The beaches are of course the area's main attractions. Known in part for their width, that is undoubtedly true from Myrtle Beach north. Along some of the southern beaches, such as Garden City and Pawleys Island, high tide leaves only a few yards between the water and dunes.
Public access is good throughout much of the region, with the notable exceptions of Pawleys Island and Litchfield. A determined person will find parking, but arriving early on the weekends is the best answer.
Most things on the Grand Strand not associated with the beaches are man made and commercial. If you don't mind spending money, you won't be bored. The primary categories are:
Golf- A hugely popular activity. Excellent courses with year-round play.
Miniature Golf- A veritable planet of smoking mountains, extinct animals and pirate ships. You'll be tired of the game before you run out of courses.
Amusement Parks- Roller coasters, race cars, Ferris wheels, everything you would expect. Check out Things to Do for a list of some of the more prominent examples.
Water Parks- Flumes, slides, lazy rivers, wave tanks and every other kind of water activity for when the surf isn't enough. In Things to Do.
Shopping
Broadway at the Beach and Barefoot Landing are the heavyweight contenders. They're modern commercial villages teeming with shops, restaurants, and entertainment. Both of these complexes have been awarded South Carolina's top tourism honors in recent years. Also popular are the outlet malls, Waccamaw Pottery Outlet Stores and Myrtle Beach Factory Stores.
History
The answer is Georgetown, a charming 18th Century seaport with several interesting sights.
Daytrips
Historic Wilmington is only 90 minutes away. It has an extensive downtown historic district with a number of houses open for tour, plus the battleship USS North Carolina.
