Myrtle Beach, SC

Beach Blanket Bingo

Myrtle Beach Pavilion,
copyright Myrtle Beach Area
Chamber of Commerce

So where should you plop your blanket? It's a tough choice, considering that Myrtle Beach is just one of several beach towns along The Grand Strand, stretching 60 miles from North Carolina to Georgetown, South Carolina. Its wide, white sandy beaches are perfect for families who love shell picking, chasing sand crabs, watching pelicans, and body surfing in the big waves of the Atlantic Ocean.

If you're traveling with teens, best bets are the downtown beaches near the Pavilion. They're crowded, noisy, and filled with excitement. For families with toddlers, better to set up day camp at these quieter spots:

• Myrtle Beach State Park. Just a five to ten-minute drive from the south end of Myrtle Beach, this 312-acre oceanfront park in the south end of Myrtle Beach features a great stretch of sand and an excellent nature center. You'll see exhibits of sea creatures, reptiles, and other critters that live in the park. In summer, rangers take youngsters on crabbing expeditions or let them peer at the ocean through a microscope.
• Huntington Beach State Park. About 17 miles south of Myrtle Beach, Huntington Beach offers a freshwater lagoon, salt marsh, and gorgeous beach. A favorite of birders, the park has many nature paths, including Kerrigan Trail, an easy, half-mile loop. Free educational programs on beachcombing, alligators, birding, and ghosts will keep the kids busy for hours. (Check with the park for current offerings.) When driving into the park, watch for gators hanging out in the marshlands.