Barefoot Landing, Myrtle Beach

Barefoot Landing in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, has a lot of shops and fun activities for families. Our first visit was early in the morning before the shops were open. We were still able to have lots of fun.

The sign

Walking in from the parking lot, we had our first experience of the water--the threat of water! The sign claims that there's alligators and snakes in the area and not to mess with them. I think my family is smart enough (or cowardly enough) to stay away from such critters. 

Watch out for the wild life

We had to walk through a bunch of shops to get to the most fun stuff. The shops are geared toward tourists, selling ice cream and candy, clothing and trinkets. There's even some restaurants.

We meant to go back for this shop!

Around an artificial lake is some larger restaurants and amusements. They have a lovely carousel.

Their carousel

No rides yet

Another ride not ready to go at 8 a.m.

One place I was very interested in is the Crooked Hammock Brewery. The restaurant's outdoor leisure area naturally includes a hammock.

Outdoor seating very available at 8 a.m.

Photo op spot

Further in is a playground for the under-ten crowd. The playground is themed around the oak tree in the middle of the playground. It's a recent transplant (moving from the outer parking lot to its new location in 2018), so the kids aren't allowed to climb it. 

Playground

Tree info

The tree itself

The artificial lake

The lawn has some games that we enjoyed too.

Mega-Jenga

Lawn Chess

The next day we went to Lulu's, a restaurant, store, and amusement area from Lucy Buffett, Jimmy Buffett's sister. 

Lulu's retail entrance

The kids were not interested in shopping so we made a bee-line for the arcade.

Most interesting part

The arcade is mostly games (electronic and physical) where you can win tickets toward the typical sorts of inexpensive items, unless you collect thousands of tickets and then can afford electronics and other really nice stuff. We just played for fun.

Ball dropper

Racing game, head-to-head optional

Some games, like air hockey, didn't give tickets, but did give great satisfaction.

Mom vs. older son

Brother vs. brother

Another fun attraction is a VR ride that simulates riding a rollercoaster, though we saw an animated landscape, not an actual coaster. The effect was amazingly convincing.

VR Ride

Some more regular-type arcade games were available.

Jurassic shoot-em-up

Pac-man

Ice Man, a zombie shoot-em-up

After we collected items for our tickets (mostly candy), we crossed the way to Sweet Molly's Creamery for an ice cream treat. 

One of many ice cream shops in the area

I finally got a treat from the Crooked Hammock, a South to Somewhere, a blonde ale flavored with coconut. It was refreshing and fit well with the semi-tropical theme of the area.

Enjoying a beer

We would definitely visit here again. The kids were a little interested in the ropes course and we never ate at any of the restaurants.