Ripley’s Aquarium

Myrtle Beach is filled with tons of things to do, whether it be the water slides, amusement park, or the beach itself.  But what happens when the sun goes away and the clouds move in?  Well, rain or shine, Ripley’s Aquarium is sure to please kids and adults alike.  Located at the edge of Broadway at the Beach, the aquatic museum features some of the most exotic creatures on the planet.  I’ve been to many aquariums in my day, but I can only count on one hand how many times I have seen rare sea horses and dangerous blowfish. 

Besides a large collection of stingrays and jellyfish, Ripley’s Aquarium is also home to the shark tunnel.  That’s right, a shark tunnel.  This highlight of the day is a covered, winding path that runs the length of almost the entire building.  Inside, the marine life swims around you on all sides.  Mesmerized visitors can step off the moving walkway and take all the pictures they want.  And there will be a lot of pictures worth taking.

A variety of 6 – 8 foot menacing sharks will be gliding just feet away with their beady eyes darting about just inches above their mouths lined with rows of razor sharp teeth.  Giant sea turtles float past the swordfish lounging in the sand at the bottom of the massive tank while smaller fish mill about in search of food.  There is no extra admission for this attraction, allowing the visitor to reenter the tunnel as many times as they please. 

Other displays include a jellyfish room where children are welcome to touch live ones if they dare.  The ground floor houses a large pool for stingrays and a smaller area for horseshoe crabs which also have supervised “touch” stations. 

Ripley’s Aquarium also has a snack bar on the top floor and a room to host parties, making it a very versatile location.  Its proximity to Broadway at the Beach makes it easy to park close and enjoy the shops in the afternoon after your visit.  So be sure to mark a day on your calendar to visit Ripley’s Aquarium on your next trip to Myrtle Beach.

Chomp Down On Alligator Adventure!

Located at Highway 17 at Barefoot Landing, Alligator Adventure is an attraction that families simply cannot miss when visiting Myrtle Beach.  Usually people would only expect to see alligators and other reptiles on the many golf courses that make the area home.  However, Alligator Adventure proves that theory wrong as they host hundreds of the scaly creatures.  These animals are as beautiful as they are dangerous.  But not to worry, as they are safely behind secure enclosures.

You don’t need to go far to see how much that Alligator Adventure has to offer.  Within a few steps of coming through the entrance visitors come across a large, shallow pool filled with hundreds of small caimans.  Some of these younger reptiles dart about while others sun themselves on the many rocks.  Further down the path, other reptiles are featured such as turtles, tortoises, crocodiles, and numerous snakes both safe and poisonous.

Although Alligator Adventure prides itself on its many gators of great size, it also has many other animals that come from different parts of the world.  Large birds include kookaburras and cassowaries from Australia, macaws from South America, and Chilean flamingos.  There are also many furry friends to keep the feathered ones company.  Spotted hyenas, bobcats, and a collection of lemurs and other primates all have state-of-the-art enclosures and are visible to the public.

Every Myrtle Beach attraction would not be big without having a few highlights to show off, and Alligator Adventure is no different.  Some of the animals that you can’t leave without seeing, include a few albino alligators, and the largest crocodile in captivity.  You won’t believe how large this animal is until you see all 18 feet of him.  In addition to these oddities, there are also regularly scheduled shows throughout the day that will showcase how these reptiles behave in the wild.  You will see how they react to certain situations as well as hunt for food.  All of these shows are well organized by the trainers to ensure that everyone has a good time.

What makes Alligator Adventure special is that there are not many places to see wildlife in the Myrtle Beach area.  The nearest zoo is not very close to the other main attractions, making this place an ideal destination for families that want to plan the rest of their day.  Also, many zoos create fake environments for their collection of animals.  Alligator Adventure is different in that it is already built on marshland which is the natural habitat for the many reptiles on display.

So come bring the family down to Alligator Adventure and give your kids the thrill of a lifetime.  It’s not every day that they will come face-to-face with reptiles quite like this.  There will be fun and memories that will last for a long time.  Call for ticket prices today!

Thank You

Although I only publish reviews every few days, I would like to reach out and say “Thank You” to Global Books for being the first follower of John Sera’s Myrtle Beach. Your support is much appreciated. As an author myself, I would love to make your acquaintance in the near future. Feel free to use the email linked with this blog or reach me at johnsera3124@gmail.com

The Valley at Eastport Golf Course

The Valley at Eastport Golf Course

If you’re looking to take advantage of the good weather for a fun afternoon of golf, then look no further than The Valley at Eastport.  Located at 4355 Eastport Boulevard in Little River, just off of Highway 17, this beautiful course is just minutes away from the resorts of North Myrtle Beach.  From the white tee box, the 5545 yard course is considered one of the shorter courses in the Myrtle Beach area, but don’t let that fool you.  Many of the locals including myself consider The Valley at Eastport to be one of the more challenging golf venues. 

From the moment you step onto the grounds there is no mistaking that you are in for something special.  The impressive views that Eastport has to offer can be seen even before pulling into the parking lot.  The friendly staff at the clubhouse will make sure that you are ready for your round and the snack bar is always stocked with fresh food and cold beverages.  Also, be sure to arrive early to take advantage of the practice putting green as it will be a good indicator of how the greens will behave later in the day.   

Once you set out you will be challenged from the first tee.  The first two holes seem pretty straightforward, but both greens are guarded by numerous sand traps.  Shots that don’t land perfectly on the green will end up in some of these deep bunkers.  Just when you think things will get easier, the first of the water hazard holes appears.  The Valley at Eastport is just one of those great courses that keep the player constantly thinking.  For example, the 9th, 12th, 17th, and 18th holes have sizeable water hazards that force the golfer to a decision to either hit long and hope for the best, or lay up and get a bit closer before risking a stroke penalty.

During your round you will notice how well maintained the course is.  From the soft sand that lines the bunkers to the tiny blades that inhabit the greens, it’s clear that the groundskeepers go above and beyond to ensure that every golfer has a great experience. 

I recommend The Valley at Eastport to anyone visiting the Myrtle Beach area.  The rates are more than affordable (between $35-$55) and tee times are usually available on most days.  Golfers also have the option of playing alone or taking a group of four along for the ride.  Finally, Little River also plays host to a number of premium restaurants (The Parson’s Table – The Brentwood Manor) that offer great meals at the end of the round.  Be sure to call and book your tee time reservation today.   

Valleyateastport.com

(843) 427-4424

Welcome

Greetings everyone!  The magic of a family vacation is something that can never be replaced.  Even though many years might pass, people can still recall the best attractions, the tastiest meals, and the highlights of every trip they took.  Myrtle Beach happens to offer all three of these things for both children and adults alike.

This blog will be dedicated to reviewing all the best that Myrtle Beach has to offer from attractions and restaurants, to the golf courses that the area is famous for.  So be sure to follow, comment, and don’t hesitate to email me your requests and favorites.  Above all, please share this blog with anyone who might be thinking of a vacation destination or is just interested in the beach lifestyle.  Happy reading and I hope to see you down here soon.

My First Blog Post

Welcome

Greetings everyone!  The magic of a family vacation is something that can never be replaced.  Even though many years might pass, people can still recall the best attractions, the tastiest meals, and the highlights of every trip they took.  Myrtle Beach happens to offer all three of these things for both children and adults alike.

This blog will be dedicated to reviewing all the best that Myrtle Beach has to offer from attractions and restaurants, to the golf courses that the area is famous for.  So be sure to follow, comment, and don’t hesitate to email me your requests and favorites.  Above all, please share this blog with anyone who might be thinking of a vacation destination or is just interested in the beach lifestyle.  Happy reading and I hope to see you down here soon.

Introduce Yourself (Example Post)

This is an example post, originally published as part of Blogging University. Enroll in one of our ten programs, and start your blog right.

You’re going to publish a post today. Don’t worry about how your blog looks. Don’t worry if you haven’t given it a name yet, or you’re feeling overwhelmed. Just click the “New Post” button, and tell us why you’re here.

Why do this?

  • Because it gives new readers context. What are you about? Why should they read your blog?
  • Because it will help you focus you own ideas about your blog and what you’d like to do with it.

The post can be short or long, a personal intro to your life or a bloggy mission statement, a manifesto for the future or a simple outline of your the types of things you hope to publish.

To help you get started, here are a few questions:

  • Why are you blogging publicly, rather than keeping a personal journal?
  • What topics do you think you’ll write about?
  • Who would you love to connect with via your blog?
  • If you blog successfully throughout the next year, what would you hope to have accomplished?

You’re not locked into any of this; one of the wonderful things about blogs is how they constantly evolve as we learn, grow, and interact with one another — but it’s good to know where and why you started, and articulating your goals may just give you a few other post ideas.

Can’t think how to get started? Just write the first thing that pops into your head. Anne Lamott, author of a book on writing we love, says that you need to give yourself permission to write a “crappy first draft”. Anne makes a great point — just start writing, and worry about editing it later.

When you’re ready to publish, give your post three to five tags that describe your blog’s focus — writing, photography, fiction, parenting, food, cars, movies, sports, whatever. These tags will help others who care about your topics find you in the Reader. Make sure one of the tags is “zerotohero,” so other new bloggers can find you, too.

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