Things To Do
Terry’s Top 10: Things to do along the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk
By Terry Massey
Never mind that the new Myrtle Beach Boardwalk has been open for a month. The grand opening is set for May 15, when all the bells and whistles are unveiled.
The difference is subtle? An opening is when something really opens; a grand opening is when some suits cut a ribbon, thank people and pretend it is opening.
It's sort of like an official ground breaking, when the same suits pose with shovels and pretend to unearth the project, even though they are surrounded by bulldozers that have already been doing the dirty work. For some reason we have to have the symbolic gesture, possibly for political purposes. Nah, can't be.
Anyway, the city has all kinds of pageantry planned for the ribbon-cutting ceremony, with the inaugural Beach Music Festival breaking in the new boardwalk.
But the best things about the boardwalk aren't all new. It provides an excuse to visit a lot of old places that have gone overlooked since the Pavilion closed.
Whether you make it to the big grand opening or wait for another less-crowded day, here are the top 10 things to do at the new Myrtle Beach Boardwalk:
10) The Gay Dolphin is an institution of the downtown area, sort of like a beachwear Sam's Club. There are more knick-knacks than you can shake a snow globe at in this multi-level store, including an observation deck on the roof. You can spend a couple of bucks at this place and still need a forklift to carry it all.
9) Pier 14 has been there for years, but now there's an oceanfront walkway leading to its front door at the northernmost point of the boardwalk. Stroll out to the end of the pier and enjoy a different view of the Grand Strand, or grab an outdoor seat at the restaurant and have a drink and a bite with the ocean beneath you.
8) Tourists trap or retro fun? Call it what you want, but you can walk across the street to Ripley's Believe It Or Not Museum, the Haunted House and the Mirror Maze without breaking a sweat, unless you're easily amused, scared or confused by shiny objects. Tacky, yes, but also a lot of fun, believe it or not.
7) Bet I can make your mouth water with two words – “funnel cake”. No? How about “cheese fries” or “ice cream”? These classic carnival foods aren't going to make your bikini fit any better, but is there anything tastier after a day on the beach than these greasy, cheesy, sugary sweet, starch-filled snacks? And you can only get them down on the Boulevard, unless you don't mind waiting and driving to the state fair. My favorite creation – funnel cake a la mode.
6) Finally, a pub crawl you can literally do on your knees. The open-air Oceanfront Grill, the historic watering hole Duffy's and world famous honkytonk Bowery, home of country super-group Alabama, share one roof and their doors front Plyler Park. And if you make it through the trio of bars, Peach's Corner and Mammy's Kitchen are just a stone's throw away so you can get some good grub to soak up all the Bud Light (the Bowery's No. 1 and only brand).
5) Need a little excitement in your life, or maybe a self-inflicted heart attack? No, I'm not talking about funnel cake a la mode. Just cross Ocean Boulevard, and if that's not dangerous enough for you, take a ride on the Sling Shot, where twin giant towers with a bungee cord in between hurl you through the air like a human missile with only a rubber band as a lifeline. They'll even take a picture of you so you can see what you will look like moments before you die.
4) People-watching has become a popular spectator sport and there's no better place to do it than the new boardwalk. There are lots of benches where you can sit and watch folks from all walks of life walk the planks – from the sun-burned tourists with their heads in the clouds to the bikini-clad beauties soaking up the sun. My personal favorite during a recent visit was a guy playing guitar while his dog howled along to the songs. You won't see that at The Palace.
3) There are lots of food and beverage options without having to get behind the wheel – from the outdoor seating at places like Boardwalk Bill's and Abraham's Grill to oceanfront views at Marvin's and Sharky's. All that walking can build up your appetite and thirst and you don't have to walk far to satisfy both.
2) What better way to relive your childhood than a visit to the Fun Plaza, an open-air arcade that features vintage games that will take you for a spin down Memory Lane. There's Skee-Ball (with the old wooden balls), air hockey, pinball machines and low-tech video games like Mrs. Pac-Man and Galaga. Be a big spender, get $5 in quarters and spend the day playing the games your parents wouldn't let you play because they said it was a waste of money.
1) OK, so No. 1 is the boardwalk itself. Comfortable benches are built into the wooden decks on the northern stretch where you can relax in the ocean breeze, showers are available so you can wash off the sand before you go for a sandwich and there are even port-o-potties so you can go without going in the ocean. Not to mention all the fun events and concerts that will be held there this summer. It's a great gathering spot between the beach and businesses.
