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You’ve arrived at Holiday Inn – “At The Pavilion” for your Myrtle Beach vacation and that means enjoying time in the sun, lots of good food, and…shopping! The Grand Strand is home to all kinds of shopping malls, centers, and plazas. No matter what you are looking for we can guarantee Myrtle Beach has a store for you. You’re on vacation so that’s the perfect excuse to treat yourself just a little! Now we might be a little bias, but one of our favorite places to shop is right out our front door on the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk! We’ve put together a list of our top three favorite shops along the boardwalk for you to check out during your Myrtle Beach stay.

Gay Dolphin Gift Shop

The Gay Dolphin Gift shop has been around in Myrtle Beach since 1946! It is known as a “Myrtle Beach Institution” and referred to as “the most unique gift shop on the Grand Strand”. Explore seven floors and 26,000 square feet full of unique gifts that are sure to be a memorable symbol of your Myrtle Beach vacation for years! From shark’s teeth to seashells, jewelry to t-shirts, The Gay Dolphin Gift Shop is a great place for everyone in your family!

I Love Sugar

The I Love Sugar candy shop will definitely be a hit with your kid, although we don’t suggest visiting right before their bedtime! This 6,000 square foot store is one of the most unique candy shops you will ever visit. Go see the 65-foot mermaid made out of gummy sharks and gaze at over 30,000 gummy bears suspended from the ceiling! A visit to I Love Sugar will keep you busy and having fun for hours.

Tsunami Surf Shop

Known as the “largest surf shop in the Carolinas”, Tsunami Surf Shop is the perfect place for all of your beachwear needs! They carry high-end surf brands and clothing items such as t-shirts, bathing suits, hats, and cover-ups! Tsunami Surf Shop also carries longboards, surfboards, sunglasses, and other outdoor sporting accessories. Go give them a visit and check out all the unique items they have to offer!

All of this shopping will definitely have you work up an appetite. Check out our previous blog post on Myrtle Beach Boardwalk Restaurants for all of your boardwalk dining needs!

The Myrtle Beach Boardwalk has recently become a city landmark to Myrtle Beach! Built in 2010, The Myrtle Beach Boardwalk stretches 1.2 miles across the beachfront from 14^th Avenue North to 2^nd Avenue North. Throughout the summer months, Myrtle Beach’s Boardwalk is home to concerts, festivals, and other fun events. While strolling the boardwalk for a morning walk or sunset bike ride, there are many unique dining and shopping options you are sure to come across, but only if you can take your eyes off the beautiful ocean views!

Dining on the Boardwalk:

The boardwalk is home to 20 dining options and with it all being walking distance from Holiday Inn – “At The Pavilion”, you really can’t go wrong! A few of our favorite boardwalk restaurants are LandShark Bar & Grill, Pier House, and for dessert, I Love Sugar! Check out our previous blog post here that features even more great restaurants along the boardwalk!

Boardwalk Activities:

Let’s be honest, sometimes you can only sunbath on the beach for so long. Lucky for you, the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk offers plenty of fun shopping and activities for you and your family to enjoy when you need a break from the sun and sand. Our next-door neighbor, the Myrtle Beach SkyWheel, is both a tourist and local favorite as well as Ripley’s Believe it or Not. Don’t forget to get your shopping on at The Gay Dolphin, a 26,000 square foot gift shop and another Myrtle Beach landmark! Want more on boardwalk stores and activities check out another our blog post here.

We pride ourselves in the fact that Holiday Inn – “At The Pavilion” is the only AAA Three Diamond Resort located on the beautiful Myrtle Beach Boardwalk and that all of the boardwalk attractions and amenities are just steps away from your room. Come enjoy a vacation full of fun with us and see what all of Myrtle Beach has to offer!

If you are traveling to Myrtle Beach in January, you might be wondering what activities to partake in. The good news? We are sharing our list of the best things to do in Myrtle Beach in January! The bad news? You might not be able to fit it all in during your stay. From discounted golf rates to finding some of the best shells of the year…here’s your inside scoop on what to do in Myrtle Beach in January!

With the average high temperature of 56 degrees, you can still enjoy strolling up and down the beach as long as you pack yourself a jacket! Myrtle Beach is much quieter during these cooler months of the year and this lack of tourists leaves room for the perfect shelling conditions! Enjoy a walk up and down our 60-mile beach, all while finding incredible shells and shark teeth no matter what time of day.

Another great perk of visiting Myrtle Beach in an off-season month like January, is that many of the local golf courses offer discounted rates! Did you know that Myrtle Beach is home to over 100 golf courses? Barefoot Resort & Golf, Caledonia Golf & Fish Club, and Blackmoore Golf Club are a few of our favorite courses that also offer great off-season rates.

When you’re on vacation the one thing you can’t forget about is food! Another great Myrtle Beach tradition that also occurs in January is Restaurant Week South Carolina. This 10-day celebration lets you check out lots of restaurants along the Grand Strand at discounted prices. Restaurant Week starts January 10th and goes until January 20th. Parson’s Table, Vintage Twelve, and Landry’s Seafood are just a few of the many restaurants that participate in Restaurant Week. For more information and the list of participating restaurants visit the Restaurant Week South Carolina website.

If you have been keeping up with us then you know we are still undergoing renovations and repairs due to the damage of Hurricane Florence. Our new anticipated opening date is March 4^th, 2019. Come experience Holiday Day Inn – “At The Pavilion” better than ever! We apologize for any inconveniences this hurricane repair period has caused but In the meantime our sister hotel, Sea Crest Resort, is open and ready to welcome you and your family. Give them a call at 1-800-845-1112 to book your stay or receive more information.

While Holiday Inn – “At The Pavilion” has plenty of on-site amenities to keep your family entertained, we know it’s always fun to get out and about while you’re vacationing in Myrtle Beach – especially if it’s to dig into some good food! Located just out our back door is the famous Myrtle Beach Boardwalk and tons of great Myrtle Beach Boardwalk restaurants. The Boardwalk is also full of shopping, museums, and rides! We’ve made it easy for you and put together a list of some of our favorite casual dining options on the Myrtle Beach boardwalk…they will not disappoint!

8th Avenue Tiki Bar | 843-712-2340

The 8th Avenue Tiki Bar is known for “Good z! Good food! Good music! Good times!” and we couldn’t agree more! With a beer selection over 100 from bottle to tap and menu options such as fish tacos, homemade hummus, and Philly cheese steaks, the whole family is sure to find something they can enjoy. The upscale bar-restaurant gives you all the good food and tropical vibes no matter what season you’re visiting in!

Hurricanes | 843-457-2808

Known for being the cheapest happy hour deals along the boardwalk, Hurricanes is the go-to place for those looking to eat, drink, and be entertained! From beautiful ocean views to brightly colored walls and flat-screen TVs to live music…you are sure to enjoy your food, drinks, and company while relaxing at Hurricanes!

The Bowery | 843-626-3445

A Myrtle Beach tradition since 1944, the Bowery prides itself on being a boardwalk restaurant and bar for over 75 years! Their restaurant (which they call Duffy’s Tavern) is known for delicious burgers and unique appetizer options. Come to enjoy Shirley’s Swirly Potato Chips on a Stick, Matt’s Mahi Bites, or their 8th Wonder Burger…loaded with a full pound of Angus beef and all the toppings you could imagine! Enjoy live music every Friday and Saturday by The Bounty Hunters and be sure to check out their website for other fun entertainment events each month!

Mad Myrtle’s Ice Cream | 843-626-0002

You’re never too full for dessert, right? Mad Myrtle’s Ice Cream is the perfect end to your night and the best way to satisfy everyone’s sweet tooth! They feature incredible premium ice cream and serve smoothies, frappes, sundaes, splits, shakes, funnel cakes, and even pretzels and nachos. At Mad Myrtle’s there is something for everyone!

Click here to check out Oceanfront Myrtle Beach Boardwalk restaurants!

You’ve arrived with your family for a vacation full of memories at Holiday Inn – “At The Pavilion” and now you are ready to get out and explore! Did you know that Holiday Inn – “At The Pavilion” is the only AAA Three Diamond Resort located on the famous Myrtle Beach Boardwalk? Step out our front door and you are right in the hustle and bustle of it all!  The attractions on the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk are sure to bring a smile to every family members face. From shopping to restaurants, museums to rides, we have put together our list of favorite family activities along the Boardwalk!

The Sky Wheel

If you are staying with us, it’s hard to miss this massive attraction that just so happens to be our neighbor! The Sky Wheel has quickly become a Myrtle Beach icon thanks to its panoramic ocean front views of the Grand Strand coast. You can spot its colorful lights from nearly anywhere along the boardwalk and once you get upon it, it is hard to look away! The climate-controlled gondolas tower 200 feet over the Atlantic Ocean and give you a view of miles of the Myrtle Beach coast, and you can enjoy the beautiful boardwalk and ocean views with your family no matter the season or weather. Want a special experience? The VIP flight offers Ferrari leather seats, glare-free glass, and a glass bottom floor. VIP flight times are doubled, and to commemorate the experience you are sent home with a Sky Wheel lanyard and group photo! Other group packages are also available. The Sky Wheel is open all season long so be sure to stop by and take a ride on your next Myrtle Beach vacations!

Myrtle Beach Zip Line Adventures

For all our thrill seekers out there who are looking to free-fall by the ocean, make sure to visit the Myrtle Beach Zip Line Adventures! Located just south of us at 9th Avenue North, this Zip Line Adventure is complete with both a 600-foot zip line and their new Adventure Matrix Aerial Park! Bring the whole family and enjoy over 50 aerial elements including the extreme zip line free-fall, where you step off and experience a falling sensation until you are suddenly caught just before meeting the ground – the ultimate adrenaline rush! You must be at least 6 years old and 40 pounds, in order to ride the Zip Line and reservations for small groups, are not needed! For more information and to purchase tickets visit their website or call at 843-839-1661.

Gay Dolphin Gift Shop

Referred to as “the most unique gift shop on the Grand Strand”, The Gay Dolphin Gift Shop is one of the oldest Myrtle Beach Boardwalk buildings and considered legendary. With multiple floors full of fun gifts that will always remind you of your Myrtle Beach vacation, the family owned and operated gift shop is an anchor of both the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk and Boulevard. Go and see their wide array of seashells, shark’s teeth, clothing, unique jewelry, and even home décor. This shopping experience will not disappoint!

I Love Sugar

Do you love sugar? Or maybe we should ask, do your kids love sugar? If the answer is yes, then you can’t leave Myrtle Beach without visiting the I Love Sugar! It’s not just a shop, but a boardwalk activity that will have you busy for hours.  Located at 919 North Ocean Boulevard, this outrageous candy store is just a few blocks away from Holiday Inn – “At The Pavilion. Go and enjoy gazing at the 30,000 gummy bears that are suspended from the ceiling or feast your eyes on the 65-foot mermaid made out of gummy sharks. I Love Sugar also carries great candy gifts to bring home with you after you say farewell to your Myrtle Beach vacation. What’s better than a sweet gift you can eat? With over 6,000 square feet full of every candy you could imagine, we promise this will be a dessert experience like no other.

Ripley’s Believe it or Not

Does curiosity run in your family? If so, then this is a must visit attraction on the Myrtle Beach boardwalk for all! Ripley’s, Believe it or Not, is a two-story “odditorium” filled with some of the world’s greatest oddities and exotic artifacts. It’s the only place in Myrtle Beach where you will find shrunken heads, a vampire killing kit, an 8-foot tall transformer sculpture, and all kinds of unique artwork. Come take a walk through the spinning vortex tunnel and then go enjoy some hands-on interaction. This 12,250 square foot facility has over 200 different exhibits that are sure to keep you and your kids entertained for hours. These exhibits have been described as “strange yet beautiful” and will help create lasting Myrtle Beach memories!

Don’t just stop at the boardwalk, there are even more attractions near Holiday Inn – “At The Pavilion”!

Fall has arrived, and although the weather in Myrtle Beach will stay warm for the next few months, we will definitely have some cooler days! One of our favorite places to visit once the summer season has come and gone is Broadway at the Beach. Broadway at the Beach is located just a few miles from Holiday Inn – “At The Pavilion” and has everything from dining and shopping to attractions and entertainment. If a temperature drop should keep you from enjoying a day in the sand, do not fret! We have laid out some of our favorite Broadway at the Beach activities that are sure to provide you and your family with a day of fun!

Backstage Escape Games

If you are looking for a fast-paced adventure to not only get the family working together but also have a ton of fun, then this is the place for you! At Backstage Escape Games you have 60 minutes to race against the clock and complete a mission before time runs out. Test your skills with puzzles to solve, various challenges to conquer, and codes to decipher! With props, decorations, and lighting effects, you are transported into an alternate reality. Call 843-712-1237 for more information.

Dragon’s Lair Fantasy Golf

It may be too cool to take a dip in the ocean, but sometimes that’s the perfect weather to go and enjoy a game of mini golf! The Dragon’s Lair Fantasy Golf is located in Broadway at the Beach between the Cinema and Interactive Fountain. This 36-hole mini golf course takes you on a mystical journey through the Dark Ages. As you make your way through the course you will encounter a Viking ship, streams, bridges, and even meet the fire-breathing dragon. Group rates are available, call 843-913-9301 for more information.

Mirror Maze

Are you ready for a challenge? This new mirror maze attraction is full of fun and adventure for the whole family! Go through infinite reflections, dead ends, continuous circles, and many surprising corners. The scene in the maze is an Off-Broadway Theatre’s backstage area – and the New York mafia has just attempted a bank heist escape. Throw on a pair of the kaleidoscope glasses and let the dazzling rainbow lights intensify and challenge you even more. Come and enjoy over 2,000 square feet of a truly mind-bending experience for all ages! Call 843-712-1794 for more information.

Fall is just around the corner and the summer days are quickly passing us by…but that doesn’t mean the fun stops here in Myrtle Beach! For many of our guests, fall is a favorite season to visit Holiday Inn – “At The Pavilion”. The weather is still warm and beautiful, the crowds are smaller, and the Myrtle Beach fall festivals are plenty!

Wine Fest – September 16

Come unwind and spend your day or evening at Myrtle Beach’s 7th Annual Wine Fest. Wine Fest is a popular wine-tasting event that takes place September 16 in Valor Park at The Market Common. That’s right around the corner from Holiday Inn – “At The Pavilion”! This fun fall event features 50+ samples of wines from around the world. There is no shortage of fun here as you can sip the day away while enjoying live entertainment. Purchase a $5 wine glass for your sipping pleasure, and pay as you go! The Wine Fest will be held from 11 am – 7 pm. If you get hungry The Market Common has plenty of delightful dining options for you to take advantage of.

St. John’s Greek Festival – September 27-30

A top Myrtle Beach fall event, the annual St. John’s Greek Festival is full of Greek cuisine, culture, and a whole lot of fun! This multi-day event will take place at the St. John The Baptist Greek Orthodox Church, less than a 10-minute drive from Holiday Inn – “At The Pavilion”. This family-friendly festival opens 11 am Thursday, Friday, and Saturday and 12 pm on Sunday. Enjoy eating gyros, baklava, spanakopita, and salads while drinking an authentic Greek beer, wine, or even an Ouzo shot. There will also be inflatables, live performances, and craft tables so go ahead and mark your calendars!

Atalaya Arts and Crafts Festival – September 28-30

A perfect event for the whole family, the Atalaya Arts and Crafts Festival will be taking place Friday, September 28th through Sunday, September 30th from 12-6 pm. This Festival is held at the beautiful Atalaya Castle, the former winter home of Archer and Anna Hyatt Huntington located inside Huntington Beach State Park. There will be plenty of fine art, crafts, musical entertainment, food, and some awesome Grand Strand ocean views. Children under 15 are free and adult tickets are $8. With over 100 artisans who will be set up to share their creations, this is an event you will not want to miss!

At Holiday Inn At The Pavilion, we value providing you with everything you could desire for a relaxing, comfortable, and affordable stay. From our bustling boardwalk location, to our sought after oceanfront pool deck, you are sure to find amenities you’ll love while vacationing with us here in Myrtle Beach! We’ve broken it down and made a list of all the fun Holiday Inn At The Pavilion amenities for you to experience.

Our 5 Pool Attractions

While we are known for our beautiful beaches, sometimes a break from the salt and sand is needed! Holiday Inn At The Pavilion offers 5 different water attractions for you and your family to enjoy. Our outdoor pool attractions include the Outdoor Pool and the Children’s Activity Pool. The Outdoor pool features a spacious oceanfront pool deck to enjoy hours of splashing and sunning, while the Children’s Activity Pool is the perfect shallow play area for our youngest guests. Our Indoor pool attractions include the Indoor Lazy River, a guest favorite, the indoor pool, and the Indoor Whirl Pool. Our Indoor pool attractions are a great break from the sun or for swimming on a rainy day. We like to call the Indoor Whirl Pool our heated indoor paradise! No matter your age, the weather, or the season, our on-site pool attractions are perfect for you!

Tropical Beach Bar

We know summer is drifting away and fall is around the corner, but the weather here in Myrtle Beach is beautiful all year round! Our Tropical Beach Bar is a perfect spot to enjoy the oceanfront views and watch all the action happening on the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk while enjoying your favorite drink. While here your dreams of sipping on a tropical flavored delight complete with a brightly colored beach umbrella become a reality. Come sit back, relax, and enjoy paradise!

Exercise Room

If staying fit is important to you while on vacation, then we have got you covered! The Holiday Inn At The Pavilion on-site exercise room features several cardio and weight machines along with mirrors, towels, and a newly renovated space. Our gym makes it easy to get in that early morning run or late night weight session without having to leave the hotel! We know your vacation time in Myrtle Beach is limited, and you deserve to enjoy every moment, so we want to make everything as convenient as we can for you and our onsite gym does just that!

Though the Myrtle Beach area is known for pristine beaches and ideal outdoor weather, we do have the occasional rainy day from time to time. But fret not –if you happen to experience a day with bad weather while staying at The Holiday Inn, you will quickly find that the area is more than prepared. We have laid out for you our list of favorite Myrtle Beach rainy day activities along the Grand Strand so you and your family are not stuck inside waiting for the storm to pass! From museums to theaters and everything in between, you and your family will not be short of rainy day entertainment. 

Boardwalk Arcades

Grab the gang and head just a few steps from your room to the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk and check out one of the many local arcades. Not only are the area arcades an affordable way to entertain the family during a rainy day, they also provide a certain sense of nostalgia that can’t be found anywhere else. Check out the Fun Plaza or the Gay Dolphin Arcade that are both right along the boardwalk.

Visit A Museum / Indoor Attraction

It’s easy to find the perfect Myrtle Beach rainy day activity for the whole family when the Grand Strand is home to a wide array of indoor attraction! With Ripley’s Odditorium, Children’s Museum of South Carolina, or Rockin’ Jump; you’re sure to find somewhere the whole family will enjoy!  We’ve made a list of our favorites below:

WonderWorks

Located at Broadway at the Beach, Wonderworks is an interactive entertainment center that focuses on sparking your child’s imagination through over 100 hands on exhibits. Experience winds of a category one hurricane, lay on a bed of 3500 nails, or even power a bike to spin a 360-degree revolution! If you and your family get hungry, the museum has a snack bar where adults can get on the blender bike to blend their own frozen drinks. WonderWorks is a great Myrtle Beach rainy day activity and is designed for children of all ages…but even adults will enjoy the fun!

Ripley’s Aquarium

Ripley’s Aquarium has been a favorite in Myrtle Beach for both tourists and locals for years. Located at Broadway at the Beach, this marine life attraction features two levels of sea animals and activities for the whole family! Ripley’s new Pearl Harbor Exhibit lets you sound the alarms inside the Arizona and take your picture with FDR. This interactive gallery will make you feel like you’ve been transported back in time! You can also visit the dangerous reef to see sharks, eels, and sea turtles all while you walk along a moving 340-foot glidepath. Other exhibits include: Rainbow Rock, Rio Amazon, and Ray Bay. Don’t forget to stop at the gift shop for a souvenir before you leave! For more information, call (843) 916-0888. 

Hollywood Wax Museum

The Hollywood Wax Museum is an entertainment center in Myrtle Beach filled with wax figures of all your favorite celebrities. From NASCAR Champs to popstars, you and your family are sure to be star struck! In addition to wax figures, The Hollywood Wax Museum also features Hannah’s Maze of Mirrors and the shrieking Outbreak. Search for secret rooms in the midst of a million reflections, brave an old lab terrorized by the undead, or purchase tickets to both! No matter the age, this museum is sure to provide your entire family with laughs, fun, and surprises for the whole afternoon! Call (843) 444-0091 for more information.

Catch A Movie

If the storms are here to stay, head inside and catch one of the summer’s hottest flicks at the local movie theater. The closest theater to The Holiday Pavilion can be found right up the road at Broadway at the Beach. Other theaters can be found at The Market Common and Coastal Grand Mall, and The Myrtle Beach Mall.

Try Your Luck Bowling

Who doesn’t enjoy a little family competition every now and again? See how you stack up against the crowd at 710 Bowling Center. This attraction offers several traditional bowling lanes, glow bowling, arcade games, yard games (corn hole and bocce ball), pool tables, darts, board games, and a full bar and kitchen. It’s a one stop shop for all of your entertainment needs. 710 is located just a short drive north off Highway 17 and is well worth the trip! Call (843) 663-2695 for more information.

And NEW to the Market Common is 710’s sister attraction, 810 Billards & Bowling. Recently opened this attraction offers all the same fun as 710 but is centrally located. Call (843) 839-2695 for more information.

Enjoy A Dinner & A Show

Myrtle Beach proudly offers two unique dinner and show options for families to enjoy. The first, Medieval Times, takes visitors back to a different time where Kings and Queens reined supreme and Knights and horses performed acts of valor. The second, Pirates Voyage, featuring stunning acrobatic acts and special appearances from friendly mermaids. Each show is ideal for families and offers a decadent four-course meal for all guests. For more information about these shows visit our entertainment page.

What is your favorite Myrtle Beach rainy day activity? 

The Myrtle Beach Boardwalk Bonanza is being held every Wednesday and Thursday at the Burroughs and Chapin Pavilion. Located between 8^th and 9^th Avenues North, you can get your fill of entertainment at this event from July through August. After a long day lounging by one of the 5 pools at the Holiday Inn Pavilion, this is the perfect anecdote for some evening fun! The best part about this event…it’s free!

Each week will feature live entertainment like, talent and karaoke contests, DJ performances, food challenges, trivia, and Beach Olympics! This is all part of Big Screen Party Machine’s entertainment schedule including, a jumbo digital board with a live emcee and tons of great prizes for participants to win!

No one in the family will be bored at this exciting event! Every live performance and show will be different from the night before, so feel free to go two nights in a row!

In addition to the live entertainment the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk Bonanza will also include five different local food trucks! If you don’t get your fill from one of the local food trucks at the Bonanza, grab a bite at one of the many Myrtle Beach Boardwalk Restaurants. Here’s a list of all the recommended eateries in the area, a couple of our favorites include Moe Moon’s and ART Burger Sushi!

Beach Olympics will take place on Wednesdays at an outdoor recreational area for both adults and children. It’s one of the best features at the Bonanza and will include loads of fun family-friendly activities to choose from. To top it all off, every Wednesday will also include a 10pm Fireworks display.

The Myrtle Beach Boardwalk Bonanza is sure to be a blast and a fun night for your entire family. We also know that it will be an exhausting day for all and you’ll want to get the kids in bed as soon as the fun is done. Luckily, The Holiday Inn Pavilion is conveniently located on the award-winning oceanfront Myrtle Beach Boardwalk. The Myrtle Beach Boardwalk Bonanza is just a short walk from our resort!