5 Recipes for Romance During a Grand Strand Date Night (or Day)

Article Thumbnail Image

When couples head to the Atlantic Ocean’s shoreline, it’s only natural that there’s a spark of romance in the air. After all, few things contribute to an atmosphere of love more than soft beach sands, the soothing sounds of crashing waves, cool ocean breezes blowing through your hair and the sun rising over blue ocean waters.

Of course, the Grand Strand has its fair share of all of these things, along with plenty of great attractions and activities to share with your special someone when you’re looking to kindle a little romance. Next time you and your sweetheart are enjoying a stay at Ocean Reef Resort and planning to go out on a date in the Myrtle Beach area, consider these five romantic ways to spend some time together on our lovely stretch of the Carolina coast:

Spend a day at Brookgreen Gardens: Found on the Southern Strand in Murrells Inlet, this 9,100-acre sculpture garden and wildlife preserve is a prime destination for nature and art lovers. Featuring several lush and expansive botanical gardens, each with its own distinct theme, the property also houses 2,000-plus artworks by more than 400 artists, making it home to the nation’s most comprehensive collection of American figurative sculpture. For more information, visit brookgreen.org.

Grab dinner at 21 Main: For a romantic dinner date, head north to 21 Main Prime Steakhouse, where USDA Prime and specialty cuts of meat fill the menu alongside an array of fresh seafood, all served up in an elegant setting. Start your meal with a Carolina Crab Cakes or Baked Brie appetizer, then move on to delicious entrees such as the USDA Prime NY Strip or the Coldwater Lobster Tail. A long list of grilled, surf & turf, and raw bar options is also available.

Or settle in for some romance: Boasting a number of room layouts that offer fully equipped kitchens, Ocean Reef gives its guests the option of staying in for the night and cooking their own romantic meal — and enjoying it with their own private oceanfront view. Looking to really set the mood? Round out the romantic vibe with a beautiful bouquet of fresh flowers from Flowers by Richard and an assortment of delectable chocolates from Kilwins.

Catch a concert at the House of Blues: If you and your sweetheart are ready to rock, this juke joint-themed live-music venue at Barefoot Landing can support the cause with regularly scheduled national touring acts playing its indoor stage, plus regional acts playing its outdoor deck during the warmer months. Artists set to steal the show here in 2019 include Pink Floyd, Eagles and Queen tribute acts in January; Whiskey Myers, Walk the Moon, Tesla and Dylan Scott in February; and Dropkick Murphys, Walker Hayes, Buckethead and The Marshall Tucker Band in March. Check out the full lineup at houseofblues.com.

Take your love to new heights: For some romantic views from high above the heart of downtown Myrtle Beach, take a lovers’ a ride on the iconic Myrtle Beach SkyWheel. From inside one of the 187-foot-tall Ferris wheel’s 42 glass-enclosed, climate-controlled gondolas, you’ll get a bird’s-eye view of the Boardwalk, the coastline, the ocean and downtown Myrtle Beach. And, while the gondolas have room for up to six, you can rest assured that the romance won’t be spoiled by strangers — a private flight is assured for all boarding parties. Once you’re back at ground level, take a stroll along the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk, where you can also grab a snack to enjoy with your oceanfront views.

After your romantic outing on the Grand Strand, head back to the comfortable accommodations and wide-ranging amenities at Ocean Reef Resort to rest up for another day spend exploring the Myrtle Beach area together. Book your romantic getaway today — and start looking forward to making some great memories on the Carolina coast with your true love!