A look at what's new to discover in Myrtle Beach
After a long hiatus, Myrtle Beach is eager to continue welcoming back Canadian travellers. Not only is the journey back to Canada already one step more convenient with the shift to allow antigen tests, but it’s about to get even easier for Canadians to visit the fan-favourite destination.
“Flying here is easier than ever via the Myrtle Beach International Airport, with several well-known carriers flying non-stop to Myrtle Beach,” Julie Ellis, Public Relations Manager, Visit Myrtle Beach, tells Travel Courier. “Porter Airlines will resume air service from the Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport on March 9 to May 28. These flights will be non-stop, landing in Myrtle Beach on Wednesdays and Saturdays.”
To find out why 2022 is shaping up to be a solid year, what’s new to experience, and the latest insights on the return of CanAm Days, Travel Courier caught up with Ellis for an interview.
Myrtle Beach isn’t just a beach. It’s The Beach. Popularly known as the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach is one destination made up of 14 unique communities that stretch 60 miles/100km along the northeast coast of South Carolina. Families, couples, and those in search of a warm welcome will find more than just a day at The Beach when they come together to connect and enjoy vibrant entertainment and family attractions, including world-class golf, shopping and fresh coastal Carolina cuisine. From the moment you arrive, you’ll find you belong at The Beach.
Our goal is to remind Canadians why they love the beach and let them know they will be welcome with open arms. They have always been a big part of the Myrtle Beach community, and this year, as always, we are hosting “CanAm Days” which honours our Canadian friends and offers exclusive discounts and various activities.
The Myrtle Beach area is open for business and we’re ready to welcome you, when you’re ready! We are continually assessing the ongoing situation of COVID-19 and are following all local, state and CDC health and safety guidelines to ensure a comfortable experience for all of our guests.
From beautiful beaches to 90 golf courses, there are plenty of wide-open spaces and outdoor activities for you to kick back, relax, and enjoy in Myrtle Beach. We have two state parks as well, that boast some of the best bird watching and views in South Carolina, along with (mostly) warm year-round temperatures, delicious food available at outdoor patios, and plenty of outdoor shopping, and spacious accommodations.
Myrtle Beach is truly The Beach for everyone. From pristine beaches, bike paths, championship golf courses (and mini golf courses), live entertainment, water sports, a vibrant culinary scene and numerous shopping destinations and attractions– we have something for everyone.
Is there anything new and exciting to share in terms of hotels or attractions in the pipeline?
It’s always a great time for a trip to Myrtle Beach, and 2022 is shaping up to be a must-visit year in the Grand Strand. With new restaurants, attractions and hotels, the area is experiencing consistent growth. Whether you’re soaking up the sun, shopping at local stores across the Grand Strand, or visiting new restaurants for a bite to eat, there is truly something for everyone to love at The Beach!
Some recently opened attractions and hotels include:
- Funplex Myrtle Beach
- Huntington Beach State Park Nature Center
- New Craft Breweries
- SkyWheel Myrtle Beach (re-opened after refurbishment)
- Homewood Suites by Hilton
The following are set to open later this year:
- Surfside Beach Pier Reconstruction
- NEW Springhill Suites and Courtyard Marriott
- Landmark Waterpark
- The Hangout
The Canadian market has been a key visitor market for us for a long time! Many snowbirds like to come down and spend their winters at The Beach. We’re also a big golf destination for Canadian visitors as well.
Now that restrictions are lifting and the U.S./Canadian border has reopened, we are thrilled to be able to welcome back Canadian visitors. Over the past several months, we have reignited our marketing efforts targeted to Canadian markets to help reintroduce Myrtle Beach to them and share what’s new since they’ve last been able to visit.
We are also excited to welcome our Canadian friends back to The Beach for the 61st Can-Am Days Festival from March 12-20, 2022! To help our Canadian visitors overcome the exchange rate challenges, Myrtle Beach area businesses have worked together to create a solution. This weeklong celebration features deals on accommodations, events, and activities that you don’t want to miss. We’re busy finalizing all of the details but you can stay-up-to-date by visiting the Can-Am Days events page on our site.
- The Myrtle Beach region is made up of 100km of coastline and 14 communities.
- We’re known for golf, with roughly 100 championship courses of varying terrain and difficulty that you can plan on year-round. We were recently recognized by Golf Week for having more ranked golf courses than any other U.S. destination.
- We also offer more than 35 themed mini golf courses – earning Myrtle Beach the unofficial title of “Mini Golf Capital of the World.”
- Myrtle Beach is also known as the “campground capital of the world,” with close to a dozen campgrounds and more than 7,000 campsites, you can plan your stay in an unspoiled natural setting. Ocean Lakes Campground is ranked in the top 1% of campgrounds in America. This park is known for its amenities, year-round activities and outstanding customer service.
- Myrtle Beach’s culinary scene is always evolving and growing, right now the area has more than 1,800 restaurants the serve flavours for every palate including fresh seafood, authentic southern cuisine, kid-favourites like pizza and burgers, and international cuisine.
- Murrells Inlet is known as the seafood capital of South Carolina. This is a hub of fishing activity, providing fresh seafood for most of the Atlantic Coast and supplying local restaurants in Myrtle Beach.
- The Myrtle Beach area boasts two state parks. Huntington Beach State Park offers some of the best birdwatching on the East Coast, while Myrtle Beach State Park offers some of the best surf fishing in South Carolina.
- Myrtle Beach, Surfside Beach and Horry County are designated autism-friendly. Through the Champion Autism Network, impacted families can get a CAN card to use during their stay to access attractions and restaurants whose staff are trained to help families with members on the spectrum. It also provides expedited services, discounts noise cancelling earphones, and more.
I love the abundance of live music available along the Grand Strand. So many restaurants host live bands or acoustic players, and it creates a marvellous atmosphere and opportunities to dance! I love to go to the beach, of course, and kayak and paddleboard on our many inlets and waterways. Myrtle Beach shrimp is especially sweet and tasty, so I enjoy eating that along with the various fresh catches we get to choose from daily. I also appreciate meals at our many steak houses, and I love the variety of international culinary options too.
All photos courtesy of Visit Myrtle Beach
