Black Meetings and Tourism

March/April 2011

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SITE REVIEW IF IT’S WORTH IT, IT’S HAPPENING IN MYRTLE BEACH By Darlene Donloe It’s no secret that Myrtle Beach is a happening place. If you’re there to vacation with the family – it’s happening! If you’re there to attend a corporate meeting – it’s happening! It really doesn’t matter what capacity you’re there for – it’s happening! Incorporated as a town in 1938,MyrtleBeach,SouthCarolina became a city in 1957. If you’re inquisitive about the name,no it’s not a woman. Its name comes fromthe waxmyrtle, a shrub that grows locally.Who knew? The 25,000 permanent residents that callMyrtle Beach home enjoy a laid-back picture perfect atmosphere with an unlimited offering of stimulating activities, sights and sounds. Part of the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach is a section of 60 sandy white beaches along the Carolinas and Atlantic Ocean. The Myrtle Beach experi- ence lends itself to business travelers, fun-seekers, fami- lies or couples seeking a lit- tle romance. There is liter- ally something for every- one. It’s easy to under- stand why one of the top domestic tourist destina- tions in the U.S. boasts nearly 14 million visitors annually and has earned the title of the #1 family beach in the U.S. For the uninitiated, here’s a quick sampling of some Myrtle Beach high- lights. There is a lot to check out.However, one of the crème de la crème tourist attractions is the T.I.G.E.R.S. (The Institute of Greatly Endangered and Rare Species) Preser- vation Station Tour at Barefoot Landing. That’s where you’ll find a free-liv- ing tiger exhibit. Get up close and personal with a 14 Black Meetings & Tourism March/April 2011: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com full grown tiger, or hold an adorable cub in your lap. They call themselves “the greatest hands-on animal experience in the world.” No doubt! The 60-acre facility has 60 big cats, apes, tigers, grey wolves, falcons and Bubbles the elephant. There is also a Liger. Yes, a Liger (a cat born from the breed- ing of a male lion and a female tiger), considered the world’s largest cat in the 2006 Guinness Book of World Records.This is truly an extraordinary experi- ence. If you want a number of choices within walking dis- tance, step over to Broadway at the Beach, 350 acres of attractions, hotels, restaurants, shops and a bumpin’ nightlife. While strolling through Broadway at the Beach stop in MagiQuest, a multi-level interactive game where you get to choose a Magi name, choose a motion-sensored wand and enter the “realm” to play a fun-filled and quite addictive game. It’s good, clean fun for everyone. A few paces away is Ripley’s Aquarium, an 87,000 sq. ft aquarium filled with enthralling and even pre- carious aquatic life. Keep walking along the Grand Strand and you’ll find yourself at the 400-seat IMAX 3D Theatre, where the use of 3D glasses coupled with state of the art effects and surround sound – can take you beyond your wildest dream. IMAX usually offers five different shows to choose from. Of course, there are loads of other activities outside of Broadway at the Beach. There’s even more family fun at FAMILY KING- DOM AMUSEMENT PARK, Myrtle Beach’s only seaside amuse- ment park & ocean- front water park. It features more than 30 rides including a wood- en roller coaster and South Carolina’s largest Ferris Wheel with one-of-a-kind views of the ocean. You can splash down on Log Flume, freefall 110 ft. into the Slingshot Drop Zone, bounce a bit on bumper cars or hit the Go-Kart tracks. The Water Park is located right across the street. Family Kingdom Amusement Park’s season generally runs

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