After a lost year in 2021 due to the pandemic, Myrtle Beach’s popular Can-Am Days are set to return next spring (March 12-20), and such is the enthusiasm for the return of Canadians to the South Carolina tourism mecca that city officials recently broadcast a ribbon cutting ceremony on Facebook to mark the opening of the Canada-US land border again.
But while anticipation for the 61st annual incarnation of the event – designed to demonstrate Myrtle Beach’s appreciation of its “northern neighbours” and top visitor market, many of whom visit year after year during the Spring Break period – continues to build, there’s no shortage of developments on the Grand Strand to entice and tease Canadians ahead of their next visit, whether before, after, or during the Can-Am fest.
Here’s a quick snapshot of what’s going on on the Grand Strand, the 14 communities and 100 km of beaches that make of the greater Myrtle Beach region:
Attractions
• SkyWheel Myrtle Beach has recently undergone a major makeover to celebrate the landmark attraction’s 10th birthday. The SkyWheel makeover included a new wheel structure, refurbished interiors and exteriors of its 42 gondolas, and a new state-of-the-art lighting system allowing for more dynamic light shows.
• The Surfside Beach Pier was destroyed and washed away during Hurricane Matthew in 2016. The town of Surfside Beach is reconstructing their signature structure to withstand hurricane force winds, making it stronger and safer than before. The pier will feature a restaurant and vendor space and is slated to be completed July 2022.
• Huntington Beach State Park opened a new nature centre after the previous centre was destroyed in a lightning strike fire three years ago. The new nature center is a $1.2 million investment and features a birding area, a classroom, and an exhibit area with live animals.
• Located close to the beach on 14th Ave. N., the Funplex Myrtle Beach is designed for families and thrill seekers alike. The new tropical themed park is lined with palm trees, features seven rides, a walk-up bar and restaurant. The attraction also features “Mach Fun,” the tallest, interactive 360° jet simulator ride on the market, and first-of-its-kind in North America.
• Broadway at the Beach will add a new restaurant, retail, and entertainment venue to its Entertainment District, called The Hangout. Once complete, The Hangout will become a new gathering place for great food and family fun, and offer live music year-round both on indoor and outdoor stages.
• Myrtle Beach will soon be home to South Carolina’s first man-made surf park, called American Surf Park. The park’s surfing lagoon will generate up to 1,000 waves per hour, with waves up 2 metres in height. The development will also include an amphitheatre to accommodate up to 15,000 people, a surf school, restaurant, and brewery. The building is expected to open in Spring 2023.
Shopping
• The Myrtle Beach Mall is proceeding with its $150-million redevelopment for a new retail and restaurant space. Dubbed “The District,“ plans include new waterfront restaurants, sports bars, additional shopping areas, clubs, and a boutique hotel. Renderings also include a promenade and garden in the middle.
• Tanger Outlets of Myrtle Beach (both the Hwy. 501 and Hwy. 17 locations) have opened several new top brand name and designer stores.
Culinary
• Located inside the new Grande Cayman Resort is Due South at 72nd, a not-to-miss restaurant with southern-infused food. Known as the “sister restaurant” to Sea Captain’s House, Due South at 72nd boasts a relaxing atmosphere along Ocean Blvd.
• The two-story building that fronts Nance Plaza in the soon-to-be-revitalized downtown area is now home to Grand Strand Brewing Company. The brewery produces a variety of handmade beers available in its taproom. There is also a small, on-site commercial kitchen where local chefs and restaurants can prepare food to pair with the craft beer selection. Grand Strand Brewing Company opened in March with outdoor seating and entertainment.
• A new brewery is open in Barefoot Landing featuring a restaurant and backyard beer garden. Crooked Hammock Brewery brings to life an all-ages backyard escape that features craft beer, indoor/outdoor seating for more than 500 guests, firepits, hammocks, a playground for kids, bocce ball courts, corn hole, restaurant, food truck, and a bar that is set over the lake.
Lodging
• A new dual-branded offering by Marriott is coming to Myrtle Beach’s Ocean Boulevard. The new Springhill Suites and Courtyard by Marriott property will replace the recently demolished Breakers Resort near 21st Avenue North. Renderings show the new oceanfront resort will stand 26 storeys tall and include rooftop space with outdoor seating and fire pits. Additional outdoor amenities include a ground-level pool and lazy river. Completion of the project is scheduled for the spring of 2022.
• Hilton Myrtle Beach Resort, located along the Grand Strand, has been transformed with a $20-million renovation. The 387-room oceanfront destination offers a stunning new open-air gathering space. The transformation continues with a $30-million renovation to Embassy Suites Myrtle Beach Oceanfront Resort that will be complete in early 2022. The oceanfront is being reimagined with a new pool deck, Brewhouse with garden terrace, a multipurpose lawn with games and firepits, and a children’s waterpark. This ambitious project refreshes a legacy on the Grand Strand and advances it to the next level.
• Ocean Escape Condos by Landmark Resort is now open and features brand-new, second row condos, just steps from Landmark Resort’s main building. One of the newest accommodation options in Myrtle Beach, Ocean Escape is home to two- and three-bedroom condos with new appliances, furniture, bedding, flooring and more.
• Homewood Suites has purchased South Bay Inn and Suites and is remodelling and rebranding oceanfront resort with dozens of family-friendly amenities.
• The Embassy Suites located at Kingston Plantation on the oceanfront has begun renovation of the pool deck early September 2021 with a tentative completion date of May 2022. The renovation of the pool deck will also include an event and gathering space.
Events
• The sixth annual Carolina Country Music Fest (CCMF) will return to Myrtle Beach from June 9-12, 2022. The festival will feature more than 30 top performers including Luke Combs, Eric Church, Darius Rucker, Jake Owen, and more.
For further news, including the latest COVID-19 updates, click HERE.
https://www.VisitMyrtleBeach.com
TRAVEL AGENT CONTEST
To celebrate the return of Canadians and in appreciation of the travel agents who book them, Visit Myrtle Beach is running a trivia contest for Canadian travel counsellors in which one grand prize winner will receive a $500 Visa gift card while five others will receive destination swag bags. The contest ends Nov. 30; to enter, click HERE.