The shoreline of the greater Myrtle Beach area is shaped like a waning crescent moon. At the outer ends, discover Calabash, North Carolina, in one direction, a laid back fishing community with some of the best seafood around and to the south is Georgetown, the county seat of what was the richest rice growing county in its heyday. Now it’s famous for its riverfront boardwalk, seafood restaurants and quaint shops. These are the back-to-nature places.

Just to the inside of these towns are vacation destinations offering a casual, yet more sophisticated, taste in things to do and see - golf, gardens and parks - plus low-rise accommodations, some with brand-name appeal, as well as resorts. In the middle of the Grand Strand is Myrtle Beach filled with high-rise condominiums that spread out for absolutely miles and miles. In between are pockets of restaurants and family activities.

The obvious attraction is the Atlantic Ocean with its beautiful beaches. On the sand, in the air or on the water recreation abounds - build sand castles, walk, jog, fly kites, parasail or surf. Watersport enthusiasts may want to try Downwind Sails, a couple hundred yards past 29th Avenue South, with jet skis, kayaks and catamarans. Remember to slather on the sun protection in order to enjoy your vacation completely.

Miniature Golf
Fabulous 18-hole golf courses are not just meant for adults. With miniature golf, families can take in a different course every day during their stay.

• Captain Hook's Adventure Golf has two 18-hole courses, The Lost Boys and Hook’s Challenge.
• Jungle Safari Golf, set against a backdrop of waterfalls and streams, brings golfers face-to-face with elephants and giraffes.
• With a name like Jurassic Golf, there’s got to be an encounter or two with dinosaurs while playing these two 18-hole courses.
• Ahoy mate! Shipwreck Island Adventure Golf promises plenty of island fun on either the Skipper or the Captain courses. Let’s see who’s a survivor.
• At NASCAR® Challenge Golf’s two 18-hole courses, Darlington Greens and The Circuit, race fans work their way to the checkered flag.
• Dragon’s Lair Fantasy Golf, at Broadway on the Beach just across from the attraction MagiQuest®, features two 18-holers that traverse a medieval castle. Along the way meet the dragon Sir Alfred and the court jester.

Fish and Fishing
Leave your fishing pole in the car when visiting Ripley’s Aquarium, one of the most normal attractions operated by the Ripley organization. Visitors will find fish and marine life that are typical of the Atlantic Ocean. An albino shark seems to be the oddest creature housed at the facility.

Located at Broadway on the Beach on U.S. Highway 17, the saltwater aquarium showcases various species in different galleries. For instance, Schooling Tank displays tropical reef fish of the Atlantic - many found right off the South Carolina coast; Dangerous Reef is their largest exhibit with sharks, moray eels and barracudas; Living Gallery has an octopus, jellyfish and anemones, while Ray Bay’s focus is stingrays and sharks. Special exhibits, such as Pirates - Predators of the Sea, offer interactive play. Learn about life on the open water and the unusual pets that pirates had.

Looking for souvenirs? Their gift shop is awesome.

Those interested in some real (or was that reel?) fishing should check out one of several ocean piers. Try the Second Avenue Pier (nominal fee) or the pier at Myrtle Beach State Park (nominal admission fee). Both offer a similar set up with respect to bait, snacks, and fish cleaning areas. According to the state of South Carolina, no license is required when fishing from a pier. However, there are some restrictions due to over fishing of certain species such as grouper and snapper.