Border-hopping adventures

A 4 day tour of Various
from our Southeastern issue,
Spring 2012.

	Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach displays more than 6,000 animals in 1.3 million gallons of saltwater and freshwater.

North Myrtle, Myrtle Beach, Conway and Little River are on the list of Grand Strand destinations for this four-day adventure- and entertainment-filled itinerary.

Also included are hops across the North Carolina border into Calabash and Sunset Beach to add to group wanderings in this tour designed by North Myrtle Beach Area Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Day One

Start with a morning visit in Myrtle Beach to Ripley’s Aquarium’s 750,000-gallon tank. In the saltwater are 10-foot sharks and other assorted marine life. In Friendship Flats, touch Southern cow-nosed rays and bonnet-head Sharks.

Return for lunch in North Myrtle Beach at Barefoot Landing, followed by shopping at your choice of the 100 or so stores.

In the evening, head to the backside of Barefoot Landing with a buffet dinner cruise down the Intracoastal Waterway on the Barefoot Princess Riverboat. 

Day Two

Start the day with a trip to Calabash, N.C., home of the Hurricane Fleet.

Take the fleet’s Dolphin Eco Tour to an Atlantic Ocean barrier island. Gain insights from a marine biologist, who will cast nets and crab traps into the inlet and bring up an array of marine life that might include sea urchins, sand dollars, whelks, crabs and various plants. Observe shorebirds and hawks as well as tortoises, dolphins and alligators. 

Or try some deep-sea fishing with Little River Fishing Fleet’s Pride of the Carolinas.

In the evening after dinner, take in a performance at The Carolina Opry, which is in its 27th year. Its productions cover dancing and music from Broadway hits and gospel to country to pop, with accompanying performances by a tap-dancing team and a comedian.

	Discover a quieter side of the Grand Strand at Murrells Inlet.

Day Three

Housed in a converted post office adjacent to the downtown Conway Historic District, the Horry County Museum features monthly exhibits by local artists in addition to its historical and regional exhibits detailing South Carolina and Horry County life during the 18th century.

In the afternoon, see the skies and the stars at Ingram Planetarium in Sunset Beach, N.C. Its Museum of Coastal Carolina offers the audio and visual educational experience. The planetarium has planetary and astronomy programs and hands-on exhibits.

In the evening in North Myrtle Beach, hit The Alabama Theatre’s variety show, with music from Broadway to Gospel, production numbers and a comedian.

Day Four

Located in a natural coastal locale, Inlet Point Plantation Stables in North Myrtle Beach features a variety of equestrian adventures, including horseback tours. 

Inlet Point offers trail, pony and private island beach rides year-round.

In the evening, take on Pirates Voyage’s dinner-theater production in North Myrtle Beach. The junket includes mermaids, animals and salty surroundings with dramatic acrobatics, lighting, sound and pyrotechnics.

North Myrtle Beach Area CVB
(800) 356-3016
www.NorthMyrtleBeachChamber.com

Myrtle Beach Area CVB
(800) 488-8998
www.MyrtleBeachGroups.com

Offer your Various itineraries to the editor.
Mail: 2465 112th Ave.
Holland, MI 49424
Fax: (616) 393-0085
Phone: 1-800-767-3489 between 8am - 5pm, EST.