Will you be in Myrtle Beach for the 4th of July 2011? We’ve compiled a quick list of Fireworks Displays happening in Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach and surrounding areas on Independence Day.

Leave it to Dolly Parton to figure out how to satisfy our need for chicken and barbecued pork with generous sides of pistol-bracing, cutlass waving, plank-walking and, of course, mermaids. The new Pirates Voyage dinner theater in Myrtle Beach opened in June of 2011 for “Fun, Feast & Adventure.” Dolly gutted her Dixie Stampede location and brought in crews to do a complete renovation. The result is an exterior that looks like it was lifted off the streets of Tortuga and an eye-popping set featuring a 15-foot deep lagoon and three pirate ships.

Dolly came up with an original score for the show, which features live animals, acrobatics, underwater choreography and lots of swashbuckling action. The audience cheers and boos as the crews of the Crimson and the Sapphire clash in a battle that spreads across the decks and into the ships’ rigging, the water and even the air. The audience’s response helps decide the winner, so not even the cast knows at the outset which side will win.

In the days of Blackbeard and Anne Bonney, ships were known for the number of cannon they had on board, not for their delicious dinner menus. Luckily, Dolly Parton understands that a good host needs both. Some dinner theaters seem to think if the show’s good the food doesn’t have to be, but the food at Pirates Voyage could draw crowds even without a show. Unless you call ahead and ask for a vegetarian meal you will be served creamy vegetable soup, bread, half a chicken, barbecued pork shank, fried shrimp, corn on the cob, mashed potatoes and apple pie. It’s probably not authentic pirate fare, but that’s probably not really Johnny Depp’s hair, either. Who cares? It’s all good fun.

Adults pay $41.99 for dinner and the show. Children four to eleven pay $21.99; children under four pay regular child’s fare if you want a seat for them. If they can sit on a lap they’re free. Pirates Voyage is wheelchair accessible and they have special headsets available for people who think they may have trouble hearing the show.

Check out more Myrtle Beach attractions or visit the Pirate’s Voyage website.

Taste the finest local cuisines at the Coastal Uncorked Food and Wine Festival May 8-15 and learn what true southern cooking really is. Don’t miss the Coastal Uncorked Golf Tournament on May 12 at Myrtle Beach National South and West courses. Take a ride on the Coastal Uncorked May Fest Tasting Trolley May 13 -15. At $75 a ticket you’ll enjoy two days of food, wine, and beer as your trolley takes 10 various stops around Myrtle Beach. Finally finish off your May Fest with the Coastal Uncorked Finale Gala and Food Challenge. Before the challenge begins enjoy tasting tables from local restaurants, drinks, and a silent auction. Then prepare yourself to see seven of Myrtle Beach’s finest chefs battle it out in an iron chef style competition. We hope you don’t miss out on another amazing kick off to summer with May Fest!

Wonder Works – Museum? Education? or More?

Wonder Works combines science, education and entertainment where you can explore more than 100 exhibits that are just as fun as they are educational. Ever been blown away by a 74-mph hurricane wind? Maybe land the NASA space shuttle. How about lying on a bed of nails or piloting a fighter jet Let’s not forget about the lazer tag.  You will immediately be intrigued just when you see the outside of the building. It looks like an up-side down museum!  WonderWorks opens this spring at Broadway at the Beach!

SkyWheel in Myrtle Beach, SC

Hopefully to be finished in May, The SkyWheel Myrtle Beach. Located alongside the newly opened one mile plus Myrtle Beach Boardwalk, this oceanfront attraction will stand 18 stories high (196 feet). We are talking about 42 glass gondolas that can hold up to six people. Don’t worry, they are glassed-in, and temperature controlled. No dangling feet here!

Legends in Concert – March 11th Opening Slated

After spending over $1 million, the new Legends in Concert theater has added 600 new seats. But check this out… not any of the seats are more than 50 feet from the stage! Couple that with new state of the art features, and VIP table booths for the ultimate experience. The opening night performance at Legends in Concert in their new theater at Broadway at the Beach will be March 11.

Pirates Voyage – Coming in June

Say goodbye to Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede. This spring will finish a $11 million dollar transformation into Pirates Voyage. (They say it should open sometime in June).  This new attraction features a Buccaneer Battle with a Pirate Feast you don’t want to miss. Experience the wonder, excitement and spirit of the pirates who docked on the shores of Myrtle Beach! Don’t worry though, the show features new music by Dolly Parton and Mark Brymer.

Wheels of Yesteryear Completes 2011 Inventory Changes

Wheels of Yesteryear offers one of the Southeast’s most impressive collections of vintage American made automobiles and trucks in one location. New for 2011 – inventory changes that showcase over 50 classic cars and trucks owned and restored by car enthusiast Paul Cummngs. Visit Wheels of Yesteryear and take a step back in time for a truly unique experience perfect for fans of vintage automobiles, car enthusiasts, locals, tourists, couples and families!

**A special thank you to the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce for making this list available.

Not sure what to do for New Year’s Eve in Myrtle Beach?  We’ve put together a quick list of things to do and fireworks to see.  Times listed are approximate and are subject to change. Please feel free to click on the links we’ve provided if you need to contact a specific establishment directly.  We wish all of you a safe and healthy New Year!!

New Year’s Eve 2010 Fireworks Display in Myrtle Beach

• 8:00 PM @ Celebrity Square - Broadway at the Beach – 1322 Celebrity Circle, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
• 6:00 PM @ Barefoot Landing – 4898 Hwy 17 South, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582

Things to Do in Myrtle Beach for New Year’s Eve 2010

• Hard Rock Cafe New Year’s Eve Bash – 9:00 PM –   (Tickets are $22.30 + tax)
• Margaritaville’s New Year’s Eve Party – 9:00 PM –  (Tickets are $10)
• North Beach Plantation NYE Gala – 9:00 PM –   (Tickets are $99 + tax. Price Includes dinner and Champagne toast)
• Comedy Cabana’s NYE Extravaganza – 7:30 PM  and 10:00 PM – (Tickets are $25 for the 7:30 pm  show or $40 for the 10:00 pm show)
• Grand Dunes New Year’s Eve Gala – 7:30 PM – Marina Inn At Grand Dunes –   (Tickets are $135 + tax. Price includes meal and open bar for the duration of the event)

Saturday July 3rd- Broadway at the Beach will kick off the weekend right with a fireworks display beginning at 10:00 PM held between the Dragon Lair’s Bridge and the Main Bridge.

Sunday July 4th- Stroll down to the 2nd avenue pier in Myrtle Beach, right next to the all new Boardwalk and Promenade to witness the fireworks display beginning at 9 PM.

BB&T Field- Catch the Myrtle Beach Pelicans in action as they take on the Salem Red Sox at 6:05 PM. A fun-filled night, with jersey auctions, a Reggy appearance and a mini-flag giveaway is all scheduled. Following the game will be a fireworks show.

Cherry Grove Beach at the Cherry Grove Pier-  a fireworks display will be held around 9:30 PM.  Be sure to bring a blanket.

Broadway at the Beach- Between the Dragon’s Lair Bridge and Main Bridge will host a fireworks display beginning at 10 PM.

Barefoot Landing- Barefoot Landing will celebrate the 4th of July with a special fireworks show at 10:15 PM. Entertainers and plenty of children’s themed activities begin at 7PM.

Murrells Inlet- Visit Murrells Inlet for the 26th Annual Murrells Inlet 4th of July Boat Parade. The parade begins at high tide and last year over 125 boat entrants.

It seems like there’s always something new going on around the Grand Strand year after year, and this year a big change is taking place in downtown Myrtle Beach. A brand new world-class boardwalk is set to be completed in Myrtle Beach this June! Visitors will be able to enjoy a 1.2-mile beachfront stroll between the 2nd Avenue Pier and 14th Avenue Pier.

Three sections will make up the new boardwalk. The northern section will be a calming walkway on a raised wooden deck, surrounded by peaceful views of dunes, palm trees, and the ocean. The central section will adjoin plenty of beachfront stores, sidewalk cafes, and shops for a fun atmosphere. The south section will be a wide park promenade winding between the beach and natural landscaping. Beach access points will be located all along the boardwalk and promenade.

Want to keep an eye on the progress? View the Boardwalk and Promenade construction cameras here!

Even so, it’s not just one article, but a few good ones about the different aspects of Myrtle Beach, from golf to business to a “best of Myrtle Beach section”.  Let’s start with the fun stuff, shall we?

The named the Best Golf Hole as “The Gambler”. It’s at MBN’s Kings North course. Par 5, designed by Arnold Palmer. They say the best route is just a roll of the dice.  Best Ice Cream? Despite a mixture of good and bad reviews on the Myrtle Beach Restaurants website, Painters Homemade Ice Cream in North Myrtle holds the title for excellent ice cream.  Best Souvenirs? The Gay Dolphin on the ocean drive section of Myrtle Beach. And Collector’s Cafe brought the title for fine dining.

Now I have to throw facts out at you about Myrtle Beach. Some of these are pretty staggering.  The Grand Strand area has more than 47,000 hotel ROOMS, 1,700 restaurants, 1,800 golf holes, 15 million annual visitors and 60 miles of beaches.  Pretty nifty huh? There were also 3,387 marriage licenses issued in 2008 from Horry County, according to the article.

New Boardwalk

One of the articles even touched on the new Boardwalk that should open next summer. It will be 1.2 miles and connect the two piers in the downtown Myrtle Beach area.  The boardwalk will be broken down into three sections, a) a nature trail, b), a “nostalgic reverie with mom-and-pop shops and restaurants”, and c) the promenade, which will have larger areas for special events and concerts. This new boardwalk should add another who dynamic to the Myrtle Beach vacation. And since it is close to many Myrtle Beach hotels and condos, access to it will be quite easy for the tourists.

Some Pavilion History

Ready for a Myrtle Beach history lesson? Did you know the Myrtle Beach Pavilion was lost in a fire, not once, but twice? The first in 1920 (rebuilt in 1925) and then again in 1944.  Then in 1948, Burroughs and Chapin rebuilt it for the third time, but used reinforced concrete walls. The park was host to 40 seaside rides, including a carousel that was 1 of 15 in the United States. It also included South Carolina’s tallest, fastest, and longest wooden roller coaster.

Like I said, these articles covered quite a bit in the Myrtle Beach area and were well written. It’s good to see Myrtle Beach noted and on the map.  We don’t  just have Myrtle Beach condos and hotel rooms, but a history of golf, games, amusement and much more.

Live Shows
Get into the spirit of the season by catching special Christmas performances. The Carolina Opry’s Christmas special is an old favorite with comedy, music, and fun for the whole family. The Palace Theatre will be featuring the famous Twelve Irish Tenors singing holiday classics all month long, along with award-winning performers Michael W. Smith December 3rd-5th and Debbie Reynolds December 8th-12th. If you’re looking for humor, Atlantic Stage will be presenting David Sedaris’s hilarious Stantaland Diaries. And don’t miss Myrtle Beach’s own Long Bay Symphony Orchestra performing Handel’s Messiah on December 6th at Myrtle Beach High School.

Holiday Events
Start off the month with the Christmas tree lighting in Surfside Beach on December 3rd. You can enjoy holiday parades at Broadway at the Beach on December 5th, and at Surfside Beach on December 12th. Market Common will have free carriage rides every Saturday, along with ice skating in the last two weeks of December. There’s a Winter Arts & Crafts Show at Springmaid Beach Resort this weekend, and don’t miss the Christmas Towne Holiday Festival at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center on December 13th. And round off the year at Broadway at the Beach’s New Year’s Eve Party!

We here at CondoLux would like to thank you for another great year, and look forward to seeing you on your vacation again in 2010! As always, you can check out our Myrtle Beach vacation rentals.

Oktoberfest
Germany’s Oktoberfest, started in 1810, is known as the largest public fair and has become so popular that Oktoberfest celebrations are held around the world. There are many different places around Myrtle Beach hotels to enjoy the festivities. Market Common will be holding its festival on October 3rd with German food, beer and wine, and children’s activities. The City of Myrtle Beach will also be celebrating Oktoberfest on October 3rd along downtown Ocean Boulevard, with food vendors, a biergarten, a bratwurst eating contest, an alcohol-free kids zone with inflatables, and live music featuring Edwin McCain. The town of Surfside Beach will also be holding a Family Festival on the same day with food booths, live entertainment, and children’s events. Broadway at the Beach celebrates Oktoberfest and its Fall Festival October 9th-11th with a German-inspired menu at Liberty Steakhouse, musical and dance performances, and pumpkin painting and fireworks on Saturday.

Taste of the Town
Taste of the Town is the talk of the town! This event, now in its 25th year, is the Grand Strand’s biggest culinary and social event. Over fifty of the finest restaurants in Myrtle Beach will offer samples of their delicious dishes and desserts. Don’t miss out on this chance to mingle and try some of the best food around. Taste of the Town 2009 takes place October 27th from 4PM to 10PM at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center.

Halloween
There are Halloween events for both kids and adults in Myrtle Beach this year. Head over to Broadway at the Beach for trick-or-treating, Booville at Pavilion Nostalgia Park, and a Halloween costume party and contest for adults. There will also be Halloween trick-or-treating at the shops at Market Common.

Have fun on your Myrtle Beach vacation with these great events! You can view the entire calendar of events on our Myrtle Beach Condos website.

Known as “The Hippo” by the manufacturing company FreeStyle Slides, this slide is 36 feet tall and 180 feet long.  The charge is $3 per ride or riders can purchase an all-day wristband for $20. Tickets are located at Ocean Park, which is located at 2nd Avenue South street end.

The Hippo is located close to a some of CondoLux’s North Myrtle Beach vacation rentals such as The Ashworth, The Verandas, and Ocean Bay Club.

The good news is, we had fun! I can’t remember where were were headed, but we just finished looking at some Myrtle Beach condos along the Ocean Blvd when we drove by and decided to give it a try.  We actually had the ride back when tourism season wasn’t so bad, so we only had to wait 10 minutes to get on the “chopper”, which was alot smaller than we thought it would be.

We took a look at the map they had on the wall to plot which course we wanted. (You get alot of different choices, check em out here.) We went for the one right above the “cheap” one. I had been watching the “chopper” (sounds cooler than helicoptor) take off, and it seems like the $20 ride only lasted maybe 2 minutes, if that. They took off and landed VERY quickly.  SO, if you are going to do this, go for at least the Pavilion Tour if you can spare the cash. With that one, (the one we picked) you did have time to relax and soak up the scenery before you landed again.

Enough blabber. So we were up in the air, I was taking pictures with my camera phone and having a blast. You always see the guys in the movies with the huge ear-muff speakers on… well… you need em!  It is VERY loud up there. And of course, they have speakers and microphones so you can talk to each other and the pilot as well.  You got an EXCELLENT view of all the Myrtle Beach real estate out there. You fly right along the coast so you see all the condos, as well as all the land and some residential neighborhoods as well.  It does feel weird though, definitely not like flying in an airplane. It more or less resembles flying in a tin can.

So whats the bad news?  For value, I give it a 3 out of 5.  At $40 per person for a 10 minute ride, I can’t say I would recommend that unless you have extra money to spend. And if you have a full family, forget it. You might as well go to the new Freestyle Music Park and spend a few hours.     Do I recommend the experience? YES! Definitely put it on your list if you have the money for it.

Only in Myrtle Beach, SC!

Granted, Myrtle Beach lends itself to a family friendly vacation, but wouldn’t it be better to plan your trip knowing your agenda?  There is plenty to do in Myrtle AND North Myrtle. And there are even kid-friendly resorts with cool mini-water parks they can enjoy. All in all, there are plenty of Myrtle Beach attractions for kids.

Let’s see. Water Parks. Check.  Mini-golf. Check. Ripley’s Aquarium. Check. Of course, the beach. And plenty more for all age groups, from the little ones to the teenagers. (They would love Medieval Times.)

While you are checking out Myrtle Beach condo rentals for your next vacation, be sure to ask your reservationist of what kind of kiddie pools are at the condo.

Of course, check out the Myrtle Beach attractions for kids website as well at http://www.myrtlebeachkidsstuff.com/.

Mayor Rhodes indicates in his statement that this ordinance was an  extremely difficult decision for the city. Myrtle Beach welcomes anyone who would like to visit anytime of the year, after all the city has some of the nicest luxury condos rentals, restaurants, golf, live theater, and shopping anywhere on the east coast. Myrtle Beach and the Grand Strand are a vacation paradise resort of sorts.

In fact though, the rallies were just growing too large and putting an undue strain on the city.  Government staff, Myrtle Beach residents, and local businesses strained to keep up with the hundreds of thousands of people that flooded the city in such a short amount of time. Mayor Rhodes wants to be very clear that Myrtle Beach is not anti-biker. The point of contention here for the city is that the rallies are just too big and last for too long.

One fact that could not be ignored was the clear and insistent opposition that was being raised by the residents of Myrtle Beach. Many people that live in the area felt like they were forced out of their homes and their hometown for the better part of a month.

The city has passed a dozen or so new ordinances which will govern those bikers that still chooses to come to the Grand Strand during these weeks in May. We will highlight just a few of these new laws here, but for the complete list please go to www.myrtlebeachbikerinfo.com.

“Everyone on a motorcycle must wear a safety helmet and protective eyewear (glasses, goggles, face shield, etc.) at all times while the cycle is moving.”

“Curfew is in effect from 1:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. for juveniles under age 18, with certain exceptions. Violators are detained and parents are called.”

“No alcohol consumption or open container possession allowed in parking lots and garages of any business.”

*All ordinances taken verbatem from the information posted at www.myrtlebeachbikerinfo.com.

It is difficult to predict at this juncture what the long-term  effects will be for the city, businesses, and residents, but one thing is for certain the area will always be a popular destination for vacationers looking for Myrtle Beach Condos to rent, delicious seafood to eat, endless entertainment possibilites, warm ocean air, bright sunshine, and a wonderful vacation experience year after year.