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South Carolina: North Myrtle Beach, Family Vacation Ideas –Barefoot Landing, Beach Bikes, and Free Golf.  At the top of the Grand Strand, North Myrtle Beach area also includes Windy Hill Beach, Crescent Beach, Ocean Drive, and Cherry Grove Beach. Stay along this stretch of beach and feel the luxury of time away from the crowds. The area offers international-class theatre, dancing and music at Barefoot Landing. Family vacation options include beach time, shopping, winery tours, water sports, saltwater and freshwater fishing, hiking, biking and stargazing. New for 2008 visit world's first rock 'n' roll theme park. Hard Rock Park is a 55-acre theme park with more than 50 attractions for rockers of all ages, including roller coasters, shows, children's play areas. Our family vacation checklist is the place to start formulating a getaway plan.
Clap for the ‘gators. One of the largest reptile zoos in the world is located at Barefoot Landing. Alligator Adventure provides an exciting fun filled day with live shows and demonstrations to thrill the whole family. They have more than 700 alligators, crocodiles and albino alligators, plus extremely rare exotic snakes, lizards, tropical birds, tortoises, and komodo dragons.
Thrill the kids. Just north of Barefoot Landing, The Grand Prix provides a variety of exciting, no thrilling ways to have fun. Compact, crazy and oodles of fun, the park works for all ages. The official “Thrill Zone” has Lolly Swings, a tilt-a-whirl and the very popular Crazy Mouse. In the “The Kids’ Zone” you’ll find the Zamperla Swings, a crop duster airplane experience and Wacky Worm- a family coaster. Bonus points: Receive a discount by printing the coupon from the website and taking it to the park.
Taste the grapes. Odd as it may seem (hurricane challenges) there is an operating vineyard not far from North Myrtle Beach. La Belle Amie Vineyard is owned and operated by two sisters, Vicki and June. Not only do the produce wine from vintage American stock but they also have an exclusive European connection which allows them to offer even more delightful choices. Visiting the vineyard is a fun way to “get rural” without getting dirt under your fingernails. You may tour the vineyard, taste the wines, shop for wine stuff and enjoy a lively friendly atmosphere. Bonus points: On the welcoming committee is the vineyard mascot, Bella a gregarious full-blooded border collie. Bella greets you with tennis ball in mouth. She's great with kids and kids love her.
Go Barefoot all day. Shop with intent or browse for pleasure, either way barefoot Landing has plenty to be enjoyed. More than 100 specialty shops fill the family friendly complex. Add to that more than a dozen restaurants and the excursion is complete. Shop, eat, shop, what else is there. At Teddy Town build your own stuffed animal and watch it come to life in the "Wake Me Up" room. Try on Birkenstock sandals at Comfortable Soles. Find the perfect doll at Hoot E-Lou's. Stop in to see the folks at Peace Frogs or buy an angel at Christmas Mouse. Not to worry, everything is not just for kids. There is a Chico’s for mom. Bonus points: Sample luscious homemade ice cream or frozen yogurt at Kohr's Family Ice Cream Shop. Need to know: The Landing has a free preferred shopper’s card available at the Barefoot Landing Welcome Center.
Go Barefoot all night. Tons of fun during the day, at night Barefoot Landing is where the action is. Spunky and varied, the choices for entertainment are numerous. Alabama Theatre Presents “ONE - The Show”, two fun-filled hours of great music, dancing and comedy well-suited for families. The line up at the House of Blues is ever changing and always featuring the most popular musicians. Ghosts & Legends presents historical, educational and chilling tales in a southern plantation parlor and offers a late-night 1800's Low Country Séance for ghost lovers. From June through Labor Day go for the weekly fireworks. Take a ghost walk, feed the fish or cruise along the waterway. Bonus points: Ride the Barefoot Carousel, an authentic representation of a Barnum & Bailey carousel or navigate the new Mirror Maze.
Fish for a day. No pole, no problem, at Cherry Grove Pier parents may rent what it takes to fish with the kids. A day may be too much for a fishing outing but a morning should be enough to get at least one fish story. Expect to catch some blues, whitings or pompano but if you don’t you will still have a story o tell about the one that got away.
Head north to the stars. Ingram Planetarium and Science Center at Sunset Beach, North Carolina, has a state-of-the art facility which includes planetary and astronomy programs as well as hands-on exhibits for all ages. Sky event programs include telescope viewing, and sky watch holiday programs in the planetarium. Children's programs are offered throughout the year. Bonus points: Just being there makes all of the difference. ViewSpace exhibit provides a continuous broadcast of the most recent updates directly from NASA.
Rent a surrey with fringe on top. Family pedal power cannot be beat and North Myrtle Beach offers access to more than 60 miles of beaches with hard-packed sand, perfect for a bike ride. It is possible to take the whole family for a ride on surreys or deuce coupes. Wheel Fun Rentals has wheels to match any family excursion. Sit back in a Slingshot or sit up on a Chopper. Rent an old-fashioned Schwinn beach cruiser. Biking provides a way for the entire family, from toddlers through grandparents to have fun together. Bonus points: Just ask and the friendly staff will be happy to recommend bike routes in the area. 
Kids golf for free. The Myrtle Beach area has an organized program that provides young golfers, when playing with a paying companion, to play at no cost. Select a golf package and ask about the free golfing with children. The whole family can take advantage of these specials. Individual rounds or multi-course rounds are all priced to provide “Kids Play Free” every afternoon with a paid adult golfer. The rule is one junior for each paid adult and the deal may be combined with special golf packages making the option quite attractive. Discovery: Myrtle Beach is a First Tee community. Better yet, for those who enjoy the short game, Myrtle Beach area has nearly 50 mini golf locations so, having fun golfing does not have to be serious.
To see the bigger picture, make vacation plans and take advantage of website online discounts go to www.visitMyrtleBeach.com
Here is the deal. No family vacation in Myrtle Beach is complete without a few deals. From the Myrtle Beach website print coupons to redeem on your vacation. Fun deals: Participating in the Amusements/Water Parks category: Broadway at the Beach, Brookgreen Gardens, Family Kingdom Amusement Park Grand Prix Family Thrill Park, MagiQuest, Myrtle Waves Water Park, NASCAR, Speedpark, and Pavilion Amusement Park. U-Save Auto Rental and Planet Hollywood are on the list. Golf deals: For golfing you will find discounts provided by Cane Patch Par 3 Golf & Driving Range, Captain Hook's Adventure Golf, Dragon's Lair Fantasy Golf, Jungle Safari Mini Golf, Jurassic Golf, Midway Par 3 at South Beach Resort, Myrtle Beach National, Shipwreck Island Adventure Golf. Shopping deals: Find deals for shopping at Barefoot Landing, Bass Pro Shops, Coastal Grand Mall and Colonial Mall. Entertainment deals: Take advantage of discounts at Alabama Theatre, Carolina Opry, Legends In Concert, Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament and Palace Theatre. Get out on the water with Downwind Sails and Ocean Watersports. Find the deals at www.visitMyrtleBeach.com
Make it happen! Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce. 1200 N. Oak Street, Myrtle Beach, SC 29578 or www.visitMyrtleBeach.com
Planning Details
Clap for the ‘gators. Alligator Adventure 4604 Hwy. 17 S. North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582. 1(843) 361-0789 or www.alligatoradventure.com
Thrill the kids. North Myrtle Beach Grand Prix. 3900 Hwy. 17 S. North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582. 1(843) 272-7770 or www.mbgrandprix.com
Taste the grapes. La Belle Amie Vineyard. 1120 St. Joseph Road Little River, SC 29566. 1(843) 399-9463 or www.laBelleAmie.com
Go Barefoot all day or night. Barefoot Landing 4898 Hwy. 17 S. North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582. 1(843) 272-8349 ext. 102 or www.bflanding.com
Fish for a day. Cherry Grove Pier. Cherry Grove Pier 3500 N. Ocean Blvd. North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582. 1(843) 249-1625 or www.cherrygrovepier.com
Head north to the stars. Ingram Planetarium and Science Center at Sunset Beach, North Carolina, The Village at Sunset Beach, Junction Hwy, 904 & 179 Sunset Beach, NC 28468. 1(910) 575-0033 or www.ingramplanetarium.org
Rent a surrey with fringe on top. Wheel Fun Rentals 91 S Ocean Blvd. North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582. 1(910) 617-9792 or www.wheelfunrentals.com
Content created by Travel Communications Inc. and images provided by North Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce. Copyright 2008.
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