Best Time to Visit?

Myrtle Beach, SC -
The fun doesn't stop in Myrtle Beach after Labor Day... in fact in many ways it just gets better! Visiting Myrtle Beach any time around and after Labor Day you'll find plenty to keep you busy and some surprising rates on hotels.

The fun doesn't stop in Myrtle Beach after Labor Day... in fact in many ways it just gets better!

Labor Day itself is a big deal along the Grand Strand. The two big entertainment complexes will host festivities, while a Volleyball tournament in Surfside Beach will encourage everyone to get outside and enjoy themselves.

Broadway at the Beach starts the holiday off on Friday the 30th with sidewalk sales and strolling street performers, then picks up the pace on Saturday with the 4th Annual MDA Benefit Mini Golf Tournament. All benefits from the tournament will be donated to the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

The MDA Benefit Mini Golf Tournament tees off at 10am with a shotgun start at Dragon's Lair Fantasy Golf. A $20 entry fee for singles, and $50 per foursome, includes continental breakfast, greens fees, lunch, awards ceremony - even admission to Ripley's Aquarium!

After mini-golfing all day, and taking in the exotic sealife at Ripley's Aquarium, stick around for the patriotic-themed fireworks spectacular that rockets into the sky at 10pm over Lake Broadway. Broadway at the Beach always puts on an exciting pyrotechnical display!

Barefoot Landing will have a Labor Day Celebration with an impressive fireworks show on Saturday. The fireworks will light up the night sky starting at 10:15pm and continue for about a quarter of an hour.

"We've had a great summer," Karen McCurry, Marketing Director of Barefoot Landing told us recently, "and because our summer was so good, we decided to extend our fireworks through the end of the month and to include the Saturday of Labor Day!"

Many of Barefoot Landing's merchants are having sales of their own in celebration of the holiday, and of course House of Blues is having concerts throughout the month.

A Labor Day Volleyball Tournament in Surfside Beach is scheduled for Saturday the 31st. The play will be on the beach at 3rd Avenue South. Contact Debbie Ellis at 843-913-6339 for more information.

Post-Labor Day
Of course the beach doesn't close after Labor Day... and neither do many of the entertainment options you think of when you think Myrtle Beach! The golf courses do a huge business during the cool fall days, as do many of the dinner and show theaters.

The Southern Cruz Casino will still be taking gaming enthusiasts on the three-decked paddle-wheel-style gambling boat. There are no boarding fees, but they do have slots, blackjack, craps, roulette... you get the picture! You can find out more about Southern Cruz Casino by clicking here.

Legends In Concert brings the best tribute acts to the Grand Strand for a live, on-stage re-creation of the performances of legendary superstars of the past and present. This Vegas-style show in Surfside Beach, just three miles south of Myrtle Beach, is family entertainment at its best! To learn more, click here.

Grand Strand Fishing Rodeo
The post-Labor Day fun continues with the fun of the Grand Strand Fishing Rodeo. This one is open to everyone with a reel and an idea of where the big ones run! Whether caught from pier, surf, inlet or deep sea, enter your fish for the chance at monthly decals, shoulder patches and prizes worth over $10,000.

Official weigh stations are at Cherry Grove Fishing Pier in North Myrtle Beach, Capt. Dick's in Murrells Inlet, and Apache, 2nd Avenue, Springmade Beach, Myrtle Beach State Park and Surfside Piers. With no entry fees and a closing date of September 1st, there's no reason not to try your luck!

Italian Festival
Saturday, September 7th Myrtle Beach celebrates the heritage of many of area residents with the Italian Festival. Everyone's invited to Chapin Park at 16 Avenue North and Business 17 to enjoy the best that Italy has to offer.

Elements of the festival include excellent arts & crafts vendors, outstanding live entertainment and, of course, delicious food! Who doesn't love Italian cuisine? Mmm, lasagna...

SOS Fall Migration
Every September Myrtle Beach is invaded - by an army of Shaggers! That's right, it's time for the return of the SOS Fall Migration!

The Society of Stranders (SOS) is calling all its members to North Myrtle Beach for a last big party before winter sets in. Eight different clubs along Ocean Drive will host a series of activities, shag dancing, and sighseeing. The Fall Migration runs September 13 - 22, 2002.

The shag is Myrtle Beach's signature dance, and for decades serious shaggers have been returning to the home of the dance to party with like-minded shaggers... and the city has been welcoming these "well-heeled" visitors with open arms!

The Grand Stand doesn't close down after Labor Day, and for many - visitors and residents both - it's even better after the summer crowds have left. Come on down and find out for yourself!