2013 Endless Summer Festival a Success

Ocean Drive Beach Rentals was proud to participate in the Endless Summer Festival in North Myrtle Beach this past Saturday! Our staff was pleased to meet many festival attendees and provide a vacation-themed presence on Main Street while giving out candy, Frisbees, brochures and other goodies. Our booth location on Main St drew many families who were out browsing all the fun activities and various vendors.

Folks checking out our booth at the festival

The Endless Summer Festival celebrates the laid back beach lifestyle of the Grand Strand and is one of several street festivals North Myrtle Beach hosts every year. Even though summer is long gone, we still enjoy the sunshine and unique attractions that make our town the best beach destination in South Carolina. Live music, southern food, arts & crafts, and street performances made the celebration one of the best festivals yet. If you missed out this time, get down to the next big Main Street event: the North Myrtle Beach Christmas parade on Saturday, December 7th. It will be a fun, memorable experience complete with lights, Christmas music, and extravagant floats decorated by local businesses. We’ll see you there!

By Brandon Moss of Ocean Drive Beach Rentals

Independence Day in North Myrtle Beach

All summer, the Myrtle Beach area bustles with vacationers experiencing all the great accommodations, activities, attractions, and restaurants in town. Every day is magical, but the 4^th of July in particular is a spectacle unlike any other. Summer is our favorite season, and nothing says summer like this classic holiday.

If you find yourself fortunate enough to be taking a trip to North Myrtle Beach or Myrtle Beach during 4^th of July week, you can catch all sorts of fun activities that celebrate our Independence. Broadway at the Beach will have live music, entertainment, street performers, and fireworks over the lake. Barefoot Landing hosts a special fireworks show at 10:15 pm. In Murrell’s Inlet (just south of Myrtle Beach), The 30^th Annual July 4^th Boat Parade begins at 5 pm. Finally, the USS North Carolina (just across the state line in North Carolina) will present the Battleship Blast Celebration and a fireworks display.

No matter where you are, you can easily find an amazing fireworks show. Myrtle Beach will have beach fireworks from the 2^nd Ave pier. In North Myrtle Beach, catch the fireworks from the Cherry Grove Pier in front of the Prince Resort. If you're staying in an Ocean Drive Beach Rentals property, this would be the closest fireworks show to you. We welcome all our guests for an unforgettable 4^th of July week, and if you missed out this year, give us a call to book your vacation rental for next year!

877-287-2977

By Brandon Moss of Ocean Drive Beach Rentals

Myrtle Beach Water Parks

So you’ve already reserved your oceanfront condo, your bags are packed, and you’re all set for your fun family vacation. You’re planning your activities for the week and you are sure of one thing: it’s going to be HOT! Of course the ocean will be at your doorstep, so cooling off in the surf is a will be a great way to relax and swim without spending cash. But you’re in Myrtle Beach, and your family wants variety and FUN!

From your North Myrtle Beach condo, head down to Myrtle Waves on Highway 17, close to Broadway at the Beach. They've got a wave pool, water slides, play areas, and raft rides that will keep you cool and your kids happy. With 20 acres and over a million gallons of water, Myrtle Waves is the closest and most convenient water park for visitors of Myrtle Beach.

Family Kingdom is a classic attraction closer to the beach in Myrtle Beach. Located on Ocean Blvd and 3^rd Ave South, this combo amusement park and water park is about 30 minutes from North Myrtle Beach and offers a full day’s worth of fun for the family. Now known as Splashes, the water play area is packed with slides, pools, kids’ pools, and lazy river. This is a great way to spend your afternoon while also catching the other famous attractions in downtown Myrtle Beach.

Further south you’ll find Wild Water & Wheels, a huge complex that boasts a full water park in addition to mini golf, go-carts, and carnival rides. This park is in Surfside Beach, about 45 minutes from your North Myrtle Beach property. Take a special trip to Wild Water & Wheels, or stop and spend a few hours on your way to Brookgreen Gardens or Huntington Beach State Park.

If you’re staying in an Ocean Drive Beach Rentals condo, chances are you already have some great water options already, such as lazy rivers, kiddie pools, hot tubs, and oceanfront pool decks. But if your family is craving a little more adventure, check out the area water parks! It’s just one more reason the Myrtle Beach area is such a great vacation destination!

By Brandon Moss of Ocean Drive Beach Rentals

North Myrtle Beach Amusement Parks

Vacationing in the Myrtle Beach area means having access to the best attractions on the east coast. If you take a family vacation with your kids, you’ll want to find a few places you can bring them to spend a day outside enjoying all kinds of amusement park fun.

The OD Pavilion in North Myrtle Beach is a semi-permanent carnival that sets up for the summer season every year. Folks from all around North Myrtle Beach come to take part in the nostalgia of the carnival rides, games, arcade, and food stands. The OD Pavilion is on the beach in the Ocean Drive section of North Myrtle Beach, and is within walking distance of several Ocean Drive Beach Rentals condos.

Family Kingdom is located in Myrtle Beach, and is the largest traditional amusement park in the area and features a full size roller coaster and other fun rides and games. In addition to the roller coaster, Family Kingdom has bumper cars, log flume, Ferris wheel, and oceanfront water park.

Myrtle Waves is a large water park close to Broadway at the Beach in Myrtle Beach. Featuring 20 acres of water slides, kiddie pools, Lazy River, and wave pool, the whole family will have a blast exploring the cool water activities. Next to Myrtle Waves is the NASCAR Speedpark, a race-themed go-cart park with several tracks for kids and adults alike. You can buy a multi-park “flex” ticket and enjoy both parks with one ticket!

Amusement parks are just some of the many attractions that bring vacationers to the Grand Strand. Families with young children will surely want to make a theme park or water park a part of their trip. When you book your Ocean Drive Beach Rentals condo, ask about amusement parks and other area attractions. We’ll give you tips on the best things the Myrtle Beach area has to offer!

By Brandon Moss of Ocean Drive Beach Rentals

Deep Sea Fishing in North Myrtle Beach

As we wrap up another beautiful year on the beach, a lot of folks will soon turn their attention to summer and make their plans for their family vacations and golf trips. When guests of Ocean Drive Beach Rentals check in, they often ask our staff for suggestions on things to do around North Myrtle Beach. For the men and adventurous individuals in the group, we always recommend deep sea fishing.

Fishing is always a safe bet for the men in the family because it allows for some genuine male bonding while hunting the elusive large fish of the Gulf Stream. It is also perfect for golf groups that want to vary their activities and mix things up in the midst of a weeklong golf vacation. Whether you want to fish for an entire weekend dozens of miles offshore, of take a leisurely cruise just off the coast for sea bass and flounder, you can choose which adventure suits you best.

Ocean Drive Beach Rentals partners with Hurricane Fleet of Calabash to bring you an unforgettable fishing experience at a discounted rate, as part of our Endless Fun Club. The short trip departs from the dock in Calabash and takes you on a short boat ride where you can simply drop your line and haul up your catch. You’re almost guaranteed to catch something on this half day trip, and the sea bass is delectable if you fry it the same day with some seasoned salt and a sprinkle of parsley and lemon. The more in-depth trips last up to 18 hours and are chartered upon request. On these longer trips into deep waters, anglers can land snapper, grouper, large sea bass, trigger fish, shark, and the occasional king mackerel or dolphin. If you have limited experience, you can trust that you are fishing with the most experienced and helpful boat staff on the Grand Strand.

When you make the arrangements for your family’s summer vacation or golf trip, ask about deep sea fishing. You are sure to have an incredible time with your friends or family catching some serious fish. Have it cleaned on the dock when you return and cook it right in your condo for the freshest seafood dinner you’ll ever have!

By Brandon Moss of Ocean Drive Beach Rentals

Holidays in North Myrtle Beach

You might think of the Grand Strand as a fantastic summer vacation destination. You would be right, of course, but all the excitement and fun of North Myrtle Beach should not have to be confined to one season! Many folks from around the US and Canada make the South Carolina beach their winter home while taking advantage of our famous golf courses, endless shopping, local seafood, and amazing ocean views. Some folks come for an unconventional Thanksgiving or Christmas week. The holidays are a special time in our little beach community, and we welcome visitors to break tradition and treat their families to a holiday on the beach!

Thanksgiving is a great time to bring the family together over a big traditional meal. However, the preparations that have to be made are often a hassle. Cleaning, cooking, and planning family activities is enough to exhaust anyone. That’s why we offer all of our properties for a Thanksgiving rental. We have condos and houses with enough room for up to 24 people, with fabulous ocean views and amenities. Each property comes with a fully equipped kitchen, and is guaranteed to be clean when you arrive. You can create your own feast or opt for a store-bought meal and spend more time enjoying the beach and Myrtle Beach’s attractions.

Christmas is also fun, with plenty of holiday events to attend. Bring a small artificial tree up to your condo and decorate it with your loved ones while streaming holiday music to your laptop. Enjoy waking up to the best sunrise on the east coast and bundling up for a long walk on the beach. Catch an extravagant Christmas show at the Alabama Theatre or Carolina Opry. We even have a parade through Main Street, where locals show off their colorful floats and Christmas cheer. New Years will be a blast with live music, games, and the countdown to midnight taking place in beach clubs all over town. You might even see some fireworks!

Be adventurous this year and try something new this holiday season! Bring all your favorite family traditions to the beach and create lasting memories. Ocean Drive Beach Rentals has great specials for the holiday season, so give us a call to plan your trip!

By Brandon Moss of Ocean Drive Beach Rentals

Take a Day Trip to Charleston

The Myrtle Beach area is a great home base for experiencing South Carolina culture. Not only do we have the best attractions, restaurants, shopping, and golf, but North Myrtle Beach is in close proximity to historic landmarks and intriguing places such as Charleston. If you are staying in an Ocean Drive Beach Rentals property for your vacation, consider taking a day to explore this important city and its rich heritage.

History buffs will revel in the long, fascinating history of Charleston and its place in the evolution of America. Charleston was an important port community before the birth of our nation, and the settlers there played a key role in the American Revolution. Later, the Civil War ignited at Fort Sumter, right at Charleston’s doorstep. Major events such as these, along with a robust slave market, contributed to the storied past of this great southern city. Perhaps the most impressive thing about downtown Charleston is that most of the architecture, buildings, roads, alleyways, and the famous battery have remained largely unchanged. Hundreds of houses still stand that were built well over 300 years ago. Strolling through the streets, you can sense the age of the cobblestone under your feet, old churches with amazing marble and ironwork, and majestic houses with ivy covered courtyard walls and old carriage steps outside the front doors. It’s easy to imagine how Charleston was 200 years ago because it has been left preserved as a testament to colonial and 19th century American life.

Where the old slave market was held, there is now a museum in its place. The Charleston Museum is nearby, offering a glimpse into the region’s past. Shoppers delight in a big open-air market with vendors selling authentic local goods like sweetgrass baskets and unique jewelry. After browsing the market, take an informative ride with one of the many carriage tours. A qualified tour guide explains the origins and history of some prime downtown sights such as Rainbow Row and Battery Park. You can also take a boat tour in Charleston’s harbor, getting front row seats to Fort Sumter and other interesting sites. The USS Yorktown is also open for tours. This full size American aircraft carrier is so big, you could spend all day in it and still not see it all! For lunch, stop by any of the one-of-a-kind pubs and restaurants in the area; they each offer a taste of South Carolina’s delicious fare with southern charm.

Finding Charleston is easy. Just take Highway 17 south from North Myrtle Beach and you’ll be there in about 2 hours. Remember to leave yourself plenty of time, and enjoy the southern landscape along the way. If you need any help planning your trip to this beloved city, just ask an Ocean Drive Beach Rentals staff member. We’re here to help you get the most out of your South Carolina vacation!

By Brandon Moss of Ocean Drive Beach Rentals

Rainy Day Vacations in North Myrtle Beach

Folks love North Myrtle Beach’s warm, sunny weather and wide sandy beaches. In fact, millions of tourists pass through the area every summer for one main reason – to relax and play on the beach while enjoying the warm water, gentle waves, and refreshing ocean breeze. But what are you going to do if the weather takes a turn for the worse? If you stay in an oceanfront condo and expect the weather to be beautiful throughout each of your vacation days, you may be extremely disappointed when that thunderstorm rolls in off the sea. It’s a good idea to be prepared for this and have a back-up list of activities to make the most of a day indoors.

Since you are staying in one of Ocean Drive Beach Rentals’ excellent properties, you can take advantage of on-site amenities. Most oceanfront condos include access to indoor pools and hot tubs, so you can play in the water no matter what’s happening outside. The Avista Resort even has an indoor lazy river to cruise around in! Your condo will likely feature big, flat panel TVs and DVD players so you can watch cable television or put on a rented DVD and pop some microwave popcorn. The Tilghman Resort features a DVD rental kiosk in the lobby so you don’t even have to leave the building. Some may find it peaceful to prop up a chair in front of the ocean view and settle in with a book and internet radio streaming from your laptop. Bring a deck of cards and a board game so your family can enjoy some quality time together while staying entertained.

A rainy day could be your prime opportunity to explore some of Myrtle Beach’s famous attractions. Stop by our rental office to get your discounted tickets to WonderWorks and Ripley’s Aquarium. The Aquarium is very popular and a great option for kids. You can stay as long as you like and tour the whole facility, featuring sharks, rays, tropical fish, and other amazing creatures. They even have daily shows and special exhibitions! Ripley’s also has a museum, 3D theater, haunted house, and mirror maze down by the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk. You can get a combo pass good for the aquarium and one of Ripley’s other activities, saving you about $15 per ticket. The Myrtle Beach Boardwalk and Broadway at the Beach are great places to walk around, shop, and eat. You won’t find their unique restaurants anywhere else!

There are plenty of other activities in the surrounding area to take advantage of. The USS North Carolina is on display and open for tours just north of the state line. This huge battleship is a fascinating adventure and a great way to spend a day without killing your wallet. Grab a South Carolina Visitor’s Guide from the Chamber of Commerce for other great ideas. There’s no need to let a storm ruin your vacation. It might just be the best part of it!

By Brandon Moss of Ocean Drive Beach Rentals

Now Selling Tickets to The Carolina Opry

At Ocean Drive Beach Rentals, we pride ourselves on offering the best vacation rentals at truly unbeatable prices. But another pledge we make to our valued guests involves bringing the best of the Myrtle Beach area together and offering great deals and discounts under one program, our Endless Fun Club. This club is easy to join – just rent one of our properties! While you’re enjoying your vacation, stop by one of the participating EFC businesses for automatic savings. All you have to do is show your rental keys with an Ocean Drive Beach Rentals logo.

We are happy to announce the latest addition to the Endless Fun Club, The Carolina Opry. This is perhaps the most famous venue in South Carolina, and offers a variety of fun shows to thrill and entertain your whole family. With exceptional live music including huge hits and old favorites, hilarious comedy sketches, light displays and mesmerizing dancers, The Carolina Opry is the hottest live show in town. You’ll definitely want to make this fantastic 2-hour variety show a part of your North Myrtle Beach vacation. They even have two additional shows happening throughout the week: Good Vibrations takes you back to the Good Ol’ Days with classic rock, Motown, and beach music. There is also a light show featuring laser displays set to psychedelic music.

True to our commitment to provide excellent savings through the Endless Fun Club, we are offering discounted tickets through our rental office. You’ll save $3 per ticket just by purchasing through Ocean Drive Beach Rentals. The more you buy, the more you save! Also, The Carolina Opry offers special pricing for children and students. If you have time for two shows while you’re here, buy all your tickets at once to save even more; Good Vibrations tickets cost less if you bundle them with tickets to the Carolina Opry.

While there is plenty to keep you busy on your Grand Strand vacation, you’ll never forget the experience of The Carolina Opry. The beautiful theater has been a mainstay in South Carolina tourism for years, and folks find themselves coming back year after year, summer after summer. If you happen to be in town during the holiday season, check out the Opry’s Christmas Special. It’s a grand event that the locals look forward to every year. When you call us to make your plans for vacation, ask about The Carolina Opry. We can even book your seats for you!

By Brandon Moss of Ocean Drive Beach Rentals

North Myrtle Beach has the Best Fall Festivals

After the vacationers head home at the end of summer and schools are back in session, you’d expect a tourist town like North Myrtle Beach to keep a low profile until summer comes around again. The truth is that the Grand Strand stays alive and kicking with the best fall festivals and events in the Carolinas. Some of these festivals have been around for years and keep the locals looking forward to autumn. Everyone is welcome to join the fun of these offseason activities, and we welcome anyone looking for a great weekend adventure or a full scale vacation to come down and get involved.

If you are lucky enough to be staying in North Myrtle Beach this fall, don’t make the beach the only thing on your to-do list. Fall Bike Week is going on right now, and sounds of pipes and burnouts fill the streets of Myrtle Beach. Most of the activity happens in Myrtle Beach and Murrell’s Inlet’s biker bars and clubs, but plenty of Harleys and other motorcycles can be seen cruising Ocean Blvd and Highway 17 up in North Myrtle. If you like live music and lots of cold beer, don’t miss Oktoberfest on Ocean Blvd in Myrtle Beach, by the Boardwalk. It’s a party of epic proportions, happening October 6th starting at noon. A family-friendly alternative to Oktoberfest happens down in Surfside Beach, where the Surfside Beach Family Festival offers fun for kids and parents alike. Also on October 6th, this festival will feature a petting zoo, dunking booth, face painting, inflatables, rides, games, and vendor booths.

The annual Taste of the Town will be at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center on October 9th. Ever popular with locals, this event showcases one of the best parts of the Myrtle Beach area: the food. Dozens of restaurants participate with vendor booths, offering samples of gourmet food and beverage. Kids’ activities and music are great additions to the celebration of local dining. Also celebrating a special type of food is Little River, with their Little River Shrimpfest. This quaint little town north of Myrtle Beach is the perfect spot to sample various shrimp dishes and hear local bands perform. Kids’ activities and arts & crafts vendors will be available as well. This event is too big for one day, so it will be held on October 13th and 14th. Other food festivals include the Chili cook-off at Crazy Sister Marina in Murrell’s Inlet on October 14th, Myrtle Beach Wine Fest on October 20th at Market Common’s Valor Park, and the Loris Bog-Off Festival in downtown Loris, SC. Chicken bog is a traditional South Carolina dish and will be featured.

Ocean Drive Beach Rentals will participate in the Endless Summer Festival on Main St in North Myrtle Beach on October 27th. This street festival will feature vendor booths, local seafood and crafts, and live music. Come by and say hello as we celebrate our happy little beach town! Finally, The SC State Bluegrass Festival will take place at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center November 22 – 24. The state’s best musicians will come together and delight listeners with southern-flavored bluegrass and country music. If you are interested in one of these events, call us for more info. We’ll even take care of the accommodations if you’re from out of town!

By Brandon Moss of Ocean Drive Beach Rentals

Your one-stop-shop for all of Myrtle Beach’s best attractions

Here at Ocean Drive Beach Rentals, we try our best to provide a perfect value-based vacation to our guests. We do this in many different ways, such as offering low rates for rental properties, adding free meals and entertainment to our reservation packages, and including guests in our Endless Fun Club. Another way we provide value to guests is by selling tickets to area attractions at discounted prices.

During the prime summer season, the majority of our guests are in North Myrtle Beach to experience all the famous Grand Strand has to offer. This means world-class shopping, dining, entertainment, and exciting attractions. We sell tickets to Ripley’s Aquarium, Ripley’s Museum, WonderWorks, NASCAR Speedpark, and Myrtle Waves Waterpark. All these spectacular venues are in the Myrtle Beach area, about 20-30 minutes away from North Myrtle Beach. Though some folks are content with the laid-back atmosphere in North Myrtle, most families want to explore the area and see the attractions for themselves. If you plan on going to these places anyway, why not save a buck or two on each ticket? We understand that every dollar counts when vacationing on a budget, so we offer all our tickets at a discounted price. A family of five will save about $12 by buying their aquarium tickets in our office; and no waiting in long lines!

Those who are visiting the Myrtle Beach area for the first time may find themselves a little overwhelmed by the activity, traffic, and endless choices for family entertainment. Rest assured that you don’t have to plan your entire vacation before you come. When it’s time to check in to your rental property, ask for recommendations from our knowledgeable staff. We have seen just about every attraction here in town, and can always suggest wonderful places to eat, drink, relax, and play. Buy your tickets when you check in to save time. We’ll even give you directions! We hope to see you soon for your next vacation.

By Brandon Moss of Ocean Drive Beach Rentals

Money Saving Tips for Your North Myrtle Beach Vacation

With a recessed economy, Americans seem to be a lot more concerned with how much they are getting for their money. People are shopping around for the best deals on everything, and summer vacation is no different. After researching flights and accommodations to an exotic overseas location, you will be relieved to see what it costs for a vacation to North Myrtle Beach. For roughly the cost of a single plane ticket, you can drive your entire family to the east coast, luggage and all. And no long lines, crowded terminals, or security hassles!

Accommodations in North Myrtle Beach may be your biggest expense, but by staying across the street from the beach or in one of our channel homes, you could save hundreds on your vacation. Eating at the area’s famous seafood restaurants every night can get expensive fast, so plan to buy fresh fish and shrimp at a seafood market and cook it at your rental property. You can feed your whole family for a third of what you would pay at a big seafood buffet. If you do go out for dinner, ask around about the best places to eat. There’s no need to spend up to $30 per person at a “tourist trap” restaurant.

Bike rentals are readily available around town, so unless you plan on driving long distances, consider renting bicycles for the kids or even the whole family to get around. This could save a few bucks on gas, and also adds freedom for each person to come and go as they please.

Myrtle Beach has great tourist attractions, but if you have already seen them you might skip the expense and opt for a movie rental, mini golf, Pelicans baseball game, or any of the free activities in the Grand Strand. Take advantage of free fireworks displays and live entertainment throughout the summer. Also, check online event calendars for things to do each day you’re here. Remember, North Myrtle Beach’s most popular attraction (the beach) is always free!

Another great way to save money is by coming prepared. Make a checklist of everything you will need for vacation and don’t leave the house until each item is checked off. Double-check your supplies so you don’t have to stop for sunscreen or towels on the way to the beach. Ask an Ocean Drive Beach Rentals staff member for additional tips when you check in. We’ll even give you coupons and automatic savings with our Endless Fun Club!

By Brandon Moss of Ocean Drive Beach Rentals

Main Street: The Center of Small-Town North Myrtle Beach

If you’ve never been to North Myrtle Beach, you’re missing out on one of the best vacation spots in the country. While Myrtle Beach is more famous for its many attractions, North Myrtle Beach offers close proximity to the same attractions, but with more of a small-town feel. Once you turn off Highway 17 and head away from all the traffic, quiet neighborhoods, shops and restaurants, smaller resorts, and beach houses make up North Myrtle Beach. At the center of it all is Main Street.

Main Street runs from Highway 17 to Ocean Boulevard and is the major throughway from the larger resorts in Ocean Drive out to the Highway. But it’s more than just a road. It captures the nostalgic feeling of a small town square in a classic American vacation town. Tourists and locals alike love to browse the specialty shops, eat at the famous cafes, and hang out on the beach beyond Ocean Blvd. In the summer, the “horseshoe” area at the end of Main Street is alive with live music and vacationers enjoying the nightlife. On special holidays, the street is closed to traffic, and extravagant parades make their way through town. There are also festivals in Main Street throughout the year, like the Endless Summer Festival in October. Ocean Drive Beach Rentals enthusiastically participates in several of these activities.

Ocean Drive Resort, the Ashworth, the Avista, and Ocean Bay Club are just a few resorts within walking distance of Main Street. These are popular vacation destinations, and you can conceivably park your car at your condo and never use it while you’re here. Entertainment, restaurants, and grocery stores are all conveniently located on Main Street, so walk or rent a bike to save money on vacation! We rent units at all the major Ocean Drive area resorts, so be part of the action and explore Main Street this summer!

By Brandon Moss of Ocean Drive Beach Rentals

We Have More Than Just a Great Beach!

There’s no doubt that the ocean draws thousands of vacationers to the Grand Strand every year. When summer comes, we have a natural urge to cool off in the water, whether that be in a pool or on the beach. When you come to North Myrtle Beach, you come for everything the beach has to offer; especially our warm water, mild surf, and endless miles of soft sand. We’ve written in the past about our favorite places to hang out on the beach, but there’s more to the South Carolina coast than just the ocean.

The Intracoastal Waterway runs right through North Myrtle Beach and Myrtle Beach, and offers calm waters for small to mid-size boats to cruise anywhere along the east coast of the US. Vacationers use the waterway for sailing, fishing, kayaking, and jet skiing, and there are plenty of businesses that rent the appropriate equipment. You can rent the watercraft of your choice and float down the waterway as long or short as you’d like, and even stop to see the many Grand Strand attractions along the way. If you don’t want to get in the water, you can arrange to eat at one of the waterside restaurants that feature decks. You won’t soon forget sitting down to a plate of your favorite seafood while watching the sunset and the boats sailing by.

If you come here to fish in the ocean, or if you just want to cruise in the open sea, you can access it through the Little River Inlet, just north of North Myrtle Beach. If you don’t have your own boat, just join a charter group at Hurricane Fleet and fish off their boat or sign up for their scenic Dolphin Cruise. There are also several lakes and rivers to fish, canoe, or kayak in within a few hours’ drive.

Whether you want to take full advantage of all the water-based activities in North Myrtle Beach, or just lay out on the beach and relax with a book, it’s all here. Start planning your vacation now and contact us for accommodations!

By Brandon Moss of Ocean Drive Beach Rentals

Save with our Endless Fun Club Program!

Ocean Drive Beach Rentals strives to make every vacation memorable and fun for each of our guests. As we ensure that your time spent on the beach is the best it can be, we constantly look out for ways that guests can save money while they’re here. Last year we created the Endless Fun Club, which offers special discounts at participating businesses and restaurants, just by showing an Ocean Drive Beach Rentals room key. This year, we are adding more and more businesses to our Endless Fun Club to make sure we are the leader in accommodating vacationing families. We’d like to welcome Mykonos Greek Restaurant and Preston’s Seafood Buffet to our program. We are also going to be selling discounted tickets to the new WonderWorks museum in Myrtle Beach.

The famous WonderWorks' "upside - down building"

As we grow the number of partnerships with area businesses, we welcome any suggestions from past guests. Is there a business you frequent while you’re on vacation? Let us know on our Facebook page where you’d like to have a discount or special perk in the North Myrtle Beach area!

Also, be on the lookout for new attractions and restaurants joining the Endless Fun Club. Check out our full list of participants under the “specials” tab on our website, and keep these places in mind the next time you’re here. We love providing unparalleled service to our guests!

By Brandon Moss of Ocean Drive Beach Rentals

Nights of a Thousand Candles of Myrtle Beach

Our mild winter weather is perfect for a visit to the Myrtle Beach area. You can still enjoy beach activities, our golf courses, and plenty of indoor options. Theatres with live entertainment provide for great winter fun. You’ll want to check out Brookgreen Gardens, as an outdoor wonderland of art and wildlife.

Brookgreen Gardens is located in Murrell’s Inlet, just south of Myrtle Beach down Highway 17. Internationally known for their impressive displays of horticulture and sculptures, they also host a spectacular Christmas event every year called Nights of a Thousand Candles. Every Friday and Saturday night in December, the gardens are lit with a beautiful combination of electric lights and thousands of hand-lit candles. The atmosphere feels almost surreal as you wander through mazes of brilliantly lit trees, hanging Spanish moss, and wonderful works of modern and traditional sculpture created by renowned artists.

Several scenes are set up throughout the gardens which feature vocal ensembles, jazz groups, and bell choirs. The music sets a holiday mood as you stroll along the pathways between each exhibit. While the emphasis is placed on the nighttime ambience and soft light, there are still trees in blossom and green fauna everywhere – impressive considering the season and chill in the air.

Nights of a Thousand Candles provides hours of family fun. You’ll want to plan your time wisely so you can appreciate each piece of art and light displays. The musical performances last until the gardens close at 10:00 pm. Refreshments and drinks are available for purchase. Have dinner at their onsite restaurant before the tour!

Don’t miss this impressive attraction while you’re here at Ocean Drive Beach Rentals of North Myrtle Beach. Your family will want to make it an annual Christmas tradition!

Written By: Brandon Moss of Ocean Drive Beach Rentals, 2011

North Myrtle Beach Christmas Parade - December 3rd

H.G. Worley with our mascot, Odie the Dolphin, during the 2010 parade

We hope to see you at this year’s North Myrtle Beach Christmas Parade, set for this Saturday, December 3rd. Several floats will be motoring down Main Street to Ocean Boulevard in familiar holiday fashion, with marching bands, beauty queens, and local personalities. The annual celebration kicks off at 5:30 pm and lasts until at least 8:00 pm.

Ocean Drive Beach Rentals will be passing out assorted candy from their brightly decorated holiday float. As an even sweeter gift, we will also be passing out our popular signature beach frisbees. Make sure you get to the parade route early, so you can stake out that perfect spot to watch the North Myrtle Beach Christmas Parade with family and friends.

Our 2010 North Myrtle Beach Christmas Parade Float

We love participating in the Christmas parade. It gives us a chance to celebrate the holidays with our family, friends, and meet new people. Some spectators even put on as much of a show as the parade itself. Countless elves and Santa impersonators always stick out in the crowd. Stay tuned to Ocean Drive Beach Rentals’ Facebook page and vacation blog for event pictures in the coming week.

Dress warm! Saturday’s North Myrtle Beach forecast is calling for sunny skies, with high temperatures topping out at around 65 degrees. Expect the temperature to drop to around 45 – 50 degrees by the time the parade kicks off. There is no rain forecasted until late next week.

For North Myrtle Beach vacation rentals, please follow this LINK. Thanks!

Written By: Jake Foutz - Director of Marketing, Ocean Drive Beach Rentals

Weekend In Pictures: 2011 Endless Summer Festival of North Myrtle Beach

A cold, windy and cloudy morning gave way to sunny afternoon weather for this year’s Endless Summer Festival, held October, 29th on Main Street in North Myrtle Beach. Ocean Drive Beach Rentals enjoyed meeting new friends at our booth. We handed out freshly-popped popcorn, our signature frisbees, and Halloween candy to visitors. Several attendees entered our drawing for a Free Weekend at the Beach and $100 gift certificate for a 2012 vacation. Those people who attended the celebration enjoyed arts & crafts displays, food vendors, and live entertainment at the Horseshoe on Ocean Drive.

We hope you make plans to attend the 2012 Endless Summer Festival in North Myrtle Beach.

Jake Foutz, our Marketing Director, tends to our festival display

Jake Foutz (L) and Brandon Moss (R) of Ocean Drive Beach Rentals

Free frisbees!

Festival-goers enjoying the sunshine

Shopping and Adventure at Broadway at the Beach in Myrtle Beach

Our destination has lots of activities, including the beach, which will keep you busy while on vacation. Enjoy the family fun such as shopping, dining, attractions, golfing, and comfortable movie theaters. Broadway at the Beach, in Myrtle Beach, offers an atmosphere where you can take advantage of all those activities in one central location.

Primarily a large outdoor shopping complex, Broadway at the Beach takes what most people love about “getting away” and combines it into a single experience. Visitors will have no problem spending an entire day browsing the outdoor mall, playing a round of mini-golf, exploring ocean life at Ripley’s Aquarium, and topping off the day with dinner and a movie. Catch a summertime Pelicans game in the baseball stadium next door! There’s an arcade, a small amusement park with rides, and the new WonderWorks museum (the famous upside down building). Cool off at the nearby Myrtle Waves water park, and race go-karts against family and friends at the Nascar Speedpark. Popular themed restaurants, such as Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville, Hard Rock café, Senor Frog’s, and Planet Hollywood are all within walking distance. Liberty Brewery brews their own beer and has some great meals as well.

Enjoy Myrtle Beach nightlife at the many clubs that crowd Celebrity Square at Broadway at the Beach. Catch live Broadway-Style shows year-round at the theatres that surround the complex, Legends and The Palace. All of which are situated around a small lagoon community connected with boardwalks.

Broadway at the Beach is a must-see attraction for anyone staying at the beach. Barefoot Landing, by the House of Blues, offers a similar shopping and entertainment atmosphere. Save money at the nearby attractions - Ocean Drive Beach Rentals sells discounted tickets for Ripley’s Aquarium, Myrtle Waves, and the Nascar Speedpark.

Written By: Brandon Moss - Vacation Rental Specialist, Ocean Drive Beach Rentals

The Endless Summer Festival in North Myrtle Beach

Make plans to attend the North Myrtle Beach Endless Summer Festival, held on October 29th. The Saturday – only festival lasts most of the day (10:00 AM – 4:00 PM) and is packed with fun for the whole family. It will be located on Main Street at Ocean Boulevard, with most of the free live entertainment taking place on the stage at the famous Horseshoe of Ocean Drive.

Visitors have swarmed to the Endless Summer Festival in the past, and we’re expecting nothing less this year. Typically, over 10,000 people attend this one-day event to celebrate summer’s end. North Myrtle Beach hosts several arts and crafts vendors, food vendors, a classic car show, carnival rides, street performers, and live bands at this annual event. There is no admission charge. Best of all, the gorgeous beach is just steps away from the festivities!

Ocean Drive Beach Rentals confirms that they will have a display once again at this year’s Endless Summer Festival. We’ll be giving away free gifts and will have a drawing for a free vacation at our Ocean Drive Beach and Golf Resort, of which is located on the oceanfront in North Myrtle Beach. Enjoy freshly-popped popcorn and take a picture with Odie, our dolphin mascot. See why Ocean Drive Beach Rentals is the place to host your next family vacation on the Grand Strand.

Ocean Drive Beach Rentals' 2010 Display

H.G. Worley, of Ocean Drive Beach Rentals, popping corn in 2010

Let Ocean Drive Beach Rentals find you that perfect vacation rental property to stay in while you’re in North Myrtle Beach during the weekend of the Endless Summer Festival. Our properties are spacious, well-kept, and offer full kitchens and living areas. Take advantage of our Extend Your Vacation promotion and add on a free night or two to your stay.

Clich HERE for available vacation rentals in North Myrtle Beach during the Endless Summer Festival.

What's happening in North Myrtle Beach this fall? Click HERE for information on all other popular festivals and events.

Written By: Jake Foutz - Director of Marketing, Ocean Drive Beach Rentals