(BPT) - Do you get misty-eyed recalling favorite childhood vacations? Remember watching the scenery roll by from the back seat with the windows down, feeling the warm sun on your back and sand between your toes? Do you remember savoring cool ice cream while the sounds of arcade games echoed around you and the sweet smell of funnel cakes mingled with the ocean breeze along the boardwalk?
Memories like these have inspired the latest travel trend, "time tripping," where travelers seek to relive the magic of family vacations. There's no better place to create your own time-traveling experience than South Carolina's Grand Strand. Stretching across 60 miles of shoreline and 14 unique communities, including Myrtle Beach, this region holds a special place in the American vacation story.
If you love the idea of pairing familiar vacation touchstones with new attractions, you'll find it all at The Beach. Try these curated experiences combining the best of the past with fun new ways to enjoy your nostalgic getaway.
Gen Z: TikTok meets childhood throwbacks
This itinerary taps into Gen Z's love of content-worthy moments and playful nods to the early 2000s. After a visit to the beach, check out oversized sweets at the iconic candy store I Love Sugar, then explore the mall-style vibes at the outdoor shopping and dining hub The Market Common.
Ready for a little action? The high-tech mini golf experience at PopStroke, backed by Tiger Woods, is well worth the visit. Then you can throw it back with skee-ball at the Fun Plaza Arcade, race bumper cars at The Track and make sure to catch a candy-colored sunset from the top of the SkyWheel. End the evening enjoying modern live music and rooftop vibes at Tin Roof. You'll have an amazing time, with plenty of Instagrammable moments.
Millennials: Perfect remix of retro and modern
Get ready for a trip that embraces the "good old days" with grown-up upgrades. First snap some film-style beach photos along the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk, then satisfy your sweet tooth with bubble waffles and ice cream from The Dolly Llama.
After soaking in some sun and surf, enjoy dinner at The Hangout, a lively burger and seafood spot with dancing servers and throwback tunes. Then, unwind at the sleek new retro-inspired voco the Shelby hotel, featuring modern oceanfront digs with a pool and view that can't be beat. Not ready to call it a night? Head to Crooked Hammock Brewery at Barefoot Landing for backyard vibes, live music and craft brews under the string lights creating a perfect grown-up twist on those carefree summer nights.
Gen X: Retro cool and chill vibes
For the "MTV generation," this itinerary pairs throwback cool with laid-back coastal culture. Wake up to pancakes at Harry's Pancake House, then browse the racks at Retro Active, a funky vintage shop offering everything from your favorite band tees to '90s windbreakers. Then revisit classic amusement park thrills at Broadway at the Beach's Pavilion Park or feel the rush of electric go-kart racing at K1 Speed. In the evening, enjoy timeless performances at The Carolina Opry, a tradition since 1986.
You can go full '80s arcade at the Pinball Museum and enjoy mini golf at tiki-themed Mt. Atlanticus or catch a variety show at the Alabama Theatre, a venue that's been entertaining visitors with nostalgic hits and classic humor for decades. And don't forget to make time for a day at the beach that feels blissfully analog before you leave. It's your soundtrack of summer, set to ocean waves and old-school charm.
Boomers: Classic Myrtle Beach, reimagined
For the timeless traditions Boomers remember and love, start with breakfast at Hot Stacks Pancake House, a longtime favorite serving traditional pancakes, omelets and hearty diner classics, then head south of the Strand to visit Brookgreen Gardens, followed by a treasure hunt for unique, handcrafted gifts and stylish apparel at The Hammock Shops Village. You could go really retro at the L.W. Paul Living History Farm in Conway, showcasing early 20th-century farm life, or plan a picturesque escape to the newly opened Barn View Winery in Loris for a taste of handcrafted wines and sweeping countryside views.
Another day may find you indulging in nostalgia with a scoop at Original Painter's Homemade Ice Cream, a local favorite since 1952, followed by classic car displays at Wheels of Yesteryear and a throwback live music performance at the Greg Rowles Legacy Theatre. Before heading home, stroll the famed Myrtle Beach Boardwalk for souvenirs and saltwater taffy, followed by a step back in time with classic Lowcountry flavors and pirate lore at Drunken Jack's.
No matter your generation, rediscover the magic of Myrtle Beach, where classic vacation memories meet fresh, new experiences. Start planning your adventure today at VisitMyrtleBeach.com.