How many times has your Christmas dinner been an overpriced sandwich bought at your airport gate as you waited for your plane to be de-iced? The holidays are supposed to be a stress-free time to enjoy spending time with family and friends while indulging in great food and unwrapping special gifts. But instead of dashing through the snow, many unlucky travelers are stuck dashing through a crowded airport to make a last-minute connection or sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic on the interstate.
This year, avoid the O’Hare headaches and LaGuardia frenzy by flying into Myrtle Beach International Airport, where the runway is always open. From there, head to Long Bay Resort for a laid-back holiday vacation enjoying all the Grand Strand has to offer.
While you’re here, grab your smartphone and join in our special Holiday Hunt – you’re sure to make some fond memories! As you explore all the interesting seasonal festivities along the Grand Strand, we want you to capture some special moments and share them with us on Instagram. In all your photos, be sure and tag @longbaymb and use the hashtag #LBHolidayHunt2017 for the chance to win early Christmas presents.
Start off the Holiday Hunt by writing a giant holiday message on the beach – something like “Season’s Greetings from the Joneses!” Let your imagination run wild, just be sure to make it big enough that Santa could read it from high up in the sky if he leaned over the side of his sleigh. Once your merry masterpiece is completed, post a photo of it on the ’Gram.
Next on the list for the Holiday Hunt is a photo with Santa. Before gearing up for his journey around the world, he’ll be enjoying the relaxed atmosphere of the Myrtle Beach area. While you stay at Long Bay Resort, you’ll have a few photo ops. Jolly Old Saint Nick will be making several appearances at Santa’s Village at the North Myrtle Beach Park & Sports Complex through December 31st.
During the holidays, the Grand Strand transforms into a winter wonderland with lots of decorations. Visit one of the area’s winter festivals or displays and snap a photo with your favorite holiday lights. You could go to Brookgreen Gardens and take in the extravagant Nights of a Thousand Candles, with more than 5,000 hand-lit candles with support from strands of twinkling lights. This spectacular event runs through December 17th. Or, you could drive through the dazzling Great Christmas Light Show in North Myrtle Beach. This experience features over 500 magical light displays, some up to 55 feet tall! This year, there is also a section of lights synchronized with holiday music. You can see it all through December 31st.
While you’re around all the Christmas lights, chances are there is going to be a magnificent Christmas tree nearby. Go up to the tree, pick out an ornament that catches your eye, and take a photo of it. Be careful not to knock it off its perch – just get close enough to get the perfect pic for the Holiday Hunt.
The last photo you need to complete the Holiday Hunt is the most special. We want to encourage you to take a family photo that you can use for your holiday greeting card. You could gather on the beach just before sunset, or pose in front of a memorable Grand Strand landmark. And years from now, you’ll look at this photo and remember all the wonderful times you had in the Myrtle Beach area.
Once you wrap up the Holiday Hunt, make sure you posted all your photos with #LBHolidayHunt2017 and tagged @longbaymb. Then it’s time to unwrap a special gift from us!