Headed to Myrtle Beach in July for a much needed vacation and some fun in the sun. Anybody familiar with the area and could recommend good places to eat, golf and places to go for entertainment/sightseeing? Thanks!

Cool. Thanks mj. Knowledge of interesting historical stuff in the area would also be appreciated (not too terribly far from the main beach strip). Will be going for 4 nights and staying at the Roxanne Towers. Hope to golf somewhere close by at least one day.

We spend a week each summer in Myrtle. Not sure what your taste in restaurants, food, or budget may be, or if you will have kids in tow.

We are always at North Myrtle Beach but often venture down south to Surfside Beach or Murrells Inlet.

Our favorite spot is Latitude 22 in Surfside. Open air dining, on the beachfront. Not the ordinary beach fry house. Good happy hour. They probably have a website, I think they are part of a group of restaurants down there and everyone we have tried has been excellent. We also like WAHOO's (same "group") at Murrell's Inlet which is right on the inlet and a nice outdoor setting.

Lots of folks like to drive north into North Carolina and go to Calabash. The "Calabash" style is breaded and fried. We do Capt Nance's. There is also a cool Christmas Shop/Gift Tourist Trap there if you are so inclined.

The Sea Captain's House is in Myrtle beach proper..right on the beach..been there forever. We are not as wild about it was we used to be.

Unfortunately we also tend to end up at Broadway on the Beach or Barefoot Landing for several meals but these are mostly chains (Joe's Crab Shack, Tony Roma Ribs. We really like Greg Norman's Australian Grill at Barefoot. Kinda pricey for us, but great if someone will keep our son at the condo so we get a dinner date.

Myrtle is getting really big, busy and crowded....hard to find the little local spots since it has gotten so commercial. Tons of stuff to do.

We do hear good things about the Hot Fish Club in Murrells Inlet and are meaning to try it.

Hope this helps.

As far as historical stuff in the area.... Brookgreen Gardens is the largest colleciotn of outdoor sculpture in the US. Gorgeous gardens, lots of walking. Used to have a wildlife area too.

You are about 90 minutes North of Historic Charleston. We often have a single non-beach day where we do Brookgreen or Charleston. Georgetown (about halfway to Charleston) has a waterfront too, but there's not a lot to us (been several years since we tried it though).

We have taken in a show each of the last 3 years. The Palace Theatre has been featuring Le Grand Cirque...sort of a Cirque du Soleil type show.

You will be staying right in Myrtle Beach propoer (Roxanne). The "main strip" is just down the street. The Gay Dolphin Gift Cove is still there...beach tourist junk. Unofrtunately they tore down the Pavilian amusement park area right down there..it was a good after dinner stroll.

Thanks Stereo!

I guess I should clarify, my wife and I are 27 (I'll be 28 in about 2 weeks) and without kids for now. We'll be (hopefully) going on vacation with another couple. Drinks, sun, sand, surf, entertainment, golf is sorta what I'm hoping for.

I mentioned to my wife that you said we're only 90 minutes from Charleston and you should've seen her face. Needless to say, she's very excited. Though it may have been a HUGE mistake on my part. This likely means I have to "learn" on vacation, something I hate to do. Maybe one day will be less than ideal weather and we can do that with minimal grumbling from me. I suppose there's museums, battlegrounds, etc. there? I really don't know. Can you recommend things for the history buff in Charleston?

We'll have to check out Latitude 22. I take it Surfside is somewhere near Myrtle?

We won't be doing much Calabash as the wife is Celiac, meaning she can't eat wheat/gluten. To save money we'll probably be cooking some in our hotel (has a full kitchen) but we'll want to go out at least a couple of times (once to a nicer place for dinner I suspect). Might have to check out Greg Norman's if it's not too far away.

Any idea if we're going at a "bad" time? I expect crowds, but as long as our room is nice and we have some space on the beach I'll be a-okay.

As far as a show, where would I look online (specific theaters or venues)? We like going and hearing bands, stand-up or musicals. We won't be doing the amusement park thing.

Thanks for your help!

For history -- Downtown Charleston near the harbor -- Fort Sumter is in the harbor (you know where the Civil War started). I was there many many years ago and had a great time just wandering look at all the pre-civil war houses. Like living through Gone With The Wind.

In Charleston we always did the horse drawn carriage ride around the area. There are mansion tours but many charge admission and it adds up. There is a market area and also many art galleries. Just driving accross the Cooper River Bridge into Charleston is an experience. Not nearly as chilling as the old bridge..the new one is gorgeous. Just north of the river is Mount Pleasant and Patriots Point...the USS Yorktown, a sub and destroyer are there. Also the nuclear powered Savannah is there.

We have never down Sumpter. Supposedly very hot and buggy and not really that much to see.

If you can get a cloudy day, and it cooler, then Charleston can be comfortable..we have been there in 100 degree plus and its sweltering. There are several excellent golf resorts around Charleston.....Wild Dunes, Kiawah, and Seabrook...play golf and let the ladies tour town?

As far as shows in Myrtle, if your taste is country or country rock then there are several options..Alabama (the group) has a theatre. There is a House of Blues so check their website for show listings. Other shows inlcude sadn up , muscials etc...even indoor rodeo.

Surfside is south of Myrtle...

Pick up tons of literature, coupons, and local maps at the South Carolina welcome station. We drive down from Virginia so we end up coming into Morth Myrtle Beach on Hwy 17. You should be able to hit a welcome station at the state line from any direction.

We usually go in late August and its not crowded because S. Carolina schools open early. We havent been in July in years. But with the economy it may not be bad. Could be more congested since you are in real close to downtown.

Myrtle does not lack for things to do..if you are looking for quieter beach place you may want to consider one of the smaller beaches nearby next time..less crowding but close enough to take advantage of all the Myrtle attractions.

And since we are all on this message board I have to mention that there are several stores sprinkled throughout the "Grand Strand" that carry merchandise like you see at Freddy and Eddies....only without the same great service and overall friendliness. Badd Kitty in Cresent Beach/Morth Myrtle beach and the Aphrodite Love Shop in Myrtle are two.

Thanks for the advice! We fly out Monday. Forecast looks iffy for the week (40% chance of rain every day we're there). Hopefully we luck out and it doesn't last long if it does rain. I really don't want to be cooped up and have to spend the week indoors (I do that enough here).

We really don't have an itinerary set up, which is either smart to do on vacation or stupid. I haven't decided yet. I also don't know whether or not to bring my golf clubs or rent them down there. Apparently airlines are charging now for every checked bag (assholes). I don't know if it'd be worth it to pay $25-50 each time when I only plan on playing once when I'm down there. But, on the other hand, I don't want to play with shitty clubs if I'm paying $100 or more for a round. I guess I'll have to call around. Still don't have a tee time anywhere yet, but I've heard there are tons of nice courses in the area. I'll probably ask our hotel if they could recommend one and see how much it'd be to rent them.

If we do get a crappy day my wife said something about a battleship somewhere that's neat to go through (I wasn't really paying attention). I just hate learning on vacation. I want my brain to turn into mush...sweet, sweet tan mush.

We may have to try out Latitude 22. Sounds like a fun place for drinks and food. Menu is pretty reasonable too. We do want one nice night out/dinner so perhaps Greg Norman's will be our location.

Any last minute advice?

We go down in the off season and really like Rios, the Brazilian Steak house. Be prepared to roll yourself out. It's expensive but worth it.

We also visit a few of the adult stores and just walk around the shops. We've considered trying one of the strip clubs but never pulled the trigger.