Tour Options - Honoring our nation’s heroes

Within a few hours drive of the Myrtle Beach area there are numerous sites and attractions where groups can pay tribute to veterans from all branches of the U.S. military. In the evening Myrtle Beach area theatres come alive with world-class entertainment honoring those veterans who served to protect our freedom.

Whether it is a hub & spoke tour based in Myrtle Beach, or simply a stop on the way here – no other destination and its surrounding area offers as many tour options honoring veterans. Here’s a Yellow Ribbon Tour that’s sure to please.

Day 1 – Regardless of the path traveled to the Myrtle Beach area there are military sites and attractions on virtually every route. All are within an easy drive to/from Myrtle Beach and blend easily into your itinerary.

• Just south on Highway 17 in Mount Pleasant, SC is Patriot’s Point Naval & Maritime Museum. Home to the USS Yorktown this historic ship houses the Congressional Medal of Honor Museum and priceless warplanes from WW II to present day conflicts. 843-884-2727 or www.patriotspoint.org (1 ¾ hours from Myrtle Beach) 
• Just north on Highway 17 in Wilmington, NC rests the Battleship NORTH CAROLINA. This powerful ship rests peacefully now, but depicts daily life on-board for the crew and the furious combat they faced in the Pacific Theater. 910-251-5797 or www.battleshipnc.com (1 ¾ hours from Myrtle Beach)
• Further north on Highway 17 is Camp Lejeune. Since September 1941, Camp Lejeune has been the home of “Expeditionary Forces in Readiness” and throughout the years, it has become the home base for the II Marine Expeditionary Force, 2nd Marine Division, 2nd Marine Logistics Group and other combat units and support commands. 910-451-7440 or http://www.lejeune.usmc.mil/visitors/group_visitations/ (3-hours from Myrtle Beach)
• In Columbia, SC just off I-20 Fort Jackson serves as the U.S. Army Basic Combat Training Center of Excellence. Over 3,000 pieces representing the U.S. Army and its soldiers are on display at the base museum. 800-276-6984 or http://www.army.mil/info/organization/jackson/ (3-hours from Myrtle Beach)
• On Highway 378 an extraordinary opportunity awaits visitors at Shaw Air Force Base in Sumter, SC. The Poinsett Combat Weapons Range Complex is the only facility in the country that allows the public to view the bombing maneuvers of our nation's pilots. 803-666-4272 or http://www.shaw.af.mil/index.asp (2-hours from Myrtle Beach)
• On I-95 in Fayetteville, NC you’ll find the Airborne & Special Operations Museum. Beginning in 1940 with the birth of the U.S. Army Parachute Test Platoon exhibits move the visitor through history ending with today’s airborne and special operations units. 910-643-2775 or www.asomf.org (2 ½-hours from Myrtle Beach.

Upon arriving in Myrtle Beach and checking into your accommodations, relax and than enjoy a great seafood dinner at Seafare Restaurant. Your choice of a plated seafood dinner, or wonderful buffet awaits you. Bring your first evening in Myrtle Beach to an enjoyable close at the Alabama Theatre. You’ll be moved with the closing number and their rousing tribute to veterans.

Day 2 – Plan on a day trip to Shaw Air Force Base, or Patriot’s Point Naval & Maritime Museum. Each is close enough and offers a memorable experience. Returning to Myrtle Beach you’ll have ample time to enjoy shopping at numerous outlet stores, specialty shops and malls. Enjoying a local attraction such as Brookgreen Gardens or Ripley’s Aquarium may be more to your liking and they both would welcome your visit. Do save room for dinner though. Any number of Myrtle Beach restaurants will be happy to provide a themed dinner for your group. Bring Day 2 of your Yellow Ribbon Tour to an end with the talented cast at Legends In Concert.

Day 3 - The short drive to Wilmington, NC and a visit to the Battleship NORTH CAROLINA makes for a memorable experience. Historic downtown Wilmington is a treat and one you’ll be sure to enjoy. Lunch downtown or an excursion on the riverboat should certainly be considered. Do find some quiet time on the return drive and be well rested for your last evening in Myrtle Beach. Dinner at Rioz Brazilian Steakhouse is a fun (and must) experience. Nobody leaves hungry. Your day is complete at The Carolina Opry and the show that’s celebrating 25-years of entertaining Myrtle Beach visitors. The cast’s final number pays tribute to those that protect us and fought so we may be free.

Day 4 – Depart Myrtle Beach after breakfast at your host hotel. Thanks for visiting and to all the veterans - We Salute You!

Supplier Spotlight - Seafare Restaurant a tradition of service to groups and community

Stephen Karos and his wife Nicole operate one of the most unique and long-standing restaurants in the Myrtle Beach area. Seafare Restaurant has continually been at the forefront of buffet restaurants for more than 20 years welcoming groups for an unforgettable dining experience.

Carrying on a tradition of service and generosity to the community comes naturally to Stephen and Nicole Karos. Stephen’s parents always considered their guests and the community they lived as part of their extended family. They treated them as such, contributing where they could to local causes and organizations.

The Waccamaw Youth Center in Conway serves at risk male teens with histories of neglect and abuse by providing them spiritual fulfillment, educational services and mental health counseling as well as room and board. Once each month Seafare hosts all the residents of the center for dinner, treating the young men to a delicious seafood buffet, while providing them time away to enjoy a fun evening. Stephen and Nicole enjoy visiting with the group and catching up on progress made since their last dinner. The entire Seafare crew comes together to contribute to the center. The Karoses also serve on the executive board of the center and help with individual fundraisers throughout the year.

“Jason’s House,” a mission supported by Surfside United Methodist Church and area businesses, provides free vacations to families burdened by the care of a child with life-threatening cancer. The Karoses and Seafare Restaurant proudly contribute meals each year to “Jason’s House” in hopes of providing both a delicious meal and a night of family togetherness.

With the same energy and commitment Stephen and Nicole extend in their community service, they welcome groups to their brand new restaurant. Having moved in March of this year from a smaller location in Surfside Beach, they are now serving their wonderful 120-item buffet on the north end of Restaurant Row. Located on Highway 17 N the completely re-modeled restaurant is just minutes from The Carolina Opry and Alabama Theatre.

In addition to a bountiful buffet, Seafare Restaurant is proud to offer for groups’ only, plated seafood dinners. To make your dinner arrangements or for more information: 843-232-1366, groups@seafarerestaurant.com or www.seafarerestaurant.com.

News - New additions for Broadway at the Beach Include restaurants and shops for sports, technology and apparel

MYRTLE BEACH, SC (April 12, 2010) - Broadway at the Beach in Myrtle Beach, SC announced today that 17 new leases have been signed. The new additions to the state's largest tourist attraction include Ron Jon Surf Shop, Wet Willie's, Sanibel Sunglass Company, Sports Fanatics, Sharkey's Bar & Grill, Pizza Hut Express, Vintage House, State Fair, Euphoria, Mason's at the Beach, XCell Wireless Technology and Accessories, Baja Bistro, Tervis Tumbler and Zhedo Fashions. All of these stores, which will be located throughout the 700,000-square-foot Broadway at the Beach, will open between March and July. Two merchants, Toys N Company and Tsunami Surf Shop, have signed new leases and moved into larger locations. For more information about Broadway at the Beach, visit www.BroadwayAtTheBeach.com.