M Y R T L E
B E A C H
Student Guide
2019
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Explore 3 levels of fun with over 100 hands-on interactive STEM exhibits! Classroom activities, lesson plans and science are scavenger hunts a available. Ask about performance opportunities! 1313 Celebrity Circle · Myrtle Beach, SC 29577 · www.wonderworksmb.com
2019
M Y R T L E
B E A C H
Student Guide 6
FUN & GAMES
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SHOWTIME on the GRAND STRAND EDUCATIONAL Experiences EXPLORING the OUTDOORS RESTAURANT Resources
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yrtle Beach is the destination that your youth and student travelers have been looking for. Sixty miles of sandy shoreline should be enough to excite any group of young travelers. But in the cities of the Grand Strand area, the beach is only the beginning. The popularity of Myrtle Beach and nearby communities has led to the creation of a tourism mecca with amusement, entertainment, shopping and outdoor thrills to keep groups busy for days. Educators, youth leaders and others planning trips for young people will find various ways to make the most of the Myrtle Beach bounty. Nature, history and science abound in attractions throughout the area, giving trip organizers a wide menu of educational opportunities for their groups. And the wealth of coastal areas and marshland habitats make for plenty of ways to enjoy a day exploring the great outdoors. Manmade elements enhance the fun throughout the destination. Marquee attractions and amusement areas around town offer plenty of ways for young travelers to let loose and enjoy some high-energy thrills. And theater and entertainment venues throughout the area provide shows as well as backstage programs and performance opportunities for groups. Peruse the pages of this magazine to get some ideas for your next youth and student group trip to Myrtle Beach. To make plans for your visit, contact Sandy Haines, group tour sales manager at the Myrtle Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, at 800-488-8998 OR
SANDY.HAINES@VISITMYRTLEBEACH.COM.
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MYRTLE BEACH STUDENT GUIDE
Fun counts, too N BY SAVANNAH OSBOURN
o matter the age or interests of your students, Myrtle Beach has entertainment opportunities for all of them, from racetracks to water parks and themed golf courses. There are high ropes courses for those who are active and escape rooms for those who enjoy a critical-thinking challenge. Next time you are hunting for that perfect student-group excursion, consider visiting one of these memorable attractions.
OCEANFRONT BOARDWALK AND SKYWHEEL
Home to some of Myrtle Beach’s most iconic attractions and restaurants, the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk and Promenade stretches across 1.2 miles of sandy beach from the 2nd Avenue Pier to 14th Avenue Pier. During the summer months, many events and festivals take place around the boardwalk, including Ocean Boulevard’s Hot Summer Nights, a weekly event from June to September with family activities and live entertainment.
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MYRTLE BEACH STUDENT GUIDE
STUDENTS H AV E A
GREAT TIME O N THE GRAND STRAND
Courtesy Myrtle Waves
YOUNG VISITORS ENJOY THRILLING WATER RIDES AT MYRTLE WAVES.
SKYWHEEL MYRTLE BEACH
Restaurants, hotels, colorful souvenir shops and family attractions line this scenic waterfront strip. Skywheel, next to LandShark Bar and Grill, was the first Ferris wheel of its kind in North America when it opened in 2011 and features 42 climate-controlled gondolas that can seat two to six guests each. The ride carries passengers 187 feet above the city and reveals a panoramic view of the water and the downtown area. Visitors can also check out nearby attractions such as the Nightmare Haunted House, Sling Shot Thrill Ride, Courtesy Myrtle Beach Area CVB Ripley’s Believe It or Not, Gay Dolphin Arcade and Myrtle Beach Zipline Adventure. After a long day on the beach, groups may want to grab a bite to eat at one of the local eateries; popular stops include Sharkey’s Oceanfront Restaurant, New York Pizza Kitchen, Mad Myrtle’s Ice Creamery and Pier 14, Myrtle Beach’s only restaurant and lounge situated directly above the water. One of the newest additions along the boardwalk is RipTydz Oceanfront Grille and Rooftop Bar, a 17,000-square-foot property that features an oceanfront deck and rooftop bar with nightly live music. WWW.MYRTLEBEACHDOWNTOWN.COM Photos courtesy Myrtle Beach Boardwalk
LANDSHARK BAR AND GRILL AND THE SKYWHEEL ON THE MYRTLE BEACH BOARDWALK
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BROADWAY AT THE BEACH
BROADWAY AT THE BEACH
A SWEETS SHOP AT BROADWAY AT THE BEACH
Drawing millions of visitors each year, Broadway at the Beach is widely recognized as one of South Carolina’s most prominent destinations. The expansive entertainment district encompasses nearly 350 acres of restaurants, specialty shops, family attractions, museums, theaters and night clubs catering to all tastes and ages. Throughout this vibrant venue, student travelers will discover world-class attractions such as Ripley’s Aquarium, Legends in Concert, WonderWorks, Dragon’s Lair Fantasy Golf and Backstage Escape Games. At the Hollywood Wax Museum, guests can take a turn on the red carpet and snag a photo with intricate wax replicas of Hollywood legends like Beyoncé, Michael Jackson and Taylor Swift. In late August, The Simpsons in 4D opened as one of the district’s newest attractions, bringing the classic cartoon to life through full-scale renderings of the KwikE-Mart and Aztec Theater. Inside, the convenience store features an array of original items from the show “The Simpsons,” such as Buzz Cola, Duff beer, Heat Lamp hot dogs, Lard Lad Donuts and Squishee frozen drinks. The theater includes a themed lobby and an immersive cinematic experience with title characters Homer, Marge, Lisa, Bart and Maggie. From June to September each year, thousands of people flock to Broadway at the Beach during the evening hours for Summer Nights, a popular series with free nightly music, street performers, face painting and fireworks. WWW.BROADWAYATTHEBEACH.COM
BAREFOOT LANDING
HOLLYWOOD WAX MUSEUM
Photos courtesy Broadway at the Beach
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Nestled along the Intracoastal Waterway, Barefoot Landing is the sister property of Broadway at the Beach and offers a laid-back shopping village setting with more than 100 attractions, restaurants and shops. In addition to hosting national retail brands and local boutiques, the destination caters to young shoppers with imaginative outlets like Hollywood Heroes and Villains, TrickMaster Magic Shop, Purpleologist and Hat Fanatic. Groups can take advantage of several exceptional dining options near the waterfront, from the New Orleansinspired House of Blues to Lulu’s, a classic Southern restaurant created by Lucy Buffett. Overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway, Flying Fish Public Market and Grill features fresh, local seafood, signature low country dishes and a raw bar with shellfish and sushi. Barefoot Landing is also home to a number of unusual wildlife attractions. The self-proclaimed Reptile Capital of the World, Alligator Adventure, contains one of the largest reptile habitats on the planet, housing alligators, lizards, tortoises, macaws and more. At Myrtle Beach MYRTLE BEACH STUDENT GUIDE
Safari’s TIGERS Preservation Station, animal lovers can cuddle with a baby tiger or gibbon for a special photo opportunity. Myrtle Beach Safari also manages a 50-acre tropical nature preserve outside Barefoot Landing, where groups can view additional exotic wildlife during a Wild Encounters Tour or a Night Safari. The preserve’s bestknown tenant is a 900-pound liger named Hercules, the rare crossbred offspring of a lion and a tigress. WWW.BFLANDING.COM
BAREFOOT LANDING Courtesy Barefoot Landing
MYRTLE BEACH PELICANS
Just off Highway 17, across from Broadway at the Beach, Pelicans Ballpark is the home of the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, a minor league baseball team and Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. The beautiful 4,800-seat stadium provides a clean and intimate atmosphere for baseball fans to appreciate America’s favorite pastime and watch future star athletes in action. The ballpark hosts over 70 family-style events throughout the year and features various food and drink
MYRTLE BEACH SAFARI Courtesy MyrtleBeachSafari.com
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MYRTLE BEACH PELICANS Courtesy Myrtle Beach Pelicans
Courtesy Wild Water and Wheels
WILD WATER AND WHEELS
Courtesy Family Kingdom
FAMILY KINGDOM
MYRTLE BEACH FAMILY GOLF
Courtesy Myrtle Beach Family Golf
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promotions, theme nights and postgame fireworks on select dates. During games, patrons can eat their fill of appetizing low-country cuisine like crab cakes and clam strips. Thanks to the team’s affiliation with the Chicago Cubs, the stadium often features Chicago-style food vendors as well. The ballpark frequently welcomes groups of 15 or more for birthday parties, pregame picnics, corporate retreats and other events. For an unforgettable baseball-and-beachparty combo, groups can dip their toes in the sand at the stadium’s exclusive beach area and enjoy an all-you-can-eat buffet. The Bullpen Experience gives groups the opportunity to sit directly above the home bullpen and receive a logo baseball, a pregame autograph session with a Pelicans pitcher and access to an all-you-can-eat buffet. WWW.MILB.COM/MYRTLE-BEACH
WATER PARKS AND GOLF
Myrtle Waves Water Park makes quite a splash as South Carolina’s largest water park. Boasting more than 1.2 million gallons of water, the park features 22 thrilling slides, the Ocean in Motion Wave Pool, a 330,000-gallon lazy river and a 250-foot Racin’ River with a 10-mph current. At Wild Water and Wheels, groups can race, play and swim in one location with five different go-kart tracks, an 18-hole miniature golf course and over a dozen unique water rides, from leisurely inner tube slides to death-defying speed slides that send riders plummeting as fast as 45 mph. Guests can take on the Wipe Out Wave Pool or drift down a 950-foot-long lazy river that winds through cascading waterfalls and rain forest. Right off Ocean Boulevard, Family Kingdom Amusement Park is a charming seaside amusement park with more than 38 rides and activities for all ages. Groups can enjoy a sweeping view of the ocean as they soar through the air on classic rides such as the wooden coaster Swamp Fox or the new steel coaster Twist ’n’ Shout. Other favorites include the Log Flume water ride, Dodgems Bumper Cars and Galleon swinging pirate ship. Before leaving, visitors may also want to swing by Family Kingdom’s second property next door: Splashes Oceanfront Water Park. Myrtle Beach Family Golf offers five themed miniature golf locations in Myrtle Beach: Captain Hook’s Adventure Golf, Dragon’s Lair, Shipwreck Island, Jurassic Golf and Jungle Safari. These imaginative venues bring pirates, dragons and dinosaurs to life as players putt their balls through skull-shaped caves, enchanted ships and more. MYRTLE BEACH STUDENT GUIDE
INTERACTIVE
Myrtle Beach visitors will find no shortage of interactive entertainment along the Grand Strand. At Myrtle Beach Escape Room, groups must work as a team to unlock clues and solve puzzles in a locked room in under an hour. Some of the current themes involve finding a bomb in a theater before it detonates, escaping from a witch’s castle and surviving a zombie apocalypse. Myrtle Beach’s second escape-room attraction, Backstage Escape Games, features two main breakout challenges: Legend of Atlantis and Christmas Is Cancelled. Legend of Atlantis follows an Indiana Jones-themed adventure through a mystical temple, and Christmas Is Cancelled sends participants on a race to recover stolen Christmas gifts from the evil Christmas spirit Krampus. Next door, Backstage Mirror Maze presents a 2,000-square-foot labyrinth with disorienting reflections, sound and light effects, and unexpected corners. Guests can pick up a pair of kaleidoscope glasses to enhance the visual effects.
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MYRTLE WAVES
Courtesy Myrtle Waves
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Billed as the scariest attraction on the East Coast, Nightmare Haunted House has built a long-standing reputation as one of the region’s most authentic haunted experiences. Once the tour begins, guests find themselves in the midst of an unfolding zombie apocalypse as experienced staff appear in full costume and makeup to bring the nightmarish scenario to life. Broadway Grand Prix is guaranteed to bring out every visitor’s competitive side with seven distinct gokart tracks, a rock-climbing wall and two 18-hole miniature golf courses. Another attraction, The Track, takes go-kart racing to a new level with three-story courses and sleek electric go-karts that challenge drivers of all ages. Younger children can take advantage of more moderate activities like bumper boats, arcade games and kiddie karts. Rockin’ Jump Trampoline Park has quickly gained traction as a new favorite among Myrtle Beach patrons. This new state-of-the-art trampoline facility features an extensive open jump area, a slam dunk zone, a dodgeball arena and a ninja challenge course.
BROADWAY GRAND PRIX Courtesy Broadway Grand Prix
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Ripley’s ATTRACTIONS IN ADDITION TO ITS POPULAR AQUARIUM,
the Ripley’s organization operates four other attractions in the Myrtle Beach area that offer fun and educational opportunities for students. • Ripley’s Believe It or Not! — Based on the findings of American entrepreneur and explorer Robert Ripley, this museum explores some of history’s most extraordinary phenomena through interactive exhibits, video footage and artifacts. Visitors will stumble across strange and fascinating items such as mummies, shrunken heads, two-headed animal skulls and ancient torture devices, and much more. • Ripley’s Haunted Adventure — This attraction combines laser tag and haunted house thrills as guests embark on a 20-minute race for survival in a multilevel warehouse-themed building. Live actors dressed as monsters leap from the shadows as players attempt
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to complete the course and shoot down their assailants with laser guns. • Ripley’s 5D Moving Theatre — Featuring two high-impact 3D films, this theater takes guests on an immersive cinematic journey that engages the senses through surround sound, motion seats and special digital effects. During the show, viewers will feel themselves lift off the ground as gusts of air fill the room and snow falls from the ceiling, simulating a wintery roller coaster ride. • Ripley’s Marvelous Mirror Maze — Winding passages, infinity mirrors and more make this maze a thrilling challenge for visitors of all ages. Guests can take their time working through the labyrinth, taking selfies and doing their best not to bump into reflective walls as they search for openings. WWW.RIPLEYS.COM/MYRTLEBEACH
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Peak Performances
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BY SAVANNAH OSBOURN
or many years, Myrtle Beach has been widely recognized for its vibrant entertainment scene, setting the stage for everyone from world-class singers to acrobatic pirates and death-defying magicians. As young musicians, dancers and other artists begin honing their crafts, they can draw upon the expertise and insight of these established performers through workshops, question-and-answer sessions and life-changing performance opportunities.
PIRATES VOYAGE DINNER AND SHOW
Pirates Voyage Dinner and Show invites guests to join Captain Blackbeard and his quartermaster Calico Jack on a daring quest across the seven seas in search of lost treasure. Pirates, mermaids, tropical birds, sea lions and other colorful characters take the stage over the course of the two-anda-half-hour show, regaling audience members with song, dance and aerial acrobatics over a 15-foot-deep lagoon. “The show is packed with action, competition, audience participation and delicious food,� said Christy Cochran,
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MYRTLE BEACH STUDENT GUIDE
ACCOMPLISHED
ARTISTS HEADLINE MYRTLE BEACH VENUES Courtesy Pirates Voyage Courtesy Legends in Concert
STUDENT GROUPS CAN PERFORM AT A VARIETY OF THEATERS IN MYRTLE BEACH, INCLUDING LEGENDS IN CONCERT.
PIRATES VOYAGE
director of sales and marketing. “Most of all, you’ll take home memories of an experience of a lifetime.” As the swashbuckling tale unfolds, groups are treated to a four-course feast of roasted chicken, buttery corn on the cob, barbecued pork, creamy vegetable soup, herb-basted potatoes, Buccaneer Bread and Apple o’ Me Eye pie. Vegetarian and gluten-free options are available upon request. Groups are advised to arrive 50 minutes before the show to attend the preshow in the Pirates Village, where Courtesy Myrtle Beach Area CVB children can watch juggling acts, interact with live animals, join pirate sing-alongs and receive makeovers as pirates or mermaids. For a more customized experience, schools can book the entire theater and incorporate educational components as well as band and choir performances into the show. These private events can accommodate up to 940 guests. WWW.PIRATESVOYAGE.COM
LEGENDS IN CONCERT
The world’s greatest singers come alive at Legends in Concert, a celebrity tribute-show theater that showcases some of the best tribute artists in the business. Thanks to
Courtesy Legends in Concert
LEGENDS IN CONCERT
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STUDENTS PERFORMING AT LEGENDS IN CONCERT
Courtesy Legends in Concert
ASHER THEATER Courtesy Asher Theater
AN ALABAMA THEATRE EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOP
the show’s rotating lineup of artists, travelers will always find new acts to appreciate, from homages to classic stars like Elvis Presley and Aretha Franklin to more contemporary artists such as Adele, Bruno Mars and Christina Aguilera. What’s more, the theater’s intimate 600-seat layout makes it easy for singers and dancers to step out into the aisles and interact with the audience, adding an element of spontaneity to each performance. Student groups can take advantage of the cast’s versatile talents by signing up for dance and band workshops. Groups can also engage in Q&A sessions with the production manager, a tribute artist, a dancer and a tech team member to learn more about the entertainment industry. “There are some dance groups and choirs that come every year,” said Sharon Salyer, the theater’s group sales director. “Once they come and participate in one of our Q&As or workshops or do a performance, they love coming back.” Many student groups arrive at the theater several hours before the main performance to participate in a workshop, then take a dinner break before returning for the evening show. Students can bring their own material to perform as a 15- to 20-minute opening act or join the artists and dancers during one of the musical segments to demonstrate what they learned in the workshop. WWW.LEGENDSINCONCERT.COM/ MYRTLE-BEACH
ASHER THEATRE
Courtesy Alabama Theatre
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Since opening in 2018, Asher Theatre has quickly established a reputation as one of the Grand Strand’s must-see attractions. The theater’s signature show, Man of a Thousand Voices, stars multitalented impressionist and entertainer James Stephens III, who recently returned to his South Carolina roots in Myrtle Beach to give his one-man tribute show a permanent stage. During the performance, Stephens seamlessly transitions between song, dance and comedy as he delivers spot-on impressions of celebrities like Chris Rock, Lil Wayne, Michael Jackson and Nat King Cole. Asher Theatre takes pride in serving as a community center for kids, inspiring young artists through workshops on song, dance, music, art and more. Though Stephens leads many of the classes himself, the theater occasionally brings in other experienced artists to work with the kids. “What students really benefit from at our theater is the depth and breadth of experience that James has to offer,” said Grace Stephens, who owns and runs the theater with her husband, James. “Normally, if you want vocal lessons, you find someone who specializes in that. MYRTLE BEACH STUDENT GUIDE
But here, you have someone who can train you to sing and dance, teach you how to have more showmanship and bring out your personality through comedy.” James Stephens also offers apprenticeship programs for individuals or groups, which can work with him oneon-one to learn more in depth about the entertainment industry. Participants can often perform onstage with Stephens, as an opening act. WWW.ASHERTHEATRE.COM
ALABAMA THEATRE
The Alabama Theatre has been a staple of the Grand Strand since 1993. It was founded by the celebrated country rock band Alabama, whose members began their music careers playing for tips at a local Myrtle Beach nightclub and eventually decided to return to their roots to reinvest in the local community. Throughout the year, the Alabama Theatre presents an energetic variety show called “One the Show” that involves a marvelous blend of singing, dancing, music,
VISITMYRTLEBEACH.COM
STUDENTS PERFORMING AT ALABAMA THEATRE
Courtesy Alabama Theatre
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choreography and comedy. Groups can also take advantage of the theater’s Guest Artist Series, which features touring acts such as Josh Turner, Jay Leno, Wynonna Judd and Three Dog Night. The Alabama Theatre offers several creative opportunities for aspiring young artists, who can perform during the preshow of the main production or participate in a two-hour dance workshop with the dance captain. Students can also take a technical tour of the theater with the production manager for an inside look at what it takes to run a show, from working the lights to the number of stagehands involved. Afterward, the group concludes its visit by taking pictures onstage with members of the cast or production team. “If they’re serious about performing, they get to talk to people who are actually in the business and learn about what it takes to follow your dreams,” said national sales manager Ellen Calhoun. WWW.ALABAMA-THEATRE.COM
GTS THEATRE
Founded in 2016 by former comedy stage hypnotists Beth and Richard Wylde, GTS Theatre is known for its fun, interactive shows. Despite being one of the newest theaters on the Grand Strand, it ranks as one of the top 10 things to do in Myrtle Beach on TripAdvisor. Starring a small but brilliant cast, the theater’s signature show, “Motor City Musical,” pays homage to beloved Motown artists from the ’60s and ’70s such as Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and the Jackson Five. The “Beach Party ’60s Tribute Show” highlights the carefree California Sound of groups like the Beach Boys, Jan and Dean, General Johnson and Nancy Sinatra. GTS Theatre recently debuted a new comedy and stage magic show called “Surprise” that features awardwinning magician Michael Bairefoot. During the Christmas season, the theater presents two entertaining holiday specials: “Motown Christmas Tribute” and “Christmas in Dixie,” a holiday variety show that follows a humorous narrative about a zany country family. Aspiring young artists can gain key insight into the performance industry by setting up a Q&A session with members of the cast and by attending workshops on voice, acting and choreography. WWW.GTSTHEATRE.COM
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MYRTLE BEACH STUDENT GUIDE
GTS THEATRE
THE CAROLINA OPRY
For more than three decades, longtime entertainer Calvin Gilmore has set the standard in variety show entertainment in Myrtle Beach with his award-winning two-hour production the Carolina Opry. Staged inside a beautiful 2,200-seat theater, the show features dazzling costumes, music and dance routines accompanied by state-of-the-art lighting and special effects. Student groups can take advantage of several youthbased programs at the theater, including dance workshops, voice lessons and Q&A sessions with theater staff. During a session called Inside the Carolina Opry, students sit and listen as a moderator conducts informal interviews with different cast members, shedding light on their various backgrounds and experiences. After a half-hour discussion, the students have the opportunity to pose their own questions. “It’s really important to expose kids to the arts in general, so we try to do whatever we can to get groups
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Courtesy GTS Theatre
A STUDENT GROUP AT THE CAROLINA OPRY
Courtesy Carolina Opry
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in there and help them learn about all the different sides of the industry,” said Jordan Gilmore Watkins, vice president and director of marketing at Gilmore Entertainment. “More than anything, they really enjoy talking to the performers and getting a real-life perspective on whatever it is they’re learning, as opposed to learning from a book.” In another program called Professionalism 101, students meet with the company president and members of the production crew to learn about the business side of entertainment, giving them the chance to ask questions about subjects like auditioning, maintaining a job in the industry and pursuing different career paths in theater. WWW.THECAROLINAOPRY.COM
MEDIEVAL TIMES DINNER AND TOURNAMENT
A THEATER WORKSHOP AT THE CAROLINA OPRY
Courtesy Carolina Opry
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At Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament, guests can witness medieval history come to life as they sit down for a four-course feast and watch knights engage in a thrilling competition of swords and horsemanship on
MYRTLE BEACH STUDENT GUIDE
the arena floor. All the weapons used in the performance are made of titanium steel, causing real sparks to fly as knights clash in combat. “A lot of people think the sparks are special effects, but we do fight with authentic swords, and seeing that authenticity is a special experience for students to appreciate and be a part of,” said Amanda Mateo, marketing and sales manager at the theater. “It goes far beyond what you could read in a book.” During the performance, groups are treated to a lavish medieval feast of garlic bread, tomato bisque soup, roasted chicken, sweet buttered corn, herb-basted potatoes and the pastry of the castle. Youth organizations can purchase tickets to studentfocused matinee shows, which include a 20-minute educational presentation before the tournament. During the educational portion, members of the cast step out to speak with the students about medieval history, highlighting topics such as chivalry and the importance of not bullying. The show offers a discounted rate for student groups, with one complimentary admission for every 20 tickets purchased. Special accommodations can be made for homeschool groups. WWW.MEDIEVALTIMES.COM
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MEDIEVAL TIMES DINNER AND TOURNAMENT
Courtesy Medieval Times
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Lifelong Interests M BY SAVANNAH OSBOURN
yrtle Beach is full of opportunities to take learning beyond the classroom, from science and art museums with interactive programs to beautiful gardens where students can learn to identify native wildlife. These attractions foster curiosity and creativity in dynamic, hands-on settings, often leaving students with new passions and unforgettable memories. Here are some of the best educational attractions Myrtle Beach has to offer.
RIPLEY’S AQUARIUM
At Ripley’s Aquarium, student groups can uncover the mysteries of the ocean as they reinforce classroom learning through engaging hands-on exhibits. One of Myrtle Beach’s most beloved attractions, the aquarium houses a vivid variety of wildlife, from poison dart frogs and piranhas in the Rio Amazon to octopuses and weedy sea dragons in the Living Gallery. Guests can pick up a horseshoe crab, one of the world’s rarest living fossils, and stroke the silky fins of stingrays as they glide past in Friendship Flats. In the Dangerous Reef, groups can follow a 340-foot-long moving
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MYRTLE BEACH STUDENT GUIDE
KIDS’
CURIOSITIES ARE STIRRED IN MYRTLE BEACH
Photos courtesy Ripley’s Aquarium Courtesy Burroughs-Chapin Art Museum
YOUNG VISITORS CREATE THEIR MASTERPIECES AT BURROUGHS AND CHAPIN ART MUSEUM.
RIPLEY’S AQUARIUM’S JELLYFISH EXHIBIT
walkway through a glass tunnel as green sea turtles, sand tiger sharks and green moray eels drift overhead. Ripley’s Aquarium offers a number of distinct experiences and educational programs for groups. Sleep With the Sharks provides groups the rare opportunity to spend the night at the aquarium amid the luminescent tanks and colorful fish. Activities usually involve a scavenger hunt, a dive show, a late-night snack and admission to the aquarium the following day. During the Stingray Experience, guests are treated to a behind-the-scenes tour of the aquarium, followed by an extraordinary hands-on session with stingrays in their Courtesy Myrtle Beachtank. Area CVB There are also several educational classes geared to children in preschool through 12th grade during which students learn about key subjects such as fossils, invertebrates, marine habitats and ocean conservation. WWW.RIPLEYAQUARIUMS.COM/MYRTLEBEACH
WONDERWORKS
It is hard to miss the giant upside-down mansion at Broadway at the Beach with palm trees dangling from the foundation. According to WonderWorks’ origin myth, the building functioned as a top-secret laboratory in the Bermuda Triangle until an experiment gone awry blew it all the way to Myrtle Beach, hence the weathered, A HANDS-ON WORKSHOP AT RIPLEY’S AQUARIUM
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overturned exterior. Fortunately, the wonderful experiments and technology within remained intact. A self-proclaimed amusement park for the mind, WonderWorks combines fun and learning with more than 100 hands-on exhibits that explore the STEM fields: science, technology, engineering and mathematics. As student groups make their way through the Wonder Zones, they can learn about fascinating phenomena like natural disasters, physics, light and sound, space discovery and optical illusions. In the Natural Disaster Zone, visitors can become human lighting rods as they place their hands inside a steel armor glove and watch 100,000 volts of electricity channel through a Tesla coil. Other highlights include a hurricane simulator, a bubble lab, a 6D Extreme Motion Ride and a multilevel glow-in-the-dark ropes course. Just inside the building, guests can take a spin on the 360 Bike, which rotates a full 360 degrees. To make the most of this educational playground, educators can download lesson plans, scavenger hunts and other materials from the WonderWorks website. WWW.WONDERWORKSONLINE.COM/ MYRTLE-BEACH
Courtesy WonderWorks
A WONDERWORKS EXPERIENCE
ZIP LINING AT WONDERWORKS Courtesy WonderWorks
CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF SOUTH CAROLINA
EDVENTURE MYRTLE BEACH
Formerly known as the Children’s Museum of South Carolina, EdVenture Myrtle Beach provides a wonderful creative space for younger children to play, climb and create without the rules and limitations that characterize so many other museums. In 2015, the museum merged with EdVenture in Columbia, South Carolina, the largest children’s museum in the Southeast, allowing the two educational facilities to pool their resources, outreach programs and exhibit materials. Thanks to the merger, EdVenture Myrtle Beach can now rotate its exhibits more frequently and bring in materials that appeal to a broader age group. Catering to ages 8 and under, the 7,500-square-foot facility features hands-on activities like arts and crafts, foam building blocks, giant chess and gem mining. Guests can step into a hurricane simulator or study the constellations in a planetarium. At the gem mining station, children can learn about the differences between precious stones like rose quartz, hematite and quartz crystal. There are also a number of imaginative setups for role-playing games, such as a weather station, a construction site, a pizza delivery truck and a pirate ship playground with costumes. Local schools frequently schedule field trips to the museum, using the interactive exhibits to reinforce lessons on weather, outer space, geology and physics. Friendly museum staff are always available to guide groups. WWW.EDVENTURE.ORG
Photos by Carl Kerridge, courtesy Children’s Museum of SC
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MYRTLE BEACH STUDENT GUIDE
BURROUGHS-CHAPIN ART MUSEUM
Located in a lovely vintage beach house, the Franklin G. Burroughs-Simeon B. Chapin Art Museum is a small but dedicated organization that promotes regional artwork and strives to generate passion for the arts through hands-on community programming. The museum’s 11 rotating galleries showcase a variety of art mediums, including painting, textiles, sculpture, photography, ceramics and video. “Our classes are always inspired by the artwork on display, and the exhibits change every three to four months, so children are always learning something new,” said Tracey Roode, education coordinator at the museum. Since many of the museum’s featured artists live in the surrounding community, visitors can often interact with them directly through artist receptions, seminars and exclusive tours. In addition to its seasonal offerings of art classes and programs, the museum recently completed a beautiful pottery studio beneath the building where aspiring artists ages 15 and up can participate in professionally led pottery classes in either three- or six-week-long sessions. Many educators prefer to schedule a 90-minute field trip that includes a guided tour of the current exhibits followed by a hands-on workshop in the studio. WWW.MYRTLEBEACHARTMUSEUM.ORG
VISITMYRTLEBEACH.COM
BURROUGHS-CHAPIN ART MUSEUM
Courtesy Burroughs and Chapin Art Museum
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BROOKGREEN GARDENS
HOPSEWEE PLANTATION
Courtesy Hopsewee Plantation
Courtesy Brookgreen Gardens
AN EDUCATIONAL ENCOUNTER AT BROOKGREEN GARDENS
Founded in 1931 by Archer and Anna Hyatt Huntington, Brookgreen Gardens was the first public sculpture garden in the country. Today, the 9,127-acre property contains the nation’s largest and most comprehensive collection of American sculpture, in addition to beautifully landscaped gardens, nature trails, a butterfly habitat and a native wildlife zoo. Brookgreen Gardens offers a robust selection of educational programs and classes for student groups, home-school groups, scout groups and other youth organizations. Every Wednesday, the garden’s vice president for creative education, Ron Daise, leads an interactive 50-minute Gullah lecture series. Attendees are encouraged to participate in the presentation like a game show as Daise shares some of the most fascinating historical aspects of Gullah Geechee culture. The Zookeeper for a Day program provides students a glimpse into the everyday components of running a zoo. During Scout Days, scout groups have the opportunity to earn badges while exploring the zoo and gardens. Homeschool groups can attend a special homeschool program on the third Thursday of each month during the school year. Every month highlights a new theme, with past topics such as Nature’s Believe It or Not; In the Garden; and Fur, Feathers and Scales. The programs are led by nature education coordinators, who often incorporate an experiment or craft into the class. WWW.BROOKGREEN.ORG
HOPSEWEE PLANTATION
BROOKGREEN GARDENS Courtesy Brookgreen Gardens
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Nestled amid sweeping live oak trees by the North Santee River, Hopsewee Plantation was once home to one of the largest rice plantations in the South. The beautiful 1740s-era manor house on the property originally belonged to Thomas Lynch Jr., a Revolutionary War leader and one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. Now a private residence and a National Historic Landmark, Hopsewee Plantation is open to the public for guided tours and private events. Visitors begin their tour with a 10-minute introductory video in one of the surviving slave cabins on the property, then follow a guide through the historic manor and grounds. Afterward, groups can stop by the River Oak Cottage next door for an authentic low-country lunch or Southern tea. Among the restaurant’s delectable dishes are blue cheese spinach quiche, okra fritters, sweet potato casserole, and pimento cheese and biscuits. Scavenger hunts are a popular way for student groups to explore some of the property’s rich history. With advance notice, educators can sometimes bring in a local Gullah historian to shed light on the history of rice planting, basket weaving and other important cultural factors in the plantation’s past. Students visiting Hopsewee Plantation can also learn MYRTLE BEACH STUDENT GUIDE
to weave sweet grass baskets, an important low-country tradition dating back to the 17th century when West African slaves first introduced the practice in America. WWW.HOPSEWEE.COM
SOUTH CAROLINA HALL OF FAME
Based inside the Myrtle Beach Convention Center, the South Carolina Hall of Fame pays homage to some of South Carolina’s most significant historical figures. There are 80 portraits on display; each features a brief biography and the individual’s outstanding contributions to state history in the fields of art, science, education, business, literature, sports, medicine and other areas of interest. The honor roll of inductees includes individuals who were born in South Carolina and gained recognition for achievements outside the state, as well as people who were born elsewhere and later built a life and career in South Carolina. Though portraits are no longer commissioned for new inductees, visitors can access their names and information on audiovisual displays throughout the museum. During their visit, students can learn about the Palmetto State’s rich past, tracing as far back as the French and Spanish explorers of the 16th century. WWW.THEOFFICIALSCHALLOFFAME.COM
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SOUTH CAROLINA HALL OF FAME
Courtesy SC Hall of Fame
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Learning Without Walls
N
BY SAVANNAH OSBOURN
ature often serves as the best classroom, and student travelers will find so many opportunities to experience wildlife and outdoor recreation along the Grand Strand. Here are several scenic attractions your group will not want to miss.
MYRTLE BEACH STATE PARK
Spanning 312 acres of beautiful, densely wooded coastline, Myrtle Beach State Park provides a peaceful escape from Myrtle Beach’s bustling attractions and downtown area. Along the park’s one-mile stretch of pristine beach, visitors can comb the sand for ocean treasures or visit the fishing pier to gaze out over the water. Horseback riding, bird-watching, geocaching and swimming are some of the park’s most popular activities. Travelers can take advantage of several lovely hiking and equestrian trails. The Sculpted Oak Nature Trail and
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MYRTLE BEACH STUDENT GUIDE
MYRTLE BEACH’S
OUTDOORS APPEALS TO K I D S
Courtesy Go Ape
VISITORS SOAR 50 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND AND WATER AT GO APE ZIP LINE AND TREETOP ADVENTURE.
MYRTLE BEACH MARINE LIFE
the Yaupon Trail wind through one of the last remaining sections of maritime forest on the northern coast of South Carolina; they reveal a rich ecosystem of birds, reptiles, amphibians and other wildlife. The park also houses a small but active nature center with natural history displays, reptile exhibits, a saltwater aquarium, an aviary and a butterfly garden. Throughout the year, the center offers hands-on educational classes such as Snake Feeding 101, Butterfly Tagging, Park Jeopardy, Honey Bees inCourtesy Your Environment, and Nature Myrtle Beach Area CVB Rocks. Guided historical tours, sea turtle patrolling and interviews with park rangers are also offered. Educators can download bird-watching guides, scavenger hunt handouts and other materials from the Myrtle Beach State Park website. WWW.SOUTHCAROLINAPARKS.COM/ MYRTLE-BEACH
SUNSET AND SEA LIFE CRUISES
Of all that South Carolina’s low country region has to offer, there is nothing quite like the sunset view over the tidal creeks and saltwater marshland along the Atlantic coast. Based in Murrells Inlet, Sunset and Sea Life
Photos courtesy Myrtle Beach State Park
MYRTLE BEACH STATE PARK
VISITMYRTLEBEACH.COM
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SEA KAYAKING Courtesy Myrtle Beach Area CVB
Courtesy Crazy Sister Marina
Courtesy Myrtle Beach Area CVB
A WATERCRAFT ADVENTURE
CRAZY SISTER MARINA
RADICAL ROPES
Courtesy Radical Ropes
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Cruises offers a magical 75-minute sunset cruise every night, providing a great way to wind down after a long day exploring town. This cruise gives groups the chance to experience the untouched beauty of remote islands and marshes as the sun casts myriad colors over the water. Thanks to the covering on the pontoon boat, passengers can enjoy the shade without their view being obscured. Sunset and Sea Life Cruises also features the twohour Saltwater Marsh Narrated Eco Cruise, which highlights the history and ecology of the area. Led by an experienced local guide, student groups can learn about the flora and fauna of the salt marsh as they come across native wildlife such as rare migratory birds resting in trees and alligators sunning themselves on the edges of sandy banks. They also get hands-on experiences with crabs, sea urchins and sand dollars. Once a month on clear nights, groups can enjoy a Full Moon Cruise to witness the moonlight splayed across the waterfront. WWW.VISITMURRELLSINLET.COM
CRAZY SISTER MARINA
Based in the sleepy fishing village of Murrells Inlet, the Crazy Sister Marina offers one of the region’s most diverse selections of boat rentals, themed cruises and water activities. Some of the rental options include sportfishing boats, banana boats, pontoons, jet skis, kayaks, paddleboards and inflatable dragon boats. Students can climb aboard the New Inlet Princess for a two-hour deep-sea fishing voyage along the Continental Shelf and Gulf Stream, where they can snag their very own “catch of the day” as they hunt for bottom feeders like triggerfish, black sea bass and vermilion snapper. The New Inlet Princess features a luxurious climatecontrolled cabin and a spacious open-air deck, allowing guests to enjoy an ocean excursion at any time of year. Groups can also take advantage of a four-hour afternoon shark-fishing trip in search of Atlantic sharpnose sharks and grunts sharks up to three feet long. Touted as the most popular ecotour on the Grand Strand, the Saltwater Marsh Eco Tour takes groups on a two-hour boat excursion into the mysterious reaches of the Murrells Inlet salt marsh, where they can expect to find wild crabs, oysters, sea turtles, herons and alligators. At one point, the guide pulls a live crab trap out of the water to show guests the curious crustaceans up close. Later, groups have the chance to disembark onto one of the sandy banks and comb the shore for shells. Younger children will enjoy the 75-minute Pirate Ship Adventure aboard the Barefoot Bounty, which includes activities like face painting, water cannon battles and treasure hunts. WWW.CRAZYSISTER.COM MYRTLE BEACH STUDENT GUIDE
ROPES COURSES
Aerial adventure parks can serve as a great way to bolster confidence and team building with students. Nestled amid a beautiful five-acre forest, Radical Ropes Adventure Course caters to all ages and skill levels with a variety of treetop obstacle courses, rock-climbing walls and zip lines. Each visit begins with a brief safetytraining session. Over the course of two and a half hours, kids have free rein to explore the park as they climb over log bridges, swinging steps and more, with some levels rising as high as 55 feet. One section includes a 70-foot-tall climbing wall and the Leap of Faith platform, from which climbers can rappel back down using an automatic belay system. In the KidZips area, children aged 4 to 8 can have their own adventures on small-scale zip lines and obstacles under 10 feet tall. Go Ape Zip Line and Treetop Adventure is another aerial park in the area that encourages guests to push
VISITMYRTLEBEACH.COM
GO APE ZIP LINE AND TREETOP ADVENTURE Courtesy Go Ape
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Photos courtesy Huntington State Park
their limits as they climb through a series of challenges in a canopy of trees nearly 50 feet off the ground. The Treetop Adventure Course caters to guests aged 10 and up with fun obstacles like rope ladders, zip lines, moving bridges and swinging ropes. For younger visitors, the TreeTop Junior section includes a one-hour beginners course to help kids feel comfortable as they navigate 20 child-size obstacles and two zip lines. WWW.GOAPE.COM WWW.RADICALROPES.COM
HUNTINGTON STATE PARK
SCENES AT HUNTINGTON STATE PARK
Just south of Murrells Inlet, Huntington State Park is one of South Carolina’s most distinctive natural landmarks. This 2,500-acre spread of lush marshland and sand dunes supports a vibrant ecosystem of wildlife such as alligators, loggerhead turtles and more than 300 species of birds. There are many reasons why travelers love returning to Huntington State Park, from top-notch surf fishing to seaside camping and some of the best bird-watching opportunities that South Carolina has to offer. Nature trails weave throughout the saltwater marsh, passing an observation tower as well as a freshwater lake where alligators and the occasional mink might be lurking. Student groups can learn more about the history and ecology of this biodiverse area at the park’s education center, which offers wildlife programs such as Secrets of the Salt Marsh, Spineless Wonders and Coastal Birding. The park was founded during the Great Depression by local philanthropists Archer and Anna Hyatt Huntington, who also established the exquisite public sculpture garden Brookgreen Gardens on the other side of Highway 17. The Huntingtons’ former winter home, Atalaya Castle, still stands on the property, and visitors can gain new appreciation for the couple’s legacy as they wander through the Moorish-style ruins. Various community events and festivities are held at the castle throughout the year, including the Atalaya Arts and Crafts Festival and the Atalaya Fall Festival and Haunted Castle. WWW.SOUTHCAROLINAPARKS.COM/ HUNTINGTON-BEACH
HURRICANE FLEET MARINA
HURRICANE FLEET MARINA
Courtesy Hurricane Fleet Marina
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Serving the Myrtle Beach community since 1948, Hurricane Fleet Marina offers exceptional deep-sea fishing excursions and dolphin cruises along the Gulf Stream of the Atlantic Ocean. The company is based on the region’s closest ocean port, allowing guests to make the most of their time on the water. MYRTLE BEACH STUDENT GUIDE
DEEP-SEA FISHING WITH THE HURRICANE FLEET
The half-day fishing trip is the most popular option for families and students. This four-and-a-half-hour excursion takes groups over coral reefs and wrecks up to 15 miles offshore, where they will encounter colorful fish like king mackerel, barracudas, cobia sharks, sea bass and yellowfin tuna. Groups can pack their own lunches or pick up something to eat at the ship’s snack bar. During the four-hour Dolphin Adventure Cruise, groups step aboard a 90-foot vessel for the afternoon as they lounge, enjoy the ocean views and keep an eye out for marine wildlife. Since Hurricane Fleet owns and operates its own shrimp boat, the Dolphin Adventure Cruise is able to pull alongside it and give passengers a front-row view as fishermen harvest their catches, pulling lively spreads of shrimps, crabs, starfish and other marine life onto the deck. Porpoises and sharks often feed off “by-catches,” fish unintentionally caught in the shrimp nets, providing some wonderful photo opportunities. WWW.HURRICANEFLEET.COM
Courtesy Hurricane Fleet Marina
Welcome Student Groups! ®
If your team, church group, or school organization is looking for a great North Myrtle Beach oceanfront location, Avista Resort is definitely the place! We can provide everything you need for a comfortable stay. Ask us about conference rooms, group rates, and more! VISITMYRTLEBEACH.COM
CALL TO BOOK: 1-866-446-0012
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300 N. Ocean Blvd. | North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582 | avistaresort.com
M Y R T L E
B E A C H
Student Guide STUDENT GROUP RESTAURANTS
HARD ROCK CAFÉ MYRTLE BEACH
THE ORIGINAL BENJAMIN’S CALABASH SEAFOOD
1318 C E L E B R I T Y C I R C L E
9593 N O R T H K I N G S H I G H WAY
843- 946 - 0 0 07 After a day of exploring one of South Carolina’s great seaside gems, step inside the uniquely stylish NEW! Hard Rock Café. Our cuisine is All-American and features a wide variety of burgers, steaks and seafood along with fresh salads and delicious comfort foods such as Twisted Mac & Cheese with Chicken.
843- 4 49 - 0821 The Original Benjamin’s Calabash Seafood is the largest restaurant in Myrtle Beach; it features 1,000 seats, 11 dining rooms and the largest collection of nautical antiques in the Southeast. Shrimp and grits, blackened grouper and tomato pie are just a few of the savory Southern-style options available at our famous buffet.
W W W. H A R D R O C K .C O M / C A F E S /
W W W.TH E O R IG I N A LB E N JA M I N S .C O M
M Y R T L E - B E AC H
ANGELO’S STEAK & PASTA
MEDIEVAL TIMES DINNER & TOURNAMENT
2311 S . K I N G S H I G H WAY
290 4 FA N TA S Y WAY
843- 626 -280 0 Welcome to Angelo’s Steak & Pasta, home of “The Greatest Steaks in the Universe” and the Grand Strand’s finest all-you-can-eat Italian buffet. All of our entrees and buffet are authentic family Italian recipes with our own personal touch. Individual dining rooms for large groups available. W W W. A N G E LO S TE A K A N D PAS TA .C O M
DAVE & BUSTER’S 1322 C E L E B R I T Y C I R C L E
843- 945 -350 0 Dave & Buster’s in the ultimate combination of Food and Fun! The food is always fresh and there’s always something new! From wings to New York strips, we’ve got it all. While dining, your group can also enjoy playing hundreds of state-of-the-art games or watch sports on tons of massive HDTVS. W W W. DAV E A N D B U S T E R S .C O M / L O C AT I O N S / M Y R T L E - B E AC H
THORNY’S 60 0 S O U T H K I N G S H I G H WAY
888 -W E - J O U S T Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament transports guests to 11th-century Spain with a gripping live performance of sword fighting and jousting. Guests feast on garlic bread, tomato bisque soup, roasted chicken, sweet buttered corn, herb-basted potatoes, the pastry of the Castle, coffee and two rounds of select beverages.
843- 4 48 -2333 Located in downtown Myrtle Beach, Thorny’s is the city’s top restaurant destination for food, sports and fun! With more than 50 televisions and satellite entertainment, mouth-watering appetizers and award-winning entrees, it’s the perfect place for your students to eat during a trip to Myrtle Beach. The menu features burgers, ribs, steaks and seafood, as well as great options for kids and craft beers for adults.
W W W. M E D I E VA LT I M E S .C O M
W W W.T H O R N YS .C O M
PIRATES VOYAGE DINNER & SHOW 8 9 07 N . K I N G S H IG H WAY 8 4 3 - 4 97- 970 0
Pirates Voyage Dinner and Show takes guests on a swashbuckling adventure across the seven seas, where they encounter pirates, mermaids, sea lions tropical birds and more. Guests will enjoy a four-course feast that includes our Voyager Creamy Vegetable Soup, Buccaneer Bread, Half O’Roasted Chicken, BBQ Pork, Buttery Corn, Herb-basted Potato, Apple O’Me Eye Pie and unlimited Pepsi, tea or coffee.
ULTIMATE CALIFORNIA PIZZA GAME ZONE 959 L A K E A R R O W H E A D R OA D
843- 4 49 -1160 Enjoy our high-energy games, then settle down for some of the best gourmet pizza the beach has to offer. Our menu offers a wide selection of specialty pizzas, build-your-own pizzas, fresh salads and sandwiches. We offer a buffet package for groups of 25 guests or more. W W W.U C P G A M E Z O N E .C O M
W W W. PI R AT E SVOYAG E .C O M
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MYRTLE BEACH STUDENT GUIDE
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