Myrtle Beach Family Vacation
Our Hotel
Our Myrtle Beach Vacation began at the La Quinta Inn. We had to book a place that would let us bring our beautiful Morkie (Maltese + Yorkie). It wasn’t as posh as a house on the French Riviera, but it was clean, pretty, and a whole lot nicer than what I thought it would be. We were right across from the iconic Ferris wheel at Broadway at the Beach. There was a nice little pond on the property with turtles and a duck family. It always amazes me to see nature surrounded by parking lots and restaurants.
Coastal Bohemian Art Studio
Next, we went to see my blogger friend Michele Michael. She and I are co-hostesses of the Funtastic Friday Link Party. She owns an art studio, The Coastal Bohemian, in Myrtle Beach. It was so nice to meet her in person! Hubby (did y’all know that bloggers often refer to their husbands as “hubby?” I’m just following the crowd), Stella, and me took a mixed media class while Gabby stayed at La Quinta Inn with our very barkie dog.
me, Keith, and Stella holding our mixed media paintings
I’ve read about groups of people booking events at art studios, but have never done it myself before this past weekend. It was relaxing and fun, and DIFFERENT! It was a nice change of pace from our usual amusement park-shopping-eating vacation routine.
Me and Stella with Michele Michael, owner of the Coastal Bohemian Studio in Myrtle Beach, SC
Paula Deen Family Restaurant, Church, and Broadway at the Beach
We ate at Paula Deen’s Family Restaurant the first night. It was right across from our hotel at Broadway at the Beach.
me and Keith at Paula Deen’s Family Restaurant
When we walked in, our phone number and name were taken. We were encouraged to look around the “store” while we waited to be seated. The entire bottom of the restaurant was a general store filled with Paula’s dishes, decorations, and stuff galore. It was huge. I bought an apron that read “Fried Chicken Y’all,” a baking spatula that read, “You’re the Butter to My Biscuit,” and a sign that reads, “Happy Hens Lay More Eggs.” Some Women don’t like aprons, but I find my glory in domesticity and do not like getting splashes of grease and other stuff on my good clothes. Her prices were reasonable, and there were plenty of clearance items available. Within a few minutes, we were gliding up a beautiful escalator into the restaurant.
Her restaurant did not disappoint as far as taste and volume of food. The food was VERY good. The cost was $92 plus tip for 4 people. For 2 main dishes, 4 sides, plus individual desserts it was $22.99 per person. Drinks were an additional charge. Stella’s price was only $10.99 because she’s ten-years old (thank goodness). We ordered meatloaf, fried chicken, macaroni, rice, potato salad, and lemon poppy garden salad. Everyone had Ooey Gooey Chocolate Cake with fresh whipped cream for dessert. The food was brought out family style, in serving bowls rather than on individual plates. I would definitely eat (and shop) there again. I wish I had a picture of the food, but I was too busy eating it to take a picture.
The restaurant has a cardboard cutout of Paula cooking inside a replica of her kitchen.
On Sunday, we went to church at a local Methodist church. We try to find a Bible-believing church, wherever we are, on the Lord’s Day. The preaching was good, and the church seemed to have a good outreach ministry.
After church we we went shopping at Broadway at the Beach. The weather was gorgeous. Broadway at the Beach IS Myrtle Beach. The Ferris wheel, medieval mini golf, ice cream shops, t-shirt stands, and wooden bridges are just a few of the things in this center that I adore. See the seagull and lighthouse in the background?
Captain Marvel and the Cinemark Movie Club
We went to see Captain Marvel at Cinemark that night. There’s something special about going to the movies when you’re on vacation. I’m a Movie Club Member at Cinemark. I really appreciate their heated lounge seats. It costs around $9 per month to belong to the club. You get one free 2D admission per month. That means you break even, when considering the fee for the club and one 2D admission cost around the same. However, if you don’t use your free admission one month, it rolls over to the next month. Plus movie club members earn points toward free stuff and get 20% off at the concession stand. It helps me to “save up” for big movie trips.
I loved the movie. The only Avengers movie I liked more was Spider-Man Homecoming. The whole theater price-popcorn and a huge icee included- was only $15 since I had 4 rollover months in the Cinemark Movie Club.
Market Common
If you want a break from the sun-drenched beach stores and tourist kitsch, head to the Market Common. It is a 114 acre “lifestyle center.” It has stores, restaurants, a theater, and a HUGE park with a pond in the middle. It’s surrounded by upscale housing and filled with clean, new stores like Pottery Barn and Charming Charlies. Honestly, it reminds me of Daniel Island, an upper class neighborhood in Charleston that is actually more like a town. The playground is state-of-the-art, and includes a kiddie zip line and outdoor musical section. There is a beautiful walking track that wraps around the pond.
Tonight we wrapped things up by visiting Rocket Jump and eating at Rioz, the home of all-you-can-eat meat. My husband (like most men) loves it. Meat is ok as far as I’m concerned, but the salad bar is one of the best and freshest I’ve ever encountered. The desserts are unbelievably good too. I hope you enjoyed reading about our little trip to Myrtle Beach. I like travel blogs and travel posts because there’s nothing like personal recommendations to help you avoid the tourist traps, and find worthwhile ways to spend your hard-earned vacation money. Click below to watch Gabby and Stella’s Rocket Jump videos.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Ce4qICOlFG4
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=LoO4OLvahJo
Happy Spring!
Kristie
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Such a fun time! We went to Myrtle Beach… gosh, it must be 3 years ago now. It was so much fun. We had the best time at Broadway at the Beach but I had no idea there was a Paula Dean Restaurant! We ate at the Hard Rock Café and Margaritavilla.. and probably a few other places too but those are the ones that stick out for me; I swear we did not have one bad meal that entire week. We spent lots of time on the beach and at our hotel pool (since we went in Sept.) and spent our nights mini golfing and go-karting.
We’ve rode the go carts when our two older children were small. We need to do it with this last wave of children. We’ve been going for years and there are so many things we still haven’t done. I do LOVE Myrtle Beach.
Thanks so much for sharing with us at Encouraging Hearts and Home.
Thanks Joanne!
Hey doll!! Sounds like a wonderful get-away but what happened to the Murder Mystery dinner?? I could sure use some beach time and a heaping plate of anything prepared from a Paula Deena recipe. Oh, yeah, baby.
I heard the murder mystery thing was nearly $50 per person with so-so food, so we chose not to go. We’ve been to the wax museum and Wonder Works in years past- they were fun too!
Thanks for including Coastal Bohemian in your blog. I think Paula Deans restaurant sounds very reasonably priced. I haven’t eaten there yet. It was a thrill to have you and your darling family into our studio. You really played full out that day.
We had a great time!
It sounds like you all had a great time. Thank you for joining The Really Crafty Link Party.
You’re welcome.
Sounds like a fun vacation and I love the cutout of Paula Deen! We ate in her Savannah restaurant about 20 years ago and got to meet her! She was as charming as you would imagine and the food was delicious. Great post and I agree that it’s nice to read travel blogs to help you avoid tourist traps. Thanks for linking up to Take Me Away!
Shelley
You’re welcome!