New Attractions for 2017 You Don’t want to miss

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1.  Escape Room

One of the biggest trends that is grabbing attention from groups looking for something to do are escape rooms, an adventure game where you and your group is locked in a room that has a puzzle or a mystery to solve. Perfect for those days when the weather is gloomy, or too hot to bear sitting in the sun, you are bound to make plenty of memories with your family and all give your brain a great workout!

The Grand Strand currently has 3 locations for this new adventure that include:  Myrtle Beach Escape Room, Break Out and Riddle Escape Room, make sure to add one of these exciting adventures to your next vacation.

2.  Hard Rock Cafe

If you are a previous visitor to Myrtle Beach then you have likely seen one of our most recognizable landmarks while passing Broadway at the Beach.  The pyramid.  That pyramid was home to Hard Rock Café since 1995.  In tourism years, that’s quite a long life without a facelift!  When you visit the beach in 2017 you will notice that pyramid is missing.  Don’t worry, we haven’t lost Hard Rock.  As a matter of fact, they’ve gotten brand new digs and they are even better than their previous home.

You will find the new Hard Rock Café a few doors down from the old location so you won’t have to look too far.  You will know you are there by the gigantic neon lit guitar that sits atop the new building.  The new building is 15,043 square feet so there is plenty of room for your closest friends and family and then some. There is an upstairs balcony which is the area that overlooks Broadway and is perfect for people watching or viewing those firework shows. To give you an idea of the interior decor, it is black, dark blue, taupe and red.  Really a must see.  It’s a fabulous atmosphere!  A brick wall with red velvet curtains frames the new stage perfectly.

Part of the draw of Hard Rock Café is the memorabilia of course.  Yes, that has been updated as well. The only two pieces that made the move with the Café are the Guns N’ Roses drum set and the Vespa from “Quadrophenia.” All other pieces you may have been used to seeing at the old location are back in Orlando for safe keeping at Hard Rock’s headquarters. The new memorabilia?  Well, you’ll have to make your way over to Broadway at the Beach and see it all for yourself.

3. New shops at The Market Common shopping and entertainment

If you have never visited The Market Common in Myrtle Beach, you are in for a treat. Located on the south-end of Myrtle Beach, this modern, urban-style shopping, dining and recreation complex is unlike anything else on the Grand Strand. But even if you have been to The Market Common in the past, you are still in for a few pleasant surprises in 2017.

Over the past year, The Market Common has undergone some serious changes and major upgrades to the retail and restaurant lineup, and the adjoining parks and have added new and improved recreation and festival opportunities. Here's are just a few of the new additions:

* Black Dog Running: This running shoe and apparel shop recently relocated from downtown Myrtle Beach to the trendier shopping district at The Market Common. Specializing in personalized footwear for a perfect fit from head to toe, Black Dog Running also offers personalized service from a locally owned and operated outlet.

* The Brass Tap: Beer anyone? If so, this is your place. Serving more than 100 different brand of beers from around the world, including lesser known microbrews you won't find anywhere else on the Grand Strand, The Brass Tap offers a unique lineup of beer, food and atmosphere.

* Culinary Institute of Myrtle Beach: As a branch of Horry Georgetown County Technical College campus, this spectacular new building is designed to turn out the next generation of chefs to run Myrtle Beach's many restaurants. CIMB also operates its own kitchen and grill, offering drastically discounted meals to the general public.

* Paint & Unwined: Get ready to let the wine – and your artistic talent – flow at this new art studio for amateurs. Paint parties are held to allow those of all artistic abilities express themselves in a casual setting. Enjoy the wine of your choice and come home with your own masterpiece to remember the experience.

* Savannah's Playground: This first-of-its-kind playground is designed for children with special needs in mind. As the brain child of local teen Savannah Thompson, the city of Myrtle Beach and local businesses got behind the project to create a safe and magical play place for kids with disabilities. Admission is free.

As you can see, as a guest here at The Strand Resort, the options are endless for your family, aren’t you ready to start planning your 2017 vacation today.