Broadway at the Beach

It's perfectly possible for a Myrtle Beach visitor to spend their entire vacation at the renowned Broadway at the Beach complex and never run out of things to do, attractions to see, and fantastic shops to explore. The sprawling 350 acre shopping center showcases a world of over-the-top sites and hot spots, which range from some of the best-known entertainment venues in town to some of the region's most famous restaurants and retailers.

The site is not for visitors seeking out a quiet little destination, and attracts an estimated 14 million people every year. With three hotels on site, and an endless world of eateries and boutiques around every corner, a Myrtle Beach visitor could arguably spend a full week or weekend at Broadway at the Beach, and remain fully and completely entertained.

The complex is a relatively new addition to the Grand Strand scene, and was constructed in 1996 as a decadent shopping plaza. Since it was first constructed, more and more specialty stores, restaurants, and venues have set up shop within the expanding center, and today, Broadway at the Beach boasts more than 20 restaurants, 100 stores, and a myriad of attractions, nightclubs, and three chain hotels.

The impressive roster of attractions have given the site regional and state-wide accolades, and Broadway at the Beach is a recipient of the South Carolina Governor's Cup, and was even named the state's best travel destination in 2011 by the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism.

The shopping is among the best along the Grand Strand, (an impressive feat considering Myrtle Beaches' longstanding reputation as a shopping Mecca), and features a wide range of both quirky and unique stores, as well as national name brands. Favorite and instantly recognizable shops include the Ron Jon Surf Shop, Crocs, Yankee Candle, and the Myrtle Beach Harley Davidson store, but the complex has just as many one-of-a-kind boutiques as name brand stores to discover. For cute sundresses, beach accessories, and unique gifts, the complex is a fantastic destination, as the dozens of locally-owned shops feature unique pieces and treasures that can't be found anywhere else.

Broadway at the Beach is hard to miss along US Highway 17, mainly because of the long, roadside row of restaurants that are unmistakable landmarks of the Grand Strand scene. At Broadway at the Beach, visitors will find the distinctive pyramid-shaped Hard Rock Cafe, the towering globe motif of Planet Hollywood, and Jimmy Buffet's famous Margaritaville Restaurant, which is flanked by a sky-high lighthouse. Eating at Broadway at the Beach, effectively, is an adventure all its own, with a myriad of cool grills, theme restaurants, and a world of different cuisines to choose from.

After hours, the region really heats up with a wide range of restaurants and bars that stay open until the wee hours of the morning. International college club favorites, like Senor Frogs, Club Boca, and Revolutions, feature large dance floors and pumping music virtually every night of the week, while distinctive (and generally quieter) nightlife options, like Rodeo Bar and Grill, Crocodile Rocks, or the Carolina Comedy Club offer visitors a wide range of ways to have fun after dark. Basically, every night of the week provides ample options to have fun and cut loose. Visitors staying outside of the Broadway at the Beach complex will just want to be sure to have a taxi cab number handy to ensure a safe end to a wild night.

Of course, the main reason why most folks head to Broadway at the Beach is for the incredible attractions, and there are plenty to choose from. Families will want to check out the spellbinding Ripley's Aquarium and the unmistakable WonderWorks, which is housed within an upside down and crooked antebellum mansion. Folks with a love of sci-fi can head over to the Encounters U.F.O Experience to battle aliens, or the MagiQuest site to duel a dragon or two, while families of all ages can enjoy hours of outdoor fun at the Myrtle Waves Water Park, the Pavilion Park, or even the high-flying Soar and Explore attraction, which reaches new heights with intricate rope courses located 50' feet above sea level.

There are also plenty of local movie theaters to catch a summer blockbuster, as well as seasonal sporting events at the Broadway Grand Prix and the Myrtle Beach Pelicans minor league baseball field. For a little live entertainment, patrons can head to the Palace Theater or the Legends in Concert complex to watch the stars come to life with incredible live performances that are among the best shows on the beach.

Clearly, there is no shortage of ways to stay entertained, and potential visitors will simply need to park and start strolling to uncover all the ways to have fun at this sprawling indoor and outdoor complex. A complete listing of shops, dining options, attractions and nightlife can be found online at http://www.broadwayatthebeach.com/, and many of the individual listings have their own printable coupons for ample ways to have fun on a budget. Nighttime visitors will also want to scope out Broadway at the Beach's Fireworks Schedule at http://www.broadwayatthebeach.com/fireworks.aspx, as the site typically hosts incredible outdoor fireworks shows for all patrons to enjoy twice a week in the summer months.

Special events are also common occurrences at Broadway at the Beach, and visitors are encouraged to check out the online events page at http://www.broadwayatthebeach.com/eventscalendar.aspx and the Broadway at the Beach Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/BroadwayattheBeach to see what cool events are happening at both individual shops or venues, or at the Broadway at the Beach complex as a whole.

Broadway at the Beach is effectively easy to find, and is located a couple dozen blocks away from the oceanfront, right off of US Highway 17. Visitors need only look for the distinctive pyramid, lighthouse, upside-down mansion, decadent theaters, and other out-of-this-world local landmarks to know they're at the right spot.

There's a reason why millions of Myrtle Beach visitors flock to this seemingly endless complex of shops, attractions, and eateries, and it's simply because this Myrtle Beach site packs in more fun and entertainment than virtually any other spot along the South Carolina coastline. A must see for anyone who loves a Broadway-worthy show, a full day of shopping, and hours of both indoor and outdoor entertainment, Broadway at the Beach is essentially where active Myrtle Beach vacationers come to stay and play.