Myrtle Beach Blog
Welcome to the Seaside Vacations, the Myrtle Beach Experts, blog. Here we will be bringing you the latest news and specials in the Myrtle Beach vacation rentals industry, as well as local real estate info and area events.Be sure to check back often or subscribe to our RSS feed using the link at the bottom of the page.
Thanks for stopping by!
Friday, December 30, 2011
New Year’s Eve Celebrations in North Myrtle Beach
Ring in the New Year North Myrtle Beach style! There are lots of great deals and events all along the Grand Strand – from live music, dancing, dinner packages, and more! Have a safe and Happy New Year from Seaside Vacations, your Myrtle Beach Experts!
Broadway at the Beach:
Celebrity Square - http://events.thesunnews.com/myrtle-beach-sc/events/show/232936904-new-years-eve-celebration
Hard Rock Café -
http://events.thesunnews.com/myrtle-beach-sc/events/show/232936824-new-years-eve-party-concert
Carlos ‘n Charlie’s -
http://events.thesunnews.com/myrtle-beach-sc/events/show/232936844-new-years-eve-carnival-party
Ripley’s Aquarium -
http://events.thesunnews.com/myrtle-beach-sc/events/show/232936924-kids-only-new-years-eve-bash
On the boardwalk:
Landshark Bar & Grill - http://events.thesunnews.com/myrtle-beach-sc/events/show/232969884-ring-in-the-new-year-at-landshark-myrtle-beach
Barefoot Landing:
House of Blues -
http://events.thesunnews.com/myrtle-beach-sc/events/show/232936924-kids-only-new-years-eve-bash
21 Main - http://www.21mainatnorthbeach.com/index.aspx
**Please remember to be safe while enjoying the holidays in North Myrtle Beach. Drink responsibly and call a cab. Trip's Taxi: (843) 997-9331
Thursday, December 01, 2011
December
is truly magical in North Myrtle Beach. There are so many activities and shows to see and do. From the boat parades to the tree lighting, there is always something happening on Main Street. If you enjoy the theatre, there are many holiday shows to choose from – you may not be able to choose and may have to see them all. There is the “Christmas Special” at the Carolina Opry, Alabama is showing the “South’s Greatest Christmas Show”, “Christmas Carol” at The Celebration Theatre and “Christmas on Ice” at the Palace Theatre.
Seaside Vacations has Fall specials and special North Myrtle BeachWinter Rentals from December to the end of March. It’s so affordable – do something different this year – experience the winter season – beach style!! Leave the cold and snow behind and join us in North Myrtle Beach and be a part of the fun!
On Friday, December 2nd at 6:00 pm, the North Myrtle Beach Christmas Tree will be officially lit at McLean Park. The park will become magical when the brilliant holiday scene comes to life. There will be holiday songs and entertainment. The countdown will be done by the Mayor and then the 36 foot Christmas Tree will shine gloriously. The children are invited to visit with Santa and receive a free bag of candy. Hot chocolate and refreshments will be served. Bring the entire family for a North Myrtle Beach style celebration!
On Saturday, December 3rd, at 5:30 pm, the
Annual North Myrtle Beach Christmas Parade
will delight you with holiday songs, colorful floats, marching bands and beauty queens. The parade route will travel down Main Street and has brought delight and holiday cheer to North Myrtle Beach’s residents for many years.
Saturday, December 3rd, 2011 the tradition continues as Main Street in North Myrtle Beach fills with familiar holiday songs, colorful floats, marching bands and beauty queens. The parade will begin at 5:30 pm and travel down Main Street to Ocean Boulevard and will disperse on 2nd Avenue North.
Monday, November 14, 2011
November
is one of our favorite months with football, apple cider, bonfires and other fall activities that we all look forward to during this season. Driving down country roads or taking a long walk is all it really takes to enjoy this season. You will be totally enveloped by all the vibrant colors that surround you on all sides – just one of nature’s ways to celebrate the harvest season!
If you are in
North Myrtle Beach for the holiday, you can celebrate the holiday with old friends, family or new friends you meet on the beach or playing golf! The great thing about North Myrtle Beach is, no matter the season, there are so many ways to entertain yourselves! Take in a show, play a round of golf, pick a new restaurant every night and try something new or just visit your favorite places.
There is always something happening at North Myrtle Beach! If not in the mood to cook – you can’t beat the wide assortment of restaurants in the North Myrtle Beach areato choose from for your turkey day feast.
Gathering together your friends and/or family to share these special moments is something that we look forward to each holiday and Thanksgiving is certainly one of the most important to us. No matter what the holiday means to you, we all look forward to sharing the day and the season with others in our own way.
If you don’t have friends or family nearby, consider volunteering your time at a local shelter or soup kitchen to help others feel the warmth of the season. If you aren’t affiliated with a local church or group, contact your local community and see if there are any volunteer opportunities. If it’s nothing more than folding dinner napkins, it may make a huge difference in the life of one person.
If you are cooking “the big bird” this year, we thought we’d pass on some tips that might come in handy. Next week we will add some great recipes and then the following week, we’ll give you some great left-over ideas! For these tips, recipes and more, go to www.BettyCrocker.com
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Monday, November 14, 2011
Here are a few tips on some basic "need to know" items for Thanksgiving Day dinner:
Carving Tips For Your "Big Bird"
Use a sharp carving knife for best results when carving a whole turkey. While slicing, keep the turkey from moving by holding it in place with a meat fork. Carve on a stable cutting surface, such as a plastic cutting board or platter. Cutting a turkey is easier if it is allowed to stand for about 15 minutes after roasting. To carve a turkey, place the turkey breast up with its legs to the right if you're right-handed or to the left if left-handed. Remove the ties or skewers. Gravy Tips
Keep it lump-free by using a wire whisk when adding the flour to the drippings. Beat the drippings rapidly with the whisk while adding the flour and there won't be any lumps.
Measure accurately. Too little fat can make the gravy lumpy; too much fat can make the gravy greasy.
Be sure the mixture cooks at a full boil for 1 minute. This cooks the flour or cornstarch so the gravy doesn't have a starchy flavor.
If you don't have enough dripping, you can use water from cooking potatoes, wine or tomato juice.
If you have plenty of pan drippings and like lots of gravy or are serving a crowd, just double or triple the recipe.
For thinner gravy, decrease meat drippings and flour to 1 tablespoon each.
Friday, October 21, 2011
The Shrimp and Jazz Festival in Little River, SC was so much fun on Saturday! They had very talented bands, amazing food and all kinds of arts and crafts. My main objective upon arrival was to enjoy some seafood because I had been craving it for a long time. What better place to get seafood then the Shrimp and Jazz fest, I thought. After 47 minutes of pacing back and forth between all the seafood stands, the delectable smells got the best of me. It was so hard choosing between crab cakes, lobster, grouper, shrimp and all the other types of seafood but once that decision was made, I had to decide how I wanted the item prepared and there were so many variations of spices that were used. I finally narrowed it down to fried shrimp covered in parmesan and garlic with some kind of delicious sauce! I found myself a peaceful spot where I could enjoy my treasure. I found a front porch with rocking chairs overlooking the waterway where I could sit and watch all of the festival visitors. I slowly and deliberately placed the scrumptious delicacy in my mouth, one at a time, just letting them melt in my mouth. In between each bite, I savored a sip of my ice cold beer.
You could hear several bands at the same time. You could hear some country music, some 80’s dance music and some jazz. I found my way over to the corner bar where the dance music was drifting out into the night air. I couldn’t help tapping my foot to the music and before I knew it I was dancing. I walked over to the waterway and watched the boats slowly drift in for the night before I headed home. It was a great time and I can’t wait to come back next year. Put this on your calendar and make sure you make it to North Myrtle Beach - I will be thinking about how delicious that shrimp was for a long time!
On Sunday, I went with the family to the Florence Fair. It was a sunny day with the temperature around 80 – a perfect day. We walked around trying to settle on our favorite fair food and finally selected the French fries covered in vinegar. The kids enjoyed the rides and I enjoyed the weather. When we got back from the fair – I decided I couldn’t let such a beautiful day go to waste – I headed down to the beach. I walked about 3 miles down the beach, stopping, here and there when I thought I had discovered that perfect shell to add to my collection. I was amazed at just how many people were on the beach and in the water. North Myrtle Beach is so alive with activities – make your plans soon to come down and play on the beach – you still have time to squeeze in a weeks playtime or a weekend getaway.
The Octoberfest was a huge success with over 35,000 people in attendance. During the last song, they released 800 beach balls into the crowd and followed that with fireworks! That’s something to put on your calendar for next year!
Monday, October 17, 2011
The weather here in North Myrtle Beach is absolutely gorgeous this time of year. It is sunny and warm during the day! There is still a lot of tanning going on down here and lots of fun for the entire family. October is a great time to visit North Myrtle Beach because you can still walk on the beach or go in the water but it isn’t crowded. There are plenty of guests to talk to and of course, the locals. Prices are lower and there aren’t many long lines to stand in so if those things are important to you – October is your month. Whether you come for a 3 day weekend or a week or a month – Seaside Vacations has fabulous North Myrtle Beach Oceanfront condo rentals and beach rental homes as well as others nearby and we will help you find one perfect for you!
On the last blog, I gave you some great recipes for Halloween appetizers. This week we decided to give you some ghoulish ideas for cheap costumes. Most contest winners are home made costumes! Be sure to grab a few items before you leave for your Myrtle Beach trip that you can make into a costume and then hit one of the Halloween parties going on in Myrtle Beach! Here are a few ideas from www.costumeideazone.com.
Use Your Closet for Costume Inspiration
This year, you can avoid all the crowds and bothersome waiting in costume stores by using your own closet as a one-stop costume shop. Need a last-minute costume idea? Well, look no further than your own happy home. All of the materials you need are right within the walls of you home. You’d be surprised of all the great materials, accessories, and themes you can find hidden behind old clothes and boxes. Here are some of the many great reasons why you can use your closet for costume inspiration this year.
Originality
The best costumes, by far, are those that are produced with the most creativity. What consumers don’t realize is that they have a closet full of inspiration and unique materials right at home. You won’t ever have to worry about someone arriving to the party wearing the exact same outfit when you make your costume from your closet.
Instant Transformation
You’d be surprised at how well your old things can transform into new costumes. That old shirt you never wear anymore can get cut up into a vest, hood, or sash accessory. Your old skirt can be made into a cape. Rip that chiffon layer off of your old prom or useless bridesmaid dress and use it to make a haremgirl costume. For a quick bald-look, grab some old, torn pantyhose and stretch it over your hair. Old sheets are fantastic for more than ghost costumes; the possibilities with old clothes are endless. Hey, Scarlett O’Hara made a drop-dead dress from curtains, so keep an open mind!
For a list of Halloween events in the North Myrtle Beach area, click the following link: http://www.thesunnews.com/2010/10/29/1777868/halloween-events-across-the-grand.html
Friday, October 07, 2011
Seaside Vacations, The Myrtle Beach Experts, offers gorgeous
North Myrtle Beach oceanfront condos and beach house rentals with stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean. Picture yourself, sitting on your balcony, overlooking the infinite blue ocean overcome with a sense of peace and tranquility. You deserve to take time out of your life to experience this soul searching sense of absolute calm. Walk down to the ocean and dig your feet into the sand and stay absolutely still as the waves gradually cover the tops of your feet with thousands of fine granules of white sand. The gravitational pull of the ocean beckons you out to the sea. But you keep your feet firmly planted and the feeling becomes even more intense. Overhead, the full moon shines brightly, mysteriously almost, making you think of fall and Halloween and Thanksgiving.
North Myrtle Beach celebrates the fall in its own “beachy” fashion. Fall is a great time to visit North Myrtle Beach. The weather is still very nice and there are plenty of activities for every member of the family. You will have fun playing putt putt, driving bumper cars, riding the Sky Wheel or going to some of the theatres and shows that Myrtle Beach is so famous for!
There are lots of activities planned for the coming weeks and months so you will want to make plans to visit North Myrtle Beach very soon! Seaside Vacations has the perfect North Myrtle Beach vacation rental condo or beach home to suit every traveler’s needs. Whether it is to squeeze in that last getaway before winter, or if you would like to come down and spend the whole winter with us, we have affordable North Myrtle Beach winter rentals available both on and off the beach! Come and spend the fall and the winter and enjoy all the special events that North Myrtle Beach has to offer our guests! Here are just a few upcoming North Myrtle Beach events:
October 8th Shrimp Fest Little River and Party in the McLean Park
November 26th Intracoastal Christmas Regatta
December 2nd—Annual North Myrtle Beach Tree Lighting
December 3rd—Annual North Myrtle Beach Christmas Parade
Jan 14 Snowbirds reception at the North Myrtle Chamber of Commerce
Jan 12-15 S.O.S. Midwinter
Palace Theatre - Christmas on Ice – November 1-December 30
Carolina Opry – Christmas Special – November 1-January 2
Myrtle Beach Convention Center – 19th century holiday marketplace – Nov-10-13th
Temperatures dropped the other day for just a few hours and it felt like fall, even for just a minute. That brought to mind things like picking out pumpkins for the kids to help carve and drinking warm cider and hot chocolate. As much as I love the warm weather, when you live on the beach you sometimes miss those cold weather activities. Not too often of course – well, actually rarely – which is what makes me a beach lover!
I thought that it would be great fun to celebrate Halloween – Beach style! This would include dressing up and walking the beach in your favorite costume. Getting together with friends around a campfire or your backyard pit and sharing some of these adorable appetizers and a hot cup of cider! (Alcohol optional!)
Frankenweiners:
1. Pillsbury dough or crescent rolls
2. Hot dogs
3. Mustard or ketchup for eyes
Cut the dough into strips and wrap the hot dogs into mummies. Bake for 15 minutes at 400° Add mustard or ketchup dots for eyes. You could cut the hot dogs in half for mini mummies.
Freaky Fingers:
Use Pillsbury bread stick dough. Cut them in half, roll into finger shapes. Add almonds for the fingernails. (I painted mine with red food coloring). Use a knife to make knuckle markings and bake.
Mummy Meatloaf 
- 1 pound ground meat
- 1/2 package of breakfast sausage
- 1 cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- BBQ sauce or Ketchup (I like BBQ sauce best)
- 6-8 lasagna noodles, cooked
- 2 slices of cheese
- 2 black or green olives for eyes
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350°
- Combine meat, sausage, breadcrumbs and egg in a bowl.
- Coat a round glass bowl with cooking spray. This will go in the oven, so make sure it is oven safe.
- Shape mixture inside the bowl.
- Bake for 45-55 minutes until done.
- While it’s baking cook some lasagna noodles for the mummy wrap. (slice off the curly edges after they are cooked.)
- Cover meatloaf with BBQ sauce or Ketchup.
- Add cheese and olives for eyes, then wrap with lasagna.
*For these recipes and more go to www.livinglocurto.com
Friday, September 23, 2011
Paradise, as you know, is located in North Myrtle Beach! Seaside Vacations, leader in providing North Myrtle Beach vacation condo rentals and beach homes, has stunning properties available that will absolutely live up to that fantasy vacation you have pictured for months and years. Call us at 800-661-5511 to book your next vacation or even a long weekend. You can also visit our website at www.seasidevacation.com where you can check availability, pricing, and view interior and exterior photos of these gorgeous North Myrtle Beach vacation rental homes and condos!
North Myrtle Beach
’s Main Street is bustling with activity this week with everyone doing the Shag! For those of you unfamiliar with the Shag – it is South Carolina’s state dance which started back in 1940 in North Myrtle Beach. I have been observing it for the first time over the past few days and it is simply amazing! I’m not sure that my feet could move that fast even if I was being chased by a gator!
Whether it’s multiple cups of triple strength java or their own natural energy level – those dancers are very impressive. They are literally dancing in the streets on Main Street in North Myrtle Beach and this craziness goes on until the 25th of September. If you didn’t make it down this year, make sure you call Seaside Vacations and book your room early – these get booked very early so don’t miss out. We have gorgeous condos and houses close to the action!
This weekend, we also have another popular North Myrtle Beach event going on: the Irish-Italian festivalis happening this Saturday all day on Main Street! If you’re Irish or Italian or know someone Irish or Italian or just love the food – be sure to head down for the weekend and join on in the fun!
Another upcoming event, The Shrimp and Jazz festival takes place October 8th in Little River which is just a few miles from North Myrtle Beach. We have condos and houses available in both areas so you can be close to the fun! There will be delicious food of course, as well as music, arts and crafts and family fun.
Monday, July 25, 2011
Summer is in Full Swing! Rising Temperatures, Ideal Ocean Conditions and Frequently Asked Questions.
Hi all! We at Seaside Vacations in North Myrtle Beach hope everyone is enjoying their summer this year. The weather has been great with the exception of just a couple rainy days; we actually could use a little bit more precipitation (just not during your vacation!). We have had lots of check-ins so far this summer and have gathered a short list of Frequently Asked Questions to share to help you better enjoy your vacation - whether you are staying in Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach or any of the surrounding areas. The Myrtle Beach Experts are here to help!
What are some free of charge to low cost activities for the family to do during our stay?
There is so much to do in North Myrtle Beach and many activities don’t have to break the budget. Many families enjoy fishing from the Cherry Grove pier while some families devoutly take part in searching for seashells at the beach (Hint: You can find some great shells at low tide or right after a storm). Some other budget friendly ideas for our area are: walking the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk and Promenade; riding the new Sky Wheel in Myrtle Beach; mini golf (there are many mini golf facilities to pick from with various themes from an erupting volcano to a sunken ship!); ride the rides at Broadway at the Beach (grab a funnel cake while you’re there!); or feed the gigantic fish at Broadway at the Beach!
Which restaurants should I dine at while in North Myrtle Beach that I can’t find at home? We get asked this question everyday and always highly recommend Hoskins on Main Street (right down the road from our office) in North Myrtle Beach for good home cookin’! For pizza, we like Lucky’s Pizza in North Myrtle Beach. If you’re looking for a good Seafood Buffet, try Seafare Seafood Buffet on Restaurant Row located in Myrtle Beach. For homemade Italian cuisine, make your way down to Myrtle Beach for an ideal dining experience at Rossi’s. Feel like the flavor of Mexico? We love Abuelo’s, located by Coastal Grand Mall in Myrtle Beach.
I want to barbeque, but my vacation rental does not have a grilling area. McLean Park in North Myrtle Beach offers a gorgeous atmosphere and several charcoal grills for your usage. Feel free to feed the fish and ducks with the family!
How do I bypass traffic on Hwy 17?
We suggest using SC Hwy 31(Carolina Bays Parkway) to avoid summer traffic congestion on US Hwy 17.
Can I rent umbrellas and chairs rather than bring my own?
Yes, there are several rental companies on the Grand Strand that offer this service as well as the Lifeguards on the beach. We suggest using a family owned and operated company called North Strand Beach Service that offers great service and the lowest rates. You can call them directly to place your order at 843-272-3259. They will deliver your rental items right to the condo!
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Attention Book Lovers!
Looks like North Myrtle Beach has a brand new library! This $4 million library has actually been in our city plans for many years and is now open. The biggest difference between the old and new building is the space. The new library boasts an impressive 20,000 square feet with tons of room for its 26 computer stations and 52,000 books, CD’s and DVD’s. The old building was 7,200 square feet for reference. Over 50 volunteers signed up to assist with moving the contents of the library over a short 5-day time frame.
The new library is conveniently located at 910 1st Ave South. What will happen to the old building? The North Myrtle Beach Area Historical Museum board is planning to secure the old library on 2nd Ave North.