Should have been flattened by the tornado that was there the day before! (Myrtle Beach)

Member Name: janeh

Product:	Myrtle Beach
Date:	01/08/01 (161 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good weather, Good road network - easy escape

Disadvantages: Everything about it

The day before we visited Myrtle Beach it had been hit by a very big tornado. We were staying in Charleston, approx 80 miles south and had heard about the tornado in the TV. We had planned to visit Myrtle anyway and decided to go to see not only the area but to be voyeurs and see the damage ($8m) – sad but true!

When we arrived in the area we found a car park and thought we were set for the day. Several of the nearby trees had been blown down and we could see a couple of the taller hotels had some structural damage. Just outside the car park was an amusement park. This had a roller coaster (closed due to damage) and many of the usual rides found in these sorts of places. A bit like a small Blackpool Pleasure Beach.

We ventured down to the beach and didn’t find it too busy. As beaches go it was ok, nothing special, no outstanding features. Probably ideal for families as these was lots of beach and apparently the water is not too deep for the first twenty feet or so. There were also toilets and foot showers available.

We walked along the promenade and found tacky shop after tacky shop. There were also lots of amusement arcades, info centres, cafes etc. Very Clacton! Oh they also seemed to have a thing about tattoos. There were tattoo parlours everywhere, both real and henna.

There is a main road which runs parallel to the beach which is again an abundance of souvenir shops, tattoo parlours, restaurants, amusements etc. There was also a Ripley’s Haunted House and a couple of other attractions that quite honestly didn’t warrant us remembering what they were. There were lots of hotels and motels nearby, but most looked quite seedy, although I’m sure there are better ones around, probably away from the main hubbub of the beach area. Apologies to anyone I have just offended who has stayed in one of these!

We found the whole place a big disappointment. Our biggest disappointment was that the tornado
didn’t do more damage and completely flatten the place.

If you love all the tacky seaside stuff, then this place is ideal, if you have young kids then again this may be ideal for you, we however hated it and didn’t stay around long.

On the drive out of the place you go along a major interstate which has lots of shops and restaurants and the like along both sides. This was a bit better than Myrtle Beach itself and worth visiting if you are staying here.

Obviously not everyone likes the same things and we did not like Myrtle Beach, someone else I am sure will write an opinion absolutely raving about the place, but unfortunately it will not be me!

Summary: