The Finer Side of Myrtle Beach
What to Do
Huntington Beach State Park
While most of the area’s beaches are hopelessly crowded, the undeveloped beaches of the state park are quieter and cleaner. Admission is free for children age five and younger, while adults are just $5 and the park is dog-friendly year round. After sunbathing, visitors can explore Atalaya Castle, the Moorish-style remains of a stately winter home surrounded by palm trees.
“The Granddaddy” at Pine Lakes

Myrtle Beach has more than 100 golf courses in the area but Pine Lakes Country Club was the very first and still a favorite of local golfers. Built on natural dunes just a half mile from the ocean, “The Granddaddy” features freshwater lakes, rolling fairways and an Antebellum-style clubhouse credited as the birthplace of Sports Illustrated magazine.
Brookgreen Garden

The gardens opened in 1932 as the country’s first public sculpture garden on the grounds of four former rice plantations. Spanning over nine thousand acres, the preserve encompasses themed gardens, the Lowcountry Zoo and trails snaking through a natural ecosystem of enormous oak trees, fragrant Magnolia bushes and . From March to November there is a complimentary shuttle, making it easier for guests to see more of the sprawling estate.
Where to Eat
Croissants Bistro & BakeryFrom morning coffee to freshly baked pastries and sandwiches, the award-winning restaurant (and wine list) has been a Myrtle Beach favorite for nearly 20 years. Owner Heidi Vukov was named South Carolina Restaurateur of the Year for her baked delicacies and homemade recipes. Don’t leave without ordering dessert – the bakery’s wedding cakes were awarded WeddingWire’s “Couples’ Choice Award” for 2016.
Captain Dave’s Dockside RestaurantA short drive south of Myrtle Beach, visitors can find Murrells’ Inlet, considered the Seafood Capital of South Carolina. Serving Low Country cuisine on the waterfront since 1974, the family-owned Captain Dave’s Dockside Restaurant makes the most of its location with huge windows overlooking the marsh, giving diners up close views of passing boats and wild goats that inhabit the island across the waterway. Come early on the Fourth of July for a front row seat to the Murrells’ Inlet boat parade which sails by the restaurant.
Where to Stay
Marriott Myrtle Beach Resort at Grande Dunes
The Mediterranean-style hotel sits on a 370-foot-wide private beach and guests have access to the adjacent Grand Dunes golf course and tennis courts. The property features an indoor and outdoor pool with a waterslide as well as a full-service spa and was dubbed “the area’s most luxurious property” by Travel + Leisure.
Marina Inn at Grand Dunes

The AAA 4-Diamond hotel “oozes luxury” (Fodor’s), from its quiet location on the Intracoastal Waterway. Spacious guest rooms start at 450 square feet and all have private terraces looking out at the waterway or the property’s private marina. Although not oceanfront, the resort reserves a private section of the nearby beach for its guests and provides a complimentary shuttle service for the five-minute trip. Guests also have preferred access to the Grand Dunes Golf Course and optional in-room spa services.