Myrtle Beach: The Perfect Vacation Destination for Families, Planners and Sports Nuts Alike

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With its lengthy list of both natural and man-made attractions – ranging from the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway to theaters, museums, parks, thrill rides and restaurants of most every type – the Myrtle Beach area truly has something for everyone. It’s why people of all stripes come from far and wide to vacation on the Grand Strand, and many of those keep coming back year after year.

Today, let’s look at three types of vacationers – families, planners and sports nuts – and consider just a few of the reasons each can find something right up their alley on the Grand Strand:

Families: Definitely the largest attraction in terms of size, and probably the biggest single draw for most family vacationers, the Atlantic Ocean is an obvious reason people flock to the Grand Strand. And at Ocean Reef Resort, guests have easy access to the ocean as well as other wet and wild fun – because the beach, our Shipwreck Water Park and our other water attractions are located right in the resort’s backyard. Another big attraction that’s within easy reach – it’s about 10 minutes south of the resort just off Highway 17 – is the Broadway at the Beach shopping, dining and entertainment complex. Here, families can catch dinner, a show and some shopping, all back to back and without having to leave the complex. Another popular nearby spot for families is Medieval Times, located about 9 miles south of the resort off Highway 501. Here, families can enjoy a four-course royal feast while watching knights in shining armor battle it out for castle supremacy with swords, maces, axes and other medieval weapons, in addition to jousting on horseback.

Planners: For those who like to have all of their vacation activities planned in advance, we have a suggested itinerary to offer – at least for one day of your visit. And in fitting vacation style, the responsibilities and stressors are few and far between. Start your day with a sunrise stroll down the beach. (You won’t have to walk far to get there, since the Atlantic Ocean will be mere steps away from your guest roof at Ocean Reef.) When you get back to the resort, grab a hot buffet breakfast at the on-site (and oceanfront) Café du Port. You’ll want to hit the backyard beach again a little later in the morning for some swimming in and relaxing by the Atlantic Ocean. In the afternoon, grab your vacation crew and head 5 miles south of the resort to Broadway Grand Prix, where seven unique go-kart tracks await for some high-speed thrills. For dinner, swing by the nearby Hard Rock Café at Broadway at the Beach to take in some rock ‘n’ roll memorabilia and enjoy some all-American menu offerings. To close out your day, head for Captain Hook’s Adventure Golf on your way home for some swashbuckling fun on the putting greens. Of course, before doing any of this, you’ll want to plan ahead and book your room at Ocean Reef early so that you’ve got the best choices of accommodations.

Sports nuts: Baseball fans can enjoy America’s pastime with the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, a Class-A Advanced affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. The team plays 70-plus home games at Pelicans Ballpark during the spring and summer, and regular promotions include discounts on tickets, food and drinks, as well as post-game fireworks on select nights. Another local destination for baseball lovers is the Ripken Experience Myrtle Beach, where players get a taste of “the show” via nine fields that replicate historic major-league ballparks such as Ebbets Field and the Polo Grounds and play host to major national tournaments. At the North Myrtle Beach Park and Sports Complex, the array of sporting-event facilities includes specialized fields for baseball, softball, lacrosse, soccer, flag football and even quidditch. To ramp up the recreational opportunities here, the complex also includes playgrounds, picnic shelters, hiking/biking trails, a dog park and more. And at Myrtle Beach Speedway’s NASCAR Racing Experience, NASCAR aficionados can actually get behind the wheel of a race car and hit the track at high speeds.

No matter what type of vacationer you are, you can enjoy a getaway at your home away from home on the Grand Strand by booking a stay at Ocean Reef Resort today. With our wide-ranging and comfortable accommodations and our fun and luxurious amenities, you and your vacation crew are sure to find just what you’re looking for in Myrtle Beach.