There's something to be said for being home for the holidays, but sometimes it's fun to break from tradition and try something new for a change. What better place to get away and experience the holidays than a trip to Myrtle Beach?
Although most vacationers know Myrtle Beach as a summer vacation destination, more and more are discovering the magic of the Grand Strand during the offseason. The smaller crowds and milder temperatures provide the perfect oceanfront setting for a family, group or couples retreat, and Ocean Reef Resort is the ideal home away from home for the holidays. Here are some great ideas for things to do on the Grand Strand to make your holiday season and beach getaway a memorable one:
Halloween: The spookiest day of the year falls on a Saturday (Oct. 31) this year, allowing visitors to take a long weekend in Myrtle Beach. There are several activities scheduled for children, including trick-or-treating and other Halloween festivities at Barefoot Landing, Broadway at the Beach, Market Common, the Murrells Inlet Marshwalk and the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk. The Ocean Forest and Dunes Club neighborhood around Ocean Reef are safe neighborhoods for some more traditional trick-or-treating. Myrtle Beach also throws a big Halloween bash for adults at Celebrity Square, with an outdoor costume contest and more festivities at the dozen bars that make up the nightlife district.
Thanksgiving/Black Friday: This 48-hour period has become a popular reason to spend a four-day weekend in Myrtle Beach. Forget about the cooking and cleaning and enjoy a delicious Thanksgiving Dinner at one of the Grand Strand's award-winning restaurants before heading back to Ocean Reef to relax on your oceanfront balcony and catch all the football games. Get plenty of rest because Friday marks the kickoff of the holiday shopping season. Myrtle Beach's many malls and outlet stores have attracted a new breed of shopping tourists who pay for their visit with the savings they receive in knocking out their Christmas gift list in one weekend. Barefoot Landing, Myrtle Beach Mall, Broadway at the Beach and the Tanger Outlet Stores are all a short driving distance from Ocean Reef.
Christmas: Give your loved ones a magical Christmas vacation in Myrtle Beach, where the white-sand beaches are as close as it comes to a white Christmas in South Carolina. Once the kids are assured that Santa Claus can find them at Ocean Reef, they will be thrilled to spend some family time at the beach, playing in Ocean Reef's indoor swimming pools and taking in some of Myrtle Beach's popular attractions. See a parade of brightly decorated boats at the Intracoastal Waterway Christmas Regatta Parade or visit light displays at Pelicans Ballpark or the North Myrtle Beach Sports and Recreation Complex. The highlights of the local holiday scene are the Christmas shows at Alabama Theatre, The Carolina Opry and the Palace Theatre.
New Year's Eve/Day: Finish on year with a bang at the beach and start the new one with a relaxing stay on the Grand Strand. Hot spots like the House of Blues, 2001, and Broadway at the Beach's Celebrity Square throw major blowouts on New Year's Eve, followed by a day of football, food and fun on New Year's Day. Catch the bowl games in your room or at a local sports bar, enjoy the traditional meal of black-eyed peas and collard greens at nearby restaurants like Big Mike's Soul Food or Magnolia's at 26th, and spend some time on the beach or in the indoor pools and hot tubs. What a great way to bid 2015 farewell and make a great start to 2016.
No matter which holiday you decide to celebrate at the beach, be sure to make the most of your getaway by staying with us at Ocean Reef Resort.
(Posted: 10/12/15)
