An aerial view of North Myrtle Beach A picturesque town with breathtaking ocean views, the city of North Myrtle Beach has kept its unique charm, hometown sensibility and family appeal throughout several decades.

Family- owned boutiques and restaurants meld comfortably with national franchises and large shopping centers as locals and visitors alike discover Main Street, stroll through Barefoot Landing, or take a drive along the main drag, U.S. Highway 17. With more than three million visitors each year, accommodations options are plenty, and you get your pick of outstanding hotels or an abundance of house rentals, both just steps to the ocean or overlooking the marsh.

Combine warm ocean breezes, a hint of salt on your tongue, and a laid- back atmosphere and you'll see that North Myrtle Beach is a paradise and one that's just a few hours down the road. Making a beach trip even more convenient, the North Myrtle Beach Connector, spanning the Intracoastal Waterway from S.C. 31 and Main Street, is scheduled to open in early fall this year. Now you can get to sunbathing for a day, weekend, or week even more quickly.

Sunrise at the pier Once you get your fill of sunbathing, there's a lot more excitement to experience in North Myrtle Beach. The St. Patrick's Day Parade & Festival (March 14) will tickle you green, and Mayfest on Main (May 9) will have you boogying with the stage sounds of a myriad of bands. Plus, North Myrtle Beach's Summer Concert Series has the beautiful McLean Park packed with summer fun and the warm- weather festivities are rounded out with the Irish Italian Festival's fantastic food and familyfriendly entertainment (September 26).

Complementing fun, festivities, and frivolity, the city of North Myrtle Beach is very serious about the safety of its community, residents, and visitors alike. The past two years, the city has managed beach lifeguards, adhering to strict United States Lifeguarding Association regulations and making training sessions during the season mandatory. North Myrtle Beach lifeguards also only do one job - guard your safety at the beach. Other beach employees happily serve you cold Italian ice and set up chairs and umbrellas for you, but lifeguards are on our beach to save lives.

Sunset at the park Beach Patrol officers also tour the beach and keep our visitors and locals safe by setting up programs like the wristband program where lifeguards have free wristbands marked with their tower number for children or people with dementia in case they get lost. Plus, beach wheelchairs are available through the city's Parks & Recreation Department at no charge. Call first to reserve a beach wheelchair.

North Myrtle Beach truly is a paradise. We welcome you to enjoy all the beauty, fun, excitement, dining, shopping, and accommodations that North Myrtle Beach has to offer.

For more information, including beach chair/umbrella rentals, beach wheelchair information, and festival links, check out www.NMB.us or visit www.NorthMyrtle- BeachChamber.com for information on accommodations, dining, shopping and other entertainment.

We look forward to seeing your footsteps in the sand in North Myrtle Beach this year!

Welcome to North Myrtle Beach, hometown of Vanna White. Hobie Cat sailing on the beach.