North Myrtle Beach Fun

Best of Myrtle Beach (August 2010)

2010-08-10T16:17:00.003-04:00

Myrtle Beach Area Fun for August

July zipped right on by and August seems to be in a rush, too. There's still loads of fun to be found at the Beach - from North Myrtle Beach to Myrtle's south end. A nice day trip to Georgetown or even Charleston isn't a bad idea either. If you and your family haven't taken a summer vacation yet, this is a wonderful time. Rates for the latter half of August are much lower than July, the crowds are smaller, it's still summer and the weather is grand! Although availability is very limited for the last two weeks of summer, I'm sure our reservations staff can find a home or condo to suit your needs. Call us today and come see us soon.

Some suggestions for fun when you get here include:

~ Broadway at the Palace Theatre... with late morning performances of Narnia on stage and evening performances of The Great American Trailer Park Musical.

~ Rockin' Concerts at the House of Blues... with Umphrey's McGee on the 12th and the Avett Brothers for three evenings the 19th - 21st.

~ Hot Shows at the Alabama Theatre... with Kenny Rogers on the 13th and the Temptations & Four Tops on the 20th.

~ An Intimate Evening of Blues... with Kevin Gordon at the historic Myrtle Beach Train Depot on the 14th - a South by Southeast Music Feast.

~ Summerfest at Barefoot Landing... shop, stroll and enjoy the daily parades on the promenade with live animals, fireworks, musicians, jugglers, clowns and more.

~ Sounds of Summer... North Myrtle Beach's concert series featuring the band Spare Change performing top 40 at McLean Park. This is a FREE Family Friendly Event.

Check out our popular Events Calendar & Beach Fun Forecast for details.

Fall Golf Vacations in North Myrtle Beach

2010-07-29T16:25:00.008-04:00

Fall Golf Vacation Preview

Autumn is fast approaching and you won’t believe the amazing golf vacation packages we’re offering. It’s a fantastic time of year to come to North Myrtle Beach – wonderful weather with daily temps reaching an average 84 in September and a cooler 76 in October. Sunny days, beach breezes and wide open fairways… get the picture?

Golfers absolutely rave about the accommodations we have available for their groups. They’ve discovered our alternative to a cramped hotel room is much better. Stretch out in a spacious oceanfront condo, luxury villa or private beach house instead. Foursomes find that our three bedroom condos are just the ticket – four separate beds and plenty of room. Larger groups with multiple foursomes have a blast in our big six, seven and eight bedroom villas. Features often include private pools, hot tubs, grills for group cookouts, wide-screen TVs, and game rooms where you can enjoy a friendly game – foosball, pool, air hockey, and more.

And don’t forget the golf!

Choose from dozens of 1^st class championship golf courses designed by the best architects, including Pete Dye, Robert Trent Jones, Tim Cate, Dan Maples, Clyde Johnston, Robert White and Tom Fazio. Enjoy a memorable round on signature courses by Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Davis Love III, Greg Norman, Gary Player, Raymond Floyd and others.

We have multi-round specials from the B&C Group that include their “big dogs” – Grande Dunes AND Tidewater – at reduced rates. Multi-round specials at the National Group include top-ranked King’s North, TPC/Myrtle Beach, and Long Bay at huge discounts… and with a free round. Some of our other outstanding deals for this fall include lots of FREE golf. We even have some packages with FREE food & drinks! Check out these packages.

Barefoot Resort
Book 3 and Get a 4^th Round FREE

Myrtle Beach National Group
Book 3 and Get 2 Rounds FREE

Sea Trail Resort
Book All 3 Courses and Get 3 FREE Replays

Glens Group’s Ultimate Package
Book 3 Courses and Get 5 FREE Rounds

Classic Group’s Fall Freeplay
Book 3 Courses and Get FREE Replays

Legends Group… Play 3 or more Rounds & Save $$$
and rounds include breakfast, lunch, and two cold beers – FREE

Crow Creek…
Rates include lunch and two cold drafts – FREE

Call Wren, Jim or Candace – our golf vacation specialists today and get the ball rolling on your best beach golf trip ever.

Best of Myrtle Beach (7/16 - 7/31)

2010-07-13T14:28:00.005-04:00

Myrtle Beach Area Fun (July 16th - 31st, 2010)

HOT... SUMMER... FUN! It's been a fantastic summer here in North Myrtle Beach - lots of sunshine, warm surf, wide beaches full of smiling faces and laughing children. We were on the beach in Windy Hill Sunday with our grands, Archer & Oscar, and had a blast watching them play in the tidal pools and frolic in the surf. Their beach fun was capped off with a frozen slushy from Maggie, our favorite push-cart vendor... a pink slushy for Archer and a blue one for Oscar, naturally.

If your family hasn't yet made it here for a beach holiday this summer, we'd really like you to come over for some fun in the sun. I'm sure we still have a few oceanfront and off-ocean homes & condos available that will suit your needs - and at rates that won't bust the budget. Call us today at 866-249-2100 and let's make it happen!

Some of the fun stuff on the calendar for the rest of July includes:

~ Concerts & Shows at the Alabama Theatre... with that silky baritone voice of Josh Turner on the 16th, the Drifters, Coasters & Platters on the 23rd, and Jim Gaffigan on the 31st.

~ Concerts at the House of Blues... featuring Jamey Johnson the 25th, Ke$ha on the 29th, and Cyndi Lauper on the 31st.

~ Broadway at the Palace Theatre... with Alice in Wonderland wrapping up on the 17th, The Great American Trailer Park Musical continuing its successful run, and Narnia opening on the 19th. See show times online. Lots of fun for everyone!

~ Cool Summer Evenings at Brookgreen Gardens... with cruises down the creeks at 5:30 & 6:30, the Lowcountry Zoo open 'til 7 pm with the new otter exhibit, wonderful new lighting in the gardens, live entertainment and tasty southern summer suppers.

~ Roller Coasters, Waterslides, Carousels and More... at Family Kingdom Amusement Park, the O.D. Pavilion & Amusement Park, Myrtle Waves, NASCAR SpeedPark, and Broadway at the Beach's Pavilion Nostalgia Park.

A great summer beach holiday requires ICE CREAM. We suggest a stop at Painters Homemade Original in North Myrtle Beach. It's been here forever... best ice cream sandwiches I ever had!

Fireworks, Fun, Festivals & the Fourth at Myrtle Beach

2010-06-29T12:01:00.002-04:00

Independence Day Celebrations in Myrtle Beach (2010)

Join us as we celebrate Independence Day along South Carolina's Grand Strand... from Pawley's Island & Murrell's Inlet to Myrtle Beach & North Myrtle Beach.

18th Annual North Myrtle Beach Fireworks Spectacular
Located at the Cherry Grove Pier, 34th Avenue North. Fireworks begin at 9:00 pm. Bring your beach chair and refreshments and watch the fantastic show.

Surfside Beach Fireworks at the Pier
Local entertainment from 6pm to 9pm, food & beverage concessions. Free watermelon & ice cream while they last! Inflatable bounce & slide house for kids. Fireworks begin at 9:30 pm.

14th Annual Battleship Blast
Battleship North Carolina in Wilmington, Riverfront celebration 5pm to 9:30pm. Street fair, music by the 440th US Army National Guard Band. Huge fireworks display.

Market Commons Celebration
Inaugural Independence Day 8K and Freedom 5K Runs. Italian-American Festival. Fireworks at Valor Park beginning at 9:00 pm.

Broadway at the Beach's Star-Spangled Spectacular
July 3rd - 5th with fireworks shows at 10pm Saturday and Sunday. Face painting, balloon animals, dancers, contests, live music. Special concert with Pat Benatar (ticket required).

Hot Summer Nights at Plyler Park
Street performers, acrobats, jugglers and more. Concert by rock band Quarterfly. Myrtle Beach fireworks show off 2nd Avenue Pier beginning at 9:30 pm.

Murrell's Inlet Annual 4th of July Boat Parade & Fireworks Show
Boat parade with awards for "Best in Show" begins at 1:00 pm and fireworks start at 10:00 pm off Veterans Pier.

Baseball & Fireworks!
Myrtle Beach Pelicans vs Salem Red Sox at BB&T Coastal Field. First pitch is at 6:05 pm with a dynamite fireworks show after the game. Free mini-flags to the 1st 2,000 fans.

Salute from the Shore
Beginning at 1:30 pm, a massive USAF C-17 transport plane will make a low-altitude run over the entire South Carolina coast.

Best of Myrtle Beach (6/26 - 7/10)

2010-06-23T14:28:00.013-04:00

Myrtle Beach Area Fun (June 26th - July 10th, 2010)

It seems like it was May just a few days ago and now July is right around the corner. If you haven't booked your summer beach vacation yet, it's time to make it happen. Most July weeks are already approaching 100% occupancy but there are still some very nice vacation rental homes, villas and condos available. There are even a few dynamite deals to take advantage of...with savings of up to $500 on your week's stay. Give us a call toll-free at 866-249-2100 today and let's get you set for your family's summer beach holiday.

Come on down to North Myrtle Beach and like the song goes, "We'll have Fun, Fun, Fun." There's major fun happening daily so don't miss out. Some of our recommendations include:

~ Broadway at the Palace Theatre, featuring "Alice in Wonderland" on stage with morning and matinee shows and "The Great American Trailer Park Musical" on stage in the evenings. The classic tale by Lewis Carroll of young Alice's adventures in Wonderland is perfect for the young and young at heart. Adults will really enjoy the Off Broadway musical as it celebrates the culture of Armadillo Acres and the drama of life in the double-wides of Florida. See details and show times online.

~ Concerts at the House of Blues in North Myrtle Beach's Barefoot Landing - Center stage will be Ted Nugent on the 26th, the "Bruce in the USA" tribute show the 1st, Corey Smith the 2nd, and Adam Lambert the 3rd. See details online.

~ Hot Summer Nights! ... at Plyler Park in Myrtle Beach. FREE Family Fun nightly with concerts Tuesdays & Saturdays, Jugglers & Acrobats Sundays, a Kids' Carnival Mondays, Fireworks on Wednesdays, Bagpipes and Dixieland Thursdays & Fridays. See details online.

~ Music on Main! Join us at the Main Street Horseshoe in North Myrtle Beach for more FREE Family Fun on July 1st as the city's outdoor concert and festival series continues. The Kelly Bell Band will be belting out their own brand of funk, soul, and rhythm & blues. See details online.

~ Fireworks on the Fourth... Celebrate Independence Day at the beach. Grab your lounge chair and head to the beach in Cherry Grove for the huge annual North Myrtle Beach fireworks show - from 9:30 to 10:30 pm. It's always one of the biggest and best pyrotechnic displays on the beach.

~ Roller Coasters, Ferris Wheels, Bumper Cars and more... Enjoy family fun under the star at the various amusement parks on the strand. The O.D. Pavilion & Amusement Park's old-time charm will please the kids and bring back pleasant memories on the 60's. Be sure to check out the Myrtle Beach Mall's Family Fun Park while you're here - NEW for this summer. Kid's and adults will enjoy the Nostalgia Park rides within Broadway at the Beach. For all-out thrills, head down to Family Kingdom Amusement Park where you'll find the Swamp Fox roller coaster and the largest Ferris Wheel in South Carolina.

~ Waterslides & Lazy Rivers... There's no better way to cool off on a hot summer day than to get WET while having a blast! Try Myrtle Waves Water Park across from Broadway at the Beach - 20 acres of swerves, curves, waves and chutes with more than a million gallons of water. Entry fee covers all 30+ rides & attractions for a full day of cool, wet fun. See more online.

View our full Calendar of Events and the Beach Fun Forecast online for much more information.

Myrtle Beach Fun on a Budget

2010-06-16T09:32:00.005-04:00

A night at the Ballpark...

just wouldn't be complete without a jumbo hot dog all the way, a bag of boiled peanuts, and a nice cold brew. Last night the Myrtle Beach Pelicans jousted the Potomac Nationals for twelve innings and managed to outlast the Nats for a 7-6 victory. The Pelicans are the Atlanta Braves' Class "A" team, have a strong local following, and are always fun to root for. A long list of current big league stars have worn the Pelican blues - Brian McCann, Jeff Francoeur, and rookie phenom Jayson Heyward just to name a few. I wonder who of this year's team will make it to the show.

It's great that our Boys of Summer prevailed last night but the real treat was just enjoying a pleasant evening out at the ball park with my wife Wrynn and some good friends from Atlanta. If you haven't been to a Pelicans game, you're missing a good time. The best seats will have you at field level right behind home plate - and they're only twelve bucks! (A bit of history for you... the seats are originals from the old Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta.)

Trying to take in as much as possible on our friends' last night at the beach, we left the game after five fun innings and headed to Broadway at the Beach to let Matt, our young companion, have some fun on the rides at the Pavilion Nostalgia Park. Taking a turn on the Giant Swing or the speedy Caterpillar is an excellent way to generate a welcome breeze on a warm evening. BTW... if you ride the Caterpillar, I suggest sitting in the inside position. That way you can be the Squisher instead of the Squishee - although getting squished wasn't all that bad.

Broadway at the Beach's boardwalk is perfect for evening strolls and is surrounded by shops of all kinds. There's a super schedule of events for the summer with concerts, fireworks and more. AND the events are family-friendly and FREE! Last night's event was one of their Sprite under the Stars concert series with Gogglez Pizano treating the crowd with popular rock & roll.

Come on down to Myrtle Beach soon and see how much fun you and your family can fit into your visit. You'll be amazed at how much there is to do.

Best of Myrtle Beach (6/8 - 6/27)

2010-06-07T16:03:00.003-04:00

Myrtle Beach Area Fun (June 8th - 27th, 2010)

Daytime highs in the upper 80s, nights in the mid-70s, water temperature nearing balmy... feels like summer. Bikini-clad ladies, beach volleyball games, really cool sand sculptures... it looks like summer, too! Century 21 Thomas Beach Vacations has some dynamite vacation specials for you - some with savings up to 30%.

Great weather and tons of fun are happening along the Myrtle Beach Grand Strand. Some of our suggestions include:

~ Ocean Boulevard's HOT Summer Nights - From Sundays with jugglers and acrobats, Tuesday & Saturday concerts, to Wednesday fireworks... something fun every night at Plyler Park in Myrtle Beach. FREE Family Friendly Events; see details and schedules online.
~ Sounds of Summer Concert Series - Bring a blanket and a picnic and enjoy live music at North Myrtle Beach's McLean Park. The June 18th concert features The Mullets, local favorites who will have you shaking to good old rock & roll from the Stones, the Grateful Dead, Allman Brothers, and more! FREE Family Friendly Event; see details online.
~ Steamboat Springs in Concert - This reunion concert & benefit will have fantastic fiddlin', great guitars and foot-stompin' music guaranteed to move your feet! Saturday, June 12th at the 2001 Night Club. See details online.
~ House of Blues - Live on Stage in the Music Hall... Edwin McCain, June 19th... Ted Nugent, June 26th. See details online.
~ Broadway at the Palace - Alice in Wonderland... catch the classic tale by Lewis Carroll about young Alice and her journey through the rabbit hole and into Wonderland. See details and schedule online.
~ Alabama Theatre - Live in Concert... Gordon Lightfoot singing the hits including "If You Could Read My Mind", "The Edmund Fitzgerald", "Sundown" and more. See details online.
~ Ocean Drive Pavilion & Amusement Park... OPEN for Summer with its colorful carousel, Ferris Wheel, giant swing, bumper cars and more. This family-friendly, old-style amusement park is beach front in North Myrtle Beach will bring back grand memories of your youth and let you create new ones with your family. See more online.
~ Laser Shows and more at Ingram Planetarium - Laser Rock & Roll Shows featuring music of the Beatles, Pink Floyd, Metallica and more. Planetary shows, solar telescope viewings, Turtle Talk. See schedules and info online.
~ Baseball at the Beach - with the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, the Atlanta Braves' "A" Team. Upcoming homestands versus the Potomac Nationals June 15th - 17th and the Frederick Keys June 18th - 20th. For a great time, catch the Carolina vs California All-Star Game June 22nd. See details online.

Plantations and the Past in Myrtle Beach

2010-05-21T16:36:00.006-04:00

Enjoy the wonders and fun while exploring our history.

Almost everybody who visits the Grand Strand, from North Myrtle Beach south to Pawley’s Island knows about our magnificent beaches, challenging championship golf courses, excellent restaurants, exciting entertainment, and fantastic family fun. I’ll let you in on a little secret. There’s more!

Our area has a rich history that is often overlooked. There are scores of plantations dating back to before the Revolutionary War. Agriculture was king! Rice, indigo, and tobacco were primary exports and were grown all through the area. Many plantations had abundant river frontage and the wetlands were cleared and converted to rice fields. As you cruise the Intracoastal Waterway today, you’ll still see remnants of the old rice fields. The plantation names evoke visions of centuries past – Annandale, Arcadia, Beneventum, Chicora Wood, Friendfield, Winyah and more.

Some have been transformed into upscale golf courses and resorts. You may even see foundations of old outbuildings and graveyards as you ride the fairways at Caledonia, True Blue, Litchfield, Willbrook, and Heritage Plantations. Some, like Hopsewee Plantation, offer tours to the public. Located on the Pee Dee River south of Georgetown, it is considered a preservation rather than a restoration since the condition of its house was never permitted to lapse. Hopsewee was established in 1740 and is definitely worthy of consideration for a day trip.

The most visited plantation is Brookgreen Gardens in Murrell’s Inlet. Made up of four former plantations – Brookgreen, Springfield, Laurel Hill, and The Oaks – Brookgreen Gardens is today a National Historic Landmark. The garden’s outdoor setting has the most extensive collection of figurative sculpture by American artists in the world. You'll also find an accredited zoo, a low-country trail, historic exhibits, and archeological sites open for visitors to explore.

Oops... time to close. It's Friday and getting close to five o'clock. See more about history treks at the beach on our website’s vacation themes section.

Best of Myrtle Beach (5/14 - 6/6)

2010-05-11T16:30:00.003-04:00

Myrtle Beach Area Fun (May 14th - June 6th, '10)

Absolutely wonderful weather this May - forecast highs for the coming weekend in the mid-80s and lots of sunshine. I suggest taking a well-deserved break from the norm and plan to boogie on down to the beach. There's a ton of fun stuff going on and we'll even save you a bundle on some fantastic lodging. Why stay in a little hotel room when you can have a spacious home or luxury oceanfront condo instead? We have plenty of choices available for 30% OFF... and we're offering the first 100 Facebook Fan reservations an extra 10% OFF. Pack your shorts, tee shirts and sandals and call us today for a great deal on a beach vacation today!

Some of our suggestions for upcoming fun events include:
~ Harley-Davidson "Cruisin' the Coast" Rally, Now through May 16th... listen to the low rumble of the Harleys and check out the vendor booths & tents. No events in Myrtle but riders are welcome in North Myrtle Beach and on the south end.
~ 29th Annual Blue Crab Festival, May 15th & 16th... on the waterfront in historic Little River, SC is always a top choice for spring festival fun. Sample great local seafood and enjoy concerts, dancing, entertainment and festivities. Live music by the Craig Woolard Band, Too Much Sylvia, the Fantastic Shakers, and Jim Quick & Coastline.
~ Hot Concerts in the Music Hall at the House of Blues... the Marshall Tucker Band on May 14th and Travis Tritt on the 15th.
~ Myrtle Beach SUN-FUN Festival, June 4th & 5th... Come out to Grand Park at Market Common for the 59th Annual SUN-FUN Festival and enjoy live music concerts, a parade, pageant, food, arts & crafts vendors, and lots more. A FREE family-friendly event.
~ Sounds of Summer Festival, May 21st... Enjoy an evening with family and friends listening to live music, picnicking and playing in the safe and fun environment of beautiful McLean Park. Bring a beach chair, blanket, food and non-alcoholic beverages. The North Strand Optimist Club will provide food and drinks for sale. May 21st will feature the country sounds of Tim Hall & Buffalo Country. FREE Admission to this family-friendly North Myrtle Beach event.
~ Dixie Chicken Fishing Funament, May 29th... Compete for money and prizes in various categories in these annual fishing tournaments.
~ Baseball at the Beach, May 25th - 30th... The Myrtle Beach Pelicans, the Atlanta Braves' "A" Team, has a home stand against Lynchburg Hillcats and the Wilmington Blue Rocks.

Myrtle Beach Rates High as a Traveler's Choice

2010-05-05T16:24:00.002-04:00

It's Official. They Like Us!

According to TripAdvisor's Traveler's Choice 2010 Rankings... Myrtle Beach, South Carolina is:

#1 - Top Ten Beach & Sun Destinations in the U.S.A.

#5 - Top Ten Beach & Sun Destinations in the World.

#7 - Top Ten Family Destinations in the U.S.A.

The Myrtle Beach area's "Grand Strand" is a sixty mile wide stretch of coastal fun from Little River on the north to Georgetown on the south end. It includes the beachside communities & towns of North Myrtle Beach, Myrtle Beach, Surfside, Garden City, Murrell's Inlet, Litchfield Beach, and Pawley's Island. You'll find gently sloping beaches, inlets and creeks, salt marshes and estuaries, rivers and waterways, and countless visually stunning views.

Our area boasts of nearly 100 championship golf courses by such famed designers as Pete Dye, Robert Trent Jones, Dan Maples, Rees Jones, Clyde Johnston, and Tim Cate. There are scores of signature courses by top PGA legends - Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Davis Love III, Greg Norman, John Daly, Raymond Floyd and more.

There are hundreds of fine restaurants where you can feast on local Carolina shrimp & seafood, steaks, chops and ribs, and just about every ethnic cuisine you can imagine - from Thai to Romulan. Buffets with "All you can eat" specials, sports grills, 4-Star restaurants, cafes and delicatessens... all within a few minutes drive.

World class entertainment will light up your nights! There are exciting shows nightly at Calvin Gilmore's Carolina Opry, Celebrity Concerts at the House of Blues and at Alabama Theatre, dinner shows at the Dixie Stampede and Medieval Times, and dancing fun at the clubs of Broadway at the Beach's Celebrity Square.

Come visit soon and see what you've been missing. Reserve soon for now - June 19th and get 30% OFF... 40% OFF for the next Facebook fan bookings!

Vacation Rental Managers Meet in Myrtle Beach

2010-04-20T10:49:00.002-04:00

Vacation Rental Managers Association 2010 Seminar

... will bring hundreds of representatives from vacation rental management companies together to learn what's new and important in the industry. Hosted at the Sheraton Myrtle Beach Convention Center, there will be vacation rental specialists attending from the Carolinas to California and most states in between. From the opening session today through the closing session Wednesday evening, a dozen in-depth presentations will cover a host of topics. Emphasis will be on various aspects of the Internet, reservation agent training, housekeeping, and customer service.

Scores of industry-related companies will participate in the Vendor Showcase with booths set up for attendees to visit in between sessions. Reservation software, advertising venues, payment processors, travel insurance providers, website designers, and more will be displaying their goods and promoting their services.

Always pro-active in keeping staff educated and up to date, Century 21 Thomas will be well-represented at the VRMA Eastern Seminar. Scheduled to attend are managers and members of our various departments - Guest Services, Homeowner Services, Property Services, Advertising/Marketing, and Administration. Each is expected to gain helpful knowledge to improve our company's performance and level of customer service.

Century 21 Thomas is pleased that the following members will be attending the conference.
From Guest Services: Gracie Crabtree and Cheryl Mercedes
From Homeowner Services: Debbie Childress
From Property Services: Debbie Floyd and Karen Huntington
Department Directors: Guest Services-Rosalind Stacy, Property Services-Steve Clemmons, Marketing/Support Services-Mike Harrell, Admin-Vaughn Stanaland and Teddy Smith.

Best of Myrtle Beach (4/16 - 5/1)

2010-04-14T16:22:00.004-04:00

Myrtle Beach Area Fun (April 16th - May 1st)

Spring is here and it's even starting to feel a bit like summer. Baseball season has opened, outdoor festivals have begun, the golf courses are teeming with foursomes, and the fish are beginning to bite! There's plenty to do at the beach once you get here. Your first assignment, if you accept the mission, is to make your reservations ASAP for a weekend getaway or a summer beach vacation. Century 21 Thomas Beach Vacations has some of the nicest and cleanest lodging selections that you'll find in North Myrtle Beach... and our rates are very enticing. If you haven't reserved your home or condo yet, check out our Vacation Specials page and make your reservations today.

Some of our favorite things to do over the next couple of weeks include:

~ SOS Spring Safari, April 16th - 25th... the biggest 10-day long adult beach party on the East Coast. Lots of live music, dancing, street parties, and FUN. Right in the middle of North Myrtle Beach.
~ South by Southeast Music Feast, April 17th... featuring Charleston-based band, Sol Driven Train, delivering their own brand of southern Allmanesque rock & roll. At the historic Myrtle Beach Train Depot. Admission includes pot luck dinner and beverages, too!
~ The Long & Winding Road with Jim Witter, April 19th... Let Jim & the band be your tour guides as they take you on a sound & sights journey on the Magical Mystery Tour. Enjoy the music and the stories behind the songs. At Brunswick Community College's Williamson Auditorium.
~ Baseball at the Beach... The Myrtle Beach Pelicans, the Atlanta Braves' "A" Team, has a home stand against the Winston-Salem Dash the 19th - 22nd and against the Potomac Nationals the 27th - May 1st.
~ Southeast Regional Wheelchair Games, April 22nd - 24th... At the North Myrtle Beach Aquatic & Fitness Center. See details online.
~ The Music Hall at the House of Blues... Catch Trace Adkins on the 23rd, Delbert McClinton the 24th, and Ben Harper the 27th. A rockin' good time in a dynamite venue.
~ Broadway at the Palace Theatre, April 20th - May 9th... Performing on stage "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change." You'll roar at Off Broadway's longest running musical revue.
~ Rivertown Jazz & Arts Festival, May 1st... Come to historic downtown Conway for the 24th Annual music & art fest. Live music from jazz to gospel to steel drum ensembles. Enjoy a classic car show, wares by local arts and craftsfolk, local cuisine, and more.

North Myrtle Beach Dredging Project

2010-04-07T10:54:00.005-04:00

Rental homes on the Saltwater Channels are Popular Beach Vacation Choices.

North Myrtle Beach stretches from Windy Hill on the south end up to the Cherry Grove Inlet with its scenic salt marsh and winding creeks. Just off the inlet and marsh are scores of man-made saltwater channels in between many of the avenues of Cherry Grove. Along each side of these channels, you’ll find a wide variety of waterfront residential and vacation homes. Century 21 Thomas Beach Vacations and a few other local vacation rental companies offer dozens of these comfortable cottages as vacation rental selections for families, golfers and friends. Over time, these channels accumulate silt and marsh grasses, requiring periodic cleaning or dredging.

Progress is ongoing to overcome the dredging challenges for the Cherry Grove channels. Some of the channels are no longer navigable and are in real need of dredging now. City Councilman Hank Thomas passed along some good news to us recently concerning problems and progress being made to overcome those difficulties. As the owner of Century 21 Thomas Beach Vacations and Real Estate Sales, Mr. Thomas is well aware of the necessity of keeping these channels clear and open.

North Myrtle Beach continues to pursue this badly needed dredging project for the channels. Before the project can begin, the city needs to obtain two critical and difficult permits: a permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and a permit from S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC). A earlier permit was obtained from DHEC for the dredging project in June, 2009. That permit was the result an application submitted in 2004 and has very restrictive guidelines such as staying 10 feet from all marsh grass and shell fish in the dredge path. The issuance of the permit was delayed 5 years from date of application during which time the conditions in the channels changed substantially. An addition 8 to 16 inches of silt has accumulated and substantial encroachment of marsh grasses and oysters have negatively impacted the potential benefits of the issued permit. These encroachments are so severe that only an approximate 40% of the dredging would be in compliance with the DHEC permit restrictions.

A bright spot in the process is that DHEC and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) have acknowledged that a permit to relocate shell fish out of the dredge path is possible. This is a major positive move in the dredge process. The next big challenge the city faces is dealing with the various agencies on the marsh grass issue. The city of North Myrtle Beach is determined to continue to move forward on this very complicated task.

There are two major issues delaying the dredging: (1) environmental and (2) ownership. East Cherry Grove Realty, LLC has claimed ownership of the channels that the city hopes to dredge. However, the State of South Carolina also claims ownership, based on a quit-claim deed it received in 1969 from Mr. C.D. Nixon, the former owner of East Cherry Grove Realty. The parties have been unable to resolve their conflicting claims leaving the issue of ownership in litigation.

On February 1, 2010, Judge Larry Hyman heard motions for summary judgment from both North Myrtle Beach and East Cherry Grove Realty. He denied both motions, basing the decision on the premise that the deeds were ambiguous in some respects and that the ambiguity presented a question of fact. Judge Hyman’s comments indicated a lesser regard of East Cherry Grove Realty’s position and even said that he knew how he would rule if he were sitting on the jury. Although he didn’t actually express exactly how he would vote, it seemed clear that Judge Hyman regarded the City’s argument as the better and that the canals were indeed owned by the State of South Carolina.

The impact of Judge Hyman’s decision that the deeds were ambiguous will allow the parties to introduce evidence of intent in the deeds. The City has contacted Ed Latimer who was with the SC Attorney General’s office in 1969 and who participated directly in the settlement negotiations with C.D. Nixon that year. Mr. Latimer was sent copies of the pertinent quit-claim deeds along with a copy of C.B. Berry’s plat that was referenced in the deeds. In a follow-up telephone conversation, Mr. Latimer indicated remembering the matter and recalling that the intent of both parties was that ownership of the canals in East Cherry Grove below the mean high water mark were vested with the State of South Carolina. Mr. Latimer’s deposition will be taken as soon as it is scheduled with the parties and their attorneys. The City’s position is based on the merits of its argument that South Carolina has title to the canals below the mean high water mark and has gained strength.

Judge Culbertson has ordered that the case be put on the trial roster for the first term of court in June, 2010. If North Myrtle Beach succeeds at trial, East Cherry Grove Realty may appeal. North Myrtle Beach has the option to petition for an expedited appeal; however, an appeal could add a year or more to the process. Century 21 Thomas joins with the City of North Myrtle Beach hoping for a speedy resolution and that the channels will all be cleared very soon.

Best of Myrtle Beach (3/27 - 4/18)

2010-03-26T13:05:00.003-04:00

Myrtle Beach Area Fun (March 27th - April 18th)

It's a super fine day here in North Myrtle Beach, into the 70's and plenty of sunshine. Just back from lunch under a big blue sky at the park. Lots of excellent spring getaway deals for you with Century 21 Thomas Beach Vacations - 30% OFF Now through April and a 20% OFF Early Summer Special for the first two weeks in June. Call soon to reserve.

With spring in full bloom, there's plenty of fun events to take advantage of while you're here at the beach. Some of our suggestions include:

~ March 27th... Widespread Panic winding up a 3-day gig at the House of Blues.
~ Now - April 3rd... "Forever Plaid" starring members of the original off-Broadway cast, on stage at the Palace Theatre.
~ Now - April 10th... Easter Holiday & Spring Break with families, friends and students enjoying the beach.
~ April 4th... Styx in Concert at the House of Blues.
~ April 8th... Baseball Season kicks off with a home stand for the Myrtle Beach Pelicans - the Atlanta Braves "A" Team (home stand against the Wilmington Blue Rocks the 8th, 9th, 10th and 11th).
~ April 10th... Darius Rucker in Concert at the House of Blues.
~ April 12th... Monday After the Masters Celebrity Golf Tournament at Barefoot Landing's Pete Dye Course.
~ April 16th - 25th... S.O.S. Spring Safari - the biggest adult beach party on the east coast. Don't miss it!
~ April 17th... Sol Driven Train in Concert at the MB Train Depot for a South by Southeast Music Feast

Pack your shorts and sandals and head for the beach. We're saving a chair for you.

Bike Week is Back

2010-03-15T14:29:00.002-04:00

Harley Enthusiasts... North Myrtle Beach Wants You!

It's official. Spring Harley Festival, Grand Strand Rally, Cruisin' the Coast Spring Rally, FKA Myrtle Beach Bike Week... whatever you want to call it, the festival and rally are a GO for 2010. The dates are May 7th - 16th and events will be held primarily in the North Myrtle Beach area, Murrell's Inlet, and surrounding areas (ABM - "anywhere but Myrtle").

Although rally events are still tentative, plans are afoot to have booth/tent space for vendors possibly on the O.D. Pavilion grounds near Main Street in North Myrtle Beach, at Barefoot Landing in the Windy Hill section, at the Harley Davidson store in Windy Hill, and various locations on SC 9 and SC 90. Additional events are tentatively scheduled for the south strand in the Murrell's Inlet area.

We welcome motorcycles enthusiasts to North Myrtle Beach and hope you have a great time. Respect for our laws and neighbors and common courtesy are all we ask.

Haven't reserved your accommodations yet for the rally? No problem, we still have some very nice homes and condos available - many that permit motorcycle parking as well as some that restrict parking. Reserve by April 1st and get 10% OFF your weekly rental for the rally. Just mention our Beach Blog/Bike Rally Special.

(Please note that not all properties permit discounts and other restrictions may apply. Offer valid only for new reservations.)

Best of Myrtle Beach (2/26 - 3/27)

2010-02-25T15:33:00.014-05:00

Myrtle Beach Area Fun (February 26th - March 27th, 2010)

We were blasted by nearly a hundred snowflakes earlier this morning but have recovered quickly and the beach is back to normal - sunny and just a little on the cool side. I'll be staying out of the pool and ocean but the weather is good for power walks on the beach or casual strolls and shell collecting. The season is heating up with lots of fun stuff on the calendar. The biggest and best includes the South by Southeast March Music Feast. Headlining is the Randall Bramblett Band - a killer combo reminiscent of Traffic, early Allman Brothers and Sea Level. Opening will be Stoll Vaughan, fresh from the Turquoise Universe. Another very promising show in March is "An Evening with Ben Folds and a Piano" at the House of Blues.

Upcoming concerts include:
~ Alice in Chains... at the House of Blues, February 27th
~ Randall Bramblett Band with Stoll Vaughan... at the SxSE Music Feast, March 6th
~ Oak Ridge Boys... at the Alabama Theatre, March 6th
~ REO Speedwagon with Edwin McCain... at the House of Blues, March 12th
~ Kingston Trio... at the Alabama Theatre, March 13th
~ Ben Folds & a Piano... at the House of Blues, March 13th
~ George Thorogood & the Destroyers... at the House of Blues, March 19th
~ The Drifters, Coasters & Platters... at the Alabama Theatre, March 20th
~ Widespread Panic... at the House of Blues, March 25th - 27th

Other suggestions for a grand time include:
~ Myrtle Beach Pelicans FanFest... Our "A" Baseball Braves Affiliate pre-season FanFest, March 6th
~ Canadian-American Days Festival... March 13th - 21st
~ Forever Plaid... on stage at the Palace Theatre, Now through April 3rd
~ Saint Patrick's Day Festival & Parade... Main Street in North Myrtle Beach, March 13th
~ Easter Holiday/Spring Break... March 27th - April 10th

Century 21 Thomas has some excellent vacation specials for spring, too! For every two nights booked at our regular low off-season rates, you'll get one night FREE! See details online. Call 800-249-2100 or book it online anytime.

Myrtle Beach on the Golf Channel

2010-02-10T10:03:00.003-05:00

New Show on the Golf Channel

Destination Golf, a brand new show on the Golf Channel, airs tonight at nine o'clock and will put the spotlight on a young, talented LPGA golfer Kristy McPherson. Kristy, a Conway, South Carolina native, will be featured with her "dream golf day" in Myrtle Beach. This half-hour show will tour golf courses in South Carolina and will have one segment specifically dedicated to Myrtle Beach's Grand Strand.

Be sure to tune in tonight at 9!

And, speaking of Myrtle Beach golf... Wren, Jim and Candace have some fantastic golf packages from Century 21 Thomas Beach Vacations. Try one of our spring multi-round packages with specially negotiated green fees. You'll be able to play some of the top championship courses and save BIG! Several of our special golf packages provide FREE REPLAYS that can be pre-booked. Some golf specials even include FREE breakfast and/or lunch at the course clubhouse grill.

Email our golf director today for a quote or to reserve your Myrtle Beach golf vacation. Or call us toll-free at 866-734-1433.

CENTURY 21 Thomas Let's Vacationers Know How To Get The Most From Family Travel In North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

2010-02-08T15:59:00.001-05:00

CENTURY 21 Thomas Let's Vacationers Know How To Get The Most From Family Travel In North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

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Best of Myrtle Beach (2/7 - 3/6)

2010-02-05T14:49:00.003-05:00

Myrtle Beach Area Fun (February 7th - March 6th, 2010)

With the big blizzard pounding away from North Carolina to DC and above, it's cloudy and about 60 here at the beach today. Even though some rain is in today's forecast, at least we won't have to bundle up and get out the snow shovel. Century 21 Thomas Beach Vacations has some excellent rates for weekend escapes so give us a call, pack a bag and head to the beach! You can even s-t-r-e-t-c-h your weekend with our "3rd Night's FREE" offer.

And, as usual, there's plenty of fun stuff going on between North Myrtle Beach and Myrtle Beach. Some of our suggestions for the following few weeks include:

Broadway... at the Palace Theatre - now in performance, Steel Magnolias, through February 14th.
BI-LO Myrtle Beach Marathon - associated events February 11th - 14th, main race February 13th
Broadway... at the Palace Theatre - Forever Plaid, on stage February 23rd through April 3rd
Alice in Chains - in concert at the House of Blues, February 27th
The Randall Bramblett Band in concert at the Myrtle Beach Train Depot with special guest Stoll Vaughn - a SxSE Music Feast on March 6th

Tourism on the Forefront in 2010

2010-02-01T11:07:00.003-05:00

Tourism Conference in Myrtle Beach

Myrtle Beach will host the 2010 SC Governor's Conference on Tourism & Travel this week. It kicks off Monday afternoon with Coastal Carolina University's Donald Shunk discussing "The Outlook for South Carolina's Economy and Tourism in 2010." SCPRT Director, Chad Prosser, and members of the department's team will present information about the state's new domestic leisure travel marketing program.

Other topics and presentations include "Demystifying Social Media", "Travel Trends & Online Travel Agents", "Developing South Carolina", and an update on the state of the golf travel industry. The conference runs today through Wednesday and will be held at the Myrtle Beach Marriott at Grande Dunes.

Several individuals from Century 21 Thomas Beach Vacations will be in attendance and hope to bring information back to help guide us to another successful season.

New Air Service to Dallas/Fort Worth

2010-01-26T11:44:00.002-05:00

New Non-Stop Jet Flights to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Great news for travelers! A new air carrier, American Eagle Airlines, will provide non-stop jet service beginning April 6th, 2010. The seasonal service will continue through the summer and through fall golf season on the Grand Strand, ending October 31st.

American Eagle is the regional affiliate of American Airlines and will operate Embraer ERJ-140 jets. These 44-seat jets will fly daily, departing Dallas/Fort Worth for Myrtle Beach at 12:15 pm and depart Myrtle Beach for the return trip at 4:25 pm. DFW is a major hub for air travel and an excellent market for Myrtle Beach golf and beach vacations.

On the northern front, Porter Airlines will begin their non-stop service betweeen Toronto and Myrtle Beach February 28th. Porter Air is based in Ontario, Canada. Toronto is a major market for Myrtle Beach golf and for off-season winter monthly rentals as well as summer beach vacations.

Best of Myrtle Beach (1/22 – 2/7)

2010-01-19T11:10:00.002-05:00

Myrtle Beach Area Fun (January 22nd – February 7th, 2010)

After several weeks with colder nights than usual, it now feels like spring is just around the corner. It looks like lots of days in the 60s in the forecast. Golf courses are in great shape and there’s more fun stuff to do at the beach. Century 21 Thomas makes your winter escape even better with our "3rd Night FREE" offer. Stretch your 2-day weekend with a free third night.

Some of our suggestions for the next two weeks include:

Willie Nelson in concert at the House of Blues – Willie delivers at dynamite evening of music at Barefoot Landing in North Myrtle Beach. January 22nd.

Paragon Ragtime Orchestra – Ragtime and swing at its best at Brunswick Community College’s Williamson Auditorium. January 26th.

Gospel Brunch at the House of Blues – “Praise the Lord and Pass the Biscuits!” Enjoy a super breakfast buffet and inspiring gospel performances. Every Sunday with continuous seating from 9AM to 2PM.

Le Grand Cirque “Adrenaline” – at Broadway at the Beach’s Palace Theatre with excitement, incredible talent, and featuring beautiful costumes, dynamic lighting, and award winning classical rock music in a show that has become the biggest hit ever to play at the Palace theatre. February 2nd – October 15th.

Best of Myrtle Beach (1/5-1/22)

2010-01-04T16:08:00.004-05:00

Myrtle Beach Area Fun (January 5th - 22nd, 2010)

Winter is finally here. Cold, clear starry nights and pleasant days - although colder than normal for us. There's still lots of fun going on at the beach. Some staff suggestions include:

1) "A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline" - a fantastic tribute show at the Alabama Theatre featuring Gail Bliss. January 8th and 9th.

2) S.O.S. Mid-Winter Celebration - a break from winter blues with dancin' and beach music in North Myrtle Beach. January 14th - 17th. Excellent accommodations and rates with Century 21 Thomas. Call and reserve your condo or home today. More info to follow.

3) Willie Nelson in Concert at the House of Blues - January 22nd at Barefoot Landing in North Myrtle Beach.

1/2 Price Golf in Myrtle Beach

2009-12-17T14:06:00.004-05:00

2010 Spring Myrtle Beach Golf Package Specials

Century 21 Thomas has some fantastic specials for your winter & spring golf outings. In addition to our regular dynamite packages, we have some multi-round options with super savings!

For the Myrtle Beach National Group - King's North, SouthCreek, West Course, Long Bay, Willbrook, River Club, Litchfield, Aberdeen, Waterway Hills and Blackmoor.
* 1/2 Price Golf - book by January 31st and get 1/2 price early AM golf (before 8:15), February 11th - May 9th.
* 4 Nights & 5 Rounds from $328 per person. Get a FREE 5th ROUND when you book four. Play King's North OR Long Bay plus four more of the Myrtle Beach National Group courses.
* 6 Nights & 7 Rounds from $462 per person. Get a FREE 7th ROUND when you book six. Play Willbrook, River Club, King's North AND Long Bay plus three more of the Myrtle Beach National Group courses.

For the B&C Grande Dunes Group - Grande Dunes, Tidewater, Pine Lakes, Myrtlewood Palmetto, PineHills, Arcadian Shores, River Hills, Farmstead and Meadowlands.
* 4 Night/4 Round Special from $323 per person. Rate based on play at Pine Lakes Country Club, PineHills, Meadowlands, and Tidewater OR Grande Dunes.
* 6 Night/6 Round Special from $497 per person. Rate based on play at Pine Lakes, PineHills, Meadowlands, Farmstead, Tidewater AND Grande Dunes.

For the Glens Group - Heather Glen, Glen Dornoch, Shaftesbury Glen and Possum Trot.
* 3 Nights, 3 Rounds + FREE REPLAYS... from $266 per person. FREE Pre-Booked REPLAYS when you book three or more rounds at the Glens Group. Offer valid through 5/23/10.

See more Century 21 Golf Package specials online. Rates, specials and tee times based on availability and subject to change. Some restrictions apply.

Best of Myrtle Beach (12/11-1/2)

2009-12-10T14:43:00.003-05:00

Myrtle Beach Area Fun (December 11th - January 2nd)

74 degrees yesterday and sunny but a little cooler today. It's a wonderful time of year. Christmas decorations are up all over town and the malls are full of shoppers. We have a fantastic vacation special this month - reserve two nights and we'll give you a 3rd night FREE! Stretch your weekend and enjoy three nights at the beach for the price of two. There are amazing holiday shows at all of the music theatres at the beach and lots of sales at the malls and outlets. So, call us and reserve a long weekend at the beach, catch a couple of exciting Christmas shows and shop, shop, shop. Some fun suggestions for the next few weeks...

The South's Grandest Christmas Show - at the Alabama Theatre now through January 2nd. The show combines traditional classics and contemporary holiday favorites with incredible talents and special effects. Adults $38.50 and up.

The Carolina Opry Christmas Special - now through January 2nd. Blending beloved classics with great new favorites, it remains one of the South's most beloved holiday shows. It's funny, shamelessly sentimental, and your family will absolutely love it. Adults $37.16 and up.

Christmastime featuring the Twelve Irish Tenors - at the Palace now through January 2nd. Returning to Myrtle Beach direct from their sold-out World Tour, these talented vocalists will entertain you and fill you with the Christmas spirit. There's a live nativity scene, a wonderfully talented Children's Choir, and even a visit from the jolly guy himself. Adults $35 and up.

Christmas in Dixie - at the Dixie Stampede now through the holiday season. The Stampede is magically transformed into a holiday fantasyland with twinkling lights, evergreens, poinsettias, old-fashioned holiday costumes, familiar Christmas music, and a festive four-course feast. The entire cast of performers and 32 magnificent horses will take you on an exciting holiday musical trip. Adults $41.99 and up.