City: Myrtle Beach, SC

Category: Shopping

Telephone: (843) 448-6550

Address: 916 North Ocean Blvd. at Ninth Avenue N.

Description: No chapter on Grand Strand shopping worth its salt could overlook Gay Dolphin, a world-famous shopping attraction and Myrtle Beach institution for more than five decades. Even if you’re not interested in shopping, you’ll be wowed by an inventory of more than 60,000 items, ranging from postcards to collectibles. You’ve got to see this place to believe it.This gift shop actually has “coves,” small shops within the larger store, extending from the Boulevard to the oceanfront. Collector’s Cove features Hummel figurines, clowns, gnomes, bells, and more. More than 50 other coves include merchandise such as stuffed animals, souvenirs, golf memorabilia, shark’s teeth, nautical items, toys, swimwear, ceramics, and shells. In operation since 1952, it used to call itself the World’s Largest Gift Shop, but it still reigns as the largest on the Grand Strand. Not much has changed in the last few decades, but the shark’s-tooth cove alone is worth a visit.