Winter is one of the best times to visit North Myrtle Beach. The beaches aren’t crowded, the temperatures are mild and there are a variety of activities and places to explore, making it a great spot for a romantic getaway for two. We’ve rounded up four days of activities for couples to make the most of a winter trip to the Grand Strand:
Day 1:
Savor Local Flavors
After checking in and getting settled, head to one of the area’s most-loved attractions, Duplin Winery. Take a seat at the tasting bar and start sipping—it’s the best way to get familiar with their labels! Duplin’s staff is known for their Southern hospitality, and they’re as entertaining as they are knowledgeable. Once you’ve found your new favorite wine, you can purchase a bottle from Duplin’s store. Take it out to their beautiful patio, settle in a rocking chair and enjoy the space, which often has live music.
If you’re looking for another wine tasting—but a totally different experience—visit La Belle Amie, home to Twisted Sisters Wines. This vineyard is built on a former plantation and is a beautiful setting for a stroll on a sunny winter day.
Leave (Room for) the Cannoli
Before dinner, take in the sights and sounds of the Intracoastal Waterway with a stroll through Barefoot Landing, North Myrtle Beach’s vibrant shopping and dining complex. Once you’ve explored the property and worked up an appetite (and maybe done some shopping!), tuck into quaint Umberto’s for a one-of-a-kind Pittsburgh-Italian Trattoria experience. Located in Barefoot Landing, Umberto’s is a classic family-operated chophouse serving up seafood, prime cuts of meat, and just about any pasta dish you can imagine. One thing’s for sure–you won’t leave Umberto’s hungry. Your meal will start with Italian beans and greens, followed by a salad. Prior to your entree of choice, angel hair pasta in Umberto’s homemade marinara sauce will be served. After your meal, if you still have a tiny bit of room, you really should order their famous cannoli…you won’t regret it!
Day 2:
Go Ahead – Splurge!
Have some last-minute holiday shopping to do? Or maybe you’re hoping to snag some post-holiday deals? You’re in luck! North Myrtle Beach is home to a variety of shopping—ranging from well-known stores to charming, local boutiques.
If you’re searching for one-of-a-kind gift, head to the famous intersection of Main Street and Ocean Drive. Here along North Myrtle Beach’s beloved Main Street you’ll find charming stores like Hope Taylor and Company (a specialty store full of women’s wear and home décor with a little bit of sass) or Judy’s House of Oldies (an institution of The Carolina Shag, carrying unique and often hard-to-find accessories).
For another option, you can take a short drive down the highway to the Tanger Outlets. Spend the day browsing deals and steals from your favorite brands, like the Brooks Brothers Factory Store, Nike Factory Store, Adidas, J. Crew and Carolina Pottery (just to name a few)!
Take a Walk.
Once you’ve shopped until you’ve found enough treasures to stuff a suitcase, relax with a sunset stroll on the beach. North Myrtle Beach’s unique position at the north end of the Grand Strand actually allows visitors (and locals) the experience of watching the sun rise on one side of the beach—over Cherry Grove Point—and the sun set on the other side of the beach, behind Myrtle Beach.
After the sun has slipped below the horizon, walk over to a beachfront restaurant to grab a bite to eat. If you’re nearby, we can always recommend a meal (and a cold cocktail) from Buoys on the Boulevard. With everything from sushi rolls to big baskets of fried seafood, Buoys has something for everyone.
Day 3:
Have Fun and Stay Fit!
Want to get some exercise in, but need a vacation from your regular workout? Play a game of Pickleball! This cross between tennis, badminton and ping pong is soaring in popularity across the country and along the Grand Strand. There are a several locations where you can play right here in North Myrtle Beach, including the J. Bryan Floyd Community Center.
If tennis is your game, head to McLean Park, where you’ll find two lighted hard surface courts. Warm up before your match with a walk on the nearby 1/2 mile paved trail.
Perhaps you opt for a round of mini golf. You won’t have any trouble finding a course...or five! Jump in the car and head down Highway 17, where you’ll find a variety of courses including Professor Hacker’s Dinosaur Adventure Golf, Mutiny Bay Miniature Golf, and the number one rated mini golf course in the world—Hawaiian Rumble Golf!
Brush Up.
For a fun and unique date night experience, visit Wine & Design on Highway 17. Here, you can BYOB of choice while you paint along with the class. (Hopefully you still have an extra bottle left from your trip to our wineries!) During the holidays and winter months, there are special classes where you can paint winter scenes, snowmen and other holiday-themed works of art.
Day 4:
Praise the Lord for Chicken and Waffles
Year round, the House of Blues hosts popular artists and entertainment. But Sunday is not a day of rest at the House of Blues. Start your day—and your journey home—off right with a spirited performance. Every Sunday morning, a House of Blues hosts a Gospel Brunch with a lineup of amazing Southern food and live Gospel music. They offer continuous seating from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., so you’ll have plenty of time to praise the Lord and fuel up with some chicken and waffles before you hit the road.
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