Wildwood or Myrtle Baeach - Help Plan Our SUmmer Vacation

Hello! I am trying to decide on a summer vacation that my entire family would enjoy. My son is 6.5 years old, likes rides, but isn't tall for his age. (He enjoyed the kiddie coasters at Cedar Point two years ago, but was upset that he couldn't go on the "big" rides at Great Adventure. My wife, tolerates my habit from time to time, but would not put up with another "Theme Park Only Vacation." I was thinking of either Wildwood or Myrtle Beach. I am quite familiar with everything Wildwood has to offer, and I like the fact that everything is on the Boardwalk and we don't have to drive once we get to a hotel. Also the piers stay open till midnight, so I can get my fix while they chill for the night. (The crowd does get little "aggressive" after 9 PM). I know very little about Myrtle Beach. I live on Long Island. Any advice? Thanks in advance.

I've never been to Myrtle Beach [visiting for the first time this summer] but Wildwoods many amusement piers offers rides for the entire family. Wildwood also has a fantastic Fascination parlor that I highly recommend. And, for the wife, there are many beautiful Lighthouses in the Wildwood area that one can tour.

Not to mention the other piers up the coast you could visit on day trips.

Okay...SO I go to Myrtle Beach every summer (yes, I was there when we had to be evacuated cuz of the hurricane...and we had to get up at 4am...wasn't happy about that), but the area survives on tourists.

They have a lot of theatre's in the area, but most of them feature what I call 'old fart shows' (realize I'm 20). But they do have a medival times, which i'm sure your kids will love. The area is filled with more Miniature Golf Courses then you can possibily do in a week. They have alot of shops (included the what's currently the biggest mall in the world... - Note, I've never been in it, that's its claim i have no idea how it stands up againist Mall of America.) They have several Sightseeing boat tours. But as for amusement parks think they're are two, one in Myrtle Beach, and the other in North Myrtle Beach.

What many people don't realize is that Myrtle Beach is more then just one town anymore. The Area actually starts at North Myrtle Beach, and follows the coast line all the way down to Murrell's Inlet (there are some excellent restaurants down along Murrell's Inlet as are the really expensive homes) Which is really nice because it cost signifigantly less to stay at Surfside Beach, and drive up and down 17 to get where you want to do.

Here's my suggestion...If you're looking for family fun - Myrtle Beach, If your looking for amusement rides, Wildwood. (Also make your decisions soon because the beachfront condo's will most likeley be booked solid by the end of March.)

I've been to Myrtle Beach several times over the years. It's a great place to take the family. There are lots of attractions such as Ripley's Aquarium, the Pavilion amusement park, golf courses, all the shopping you could handle, the best putt putt golf in the world, a nice beach and just about anything else you could think of. One of the issues with Myrtle Beach is when you go, because it can get pretty crowded on certain weeks (July is pretty bad). I've never been to Wildwood, (thought about it) but if you aren't going to the local Six Flags, than there isn't nearly the amount of stuff to do there as Myrtle Beach has. My suggestion would be MB, but find a hotel on the north or south side of the beach, because the middle of the strand is a zoo. If you are into the huge resort thing, look at the Crown Reef Resort. If you want something smaller, I recommend the Court Capri.

Love Myrtle Beach (go several times a year) and I really enjoyed Wildwood the one time I visited back in 1998. As far as rides go, I think Wildwood has more to offer. Great boardwalk, and piers full of amusement rides.

MB is a totally different atmosphere. They cater to the families and the tour groups with all the theaters, (Dixie Stampede, House of Blues, Hard Rock Cafe, etc.). The classic Myrtle Beach Pavilion may not be around much longer with plans to redevelope the area, so my suggestion would be to go to MB.

If you decide to do MB, make sure you call the Chamber of Commerce and have them send you the free "Stay & Play" magazine. Actually, it's more like a book. Has all the hotels (with rates), restaurants, theaters, water parks, mini golfs, go-kart tracks and amusement parks listed along with many coupons. They are also available at the SC state line welcome centers too but you may want to get one in advance to help your planning.

Have fun which ever you decide to do!

I've been to Myrtle Beach and Wildwood once each, although it's been a number of years since I've been to each.

For me, Myrtle Beach was just kinda eh, but then again I was 10.

At 17 I went with my girlfriend's family to Wildwood for the weekend, and had a blast. We actually stayed in "North Wildwood", at 26th St. Right on the boardwalk there was this *HUGE* arcade/funcenter (the largest I've ever seen so far) called Gateway 26. Beyond that, there's the piers with the rides, the beach for some time with the family in the sun. Wildwood also has a host of mini-golf places to choose from (as does almost any major shore spot I've been to, including Virginia Beach and Ocean City, MD).

Other than Ocean City, MD which hit a soft spot in our family and we now make a trip there every year for a few days, Wildwood is the only other beach resort that I really want to take a vacation at within the next few years.