Uggh,, here we go again with the dern vacation argument. Michael made a comment a few months ago that there are only two other places he really wants to take Amber, Dollywood & Disney in FL. So, since I'd like to wait a few more years for Amber to get older & really enjoy Disney, I already started making plans for Dollywood. When we got our taxes, we were talking with his mom & asked her if she possibly wanted to go with us this year. She asked where we were going, I said DW, Michael said Myrtle Beach... Ok, so I have this envelope with a big planning book with all kinds of info about MB. The kicker is, which part of the beach? South, North or Central(where MB is at?). Which part of the peach is best? I have a few hotels picked out for each part, so I'm set there, I just need to know the most kid friendly part. Also, what are some fun things for a 7yr old to do? She likes all types of amusement rides, water rides, mini golf & the zoo. She's not much into going to museums or anything like that. I'd like to take her to an aquarium as we were suppose to go to the Newport KY one when we went to Cinni last year, but time & money ran out.

TIA for any & all input.

North Myrtle, IMO is the best area for families with smaller children...though the differences aren't as great as they used to be, North is still the more spacious, quiet area.

South Myrtle is pretty crowded and the teen Spring Breakers, Senior Weekers, etc. tend to populate there. The Pavilion and other major attractions are located in South which makes traffic heavier there too...

Of course you will probably want to venture down South for the attractions, and larger restaurants, but as for a place to STAY and which beach is the best, I'd say stay further in the North section.

There's a Ripley's Aquarium there that ROCKS! There are huge tunnel aquariums with sharks and giant sea turtles. The place is packed with all sorts of neat stuff...last summer my parents let us come along with them on vacation there and DS LOVED the aquarium.

MB has some really cool miniture golf courses - our fav is the Captain Hook one...I think the name of it may just be Hook...but it is definitely a nice pirate themed course complete with a giant ship and all the bells and whistles.

If you like shows, the Alabama Theatre and Broadway at the Beach always have some cool ones.

Shopping at Barefoot Landing is AWESOME! So many neat shops to look in.

The Pavilion is an amusement park with a large selection of rides - ones for tiny ones all the way to the big kid stuff. I think there are go-carts there too.

Let me know if you have any more questions, I'd be happy to help you out! ;)

Thank you so much!!! You've answered my questions...

As I look on the map in the back of my planning book, it looks laid out about the same as Gulf Shores/Orange Beach in AL. That is usually where we go, but Michael really wants us to explore the 'world' as much as we can, kwim?

So, I'll look at the North end to stay at a hotel. We don't eat at big fancy places, mainly Sub Way, a pizza place, McD's, places like that. I was wondering exactly what the Pavilion was & I'm gonna bet we stay there most of our visit. Amber just LOVES that stuff. I on the other hand, am just as happy being on the beach, soakin it all up, letting my cares blow away with the wind. Michael & Amber are more active....

Again, thank you so much! Do you live in SC? Oh & we'll be going at the end of June/first of July...

I'm actually in NC - MB is about 5 hours away from us. We used to vacation there with my grandparents every year when I was a child.

I had not been there in about 10 years though, until this past summer - we went for one last family vacation. My Nana had cancer and it was a wonderful experience being there again...MB hold some special memories for us.

I hope that you guys have a wonderful time...and please feel free to ask about anything - hotels, attractions, etc. I will do my best to help you out. ;)