Got any plans for New Year's Eve? Now you do. Head to Myrtle Beach for the weekend and ring in 2017 with a bang — the many parties, fireworks shows and other festivities are sure to make your holiday one to remember. Stay at Bay View on the Boardwalk, and you’ll be right in the middle of all the action. Here are some of the highlights of fun things to do on the Grand Strand as you count down the final hours of 2016:
* Barefoot Landing: There's a lot more than shopping on tap for New Year's Eve at this shopping/entertainment attraction. In addition to a concert by Country favorite Corey Smith, the House of Blues hosts a special Dinner & Dance where couples can celebrate the occasion in romantic fashion, or guests can hit the Crossroads Bar for a less formal shindig. All of the House of Blues events feature live music, as does the Alabama Theatre's holiday show. Go early for dinner at one of the many fine restaurants around Barefoot Landing and nearby Restaurant Row, and be sure to catch the fireworks show at 6 p.m.
* Beach Ball Classic: The nation’s premier holiday high school hoops tournament wraps up at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center on New Year's Eve, followed by a big party in a private ballroom. Ticket packages are available that allow patrons to see all the talented top teams in action on the hardwood, then join the after-tournament bash when all the games are in the books. The party begins shortly after the championship game and slam-dunk contest end.
* Broadway at the Beach: Celebrity Square is the place to be for grown-ups on New Year's Eve. A huge outdoor party is held in the nightlife district, and individual clubs have their own festivities for New Year's Eve. Drop the kids off at nearby Ripley's Aquarium for a special sleepover with the sharks, and party all night long at hot spots like Oz, Crocodile Rocks, the Hard Rock Cafe and more. Enjoy a champagne toast and balloon drop at the stroke of midnight.
* The Market Common: Who needs to go to New York City's Times Square when you can experience one Southern style? The Market Common hosts a family-friendly New Year's Eve party called A Southern Times Square that emulates the famous Big Apple tradition — only this one is smaller and warmer. Stroll through the district and see live bands playing on two different stages, as well as street vendors and entertainers, a beer garden and a fireworks show at midnight. Admission is free, and the festivities get underway at 7 p.m.
* Murrells Inlet MarshWalk: “The Seafood Capital of South Carolina” has its own special way of celebrating New Year’s Eve, and the Murrells Inlet MarshWalk is where all the locals and visitors gather to start the new year in true Lowcountry style. The restaurants and bars along the wooden waterfront walkway offer food and drinks specials and live music, so revelers can stroll from door to door soaking up the atmosphere. The waterfront comes alive with spectacular colors at midnight as fireworks explode over the inlet. For a double treat, go to nearby Brookgreen Gardens before the party and check out the popular botanical sculpture garden at night.
No matter where you decide to spend your New Year’s Eve, there’s only one place to wake up on New Year’s Day – at Bay View on the Boardwalk in downtown Myrtle Beach. Watch the sun rise on a new year and start 2017 on a great note after sending 2016 out with a wild night on the Grand Strand. Book your New Year’s Eve reservations and plans today and enjoy a memorable vacation that will keep you happy all year long.
