By TMoM Team Member Laura Simon
Before I had kids, I wondered why people needed “things to do” at the beach. I mean, there’s a beach, right? What else do you need?
Now I have kids and I know.
If you’ve been to North Myrtle Beach, you know they have plenty of things to do. So many, in fact, that it can be hard to know what to choose. My kids and I took a quick trip to North Myrtle a few months ago, and we found some special places we’ll want to try again. Maybe you’ll enjoy them, too!
Accommodations
I’m not a huge fan of high-rise towers, but I do love amenities and proximity to the ocean. We stayed at this resort allowing us to stay in a free-standing condo with a driveway, while also providing access to the restaurants, pools, and beach access in the tower. It was perfect for us. It also put us within easy driving distance to some other great attractions. Another option is to book a stay with Condo World which offers a variety of condo options for families of all sizes throughout Myrtle Beach.
Barefoot Landing
We had one day of really un-beachy weather on our trip. It wasn’t freezing, but it wasn’t the sort of day where you want to play in the waves for hours. Actually, my kids informed me, they wanted to go to a playground. Turns out that Barefoot Landing, an outdoor shopping complex, has an incredible playground. There are activities for toddlers, yet it held the attention of my 12-year-old. It’s fully fenced and partially shaded, and parents can choose from ample chairs and benches scattered around, both inside and outside the fence. Kids can also spot fish and turtles in the water right across the sidewalk from the playground, and there’s a fun lawn space with life-size checkers and other fun games just a few steps away. We also took advantage of the giant trampoline (for a fee) and the carousel. A toddler train also runs throughout the complex.
Don’t worry – there’s plenty to do for mom and dad. You’ll find a mix of eclectic shops and restaurants, including a tiki bar, several open-air breweries, and restaurants at a variety of price points. Our personal favorites were Blueberries, a truly delicious brunch restaurant, and LuLu’s, a seafood joint with live music, a view of the boats traveling in and out of the docks, and a huge sandy area with ping pong tables, volleyball, and other fun games.
K1 Speed – Indoor Go Karts
We’ve tried the outdoor go-karts before, but given the weather, we decided to try this brand-new indoor track. The experience was excellent; the karts are fast and the staff really runs the races in a way that keeps everyone safe and having fun. You’ll get a print-out of your splits and race results. Plus, the venue is super clean and easy to access – and there’s a café with food and ice cream if all that driving makes you hungry.
Lost Treasure Mini Golf
Apparently Myrtle Beach is considered the mini-gold capital of the world, something that’s immediately apparent when you drive down Ocean Avenue. You can literally take your pick of miniature golf courses in North Myrtle, so I was looking for something with a little something extra. At Lost Treasure, you can opt to take a little train ride to the top of the course! This course is also well-maintained and challenging enough for all ages.
Of course, if none of this quite captures your attention, there’s always the main attraction: the beach!
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