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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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