You can’t take the beach with you, but you can carry home a small keepsake or two to remind you of your Myrtle Beach vacation. And, of course, you can’t leave the Grand Strand without picking up a few gifts for loved ones back home. Whether you’re looking for a memento or a tacky T-shirt, you can find it all at the many souvenir shops and gift boutiques in Myrtle Beach. Some of the best bargain-hunting hot spots are just a short stroll away from Bay View on the Boardwalk:
* Gay Dolphin Gift Cove: There seems to be a beachwear store on every corner in Myrtle Beach, and many of them carry the same discounted apparel and cheap trinkets. But if you visit only one during your stay at Bay View on the Boardwalk, take a scenic stroll down the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk to the local institution called the Gay Dolphin. Boasting more than 70,000 unique items under one roof, the Gay Dolphin has been sending visitors home with a piece of Myrtle Beach since 1946. From seashells to whoopee cushions, if you can’t find it here, you probably can’t find it. Just browsing? Then be sure to check out the view from the crow’s nest on the top floor.
* LandShark Surf Shack: The original Parrothead, singer/songwriter Jimmy Buffett, sang about the “sharks that swim on the land,” and he backed it up by opening his own surf shop in the heart of the downtown district. Named for his personal line of beer, the LandShark Surf Shack is situated at the base of the Myrtle Beach SkyWheel and features a variety of items you won’t find anywhere else in town. Located only a few blocks away from Bay View on the Boardwalk, the shop enables guests to pick up some of Buffett’s Margaritaville and Caribbean Soul items, then take a ride on the 190-foot-tall SkyWheel and enjoy some hot food and cold drinks at the adjoining LandShark Bar & Grill.
* Lazy Gator: This locally owned and operated boutique has two locations — one at The Market Common in Myrtle Beach, and another in the Lowcountry near the Murrells Inlet MarshWalk. Lazy Gator has a little bit of everything — coastal-themed decor, artwork, jewelry, candles, glassware and more. With popular brands such as Salt Life, Simply Southern and Tervis, Lazy Gator is a great place to shop or browse, and odds are you will walk out of the store with a special piece of memorabilia to remember your visit to Myrtle Beach.
* The Hammock Shops Village: You could make an entire top-five list of gift shops at this Pawleys Island shopping complex. Sure, you can pick up a world-famous Pawleys Island hammock after watching it be hand-woven on-site at the anchor store, The Original Hammock Shop. But there are also more than 20 different boutiques you can check out in the charming retail village, like The Freckled Frog, Pawleys Island Wear, The Audubon Shop & Gallery, Barefoot Elegance and Harbor Specialties. There are also several places to dine at the facility, such as bisQit, Cera Sushi and Pawleys Prime, and the shaded courtyard is a great place to take a break from your shopping spree.
* Tiki Jim’s: No trip to Broadway at the Beach is complete without a stop at Tiki Jim’s, where you will find a wide range of unique items. Yes, Tiki Jim’s has the Myrtle Beach-themed T-shirts and apparel you can find at other places, but it also features a nice selection of signs, stuffed animals, jewelry and more. Many items may be personalized to create the perfect gift for folks back home, and the location allows you to take in all the attractions, dining and shopping Broadway at the Beach has to offer.
After a long day of shopping, head back to Bay View on the Boardwalk for a relaxing stay on the Myrtle Beach oceanfront. If you truly shop till you drop, there’s no better place to land than Bay View Resort.
