Do you feel like you’ve explored every nook and cranny of Ocean Reef Resort and Myrtle Beach? Itching to visit someplace new, but want to be back in time to catch the sunset over the Atlantic? Pack up the car and head just north of the border to visit the town of Calabash, North Carolina!
Taking pride in being known as the “Seafood Capital of the World,” this small fishing village is famous for its incredibly fresh fish and shellfish, and for serving it up “Calabash-style,” which means it’s delicately seasoned, breaded and then fried.
Many of the restaurants you’ll find in this small town feature this style of cooking, and there is a big debate on which family — either the Becks or Colemans — opened the first restaurant featuring this fish-frying technique. Both families started serving up this style of seafood in the 1930s to the fishermen who caught the fish and the town’s locals, but there is no record showing who was the true first family to start serving up the delicious fare.
After you are done eating, you can either head out onto the water or stay on dry land and find plenty of things to do! Seekers of aquatic adventure can head out onto the ocean and discover the wildlife living under the sea on one of the many water tours that go out daily, or charter a rental boat and catch a few fish to try and re-create a Calabash-style meal back in your room at Ocean Reef.
If you’d rather stay on dry land, there are many golf courses and shops around Calabash that will keep you plenty busy. One of the best-known courses around is Brunswick Plantation & Golf Resort. This place features three beautiful 9-hole courses, pro shops, lessons for the whole family, a driving range, and an excellent bar and grill right on the property. It’s beautifully maintained and promises to challenge your golfing skills, and is an excellent place to spend a day golfing! There is also a pool on-site where you can take a dip after your long game is done, or if you just need to cool off after being in the hot sun all day.
The shopping destinations in Calabash offer great beach items to take home and enjoy all year long. But don’t come to Calabash without stopping at Callahan’s of Calabash nautical gift shop. This store boasts over 35,000 square feet of shopping. They have everything from beach-themed decor and jewelry to candles and apparel. The most unique part of the store is St. Nick Nacks Christmas Shop, which features over 100 decorated trees all year long. If you can’t find a Christmas item you’re seeking here, we’re not sure it exists.
With everything going on in this small fisherman’s village, Calabash is the perfect destination for a short day trip from Myrtle Beach with the family and will be sure to delight everyone!
