Laughing Lindsay

Travel Reviews, Giveaways, & More!

Myrtle Beach Restaurants Guide

By Leave a Comment

Back in April 2025, my mom and I visited South Carolina for a few days. During that time, we ate at several great places. So, I thought I would list them in a Myrtle Beach Restaurants Guide!

Myrtle Beach Restaurants Guide

Myrtle Beach Restaurants Guide

Myrtle Beach has a plethora of great dining options! We spent 3 nights here and I feel like there were several other places we could try if we ever go back. Plus, I don’t think a single option disappointed us. Everything was good! So, here are the places we dined at in April 2025 and would highly recommend you try when you visit!

Sea Captain’s House

For our first meal in Myrtle Beach, I booked us a reservation at Sea Captain’s House. This was a wonderful way to kick-start our trip here. We got a table beside a window with a breathtaking view of the ocean! In fact, the image for this post (seen above) was taken at this restaurant! It was such a unique experience (for me) to enjoy some fresh seafood while looking out at the ocean. I will always think of this restaurant when I remember this trip.

The meal started with a bowl of tasty hushpuppies! Then, came our mains. My mom ordered the Filet of Flounder with a baked potato. I believe she really enjoyed each of those items. I got the Crab Cakes with asparagus! Again, it was so nice to enjoy fresh seafood while looking out at the ocean. We split a slice of key lime pie for dessert and ate every last piece of it. This was a great way to kick off a trip to the beach! Plus, we were able to walk out the back of the restaurant and right onto the beach!

Pro tip: Book a reservation ahead of time. This is a popular place to eat. Also, it is a nice restaurant. So, dress up a little.

Blueberry’s Grill

For our first breakfast in the area, we selected Blueberry’s Grill. Technically, we ate at the one located in North Myrtle Beach prior to doing some shopping (see my guide to shopping in Myrtle Beach) at Barefoot Landing. However, there’s another one located in Myrtle Beach proper as well.

If you visit here, you must try the blueberry hushpuppies! They are slightly sweet and very good. For my meal, I went with the Blueberry Ricotta Waffle. This is the ultimate breakfast for any blueberry fan. From the blueberry batter to the blueberry-flavored syrup and served with fresh berries. It’s so good! My mom got the Cinnamon Roll French Toast! She’s not as big of a blueberry fan, so this was a nice sweet treat for her. Plus, who doesn’t want to try French Toast made out of a cinnamon roll?

Captain George’s

For our second night’s dinner, we elected to try one of the huge seafood buffets! We loved the ambiance of this place. It was so cool to see the boats over top of the buffet lines! It added something to the experience. We were pleased with the wide selection of items on the buffet. I loved being able to try so many different types of seafood without fearing that I was wasting an entree choice on it. I even tried Rockefeller oysters for the first time! It was fun to try snow crab legs for the first time as well. My mom and I had fun trying to open them. All of the seafood was plentiful and good. It was a little pricey, but then again buffets with seafood are. It was definitely a splurge to eat here. However, we thought it was worth the money spent.

Johnny D’s Waffles

The one breakfast location I knew I had to try on this trip was Johnny D’s Waffles! Named best waffles in South Carolina by Food Network Magazine and run by an award winning chef, this restaurant was high on my priority list. I’m happy to report that the Red Velvet Waffle lived up to the hype. It wasn’t overly sweet and had nuance to the flavors. I find myself thinking about this waffle from time to time since it was so good. My mom enjoyed her Coconut Banana Waffle French Toast too. We left this restaurant feeling happy and full.

Donald’s Pancake House

Our last meal in Myrtle Beach was at Donald’s Pancake House. This little eatery had friendly staff and good food. I enjoyed their German Chocolate pancakes featuring South Carolina pecans! It had a great combination of flavors that meshed well. Plus, it felt good to know that I was eating something local with pecans coming from that state. My mom ordered Donald’s Breakfast special with 2 regular pancakes, 2 eggs, and bacon. She seemed really happy with her meal as well. It was a nice, sweet way to end our time in Myrtle Beach.

Bonus – See a Dinner Show

One last dining recommendation I can make is to enjoy a dinner show! We tried Medieval Times for my mom’s first time! You can see my Medieval Times Myrtle Beach Dinner Show Review to read my full review of the experience. The show was most enjoyable. Although, the food was the least interesting food we had on this trip. So, I guess it depends if you want award winning food/fresh seafood OR a fun dining experience.

Myrtle Beach Restaurants

While this is not an exhaustive list of the many dining establishments in Myrtle Beach, it is a look at all of the tasty food we enjoyed while visiting. So, where do you like to eat on a trip to the beach? Did I miss your favorite?

Myrtle Beach Shopping Guide

By Leave a Comment

When I was planning my trip to South Carolina last year, I wish I had encountered a Myrtle Beach Shopping Guide. So, I thought I would post my own.

Myrtle Beach Shopping Guide

Myrtle Beach Shopping Guide

If you enjoy shopping, then Myrtle Beach is an ideal travel destination. There are loads of little shops along the beach. However, there’s also two outlet malls and two different shopping/entertainment districts. Given the popularity of those four locations, I’m going to focus on highlighting their differences to help you narrow down where you might want to spend your money and time.

Tanger Myrtle Beach – Hwy 17

The first place I want to discuss is the outlet mall on Highway 17. It was our top priority for shopping because it has a Disney Outlet! We love to hit up Disney Outlets to get discount park merch. We also liked that it had a Vera Bradley outlet. Unfortunately, on our visit the Victoria’s Secret store here was a regular one, not an outlet store. Additionally, this outlet mall seemed a touch nicer than the next one.

Tanger Myrtle Beach – Hwy 501

After striking out at the VS at Hwy 17, we headed over to the one at 501. As of spring 2025, the Victoria’s Secret at this outlet mall was a real outlet store with lots of discounted merch. This mall has a lot of overlap with the above outlet mall. However, it felt like it was more spread out and there were more crosswalks where you had to watch out for traffic.

Barefoot Landing

Barefoot Landing is a shopping/entertainment district in North Myrtle Beach. During our first trip here, they were in the process of building it. So, it was nice to re-visit it and see it completed. It’s a nicely themed, classy place to do some shopping and relaxing. It’s nice to sit and look out at the water. I also recommend grabbing a bite to eat at Blueberry’s Grill! We really enjoyed our breakfast here one morning! We also grabbed a couple of ornaments to remember this trip by at the Christmas Mouse!

Broadway at the Beach

Broadway at the Beach is another shopping/entertainment district. However, it’s in Myrtle Beach proper. As such, it is definitely more family friendly. We started our day here by visiting the Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach. There’s also a Pavilion Park Fun Park that has lots of amusement rides for kids to enjoy. So, if you are looking for something to entertain the kids while you shop, this is a great option!

Where should you go shopping in Myrtle Beach?

While there are lots of other little shops you can visit in Myrtle Beach, I think these are the four main options. I hope I’ve given you enough information to help you decide which places you should visit on your vacation. Where do you like to shop in Myrtle Beach?

A Look Back at 2025

By Leave a Comment

Since it’s the last day of the year, I thought I’d post a look back at 2025!

A Look Back at 2025

A Look Back at 2025

Well, back in 2024, I said that I wasn’t sure where 2025 would take me. However, I hinted at a bucket list trip to kick off the new year. That trip was to New York City with my husband! From there on, the year was filled with several last minute trips. I don’t particularly care for last minute trips and prefer to be more intentional with my trips. However, that’s just how some years go! In 2025, I managed to take 9 trips! Granted, several of those were quick 24-48 hour weekend trips. Nonetheless, I felt like I traveled too much in the first half of the year (6 trips) and slowed way down in the second half (3 trips). I also got sick in October and that lasted until late November (Covid that turned into bronchitis). So, that also slowed me down. I’m currently looking to plan some trips in 2026, just trying to narrow down my options. Here’s a look at where I’ve been in 2025 though.

New York at Christmas

My 2025 started with a bang! My husband and I visited NYC in early January to experience it at Christmas! I finally got to see the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree in person! I also go to see the Rockettes perform! It was a quick 48 hours trip, but it’s one I think about often. I hope I get to return to NYC at Christmastime again someday.

Dollywood by Myself

In March, I made a real last minute trip to Dollywood… by myself! You see, I’m not much of a driver. It tends to cause me a lot of stress. So, this was the first trip I’ve taken where I drove myself! I knew if I made a plan too far in advance, then I might chicken out. I booked my room a week or so out and then didn’t tell anyone except for my husband just in case I didn’t do it. Ha! I surprised my mom by sending her pictures of my room and she was absolutely shocked that I drove myself. It sounds crazy, but I am proud of the progress I’ve made to overcome my driving anxiety.

The Beach

The first trip my mom and I ever took after my dad died was to Myrtle Beach. That was in 2013. However, we hadn’t returned to the beach since then. When we were attempting to nail down a spring trip, I suggested returning to MB and my mom liked the idea. We ended up spending a few days in Myrtle and then a night in Charleston. It was a nice trip that I’m glad we took together.

Epic Universe

Yet another last minute trip happened at the beginning of May. I got to visit Epic Universe for park previews before its official opening! I can’t believe I got to experience a park before it officially opened to the public. It’s a real pinch me moment. It was so surreal and I’m glad I had the time and funds to make it happen.

Return to Tweetsie

The first theme park I ever visited was Tweetsie Railroad! I visited with my aunt and cousins as a child, but hadn’t returned. I kept talking about returning as an adult, but it wasn’t until May of this year that I finally did it. My husband and I took a real last minute weekend trip down to Boone, NC and visited this park. It was neat to re-create photos from my childhood and to see how things are going now. I hope I can return someday to experience its Halloween and Christmas events.

I Met Bob Gurr

In September, I took a whirlwind trip to California. While there, I got to meet former Disney Imagineer and Disney Legend, Bob Gurr! Talk about another pinch me moment. I still can’t believe that happened either. However, I am so thankful I was able to meet him and see his home. During that trip, I also got to eat at Tam O’Shanter, a Walt Disney favorite. Then, I went down to Anaheim to visit Disneyland for Halloween again. It was a tiring trip made worse by a flight diversion to Charlotte at the end. Anyways, I’m not sure I have it in me for another West Coast trip anytime soon.

Looking Ahead to 2026

I always like to give a little preview of what’s to come in the new year in these posts. However, as of this writing, I don’t have it figured out yet. Traveling has gotten much harder for my mom. She now requires lots of breaks and we will probably stick to driving distance trips. It’s all pretty new, so we are still figuring it out.

Although, I did renew my Dollywood pass for 2026 and upgraded to a Diamond pass for the first time! So, there should be at least 1 or 2 trips there next year.

Where do you plan on visiting in 2026? Where do you think I should go?

Homewood Suites Myrtle Beach Grand Mall Review

By Leave a Comment

Back in April, my mom and I spent several nights in South Carolina. Due to the weather, we decided to head down a day early and booked a single night at Homewood Suites Myrtle Beach Grand Mall last minute. This hotel had some good things and not so great things about it, so I thought I would review it.

Homewood Suites Myrtle Beach Grand Mall

Homewood Suites Myrtle Beach Grand Mall

We booked this hotel the day before we arrived as it was a last minute decision to head down early. We opted to save a little money by not staying directly on the beach since it was just for one night. We paid $278.30 (including taxes using a Hilton Honors discount) for a Saturday night in early April. We liked that it was located away from the hustle and bustle of the beach given that it was a Saturday night. However, it was relatively close to other points of interest.

This place smells nice when you first enter. It has a nice, beachy vibe as you would expect from a hotel at the beach.

Double Queen One Bedroom Suite

The nice thing about this hotel is that every room is a suite! We enjoyed the extra space found here. There was a kitchenette area and living room! The bedroom could be closed off from the front living room by closing the door. It was nice to have the extra space to spread out, even if it was only for one night. The TV did have limited channels, much to my mother’s dismay.

Unfortunately, the beds weren’t that comfortable. My mom had some back pain the next day and suspected it came from these mattresses. I felt ok, so I’m not sure if it was the mattresses or not. There’s also poor lighting in the bathroom itself, so the shower was a little dark for my liking.

Overall, the room was more than sufficient for a one night stay.

Pros

  • Quiet – This hotel was located next to a mall. So, it was much calmer than a hotel on the beach.
  • Spacious suite – We enjoyed the extra space here. It would have been nice to use the kitchenette had we stayed longer.
  • Nice accommodations – The hotel is themed subtly with beach vibes and feels relaxing.
  • Relatively affordable by beach standards – It wasn’t a cheap night, but it wasn’t overly expensive given some of the rates we saw for this night.

Cons

  • Beds not the most comfortable – As I stated above, my mom’s back hurt the next day. I don’t know if it was caused by the beds here or not, but her back stopped hurting after we stayed at the Courtyard Myrtle Beach Oceanfront.
  • Poor lighting in the bathroom – If you have vision issues, then a dark bathroom might be important to note.
  • Limited tv channels – We enjoy watching tv on vacation and had a bit of a hard time finding something to watch here.

Should you stay at the Homewood Suites Myrtle Beach Grand Mall?

I think many families would enjoy staying here. The extra space would be appreciated by most travel groups. The kitchenette would be useful for those on a budget or those who just prefer to cook their own meals. It’s also ideal for people who want to visit the area without dealing with the people/noise/traffic of being on the beach. If you have back troubles, then you might not like the mattresses here. Other than that, it’s a pretty good hotel.

Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach Review

By Leave a Comment

While visiting South Carolina in April, my mom and I decided to visit Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach. So, I thought I would post a little review with some tips in case anyone is considering visiting.

Ripley's Aquarium of Myrtle Beach

Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach

Years ago, my mom and I visited the aquarium in Gatlinburg, TN and enjoyed that experience. However, it was during Covid protocols still and we wanted to experience the aquarium during more normal times. So, when we visited Myrtle Beach back in April we decided to visit Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach. We ended up spending a few hours here and really liked it.

It was fun to wander around the aquarium and not know exactly what was around the corner. My favorites were the penguins and spotting a sea turtle in the Dangerous Reef! I also enjoyed watching the sloth sleep in their tree. I think that since these are live animals, you never know what you are going to see. So, it definitely makes it more interesting and increases repeatability.

Tips

  • Arrive early – We rope dropped the aquarium and had it pretty much to ourselves for the first half hour or so. It was nice to look at the penguins without a crowd.
  • Use a coupon – There are loads of coupons to be had for this place. There’s some online codes as well as physical coupons in booklets in Myrtle Beach. I highly recommend using one to save a few dollars.
  • Take your time – This aquarium had lots of benches and places to sit and take a break. My mom had a hard time getting around this trip, so the benches were perfect for us. She was able to sit and rest while I continued looking at things of interest.
  • Consider add on experiences – They have several add on options available from meeting animals to riding a boat. We didn’t participate in any of those things, but they look cool.
  • You can be snacky – We noticed a few snack carts around the aquarium selling various snacks. So, you don’t have to worry about getting hungry here. You can get a snack and continue enjoying the aquarium.
  • Consult the schedule – I love penguins, so I was tickled to be able to watch them feed the penguins during our visit. You can learn so much and see something new by watching them take care of the animals here.
  • Spend the day at Broadway at the Beach – My mom and I spent a little more time exploring Broadway at the Beach after leaving the aquarium. It has lots of stores and restaurants. Plus, there’s a carnival type area with rides. You can easily spend a day here. We also appreciated that it was close to our Courtyard Myrtle Beach Oceanfront hotel.

Should you visit Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach?

I think this is the perfect activity for animal/marine lovers. Plus, it’s a great way to spend a rainy day at the beach since it’s indoors. It can also be a great way to get out of the hot sun. Either way, I think people of all ages will enjoy visiting this location. Have you ever been?