Myrtle Beach Weekend

We took a short weekend trip to Myrtle Beach on Dec 14-16.  This was the off season for Myrtle Beach so we weren't able to go swimming or actually go to the beach, but we still had a lot of fun.  The off season also meant less crowds!

We stayed at the Marriott Ocean Watch Villas on the north end of Myrtle Beach.  We had an amazing 2 bedroom suite with a full living room, full kitchen, laundry and large balcony.  Kiley LOVED the hotel because she got her own room and bathroom.

We got to Myrtle Beach on Friday night and just went straight to our hotel.  Saturday we got up and went to Broadway at the beach (an outdoor shopping area).  We did some shopping, ate lunch and went to build-a-bear to get Kiley Rudolf.  She still says that the build-a-bear was her favorite part of the entire trip.

Also at Broadway at the Beach we went to Ripley's Aquarium.  This was probably the best aquarium we've ever been to.  We watched a christmas underwater diving show.  Santa was in the stingray tank along with his mermaid friends.  Kiley got to meet the mermaids later.  The poor mermaids, the water was FREEZING, but it had to be for the sting rays.

 

We also took Kiley down to the pool (one of many pools) at the hotel.  She had a blast.  This hotel was perfect for kids.  I did not go swimming because I forgot my suit :(, but also because it was a bit cold outside and I had an injured arm.  The pool however was heated to a nice 85 degrees.

That night after dinner we went down to the botanical gardens.  In the month of December on Friday and Saturday nights only, the Brookgreen botanical garden has this thing called "A Night of a Thousand Candles".  They basically light up the entire botanical garden with candles and christmas lights.  It was quite amazing.  It was a little expensive, but I think it was worth it.

We loved the trip, and it's only a short 3 hour drive.  We will definitely want to go back maybe in the summer.