where to stay for first timers

My husband and I have traveled a lot, but for some reason never made it to Myrtle Beach. We are a couple who would like to stay where we can walk to many attractions, restaurants, nightlife, and the beach, also are there some weeks in the spring or fall where there are events we should avoid? What is the best time to visit?Thank you for any insight you can give us

where to stay for first timers

Hi Cowgirl,

I can%26#39;t really tell you where would be the best place to stay to be within walking distance to a lot of attractions, because we have always stayed at Forest Dunes which is lovely and on a quieter end of the beach but not within walking distance of a whole lot of attractions.

My main objective in replying to your post is to let you know that unless you enjoy black leather, chrome and semi-nude girls, you need to avoid Myrtle Beach at all costs during Bike Week, which is held there every May. I checked a calendar of events for 2007 and Bike Week this year will be May 11-20, followed by Black Bike Week from May 25-28. You may want to double check these dates, but that is what the websites I looked at said. I myself have never been there during Bike Week, but one time my sister and her family inadvertantly coincided their vacation with the first weekend of it and she said ';NEVER AGAIN!!!'; I guess it gets pretty raunchy, and that%26#39;s too bad, because MB is normally such a nice, family-oriented place to go. Another thing to keep in mind is that the S. Ocean Blvd. area has more of the ';Spring Break'; atmosphere--booze, bikinis, etc. Where we stayed, although as I said, it isn%26#39;t within walking distance of a lot of attractions, it was much quieter and family-oriented. The only women we saw in bathing suits were senior citizens or moms of young kids. I guess where you stay depends on what type of experience you want to have. Hopefully some of the locals on this board can help you out with that more than I can.

Have fun! : - )

where to stay for first timers

There%26#39;s 3 or 4 hotels right across from Broadway At The Beach which offers a choice of at least 5 night clubs,numerous restaurants and shopping. These hotels may have a shuttle service to the beach which is about 2.5 miles away.MBConcierge can probably get all the names for you and maybe even suggest one.

Sultana,

We stay at Forest Dunes also.Did you know that they will be doing some big renovation work during Feb. March and April?

Tonymik,

No, I didn%26#39;t know that Forest Dunes was going to be doing renovations. We haven%26#39;t been to MB since 2001 and I really, really want to go back! We have never had a bad experience at Forest Dunes. Do you know how extensive the renovations are going to be? I hope they don%26#39;t make it so fancy that they jack up the prices a lot. That%26#39;s one of the things I have always liked about Forest Dunes--for being clean, safe and quiet the rates are so reasonable. I know that there are places that are more sophisticated and have bigger pools and lazy rivers, but we don%26#39;t need all of that. We love Forest Dunes! What type of unit do you get when you stay there? We got the one bedroom oceanview room the first couple of times we stayed there and went with the one bedroom oceanfront the last time. Even though we really don%26#39;t need three bedrooms, I have always wanted to try one of the three bedroom oceanfront suites. They look so wonderful in the brochure.

I%26#39;d suggest the last couple of weeks in April and Sheraton Broadway Plantation.

Sultana,

They will be replacing the outside shell material that covers the hotel along with updating weather sealant on windows.I believe they will also be trying to fix the pitch of the outside balconies as some units get standing water in front of their doors after heavy rains.This work is scheduled to take place over the next 3 years during Jan.,Feb, March and maybe April each year.

We usually stay in a 3 bedroom unit owned by a friend. Its on the 16th floor and with the floor to ceiling windows in the living room the view is gorgeous.I feel Forest Dunes offers some of the best views in all of Myrtle Beach.

Any place around the Broadway At the Beach area would be some great options (I really like the Hampton there!) If you prefer OF....and would like to be close to things to do, and within walking distance (approx 2 miles) to Broadway at the Beach...you may want to check out Breakers Resort and specify the Paradise Tower.

You have a number of places to grab a bite, and my fav little beach bar and grille....Bummz. Great music and karaoke! As for times to avoid...depends on how much you like or dislike crowds....May is a very ';curious and weird'; month...some prefer, some dont (%26#39;nuff said, LOL)....then we have ';senior week'; in June, usually the first couple weeks, the beach becomes ';High School, the beach musical';...then the week around the 4th of July....August is really humid, and dog days...but you%26#39;ve got the ocean to cool you off...my fav time of year...late Sept early Oct....water is still warm, the skiies are really blue, and its just a great time at the beach!

Tony....

They have begun the work at the Forest Dunes....Looks like they will just do a little bit at a time....

:)