#I Miss Myrtle
- Darcy Aiken
- Sep 6
- 3 min read
Earlier this August, my best friend Tobey and I escaped to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, for a quick trip to visit her grandparents. They’ve been going for years and practically have the town mapped out by heart. Naturally, they insisted we plan the itinerary… which is how we ended up with a vacation full of mini golf rivalries, starfish tattoos, and some amazing meals.
Day 1: Mini Golf & Mermaids
We kicked things off at Mt. Atlanticus, one of the largest mini golf courses in Myrtle Beach. Our mission (assigned by Tobey’s grandmother): beat her boyfriend, John. The result? A very humbling defeat. John is a mini golf champion.
To recover, we indulged in a massive seafood boil at The Noizy Oyster, which quickly became one of my favorite meals of the trip. Once we checked into our hotel, we headed straight for the beach. The water was warm, calm, and perfect for what we call “playing mermaids.” There was even a rainbow in the sky—Pinterest-worthy, if I say so myself.
That evening, we tried a few local spots: the 8th Ave Tiki Bar (great food and music), a lively country bar, and finally a club we quickly realized was not our vibe. Pro tip: trust your gut, not every recommendation made by a local is good.
Day 2: Shopping Sprees & Karaoke Nights
Breakfast started with a buffet where Tobey and I consumed our combined weight in bacon and biscuits (no regrets). We spent the late morning at Broadway at the Beach, where we discovered Sonny Angels and had no choice but to buy two. Lunch was another grandparent-approved pick, followed by an afternoon of relaxing in the hot tub and people-watching on the balcony.
That night, Tobey’s grandmother encouraged us to go “galavanting” (her word, and now my favorite). We revisited the bars from the night before—mostly so I could use my souvenir cup for discounted drinks—and stumbled into a karaoke session. Later, we ended up at Tin Roof, a rooftop bar with a DJ inside at one bar and a live cover band at the other. The band even let us grab the mic for a few lyrics, which was one of our highlights from the trip. Unfortunately, Sunday liquor laws cut the night short and we headed to bed.
Day 3: Tattoos & Top Golf
We started the day with lunch at the Dead Dog Saloon where I was introduced to their incredible crab dip, but the real highlight of the day was spontaneous tattoos. Tobey, her grandmother, and I each got matching starfish tattoos, instantly earning her grandmother the title of “Badass Grandma.”
Later, we returned to the challenge of beating John at Top Golf. Spoiler: impossible. He was still sending 100 mph golf balls straight to the net while the rest of us barely cleared the tee. To console ourselves, we headed to Swig & Swine for what might be the best BBQ I’ve ever had. The food coma that followed was very real, but we managed one more night at the country bar before calling it.
Day 4: Sharks & Sparkling Wine
For our final day, we fit in two last activities: Ripley’s Aquarium (sharks, stingrays, penguins—basically the full marine lineup) and a tasting at Duplin Winery. The wine was delicious, the sparkling drinks refreshing, and Tobey may or may not have been tipsy before our flight. Let’s just say, we don’t recommend a wine tasting right before boarding.
Between seafood feasts, karaoke nights, spontaneous tattoos, and yes, losing repeatedly to John at golf, this Myrtle Beach trip was unforgettable. I feel so lucky to share these memories with Tobey and her amazing family. She’s currently studying abroad, and I already miss her so much—but the countdown is on until I visit her in November.
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