The Weekender – Our Next Escape

It’s finally warming up in our neck of the woods, and to me that means dreaming up spring/summer travel plans. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina has something for just about everyone, from shopping to entertainment to sports. Here are three of my can’t miss spots on the Grand Strand.

North Myrtle Beach

Fewer crowds and more room to breath make North Myrtle Beach my kind of beach. It’s a bit of a ways from the action of the boardwalk, but I don’t mind trading that for a tranquil morning on the beach (see photo above). Last summer, we stayed at the Myrtle Beach Marriott Resort and Spa at Grande Dunes. With direct beach access, you can hit the waves straight away. Or, first take a dip in one of these lovely swimming pools.

We’ve also just gone on day trips, spending an afternoon enjoying the sun and surf. Beachside public parking is available.

Brookgreen Gardens

Beautiful sculptures dot the floral landscapes at Brookgreen Gardens, about a 30-45-minute drive from Myrtle Beach. Stroll down the Live Oak Allée, where you’ll see oak trees hundreds of years old draped in Spanish moss.

Mr. Fish

Mr. Fish is a seafood restaurant with a fish market next door. Grab a table at the fish market and get your choice of whole fish fried to perfection.

Bourbon City also turns out to be a food lover’s dream. Wish I had a bigger stomach, but planning a return visit when the food cravings hit yet again doesn’t sound too bad, either.

Nightcap

The Library Bar at the Omni Louisville is a perfect spot to unwind after hours of travel. Tried my first mint julep, basically bourbon, sugar, and mint on ice, and then was off to a comfy night’s sleep. (Above, an installation of bourbon barrels at the Omni Louisville.)

Not-so-boozy brunch

There’s no shortage of restaurants to try out in Louisville, but do check operating hours as a good few of them are closed on Sundays. Porch is a standout for brunch, as boozy or as clean as you like. We opted for a healthful ginger sunrise juice to start, followed by the decadent pecan praline baked french toast with bourbon maple syrup and the hearty smoked brisket hash smothered in flavorful bbq sauce and topped with a fried egg and shoestring potatoes.

The Kentucky Bourbon Trail

A distillery tour and bourbon tasting is a can’t miss on your fist visit to Louisville! Take your pick from any of the working distilleries along Whiskey Row in downtown. We ended up at the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience.

Did you know that bourbon is made out of fifty-one percent corn and aged in new oak barrels? Our intrepid tour guide introduced us to the ins and outs of bourbon making and even gave us a quick history lesson on Evan Williams, an early Louisville resident with a passion for bourbon.

At the end of our tour, we got to sample three varieties of bourbon in the tasting room, styled like a 19th-century saloon.