[mirlee]

Hello!

In a couple of weeks we will be visiting Myrtle Beach and sharing a condo with some friends. I was hoping I could appeal to mammas in the area. Neither of us have ever been there, but we are interested in fun things to do with 5 year olds. There will be two on this trip. The guys have the golf all mapped out. :LOL

Our friends have been there before, but I would like to know for myself just what is fun to do there.

Also, and this we find rather odd, our friends WILL NOT go into the ocean. They keep saying things about sharks. Since this is our son's first time at the beach, there is no way I am keeping him out of the water. I want him to feel the ocean and the wet sand between his toes. Is there anything to fear or worry about? He is so hyped on building sand castles and for running through the surf.

I would really appreciate your suggestions.

Mir

 

[mamalisa]

Myrtle Beach is our favorite vacation spot! We were there in April and it was still a little chilly but we spent plenty of time on the beach. My best tips are stay out of the buffet places (like the Giant Crab-acckk), bring lots of sunscreen and use baby powder to help get sand off of feet and out of cervices

We went to the boardwalk amusement park and ds had a blast. He is just a bit over 4 and went on a lot of the rides, which really suprised me. We went to the Ripley's underwater exhibit, way $$$$ but it was very cool. There's a nice mall by the Ripley place with a lake and lots of carp to feed, bring quarters! There are neat little stores and a Ben and Jerry's

. Ds is a big fan of Dixie Stampede which is incredibly cheesy, kind of spendy, but a lot of fun and a great meal. There's also the outlet mall it's outdoor, but has a really nice covered walkway if it's rainy. They also have a million different mini golf places, perfect for a 5 year old. My ds didn't get into it at all.

Since you're in a condo, do you plan on cooking? That's what we did and it was so much easier than going out for every meal. Depending on where you are staying, the WalMart

: is likely the easiest spot to grocery shop and the grocery stores tend to be really high priced. We ate dinner at Bonefish Grill, it was incredible, wonderful food.

It's really a beautiful place to visit. We stay at the Kingston Plantation and we really could just stay there and not ever leave the grounds. I can't wait to go back next year. But with a 5 year old and an infant, we're flying not spending 18 hours in the car!

 

[mirlee]

Thanks! We probably won't be visiting any places like the Giant Crab. I can't eat seafood and the boys don't eat seafood. I think only one of the group would actually eat seafood, so we are pretty safe from expensive surf places. We would most definitely prefer to cook our own dinners, but the people we are with feel that vacation is no time to be thrifty and they prefer to eat out every night. We shall see what happens.

It really sounds like a place where we can have a blast. I think the boys would love to feed the carp. Shopping at the Wal Mart is pretty much what my friend said too. She said that is where they do their grocery shopping when they are there because it is really close to the condo. I looked at a map and I also noticed that there is a Kroger nearby. I might have to take a peak there as well.

I really appreciate your reply. Thanks so much.

mir

 

[Moon Faerie]

: We're planning on going to Myrtle Beach in Sept. I think I've lost my mind, since we'll be tent camping with a 23 month old and a 8 month old.

 

[Moon Faerie]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mamalisa We went to the Ripley's underwater exhibit, way $$$$ but it was very cool. There's a nice mall by the Ripley place with a lake and lots of carp to feed, bring quarters! There are neat little stores and a Ben and Jerry's . Ds is a big fan of Dixie Stampede which is incredibly cheesy, kind of spendy, but a lot of fun and a great meal. There's also the outlet mall it's outdoor, but has a really nice covered walkway if it's rainy. They also have a million different mini golf places, perfect for a 5 year old. My ds didn't get into it at all.

Ok, sorry for posting after my own post, but I just reread this more cloesly. I've always said Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg TN (the area I live in) is just like Myrtle Beach except with mountains instead of ocean. Holy cow was I right! We have a Ripley's Aquarium, a Dixie Stampede, tons of outles mall - including one with a Ben and Jerry's, and tons of mini golf. Now methink we might want to consider a different beach or camp in the backyard and enjoy a locals discount at basically the same attractions.

 

[hjohnson]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nikel1979 : We're planning on going to Myrtle Beach in Sept. I think I've lost my mind, since we'll be tent camping with a 23 month old and a 8 month old.

We are probally going to do the same thing in July with a 32 month old and a 10 month old.

 

[beanma]

i'm in NC and haven't been to myrtle in years (i prefer a quieter more family-oriented beach), but as for going in the water, your ds should be fine. there are sharks in the water, but that's like saying there are bears in the woods. probably way less dangerous actually 'cause your ds wouldn't go out deep enough for many sharks and sharks really rarely attack people. i'm sure getting struck by lightning is a much greater risk, seriously

! on the off chance you see any jellyfish (occasionally they will wash ashore) it's best to avoid them 'cause there's a chance a dead one could still sting. if the water is rough don't let him go out too far 'cause there can be dangerous rip currents or undertows, but if the water is rough he probably won't want to go out to far. just check it out and pay attention. those are the only things i can think of that you'd need to be aware of beyond just general water safety. hope he has a blast playing in the water and building sand castles and you all have a wonderful vacation!

 

[mirlee]

Beanma, thanks for your reply! We did some research and all of a sudden dh thinks that the navy blue suit ds has with two white stripes on the side could attract a shark. He also doesn't like his other multi toned suits and is trying to insist that we get ds yet another suit. This kid doesn't grow fast and can still fit into his very first suit with Thomas the Tank Engine on it! Why do I need four suits!!?

.

We won't be going out deep. I personally, am only good for waist deep in the ocean myself. I doubt our son will go any further than knees in.

We are very excited to be going and can't wait.

 

[beanma]

sure. i totally would not worry about much. i never think about sharks when i'm at the beach. i think i have seen one in the surf once in my 40 years of going to the beach. it's _really_ not a big deal. the riptides and undertow are more likely imho, but a little kid wouldn't be likely to be out by himself deep enough to get caught in one. i imagine myrtle has lifeguards now, too, that would warn you about such things. where i usually go there aren't lifeguards. here's a link that might be helpful -- http://www.tripsmarter.com/myrtlebeach/info/info4.htm .

don't worry about things like sharks and have fun!

 

[mirlee]

Thanks so much for the link! That is a great site. Lots of great information here.

Mir

 

[Gunter]

i'm in NC and haven't been to myrtle in years (i prefer a quieter more family-oriented beach),

I am in NC, too and I agree with you. I love the Outer Banks of NC.

 

[mirlee]

I also love the Outer Banks. I went there once in college, but dh used to go every summmer. If were weren't renting this place with friends, I am sure that's where we would have ended up. Is Awful Arthurs still out in the Kill Devil Hills area?

 

[beanma]

glad the link helped. i like tthe outer banks, too, but haven't been in many years. see "awful arthur's" t-shirts around, though so it's probably still there.

 

[Gunter]

Mirlee,

Yes, Awful Arthur's is still there. There are so many great places to eat! We usually camp further south, around Cape Hatteras. Love the Orange Blossom Cafe!!! It's a lot less developed so it's quiet down there, too. We like Okracoke Isl. which is further south.

 

[mirlee]

Nice to know Awful Arthur's is still there. I actually can't eat there but I used to have two shirts from there. Ocracoke looks beautiful!

Ds is really excited about the trip. Today we HAD to go out and get some beach toys. It was the number one priority on his list of things to do.

I think I finally found a swimsuit that I don't loathe and a nice coverup in case I am feeling modest.