on location: south ❖ ShoppingGrand Strand Spree From outlet malls to theater gift nooks, shopping rates high as a group tour activity in the Myrtle Beach area By Dave Bodle Broadway at the Beach, a Myrtle Beach retail/entertainment hub exuding a youthful vibe, offers 75 shops. Left: Step out in style from Dixie Divas at The Market Common. 34 February 2014 LeisureGroupTravel.com Obtain South Carolina visitor guides and itineraries and contact group-friendly suppliers directly at leisuregrouptravel.com/instant-info egardless of the reason that brought us to area’s original mix of shopping, dining, entertainment and South Carolina’s Grand Strand, there’s one nightlife. With 16 restaurants including Greg Norman’s Aus- common activity on our “to do” list. Sure, tralian Grille Waterfront Restaurant and the Flying Fish Public getting to the edge of the continent and eat- Market & Grill, we’ll find something to please every palate. And R ing some of the area’s great seafood is cer- there’s much to do when the sun goes down. tainly on the agenda. However, what we’re talking about here is Opened in 1993, Alabama Theatre brings live entertainment shopping. It’s hard to imagine any shopping destination shining with ONE The Show, regular celebrity appearances and the brighter than the Myrtle Beach area. South’s Grandest Christmas Show. Gaylord Entertainment, no Shopping malls with major store anchors, no problem. stranger to the bright lights of show business, produces these Quaint areas with unusual specialty shops, that’s certainly avail- award-winning signature shows. The Guest Artist Concert Se- able. Outlet malls with hundreds of ries brings in top touring acts stores, take your choice of two. weekly. Of course, nightlife and There’s more than one shopping, great food are alive at the House of dining and entertainment complex Blues. Both venues have out- here. Don’t forget the beachwear standing gift shops. stores that only seem to be on We came to Barefoot Landing every corner. The sports enthusiast to shop, and there is an abun- is not forgotten with five huge dance of specialty stores that are golf/tennis choices and the leading sure to fit any style. From acces- outdoor adventure store. sories, apparel and gift shops to Where to begin shopping is jewelry, shoes and more, those about as challenging as what to perfect finds are waiting for us. buy. Let’s begin our shopping jour- With plenty of places to eat and en- ney with a look at some of the large tertainment filled with memories in special interest stores and dispel a addition to shops, let’s plan to myth. The two mega golf stores in spend more than a few hours at North Myrtle Beach are the PGA Barefoot Landing. Superstore and Golf Dimensions. Talk about convenience, just These two stores and the area’s Coastal Grand Mall, the Myrtle Beach area’s largest indoor south of Barefoot Landing at the shopping center, offers national chains and local favorites. newest addition, Golfsmith, have lo- intersection of Highway 17 and 22 cations in Myrtle Beach, too. Conveniently placed between the is the Myrtle Beach Mall, which offers a perfect blend of retail- two communities at the Myrtle Beach Mall is the Bass Pro ers you’ll certainly recognize and some intriguing specialty Shops Outdoor World. Here’s where we dispel the myth! There shops. In addition to Belk’s Men and Belk’s Women, Books-a- are more major brand men’s, women’s and kids casual clothing Million and JC Penney, you’ll find Victoria’s Secret, Bath and and accessories than what you’d find in some major department Body Works and Hallmark. Islamorada Fish Company at the stores. Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World and Ruby Tuesday are good Now that we’ve pinpointed special interest stores, let’s make lunch or dinner stops. room for the shopping bags and begin our trek in North Myrtle You might be asking, “When are we ever going to get to our Beach. Quite a few of the events that take place off the beach first outlet mall?” Right now! Almost directly across the highway happen on North Myrtle Beach’s Main Street. Festivals, con- and with easy access from the Myrtle Beach Mall is Tanger certs and parades are all part of the story. Here in the home of Outlet Highway 17 N. This is one of two Tanger Outlets in the South Carolina’s state dance, the shag, you’ll find some charm- Myrtle Beach area. If one is good, then two must be great. Both ing specialty shops. In fact, at one stop we can find all of our offer group services for 15 or more. They’ll provide us a meet & shagging music and dancing shoes. We’ll certainly find beach- greet, a complimentary coupon book, merchandise rewards at wear and souvenirs. The men and women’s boutiques have host stores and a gift card bonus if we stay a minimum of one smart fashions, and, as you’d expect, there’s a gift shop that’s hour. Of course, we’re staying for more than an hour. There are sure to have exactly what we want. 100 stores at each Tanger location, including Coach, Polo Ralph Situated between the Intracoastal Waterway and Highway Lauren Factory Store, OshKosh B’gosh and Old Navy Outlet, to 17 South in North Myrtle Beach sits Barefoot Landing, the name a few. LeisureGroupTravel.com February 2014 35 on location: south ❖ You’re probably getting the picture that the Myrtle Beach area is a shopping mecca, but we still haven’t gotten to the area’s largest shopping-dining-entertain- ment complex, or the largest enclosed mall. And let’s not forget the area’s spe- cialty shops and theater gift shops. We’ll check them out in just a few minutes, but let’s get to the big one first. We really can spend a full day (or even two!) visiting Broadway at the Beach. The Myrtle Beach area has two Tanger Outlets, each with 100 stores. Checking out the website prior to arrival for valuable coupons is a good idea. Upon to go hungry, and we certainly will not be arrival let’s stop at the Visitor Center to get lacking entertainment options. In addition a welcome greeting and map to plot our to a dozen spots to listen to live music, shopping strategy. comedy and karaoke, Broadway at the When ready to take a break from ex- Beach is home to two live entertainment ploring the 75 shops, there are plenty of theaters. restaurants (24!) offering everything from The Palace Theatre Myrtle Beach is hot dogs to sushi. Hard Rock Cafe, Planet host to Hot Jersey Nights, a walk down Hollywood and Landry’s Seafood, among memory lane with the Four Seasons and others, welcome groups. We’re not going their perfect harmonies. Also new are Illu- sions of Magic, an amazing show for all ages, and Jersey Nights Christmas Spe- cial. Legends in Concert Myrtle Beach fea- tures the “World’s Greatest Live Tribute Show.” A live band and dancers back up tributes from today and yesterday. Enjoy both theaters’ gift shops. The Carolina Opry has entertained groups for 28 years, and today it’s hard to choose between the four fabled shows in this single theater – The Carolina Opry, The Good Vibrations Show, The Carolina Opry Christmas special and LIGHT See the Music. CDs from cast members along with photos and souvenirs, T-shirts and hats capture the memories. Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament offers an entertaining evening of skills demonstrated by knights in the Battle of Champions. The feast alone is reason enough for our visit. It’s a four-course meal fit for a king and his majesty’s court. Like me, though, your favorite cast members just might be the magnificent stallions. Yes, we’ll have time for the gift shop. I’d be happy to share a few tales of pi- 36 February 2014 LeisureGroupTravel.com rates along the Carolina coast, but it’s better to see them in action. We’re headed to Pi- rates Voyage Dinner Attraction to witness two competing pirate camps battle for lost treasure. All the action takes place on the deck of their pirate ship, in the 15-foot-deep lagoon and above the ship. Regardless of the victor, we will enjoy a delicious four- course feast. The soup is delicious and it’s available in the gift shop. Do not leave the building without some. Hang on to your seats—we still have two more shopping stops. We’ll find the Myrtle Beach area’s largest indoor mall—Coastal Grand Mall—on the south end. With Dillard’s and Belk serving as anchors and JC Penney, Sears and Dick’s Sporting Goods as the supporting cast, will we need more? Absolutely. My fa- vorite, Jos. A. Bank, is there along with Aber- crombie & Fitch, Lane Bryant, Bed Bath & Beyond, Ethan Allen, La-Z-Boy Galleries, Men’s Wearhouse and a host of other na- tional brands and local specialty stores. After MYRTLE BEACH OCEANFRONT shopping hard, we’re going to be hungry. Do we eat at the area’s largest food court, or do TOP RANKED BY TRIPADVISOR.COM we dine at one of the restaurants adjacent Featuring 6 oceanfront pools (with hot tubs and heated pools), Sanctuary Spa, fitness to the mall? We’re sure to find something to center, complimentary Hampton “On the House” hot breakfast please every appetite. buffet, and 90-seat conference and meeting facility.