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(TTBS) Oil Spill Drives Vacationers to Carolinas

The Myrtle Beach area of South Carolina is near capacity this summer as a result of the Gulf Oil Spill, and North Carolina beaches are
seeing the same sorts of benefits as vacationers look for alternatives to the
Gulf of Mexico Beaches they have vacationed at for generations.

Recently I was on a small shuttle running between the Hilton and Embassy Suites
at Kingston Plantation in Myrtle Beach. There were 4 people on the
shuttle (including my wife and myself) - all of which had rescheduled to
Myrtle Beach because of the disaster in the Gulf of Mexico and the
impact it is having on Florida beaches.

Now that's no scientific study, but when 2 out of 2 guests I bumped into were at Myrtle Beach for the
1st time, after vacationing in the Florida Panhandle for years, it tells
me a little something.

And you know what, both of them said they LOVED it in Myrtle, and were planning on coming back
next year. I'm not surprised- there is a lot to offer at the beaches of
North and South Carolina- read on....

Family Fun Getaway – North vs South

Family Friendly Entertainment Abounds at Myrtle Beach SC

Myrtle Beach, SC is a wonderful place for a family beach vacation. It's clean, safe,
convenient, affordable, and most of all- there's a TON of stuff to do.

Water Slides at the beach - right across the street from Amusement Park

Not into Amusement Parks? Well have you seen Toy Story 3 in 3D - on an Imax screen?

You can at Broadway at the Beach, just a few miles inland from the beach-

Get in a few hours of shopping - maybe have lunch or dinner at one of the more popular restaurants like-

• Planet Hollywood
• Hard Rock Cafe
• Senor Frog's
• Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville
• Joe's Crab Shack
• Many More

Want to see the weather in Myrtle Beach right now? Click here

Want more entertainment, shopping and dining options?

Check out Barefoot Landing in North Myrtle Beach, which features great options such as

• Greg Norman's
• House of Blues
• T-Bonz Bar & Grill
• Dick's Last Resort
• Many, many more-

If you want to take in top notch entertainment this is the place- I saw Aaron Neville at House of Blues and can tell you it
is a fine venue!

Alabama Theater at Barefoot Landing in N Myrtle Beach

Entertainment abounds throughout the area- whether it's H.O.B., Alabama Theater,
Dixie Stampede, The Palace Theater, you are sure to find something you
will love!

Don't forget the fun at Barefoot Landing- Lots of shopping and fun games await there too....

For the best and hottest bar in town check out 2nd Ave Pier in Myrtle Beach

Recently constructed on the existing pylons at 2nd Ave Pier in Myrtle beach is a
place that will be rockin' for a long time to come. We were lucky
enough to wander in less than 24 hours after they had the 1st liquor
bottles delivered.

The space is beautiful- open air on 3 sides overlooking The Grand Strand from 3 stories above the sand - you gotta
check it out. Tell 'em EZTravelpad sent you!

Not the newest bar in town, but a great choice for late afternoon or
evening entertainment is Ocean Annie's - right on the beach and just
south of Kingston Plantation. Live music, great service, and about 2
steps up from the sand (approx 100 feet from the surf)

Ocean Annie's has long been a popular spot right on the beach in Myrtle

Solitude, Relaxation & Open Spaces Await North of the Border

• · Playing in the surf
• · Tossing a ball
• · Playing Corn-hole
• · Building Sand Castles

These are the kinds of things to do at NC beaches, along with golfing nearby-

Clubhouse at Brunswick Plantation Golf Course

Stay at the condos available at Brunswick Plantation as single night hotel
rooms at extremely competitive rates- ask me and I'll help (under $60
per night WITH jacuzzi)!!

There are many golf courses to choose from if the guys want to get away, but start early because the
temps
heat up quickly and you might not want to be on the golf course much
after
noon. Whether it's NC or SC- you will find HUNDREDS of courses to choose
from in and around the NC/SC border where is meets the Atlantic Ocean

Shopping is limited, and there are few amusements- but for relaxing and sharing good times with friends and
families The NC beaches offer a mellow vibe.

View crossing Sunset beach Bridge across Intercoastal Waterway

Some of the things you will find at NC beaches include-

• Solitude
• Space
• Nature
• Excellent Beaches

Sunset Beach traffic- not too tough to deal with!

They may not have a beach in Calabash, but there sure is some great seafood-
Calabash is know for it's Seafood buffets- and there are choices- plus
some great little shops, but still continuing with that laid back
feeling....

So it really depends on your style, and what type of pace you want to keep- Calm?

or not as calm?

It's your choice- but in either case, check out the Carolina beaches- some of your friends probably already have!

This was originally posted July 21, 2010 on EZTravelpad