested in the history of the South, make sure you stop by Hopsewee Plantation, a rice plantation which dates back to 1740 and is the former residence of Thomas Lynch, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. For those who want to commune with nature, carve time out of your schedule to take to the Murrell’s Inlet Marsh Walk, which will offer you a glimpse into the heart of the seafood capital of North America. Art lovers should also take a requisite trip to Brookgreen Gardens—don’t worry, the name is deceiving. This fine art gallery was created in the 1930s and is considered one of Myrtle Beach’s top attractions with more than 900 examples of sculpture by more than 300 artists. And of course, for the party animals, there are plenty of clubs and bars all around town. Myrtle Beach is an extremely versatile city that has a little something to offer everyone in its subtropical climate.

History

The Long Bay area, where Myrtle Beach currently lies, was originally inhabited by the Waccamaw Tribe before European settlers arrived in the late 18th century, creating a plantation system that grew indigo and tobacco along the coast. Before 1900, when Franklin Burroughs set out to turn the then named “New Town” area into a tourist destination, the area was mostly uninhabited with the exception of a few families who had received land grants along the Grand Strand. Sometime around 1900, Myrtle Beach gained its new name, officially becoming a town in 1938 and a city in 1957.

 

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