Take a Side Trip to Little River from Myrtle Beach, S.C.

Little River, ahoy! This community near Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, is perfect for a side trip, so feeling a need to explore only makes sense. The South Carolina coastline has drawn all sorts of wanderers, including pirates and bootleggers. In these parts, stories tell of Edward Teach, better known as Blackbeard, as well as Stede Bonnet and Anne Bonny. If you enjoy the waterfront, a trip to Little River will be one to treasure.

Luckily, the drive from Little River, South Carolina, to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, is about 25 miles and passes many recreational opportunities. Golf? Check! South Carolina's shoreline is said to be the Golf Capital of the World, with more than 70 courses in the region. There's also dog-friendly Vereen Memorial Gardens, which features boardwalk trails and scenic views. With the World Famous Blue Crab Festival in May, visitors from Myrtle Beach and around the country come for fresh seafood, boating and deep-sea fishing. So, set your compass toward Little River to chart your own adventure.

Enjoy the Festivities

Little River is well-known for fresh seafood due to its location. Many enthusiasts mark their calendars for May's World Famous Blue Crab Festival to sample the region's specialty foods as well as arts and crafts during the two-day event. What began in 1981 as a small waterfront gathering of artists and residents has grown to include races and live performances.

So, if you happen to be in the area during the festival, keep your bib handy. If you're craving seafood, there's no need to return to Myrtle Beach. Because of the town's coastal location, you can almost always count on locally sourced menu items.

Take in the View of the Waterfront

Ready for scenic views? Book Harbourgate Marina Club in North Myrtle Beach. The resort offers one-, two- and three-bedroom villas along the Intracoastal Waterway, as well as access to the marina. From the marina, guests can dock and refuel, rent a boat, or charter a fishing trip. There are also a few waterside restaurant options nearby, including Filet's on the Water, which has Happy Hour every day at four o'clock.

Little River is the place to go for candlelit tables and waterfront views, so a nice night out may be just the motivation you need. One such place to visit is The Parson's Table. The structure, featuring materials reclaimed from a 19th-century farmhouse and the Little River Methodist Church, offers a picturesque setting with cypress wood and stained glass windows. Try a Southern classic, notably the fried green tomatoes, as an appetizer, and order the Little River shrimp and scallops as an entrée.

Tour by Water

Don’t miss the “swell” activities on the water. Myrtle Beach Watersports Dolphin Tours/Sea Screamer is one of the most exciting ways to explore the area. Plan to take a cruise on The Sea Screamer in Little River or The Sea Thunder in North Myrtle Beach that will navigate the Intracoastal Waterway, Little River Inlet and the Atlantic Ocean. You'll get the scoop on Civil War battles, pirates and natural history while looking for turtles and birds. The narrated cruise passes beaches and resorts before a visit to a special dolphin-viewing site in the Atlantic. If the dolphins aren't there for some reason, you can ride again for free! In any case, it's a worthwhile way to (maybe literally) get your feet wet in Little River.

See the Sights by Horseback

Landlubbers are in luck, Inlet Point Plantation| in North Myrtle Beach offers 1-hour tours by land. Options include beach tours by horseback on the private Waites Island, 15- and 30-minute pony rides through pecan groves or a cinematic ride off into the sunset to mark the end of the journey.