Am I the only one out there that despises Myrtle Beach???

Everybody raves about it...maybe I am missing something

Tina, Myrtle Beach has gotten a bad rap through the years because of weird zoning. You'd end up with a trailor park next to a minature golf, next to a motel 6, next to a used car lot. That has been cleaned up, changed, and fixed. Property is too expensive for it to sit around unused and trailers are no longer allowed in the city limits.

Myrlte Beach generates billions of dollars a year in tourism revenue for the state of South Carolina and it is the third most traveled to destination in the US behind Disneyworld and Las Vegas.

I take it you haven't been to Myrtle Beach in quite some time because of your post. There are only very small sections of Myrtle Beach that are unpleasant and those are disappearing quickly.

Myrtle Beach should be appreciated for what it is: a great drive to beach destination with 120 golf courses that is affordable and family friendly.

It doesn't try to be something it isn't.

The area as a whole is The Grand Strand and it is a 60 mile long stretch of beach from the North Carolina state line and city of Little River to Georgetown, South Carolina.

There are some very beautiful unspoiled beaches along the Grand Strand with TWO State Parks, the worlds largest outdoor sculpture garden, various wineries, plantations, and historic areas and homes.

While it may not be your choice for vacations, it really isn't fair to put it down if you haven't seen all of the area.

I have been there recently and did not like it. I saw many areas of it. In fact, I have been to Myrtle Beach many times.

To each is own...I just wondered if it was just me (actually my sister and b-i-l don't like it either).

Anyway. I guess if you are a golfer it is a golfers mecca.

Where were you and what areas did you see?

Something tells me you stayed on Ocean Boulevard.

I velieev it was not on ocean blvd. I know where that is. I velieve it was na Embassy Suites.

I know what you mean about Myrtle Beach. But the beach itself is really nice. Some of the hotels are really nice too. And the airport is cute and easy to use. Mostly I go to Myrtle beach to dine in Murrells Inlet. But it is a heck of a long airplane ride to go out for lunch.

Wouldn't it be a boring place if we liked and disliked the same places?

We like it a great deal. Just don't get to go often enough. It's a 7 hour drive for us.

We love Myrtle Beach. My husband and I can enjoy the beautiful beaches and golf,etc. The kids (11-18) have a great time with all the various kid type things. It's a little honky tonkish but sometimes that's fun. I would not go there on every vacation but I wouldn't go any one place for every vacation. Many people say that they prefer the less commercial, quieter places. I would agree if it was just DH and myself but I also don't like to hear my teens complaining about the lack of activity while I'm on vacation. It fits our criteria when traveling with them.

One more thing. You say you've been many times. Why?

i used to be a tour director. I have traveled many places all over the US and canada. Some i liked, some I did not. So, therefore I wound up in Myrtle Beach. However, my territory was really the Canadian Rockies, but we got to go many places.

I don't like Myrtle Beach because it attracts everyone, including the blue collar riff raf that thinks that the sand on the beach is their personal ashtray for their cigarette butts. I've decided to for go beach vacations in favor of sightseeing inland, museums, mountains and desert because of the garbage on the beach.

OK, I'm just repeating something here, but a friend once told me that "Myrtle Beach is like Branson, without the entertainment."

I always get a kick out of posts like this. I confess my bias upfront--I live in MB. After growing up in NC and vacationing in MB all our life, my wife & I moved here 3.5 years ago to live near the sea.

GoTravel has it right about MB (and the Grand Strand in general). Also, I would guess that everyone's hometown has the *strip*--you know, that ugly, commercialized street that is such an eyesore, right? Well, that has been MB's major flaw for decades--our major road (Highway 17, a/k/a Kings Highway) has long been the *ugly* strip. As GoTravel says, that is changing.

Lastly, tinathetoad, I was really surprised to see that you came to MB as a tour director! I am not a tour director, but I could suggest to you an outstanding itinerary in the MB area. The key is, you have to work at it a bit, to find the best and avoid the rest. There are great parks here, tidal marshes, boat cruises (river & ocean, shelling, even gambling if that's your thing), awesome restaurants, shopping, outdoor symphony concerts, and one of the widest, flattest beaches on the east coast--great for walking, shelling, sunning.

Lastly, I agree with Stephanie that cigarette butts (& other trash) on the beach are awful. The city and county do try to keep up with it in the summer months; I know from being awakened every morning at about 5:00 a.m. by the beach-sweeping machines, and then waving to the maintenance crews at 6:00 a.m. on my morning run. But, the problem is usually sporadic enough that it does not spoil the beach. Stephanie, if you haven't entirely given up on the beach, try coming in late September or early October--by far, this is the best time: no crowds, still warm (but not hot), beautiful blue skies.

I agree with Stephanie as well that trash incuding cigarette butts on the beach is an abomination. But I am offended by the "blue collar riff raff" remark. Since when did someone's job or socioeconomic status define their level of cleanliness?
I also agree that MB is what it is. There are a ton of things to do there for every age group and a very nice beach. If you're in the mood for Hilton Head though, you would be disappointed.

the itineraries were pre-set for me.

Finally, I agree...every city as an "armpit" as they say. I know all about that, I live in the Metro Detroit area. Detroit is not exactly a hot spot...in fact, we will probably be the laughing stop for the superbowl. There is nothing...and I mean nothing to do here.

I've never been to Myrtle Beach as we love Hilton Head, but I have heard Myrtle Beach referred to in inflattering terms. However I've heard Gatlinburg referred to in the same way and we had a blast there on a quick family getaway. It certainly wasn't the highest end place I've visited, but who cares? I lived outside Detroit briefly - YUCK - couldn't wait to get out!!

Suki I sincerely hope that Stephanie was pulling our chain with her lovely remarks. Or maybe she also believes that every white collar worker is an immaculately clean pompous windbag.

We NEVER stay anywhere near downtown Myrtle Beach. We stay up more near the 6200 N. Block, which is quite residential and has a lovely and quiet stretch of beach. We don't even know the "downtown" part of Myrtle Beach exists when we're there.

Third most popular travel destination in the U.S. according to whose figures????

I don't even see it listed in the top 20. San Francisco, New York City, Hawaii, yes......Myrtle Beach South Carolina, I don't THINK so!

I am happy so many people DO go to the 'Grand Strand', otherwise they would be cluttering up the islands I do like to go to slightly north of there. To each their own but the closest you'll catch me to MB is @ The Parsons Table in Little River enjoying dinner.