Interesting Facts

Put your dancin' shoes on! The shag, the official state dance of South Carolina, has been demonstrated on the dance floors of the SC coast since the 1940s. Unlike other popular dances that come and go, the shag has stood the test of time and is being practiced by third and fourth generations.
The Myrtle Beach area has long been known as the Grand Strand. With 60 miles of pristine shoreline, it's no wonder this name has stuck.
Spin the wheel! America's favorite game show hostess, Vanna White, grew up in Myrtle Beach. During her days as a beachcomber, Vanna enjoyed cheering for North Myrtle Beach High School!
That's entertainment! Myrtle Beach brings any and all of the entertainment excitement you could ever want or need! Packed chock full of live entertainment venues, nightclubs and attractions, Myrtle Beach is sure to please visitors of all ages!
Fore! times twenty-five! Well over 100 golf courses dot the landscape of the Grand Strand. Golf courses, including many designed by some of the world's best, are played more than 3 million times each year.
The official reptile of South Carolina is the loggerhead sea turtle. Adult loggerheads average 200-300 pounds and can grow up to 5 feet in length. Even though these turtles are large in size, they are not large in numbers. Only one in 10,000 eggs survives to adulthood, making them a threatened species. Bothering them or their nests is prohibited by law.
Let's eat! From North Myrtle Beach to Georgetown there are more than 2,000 restaurants for all kinds of tastes � Mexican, Japanese, Chinese, Italian, Greek and of course, seafood! Be sure to try some seafood "calabash style." This lightly battered and fried seafood is delicious! One added bonus is the hushpuppies that are served up hot with honey butter! Yum!
Look but don't touch! The sea oats that grow naturally in the sand dunes help prevent beach erosion. The wispy, breezy plants help make the sand dunes stronger. If you do touch, prepare to pay a penalty � it's illegal to cut, break, or destroy them.
Many opportunities abound on the beaches of the Grand Strand. Fishing, swimming and surfing, just to name a few! However, discharging fireworks is illegal within the city limits of municipalities along the coast. Also, you'll have to wait to pop open that "cool one." Open containers of beer, wine and liquor are prohibited on public beach areas.
If you like ghost stories, you'll love two legends of the Grand Strand. Be sure to check out the details behind Alice Belin Flagg and the Gray Man of Pawleys Island. Alice's grave can be found at All Saints Church in Pawleys Island and is a favorite attraction among visitors. Just a hint: If you see the Gray Man, head for the mainland. The Gray Man has been seen just days prior to every major hurricane ... including Hugo in 1989.