Winter is the most wonderful time of the year. The cozy evenings where you sit around a fireplace with friends and family, overlooking the blanket of snow enveloping the land, are truly magical. Not to mention the winter holidays and the spirit of Christmas and the New Year, which comes bearing new opportunities. While most of us prefer to spend the holiday season at home, it is also a great time to take a family winter vacation to make the most of the holidays! While you may think the right vacation spot for a winter trip may be a ski resort, there is another more unconventional option – Myrtle Beach!
You might be wondering if you’ve misread that or if we’ve miswrote that. No, no, we meant to write what you read. Yes, a beach is generally considered a summer destination, but there is a lot of potential in a winter vacation to a beach town. An Atlantic Coast city in South Carolina, Myrtle Beach is a coastal hub considered one of the best summer vacation spots. However, Myrtle Beach can be a fantastic winter holiday destination with manageable weather and endless activities on offer. If you’re looking to plan a trip to Myrtle Beach with your family or friends for the holiday season, this article will tell you all you need to know to have the merriest of times!
Set your Holiday Spirit free
The first thing which may have crossed your mind while considering Myrtle Beach for a winter holiday trip may have been that the town may lack the holiday spirit. You would be utterly mistaken to think that. The locals are true-blood Americans who indulge in the holiday spirit wholeheartedly! You can find a plethora of Myrtle Beach Christmas shows, such as the Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show, which serves you a four-course meal during a show that puts a pirate twist on Dickens’ ‘A Christmas Carol.’ The locals of Myrtle Beach are great artists and performers and put on fantastic Christmas shows for all those who want to let out their holiday spirit. To ensure you have a spot in your preferred show, check your travel dates and find the shows to book in advance.
Indulge in Holiday Light Shows
Myrtle Beach has many activities related to the holidays available during the winter. A highlight is the ‘Nights of a Thousand Candles, which is on display at the Brookgreen Gardens every winter. From 4 – 9 on most winter evenings, the gardens are illuminated with thousands of candles and lights along the walkways. You can go for a stroll through the gardens for an awe-inspiring experience while drinking warm cider and listening to carolers in the background. Another great way to experience the holiday spirit in Myrtle Beach is to visit the boardwalk, where a holiday park is set up with the Skywheel. Imagine yourself 50 meters in the air in a cozy, enclosed gondola overlooking the gorgeous Atlantic waters. If that isn’t the perfect way to spend a cold winter night, we don’t know what is!
Find Alternatives to Water Activities
If you’ve been to Myrtle Beach before, chances are you must have loved swimming in the ocean. While the water temperature is sometimes mild enough to take a quick swim even in the winter, you still can’t do most beach activities comfortably. Instead, find alternative activities to have fun with your friends and family. There are a lot of things that Myrtle Beach offers besides its holiday activities. For instance, you could visit Ripley’s Aquarium and teach the kids about marine life. Or you could head to the Hollywood Wax Museum to take selfies with your favorite ‘celebrities.’ There are many great things you can do to make your winter trip to Myrtle Beach a fun-filled and memorable time for the whole group.
Fill up with the Local Cuisine
Being a beach town, Myrtle Beach has fantastic seafood available. Coupled with the traditional southern flavors of the region, the resulting food is irresistible! Crabs, clams, shrimp, mussels, you name it; Myrtle Beach restaurants will have it cooked to perfection. However, if you’re not a seafood fan, you can also find traditional southern food options at Myrtle Beach. Pulled pork or chargrilled ribs, whatever floats your boat, can be found at the many southern restaurants in the city. Additionally, true to the holiday spirit, many Myrtle Beach restaurants offer great specials for the holiday season. For instance, a local favorite, Preston’s Seafood and Country Buffet, is open even on Christmas Day with great holiday deals!
Take in the Natural Beauty
Myrtle Beach is much more than just a beach town. It is the hub of the Grand Stand, with so much to offer visitors and locals alike. If you’re looking for a break this holiday season from the noise and the stress that comes with living in this era, Myrtle Beach is perfect for you. With the Myrtle Beach State Park lying on the beachfront, you can opt to stay at one of the campsites available to reconnect with nature and relax. If you go along the coast to Huntington Beach State Park, you can also visit the 1930s Atalaya Castle, a historic piece of southern architecture with breathtaking interiors, or you can stop at the Nature Center. Regardless of what you choose to do, Myrtle Beach will leave you rejuvenated after the holidays.
Final Words
Myrtle Beach offers a unique experience to tourists in the winter months. It is a beautiful town with wonderful, pleasant weather. If you’re not a ‘cold’ person, planning a visit to Myrtle Beach for the winter holidays is perfect, as the mild weather will help you relax and enjoy yourself. Moreover, with fewer visitors, you will get to experience the town like a local, in all its real beauty and grace. Not only will you and your group get to stay in a beautiful town, but you will also meet wonderful people. Myrtle Beach is the ideal destination for the holiday season, and by planning your trip with our tips, you are bound to have a merry winter vacation!
