Experience Myrtle Beach as a VIP!

"From the time we got here until we walked out the door, we enjoyed every moment of it!" -Participant in the April 2012 Getaway

September is here and with it comes the first of our Owner and Guest Weekend Getaways! Last season, these events received rave reviews from our special VIP guests.  Because of their popularity, Plantation Resort will continue to offer these exclusive getaways for another season.

October 2011 Event

During these special events, Plantation Resort hosts a group of owners and their guests for 3 days of entertainment in beautiful Myrtle Beach.  As Mike and Julie Hughes of Thomasville, North Carolina said, "you're made to feel special right from the start!"  The VIP treatment begins with a private check-in at our Preview Center, where participants are greeted with light refreshments and drinks while they peruse the weekend's schedule. For the remainder of their trip, our guests are shuttled to and from various entertainment and dining destinations as VIPs, always featuring the best in Myrtle Beach shows, attractions and restaurants. Our participants also receive a private Resort Preview, updating them on the new improvements to the Resort and timeshare possibilities. To cap off the royal treatment, guests enjoy a courtesy late check-out on Sunday morning. As one of our owners put it, "Ya'll thought of it all this weekend!"

Our first event will be taking place September 21 - 23. This weekend getaway is family-friendly, so be sure to bring the kids along. They'll be thrilled to discover our feature attraction - an evening of swashbuckling excitement at Myrtle Beach's hottest new show, Pirate's Voyage!

If you're interested in participating in this exclusive weekend, be sure to call right away! September has limited spaces available and October's slots are going fast. For a full event schedule and to reserve your place, call 1-888-210-1241. Remember to ask about how you can bring along other friends and family members!

Stay tuned!  We'll be releasing additional event dates soon.

Still not convinced that this is the getaway for you? Here's some advice from a few of our participants. One of our April 2012 guests explained, "if you're open-minded, you'll always enjoy it" while the other simply said "you'd be crazy not to! It's been awesome." Next, check out some highlights from last season's events. It is said that, "a picture is worth a thousand words and a video is worth one million."  We couldn't decide so we've provided you with both!

Pictures
September 2011 Getaway
October 2011 Getaway

Videos
Getaway Highlights from the 2011-2012 Season
September 2011 Getaway
October 2011 Getaway
April 2012 Getaway

We hope to see you soon at our next Owner and Guest Weekend Getaway!

Introducing Our Newest Golf Partner at an Amazing Price!

We're excited to announce that Midway Par 3 has joined our family of discounted courses available at Plantation Resort, bringing the grand total to 9 offered to our owners and guests at incredible rates!

Built in 1974, Midway Par 3 brought the first situation golf experience to the Myrtle Beach area. Situation golf tests players by incorporating a built-in challenge at each hole. Whether it be bunkers, trees, a water hazard or side-hill lie, each challenge helps to develop the golfer's ability and hone his skills.

Midway's beautifully manicured greens feature 27 holes divided into 3 courses - Red, Yellow and Blue. The Red Course offers an incredible ocean view, boasts the longest total yardage of the three and includes fairways dotted with pine and hickory trees. The Blue Course also features many trees but incorporates a water hazard on many of its holes. The most open of the three options, the Yellow Course has very few trees and contains several grass bunkers. For all courses, the average fairway length is 80 yards.

Midway Par 3 is the perfect place for experienced golfers perfecting their skills, parents teaching their children and beginners developing a love for the game! With 9 holes, Midway allows for a much quicker game than a championship course and new players won't experience the fatigue of an 18 hole round.

To top it all off, golf club rentals are free, the facilities include a driving range and the courses are lighted in season for night play. It's no wonder that Midway was voted a top ten par 3 course in the nation by the Golf Range Association of America!

While you're at Plantation Resort, don't miss your opportunity to play this premier par 3 course. Visit our Front Desk to receive the incredible discount available to our owners and guests for $13 for 9 holes! For more information, call 1-800-845-5039. We'll see you on the green!

Exciting Events for September 2012

You'll be blown away by how much you can do on the Grand Strand in September!

September is one of the best times of year to be in Myrtle Beach. We have less crowds and lighter traffic but the weather is still summer-like and the area's popular entertainment has perfected their shows after months of performing. Best of all, September brings one Myrtle Beach party after the other, uniting tourists and locals together with one goal in mind: having a great time!

2012 Beach Boogie & BBQ Festival at Grand Park at the Market Common

August 31, 6 - 9:30pm, September 1, 12 - 9:30pm, and September 2, 12 - 5pm

Southern cooking!

This is a true low-country, toe-tappin', finger lickin' beach summer festival! Enjoy free live entertainment featuring 10 different bands while watching wakeboarding demonstrations, checking out the arts & crafts exhibits, enjoying free boat rides and hanging out in the Kid's Zone. And oh, the food! Friday brings an "Anything Goes" Competition where you can try beef, seafood, desserts and more for just $1 a sample. Be sure to bring your appetite on Saturday - for a $10 wrist band, you can sample savory BBQ from 40+ teams competing for first prize. On Sunday, wings and BBQ combo platters are available for purchase to kick off the start of the wing competition. All 3 days will include a Beer Garden to wash it all down. If you want a taste of local culture, this is your stop!

Labor Day Fireworks at Barefoot Landing

September 1, 10pm - 10:30pm

Fireworks over Barefoot Landing

Spend the day browsing the quaint shops and boutiques in North Myrtle Beach's famous Barefoot Landing. If you're feeling adventurous, visit one of the many exciting attractions including the Mirror Maze, T.I.G.E.R.S Preservation Station, the Ghosts & Legends Theatre or Alligator Adventure. A host of restaurants are waiting to serve you delicious dinner before you head out to watch the season's finale fireworks display.

Delicious concessions!

End of Summer Celebration at Surfside Pier

September 2, 9am - 9pm

Surfside Beach sends the kids back to school in style with their End of Summer Celebration! Live entertainment, a free waterslide for kids and the beach provide hours of fun. Concessions will also be available, including all of your summer favorites - hot dogs, hamburgers, chips and cold drinks.

South Carolina's Largest Garage Sale at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center Exhibit Hall
September 8, 7am - 2pm

Garage Sale at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center

Bargain hunters, be ready! Myrtle Beach presents the largest garage sale in the state. Hundreds of vendors bring in their favorite treasures for you to peruse and purchase at incredible prices. It's a shopper's paradise! Convention Center admission is free and parking is $3 per car.

SOS Fall Migration on Ocean Drive in North Myrtle Beach
September 14 - 23, See their website

The Shag!

50 years ago, a new dance craze was founded right here in Myrtle Beach, SC - the Shag! Today, the iconic dance lives on. Each year, the Society of Stranders calls on its thousands of Shag fans to return to the dance's birthplace for one last dance before winter. Several of the clubs along Ocean Drive in North Myrtle Beach support the craze, playing beach music and hosting special events. Come watch the experts show their skills and learn how to shag for yourself!

Bodies Revealed at Broadway at the Beach

Present - September 16. Sun - Thurs 11am - 6pm, Fri - Sat 10am - 10pm

Bodies Revealed

Since May 28th, the famous Bodies exhibit has been fascinating Myrtle Beach visitors and locals, but their residence here is quickly drawing to a close. September 16th is the last day to see the human body like never before. Over 14 (real) full body human specimens and 200 organs provide a close-up look at your anatomy. Learn about the body's complex systems and processes to gain a new appreciation for the miracle of life. 

St. John's 21st Annual Greek Festival at St. John's Greek Orthodox Church

September 27, 11am - 9pm, September 28 - 29, 11am - 10pm, and September 30, 12 - 7pm

Greek dancers at St. John's Greek Orthodox Church

Every year, the locals countdown the days to this popular event- and you'll see why! St. John's Greek Orthodox Church gives Myrtle Beach a hearty helping of Greek culture through live music, dancing, kids activities and church tours featuring lectures on their faith and iconography. Above all, don't miss the opportunity to try a wide variety of Greek foods including mousaka, gyros, roasted lamb, greek salad, spanikopita, baklava and other mouth-watering pastries and breads. The festival also offers beer and Greek wines. O-pa'!


Oktoberfest at Valor Park in the Market Common
September 28, 4 - 9pm, September 29, 11am- 7pm, September 30, 12 - 5pm

Celebrate German-style!

Ring in October with the 5th annual Oktoberfest at Valor Park! Celebrate German culture as you wander through dozens of vendor tents while enjoying German music, beer, wine and mouth-watering food. Kids will have the time of their lives with games, face-painting, a pumpkin patch and inflatables.





Atalaya Arts & Crafts Festival at  Huntington Beach State Park
September 28, 12 - 6pm, September 29, 10am - 6pm, September 30 10am - 5pm

Vendors by Atalaya

This year, Huntington Beach State Park hosts it's 37th annual Atalaya Arts & Crafts festival. Centered around historic Atalaya, winter home to local sculptor Anna Hyatt Huntington in the 1930s, the event features over 100 talented artists displaying and selling their work. As you browse, you'll be able to enjoy delicious food and the music of the area's best musicians. Daily admission is $6 for adults or you can purchase a multi-day pass for $10. Visitors under the age of 15 are admitted free of charge.

September is so full of events, we were only able to highlight a few! If you would like to see more, click here and here. Remember, the Front Desk can also provide you with discounted tickets to Myrtle Beach's popular attractions and entertainment venues. For questions, call 1-800-845-5039. We look forward to seeing you at Plantation Resort this September!

Come South for the Winter!

Escape the snowy Northern winters in favor of a warmer climate! Myrtle Beach is the perfect retreat for mild temperatures in a relaxing setting. Because summertime is the area's prime season, in the winter months, traffic is much lighter and the beaches are clear for leisurely strolls. It's a side of Myrtle Beach few people get the chance to experience!

Set 1/4 a of mile of off Business 17, Plantation Resort's winter rentals are nestled in a secluded area while still providing quick access to all that Myrtle Beach has to offer. The property's serene water features are filled with Canadian Geese and American Woodcock who also choose Myrtle Beach for their cold weather retreat. It's the perfect atmosphere to settle in for a long, peaceful winter.

Plantation Resort's winter rentals run from November 1st through April 30th. You have the option to visit for a month or two or stay with us all season long! With a wide variety of units available, you're sure to find one to fit your needs. We offer 1, 2 and 3 bedroom rentals with full kitchens and plenty of space to make yourself at home.

We have a wide variety of amenities available to our Snowbirds throughout the season. Stay in shape by taking advantage of our indoor fitness center and various aerobic classes. Relax in our heated indoor pool, 3 hot tubs, steam room, sauna and with our generous menu of spa services. For entertainment, we provide bike rentals to explore the area as well as movie and game rentals for a relaxing evening in.

Summer may be over, but Myrtle Beach entertainment doesn't hibernate! For the most of the season, popular theaters and venues in the area are still in full swing. Our front desk provides you with reduced rates for golf at 8 different courses and discounted tickets to The Carolina Opry, Legends in Concert, The Alabama Theatre, Medieval Times, Pirate's Voyage, The Palace Theatre, Wonder Works, Ripley's Aquarium, Brookgreen Gardens and the SkyWheel. The spectacular shows are at their best during the Christmas season - even locals can't help but go back year after year!

Make reservations for your winter retreat today! Our reservations team can be reached at 1-888-913-4477. Our prices are incredibly affordable, and be sure to ask the representative about the current specials and discounts to receive an even greater value on your stay.  Hope to see you soon at Plantation Resort!

Shop Myrtle Beach

It's time for some retail therapy! When you're vacationing on the Grand Strand, you'll find yourself in a shopper's paradise. Whether you seek outlets, malls, boutiques, quaint shops or flea markets, we have what you're looking for.

Tanger Outlets North

1.) The Tanger Outlets, known for their incredible discounts and wide selection,  have two separate Myrtle Beach locations. Tanger Outlets North is located just off of Bypass 17 while Tanger Outlets South is situated on Highway 501. Each outlet center carries its own unique set of vendors so make time to visit them both!

2.) The Coastal Grand mall, second largest shopping mall in South Carolina, is located right here in Myrtle Beach. Built in 2004, this mall houses over 170 stores including Old Navy, Bed Bath & Beyond, American Eagle, Dick's Sporting Goods and Express. Their anchor stores include Dillard, JC Penney, Belk and Sears. The mall is surrounded by several excellent restaurants and also contains an in-house food court.

Broadway at the Beach

3.) Broadway at the Beach has been a Myrtle Beach hot-spot since it's Grand Opening in 1996. 350 acres house over 100 unique shops and boutiques- a great place for vacation souvenirs! After a long day of shopping, choose from the dozens of restaurants located in the complex, including Jimmy Buffet's Margartiaville, Liberty Steakhouse, Hard Rock Cafe and Yamatos.

4.) Surfside Beach is home to the largest open air flea market on the Grand Strand! Hudson's Surfside Flea Market features 400 vendor tables sellign purses, jewelry, kitchenwares, sunglasses, cell phone accessories and much more. Locals have named it the best flea market on the beach, and we're sure you'll love it as much as we do!

The Market Common

5.) The Market Common was welcomed to the Myrtle Beach area just 4 short years ago. Filled with quaint shops, town homes, a movie theater, restaurants, parks, and even a grocery store, this lifestyle center feels like its own little town! Popular vendors include Barnes & Noble, White House Black Market, Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn and Anthropologie. Located only minutes away from Plantation Resort, The Market Common is the perfect shopping retreat on a beautiful day!

6.) Hot day? Shop at the indoor, climate controlled Myrtle Beach Flea Market. With some of the lowest prices in the area, this 80,000 square foot market features discount name brand shoes, golf clubs, jewelry, airbrush artists, beachwear, antiques and more. With a large number of varied vendors, this is shopping the whole family can enjoy!

Barefoot Landing

7.) If you're heading to the North Myrtle Beach area, don't miss Barefoot Landing. Over 100 specialty shops along their boardwalk are filled with regional apparel, shoes, jewelry, and gifts. After you work up an appetite, make sure to eat at the Flying Fish, Johnny Rockets, House of Blues, or one of their other popular restaurants.

8.) For true Southern charm and low-country art, visit The Hammock Shops. Founded in 1938 and set in a blooming park with moss-draped oaks, 20 shops feature quaint local craftmanship- including the famous Pawleys's Island rope hammock.

Be sure to make room in your suitcase for all your great finds and souvenirs! For additional shopping information, directions or brochures, stop by our Front Desk or call 1-800-845-5039. Happy shopping!

The Palace Theatre: Thrilling Live Entertainment

The Grand Strand may be known for its beautiful beaches but when the sun goes down, there's no shortage of entertainment! Myrtle Beach is the home of dozens of spectacular shows to keep you busy every night of your vacation. When you're planning your week, be sure that The Palace Theatre is on your must-see list!

Located in the famous Broadway at the Beach complex, The Palace Theatre hosts a variety of live shows and productions from around the world. Because their schedule changes with the season, there's always a new show to entertain the entire family! The Palace is currently delighting audiences with two must-see performances: Le Grand Cirque Adrenaline and Rock Around the Clock.

Le Grand Cirque Adrenaline
Through September 28, 2012
Tuesday - Saturday at 7:30pm
Wednesday 10:00am

More in keeping with the world famous Cirque de Soleil than the Barnum & Bailey three-ring circus, Le Grand Cirque will amaze you act after act with daring feats of athleticism. You'll be endlessly entertained by contortionists, tumblers, aerial acts and the nail-biting Wheel of Destiny, one of the world's most dangerous circus tricks. For comic relief, you'll spend some time with Dizzy the mime and laugh at the antics of the adorable Olate dogs. The grand finale comes in the form of the Globe of Death, where 3 daredevils ride motor bikes upside down in a 16 ft globe, narrowly missing each other in the process. At the end of the show, you'll be picking your jaw up off the floor!

Rock Around the Clock
Through December 29, 2012
Tuesday - Saturday at 5:30pm

Travel back to a time when Elvis Presley was the King and poodle skirts with saddle shoes were all the rage. For a nostalgic 90 minutes, the Palace Theatre lets you relive the good ol' days of the fantastic 50's. The talented cast performs all your favorite hits of the decade, including songs made famous by Buddy Holly, Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis and more. The period choreography and rock 'n roll tunes will have you dancing in your seat until the curtain drops!

Let the Palace Theatre provide your family with an unforgettable vacation memory! Stop by our Front Desk for your discounted tickets. We'll personally make your show reservations in the available seats of your choice. For more information, call 1-800-845-5039.

Beautiful Bike Trails on the Grand Strand

What's a great way to exercise, spend time with family and enjoy nature all at once? Bike riding! Fall is just around the corner and the milder weather provides the perfect opportunity to be active and outdoors. The Grand Strand has a variety of bike trails to explore some of the area's most scenic locations.


Grand Park at Market Common
The Market Common occupies what was once the Myrtle Beach Air Force Base. The base closed in 1993 and the property has now been developed into town homes, a shopping complex and picturesque park. The Grand Park at Market Common is nestled around a scenic lake. The 2 mile trail circles the lake past playgrounds, interactive games and fitness stations. Be sure to bring a lunch to enjoy in the picnic areas while watching the ducks, turtles and fish that call this park their home.

Huntington Beach State Park

There's a lot of ground to cover in this 2,500 acre preserve! The many roads and bike trails lead you through a wide variety of coastal ecosystems including fresh and saltwater marshes, lagoons, maritime forests and beaches. If you'd like to ride alongside the ocean, bikes are permitted on the beaches. Be sure to keep an eye out for wildlife. This fowl sanctuary is a bird-watchers dream and alligators can be spotted lurking among the marshes.

Myrtle Beach State Park
If you're looking for a quiet, serene trail, this is it! Located on the southern end of the city, Myrtle Beach State Park gives you the opportunity to become one with nature. As you bike through the beautiful forests, watch for signs that identify the many species of trees native to the region: oaks, magnolias, wax myrtles, hollies and poplars. The nature trails will also provide overlooks of their ponds, a journey by the wetlands, through the dunes and to the ocean.

Pawley's Island Loop
If you're looking to go the distance, head down to the Pawley's Island Loop. Circle the 3.5 mile trail as many times as you'd like while enjoying delightful scenes of the Low Country. This popular route leads through one of the East Coast's oldest summer resorts and furnishes sweeping views of the marsh.



The Riverwalk
Myrtle Beach's neighbor, Conway, is a historic town settled alongside the Waccamaw River. Dating back to the 1700s, Conway is a fascinating treasure that tourists often overlook. The Riverwalk, which runs along the Waccamaw River, is the perfect place to bike while becoming acquainted with the town. You'll bypass historic homes and quaint churches included on the National Historic Register, boats puttering along the river, playgrounds and marinas. You're rewarded at the end of your excursion by reaching the Conway Arboretum, home to a wide variety of stunning trees and plants.

Be sure to take advantage of these scenic locations. Don't have a bike? No problem! Bicycles can be rented from our Recreation Department at an hourly rate of $4 or $12 for the entire day. Be sure to plan ahead as bikes are first come first serve. For additional information, call 1-800-845-5039.

Myrtle Beach Traffic Tips

Myrtle Beach is among the United States' top vacation destinations. With so many visitors flocking to our beautiful coastline, the roads quickly become congested! After driving in the car for hours, getting stuck in a jam is frustrating- you just want to start your vacation. Traffic coming into Myrtle Beach can be difficult to avoid- however, we have a few tips to help make your drive to Plantation Resort a little easier.

1.) Downtown Florence is a heavy traffic area that we suggest bypassing. If you're coming from the north on I-95, get on 38 at exit 181B (a few miles past South of the Border). 38 later becomes 501. Click here for a map.

2.) Are you traveling from the south? When driving up I-95, go past Florence to exit 170. This takes you to North Willston Road (Hwy 327). Follow this road to East Palmetto Street (note: this road is also highways 301 and 76). After Marion, East Palmetto Street will become 501. To see a map, click here.

3.) Because you're heading to Surfside, avoid taking 501 all the way into Myrtle Beach (as the best-known route, it’s highly prone to congestion). As an alternative, take 501 to Hwy 544. This will lead you into Surfside, just a mile north of Plantation Resort! Click here for a map.

4.) 501 travelers can also elude some heavy traffic by taking El Bethel Road in Conway. Next, make a left on Highway 378. This road takes you back around to 501 South. Wtih this route, you go around busy downtown Conway. To see a map, click here.

5.) If you’re traveling through Charlotte, we recommend avoiding the Monroe area. Take I-485 to Hwy 218 East to save some time. (For full directions from Charlotte to Myrtle Beach, click here. For a map, click here.)

Carolina Bays Parkway

6.) Business 17 and Bypass 17 are the two main roads in Myrtle Beach. Both have heavy summertime traffic. When driving through central Myrtle Beach, try taking Grissom Parkway instead. Grissom runs from 62^nd Avenue North to Harrelson Boulevard (near the airport).  Click here for a map.

7.) Carolina Bays Parkway (Hwy 31) can also help you avoid traffic jams. If you’re traveling from the North Myrtle Beach area or from 501, avoid Bypass 17 traffic by taking Carolina Bays Parkway all the way to 544 in Surfside. This route is a locals’ secret! For a map from 501, click here. To see a map from North Myrtle Beach, click here.

8.) The last stretch of 544 that leads onto Business 17 can look like a parking lot, especially on the weekends. You can avoid some of the worst of this traffic by our special detour. Get off 544 at Bypass 17 heading south. After about 2.4 miles, make a left onto Glenn’s Bay Road. This will lead you straight to Business 17, where you will make a left heading north. Plantation Resort’s front desk is just over a mile on the left hand side. Click here for a map.

Following these simple tips can help save you a lot of time and frustration. Upon arrival at the Resort, we’ll get you settled so you can start enjoying your vacation right away! Our friendly front desk staff will be happy to provide you with directions to beaches, shows, and Myrtle Beach’s best entertainment (and discounted tickets, too!). If you have any questions or need additional information, please call 1-800-845-5039.

New Discounts for Grand Strand Entertainment!

At Plantation Resort, it's our goal to provide you with an exceptional vacation experience by keeping you connected to the best entertainment on the Grand Strand. For decades, our Front Desk has been providing tickets to the area's most popular attractions at a great price. As Myrtle Beach has grown, so has our menu of discounted tickets! This year, we've added 5 popular attractions you won't want to miss.

1 The Myrtle Beach Speedway

Myrtle Beach Speedway Race Car

Racing fans, experience a relic of NASCAR history! In its time, this track acted as the training and racing grounds for legends Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt Sr., Dale Earnhardt Jr., Richard Petty and Kyle Petty. Today, Myrtle Beach Speedway hosts special events, each featuring different types of racing- 100 Lap, Skid Plate, Mini, Charger, School Bus, Super Truck and more! Treat your family to an exciting evening of exhilarating races.

(Note: Tickets for the Wheels of Destruction Thrill Show must be purchased directly from Myrtle Beach Speedway.)

Family Kingdom Water Flumes

2 Family Kingdom Water Park

This oceanfront family attraction offers a fun way to cool down on a hot Myrtle Beach day! Family Kingdom provides a variety of speed slides for both the timid and daring, wild water flumes and a relaxing lazy river. The little ones can splash in the park's kiddie pools with 8 different slides just their size, rain trees and a waterfall.

Runaway Bay Plane

3 Runaway Bay Mini Golf

Runaway Bay features two different 18-hole courses leading you on a Jamaican themed adventure. The handicap accessible Cockpit County route offers a variety of obstacles including a cave, lighthouse, and waterfalls. The Dunns River Falls course takes you under a waterfall, by a raging river, and over a mountain! When you've finished, cool off by stopping at the on-site ice cream parlor for a sweet treat.

Shipwreck Island

4 Shipwreck Island Adventure Golf

Your crew's mission is to navigate your way through the dangerous territory known as Shipwreck Island, finding your way back to the mainland. To get there, you'll have to bypass treacherous streams, waterfalls, fish, whales, and the wreckage of unsuccessful sailors. Shipwreck Island offers two 18-hole courses- try both the Skipper and Captain course!

Jurassic Golf

5 Jurassic Golf

Travel millions of years back in time to when dinosaurs roamed the earth! The Ice Age course leads you through foggy waters or you can take the Predator course through mountainous terrain. Whichever path you choose, watch for the animated dinosaurs lurking in the vegetation and, above all, beware the raging Tyrannosaurus Rex!

Give your family a Myrtle Beach vacation to remember! While vacationing at Plantation Resort, be sure to take advantage of the discounted attraction tickets sold at our Front Desk. If you would like more information on these new attractions or other discounted tickets we offer, please call 1-800-845-5039.