Myrtle Beach a hit even if you don't golf

From great golf to great grub, Myrtle Beach’s Grand Strand area continues to evolve — a grand destination for golfers and non-golfers alike.

IF YOU GO

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Arrowhead Golf Club

Myrtle Beach is known for its sandy shores, but golfing is big. The Arrowhead Golf Club is one of the unique courses in the Grand Strand area.

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Brian Gomsak / Special

Myrtle Beach is considered the mini-golf capital of the South with more than 50 courses.

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Handout

Market Common is one of Myrtle Beach’s newest developments with lots of restaurants, shopping and entertainment.

Myrtle Beach travel guide

South Carolina travel stories

Photos: Travel / Southeast Galleries
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Getting there

Driving: Myrtle Beach is 360 miles, about a six-hour drive from downtown Atlanta.

Flying: Myrtle Beach International Airport is on the southern end of the city. Delta Air Lines offers direct flights. Expect to pay about $400 round trip.

Information

• For general Myrtle Beach travel information, call 1-800-356-3016, 843-477-8833 or see www.visitmyrtlebeach.com.

• Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday offers one-stop vacation shopping, including packages with accommodations, golf, dining and nongolf activities. 1-800-833-8798, 843-477-8833; www.golfholiday.com.

• Myrtle Beach Trips, which is operated by developer Burroughs & Chapin, provides similar packaging. 1-888-539-8662, 843-913-4438; www.myrtlebeachtrips.com.

• The Glens Golf Group is another excellent package resource, with Scottish-themed golf and accommodations at options such as Heather Glen Golf Links and the Village at the Glens (also ask about the new Shaftesbury Suites for groups of 16 to 20). 1-888-999-9520, 843-249-1046; www.glensgolfvacations.com.

What to see and do

Entertainment: The options include the Alabama Theatre (a regular show, plus lots of concerts), the Carolina Opry presented by Calvin Gilmore, Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede & Dinner Show (including 32 horses), House of Blues (big-name concerts and regular shows such as the Sunday Gospel Brunch), Legends in Concert (“Elvis” and Little Richard are in the house), Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament (a night of knights) and Le Grande Cirque at the Palace Theatre (more than 50 acrobats, jugglers and performers take center stage). Tickets are available at individual box offices.

Along with the new Hard Rock Park (www.hardrockpark.com), other theme park possibilities include:

• Family Kingdom Amusement Park & Water Park (www.family-kingdom.com);

• Myrtle Waves (www.myrtlewaves.com);

• NASCAR Speed Park (www.nascarspeedpark.com);

• Wild Water and Wheels & Race Theme Park (www.wild-water.com);

• Ripley’s Aquarium, Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Odditorium and the new Ripley’s Marvelous Mirror Maze (www.ripley.com);

• Alligator Adventure (www.alligatoradventure.com);

• Waccatee Zoo (www.wacateezoo.com);

• MagiQuest (www.magiquestmb.com); and the

• Pavilion Nostalgia Park at Broadway at the Beach (www.pavilionnostalgiapark.com).

Those looking for more subdued entertainment will want to head to Brookgreen Gardens (www.brookgreen.com) or the Franklin G. Burroughs-Simeon B. Chapin Art Museum (www.myrtlebeachartmuseum.org).

Mini-golf: Myrtle Beach has more miniature golf courses than any other destination in the nation. Jungle Safari, NASCAR Challenge, Jurassic Golf and Dragon’s Lair Fantasy Golf are good bets for kids and kids at heart.

Shopping: At an old Air Force base, Market Common (www.marketcommonmb.com) provides an upscale mix of shopping, dining, entertainment (including a movie theater) and living (some apartments available for rent).

Barefoot Landing (www.barefootlanding.com) and Broadway at the Beach (www.broadwayatthebeach.com) are two other sprawling shopping/dining/entertainment destinations.

Golfers will definitely want to head to one of two huge Martin’s PGA Tour Superstore (www.pgatoursuperstore.com) locations.

Where to stay

• The Marina Inn at Grande Dunes. This luxury hotel is right on the Intracoastal Waterway and near lots of golf (and a new Ruth’s Chris). Doubles from $189. 8121 Amalfi Place, Myrtle Beach. 1-866-437-4113, 843-913-1333; www.marinainnatgrandedunes.com.

• Myrtle Beach Marriott at Grande Dunes. Oceanfront and with a luxurious spa. Doubles from $159. 8400 Costa Verda Drive, Myrtle Beach. 1-800-644-2881, 843-449-8880; www.myrtlebeachmarriottresort.com.

• Premier Resorts at Barefoot Resort. More than 350 units, ranging from one to four bedrooms, all with kitchens, living rooms and dining rooms (includes four on-site championship courses by Greg Norman, Davis Love III, Tom Fazio and Pete Dye). Doubles from $152. 2200 Premier Resorts Blvd., North Myrtle Beach. 1-888-556-4972 , 843-390-7001, www.barefootconferenceresort.com.

• Pawleys Plantation Golf & Country Club. Doubles from $109. Featured in the Golf Channel’s “Road Trip: Myrtle Beach,” this resort offers a slower-paced golf destination (including a Jack Nicklaus Signature Course). 70 Tanglewood Drive, Pawleys Island. 1-800-367-9959, 843-237-6100, www.pawleysplantation.com.

Where to eat

• Greg Norman’s Australian Grille. Entrees $17-$30. Golfers flock to the Shark’s restaurant for great steaks and seafood and an excellent wine list (including bottles from Norman’s Australian winery). 4930 U.S. 17 S. (in Barefoot Landing), Myrtle Beach. 843-361-0000, www.shark.com/australiangrille.

• Divine Prime. Entrees $28-$60. This upscale steakhouse in Market Common is the newest concept from locally owned Divine Dining Group (www.divinedininggroup.com), with other area options including Roy and Sid’s (also new at Market Common), UMI Pacific Grille, City Bar, Bubba’s Fish Shack, Divine Fish House, Wahoo’s Raw Bar, Latitude 22, Bovines, River City Cafe and several Ultimate California Pizza locations. 1160 Farrow Parkway, Myrtle Beach. 843-839-9790, www.divineprimerestaurant.com.

• Thoroughbreds. Entrees $21-$39. This chophouse and seafood grill has been one of the area’s top restaurants for more than 20 years. 9706 N. Kings Highway, Myrtle Beach. 843-497-2636, www.thoroughbredsrestaurant.com.

• SeaBlue. Entrees from $11-$24. Though in a shopping center, this popular tapas restaurant features a contemporary atmosphere and creative cuisine in small portions. 503 U.S. 17 N., North Myrtle Beach. 843-249-8800, www.seablueonline.com.

• Divine Fish House. Entrees $20-$33. Murrells Inlet has long been known as the home of some of the coast’s best seafood restaurants. The more casual Wahoo’s Raw Bar is also here. 3993 U.S. 17 Business, Murrells Inlet. 843-651-5800, www.divinefishhouse.com.