Continually ranked as one of America's best family beach destinations, Myrtle Beach offers visitors one-of-a-kind nightlife, more than 100 golf courses, and 60 miles of sandy shoreline. It's known to get a bit jam-packed, although the off-season brings smaller crowds -- but not those high southern temps ideal for sunbathing.

Oyster's Myrtle Beach Hotel Awards 2012

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Myrtle Beach Travel Guide

Also known as the Grand Strand, the coast has a number of water activities -- deep sea fishing, jet skiing, sunbathing, and those banana boat rides that will keep you from taking yourself too seriously. And although a Myrtle Beach vacation is as American as it gets, there are a surprising number of international restaurants, including African, French, and even Irish cuisine.