Myrtle Beach Recreation:
When it comes to American vacation destinations, many places achieve
initial notoriety because of their natural attractions. Myrtle
Beach, South Carolina is definitely a holiday locale that fits
this category. What originally attracted tourists to this charming
region of the Carolinas is the spectacular sun, sand and surf
that "come standard" here. Myrtle Beach is a coastal town that
offers a year-round temperate climate matched by few other vacation
centers in the country. But as the city grew to become a vacation
favorite for Americans- originally from the east coast, and eventually
across the country, a wide variety of hotel, recreation and entertainment
sectors grew along with Myrtle Beach's fame.
While many who visit Myrtle Beach today can hardly imagine it
as anything but a world-class vacation destination visited by
millions of adoring tourists each and ever year, the city's existence
as a "holiday hub" is relatively recent. The real turning point
came on October 15th, 1954. This was the date that Hurricane Hazel
tore through the area with a ferocity matched by few storms since
then. Myrtle Beach, as it stood then, was devastated. In many
ways, the city was largely unrecognizable in the wake of the storm.
But rather than sit defeated, locals (along with some insightful
entrepreneurs) decided to transform the city into a resort paradise
that would rival other southern vacation destinations such as
Florida and Georgia.
It did not take long for this vision to take hold. Within a few
short years of Hazel's havoc beach-front condos, world-class hotels,
sprawling golf courses, and the like were newly constructed in
and around the Myrtle Beach region. And this in turn attracted
more tourists to an area that was already popular with families
and mature Americans alike. Almost overnight this part of South
Carolina developed an infrastructure that would plant seeds for
future expansion.
The second major period of expansion came in the 70's and 80's.
It was during this period that Myrtle Beach grew to become the
resort paradise that it is today. Recreation and entertainment
facilities of every variety sprang up in and around Myrtle Beach
during this area. Myrtle Beach, which boasts a year round average
temperature of 65 degrees and provides 215 days of blue skies
and sunshine, now had the man-made recreational highlights that
put it in a league with the nation's very top vacation destinations.
Ultra-modern shopping centers, live theatres and a myriad of restaurants
and theme parks served to complete the vacation package for visitors
to the Myrtle Beach area.
Not surprisingly many of the major recreational activities available
in Myrtle Beach draw on the beauty of the area's natural environment.
The year-round sunshine makes for great golfing. And that's
been capitalized by the development of a wide variety of world-class
golf courses. Some of the most popular courses include: the
Bay Tree Golf Plantation, Blackmoor, Belle Terre, Myrtlewood
Golf Club, River Oaks Golf Plantation, and many more… No matter
what your skill level or your course preference, Myrtle Beach
no doubt has a course that's just right for you. And the sunny
climate makes golf a year-round South Carolina pastime.
Another of the major recreational attractions available to Myrtle
Beach vacationers is water sports and boating. Many Myrtle Beach
tourists like to visit one of the local marinas and then venture
out into the warm waters off the coast. There are a wide variety
of outfitters and guides available to take people out for a tour
along the picturesque coastline of South Carolina. Fishing is
another popular pastime in Myrtle Beach for locals and tourists
alike. There are numerous local guides available at places like
Cherry Grove Pier. These friendly guides are ready to help novices
make their very first steps towards "catching the big one".
In addition to parasailing, kayaking and yachting, another popular
water-based activity along the coast of Myrtle Beach is scuba
diving and snorkeling. Beyond seeing first hand the reefs and
naturally colorful underwater environment, a scuba diving trip
will also expose underwater relics from both the Second World
War and the American Civil War. Whether you're an experienced
veteran or diving for the first time, local Myrtle Beach experts
can provide all the training and equipment you'll need to enjoy
an underwater adventure unlike anything else you've ever experienced.
In addition to the water-born adventures available to Myrtle
Beach vacationers, the area offers a host of "land-based" activities
as well. The greater Myrtle Beach area features multiple theme
parks as well as historical museums, and colonial architecture
tours. The wide variety of recreational attractions makes Myrtle
Beach, SC a favorite vacation destination for young and old
alike. Each and every year over 13 million people pass through
the greater Myrtle Beach area. These visitors include families,
young adults and mature adults.
With the ongoing development of recreational infrastructure in
and around Myrtle Beach it's almost guaranteed that the city will
only grow as a top American tourist destination. This is one of
those few locations on the continent of North America that has
a little bit of everything to offer vacationers; including sun,
surf, historical monuments, and exciting golf, tennis and theme
parks. Add to the mix the the unique southern charm and hospitality
of the South Carolina locals, and its no surprise that Myrtle
Beach has grown to become one of the nation's favorite paradise
playgrounds.
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