Beach Bumming in Myrtle Beach, SC

Day 1

Day One: Monday, April 15, 2024
Grab your suitcase and cram it full of Springtime clothing, and your bathing suit! It’s time to enjoy some warmer weather, celebrate Spring and have some fun on another Trailways Travel tour! Board the luxury motorcoach from the available departure location of your choice, meet your friendly on-board tour host and driver, then settle back and visit while making some new friends. We will be making our usual lunch and rest & refresh breaks along the way before arriving for an overnight stay at the Hampton Inn. Dinner this evening is at the Cracker Barrel Old Country Store with an included meal card. Don’t forget to check out the shopping – there’s always something interesting to be found there!

Day 2

Day Two: Tuesday, April 16, 2024
We set out for Louisville, KY after fueling up on breakfast at the hotel this morning and checking out. We make a stop at the Louisville Slugger Factory & Museum. It takes a special place to craft the #1 bat in Major League Baseball, and here you will experience history-in-the-making as you stroll through the actual factory where world-famous Louisville Slugger bats are created. Grab a photo-op in front of the World’s Biggest Bat, stretching 120 feet into the sky. You can even count the homerun notches that Babe Ruth carved into his Louisville Slugger bat for every home run he hit with it. There is a lot to see and do within the museum, but before we leave, you will receive your own miniature Louisville Slugger to take home with you!
That visit and learning experience has surely started to work you up an appetite, so we will be on our way to have some lunch at the Claudia Sanders Dinner House in Shelbyville, Kentucky. Are you wondering if perhaps Claudia may be related to the one and only “Colonel”? You bet, she was his wife and with their combined extensive knowledge of southern recipes and expertise in the restaurant industry, Colonel Sanders and Claudia established the dinner house. Today, it stands as a local landmark attracting tourists and visitors from far and wide.
KFC was founded by Colonel Harland Sanders, and he opened the first Kentucky Fried Chicken franchise in Salt Lake City, Utah in 1952. By 1964, there were more than 600 franchises in the USA and Canada and made it too large for him to be able to handle. He sold the company to a group of investors in 1964 for $2 million dollars (about $19.4 million in 2023 dollars). At that time, Sanders was 73 years old and upon the sale of his company he became the brand ambassador for KFC. At the age of 88, Colonel Sanders became a multi-billionaire, while KFC became the second largest food empire. Now, the fast-food chain has 25,000 stores in 145 countries.
We set out once more, but of course we will be taking one of our rest & refresh breaks along the way – and this one is a special treat. The Kentucky Artisan Center is not only known for “having the cleanest bathrooms in the state of Kentucky,” but is also a stop where you can shop some of the best craftsmanship in the state featuring the work of over 800 Kentucky artisans.
As we continue on our way, we end today in Pigeon Forge, TN with a stay at the Country Cascades Waterpark Resort. Once we get settled in and take some time to freshen up, it’s time for dinner at The Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant in Sevierville. This is a meal that is like a true homemade dinner at Grandma’s house! Choose from entrees including Southern Fried Chicken, Sugar Cured Ham, Homemade Meatloaf, Apple Julep Grilled Chicken, or Chicken and Dumplings. Everyone also receives a delicious Applewood Julep, Apple Fritters with homemade Apple Butter, Vegetable Soup, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans, Dinner Roll and Apple Cobbler for dessert! Yum, yum!

Day 3

Day Three: Wednesday, April 17, 2024
Up and at ‘em – today we head for North Myrtle Beach after having breakfast at the hotel and checking out. Stop along the way for lunch and rest & refresh breaks as needed. This afternoon we arrive at the beautiful Avista Beachside Resort, your “home-away-from-home” for the next 5 nights staying in your own beachfront condo! Take some time to unpack and get settled in, go out and check the beachfront, the lazy river, swimming pool and hot tub or just sit out on your balcony and take in the view of the ocean and the smell of the salty breeze. This evening we set out for dinner at Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen at Broadway at the Beach. Enjoy a true southern meal with great hospitality served family-style. If you go away hungry, well, that’s certainly not our fault as they will continue to bring out replacements as needed. After dinner, take some time to shop her store and visit many of the other storefronts here as well. Be sure to walk down to The Hangout and leave your own wish on “The Wish Wall” before going inside to check out all they have to offer. By the way, be sure to take a ride down the curly slide from the second floor to the first floor – it’s lots of fun! On the walk over, stop and take in the beautiful light show that emanates from the Ferris Wheel as it constantly changes. We return back to the resort for a great night of rest.

Day 4

Day Four: Thursday, April 18, 2024
You are on your own for breakfast this morning as well as lunch, and you will be each day while staying at the Avista Resort. A restaurant is available onsite downstairs for breakfast today, but we are sure you noticed that you have a kitchen completely stocked with cooking supplies, stove, full size refrigerator, microwave, coffeepot, etc. We will be taking a run this morning to a local grocery store and/or Walmart type of place to shop for food and beverages that you can stock your refrigerator up with for your duration. You may want to grab a few things for breakfast each morning and your lunches along with a few beverages to enjoy while you are at the resort. It’s also a chance to grab some sunscreen if you may have forgotten to pack it! Return to the resort and enjoy the many amenities and the warm Spring weather! Average temperatures at this time of year are generally around 70 – 74 degrees during the day with evening lows around 47 – 50 degrees. Do know that the outdoor pools are heated even if the ocean isn’t!
Be sure to come in so that you can get cleaned up for dinner this evening at The Chesapeake House where you will be greeted with warm glazed cinnamon rolls and a guarantee of the best hushpuppies made from a family recipe that has been handed down for generations made fresh daily in their in-house bakery. Tonight, you may dine on your choice of a Fried Seafood Combination, a Broiled Seafood Platter, Chicken Dijon, a Grilled Ribeye, or Chesapeake Baked Fish covered with their own homemade crab mix. All entrees are served with a choice of tea or coffee, a house green salad with homemade dressing and a baked potato as your side. To finish the meal on a sweet note, you will be served warm white chocolate bread pudding made with their homemade cinnamon rolls. Soft drinks and alcohol are available for purchase if you wish.
This evening we set out for the Alabama Theatre where they have been entertaining audiences for over 30 years and unveiled a brand-new show in 2023, ICONIC. The name truly says it all. With visual elements and a state-of-the-art video wall unlike anything you may have seen along the Grand Strand you will be pulled in with the memorable music, comedy and widely recognized country music chartbusters, classic rock anthems, and even Broadway and pop power ballads. It even celebrates being at the beach. You will find that they bring to you extremely talented singers, dancers, and musicians, as found in places like New York and Las Vegas.

Day 5

Day Five: Friday, April 19, 2024
The bulk of the day is yours to do as you choose. Sleep in or be an early rising beach walker out searching for the perfect sea shell.
This evening we enjoy dinner at Bubba’s Fish Camp and Smokehouse before tonight’s entertainment at Legends in Concert. Experience an intimate evening with the music, passion and the excitement of this all-live production. With an ever-changing cast of the world’s top tribute artists performing their greatest hits – backed by a live band, original choreography dazzling dancers and costumes. You’ll never know who you’re going to see!

Day 6

Day Six: Saturday, April 20, 2024
Today we are going out for a bit more exploration, so have breakfast and meet everyone downstairs to load the motorcoach and head out for the day to Murrells Inlet, SC. We begin with a tour of Brookgreen Gardens, named one of the Top 10 Gardens in the United States. While Brookgreen is beautiful at most any time, there’s no better time to visit than in the spring. And, for all of Myrtle Beach’s year-round beauty, there’s no prettier place on the Grand Strand than here! It also contains the largest and most comprehensive collection of American figurative sculpture in the country, displayed in a stunning garden setting, three galleries and a visible storage and research facility. What better way to start a warm spring morning than strolling through the many breathtaking and peaceful gardens full of interesting sculpture and water pools.
With the amount of walking you’ve done it is time for some lunch where you can discuss all that you just saw. Today you are being treated to the place voted #1 for burgers in the Grand Strand – River City Café, where you can have your pick from a pre-selected menu which includes choices of a Hamburger, Cheeseburger, Chicken Fingers, Grilled Chicken Sandwich, Pulled Pork Sandwich, or a Quarter-Pound Hot Dog. All include a starter salad, crinkle cut French fries, and Chef’s choice of dessert along with a 22 oz. souvenir cup with your soft drink beverage. Be sure to check out the décor, there is a lot to see and take in before we are off once more for another adventure, this time on the water.
Depart on a sightseeing pontoon for a Bird Watching & Eco Excursion and leave shore to discover Murrells Inlet’s beautiful saltwater marsh estuary while navigating the tranquil waters watching for native and migratory birds and underwater sea life guided by a naturalist. You’ll even get to experience the pulling of a crab pot and get up close and personal with all the sea creatures that are caught during a sample dredge from the bottom of the creek bed. It all then goes into the “Touch Tank” where you can observe, and yes, even touch or hold much of the catch. Our naturalist will explain about each of the creatures that were brought on board plus more about others that may not have been caught. We continue on our way to an island area where we stop to explore. Kick off those shoes and take a stroll along the shoreline where you will find many different types of shells just waiting for you, flocks of birds, and beautiful views. As we navigate back to shore you will also learn about some of the history of the area and see some beautiful and historic home sites as well.
It’s been a busy day full of flowers, sculptures, birds, and sea life – what better way to end than with dinner at The Original Benjamin’s Calabash Seafood! Not only is it a fabulous restaurant with more than 100 different items on the buffet, but it is also a huge nautical museum with an in-house shipbuilder! Do be sure to go downstairs and see the workshop where Jimmy Frost has either built or restored all the models that are on display within the restaurant. But be prepared, these aren’t your little brother’s model ship kits! Jimmy handcrafts his models and prefers them to be on a large scale, like the 18-foot Queen Elizabeth II. He has been building ships at The Original Benjamin’s since 1996 and over that time has built more than 500 model ships and planes. His collection includes the America’s Cup Collection, Famous Ocean liners, and naval war ships. Oh, and did you catch the part about there being over 100 different items on the buffet? While the nautical items on display and the many models are fabulous, the food is the reason the world-famous Original Benjamin’s has been featured in USA Today, Southern Living and Gourmet magazines. Furthermore it is also why locals award it as the “Best of the Beach” winner year after year in The Sun News and Myrtle Beach Herald. Featuring over 170 items of the finest seafood and Lowcountry cuisine found anywhere you certainly should find plenty to dine on this evening. If seafood isn’t your thing, there are plenty of other land-loving choices as well. But if it is … be prepared for decadent crab legs, shrimp, mussels, clam chowder, crab cakes, and so much more!
We return back to the resort with plenty of time for an evening stroll along the beach to help wear off all of the delicious food you’ve had while reminiscing about all you saw and did today.

Day 7

Day Seven: Sunday, April 21, 2024
Wake up at your leisure today and enjoy some beach and/or pool time. It’s your last day in Myrtle Beach before starting the journey back to the Midwest. We end the day with a fabulous Myrtle Beach farewell dinner at Greg Norman Australian Grille. Your dinner begins with a mixed field green salad tossed in house vinaigrette and ends with a slice of cheesecake with chocolate and caramel sauces. Your entrée is your choice of Ravioli stuffed with lobster and tossed with sauteed shrimp, diced tomatoes and scallions in a lobster bisque sauce; Wood-grilled Antarctic Salmon served over whipped potatoes with a creamy succotash of fresh corn, onions, peas, carrots, lima beans, okra, potatoes and celery; Kurobuta Pork Chop with a bacon bourbon glaze served with rosemary fries and brussels sprouts; or a Slow-roasted “28 days aged” USDA Prime 12 oz. prime rib served with mashed potatoes and au jus. Coffee, tea, and soda are included, but a cash bar is available if you wish.
We end with a “Special Event Show” at the Alabama Theatre – The Edward Twins! The ultimate Las Vegas show is coming back to Myrtle Beach and you get to be there! Remember all the wonderful Variety shows we all enjoyed in the 70’s & 80’s? Now is your chance to see them live and re-created by Las Vegas’ number one impersonators of all time. Anthony & Eddie Edwards use state of the art make-up to look and sound like the superstars of today and yesterday. All your favorite legendary Superstars come alive in An Evening with The Stars. The NBC Today show says “it’s one of the most extraordinary shows we have ever seen.” Sonny & Cher, Billy Joel, Elton John, Neil Diamond, Lionel Richie, Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, Lady Gaga, Celine Dion, Rod Stewart, Bette Midler, Olivia Newton John, Barbra Streisand, Andrea Bocelli, Frankie Valli, Tom Jones, and many many more hosted by THE EDWARDS TWINS FROM LAS VEGAS. All live vocal. USA Today and The Boston Globe raves it as “A must see show!”
Talk about a spectacular end to your time in Myrtle Beach! We make our way back to the resort for a night of rest before departing in the morning.

Day 8

Day Eight: Monday, April 22, 2024
If you get up early you can get one more morning stroll along the beach, finish up what you have left for breakfast fare or choose to have breakfast at the restaurant downstairs before checking out and departing for a day of travel. We will make our usual rest & refresh breaks along the way including one for lunch before we end our day’s journey in Hurricane, West Virginia. This evening we dine at Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill with an included dinner gift card before checking into the hotel for the remainder of the evening. Note: This evening’s hotel does not offer luggage service so each person must take their luggage on their own to their room. Rest up though, tomorrow is a big day!

Day 9

Day Nine: Tuesday, April 23, 2024
Fuel up on breakfast this morning at the hotel before we check out. It’s just a couple hours or so of driving before we arrive at The Ark Encounter located in Williamstown, Kentucky. You will be in awe as the motorcoach rounds the corner and you get a full view of the amazing Ark appear right before you. Spanning 510 feet long, 85 feet wide, and 51 feet high, this modern engineering marvel amazes visitors young and old. As you enter Noah’s world aboard the massive Ark, you’ll tour three decks filled with scores of world-class exhibit bays allowing you to experience what Noah’s life may have been like. You’ll learn how Noah might have cared for all the animals and how the Ark was big enough to fit them all on board. You’ll find that the Ark Encounter is packed with many experiences to make your visit fun, educational, and memorable. However, some activities may be at an additional cost. Lunch today will be on your own while at the Ark with many choices available from snacks, sandwiches, and full meal buffets.
We depart the Ark and make our way to our overnight stop at the Drury Inn Indianapolis Carmel arriving in time for the Kickback Reception that evening. If you wish to have more of a sit-down dinner instead, there are restaurant options available within walking distance.

Day 10

Day Ten: Wednesday, April 24, 2024
Have a hot breakfast at the hotel this morning before we check out and begin our way back home. We will make a quick stop at another interesting stop that is a bit obscure and hidden – the Rotary Jail Museum in Crawfordsville, Indiana as a rest break. They are even opening up early just for us! It was built in 1881 and is now the only rotating jail left in the world and out of the 18, only three still stand. Wondering just what a rotary jail is? It was an architectural design for some prisons in the Midwestern United States during the late 19th century. Cells in the jails were wedges on a platform that rotated in a carousel fashion. The surrounding of the entire level had a single opening, allowing only one cell at a time to be accessible. During our visit you will soon learn that this single opening, rotation-fashioned system definitely had its flaws.
We will continue on our way with a lunch stop, on your own, as well as a rest & refresh break as needed. We can discuss what was our favorite things we did while in Myrtle Beach and which show and/or meal was the best in your opinion on the way home and of course start planning your next tour with Trailways Travel! It’s always great to travel, but is equally as great to return back home with some wonderful memories of our time on the beach and the many other activities we participated in while in Myrtle Beach!