I won't grow up: My trip to the Children's Museum of South Carolina

Colorful walls, whimsical children's art and kid-sized chairs made me wish I was five years old all over again.

As a 22-year-old, I feel like I'm still walking the line between teenager and adult. 

Sure, I graduated from college, live on my own and work a full-time job, but I still ask for my parents' opinion when handling big deal decisions (for example, I really appreciated their help as I bought a car over the weekend). 

So it was nice to step back in time for a little while during a recent visit to the Children's Museum of South Carolina. I was so happy to be inside the museum's bright walls, reconnecting with my inner child. From learning about sea turtle habitats and South Carolina's backyards to powering a little town with a generator and marveling at the works of mini artists, it was a really fun adventure. Whether you're learning about weather by predicting the forecast in a television newsroom setting or counting out dollars in the Big Bank exhibit, the Children's Museum of South Carolina aims to make education entertaining and playful.
My size and age kept me from really taking advantage of all the museum has to offer (I didn't try driving the ambulance, crouching behind the puppet theater or sliding around on the sock hockey rink), but the kids I encountered during my visit seemed to be having a wonderful time.
The museum, which is located in downtown Myrtle Beach, has been a fixture in the area for 19 years, bringing in locals and tourists alike. Museum general manager Melanie McMurrain said the building sees more than 45,000 visitors each year.
The Children's Museum is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
To learn more about the museum, visit cmsckids.org or call 843-946-9469. To view a photo gallery from the museum and read my full story, check out mbvisit.com. 

North Myrtle Beach Area Historical Museum: Memories on display

It's been a few weeks since I've posted on here, but only because I've been hard at work on other projects and too busy going on adventures to write!
I've eaten fish tacos at Sun City Cafe and a pulled pork sandwich at Rockabilly BBQ, rummaged through bins of vinyl at Kilgor Trouts, checked out an acoustic show at Fresh Brewed Coffee House, sang along at a few concerts at House of Blues, scored some deals at Tanger Outlets, had a ridiculously fun "tourist" night at Broadway at the Beach, cheered for my favorite knight while eating with my hands at Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament, laughed at Stage Left Theatre Company's sketch comedy show and simply relaxing and taking in the beautiful sun, sand and sea of Myrtle Beach.
While all those excursions were fun, one of my favorite recent outings was a trip to the new North Myrtle Beach Area Historical Museum. Housed in the former library building, the museum opened in April 2013 and holds many local memories in the form of old photographs, a collection of sea shells, t-shirts from past events and so much more.

Beauty pageant memorabilia and a Vanna White signature 

From shag to local schools, government to tourism, visitors can see snapshots of daily life displayed throughout the museum. You can see Native American arrowheads, vintage bathing suits, beauty pageant memorabilia, a 1954 telegraph key and a "Wheel of Fortune" game piece all in the same room.

This quilt shows off shag t-shirts. 

Most of the artifacts are kept behind glass, but there are some interactive elements, including a lifeguard's chair you can sit in, giant replica "postcards" you can leaf through and a chance to sit inside a smiling Ocean Drive moon.
Every item on display was donated to the museum, with new items coming in frequently. Museum director Jenean Todd said that items will rotate within the year.
The North Myrtle Beach Area Historical Museum is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors/college students/military with ID, $3 for youth ages 5 to 17 and free for children age 5 and under.
The museum is located at 799 2nd Avenue N. in North Myrtle Beach. (Be sure to specify "NORTH" Myrtle Beach when typing the address into your GPS. I ended up in Surfside the first time I tried to visit because of my sloppy fingers.)
Visit NMBmuseum.com or call 843-427-7668 for more information.
To read my full story about the museum, pick up the September issue of Visit! or check it out online now at mbvisit.com along with a photo gallery.

Local fish and natural beauty

Graham's Landing in Murrells Inlet pleases guests with maritime charm, a waterfront view and a bounty of local fish. 

We have been hard at work putting together the August edition of Visit! and can’t wait for you to pick up a copy when it hits stands next week.

While I’ve been busy at the office, I’ve still made time for adventures around town.

A few weeks ago, I had a chance to explore the Grand Strand’s south end. I had heard about the natural beauty I could find in Georgetown County and had seen pictures of the wildlife there, but so far, my beach living experience has been taking place in the more centralized tourist spots around Myrtle Beach.

Visit! editor Heather Gale and I had planned a trip to Brookgreen Gardens to check out the Cool Summer Evenings concert series. Former “American Idol” contestant and Coastal Carolina alum Elise Testone was taking the stage that week.

It had been a rather rainy morning that Friday, but we were feeling adventurous and decided to brave the weather and check out Brookgreen Gardens anyway. I am so very glad we did, as the sky cleared up for an evening of fantastic music.  (Check out Heather’s post about Brookgreen here.)

Before the concert, we stopped for dinner at a delightful waterfront restaurant in Murrells Inlet. Graham’s Landing, which opened last August, is inside a quaint log house off Hwy. 17 Business. With an old-fashioned porch that wraps around the entire building and twinkling Christmas lights illuminating the entrance, it’s clear the restaurant has charm before you even walk inside. Once you step through the doors, it only gets better. The walls are decorated with South Carolina and maritime artwork, including large metal fish, and the wait staff greets you with smiles and excellent service. We dined around 6 p.m. on a Friday night, and the place was buzzing with big groups and couples alike as friends met up for a few drinks at the bar and families sat for dinner on the outdoor patio. 

I’ve been a fan of seafood for as long as I can remember, so getting fresh, local fish has been one of my favorite things about living at the beach. The menu at Graham’s Landing is filled with tasty options. I chose the fried flounder platter and was satisfied with the flakey, tender delight that was presented to me. I do wish I tried the shrimp and grits, which our waitress highly recommended, but that just means I’ll have to make a return trip.

My dinner: fried flounder, fresh green beans and a twice-baked potato.

Murrells Inlet’s claim to fame is its scenic marsh, filled with wildlife and lush greenery. Whether they are sitting on the back porch or near the back of the restaurant, patrons can get a good look at nature while enjoying their meals at Graham’s Landing. From the swaying grass to the majestic white birds keeping watch on the water, it’s a sight to behold.

Graham’s Landing is open from 11:30 a.m. until…but the kitchen closes at 10 p.m. The restaurant is located at 5225 Hwy. 17 Business in Murrells Inlet. Graham’s Landing is closed on Sundays. In addition to dining in, take out and catering are available. Visit grahamslandingmurrellsinlet.com or call 843-947-0520 for more information.

Read my full story on Graham’s Landing in the August issue of Visit! or online now at mbvisit.com. 

Do you believe in magic?: Taking in a show at The Palace Theatre

Carol Maccri-Gossamer, Peter Gossamer, Palace Theatre mascot Magic and Ben Blaque want you to come to the show!

In addition to my passion for journalism, I’ve spent much of my life in the theatre, performing in choirs and community theatre shows since childhood. While I prefer being onstage myself, I’ve spent a lot of time on the other side as well.

Nothing beats the excitement of sitting in a dark theatre moments before a show begins. Everyone around you is silent, wide-eyed and filled with wonder as they wait for the lights to come up and the cast to bring their talents to life. It’s a chance to let your worries disappear as you are transported to another world.

That is exactly how I felt while sitting in the audience at Myrtle Beach’s Palace Theatre last week before a matinee performance of “Illusions of Magic.”

I’ve heard about the famous theater for several years but had not been inside until taking my seat that day. The gorgeous dome-topped building, located at Broadway at Beach, has been a part of Myrtle Beach history for several years. From the elegant staircase in the lobby to the ornate metal decoration on the end of each row of seats, The Palace should be applauded as often for its beauty as it is for its high-quality entertainment.

"Illusions of Magic" runs through Sept. 28 at The Palace. 

It doesn’t matter how old you are. Something in this show will make you smile. Something will make you gasp. Whether it’s the high-energy dancing and upbeat music, sensational costuming and smoke machines or goofy jokes and well-executed tricks, “Illusions of Magic” is packed with enough action to dazzle any audience member.  

Illusionist Peter Gossamer and his assistant/wife Carol Maccri-Gossamer are the show’s main act. They mix pun-filled humor and a little bit of audience participation with mind-bending magic that you can marvel at from any seat in the house. The pair works well together, and it’s clear that the duo has great chemistry both onstage and offstage. The show also features a cast of ten dancers, roller skating duo Andrea and Gino Torreblanca, who spin and turn with an incredible amount of speed and grace, and a beautiful Bengal tiger.

The show’s other big draw is Ben Blaque, who has wowed audiences around the world with his crossbow act and gained national attention as a finalist on NBC’s “America’s Got Talent” in 2012. If you enjoyed his act on “AGT,” you can see some of the same epic feats from the show live at The Palace.

“Illusions of Magic” runs Monday through Saturday at The Palace Theatre, with evening performances nightly at 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays features a 10 a.m. matinee and Thursdays feature a 2 p.m. matinee in addition to the evening shows. The Palace Theatre is located at 1420 Celebrity Circle at Broadway at the Beach. Visit palacetheatremyrtlebeach.com or call 1-800-905-4228 for more information, including reservations and ticket prices.

Check out the August edition of Visit! for the full story on “Illusions of Magic,” including an interview with Ben Blaque, or read it online now at mbvisit.com.

Kristyn in the house: My first trip to House of Blues Myrtle Beach

Relient K rocked the House of Blues Tuesday night. I'm so glad I was in the audience for this one.
Photo and video by Kristyn Winch

I've been a concert fanatic since I was in the 6th grade. It started out with one a year, two a year and then, I lost count. I've been to at least three big shows this year, and the fun will just keep on rolling.

I've been dreaming of attending a show at House of Blues Myrtle Beach for a long time. A lot of the acts that play the venue didn't make the trip to my Upstate South Carolina/Charlotte, N.C. market, and my parents said driving over four hours from Spartanburg to see a show in Myrtle Beach was just too much effort.

Now that I live in Myrtle Beach,  I'm only 30 minutes away from Barefoot Landing and HOB. I finally walked through the doors of the concert venue Tuesday night to see The Rocketboys, The Almost and Relient K. I'd seen the headliner several years ago at The Orange Peel in Asheville, but this was an entirely different experience.

The venue is absolutely beautiful. Charming folk art on the walls gives the place a Southwestern vibe. Though there is limited seating, the sprawling stage is visible from nearly anywhere in the house. Many indoor venues that are standing-room only get stuffy during packed shows in summer months, but the air conditioning was working wonderfully Tuesday night. If you need to turn your back from the stage, the venue makes every effort to make sure you don't miss much. You could here the bands playing loud and clear if you needed to run to the bathroom and watch a live feed of the show while ordering a drink at the bar.

The music was phenomenal. That's why I went, after all. I was exposed to some new sounds and old favorites, and the show rocked on for more than three hours. Check out my video for a glimpse at Relient K's set.

In addition to the main concert hall, the House of Blues hosts live bands and DJs regularly on The Deck, the venue's outdoor bar. While I did not get to experience this part of the place, I'd definitely come back to check it out.

Overall, I was really pleased with my first show at HOB, and I'm sure I'll be back for another show very soon!