North Beach Surrounded by a Shopper’s Paradise

Article Thumbnail Image

Guests at North Beach Plantation have virtually everything they need on the resort premises — the beach, a spacious oceanfront pool deck, fine dining at 21 Main and a full-service pampering palace in the Cinzia Spa. Besides going sightseeing to explore all the great things the Grand Strand has to offer, the only real reason to leave the property is to go on a shopping spree.

The good news is you don't have to travel very far to find some of the best shopping on the Strand, and you can cover a lot of ground in one retail therapy session. With shopping options surrounding North Beach in every direction but that of the Atlantic Ocean, it's close and convenient to hit a wide variety of retail centers in the neighborhood. Here are five of our favorites:

  • Barefoot Landing: North Beach guests can walk to this popular entertainment, dining and shopping complex, which is located directly across Highway 17 from the resort. Boasting entertainment venues like the House of Blues and the Alabama Theatre, as well as great restaurants and other attractions, shopping is still the main attraction here. More than 60 stores line the boardwalk that borders Barefoot Lake and the Intracoastal Waterway, providing scenic views as well as a variety of shops to choose from. National chains and local franchises sit side by side, and the boardwalk features stilt-walkers, jugglers, mimes and other entertainers to add to the experience.
  • Main Street: Take a shopping trip back in time by driving a few miles north to historic Main Street. Locally owned and operated businesses and longtime mom-and-pop shops make up the majority of the storefronts here. Take a short stroll to unique shops such as Deja Vu Consignment for clothing and accessories, Hope & Taylor Company for apparel, and The Wildflower for collectibles. Closer to Ocean Drive, in an area known as the Horseshoe, there are beachwear stores, bars and shag dancing clubs where you can end your shopping trip with some fun.
  • Market Common: OK, so this retail center is about a 15-mile drive south in Myrtle Beach, but it's well worth the trip for North Beach guests who appreciate the finer things in life. Built on the former Myrtle Beach Air Force Base, this urban-style shopping village looks like a scene from a major city, with apartments standing over the tops of the storefronts that line the five-block district. Upscale shops like Anthropologie, Bijuju and dozens more are interspersed with cafes, bars, spas and other retail stores. The adjoining Grand Park has playgrounds, ball fields, picnic tables and hiking/biking trails, so you can make a full day of your visit.
  • Myrtle Beach Mall: Despite what the name says, Myrtle Beach Mall is not in Myrtle Beach. It's actually in Briarcliffe Acres, about a mile south of the resort, and offers a nice, air-conditioned alternative to Barefoot Landing on a hot or rainy day. Recently renovated and expanded, Myrtle Beach Mall is home to major anchor stores and national chains, including the only Bass Pro Shops on the Strand. There's also a movie theater and food court for those needing a break from shopping.
  • Tanger Outlet Stores: Located only a couple of miles south of the resort, the nearby Tanger Outlet is one of two on the Strand and has many stores you won't find at the Highway 501 sister shopping center. National chains of name-brand labels provide shopping opportunities for the whole family. Located across Kings Highway are several big-box stores, just in case the Tanger Outlet's 100-plus stores aren't enough shopping for you.

After a long day of shopping, head back to North Beach for a little rest, relaxation and recovery. Whether it’s a nightcap at the swim-up bar, a nice surf-and-turf combo at 21 Main or simply chilling out on your oceanfront balcony, North Beach Plantation is the perfect place to drop after you shop.