1. Golf Colony Resort
City: Surfside Beach, SC
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (800) 654-6522, (843) 650-6363
Address: 1841 Colony Dr.
Description: Golf Colony offers 11 colonies of three to five buildings each. Each has its own pool and barbecue area. Some have Jacuzzis.The Colony offers guests 588 condos that range from studios to one- and two-bedroom accommodations, which can sleep up to 10 people. All have fully equipped kitchens and washers and dryers. The resort is just 1.5 miles from the ocean. From May to Aug weekly rates run from $511 to $721; nightly stays are $75 to $105. There is a three-night minimum, six-person maximum for all reservations and a onetime cleaning charge of $55 to $108, which includes linen service.
2. Plantation Resort
City: Surfside Beach, SC
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (800) 845-5039, (843) 913-5000
Address: 1250 US 17 N.
Description: Although a little way from the beach, this resort is nestled in the heart of a protected bird sanctuary, home to Canada geese, American woodcocks, and an abundance of wildlife. Two- and three-bedroom villas are available with two and three bathrooms, towels and linens, fully equipped kitchens, and washer and dryer. Staying here entitles you to free summertime shuttle service to and from the beach and access to a 70,000-square-foot health and swim club. The club includes a heated pool, lazy river, sauna, steam rooms, weights, and aerobics. The staff can arrange golf and entertainment packages. Mid-July rates run $120 to $250 per night, with discounts applied to reservations of at least seven nights.
3. Sundown Restaurant & Sports Pub
City: Surfside Beach, SC
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (843) 238-1240
Address: 810 Surfside Dr.
Description: Sundown offers its patrons eight televisions for viewing games, three pool tables, electronic darts, pinball, and golf machines. A unique and fun feature is the coveted “Liar’s Corner” of the bar, where people gather to tell tall tales. There is also a great jukebox.A full menu is available, but appetizers and sandwiches are the usual order. A free breakfast is served every Saturday morning, whenever the cook gets to fixing the plates. You have to be there when breakfast is ready, or you’re out of luck. It’s open all week, 24 hours a day. Sundown is closed on Sun from 2 to 10 a.m.
4. Legends In Concert
City: Surfside Beach, SC
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (800) 960-7469, (843) 238-7827
Address: 301 US 17 Business S.
Description: Words alone cannot describe the music and magic of Legends in Concert. A live, on-stage re-creation of performances from the world’s best-loved entertainers, Legends showcases astounding impersonations of stars that include Tom Jones, Dolly Parton, the Blues Brothers, Elton John, Madonna, the inimitable Elvis, and more! Legends’s stars deliver much more than uncanny resemblances to the stars they portray. Their acts are not lip-synched; this lineup of performers actually sing the memorable tunes you remember. Close your eyes and you’ll swear Dolly is on stage. Elvis has mastered “the King’s” legendary moves. And if it is at all possible, the Blues Brothers may actually bring even more vim and vigor to their act than the original Brothers did! In addition to the Legends’ glittering re-creations, this world-famous show showcases an accomplished lineup of singers and dancers, as well as the smooth sounds of the live Legends Orchestra. State-of-the-art sound, lighting, and multimedia special effects round out a spectacular full-stage production that’s anything but ordinary. Legends in Concert has been awarded the titles Show of the Year, Entertainers of the Year, and Show of Shows by the International Press Association. The annual Christmas show is a particular delight.Ticket prices range from $34.95 to $39.95 for adults and $14.95 to $39.95 for children ages 3 to 16.
5. Plantation Resort Health & Swim Club
City: Surfside Beach, SC
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (843) 913-5060
Address: 1250 US 17 N.
Description: This fitness club is as comprehensive as it gets—even offering programs for those who suffer from arthritis. It’s no surprise that Plantation Resort has a full aqua aerobics program, as the club sports a 70-foot-long heated pool and giant whirlpool. Amenities include men’s and women’s saunas and steam rooms, a children’s playground, a fully equipped weight room, and an aerobic space with Exerflex floor, where aerobics, yoga, and karate classes are held. Plantation Resort is open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mon through Fri, 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sat, and 9:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sun. Membership fees vary, based on particular programs or full use of club facilities.
6. Adventure Falls
City: Surfside Beach, SC
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (843) 238-3811
Address: 735 US 17
Description: Animals and castles overlook the 36 holes of two courses. Groups and children are offered discounts, and all-day play ends at 5 p.m.
7. Buccaneer Bay
City: Surfside Beach, SC
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (843) 238-3811
Address: 6001 US 17 S.
Description: Two courses filled with pirates and big boats—36 holes between them—will make you ache to walk the plank. Several holes feature difficult angles and tricky obstacles. All-day play ends at 5 p.m.
8. Rose Real Estate
City: Surfside Beach, SC
Category: Relocation
Telephone: (800) 845-6706, (843) 650-9274
Address: 1711 US 17 S.
Description: Rose Real Estate is the exclusive property-management company of Tupelo Bay Golf Villas as well as the huge development known as Oceanside Village, a planned community of more than 900 modular beach homes and cottages. Half are occupied by owners, and the others are available as rentals. Like the Ocean Lakes community of Myrtle Beach, residents of Oceanside Village get around in golf carts and enjoy the safety and security of 24-hour, on-site security systems. Amenities include swimming pools, lakes stocked with game fish, tennis courts, a volleyball court, softball diamond, huge clubhouse, and planned activities. Tupelo Bay Golf Villas in Garden City is located on 165 acres, which include wetlands, ponds, and natural expanses. The villas offer two- and three-bedroom floor plans and are located right at the golf course. Rose Real Estate has been in operation since 1989.
9. Surfside Beach Fire Department
City: Surfside Beach, SC
Category: Relocation
Telephone: (843) 913-6366
Address: 115 US 17 N.
10. The Charleston Cafe
City: Surfside Beach, SC
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (843) 238-2200
Address: 815 Surfside Dr.
Description: Surfside Beach welcomed the Charleston Cafe with appropriate if inauspicious fanfare: Six hours after opening, Hurricane Hugo swept ashore and left the restaurant without power or water for 10 days. In years since, the Charleston Cafe has developed a fine reputation for romantic meals in an intimate setting; attentive, personable service; and creative, attractively presented food. Its popularity prompted the owners to bow to demand in 2009 and serve lunch as well as dinner.Specializing in certified Angus beef, local seafood, and veal and chicken dishes, the Charleston Cafe also offers a “light eaters” menu with smaller portions of well-liked items. The dessert menu is daunting, and servers parade the choices in front of you. Who can resist?! The Charleston Cafe also features a large list of wines by the glass.The Charleston Cafe is open for lunch and dinner Mon through Sat, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Reservations are accepted and strongly suggested.
11. Ocean Lakes
City: Surfside Beach, SC
Category: Retirement
Telephone: (800) 845-2229, (843) 238-5356
Address: 6001 US 17 S.
Description: Ocean Lakes is billed as the largest oceanfront campground on the East Coast, and although it serves as a typical campground during the tourist season, it also has about 500 year-round residents, mostly retirees. In 1999 the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds nominated Ocean Lakes as the No. 1 large RV park in the United States. In 2006 it won the South Carolina Governor’s Cup, awarded to businesses that have a positive impact on the community. The campground is on the ocean and has a recreational building where residents can work on crafts or meet for a variety of activities. An indoor pool was added, and an activities director makes sure residents stay busy with everything from shopping and trips to miniature golf tournaments. A year-round chaplain works to meet residents’ spiritual needs, providing Sunday worship services in an outdoor amphitheater when the weather permits and indoors when it doesn’t.Homes at Ocean Lakes are mostly small mobile units, some of which showcase a more permanent appearance with added rooms and porches. However, with the housing boom along the Grand Strand, a large number of two-story beach homes have been added to the landscape. Ocean Lakes is a guarded community, and security staff stationed at the gate make sure only residents, their guests, registered campers, and people attending worship services get in. As added security, Ocean Lakes instituted a 24-hour patrol of the grounds.Few people use their cars inside Ocean Lakes. Instead, you’ll find their transportation much slower and more relaxed—golf carts work just fine, thank you! At any given time, there are about 130 sites for sale, ranging from $35,000 for a camper home to almost $300,000 for some oceanfront beach houses.
12. Wild Water & Wheels Fun Park
City: Surfside Beach, SC
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (843) 238-3787
Address: 910 US 17 S.
Description: Water, waves and wheels: What more could you ask for in an amusement park? Oh yeah, some minigolf thrown in for good measure. Wild Water & Wheels is one-stop shopping for active entertainment and the sort of place one can—and will want to—spend all day. The huge complex has water slides and wave pools of every size imaginable, and the park has been creative in making sure its attractions can suit any age group.On the race course, kids 10 to 100 zip around in go-karts tricked out as formula racers while the more serious drivers go for the speed racers. The “slick track” course tests a driver’s skills in the curves. But don’t forget the smaller kids. Children six to nine years old can take a turn at the wheel on the mini Indy track, and the putt-putt course is often labeled as one of the most fun on the Grand Strand. Slides with names like Free Fall Cliff Dive, the Dark Hole, and Head Rush are not for the faint of heart. Or you can just float along the lazy river. The bumper boat rides allow you to challenge friends and even strangers to race around this huge pool, sidelining your competition along the way. Mini-bumpers allow three- to five-year-olds to experience much of the same.There are food vendors on-site serving pizza, hot dogs, and other amusement-park fare, so you can refortify yourself before going back in for more fun.Generally, the park is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., but during the summer it stays open until 8 p.m. on Fri. Entrance on Fri between 5 and 8 p.m. is $9.95 plus tax; all-day passes will run you $24.98 plus tax for adults and $16.98 plus tax for seniors as well as children under 48 inches tall. Prices drop after 3 p.m. You can upgrade to get a ride pass for just $10 more. Season passes are also available for $74.98 plus tax.