Surviving the Boardwalk at Myrtle Beach
The Boardwalk at Myrtle Beach is the hub for many vacation goers who travel to South Carolina. The one mile strip contains attractions that entice travelers of all ages, with the breeze of the beautiful Myrtle Beach shoreline as a backdrop. The Boardwalk experience was one we weren’t entirely prepared for: Opportunity was on every corner and opportunity could spot the suckers with four impressionable kids.
Ripley’s Believe It or Not Odd-Itorium: Ripley’s had caught our son Leo’s eye back on our Hessling family trip to Gatlinburg in 2020. At the time, we had promised him we would go sometime in the future. Once he saw the misshapen building on the corner of Ocean Boulevard, he reminded us of our pact and our hand was forced. But we are most grateful that he did. Ripley’s Believe It or Not Odd-Itorium was the perfect daytime vacation activity on the Boardwalk. The price for entry is a bit steep, but it was money well spent. We lasted nearly two hours moving from one “oddity” to the next inside the air conditioned building. The kids, and adults, were captivated by the wide variety of strange, and stunning anecdotes and facts. Our minds were blown. Mission accomplished.
Myrtle Beach Fries: It’s next to impossible to truly experience the Boardwalk without visiting at least one of the numerous snack shops available. While there are numerous sit-down restaurants available, the smell of the street food is enough to stop you in your tracks. We practiced our best self-control and made one stop for food at the popular Myrtle Beach Fries location on Ocean Boulevard. They offer everything from fresh cut french fries to hot wings, but we settled for sodas for all and a funnel cake to share as we walked the strip. We’ve learned that if there are funnel cakes available then we will purchase one. Funnel cakes are Jen’s weakness.
Airbrush T- Shirts by Beach Creations: Airbrush t-shirts were at their height in popularity during the 80s and 90s. At any given time in my youth, you could find at least one or two airbrush t-shirts stuffed in my dresser. These colorful and personalized t-shirts served as a tangible way to remember a vacation. We wanted our kids to share in this experience so we decided to check out the airbrush t-shirt market of the 2020s for the first time. We happened upon a storefront that offered a wide selection of shirts with countless graphics to choose from. After consulting with the airbrush artist, we allowed each child to choose their favorite colors and graphic. We came up with a unifying design for our first ever family airbrush t-shirt. The artist quoted us the “small” price of $460 for six airbrush t-shirts. There was an awkward silence as Jen and I looked at each other. Over $75 for a standard cotton t-shirt? We felt defeated: Airbrush t-shirts would not be a part of our vacation narrative. The artist sensed our hesitation and was quick to work with us to get the price down. We ended up simplifying our designs, going for stock graphics as opposed to the entirely custom look we were initially hoping for. After some negotiating, I was able to get the price down closer to $150 total which was something we could justify. The price still seemed quite steep, but we were convinced that we needed matching United Pates of America airbrush t-shirts and paid the price; it is vacation after all! We placed our order and picked it up at Beach Creations a few hours later when the t-shirts were finished. I’ve gotta believe that these airbrush novelties weren’t always so expensive and our families weren’t paying this much back in the day.
Fun Plaza Family Fun Center: The air-conditioned respite at the sprawling Fun Plaza Family Fun Center on Ocean Boulevard was welcomed after spending a few blocks on the Boardwalk. The arcade houses both vintage and modern games for all ages. The arcade wasn’t too crowded, but it was still tricky to keep all kids within arm’s reach during this expedition. We divided and conquered: Jen took the girls and I took the boys. We filled up a gaming Fun Card for each kid and let them loose. It was great to see them revel in some of the modern interactive games such as the Jurassic Park Arcade, but it was especially entertaining to see their joy when playing old-school games like Skee-Ball and Pop-a-Shot. Of course, tickets are awarded for high scores so before we left the kids were able to walk out with a small token of their efforts which may or may not have lasted for a few hours before it was broken or lost. So it goes.
Hair wraps: Is it even a beach vacation if no one gets a hair wrap? Jenny has fond memories of hair wraps while on vacation as a child. As we walked the boardwalk, it was clear that Siena and Esme were going to experience the delight of having your hair tightly wound with your favorite colors of thread, and maybe a few beads, for the first time. The whole process took about 25 minutes total, but the weeks (and even months for Esme!) it lasted in their hair, made them feel beautiful, confident, and special. It was another constant reminder of one of their favorite family vacations. Certainly worth the time and the money. I believe Jenny still regrets not getting one.
SkyWheel: By the time the sun had set we were ready to make our final stop along the Boardwalk before packing up and heading back to our hotel. We ordered tickets for the Myrtle Beach SkyWheel online. Good thing we did because the line had grown quite long as the night took over. The SkyWheel is an amazing structure that stands nearly 200 feet tall. The modern ferris wheel is designed for safety and enjoyment. There are 42 gondolas on the SkyWheel; each one enclosed with glass and climate controlled. You can fit up to six people in each cart which was perfect for us. The complete ride lasts around 10 minutes, but it feels longer than that. The orbital trips are thrilling, especially once you are at the peak. From the aerial view you can look down on the Sling Shot Thrill Ride as thrill-seekers are launched nearly 300 feet in the air at a speed of up to 100 mph. Each time we witnessed a launch we were just grateful that it wasn’t us being shot into the dark sky. Of course, the real thrill on any ferris wheel comes when the ride comes to a stop as each car is emptied. Once frozen at the top of the wheel, you can look down on what feels like miles of Myrtle Beach night life. It was frightening, but also exhilarating. The kids loved it and were fearless, of course; but the parents were breathing heavily as we tried to keep them in their seats and away from the damn door!
