North Myrtle Beach
 

OK - so I know it's a really touristy area -but.... is there anything "off the beaten path" that anybody can recommend? Restaurants where there are more locals than tourists? Any sights to visit?
We are planning a trip in mid August and really am hoping we can avoid the crowds at least some of the time.
Any input is greatly appreciated - as always!

Anybody have any thoughts?

We like the Calabash area for good seafood restaurants.

We were at NMB the end of May and ate here
http://www.dinejoes.com/ It was great for a really nice meal and not a tourist place. It is behind Olive Garden....
For very casual dining we enjoyed http://hamburgerjoes.com/index.php on 48rh Ave S off of Hwy 17 in N MB. Cheap good burgers, BBQ, beer, wine. There is a nice back porch and there are $1 bills all over the walls!

Try Angelo's steak house in Myrtle Beach! Best steaks in Myrtle Beach! We eat there when we go down! Locals love it I hear too!

http://www.angelosteakandpasta.com/

The only way to avoid crowds in MB in summer is to leave. I remember it when it all looked like Pawley's. High Hammock in Pawley's is nice.

You can try to go to Brookgreen Gardens, but it will be hot. Gardens are really stunted by the heat that time of year. It's still worth a visit.

"The Parsons Table" in Little River. To escape the hordes, any of the Brunswick Islands in NC, would better suit. You get still get to MB in less than an hour.

I really don't get it when people seek out Myrtle Beach and then want to get away from the crowds. Y'all help me out.

If you go down to Murrell's Inlet you will have a choice of the best seafood on the coast. The Inlet Crab Restaurant is good--a little turquoise and coral shack looking place--and it does take reservations. Frank's at Pawley's is probably the best upscale food, but served in a great venue--either "Outback" under a tent or inside in the original restaurant.
Calabash is the orginal restaurant row of the beach. Do not go to Dockside--very ordinary. Ella's is the same as it was 50 years ago.
Do NOT go to a seafood buffet advertising "Calabash style and crab legs". That is an oxymoron!!

I suggest going to Calabash NC for excellent seafood. The Seafood Hut and Ella's are the 2 top choices in the area. Also you get a much better bargain eating there than other places like Myrtle Beach and Murrells Inlet. The Reason? The operators of the restaurants in Calabash own their businesses and real estate and can pass the savings to their loyal customers! Go hungry because they do pile it on your plate! :)

We also like The Parson's Table in Little River. Interesting place.

Murrells Inlet for seafood:)