Broadway at the Beach, located in the heart of Myrtle Beach, is a lively entertainment complex full of specialty shops, restaurants, attractions, and nightclubs sprawled over 350 acres.
Situated around Lake Broadway, visitors can stroll the complex and enjoy over 20 restaurants, 100 specialty shops, and a bevy of unique attractions including Ripley's Aquarium, WonderWorks, Dragon's Lair Fantasy Golf, and much more.
Parking and public transportation to Broadway at the Beach
Accessing Broadway at the Beach is best by car. Parking lots encompass the complex and are free; you can access them from 21st Avenue and 29th Avenue off of U.S. 17 Bypass.
Best and worst and time to go to Broadway at the Beach
Open year round, the best time to enjoy the complex is around mid-morning when it first opens and is less crowded. The worst time to venture to Broadway at the Beach is in the early evening when it's overly crowded and wait times at restaurants are long.
Admission to Broadway at the Beach
Admission to the complex is free; however, some attractions and nightclubs have entrance fees and vary by venue and event.
Must see/do at Broadway at the Beach
All ages will enjoy exploring the various fish and shark exhibits at Ripley's Aquarium, kids will love the Soar+Explore zip line and ropes course, while parrotheads will get a kick out of the hurricane that erupts from the giant blender inside Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville.
Other places to visit near Broadway at the Beach
The Palace Theater offers live entertainment options and is located adjacent to Broadway at the Beach, while across U.S. 17 Bypass is the Hollywood Wax Museum and Broadway Grand Prix, and just a short drive away, sports enthusiasts can cheer on the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, a minor league baseball team.
Insider tip for visitors to Broadway at the Beach
Check Broadway at the Beach's Events Calendar on their website throughout the year for information on free concerts, fireworks displays and events happening in the complex.
Author's bio: Rebecca S. Robertson has called Myrtle Beach home for the past seven years. She has written for a variety of local and national publications.
The recently restored Annenberg Community Beach House has it all: historical value (it was once owned by actress Marion Davies); a pool that's accessible to the public; private party spaces; regularly rotating art exhibits; and large, bright areas used for community discussions.
Practitioners and fans of yoga, volleyball, soccer and aquatics all congregate here on a frequent basis, and with the beach only a couple of steps away, it's no wonder.
The Allied Arts Guild is a historic park area featuring beautiful gardens, shops, artists' studios and the Cafe Primavera restaurant. It is owned and operated by The Allied Arts Guild, which hosts public events and holiday celebrations throughout the year. The area is also available for weddings, receptions and other private affairs.
Formerly Grauman's Chinese Theatre, this landmark was renamed the TCL Chinese Theatre in 2011 after an acquisition by Chinese Theatre, LLC. In 2013 the main auditorium underwent extensive renovations to create the first IMAX theatre in Hollywood, and one of the largest worldwide with more than 900 seats, making it a top choice for Hollywood movie premieres. Also onsite are six other auditoriums showing first-run movies, along with the world-famous hand and footprints. It was honored as a Los Angeles Historical Landmark in 1968 and is THE place to see a movie in L.A.
Parking and public transportation at the TCL Chinese Theatre
Underground parking is available at the adjacent Hollywood & Highland complex. Validation is provided for participating shops, restaurants and the theatre, so take your ticket with you. A flat rate is charged after 10pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Check the Hollywood & Highland website for current rates. Meters are available along Hollywood Blvd. and side streets, but check signs for restrictions. Parking enforcement is strong and tickets will be given. The Metro Red Line has a stop at Hollywood & Highland.
Best and worst time go to the TCL Chinese Theatre
Nights and weekends are the most crowded, although as a top tourist attraction, there are always people out front looking at the hand and footprints. Premieres and special events will make the theatre inaccessible, although you might get a peek at the red carpet.
Admission to the TCL Chinese Theatre
Movie prices vary, with an upcharge for IMAX. 20-minute tours of the theatre are also offered. Call 323-463-9576 for availability and pricing. Walking around the hand and footprints is free.
Must see/do at the TCL Chinese Theatre
Watch an IMAX movie in the main theatre, then put your hands in the cement where Marilyn Monroe's, Steven Spielberg's and George Clooney's were!
Other places to visit near the TCL Chinese Theatre
Hollywood & Highland offers a bunch of shopping and dining options, or walk across the street to another famous theatre: the Disney-owned El Capitan. Right nearby is the 1920s Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel where you can have a cocktail at the poolside Tropicana bar or grab a burger at 25 Degrees, the hotel's diner. And of course the Walk of Fame runs all along Hollywood Blvd.
Insider tip for visitors to the TCL Chinese Theatre
Costumed characters hang out on the sidewalk outside the theatre and Hollywood & Highland complex. They're fun to take pictures with, but be prepared to pay a fee. They don't pose out of the goodness of their heart.
Author's bio: Shelley Graner is a Los Angeles native, food lover and travel writer who has visited 36 countries. She writes for various travel blogs, including her own.
The Butterfly Place is large-scale aviary, housing more than 40 varieties of the brightly colored fluttering specimen. In an open-space greenhouse, visitors can observe these creatures in their element, with caterpillars walking about the flora and chrysalises adorning branches and stems.
