The Heart and Soul of Myrtle Beach
Joseph steps away from the usual in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina to discover why people come to “The Beach” for a vacation and stay for a lifetime. On this journey he learns about the cultural survival of the Gullah-Geechee African American community, kayaks the Waccamaw River, enjoys the beauty of Brookgreen Gardens, dances the “Shag” and tries his hand at surf fishing.
Joseph’s stops
in Myrtle Beach
Island Vista
Resort
Myrtle Beach South Carolina
As the only oceanfront hotel for nearly a mile in either direction, the Island Vista Resort feels like a stay on a secluded luxury island – while being mere minutes from the heartbeat of downtown Myrtle Beach.
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Joseph discovers an oceanfront yoga class right next to Myrtle Beach’s bustling boardwalk. This is just one of the surprises that Joseph discovers along Myrtle Beach’s coastline, where intimate cultural experiences often co-exist with the busy commercial ones.
Murrells Inlet, South Carolina
Just on the doorstep of the Atlantic are the wetlands and river systems of Huntington Beach State Park. Joseph joins fellow birders in this wildlife hotspot, where more than 300 species can be viewed at the height of the migratory season.
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Joseph drops by one of Myrtle Beach’s many fine seafood eateries. Over a glass (or two) of Italian red wine, he discusses with Heidi Vukov, the owner of Hook & Barrel, her sustainability commitment in fine wines and responsibly-sourced seafood.
Longs, South Carolina
Joseph takes another voyage into the state’s extraordinary coastal ecosystems with a kayak tour on the Waccamaw River. He teams up with a guide from River Island Adventures, which offers serene rides like these along the river and island areas.
A story quilt created by Vermelle "Bunny" Smith Rodrigues, the museum’s founder, which illuminates Gullah-Geechee history
Georgetown, South Carolina
Joseph visits the Gullah Museum, which celebrates the region’s distinctly African cultural heritage. He learns about how the Gullah-Geechee language, spirituality, and cuisine continue to connect the community to the resilience of their ancestors on this part of the East Coast.
Murrells Inlet, South Carolina
Brookgreen Gardens encourages people to learn about local art, history, culture, and ecology across over 9,000 manicured acres. Joseph takes in the many meaningful sculptures and learns about the land’s past history.
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Joseph visits Charlie’s Place, the former site of the club where music titans like Billie Holiday and Little Richard performed. This was also the birthplace of the “Shag” now the official dance of the state of South Carolina.
North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Joseph’s next step is to see the “Shag” in action with Charlie & Jackie, a dynamic duo who give dancing workshops and lessons. They share how the dance was born in Myrtle Beach and uniquely influenced by the rhythm and blues in the South.
Conway, South Carolina
Joseph visits the Downtown Conway Farmers Market with Darren Smith, owner and chef of Bonfire Restaurant. They stop by Home Sweet Farms for some blueberries, J&J Farms for a Southern classic of boiled peanuts, and Microleodon Farm for some fresh microgreens.
Underwriters
Special thanks to our season underwriters
If you’re looking for a travel experience that gets to the heart and soul of a place, you need to give Road Scholar a try. Founded in 1975, this non-profit combines learning with travel to create experiences that are truly transformational.
With hundreds of educational adventures throughout the United States and in nearly 100 countries, you’re sure to find something to fulfill your dreams. Birds in Belize or paintings in Paris … whatever you're interested in, they have the experience for you. You can learn more at www.roadscholar.org.
We are proud to tell everyone about Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, which has 60 miles of sandy beach and, oh, so much more. Beyond the famous boardwalk, The Beach has live music; theaters offering dinner and a show, from battles between medieval knights to murder mysteries to a Polynesian luau.
They have, literally, thousands of restaurants serving a wide range of cuisines, plus amusement parks, a fabulous aquarium, more than 90 beautiful golf courses, fishing and a full spectrum of other watersports. Among their 14 unique communities they also have quiet towns that glow with coastal charm and are filled with South Carolina’s Lowcountry history and culture.
Myrtle Beach has everything you want and Visit Myrlte Beach has everything you need to know. Come enjoy!