NJ Beach Bum Considering Myrtle Beach
 

I have heard a lot about Myrtle Beach and parents and I are considering a visit there sometime mid to late August. I live near the central New Jersey shore and love it. I am 18 and love boardwalks and amusements (work summers in Seaside Hts) and love it. Vacationed 3 out of the last 4 summers in Wildwood Crest, and went up to the b-walk at night. Tried OC Maryland once and didn't like it but love OC New Jersey!<BR> So my question, how does Myrtle stack up? I know there is a lot to do, but is it worth the trip? Parents are growing tired of Wildwood and want to try something different. I hear North Myrtle Beach is nice, but would it be a pain to drive down to "the strip" at night? How are the crowds of people? Is everything so spread out or can you walk around downtown from one attraction to another? Broadway at the Beach sounds to me something like Downtown Disney, how does it compare. Finally, how are the beaches? Any Palm Trees? Basically, I want to know if Myrtle is something different or am I better off just going to Wildwood? Thanks!

I've never been to NJ shore, so can't compare, but...<BR><BR>At 18 I LOVED Myrtle Beach. It is WAY crowded in the summer, that's why you gotta love it. Yes, it's a pain to drive anywhere near the strip, but that's where you want to be at 18. Just get a hotel there. I think there will be lots of clubs that let you in at 18 with a no-alchohol arm band.<BR><BR>Yes, there are palm trees. Its a beautiful beach ( if you can see it for all the bodies).<BR><BR>Your parents will probably not be thrilled by MB unless they like golf (or cruising :-))<BR><BR>Have fun.

Sea Dragon<BR><BR>Having never been to the New Jersey shore, I can't give you a comparison. But I have lived in North Myrtle Beach for nearly a year, and before that we vacationed here for the past 20 years. Yeah, I am now an old(er) dude.<BR><BR>To answer your questions; first, come in late August if you can--that's when the crowds begin to thin out a little.<BR><BR>Next, Myrtle Beach is the center of about 30 miles known as the Grand Strand. Various attractions are spread out over that distance, so if you want to see all of the attractions the strand has to offer, you have to drive. <BR><BR>That said, if there is one location that has a large concentration of attractions within walking distance of each other, it is *downtown* Myrtle Beach (look for hotels from about 25th Avenue North to about 5th Avenue North; they will have addresses like 2500 North Ocean Blvd to 500 North Ocean Blvd). And this area sounds like exactly what you enjoy. It is centered on the Pavillion, a good size amusement park, and has numerous shops, restaurants, clubs, Ripley's Believe it or Not attractions--and of course, the Blvd (Ocean Blvd), where there are a lot of people (cruisers and pedestrians) checking each other out.<BR><BR>Traffic will be pretty heavy, especially at dinner time (about 4:00 to 9:00 pm).<BR><BR>Broadway at the Beach is a couple of miles inland from the center of MB. I never thought about comparing it to Disney--obviously it's much smaller and not fantasy-oriented, but there probably is a similar pre-planned feel. Broadway at the Beach is worth a 10 minute drive from the heart of MB for the following:<BR>Ripley's Aquarium<BR>IMAX (if you're into that)<BR>Celebrity Square (a series of nightclubs located in one area)<BR>NASCAR go-kart park (across the street from Broadway)<BR><BR>As to the beaches, I think that's the best reason to visit. That's certainly why we moved here. While not the most beautiful beaches in the world by any means, they are very wide, flat (good for walking), clean, with lots of water sports offered. We don't have actual palm trees here, but we do have Palmetto trees, which look pretty much like palm trees. They definitely give the place a tropical feel.<BR><BR>Finally, if you're interested, there are lots of day-trip possibilities, all within an hour or two:<BR>Charleston (2 hours south), awesome town<BR>Myrtle Beach State Park (perhaps 15 minutes south of central MB);<BR>Huntington Beach State Park (a little further south)<BR>Brookgreen Gardens--your parents might like this (extensive gardens w/lots of scuplture).<BR><BR>From the preferences you've described, I think you should give MB a try. But definitely stay in the heart of MB (as described above)--North MB probably won't give you what you're looking for. Finally, we get tons of visitors from the Northeast (especially NY and NJ), and they keep coming back, so this area must compare favorably in some way.<BR><BR>Come on down!

Myrtle Beach? You'll love it. Your parents probably won't, unless all they care about is golf or they're under 25 years old.<BR><BR>I've been to the Jersey Shore and to many other beaches on both coasts and in other countries. With that perspective, I'd never describe Myrtle Beach's beach as "beautiful." More like "basic."

I think you'll like North Myrtle. Stayed at motel right in the Strand and it was really crowded. Palm Crest was the name.<BR><BR>I'd suggest visiting the Gay Dolphin (correct me if I am wrong on name). It's a souvenir junk store that's really neat and not far from the arcade.<BR>I also like the Outlet Mall not far from the beach.<BR>

The water is a lot warmer down here and prettier than it is on the Jersey Shore. Broadway at the Beach is exactly like Downtown Disney. Yes, there are tons of Palmetto trees which are indiginous to the South East. The tall skinny ones you see in California don't grow in this part of the US. I think you and your parents will have a great time.

I live in NJ and made the trek to Myrtle beach two years ago. I don't think it was worth the trip; resembled Ocean City, Maryland. The northern part is pretty but not that much going on and the strand is just too crowded. I wouldn't take such a long ride for the that atmosphere. I think nothing beats the Jersey Shore.

I'm from NJ and went to Myrtle Beach last year. The Jersey Shore is much better. The beach is much better here and you don't have to listen to that southern drawl! (Sorry, but it was hard to take - I'm sure they feel that was about our "accent") Broadway at the Beach was nice. The rest was way to crowded!<BR><BR>I always wondered what was so great about Myrtle Beach. Now I know - nothing!

Myrtle Beach doesn't have the same boardwalk feeling as NJ. You should go and see for yourself. It is only 8 or 9 hours away from you. And whoever sugggested the Gay Dolphin is crazy unless you really like junk!