The quick Myrtle Beach escape Long Islanders love

Melissa Coleman Frank’s parents moved to the Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, area in 2022. Coleman Frank, of Merrick, started taking her son and daughter to see their grandparents soon after, visiting whenever there was a school break.

Almost immediately, she and her children fell in love with the area, putting the beach town on their list of favorite getaways.

She loves the clean beaches and warm water and has visited "nearly all" of the touristy attractions in the area, and yet they never get bored, she said.

"We've been down there a lot, so we try and do something different each time. There’s so much to do, especially as a family."

Two of her family’s favorite spots are Ripley's Aquarium of Myrtle Beach with its shark tunnels and stingray tank and WonderWorks Myrtle Beach, the "upside down house" that’s billed as an amusement park of the mind. The ropes course, zip line, laser tag arena and Wonder Coaster — a virtual reality simulator ride — keep visitors busy on a rainy day, Coleman Frank said. When it’s nice out, she said they head over to Alligator Adventure to watch the snakes, gators and crocodiles or to a golf course to get a few rounds in.

"My kids also love the golfing down there," she said. "My dad takes them and the courses are really great."

Ed Travers, a retired musician from Kings Park, also loves the area’s golf scene. Travers, who goes to Myrtle Beach three or four times a year to "play golf and play music," raves about Legends Golf & Resort. The upscale hotel, with five award-winning championship courses and The Man O' War Golf Club, has great play through and amazing water views throughout, he said.

He starts the day at the Famous Toastery, grabbing eggs Benedict, a strawberry margarita and coffee before hitting the links. Travers has been coming to Myrtle Beach since his daughter played soccer 25 years ago and said the improvements he’s seen since then are amazing.

He interacts with locals and visitors when he plays at The Ole’ Irish Pub, a restaurant and bar that serves authentic Irish food such as shepherd’s pie next to more southern fare such as blackened shrimp and chips.

Music, madness — and pirates

Travers is just one of many musicians who play Myrtle Beach’s 60-mile crescent-shaped Grand Strand of beaches. Visitors in search of tunes can hit the House of Blues. Coleman Frank has seen local cover bands and famous performers at the House of Blues as well as The Carolina Opry Theater, which hosts musical revues, tribute acts, and national tours nearly every day except Mondays. "I saw an ’80s revue with my sister, and it was cheesy but a lot of fun," she said. "They obviously have country music nights, and the Christmas shows are pretty popular, too."

The boardwalk is another good destination featuring live music as well as restaurants, bars, and attractions. During the season, visitors can check out Hot Summer Nights. Monday through Saturday from 5 to 8 p.m. there’s family-friendly entertainment. On Wednesdays, there’s live music and a fireworks display at 9 p.m. If you want a really good view of the sky, take a ride on the iconic SkyWheel Myrtle Beach. The 187-foot observation wheel with enclosed climate-controlled gondolas gives visitors panoramic views of the beaches and coastline.

For more family-friendly fun, Pirates Voyage entertains and fills you up. The show starts up to an hour before dinner with an interactive sing-along. Once inside, settle in for a four-course meal while watching sword fights, mermaids, pirates and a sea lion named Salty who perform around a 15-foot-deep indoor lagoon.

Something for everyone

Denise Gatti has watched Myrtle Beach grow from a small beach town to a larger resort area. Gatti, of Holtsville, has made an annual pilgrimage to the area since she was 4, staying on the beach with her family. Last year, more than 50 relatives celebrated 40 years of vacationing there, she said.

"There’s so much to do now. Whether it's going to the beach, or to Broadway at the Beach, or Barefoot Landing — all those kinds of touristy places — you’re never bored," she said. "I just love the lifestyle. The slow southern living. Everybody's so nice down there, friendly, and the weather is great."

Gatti said she often visits Broadway at the Beach, which is home to Ripley’s Aquarium, WonderWorks, and 150 other shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues, walking over from where they typically stay, the Myrtle Beach Resort. The 33-acre oceanfront resort has on-site dining, various sports courts, a lazy river, six pools and a private beach.

Colleen Wargo, who lives in Bay Shore, is a new Myrtle Beach convert. She started going four years ago to visit a friend, flying out of Islip and staying at an Airbnb. She also likes Broadway at the Beach. Her favorite destination is Beach Rider Jet Boats, a high-speed race around Broadway Lake that features 360-degree turns among other maneuvers.

"You go whipping around and the kids really enjoy that — the adrenaline rush," she said.

Gatti said Myrtle Beach has "a ton" of water sport options. "There are pontoon boats. You could go Jet Skiing. You could go banana boating. You could go out charter fishing," she said. "There are endless options."

Myrtle Beach Watersports, which provides one- and two-hour Jet Ski dolphin tours, a dolphin cruise and hourly Jet Ski, pontoon boat rentals and banana-boat rides, is a popular destination. Downwind Sails Watersports is one option for parasailing, sailboat rides and Jet Ski ocean tours as well as sailboat and kayak rentals and lessons.

For people who prefer land to sea, Coleman Frank recommends Broadway Grand Prix, across from Broadway at the Beach. The family amusement park has go-kart racing for all ages as well as mini golf and an extensive arcade with more than 90 games. There’s also a kiddie amusement park area for children at least 36 inches tall.

Although, as Coleman Frank said, there’s always something to do, some of the best times at Myrtle Beach can sneak up on you.

For Gatti, her best memories aren’t connected to a single attraction or destination. Instead, they were made when her whole family just hung out on the beach with the kids making sandcastles and everyone enjoying the water.

"There’s no technology, just everybody laughing and conversating and having a great time," she said. "You just connect and unwind."