North Myrtle Beach is becoming more popular than Myrtle Beach itself, especially for those who want less traffic, wider beaches, and a more residential appeal.
Home of the South Carolina State Dance, "The Shag", Ocean Drive is "THE Beach" to many of the Baby Boomers from North and South Carolina, who have vacationed there since childhood.
The northern-most beach, Cherry Grove, has many of the newest resorts and condos in North Myrtle Beach. Until recently Cherry Grove was known for the small "mom and pop" hotels and older beach homes that lined both sides of Ocean Boulevard. Not so anymore...most of these have been replaced by luxury mid-rise condo developments, and the grandest resort of them all, Prince Resort at the Cherry Grove Pier.
Besides having the only pier on the true north end, Cherry Grove also boasts a free fishing and boat dock, at 53rd Avenue North, and many good restaurants, gift shops, and miniature golf attractions on its main street, Sea Mountain Hwy.
Ocean Drive is the most well-known beach in North Myrtle, and the true "Main Street" will be found at its heart. Home of the original dance halls and clubs such as "The Pad" and "Fat Harolds", Ocean Drive was the primary vacation preference during the 50's and 60's.
Many beautiful high-rise and mid-rise North Myrtle Beach condos line the 20-odd blocks included in Ocean Drive. Some of the best will be The Avista Resort, The Ashworth, The elegant new MarVista Grande, and many other luxury resorts.
Crescent Beach is next, heading south, and includes 15th Ave South to 28th Ave South. Crescent Beach is perhaps more residential, with smaller condominium projects and a main street with more of a traditional feel to it. Some very nice low and mid-rise condos will be found here, as well as Bay Watch Resort and the grand new Crescent Shores, Crescent Keyes, and others.
From 33rd Ave South to Barefoot Landing you will find Windy Hill Beach. Very much residential, Windy Hill is less-crowded, and also more convenient to Barefoot Landing shopping, the best restaurants, and a beautiful area off 46th Ave with salt-marsh inlets and swampland. Windy Hill's better North Myrtle Beach condos include Windy Hill Dunes, Ocean Marsh Resort, Ocean Creek Resort, and Barefoot Resort.
