Why You Should Visit Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

When most people hear the words: "Myrtle Beach," they envision Spring Break revelers lining the streets, complete with police sirens and loud music. Although this is an accurate picture of Myrtle Beach, there is a side of town to escape to and relax.

Once you find Lake Arrowhead Road towards the north side of the city, you will understand exactly what I'm talking about. It's far enough away from the chaotic downtown, but it's still close enough for you to visit the Hard Rock Café and other clichéd vacation hot spots.

What's different about the Lake Arrowhead area is that you are able to relax in a large city. I have been to Myrtle Beach six different times and have stayed in the Lake Arrowhead area five of those times. The one time that I stayed downtown, I absolutely hated it. There was too much noise and ruckus to qualify as a "vacation." By the time I got home, I wanted another vacation from the one that I had just taken! On the other hand, in the Lake Arrowhead area, I am able to close my eyes on the beach and just focus on the waves crashing onto the white sand. It was a perfect way to clear my head from all of the stress that I had dealt with at work. After I got home from that vacation, I felt rejuvenated.

The Lake Arrowhead area allows the visitors to get a "small-town feel" in a large city. Many tourists hit the regular restaurants up, such as the aforementioned Hard Rock Café. I like the food and atmosphere there, but when I am on vacation, the last thing that I want to do is wait an hour for a table. This is another reason that I love the Lake Arrowhead area. They have the most fantastic food without a long wait.

Garcia's is a Mexican joint that serves the most amazing platters of authentic Mexican food. In the same plaza there is Rossi's. Rossi's is one of the most talked about restaurants in Myrtle Beach. Although it is in a shopping plaza, once you walk in the doors, you feel like you are in Italy. It is a perfect place for honeymooners to go.

Aside from the food, the real lure of the Lake Arrowhead area is the peacefulness. I stay at the Sands Beach Club and I would never stay at another hotel. The Sands Beach Club offers two-bedroom ocean-front suites. It is hidden at the end of the street and far enough away from the public beach to relax. I have stayed at the Sands Beach Club five separate times and I have never had a problem, except getting locked out of my room once. The maids do a wonderful job and the rest of the staff is just as fantastic.

I suggest going to Myrtle Beach in either September or October. The rates on hotels are fantastic. Since most children are in school, the city is usually quiet, except on the weekends. The weather is also exceptionally gorgeous. The average temperature in Myrtle Beach for September is 85 degrees and in October it is 76. There is also a huge break on hotel prices for the fall. If you want to save money and savor what's left of summer, Myrtle Beach in these two months are the perfect way to achieve that.

Although there are many places to visit in the South, Myrtle Beach is definitely one area that you must visit, especially the Lake Arrowhead area. The atmosphere is laid-back, the food is authentic and the hotels have the "at-home" feel. The Lake Arrowhead area in Myrtle Beach is a slice of paradise hidden in a big city.