Located on Highway 501 about five miles from the beach, this Tanger Outlet has been recently renovated to make room for even more shops and stores. As one of two Tanger Outlets in the Myrtle Beach area, this one is farther inland and often less crowded. Like its sister stores on the North Strand, this one also offers a great variety of outlet clothing and shoe stores, including Brooks Brothers, OshKosh B'Gosh, J Crew, Ralph Lauren Polo, Nine West, Guess, Nike and Timberland. Home accessories and housewares are available, too, and a new and improved layout makes for easier access.
Recommended for Christmas Shopping because: The trip down Highway 501 to this Tanger Outlet is lined with all types of national, regional and local retail outlets.
Terry's expert tip: The traffic on Highway 501 can be a nightmare during rush hour and heavy holiday shopping periods. Take the lesser traveled Highway 31, which exits a quarter-mile from the mall.
Remember the old country store, where you could find anything and everything plus a little more. Well, that's Pawleys Island Mercantile in a nutshell, although most of the products have a South Carolina Lowcountry theme. This general store-style shop features lots of souvenirs from Pawleys Island and South Carolina, including the familiar palmetto tree and a crescent moon that serves as the state flag. Pawleys Island Mercantile also offers a large supply of toys, jewelry, T-shirts and flip-flops for your beachwear needs for the week. Not into shopping? Grab a cold drink and a snack and head to the gazebo area to spend the day in the shade with others in your party shop till they drop.
Recommended for Christmas Shopping because: Pawleys Island Mercantile has great scenery to go with its unique shopping.
Terry's expert tip: Pawleys Island Mercantile also is home to the Candy Cottage, providing the perfect excuse to stumble into some holiday sweets.
This Tanger Outlet Mall, at the northern end of Myrtle Beach, offers shoppers a plethora of upscale outlet stores, including BCBG Maxazria, Polo Ralph Lauren and Ann Taylor. There are more casual options as well, such as Gap, Old Navy, Reebok and Easy Spirit. It's a documented fact that intense shopping makes you hungry, and there's plenty of good food to choose from here in a vast food court, such as Ben and Jerry's and Five Guys., as well as an abundance of other shopping, dining and entertainment alternatives in the immediate area.
Recommended for Christmas Shopping because: Tanger South Outlets Mall is conveniently located near other great shopping and Myrtle Beach's famed Restaurant Row.
Terry's expert tip: For those staying farther inland, there's another Tanger Outlet Mall on Highway 501 between Myrtle Beach and Conway.
Bargain hunters take note, Hudson's has 430 vendor spaces, and you can find some awesome deals among the stalls, whether you're looking for antique tables or computer desks, china or cheap dishes for you college-bound daughter. The family-owned business was started in 1975 and is now the largest covered flea market on the Grand Strand. Hudson's has five whole acres of free parking and pick-up spaces for those loading larger purchases. You'll also find food booths, and on Sunday mornings, there are non-denominational church services for both kids and adults. A fun place to spend the day in the shade.
Recommended for Christmas Shopping because: If you can't find it anywhere else, Hudson's Flea Market is your best shot.
Terry's expert tip: Hudson's is the perfect place for that unique Christmas gift that won't show up somewhere else under the tree.
The Original Pawleys Island Hammock Shop drew such a steady stream of tourists that several additional shops and restaurants sprung up in its shadow. Today, you'll find not only hammocks but a nice array of other goods, from candles and children's clothing to Christmas decorations and jewelry. There are gourmet and South Carolina specialty food shops, an Audubon gift shop, and a couple of art galleries as well. And at lunchtime, whether you're looking for a bite on the go or a full sit down meal, you'll find it here. Individual business hours vary, but most shops are open Mon-Sat 9:30 am-6 pm and Sun noon-5 pm.
Recommended for Christmas Shopping because: Pawleys Island Hammock Shops is the best place to pick up a piece of the Lowcountry to take home with you.
Terry's expert tip: Take a break from shopping to enjoy a tasty breakfast, lunch or dinner at the adjoining BisQit Restaurant.
This enclosed mall, located between Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach, features traditional anchors JCPenney and Belk as well as popular specialty shops like Books-a-Million, Aeropostale, and Pacific Sunwear. But perhaps the mall's biggest draw is Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World, the only South Carolina location of the popular fishing, hunting, hiking and camping superstore. A destination unto itself, Bass Pro Shops carries a mind-boggling range of merchandise (from waders all the way to ATVs) and supplements that with occasional demonstrations (from outdoor cooking or bird-dogging, for example) and one very impressive fish tank (stocked with bass, of course) to test your gear before you buy it.
Recommended for Christmas Shopping because: Recent renovations have made Myrtle Beach Mall one of the best shopping experiences on the Strand.
Terry's expert tip: Bass Pro Shop offers Santa's Wonderland, a play place for kids and the young at heart, during Christmas time.
Opened in 2004, this fashionable mall is anchored by Belk, Sears, Dillard's, Bed Bath & Beyond and Dick's Sporting Goods. All the familiar favorites are here like Bath & Body Works, Charlotte Russe, Earthbound Trading Company, Express, Gap, Abercrombie & Fitch, A�ropostale, Gymboree, Jos. A. Bank, PacSun and Victoria's Secret. For entertainment, there's a 14-screen cinema, an indoor climbing wall, a modern arcade, a food court and a few sit-down restaurants. Several strip malls, restaurants and specialty shops have sprung up around the Coastal Grand Mall since its opening so visitors should make the loop to get the full experience.
Recommended for Christmas Shopping because: Coastal Grand is the largest and most modern mall on the Grand Strand.
Terry's expert tip: If you plan on going to a show or attraction, certain kiosks offer free or discounted tickets ... if you don't mind taking a survey.
This North Myrtle Beach multi-purpose complex offers the best in entertainment, dining and shopping in one scenic location on the Intracoastal Waterway. The House of Blues, Alabama Theater and Alligator Adventure are among the fun stops along the way through the maze of unique restaurants and shops. Wooden walkways over the lake allow visitors to shop while the drop and recover with a rest break on the benches while enjoying a beautiful view. Located across the Waterway from Barefoot Resort and four championship golf courses, Barefoot Landing is a great place to unwind after a long day on the links.
Recommended for Christmas Shopping because: Barefoot Landing has great entertainment options for guests looking to make a full day of shopping and fun.
Terry's expert tip: Barefoot Landing has a decorated tree, hot cocoa and caroling at the carousel during special holiday nights.
Located on the former Myrtle Beach Air Force Base, which closed in 1994, this new multi-purpose complex features great dining and entertainment options. But shopping is the top draw, and Market Common does an awesome impersonation of an urban retail district one would expect to find in a major city. With more than 50 shops on one city block, window shoppers can stroll through this retail district and check out such exclusive stores as Anthropologie, Fossil, Ivy & Leo, Orvis and many more. Upscale restaurants, a state-of-the-art theater and biking and jogging trails are part of the atmosphere at Market Common.
Recommended for Christmas Shopping because: Market Common goes all out for Christmas, including a beautifully decorated shopping district.
Terry's expert tip: Market Common offers ElfWorks, a children's interactive Christmas play area for the kids, in the main district.
Live entertainment venues, nightclubs, dining, specialty shops and more all situated around a 23-acre freshwater pond known as Lake Broadway. Shops include specialty apparel boutiques for women, men and kids, shoe stores and resort wear specialists. There's also a Build-A-Bear Workshop, art galleries, numerous jewelry and accessory stores, and souvenir and gift shops. Dining and nightlife options include everything from seafood to pizza and rock 'n roll to classical, with a number of national chains represented. Entertainment options range from Ripley's Aquarium and miniature golf to movie theaters and a baseball stadium. The nightclubs are open late but individual business hours vary.
Recommended for Christmas Shopping because: Broadway at the Beach has been named the No. 1 attraction in Myrtle Beach.
Terry's expert tip: Simply driving through the colorfully lit and decorated Broadway complex is worth the visit.