North Myrtle Beach, SC

Hurricane Hazel hit North Myrtle Beach head-on in 1954, destroying nearly everything in its path. To its credit, the area not only weathered Hazel, it used the storm to clear the way for an economic boom.

Capturing the history and progress of this resilient area remains the job of the North Myrtle Beach Historical Museum. Museum visitors can explore the playground of Blackbeard the pirate and witness the birthplace of shag, the 1930s dance that still swings through local clubs. Shagging proves so popular -- it's officially the state dance -- that there’s a 10-day festival each fall.

Spring brings warmer weather and a flood of fun, family-friendly festivals. Little River’s Blue Crab Festival, held in May, brings tasty fun to the waterfront along with live music, kids' activities, arts and crafts, and a healthy serving of the area's most famous dish.

If you want fried seafood and hot, buttery hushpuppies, enjoy access to a dozen good restaurants in North Myrtle Beach. However, when looking for contemporary cuisine in a sophisticated setting, try SeaBlue Restaurant. Named one of Open Table’s Top 100 restaurants, SeaBlue combines ultra-high-quality seafood and steaks with organic, locally-sourced produce. Be sure to try the blackened Warsaw grouper, caught and delivered to your plate same-day.

Want a romantic evening or a formal family gathering? Look no further than The Parson’s Table, located in Little River. Situated in the former Little River Methodist Church, built in 1885, The Parson’s Table brims with a Southern antique atmosphere and serves an award-winning menu of steaks, pork, poultry and seafood. The oysters Rockefeller rate as some of the area’s best.

Nightlife in North Myrtle Beach doesn’t have to cost a cent. An evening stroll down the beach enjoying the warm, salty breeze and the moonlight reflecting off the ocean creates a show all its own. If you prefer something a little more high-energy, head to the House of Blues. This eclectic, music-inspired venue provides free live music on The Deck all summer long as well as touring concerts in its music hall.

The busy season runs from Memorial Day through Labor Day and attracts more than 14 million visitors to the Grand Strand. That’s a lot of extra cars on the road. Learning how to avoid them proves the key to happiness – or at least a less-stressful day of driving.

The Carolina Bays Parkway/Highway 31 and Veterans’ Highway/Highway 22 provide two time-saving roads. Both roads intersect Ocean Boulevard/Business Highway 17, and feature interstate-style lanes that move traffic quickly and efficiently.

If traveling by air, Myrtle Beach International Airport sits only 30 minutes away and runs non-stop flights to 29 markets. Taxi, Uber and limo service remain available at the airport and in other parts of North Myrtle Beach by phone reservation. You can ride the bus all day throughout the Grand Strand for only $5. The Coastal Regional Transportation Authority operates bus service seven days a week, 362 days a year.

With nine different parks and preserves in the North Myrtle Beach area, something exists for all ages and interests. One of the more unique parks remains Heritage Shores Nature Preserve. Located on an island that extends into the marsh in the Cherry Grove section, Heritage Shores remains preserved in its native state, accessible only by a series of elevated boardwalks and observation decks. This site proves perfect for bird watching, but bring your walking shoes as it’s a four-block walk to the entrance.

Central Park, the city’s largest park, acts as the hub of North Myrtle Beach. This 20-acre park features softball/baseball fields, lighted tennis courts, basketball courts, paved walking paths, pickleball courts, multi-use fields and handicap-accessible playgrounds. There are areas for passive recreation, and you can enjoy a picnic at the three, reserveable picnic shelters.

Bring your four-legged friend on-leash to the area’s only dog-friendly park, Mclean Park, located in the Ocean Drive Beach section. The park has a paved, one-half mile walking trail that wraps around a lake, plus two playgrounds and shelters. Dog waste bags and waste receptacles are provided.

Living in North Myrtle Beach comes with a price at 16.4 percent higher than the South Carolina average and about 9.7 percent greater than the national average. You can expect to pay more for groceries and heating/cooling for your home, while costs for gasoline and healthcare cost slightly below average.

The cost of housing in North Myrtle Beach remains the primary driver of the budget. A one-bedroom apartment typically rents for $854, about 14 percent higher than the rest of South Carolina. Housing prices generally rise and fall depending on your proximity to the ocean.

Gas prices in the area sit on par with the rest of the state and typically 20 cents lower than in North Carolina, less than 30 minutes away. A glass of cabernet at most hot-spots run you about $9. A frosty cold glass of Fat Tire or other craft beer costs about $6.

Whether hunting for groceries, antiques or the latest fashions, a sea of possibilities await you in North Myrtle Beach. Slip on a pair of Ran Bans at Designer Sunglasses, reward yourself with a strand of freshwater pearls at Southern Pearls, and pet a live alligator – you can do it all at the relaxing specialty shops at Barefoot Landing.

Many locals can walk to the Coastal North Town Center, which features a Hobby Lobby and Publix grocery – stores that can’t be found anywhere else on the Grand Strand. This 368,000-square-foot retail center also has a TJ Maxx, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Petsmart and Versona accessories, plus 10 restaurants.

Along with planned mall-like centers, scores of unique, independent shops sprinkl all along the coast. Cruise down Ocean Boulevard, and you find Bert’s Surf Shop, the PGA Tour Superstore, Noah’s Ark Baby Shop, Murf’s Consignment Boutique and many more. Bargains await; just dive in.