The Beach

I%26#39;ve been looking for hotels and they always say ';north beach'; or ';south beach';. The map shows quite a stretch and I wanted to know which area has the best beach? We plan to be in the water for our entire vacation. Thanks so much.

The Beach

If your primary objective visiting the Grande Strand is going to the beach, I would recommend North Myrtle Beach. Less traffic on roads (and on beaches), less noise and congestion than Myrtle Beach. I always tell folks that if the beach is what the vacation is all about go to North Myrtle Beach. If attractions, amusements, rides, arcades, etc...are important, go to Myrtle Beach.

The Beach

I prefer the northern end of MB also. It%26#39;s a matter of preference, but the south end seems to have hotels just crammed together and the area is congested. The northern end is roomier, but depending where you stay there aren%26#39;t as many things to walk to. The beaches seems to be the same to me though. I guess it just depend what hotel you find and like best. Even with the nicest becah you still need a comfortable place to stay.

If you want the beach in the day and things to do in the evening then I would do SOuth MB but if you want the beach then just relax the rest of the time then I would do north. North is more laid back with more residents than hotels.

It all depends on whose in your group. I have children ages 5 and 2 and they absolutely loved the area near the Breakers last year. Also the area near like the Carolina Opry, Alabama Theatre, I hear is nice. Never stayed in that are before.

My first visit to Myrtle Beach was near the Cherry Grove area in the beginning of August. Personally I thought it was ok. We just did a drive through of the area trying to determine what would be the best area to stay in. We stayed on the south end of MB at Compass Cove and it was a little too crowded and a lot of young people (17-25 crowd). Then we chose the Breakers. Absolutely loved it. The streets were never crowded. It was very quiet there and yet everything we wanted to do was only a few minute drive away. Also the Dayton House is in this area as well.

The Grand Strand is a very large area (60 miles long, according to the Chamber of Commerce). The term ';Myrtle Beach'; is used many times to describe the entire Strand, but that is incorrect.

- Myrtle Beach is a large area that is served by Highway 17 (also called King%26#39;s Highway), which runs north-south. There is a smaller road through much of MB that is near the beach called Ocean Boulevard.

- The East-West roads between 17 and Ocean Blvd are numbered sequentially - either North or South. The Pavilion area (the boardwalk and amusement area) is roughly the middle of town. Each road to the North is numbered as __ Ave North. Roads to the south are numbered __ Ave South.

- The Pavilion area of Myrtle is very crowded and not considered to be the best part of the beach. The Southern end is mostly family resorts/ hotels, and is also crowded. From the Pavilion until about 17th Ave South is very busy. This would be the ';South Beach'; area.

- To the Northern End, you have a stretch of homes, followed by some very nice hotels between 67th Ave North and 77th Ave North. It is quieter here, but more expensive. This would be the ';North Beach'; area. NOT to be confused with the actual town of North Myrtle Beach.

- Several miles north of there is the actual town of North Myrtle Beach. Just like MB, there is a downtown, with Avenues running north and south of Main Street. North Myrtle has a much better (larger, cleaner) beach than Myrtle, but there are fewer hotels and fewer attractions. There are more homes and timeshares in this area.

- Which is best? ALL OF IT!! It just depends on where you want to be. Our family has stayed at the Sea Mist for several years (about 8th Ave South in MB) and loved it. We have also stayed at the Caravelle (about 70th Ave North in MB) and loved it. And we have stayed in North Myrtle Beach and loved it.