Here's what's new, what's tried and true, at South Carolina beaches this summer
School’s almost out. It’s the time of year when South Carolinians’ thoughts turn, as surely as a lighted ferris wheel, to sun, surf, and sand.
If a beach trip is on your summer agenda, you’d no doubt like to know, before you pack up the kiddos and Fidos and hit the interstate, what’s new at the beach. And, of course, it's always wise to remember and plan for some tried-and-true South Carolina coastal favorites.
Here’s a rundown of some new attractions and other fun diversions along the Grand Strand, Charleston, and Hilton Head.
Grand Strand
Golfers of all ages will enjoy PopStroke Myrtle Beach, the new, Tiger Woods-endorsed golf extravaganza located at Broadway at the Beach. It features two 18-hole courses and is sort of a putt-putt course on steroids. If you like to strut as you putt, there’s a jumbotron, and you can enjoy food and drink from the on-site restaurant as you play. Bring your own putter, or they’ll provide one. And, to remember the hole-in-one you are certain to make there, you’ll get to keep your ball.
The iconic Surfside Pier is back in action this year at Surfside Beach after being heavily damaged by Hurricane Matthew in 2016. The new pier, constructed to withstand hurricane-force winds, has a new look and features, including new food options such as ice cream and fishing. Visitors can stroll the pier for free, but there’s a fee for fishing.
More: Greenville in top 5 of US News & World Report's Best Places to Live in US: What to know
If you'd enjoy a concert with your coastline, the popular Carolina Country Music Festival is back June 6-9 featuring such big-name country acts as Carrie Underwood, Morgan Wallen, and Old Dominion. The music will crank up at Burroughs and Chapin Pavilion Place. (For old-timers, that's the former site of the Myrtle Beach Pavilion.)
Here's an option for those inevitable rainy days: Hickey's InterActive Adventures is open on North King's Highway. It features "virtual reality arenas," laser tag, escape rooms, animatronics for the kids, and a 5,000-square-foot indoor playground.
Stalwart Grand Strand entertainer Greg Rowles has a new namesake place to perform, Greg Rowles Legacy Theater. It features Rowles, a founding member of the band Lonestar, along with other musical and comedy performers. The theater is at 701 S. Main St. in North Myrtle Beach.
There's more than one way to catch a wave along the Strand. Myrtle Wave Water Park is South Carolina's largest water park. It features more than 20 waterslides, and the newest, a head-first mat slide, allows more than one person to slide at a time. The park at 3000 Mr. Joe White Ave. in Myrtle Beach also features a wave pool and lazy river.
Charleston
While the nearby beaches have their own allure, history abounds in Charleston ? from its cobblestone streets and horse-drawn carriages to the pastel-hued homes along Rainbow Row and the towering, iconic Ravenel Bridge. If your summer excursion takes you to the Isle of Palms, Sullivan's Island, or funky Folly Beach, be sure to check out these nearby downtown Charleston spots.
Open earlier this year, the long-awaited International African American Museum is located at Gadsden's Wharf, where, the museum reports, an estimated 40% of all African captives first set foot on American soil. The museum offers a wide variety of exhibits, films and artifacts, as well as a center that can help visitors embark on their own genealogical explorations. You'll need to plan a visit, as museum entry is via timed tickets, and the museum is closed on Mondays. Go to Visit iaamusem.org for more details.
The Historic Charleston City Market teems with activity daily, as shoppers peruse booths offering jewelry, artwork, apparel, those melt-in-your-mouth pralines, and coveted Lowcountry sweetgrass baskets. The market is at 188 Meeting St.
The South Carolina Aquarium on the Charleston waterfront celebrates aquatic creatures and their habitats. It even offers a "touch tank" where you can get up close with sea creatures such as hermit crabs and sea urchins and the popular Great Ocean Tank.
Hilton Head
Hilton Head Island beckons to vacationers of all ages, with its wide sandy beaches and an island vibe all around. Here are some places to explore and restaurants to check out this summer.
Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge, located between Hilton Head and the Town of Bluffton, offers hiking, bicycling, and wildlife watching. The wildlife refuge attracts thousands of migratory birds annually while providing a nesting habitat, or rookery, for birds such as ibis, egrets, and herons. There's also saltwater fishing in the waters surrounding the refuge.
No visit to Hilton Head is complete without a visit to Harbour Town. Located within the Sea Pines Resort, Harbour Town is not only a golfer's dream; it also offers shopping and dining galore. While there, be sure to climb the 114 steps to the top of the iconic Harbour Town Lighthouse, where you can't beat the view.
Children are sure to enjoy an adventure aboard the Black Sparrow, which bills itself as Hilton Head's "first and only custom pirate ship.'' Your little ones, ages 2-10, will dress like pirates, talk like pirates, and fire water cannons as they help to take down the infamous scoundrel Stinky Pete while on a seafaring adventure in Calibogue Sound.
After a day of climbing lighthouses, building sandcastles, and swashbuckling with little pirates, you are sure to be ready for a good Lowcountry meal and some relaxation.
The founders of Benny Hudson Seafood Market have collaborated with CRAB: Coastal Restaurants and Bars to create a new seafood restaurant on the five-acre site of the seafood market in Hilton Head. The new restaurant is called Benny's Coastal Kitchen in honor of the seafood market's founder, Benny Hudson. The restaurant sits in front of the docks on Squire Pope Road. A rooftop bar offers panoramic views of Skull Creek along with a variety of seafood delights, signature desserts, and coastal cocktails.
The new and improved Tiki Hut is an island staple. Located at Coligny Beach, it's undergone a makeover and features live music, island-inspired cocktails, and a chance, should you be so inclined, to compete in beach volleyball.
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Making grand plans for a Grand Strand vacation? Here are some ideas
