Some people think there’s nothing to do in a beach town in the winter time. Those folks are wrong. While the Grand Strand was once a summer-only destination, the growth of the 60-mile stretch of Carolina coast that surrounds Myrtle Beach has seen an explosion in offseason opportunities.
Although the winter months see smaller crowds and cooler temperatures (wait, that doesn’t sound so bad), Myrtle Beach is a year-round kind of town these days, and we can prove it. Not only can we name five fun things to do on the Grand Strand in the wintertime, we can come up with five that start with the letter “B” – beginning with Bay View Resort. Experience our comfortable accommodations, modern amenities and unbeatable location in the heart of Myrtle Beach. And we won’t even count that one; here are five more Bs for hot winter fun in Myrtle Beach:
Basketball: The Grand Strand is home to a fortnight of high school hoops and college basketball action at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center. The highlight is the 35th Annual Beach Ball Classic, featuring the nation’s top-ranked high school teams and talent Dec. 26-31. The girls hold court Dec. 17-21 in the CresCom Bank Holiday Invitational, and the University of North Carolina women’s team is among a four-team field for the Coastal Challenge.
Boardwalk: Bay View Resort is located on the popular Myrtle Beach Boardwalk, a 1.3-mile wooden walkway that parallels the beach to the east and the downtown district to the west. Rows of shops, restaurants and attractions provide safe havens from the cold, but there are plenty of sunny days that are great for a stroll along the coast. The Myrtle Beach SkyWheel, Second Avenue Pier and the Gay Dolphin Gift Cove are among the many sights.
Bonfires: Nothing warms up the body on a chilly day like a bonfire, except maybe for a glass of wine. Enjoy both at La Belle Amie Vineyard in nearby Little River, where a series of winter festivals keep the juices flowing, Visit the Yuletide Music & Bonfire (Dec. 26), the New Year’s Bonfire (Jan. 2), the Valentine Bonfire (Feb. 13) and the St. Patrick’s Day Bonfire (March 12). Admission is only $3 and food and beverages are available, including wine tasting and vineyard tours.
Brookgreen Gardens: The flowers might not be in full bloom but there’s still plenty to see in the wintertime at this botanical sculpture garden, Ancient live oaks, towering palmettos and awe-inspiring works of art offer year-round beauty, and visitors can take a tour of the Oaks Plantation History and Nature Trail, which provides an up-close look at life on this former rice plantation. There’s also a Lowcountry Zoo, Butterfly House, Gullah Cultural Center and more on the property. Warm up with a hot cup of coffee or Garden Teahouse and visit the gift shop. Admission is good for seven days so you can choose the warmest days of the week to visit.
Boogie: The Grand Strand is known as the birthplace of the Carolina shag, and North Myrtle Beach is ground zero for lovers of the state dance. Thousands of snowbirds flock to the Ocean Drive dance clubs to take a stroll down memory lane and slide across the sawdust-strewn dance floors. Organized events include the Society of Stranders’ Mid-Winter Break (Jan. 15-17), followed by the National Shag Dance Championships Preliminaries (Jan. 29-30). The finals are held March 10-12 at the Spanish Galleon but you don’t have to be a pro to hit the dance floor. Shag veterans are always happy to teach a newcomer a few moves.
Check out these B events this winter in Myrtle Beach, or work on the rest of the alphabet during your stay at Bay View Resort. You’ll find there are lots of fun things to do and plenty of hot fun even without all the sun.
(Posted: 11/9/15)
