We found ourselves with two relatively rainy days on our recent trip to Holden Beach, NC, providing the perfect excuse to take in some of the busy, bustling south. Kim grew up vacationing in Myrtle, so a quick trip in is always somewhat nostalgic. It was too hot and rainy to play putt putt next year, but we did make it to fun at Ripley's Aquarium. Kim's a Facebook fan of the Aquarium and received a free ticket during a recent giveaway, and Elijah seemed to appreciate the "moving sidewalk" tunnel that allows visitors to stand under sharks and other sealife. If you go, visit early before the crowds hit and tote your young child along! Afterwards, lunch is fun at Hard Rock Cafe, Johnny Rockets, or one of the other "fun chains" at Broadway at the Beach.
We also snuck in a lunch date at Barefoot Landing, visiting the House of Blues this year. The House of Blues complex is larger than we expected and full of simple, eye-catching folk art. The spirit of the place is more subdued than Hard Rock, and on the day of our visit, the staff had less enthusiasm. It made for a yummy lunch of interesting calamari and a burger, though, and we'd love to go back for their inexpensive, big brunch. For shopping, Kim can't miss the reasonably-priced jewelry at Black Market Minerals, Justin finds Ghosts and Legends a wonderful stop, and both of us enjoy Christmas Mouse. We also recommend Alligator Adventure for folks of all ages.
On the way back to Holden from either complex, a stop in Calabash for dinner is worthwhile. Some folks find it to be a culinary delight; we find it to be a simple "have to do" to claim having been to the beach. Justin prefers Coleman's due to a simple boat display inside, an object of fascination when he was a child. Don't miss Callahan's, a gift shop that is the best place for Christmas ornaments in the region! They have decreased their Dept 56 selection in recent years much to our disappointment, but in 2010, we found the shop reorganized and more shoppable in several areas, including jewelry. Go and enjoy it!
Sorry--no pictures on this blog post. We tried a new camera and were less than successful. Better luck next time!
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