Food-Obsessed Day Trips From Myrtle Beach

Comprising sixty miles of beach towns, dining options in Myrtle Beach, commonly referred to as the Grand Strand, are plentiful. From South Carolina low country cuisine to Boardwalk fare, the Myrtle Beach area is the perfect destination for a summer food-loving day trip, or two! Take your pick from historical Conway, one of the oldest towns in South Carolina, or Murrells Inlet, a favored destination among fisherman and naturists. Or make time to visit both towns and experience all of the flavors of the area.

Conway:

Start the day right at Trestle Bakery with a cappuccino as your morning pick me up. The classic bakery

serves pastries, breads, and specialty coffees in a quaint historic atmosphere. Don't resist the sweet aromas hitting your nose – order a warm cinnamon bun or fresh donut to wake up your taste buds. (Photo courtesy of Trestle Bakery).

After you've satisfied your hunger and gotten your morning jolt, head over to the LW Paul Living History Farm to see firsthand how local southern delicacies are made, including grits, corn meal, curing meat, and other local products. You can also buy these homemade items at the country store to try and recreate a delicious southern dish at home. Then, stroll the fields for a taste of homemade sugar cane. A farmer will cut a fresh piece for you to sample. 

For lunch, head back into downtown Conway to the charming Crady's for mouth-watering panini and wraps. Locals know that the best lunch option here is the Crady's Burger, and they keep coming back for it day after day.

After lunch, unwind with a visit the Hyman Vineyards. Here, you can sample the naturally sweet

Radd Dews Bar-B-Que, a local family-owned restaurant that serves some of the South's best native dishes like hash, slaw, beans, rice, barbecue, and of course, the favored chicken bog – a must-try. It's a stew of chicken, rice, onions, and sausage topped with black pepper and bay. (Photo courtesy of Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce)

To end the day, if you have room for a little more food, make a final stop at Rivertown Bistro for appetizers on the upstairs deck overlooking historic downtown Conway, in the private upstairs dining room or in the two-tiered main dining room. If you can't eat another thing, we recommend imbibing with a cold beer or glass of wine, and reflecting upon your food-filled Conway culinary day trip. 

Murrells Inlet:

Murrells Inlet is a quaint town that keeps its history alive through passed down ghost stories and

Prosser's Bar-B-Que, a restaurant that defines comfort food at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The chef tells us the best breakfast dish is, well, everything, because meals are served old fashioned buffet-style (there's a la carte ordering available too, but why bother?).  Whatever you eat, you'll also want to order a cold sweet tea, if for no other reason than to cleanse your palate between each bite of your rich breakfast. (Photo courtesy of Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce)

After breakfast, stop at 7 Seas Seafood Market, a local favorite for seafood lovers that specializes in whole fish fresh off their boats. You'll find a host of swordfish, shrimp, snapper, grouper, mahi mahi, tuna, crab, and more all at reasonable prices — pick something to take home and cook up later.

Then, make your way to Drunken Jacks for lunch and choose from the many delectable sandwiches and wraps including the different selections of Po Boys. The warm hush puppies and She Crab soup, a creamy low country tradition, are also local favorites.

For an afternoon snack, stop at the Old Kitchen or Courtyard Café at Brookgreen Gardens, where a relaxing picnic in their beautiful, tranquil gardens makes for an ideal afternoon. Brookgreen Gardens encompasses more than 9,000 acres as America's first public sculpture garden.

Next, Captain Dave's Dockside provides perfect waterfront dining. Our favorite parts, next to the picturesque setting, are the signature dishes: shrimp and grits, crab cakes, and pan-crusted grouper.

After dinner, relax with one of Bubba's Love Shak famous cocktails. The bartender will mix something delicious to ensure you have a perfect end to your gastronomic day. (Photo courtesy of Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce)