First realize that Myrtle Beach is vastly different from Hilton Head. Each caters to a totally different crowd. Staying at Marriott's Oceanwatch you might expect another HH type experience, but it's not that. Marriott's Oceanwatch is by far the nicest timeshare resort, and it stands alone in that regard. HH is far more upscale overall, and therefore has dozens of really fine restaurants. Myrtle Beach is historically more of a honky tonk beach town, full of college revelers who exist on a budget. It's changing slowly with a lot of nice high rises replacing the 1 & 2-story "motels" along the strip. (A sad thing when I reminisce about the good ole days, but....) It's still really fun, though----can't say Myrtle Beach isn't fun, but remember it's diffferent. Endless activities, neon signs, crowds everywhere you go, music and parties always. Wish I could tell you some stories from my own college days, but it might ruin my image
Note: The huge seafood houses with their endless buffets of fried foods (although you can't tell what exactly is fried) will grow hair on anybody's chest.....yes, anybody's! Try to do your homework and avoid those. Don't trust the long lines out front, they're deceiving----they only tempt you by making you think there's something worthwhile inside. Once you're in you wonder where the food is---certainly it couldn't be "over there" at the feeding troughs, could it??? Run, don't walk, unless you never get out of your tank top because you want to show off your tattoos, and you live for food fights.
That said, there are a few pretty good seafood places, but only a handful, and actually some of the most popular seafood restaurants are located in Murrells Inlet as mentioned. It's worth the trip and it's not far.
Check out these: Bliss, Dave's Dockside, Drunken Jack's, Lee's Inlet Kitchen, Wahoo's Raw Bar.
A few places in Myrtle Beach worthy of trying are:
Sea Captain's House---great location on the water, nice beachy interior on the water, but on very rare occasion inconsistent food. Still, a regular spot when we're there. Never had a bad meal, or even mediocre, and we love it.
Aspen Grille is very good---not as much a "beach experience" but really really good food & service. More quiet and refined, I'd say.
Flamingo Grill is good.
Greg Norman's Grill in N. Myrtle Beach---good food, service.
Cypress Room at Island Vista Resort---nice scenic water views, good food.
Mr. Fish---a really casual locally-owned seafood house with good seafood. Pulaski Deli is different but good....a nice change.
Lots of good Italian restaurants (a handful, look them up on Yelp or Trip Advisor).
Bimini's Oyster Bar---a local's hangout, not fancy at all, great MB spot.
Ocean Annie's---nightly music, good beer, and good food, just fun.
Pawley's Island: couple of really good places at Pawley's Island if you're interested in seeing it ---Bistro 217, Pawley's Raw Bar, Capt's John's.
Also lots of good BBQ places....google those.
Come to think of it, I need to get back to Myrtle.......it all sounds great to me, and I'm ready for some MB music and a cold one.....or three...... And every now and then I'll cheat and order a huge fried seafood platter. Oh, the days. Cheers.
