Myrtle Beach water park Archives

A Handy Myrtle Beach Arcade Guide

Nostalgia is a powerful sentiment, especially for us “old-timers” that remember the glory days of rotary telephones, CRT televisions, floppy disks, and, of course, arcade games. Many old-school products from the mid-to-late 1900s are making a comeback, including vinyl records, Polaroid cameras, and even cassette tapes. Likewise, classic arcade venues are suddenly trending as more and more kids are growing fascinated with these mysterious joystick machines. But our generation never lost interest in these dazzling, six-foot-tall apparatuses. And, luckily for you and your family, North Shore Oceanfront Hotel is home to a bright, newly-remodeled Myrtle Beach arcade: the Family FunZone Arcade.

Top 3 Myrtle Beach Arcade Venues

Researching and locating the best arcade in Myrtle Beach requires quite a bit of energy as there are nearly a dozen venues in the city. This handy list has a little bit of everything: a boardwalk staple, a pinball museum, and an arcade/mini-golf combo just a few steps from a free Myrtle Beach water park. To ensure that your upcoming wintertime escape to South Carolina’s coast is nothing short of flawless, we’ve pieced together this handy Myrtle Beach arcade guide.

North Shore Family FunZone Arcade

North Shore Oceanfront Hotel’s Family FunZone Arcade has a lot going for it: countless state-of-the-art arcade games, a blacklight mini-golf course, and an attached, newly-renovated pool area. Oh, and it’s just steps from Sands Resorts Water Park, which is entirely free to all guests at both North Shore Oceanfront Hotel and Sand Dunes Resort. Besides being free, convenient, and vast, visitors treasure this arcade’s diverse mixture of top-of-the-line video games and old-school arcade-style machines.

Myrtle Beach Pinball Museum

Not only is the Myrtle Beach Pinball Museum one of the area’s most underrated hidden gems, but it’s home to perhaps the best collection pinball machines in the state. Most travelers believe that this timeless escape is just a museum, but visitors can conquer these blasts from the past during business hours for only $12 per hour. Visitors can bounce around from machine to machine to play classics such as Ghostbusters, Munsters, Simpsons, and Indiana Jones.

Fun Plaza

Fun Plaza is the premier Myrtle Beach Boardwalk arcade. We have a fondness for Fun Plaza’s many classic games, such as skee ball, table hockey, pop-a-shot basketball, and coin-operated “Batter Up” baseball. This facility’s location to the SkyWheel, Atlantic Ocean, eclectic shopping, and highly-praised restaurants instantly makes it a candidate for the “best Myrtle Beach arcade.”

Memorable Myrtle Beach Vacations

For those who’re yearning for even more arcade games in Myrtle Beach, the kids will love the lighthearted ambiance at Fun Warehouse! And don’t forget to read up about the area’s best beach activities, water sports, and rainy day ideas before your arrival. Sands Resorts has four affordable yet modern oceanfront hotels along the Atlantic Ocean’s edge here in sunny Myrtle Beach. There’s no better time to book a trip than right now as our fall and wintertime vacation specials have never been more affordable. Please give us a call today at 800-726-3783 to get matched up with a condo that perfectly suits your family’s size, style, and budget.

The Top 3 North Myrtle Beach Restaurants

Naturally, one of the first actions a person undertakes after booking a well-deserved coastal getaway to beautiful Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, is extensively researching the area’s culinary scene. There’s something for everyone along the Grand Strand, including ample fresh-caught seafood, longstanding Italian staples, and a plethora of cheap eats. Just a couple miles out of town, however, lies a gourmet cuisine mecca near North Myrtle Beach’s Barefoot Landing. To many people’s surprise, there are dozens of top-reviewed North Myrtle Beach restaurants along busy Highway 17 that have been wowing foodies for over a decade. And luckily for you, Sands Resorts have four oceanfront hotels just a couple miles down the road from North Myrtle Beach’s culinary hotbed.

Fine Dining Done Right: the Best North Myrtle Beach Restaurants

These three hand-selected North Myrtle Beach restaurants have several traits in common: they’ll all high-end, romantic, and award-winning. While the price for an entree certainly isn’t cheap, the arresting experience at each location is well worth the extra dollar sign or two. Finding fresh seafood in North Myrtle Beach is quite easy, but savoring the best flavor combinations in one bite is hard to achieve. Luckily, these fine establishments have some of the premier executive chefs in the region.

Sea Blue Restaurant & Wine Bar

When we think of sophistication, elegance, and decadent flavors, Sea Blue Restaurant & Wine Bar immediately comes to mind. This posh, sleek, blue-lit wine bar is the epitome of romance. And, thankfully, the mouthwatering, succulent entrees match the dazzling decor. Sea Blue has one of the most extensive wine cellars in South Carolina for those with an adoration for fine vino. The menu at Sea Blue continually rotates with the changing of the seasons, but you’ll typically spot local seafood favorites, such as Maine lobster, seared diver scallops, and crab cakes. The 42-ounce, dry-aged porterhouse for two is one of life’s true culinary treasures.

Flying Fish Public Market & Grill

Flying Fish Public Market & Grill remains one of our favorite Barefoot Landing restaurants. While it’s undoubtedly much more laid back than Sea Blue, the vibrant coastal flavors are unrivaled. And the Intercoastal Waterway location next to the Alabama Theatre is a huge plus for families that are looking for a meal in-between shopping and live entertainment. What we love about Flying Fish is that their scrumptious meals don’t break the bank—the $12 blackened mahi-mahi tacos are dynamite! Seafood classics, such as the surf and turf, snow crab, crab cakes, and Gulf shrimp boil, are crowd-pleasers, especially for large groups aiming to get a small taste of everything. Oh, and their daily happy hour includes $2 PBRs, $4 Long Islands, $5 buffalo shrimp, and $7 oysters.

21 Main Prime Steakhouse

If you plan to devour a juicy steak during your long-awaited Myrtle Beach escape, we highly recommend embarking on a short trek to 21 Main Prime Steakhouse (yet another one of our favorite North Myrtle Beach restaurants). The ultra-talented culinary team at 21 Main have crafted a marvelous menu that includes Chilean sea bass, seared scallops, and lobster tail, but you simply cannot resist the allure of a 12-ounce, certified Angus, center-cut filet mignon. 21 Main serves eight USDA-certified prime cuts in all, including a bone-in ribeye, New York strip, and a whopping 40-ounce porterhouse. One bite into their prime steak and you’ll instantly understand why they rank among the best restaurants in North Myrtle Beach.

Myrtle Beach Resorts with Water Parks

After half a day at Alligator Adventure, Duplin Winery, and LuLu’s Beach Arcade, retreat to Ocean Annie’s Beach Bar for a refreshing cocktail, a dip in the Atlantic Ocean, and a beach walk at dusk. Or head on down to our free Myrtle Beach water park located at Sand Dunes Resort. All four of our oceanfront resorts are just a short drive from the premier North Myrtle Beach restaurants, including Sea Blue, Flying Fish, and 21 Main. Give us a call today at 800-726-3783 to book a dreamlike coastal escape to sunny South Carolina!

10 Myrtle Beach Bucket List Ideas

A bucket list used to mean a compilation of the top things to do before you “kicked the bucket,” but nowadays families, couples, and even teenagers are compiling bucket list ideas. Creating a bucket list before a vacation is a fun (and easy) way to get the most of your week under the sun. Whether you’re a planner or not, we recommend piecing together a dozen or so cool bucket list ideas before flying to beautiful Myrtle Beach. And luckily for you and your family, Sands Resorts has three inexpensive, oceanfront Myrtle Beach resorts that are all minutes away from all of the excitement!

The Top 10 Myrtle Beach Bucket List Ideas

To ensure that you’re upcoming Myrtle Beach escape is nothing short of flawless, we’ve compiled ten of our favorite bucket list ideas. Almost all of these bucket list examples are family-friendly, but a few of them are perfect for couples as well.

Play 18 holes at one of the very best golf courses in the world, such as King’s North at Myrtle Beach National, TPC Myrtle Beach, or Tidewater Golf Club. All three of our Myrtle Beach resorts, including the North Shore Oceanfront Hotel, have spectacular stay-and-play golf packages.
Go parasailing high above the ocean’s surface with our good friends at Atlantic Watersports, the most trusted name in the industry.
Literally, shop until you drop at Tanger Outlets Hwy 17, Tanger Outlets Hwy 501, Broadway at the Beach, The Market Common, and Barefoot Landing. As you can probably imagine, Black Friday is quite a frenzy here in Myrtle Beach.
Cheer on a guild of brave knights at the coolest dinner theater in the world: Medieval Times. The jousting, weaponry, horsemanship, and, yes, the four-course meal are all spectacular!
Spend an entire day at the beach – from dawn to dusk. Fill your unforgettable day along Myrtle Beach’s sandy shoreline with sandcastles, yoga, kite flying, photography, and perhaps a well-deserved nap.
Ride the SkyWheel. It’s out of this world. Hopping aboard the skyscraping SkyWheel is perhaps the easiest of our bucket list ideas to achieve.
Attend a Myrtle Beach Pelicans game on “Thirsty Thursday.” What’s better than home runs, $1 Budweiser drafts, and post-game fireworks?
Catch a king mackerel, shark, tuna, or marlin deep at sea with one of these award-winning fishing charters. Myrtle Beach is arguably the most underrated fishing locale in North America, making it one of our favorite summer bucket list ideas.
Spend an entire day at Broadway at the Beach, the top-ranked attraction in Myrtle Beach. Where else in the United States can you find a Hollywood Wax Museum, Ripley’s Aquarium, and WonderWorks all in one location?
Sip on a signature cocktail with your toes in the sand at Ocean Annie’s with not a single care in the world.

Free Myrtle Beach Water Park

We hope that these ten unique bucket list ideas give you a taste of how magical our oceanside city truly is, regardless of the season. If you’re still not convinced, guests at Sand Dunes Resort gain free access to the on-site Sands Resorts Waterpark. To learn more about our three oceanfront hotels, please give us a call today at 800-726-3783. We also recommend browsing through our up-to-the-minute specials!

July 4th Getaways to Myrtle Beach, SC

There’s still plenty of time to book a well-deserved July 4th getaway to sunny Myrtle Beach with Sands Resorts. For those who’re searching for a change of scenery for this year’s Independence Day celebration, you won’t find another locale that’s more family-friendly than Myrtle Beach. Not only does our beautiful oceanfront city feature jaw-dropping fireworks, unique parades, marvelous attractions, and authentic coastal cuisine, but we gladly provide all guests with complimentary passes to our Myrtle Beach water park and exclusive access to on-site beaches! Keep reading to learn why July 4th getaways to Myrtle Beach have become commonplace for families across the East Coast.

**A Free Myrtle Beach Water Park**

First and foremost, Sands Resorts’ free Myrtle Beach water park is a rare perk that your kids will absolutely love. Spend your afternoons floating along the lazy river, anxiously waiting underneath a giant water bucket, and blasting down slippery waterfalls this Independence Day. When your family has had their fill of our exciting Myrtle Beach water park, if that’s even possible, head over to the Family FunZone inside the newly-renovated North Shore Oceanfront Hotel. The Family FunZone features classic arcade games, an indoor pool, a black-light mini golf course, and so much more!

Fireworks High Above Barefoot Landing

Barefoot Landing remains one of the top attractions here in Myrtle Beach thanks to its unique combination of shopping, dining, and entertainment. This popular, family-friendly hub is also home to the best fireworks display in the city. Gaze toward the cloudless sky as fireworks crackle high above the Intercoastal Waterway. Broadway at the Beach, the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, and the Second Avenue Pier will also have firework displays, just not on the Fourth.

Family-Friendly Parades

It wouldn’t be Independence Day without a parade filled with large American flags, unique floats, and free treats. The two premier parades in the Myrtle Beach area are the Murrells Inlet Boat Parade and Pawleys Island 4th of July Parade. Both of these annual events are huge draws for locals and vacationers alike. The main event is the boat display along the marsh walk in nearby Murrells Inlet where you’ll observe dozens of patriotic vessels filled with enthusiastic boaters. If you’re looking for a traditional yet still unique parade, head down to Pawleys Island for one of the only golf cart parades in the country. Over 100 golf carts, as well as trucks and hauled boats, will coast down Myrtle Avenue past thousands of eager bystanders.

Beach Fun and Tasty Eats

Unlike most July 4th getaways, your family will have unlimited access to several miles of pristine beaches. Go swimming, build a sandcastle, read a novel, fly a kite, and sunbathe under the golden sun this year instead of sweating near a scorching grill! All of Sands Resorts’ Myrtle Beach hotels are steps from the Atlantic Ocean’s white, sandy shores. Trade your apron, oven mitts, and spatula for an appetite this year. Enjoy beach cocktails at Ocean Annie’s Beach Bar, wood-fired pizza at Oceanside 74, or juicy burgers at Eli’s Oceanfront Cafe. To book a well-deserved July 4th getaway to sunny Myrtle Beach, please give us a call today at 1-800-726-3783.

Myrtle Beach Getaway: 5 Reasons to Visit the Horry County Fair

Families are always looking for some late-afternoon or evening family-friendly fun while vacationing here in beautiful Myrtle Beach. While we encourage our guests to spend as much time as possible at the free Sands Resort Waterpark and our pristine white sand beaches, the entire family will undoubtedly have the time of their lives at the annual Horry County Fair. The Horry County Fair is entering just its fourth year at Myrtle Beach Speedway, which may surprise some. This growing event gets bigger and better every year as they continue to expand and innovate. Sands Resorts, one of the largest oceanfront Myrtle Beach resorts, is an easy 11-mile drive from Myrtle Beach Speedway, so the kids won’t have to wait too long for tasty fair food, exhilarating rides, and amusing entertainment. Here are five reasons why you need to visit the Horry County Fair this April.

Reasons to Visit the Horry County Fair

1. Unlimited Ride Bands – Ride bands can cost a small fortune at most state and county fairs, but the Horry County Fair is known for their inexpensive prices. For just $25 per person, you can hop aboard as many rides as your heart desires. The Ferris Wheel is a popular ride after dark as the fairgrounds become a beautiful meld of bright colors and flashing lights with the heartwarming sounds of laughter. The “Cliffhanger” was a crowd-favorite ride last year, as well as the Sky Flyer, Zero Gravity, and Musik Express.

2. Pig Races – The Horry County Fair is becoming known for their exciting and amusing pig races. These intelligent and highly-sociable pigs aren’t your average hogs. The nail-biting races are often one of the main highlights for youngsters and adults alike.

3. The Food – It’s nearly impossible to visit any type of fair without trying at least one rare delicacy. Word of mouth usually spreads around the fairgrounds about which unique concoctions are worth a try. The red velvet funnel cake and fried Oreos were hits last year, but you’ll always be able to find homemade corn dogs, loaded fries, tasty cotton candy, and an abundance of wild creations.

4. Character Meet and Greets – There aren’t many things that could pull your kids away from our kid-friendly Myrtle Beach resorts, but the opportunity to meet a beloved television character is one. Pose for photos with Darth Vader, the Paw Patrol, Olaf Snowman, and Mickey Mouse in-between carnival rides!

5. Petting Zoo – The petting zoo at the Horry County Fair gets bigger and better each year. The baby goats are always a hit for the kids, as are the massive camels. You’ll also be able to meet friendly pigs, large cattle, and even a small colony of dogs from the Grand Strand Humane Society who are in need of a home.

Premier Myrtle Beach Resorts

There are nearly a dozen more reasons to visit the Horry County Fair, including free parking, live music, and a $5 admission fee! Before your evening at the fair, remember to splash, float, and sunbathe at our free Myrtle Beach water park. When you choose Sands Resorts, you’ll always be steps from a day at the beach. We also have a wide variety of unbeatable Myrtle Beach packages for golfers at Sand Dunes Resort. After a full day of beach relaxation, waterpark excitement, and fair rides, retreat to one of the most luxurious suites in Myrtle Beach at Sands Resorts!