Numerous beaches and fascinating destinations are located along the East Coast of the United States, including Myrtle Beach. Myrtle Beach is located in Horry County, South Carolina. The coast has a humid subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and mild winters. It is a popular destination for visitors throughout the year, especially in summer.
Myrtle Beach offers diverse experiences that make it a perfect vacation spot, from sun-soaked beaches to thrilling amusement parks, lively entertainment complexes, and serene nature escapes. With such great significance placed on this beach, let’s review the history and important facts regarding the area.
How Was the Name Myrtle Beach Suggested?
Myrtle Beach is a staple when visiting serene beaches within the United States. Reviewing history, before the site was assigned the name ‘Myrtle Beach’, it was originally referred to as ‘Long Bay’ or ‘Wither Big Swamp’, leaving the beach community known as “New Town”. However, as the coast began to obtain a rather vast audience, it was decided that the beach deserved a proper, official name.
Contrary to popular belief, the site’s name “Myrtle” did not derive from the bright purple showy crape myrtle that many people think. In reality, the beach was named through a contest among residents and Adeline Burroughs submitted the name Myrtle Beach due to the abundance of wax myrtle trees in the area. She is now forever credited with founding the name of this popular vacation spot.
What Changes Occurred in Myrtle Beach During the 1800s?
As important as the narrative of how Myrtle Beach obtained its name is, the site plays a vital role through a historical lens. Before the European invasion, the beach was occupied by the Waccamaw tribe, a Native American group whose population was eventually decimated by disease. The tribe was forcibly removed when European settlers arrived at the end of the 18th century. Since then, during the first half of the 1800s, most of the land was owned by the Withers Family and some other residents.
Moving through the past, in the 1900s a new railway was opened to transport lumber and other resources from coastal terminus to various inland destinations. It played a crucial role in history through Native American tribes, European settlement & ownership, and as a necessary transportation city for the resources.
Why Should You Visit Myrtle Beach?
Moving beyond its history, Myrtle Beach is now a vacation destination, receiving over 15 million visitors annually. It is popularly known for its salty, blue waters and granular sand. Furthermore, Myrtle Beach is a great family vacation spot due to the vast number of arcades, boardwalks, souvenir shops, piers, and much more.
The Boardwalk Arcade, commonly admired amongst visitors, is known for its various games. From racing games to claw machines, the Boardwalk Arcade has enough games to entertain all age groups for many hours. In addition, the Second Avenue Pier is also a sublime place to watch the sunrise. As the orange and pink colours blend into the sky, the pier overlooks the deep blue water and serves as a delightful fishing spot for those interested. The Boardwalk Arcade and the Second Avenue Pier were just the beginning of the many activities and parks in the area.
Is Myrtle Beach the Perfect Vacation Destination?
While visiting the area, Parks such as Huntington Beach State Park, the Family Kingdom Amusement Park, Myrtle Waves Water Park, and many other family-friendly sites provide numerous activities to keep one’s family entertained and joyous.
Huntington Beach State Park
Huntington Beach State Park is known for its rich cultural heritage and historic value. Atalaya Castle is found within sights such as the Atalaya Castle. This castle served as the former winter season home for resident Anna Hyatt Huntington, a famous sculptor, and her husband Archer M. Huntington, an industrialist and philanthropist. Archer Huntington was a recognized scholar for Spanish culture and art which perfectly explains why the castle is utilized for the annual Atalaya Arts and Crafts Festival in late September.
In addition, Huntington Beach State Park is also known for being a top bird-watching destination on the East Coast and has numerous nature trails varying in intensity. Huntington Beach State Park is a must-visit place for those who admire history and love a good hike.
Family Kingdom Amusement Park
The Family Kingdom Amusement Park is a well-known coastal amusement park that is hard to ignore because of its tall roller coasters and bright lights in the crisp blue sky. This park offers rides for all ages; so everyone will remain happy. This amusement park offers thrilling, heart-racing roller coasters, classic carnival rides and games, a giant Ferris Wheel overlooking the sparkling ocean, and multiple child attractions to entertain the kids. Besides, on a perfect summer day, the Family Kingdom Amusement Park is a great place to catch a little wind and feel a little deja vu with carnival games.
Myrtle Waves Water Park
Myrtle Waves Water Park is one of the largest water parks in South Carolina, Myrtle Beach. Individuals can enjoy fresh salty beach water here, and likewise, fun water parks are available which feature a wide range of water attractions. These attractions include wave pools, lazy rivers, play areas for kids, and water slides for adults and teenagers. These water activities certainly keep family and friends amused. Myrtle Waves Water Parks is a fantastic way to cool off from the scorching summer heat and enjoy a day full of various water-based fun.
In conclusion, with numerous activities uncovered in Myrtle Beach, I can assure you this is a wonderful vacation spot for family and friends. As we understand, the beach is not the sole thing the area offers however, it goes beyond the historic sites and castles, amusement parks, water parks, and so much more. Just on the drive to the beach, there are countless miniature golf courses, souvenir shops, and arcades. From a handful of history of the area to the many entertaining spots, Myrtle Beach is a must-visit when considering exploring a new zone.
Myrtle Beach written by Amna Rauf
About Author
I’m Amna Rauf, a 17-year-old high school senior in the United States striving to become a better author on real-life topics and occurrences. With each paper I revise, every sentence I change, and the vocabulary I replace, I cherish every opportunity to grow, armed with more knowledge than ever.
As I begin this journey into potential colleges and majors, I recognise that writing is a crucial talent for higher education and future careers. I welcome this chance to showcase my skills to the digital world and am delighted to join this platform, aiming to present a refined version of myself. In each writing, I share my real-life experiences with those striving to explore more. I wish to spread beyond what I have accomplished now and the places I have visited but also delve into real-life issues to spread awareness and define a better understanding of certain situations; not only for others but also for myself.
I believe that writing is so much more than words on a document, it is a form of expression and illustration, and by toning and improving my writing skills and sharing it along the way, I find success in a manner I have never done before. In conclusion, being presented with a chance to grow and learn more about the world is an honour, and having the ability to share these experiences and knowledge is an even greater privilege.