Brandon Evans, Author at Sands Resorts

Little River Shrimp Festival

If a fun-filled fall festival centered around succulent shellfish sounds like a good time to you, then the Little River Shrimp Festival is the place to be. The festival is a short twenty-five-minute drive up the coast from Sands Resorts and takes place on the shores of the Intracoastal Waterway in Little River. With a wide variety of entertainment offerings, vendors, and – of course – shrimp, the Little River Shrimp Festival’s tagline rings true: There is something here for everyone!

Vendors

The annual Little River Shrimp Festival takes place on the second weekend in October. During this time, the streets surrounding the Historic Little River Waterfront are closed to traffic and lined with over 150 local and regional vendors. While walking through the streets of the Little River Shrimp Festival, you can expect to find everything from arts and crafts hand-made clothing.

Entertainment

Like any good outdoor festival, the event features multiple live entertainment performance stages and a wide variety of musical genres. Since starting as a shrimp and jazz festival back in 2004, Little River Shrimp Festival has broadened its entertainment offerings to host something for everyone. Music begins at 11 am each day, so leave your Sands Resorts accommodations early to get to the fest and enjoy all of the great acts!

Food

It wouldn’t be the Little River Shrimp Festival without the shrimp! Enjoy the star of the show as local waterfront restaurants prepare the local catch. Plenty of fresh savory shrimp will be cooked up in every way imaginable during the two-day Little River event. If you aren’t attending the fest for the shrimp, however, a myriad of classic fair food will be provided as well.

Little River Shrimp Festival

Make your way out to Little River during your stay at Sands Resorts, and take in all that this fantastic fall festival has to offer. Bring the kids along and enjoy face painting, balloon artists, stilt walkers, and so much more in the children’s area. Spend some quality time with the family while experiencing a bit of South Carolina’s local culture. As the motto goes, there really is something here for everyone!

Oktoberfest in South Carolina

The distant oompah of a band fades brighter into focus. The savory smell of freshly fried schnitzel wafts through the autumn air. Is this another one of your dreams? No, this time it’s really here – Oktoberfest in South Carolina. Just this morning you were waking up in your beachfront room, but now you find yourself transported to a far-away land, standing within a friendly mob of lederhosen-clad Bavarians. So raise your stein and sing along; the annual Myrtle Beach Oktoberfest is underway. Join the celebration happening just minutes from Sands Resorts, the best oceanfront resorts in Myrtle Beach SC. Prost!

Myrtle Beach Oktoberfest

If you’re craving some excellent German beer, traditional food, and plenty of polkas, then the annual Myrtle Beach Oktoberfest is the place to be. This celebration of German culture and heritage takes place on the second weekend in October and is one of the largest fall fests around Sands Resorts in Myrtle Beach SC. Join locals and visitors alike and take part in the array of entertaining activities. Grab your partner and dance to the Channellheimer Oompah German Band. All that polkaing is sure to work up an appetite. Sink your teeth into traditional foods from over fifty vendors.

Fun for the Family

The Oktoberfest fun isn’t just for the adults, however. The Myrtle Beach Oktoberfest has many kid-friendly activities waiting to be enjoyed by the little ones. Bring the kids along and let them enjoy face painting, pony rides, inflatables, and so much more! There is also a pumpkin patch at the festival for the whole family to enjoy together.

Take advantage of the area’s best Oktoberfest celebration while vacationing at our beautiful Sands Resorts in Myrtle Beach SC. Visit our website and book your oceanfront fall getaway today. Pack up your traditional garb and get ready to enjoy all things German.

Extend Your Summer in Myrtle Beach

The air is now cold, the leaves are falling, and you’re wondering where your sunny summer days went. If you are resisting the changing seasons and wishing you could have a little bit of summer back, then you are in luck! With a stay at one of our oceanfront Sands beach resorts in Myrtle Beach SC, your sunny summer days can continue well into fall! With temperatures that remain unchanged from the earlier months, Myrtle Beach offers you a little slice of summer vacation through September and October. Book a trip down to South Carolina for some fun in the sun, and extend the life of your summer vacation!

60 More Days of Summer

To celebrate the extended summary climate of the gorgeous beachfront location, the community of Myrtle Beach holds the annual 60 More Days of Summer campaign. The celebration consists of many different events, attractions, and other entertainment offerings, making an autumn vacation down to Myrtle Beach an incredibly fun and affordable venture. During 60 Days of Summer, many local establishments offer late-season deals which means more family fun without breaking the bank. Schedule a weekend trip to one of our amazing beach resorts in Myrtle Beach SC, and join us in celebrating 60 More Days of Summer!

Endless Summer Festival

Another area celebration of the tropical fall temperatures is the Endless Summer Festival. The festival, held every October, is a free North Myrtle Beach party. If you’re contemplating a trip down south, this festival is worth a visit. The Endless Summer Festival features carnival rides, food and art vendors, and live music on the beach, all located just a few minutes from our breathtaking Sands beach resorts in Myrtle Beach SC. While most people have packed away their swimming suits and resigned their coolers for the year, you don’t have to! Come enjoy the 60 miles of sandy beaches and wade into the warm ocean water. Myrtle Beach offers you temperatures reminiscent of summertime well into the fall.

Sands Resorts

Ditch the sweatshirts and make your friends back home jealous with a warm weekend summer getaway. Take advantage of the beautiful climate and more affordable experiences of a fall Myrtle Beach vacation. The adventure is waiting, make your way down south and book your stay with Sands beach resorts in Myrtle Beach SC.

Sweet Treats on Myrtle Beach: Where to Find the Best Ice Cream

If you find yourself with an aching sweet tooth while vacationing at our beautiful Sands Resorts, you need not fear. Whether you are staying at Ocean Dunes Resort, Sands Ocean Club, Sand Dunes Resort, or Sands Beach Club, you will be just minutes from a myriad of South Carolina’s best ice cream parlors and creameries! We’ve made a list of a few of the best so that you can get your ice cream adventures started right away.

Madmyrtles Ice Creamery

Located just off the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk you will find Madmyrtles Ice Creamery. At Madmyrtles you will discover delicious old-fashioned ice cream without the premium price, all just feet from the Ocean.

Sugar Life

For a real sweet treat visit Sugar Life in Downtown Myrtle Beach. Enhance your Sands vacation and indulge in some ridiculously delicious delicacies. Offering an unbelievable variety of ice creams and candies, Sugar Life has something for everyone.

Sweet Molly’s Creamery

With locations at Broadway at the Beach as well as Barefoot landing, Sweet Molly’s Creamery is your best bet for delicious Grand Strand ice cream. This family-owned-and-operated Myrtle Beach shop has been whipping up their homemade ice cream for over a decade.

Iggy’s Italian Ice

If you find yourself craving a slightly different frozen treat, head on over to Iggy’s Italian Ice. This super smooth variety of Italian Ice is sure to satisfy your sugar craving. Make your taste buds tingle and enjoy this unique ice cream treat.

Kirk’s 1890 Ice Cream Parlor

South of your beautiful Sands Resort and a few blocks off of the beach is Kirk’s 1890 Ice Cream Parlor. With over 40 different classic flavors, you are bound to find your favorite treat. Get your delicious ice cream served in a signature sundae or piled high on a waffle cone that you watched them make minutes before.

Ocean Sweets

Located inside Sand Dunes Resort, this sweet stop is definitely the quickest way to get your ice cream fix! Ocean Sweets offers a wide variety of ice cream plus other delicious desserts. For an on-site sugary snack, Sands has you covered.

Sands Resorts

With so many quality ice cream options available in Myrtle Beach, it won’t be hard to satisfy your sweet tooth. With a stay at one of our Luxurious Sands Resorts, you will be just minutes from the beautiful beaches and the tastiest creameries.

Where to Find Live Music in Myrtle Beach

While many may not consider Myrtle Beach a music hotbed, our live local and regional music scene is exponentially growing. With dozens of locales to discover new artists and rediscover old favorites, Sands Resorts should be your next coastal South Carolina getaway headquarters. Sand Dunes Resort is king among Myrtle Beach hotels with water parks, and Sands Ocean Club and Beach Club are a short walk away from Ocean Annie’s Beach Bar. Throw on a band tee, grab an ice-cold beer, and seek these local music halls for an entertaining evening of live music.

Rock and Roll at the House of Blues

Co-founded by actor Dan Aykroyd, the House of Blues is a Barefoot Landing staple. While it’s unlikely you’ll be hearing any blues at this venue, a memorable night of hard rock awaits. This unique, two-story concert venue sees a large number of rock bands, spanning generations, including Seether, Blues Traveler, Marilyn Manson, Puddle of Mudd, Steel Panther, and Gwar. Rappers Pusha T and Lil Xan will also be performing later this year. The tribute bands are just as popular. If you’re lucky, you’ll catch a Tom Petty, Dave Matthews, Led Zeppelin, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Michael Jackson, Johnny Cash, or Stevie Wonder tribute band. These artists are as close to the real thing as you can get. The House of Blues not only has nightly entertainment, but their jambalaya, baby back ribs, sliced brisket, and fried chicken is to-die-for.

Beach Music at Ocean Annie’s Beach Bar

For an entirely different concert experience, Sands Ocean Club guests can walk 10 feet to Myrtle Beach’s premier beach bar experience at Ocean Annie’s. Nearby Sands Beach Club is also a scenic three-minute beach walk from a specialty cocktail and hot summer jams. Our talented cover bands play Michael Jackson, Bruno Mars, Patsy Cline, Willie Nelson, Journey, Guns and Roses, Little Big Town, and many more. There’s nothing better than free live music steps away from a cozy accommodation.

Local Favorites Worth Checking Out

If you’re in the Murrells Inlet area south of town, stop by Dead Dog Saloon for daily live music and the best fish tacos on the coast. Two miles south of Sand Dunes Resort, chief among Myrtle Beach resorts with water parks, you’ll find Bourbon Street Bar & Grille. Bourbon Street is a local favorite because of their nightly entertainment and food and drinks specials. The supergroup Alabama performed six nights a week in 1973 at The Bowery. Alabama mostly covered Lynyrd Skynyrd and Merle Haggard during their stint at this oceanfront bar.

Myrtle Beach hotels with water parks are few and far between. Your family can gain free access to Sand Dunes Resort Waterpark by staying in any of our four Myrtle Beach resorts. Consult our packages and specials for up-to-the-minute discounts on week-long and mid-week stays!

A Visitor’s Guide to Myrtle Beach Fireworks

Summer is still heating up in lively Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and Sands has four grand Myrtle Beach family resorts central to the area’s best fireworks shows. While summer does, unfortunately, have an expiration tag, Myrtle Beach’s fireworks shows are a year-round spectacle. Witness stunning seasonal and year-round fireworks at these five South Carolina staples: Broadway at the Beach, Barefoot Landing, Myrtle Beach Pelicans, Second Avenue Pier, and the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk. Pack your lawn chairs, a blanket, and a pair of binoculars because the show is about to begin!

Broadway at the Beach

Broadway at the Beach is a family-friendly entertainment hub with live theater, premier shopping, hip restaurants, and the state’s best amusement park, WonderWorks. Families can (and do) spend an entire day at Broadway. You can also witness the area’s best fireworks show from March through December. Broadway hosts 23 events during the summer months as well as six during the “off-season;” please consult their event calendar for specific dates.

Barefoot Landing

North Myrtle Beach also has a fantastic entertainment center at Barefoot Landing, five miles northeast of Sands Beach Club and Ocean Club. Both of these Myrtle Beach family resorts are next to the area’s famous hot spot: Ocean Annie’s Beach Bar. Barefoot Landing has 14 light shows in the summer and one each in September, November, and December. The fireworks fly high into the night sky above Lewis Pond and Joe’s Crab Shack.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans – Pelicans Ballpark

We’re proud to be the home of the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, the Class A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs and four-time Carolina League champions. Not only are the Pelicans full of future MLB ballplayers but Pelicans Ballpark has fantastic daily promotions, including fireworks on Sundays and Tuesdays. Come for the $2 tacos and tallboys on Tuesdays and stay for the exciting light show. Visit on a Sunday and enjoy free face-painting, balloon artists, and a pregame catch on the field.

Second Avenue Pier/Myrtle Beach Boardwalk

Every Wednesday night at 10 p.m. during peak season, Second Avenue Pier and Myrtle Beach Boardwalk host a firework show for the locals and tourists. Take a stroll down the Boardwalk or to the pier at sunset then sit back and witness a glorious display high above the ocean’s waves.

Myrtle Beach Family Resorts

Sands Resorts is home to Myrtle Beach’s best waterpark: the Sand Dunes Waterpark — free for every North Shore guest, and included for Sand Dunes guests whenever the stay is booked through Sands Resorts. Discover the Sands Family Funzone, a sizable arcade and pool area, at our beautiful Ocean Dunes Resort. Start planning your next family getaway by booking a stay at one of the best Myrtle Beach family resorts!

Ocean Annie’s: The Place to Be This Summer

Spice up your next Myrtle Beach getaway by frequenting one of the top 10 bars in SC: Ocean Annie’s Beach Bar. Located on an immaculate, lively beach, Ocean Annie’s is your summer entertainment headquarters. Just steps from your accommodation at Sands Ocean Club Resort and the River City Cafe, you’re bound to spend every afternoon with a specialty cocktail in hand, a juicy burger in your belly, and your feet in the sand. No other resorts in Myrtle Beach SC have equal beach access—Ocean Club Resort reigns supreme. Ocean Annie’s has an extensive drink list, and River City Cafe has dozens of finger-licking sandwiches. Take our advice and try these refreshing cocktails and tasty burgers.

Specialty Cocktails at Annie’s

Our lucky guests have exclusive access to Ocean Annie’s and their sensational specialty cocktails. For those booking a stay at nearby Sands Beach Club Resort, you’re just a short three-minute walk from this beachfront paradise. With over a dozen cocktails to choose from, it can be challenging to make a decision. A basic Carolina Cosmo—vodka and pink lemonade— always goes down smooth. Otherwise, many guests love our signature Annie’s Tea, a delicious combo of vodka, tequila, rum, gin, triple sec, lime, and cola. A Push Up, amaretto, orange juice, and milk, is perfect on a Sunday afternoon. Sunsets at Ocean Annie’s go well with Annie’s Slammer: Southern Comfort, amaretto, melon liqueur, and pineapple, orange, and cranberry juices.

Beach Fun and Live Music

Now that you’re sipping on a specialty cocktail it’s time to sit back and bask in the cozy South Carolina sunshine. Ocean Annie’s has live music on select afternoons if you’re hoping to boogie. Otherwise, the ocean views and pool access here is second-to-none. Other resorts in Myrtle Beach SC can only dream of our beach, bar, and pool access. If you need a quick meal, slip over to River City Cafe for an afternoon snack or one of the tastiest burgers you’ll ever eat.

World Famous Burgers

River City Cafe’s juicy beef patties have been satisfying hungry customers for years, helping us earn the tag “world famous burgers.” One bite into a mouthwatering half-pound short rib cheeseburger, and you’ll understand why Ocean Annie’s was named one of the best bars in the state. The short rib cheeseburger, made from a prime beef cut, lies between a freshly toasted artisan bun. We recommend the creamy bleu cheese spread—trust us.

If you’re feeling extra adventurous, try one of our “Double Dog Dare Ya” burgers. The “OMG” burger has two patties topped with hickory smoked bacon and fried onion strings. The patties lie between two fried egg and cheese sandwiches—this is not a joke. The burger also arrives with giant fried onion rings. You’ll need a partner to help you finish this behemoth. The nacho crunch burger, topped with Doritos, and the fried mac & cheese burger are fun and delicious.

Other resorts in Myrtle Beach SC can’t compete with the beach, pool, and bar access at Ocean Club Resort and Beach Club Resort. Explore our accommodations and find the Sands resort perfect for your next summer getaway.

Planning Your 3-Day Summer Stay at Sands

Filtering through hundreds of Myrtle Beach resorts can be maddening, so we’re thrilled you chose Sands Resorts for your next coastal South Carolina escape! To help alleviate the headache of planning a three-day trip at our boisterous resorts, we’ve come up with recommendations for your upcoming much-needed vacation. A day in Myrtle Beach is incomplete, quite frankly, without an afternoon at Sands Resorts Waterpark. You’ll also be spending hours on our stunning beach, in our freshwater pools, and in the vast, cerulean blue Pacific.

Day 1: Relax and Splash at the Waterpark

Relax and splash without the annoyance of long lines, sky-high prices, and overcrowded common areas. The Sands Resorts Waterpark is perfect for families of all ages, but this paradise will also bring the kid out of every adult. Drift through the lazy river, whiz down a waterslide, or cool off in a waterfall pool—there’s no wrong way to spend an afternoon at the waterpark — free for every North Shore guest, and included for Sand Dunes guests whenever the stay is booked through Sands Resorts. Other Myrtle Beach resorts cannot compete with our drive to provide ultimate happiness to each guest. The waterpark also has an aquatic treehouse, a kiddie-pool playground, and a bubble pool for the little ones.

Day 2: Sun, Sand, and Sea

Dedicate your second day to the warm South Carolina sunshine, flawless beaches, refreshing freshwater pools, saltwater sea, and late afternoon adventure. Start your morning with a dive into our clean, enticing freshwater oasis, a specialty cocktail at Ocean Annie’s Beach Bar, and an hour under the sun on the beach. After a restful nap, slink into the Pacific for a rejuvenating soak. Before heading out on an adventure, build your best sandcastle. Conclude day two with a kayak or SUP rental or by embarking on a four-hour fishing charter. Stop at Oceanside 74 Restaurant & Lounge for mouthwatering blackened tilapia and grilled swordfish.

Day 3: Brunch Before Departure

One of life’s great trials is returning home after a vacation. Instead of packing up and racing back home, leave Myrtle Beach with a memorable brunch at Sands. Dino’s Oceanfront Cafe, inside our Ocean Dunes Resort, is always serving buttery and tart blueberry pancakes, plump omelets, and the best steak and eggs in South Carolina. Window’s Oceanfront Restaurant at Ocean Club has an exuberant breakfast buffet if you’re feeling ravenous.

Sands Resorts not only is your summer recreation headquarters, but we have charming, modern guest rooms, suites, townhouses, villas, and penthouses all along the shoreline. Our premier accommodations are chief among all Myrtle Beach resorts.

Get Patriotic with Sands Resorts

The 4th of July is arguably the busiest, most enjoyable and entertaining holiday in the United States. The weather is warm, the sun is shining, and the beach is near at Sands Resorts. The fun is endless, and life is more comfortable thanks to our inexpensive Myrtle Beach packages and excellent amenities. Enjoy water park access — included whenever the stay is booked through Sands Resorts — at Sand Dunes Resort, and witness a distinct parade and breathtaking fireworks in Myrtle Beach.

Sand Dunes Waterpark

Sands Resorts Waterpark is included for Sand Dunes Resort guests whenever the stay is booked through Sands Resorts — directly or through a third party. The oceanfront property has not only breathtaking Atlantic Ocean views, exclusive beach access, and insanely low prices. Also a secluded world-class water park with a relaxing lazy river, bubble pool, fast waterslides, an aquatic treehouse, and waterfall pools. Try prying yourself from the endless summer fun at Sands Resorts Waterpark.

Unique Parades

Catch one of South Carolina’s unique parades in the Myrtle Beach area. Boring, old street parades won’t cut it ever again after witnessing the Murrells Inlet Boat Parade and the 51st annual Pawleys Island Golf Cart Parade. The colorful and patriotic boat parade runs through wild Murrells Inlet where spectators can watch from the marsh walk. The golf cart parade has cars, trucks, and boat floats, but the little golf carts are always the main event. These two July 4th parades don’t run at the same so that you can catch them both!

Fireworks at Barefoot Landing

Before finishing the Fourth with fireworks, grab some tasty grub and a signature cocktail at Barefoot Landing, Myrtle Beach’s premier shopping, dining, and entertainment hub, which is home to the best fireworks show in South Carolina. The fireworks at Barefoot Landing fly high above the Intracoastal Waterway in the heart of the restaurant and carnival district. Your week with Sands Resorts will go down in history much like Independence Day.

Glass Kayaking: The New Must-Try Water Activity

Summer beach season is upon us. Coastal South Carolina is flush with enlivened families and couples from all over the globe visiting Sands Resorts’ Myrtle Beach Waterpark at Sand Dunes Resort. Convincing you to spend one afternoon away from our waterpark will be difficult. The waterpark is free for North Shore guests, and included for Sand Dunes guests who booked through Sands Resorts–yes, you read that right. A new Myrtle Beach craze, however, is blossoming on the surrounding rivers, marshes, and beaches: glass kayaking.

Glass Kayaking is For Everyone

The idea is simple: create a transparent kayak so adventurers can see into the clear waters below. The 21st century sure is fun! The idea was simple, but the creation was complicated. Glass kayaks, sometimes called clear or transparent kayaks, are frequently made from the same material as bulletproof glass. These modern marvels also feature a UV layer to keep the glass from yellowing and your skin from burning. The frame is anodized aluminum, which in layman’s terms is a protective layer that prevents the kayak from being susceptible to breaking. The glass has an imported Lexan film, a high-tech polymer to make the vessel smooth, durable, easy to handle and soft.

Being able to look down into the Atlantic Ocean is a dynamic thrill. The most inexperienced individual can pick up the sport in nearly an instant in these kayaks built for all skill levels. Glass Bottom Kayak Tours is the lone Myrtle Beach adventure company to offer glass kayak rentals and tours. Tours start at an astoundingly low rate of $25 per person. Take a glass kayak tour of Cherry Grove Salt Marsh or Wacammaw River, or try the Waites Island Kayak Shelling Tour. The tours last up to 3 ½ hours, are family friendly, and professionally guided. Tandem kayaks are available, and remember to make reservations online.

The Best Myrtle Beach Waterpark

After a spectacular afternoon of glass kayaking through a nature preserve, saltwater marsh, and shelling on the beach, head back to Sands Resorts Waterpark. Don’t worry about long lines, high admission prices, or long drives–the waterpark is just steps away from your cozy guest room. This Myrtle Beach waterpark offers speedy waterslides, waterfall pools, an aquatic treehouse, lazy river, bubble pool, and prime sunbathing. Come for the area’s adventure, and stay for Sands’ exciting waterpark and incredible amenities!