Picnicking Along the Grand Strand

Everyone comes to the Grand Strand to have “fun in the sun” with their family or loved ones.  A great way to do that is by packing a picnic basket and heading out to a location where you can eat, play and bask in the sun if you would like.  The Grand Strand has several great locations—some with grills; some near the beach, and some in shaded parks.  Below are some of the best picnic spots on the Grand Strand:

1.  The Beach—While you are vacationing in Myrtle Beach, the beach is a great location for a picnic.  Just pack a basket, get your blankets, chairs and beach toys and walk down to the strand.  Afterward, you can relax, play bocce ball, frisbee, badminton, volleyball or body surf.  There are 60 miles of beautiful sand and ocean for you to enjoy.  Just pick a spot.
2.  Myrtle Beach State Park, 4401 South Kings Highway, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina—The state park is situated against a beautiful oceanfront maritime forest.  There are great picnic spots among the trees as well as a nature trail.  It is a great place to escape from the more populated beaches, and you might want to try a little surf fishing.  There are also playgrounds located near the picnic areas.
3. Hurl Rock Park, 20^th Avenue South Ocean Boulevard, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina—Locals consider this among the best picnic locations because they know that some of the best sunsets along the Grand Strand can be seen from Hurl Rock. There are also sandy paths that lead to a beautiful stretch of beach.  Hurl Rock is a great location for both day and evening picnics as the Palmetto trees provide shade from the hot sun.
4. Withers Swash Park, 3^rd Avenue South, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina—This is a 10-acre preserve with lots of foliage and great scenery along with a variety of birds and animals that roam the park.  There is also a playground, fishing pier, walking trails, and a picnic shelter.
5. Grand Park, 1011 Crabtree Lane, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina—This park is located across from The Market Common and has picnic shelters, playgrounds, sports fields and open spaces for relaxing and catching some sun.  There are also ponds and walking paths which are very nice.
6. Huntington Beach State Park, 16148 Ocean Highway, Murrells Inlet, South Carolina—This park is 2500 acres and only fifteen miles from downtown Myrtle Beach, but it is a world away from the hustle and bustle of the beaches.  Its beach and wetlands are inhabited by sea turtles, alligators, and rich birdlife. The Sandpiper Pond Nature Trail has a viewing deck on a pond that attracts egrets and herons. The Kerrigan Nature Trail includes a boardwalk over a lagoon. You will also see Atalaya, a vast 1930s Moorish-style castle, was the home of the Huntington’s, who once owned the land.  There are also shelters and picnic areas.
7. Brookgreen Gardens, 1931 Brookgreen Garden Drive, Murrells Inlet, South Carolina—This is a beautiful sculpture garden showcasing works of art from famous sculptors as well as beautiful flora and fauna which are indigenous to the area.  There are picnic areas and shelter as well as the Enchanted Storybook Forest playground and the Lowcountry Zoo.
8. McLean Park, 93 Oak Drive, North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina—This park is ten acres and has a lake, several shelters and picnic areas.  You can also play tennis, go for a walk along the lake, or relax in the meditation garden.  There are two playgrounds as well as ducks and turtles to entertain you.
9. North Myrtle Beach Park and Sports Complex, 150 Citizens Circle, Little River, South Carolina—This is a sports complex as well as a park, so it can be quite busy depending on what is scheduled for the day, but it is a great place for a picnic.  There are seven picnic shelters, three playgrounds, walking and biking trails, a three-acre dog park, a 25-acre lake, and a ten-acre meadow.  Lots of space for you and your family to picnic and have fun.

Now that you have several locations to choose from, there are some suggestions to help you have a great picnic that we found on www.visitmyrtlebeach.com below:

1. Plan ahead: As with any proper date, you should do a little planning. Check the weather forecast, so you don’t head out with your lunch right before an afternoon storm. Look up the laws where you’ll be picnicking. Alcohol isn’t allowed in many public parks so keep that in mind when choosing your beverages.
2. Pack smart: Some picnic baskets come with plates, utensils, napkins, a cutting board and more. But even without that you can pack smart. Here are some things you won’t want to forget: plates, napkins, utensils, glasses (or plastic cups), ice packs, moist towelettes for cleanup and, of course, a blanket. And depending on your picnic location, sunscreen or bug spray might be smart additions to your picnic basket.
3. Keep things cold: If you’re using a traditional picnic basket, bring along a few ice packs to keep sandwiches and drinks at a cooler temperature.
4. Keep food safe: Make sure all food is chilled in the refrigerator prior to packing it up, and don’t eat anything that has been left out in warm weather for longer than a couple hours.

As you can see, the Grand Strand is a great place to have fun in the sun both on the beach and in the local parks.  There are many other great places for you to picnic around the area if you want to venture out.  Find a spot to have a picnic and have fun.