North Myrtle Beach, the "Birthplace of the Shag Dance" is located just north of Myrtle Beach on the South Carolina Coast. The history of the area dates back to the 1400 and 1500s. Native Americans, the Waccamaw and Winyah tribes, were the first to inhabit the land calling the area “Chicora.” Spaniards were the next to explore the area followed by Blackbeard pirates in the 1700s. The Cherry Grove Beach area was also home to prosperous indigo plantations before major development in the area.

The City of North Myrtle was incorporated in 1968 bringing together the beach towns of Windy Hill Beach, Crescent Beach, Ocean Drive Beach, and Cherry Grove Beach. The goal of incorporating the towns was to provide unmatched service to its residents and guests.

The Shag, the official South Carolina State Dance, was created in North Myrtle Beach. The dance is a cross between the jitterbug and swing dancing. The Shag dance combines fancy footwork and smooth moves. The Ocean Drive section of North Myrtle Beach hosts two (2) week-long Shag events each year. The events are sponsored by the Society of Stranders, and bring thousands of Shag devotees to North Myrtle Beach each April and September.

North Myrtle Beach, like the rest of the Grand Strand, is home to many championship golf courses. The highlights of North Myrtle Beach’s courses include the courses at Barefoot Resort featuring designs by Davis Love, Greg Norman, Pete Dye, and Tom Fazio. Tidewater Golf Club also has amazing marsh and ocean views.

If you’re looking for a shopping, dining, and entertainment mecca in North Myrtle Beach then Barefoot Landing is a must!! The center offers an array of specialty and name brand stores including the Christmas Mouse, Chico’s, White House Black Market, and Ron Jon’s Surf Shop. Restaurants include Wild Wing Cafe, Greg Norman’s Australian Grille, T-Bones, and Dick’s Last Resort. Barefoot Landing is also home to the Alabama Theatre, featuring live shows, the House of Blues, featuring a restaurant and concerts, a marina which allows visitors to arrive by boat via the Intracoastal Waterway, and Alligator Adventure, a park with natural swamps and marshes with an array of alligators, crocodiles, tortoises, beavers, otters lizards, turtles, giant frogs, zebras and exotic birds from around the world.

Accommodation choices in North Myrtle Beach abound with many hotels, condos, and beach houses for rent by the night, week, or month. Properties in North Myrtle Beach include views of the ocean, waterway, marsh, and Little River Inlet.

Come enjoy all that North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina has to offer!