ADA - Friendly Places in Myrtle Beach

Disabled Beach-Goers Have Options

Have you looked around for somewhere to take your family to the beach, but because of disability concerns, you questioned whether to visit a beach at all? Well, the Grand Strand area would like to assure you that vacationers of all capabilities have a fair chance of having a good time here at the beach. Many organizations, public and private, offer resources, such as the City of Myrtle Beach which endeavors to make certain that Grand Strand beaches are accessible.

Additional resources, below, can help you find your "kingdom by the sea" here along the Myrtle Beach coast line:

o Beach-going wheelchairs with soft wheels (free but limited to 1-hour use) at 22 different life guard stations in Myrtle Beach in summer (off season available at the police station). Beach going wheelchairs and handicapped parking are available at the following locations: 77th Ave. N., 72nd Ave. N., 54th Ave. N., 24th Ave. N., 8th Ave. N., 5th Ave. N., 8th Ave. S. In North Myrtle Beach, go to 1st Avenue South. Call North Myrtle Beach Parks and Recreation Department, 843.280.55784 or 843-626-7645x129 to reserve a beach chair.

o Golf cart rental. If you display your handicap parking sign on your golf cart, you can drive the cart on Grand Strand beaches (not touring but driving it to a spot on the beach). Golf cart rentals are available through Jack's, 843.249.6445. One golf cart access with van parking is at 9th Avenue, and others are available, as well.

o Beach access points: Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach -- 27 handicap-accessible sites) enjoymyrtlebeach.com -- Some are pathway only (widths vary); others are free parking. ADA-compliant beach access crossover at 15th Avenue North.

o Van-access handicap parking places vary. See 9th Avenue South (crossing Ocean Drive). Wheelchair-accessible van rentals: Wheelchair Getaways of South Carolina, 866-288-8118.

o The Cherry Grove Pier, located at the front door to the Prince Resort, is wheelchair accessible, but bathrooms do not include grab-bars (call 843.249.1625 for further details).

o Mini-Golf: Dragon's Lair Fantasy Golf at Broadway at the Beach has a wheelchair-accessible course (the one through the castle) and features a special putter for users of wheelchairs. If off season, ask for a special seasonal discount. (843) 444-3215.

o Ripley's Aquarium: Exhibits at a go-at-your-own pace, stingrays and crabs to touch, wheelchair accessible. Call 800.734.8888.

o Broadway at the Beach. Miles of boardwalk over and around water for viewing and strolling. Park your wheelchair by the bridge and use the vending machines for food to feed the ducks and large koi. Also, check out the IMAX Theater for a virtual experience into many options. Call 843.444.3200.

o Hard Rock Park. The Park offers wheelchair rentals for the convenience of Park guests with disabilities. Both wheelchairs and Electric Convenience Vehicles (ECV) are available for rent at the Rentals Office located at the front of the All Access Entry Plaza. Wheelchair Rental Fee: $10.00/day; ECV Rental Fee: $35.00/day. You must be at least 18 years of age. Valid photo ID required. Rentals must be returned to the Rental Office.

Another enjoyable activity to consider is fishing. The Cherry Grove Pier features public parking spaces only a few feet from the pier. With ramps you can roll right out to the pier and fish to your heart's content while seeing the beach and rolling surf, meeting new friends and sharing similar interests with other people. Everyone of all capabilities is out there. Although some anglers can be on the serious and intense side when they are on the hunt for their catches, most people are quite helpful and friendly. The Cherry Grove web site is cherrygrovepier.com. Also, check out the web site for anglers who need options in fishing gear -- adaptiveoutdoorsman.com.

Additionally, because this Grand Strand area has so many activities, people of all capabilities come for a wide range of in- and outdoor interests. If you have not already looked for information, perhaps our article will help you understand how wide your options are:

o makoa.org/travel.htm Resources for disability travel and recreation
o newdirectionstravel.org For people with developmental disabilities
o usatechguide.org/index.php An information site from the United Spinal Association

So, to answer the question we mentioned at the beginning of the article, it's a resounding "YES" that everyone with every capability can come to the beach.

Winter or summer, there is plenty to see and do! We look forward to seeing you here at the beach!

10 Kid Friendly Places to Go in Atlanta at a Bargain Or Free

1. Imagine it Children's Museum: Every second Tuesday of the month, the admission is free. It's the Target Free 2nd Tuesdays. This is a great interactive children's museum, where your little ones will stay busy, one activity after another. The range of activities include, painting on the paint wall, loading balls in a kid sized crane and moving it through a ball machine, building sculptures on a kid sized crane, putting on a raincoat and using little fish poles to "fish" the ducks, filling up boxes with produce in a conveyor belt to send it for delivery etc.

2. Atlanta Botanical Garden: If you are a Bank of America (BOA) customer, and have a BOA ATM, Debit or Credit Card, you can get free admissions here on the first weekend of every month. There is even a 2 acre children's garden with a host of interactive activities, Tree house, Dinosaur garden, Vegetable garden, sunflower fountain etc. Kids will love running around anywhere in the open space!

3. Atlanta Fern Bank Museum: This venue also offers the same free admissions program for BOA customers on first weekend of every month. As soon as you enter the museum, at its main hall, the kids will be amazed to see the Giants of the Mesozoic exhibit. This Exhibit recreates the setting of when the largest Dinosaurs lived, and how it got its preys. At the time of this writing, The Ends of Earth: Polar Bear to Penguins Exhibit is going on. For toddlers to preschoolers there is a Children's Discovery Room, where they can learn about basic concepts of nature through playful activities. For Children 6-9, A walk through Time in Georgia Exhibit, lets them discover the different Geography of Georgia, form Jekyll Island Pier to wildlife in the mountains.

4. Atlanta History Center: This is also free on first weekend of every month with BOA card. Don't be fooled by the name! Even if the kids are not too much into history, there's plenty to do. The kids can enjoy the interactive museum, tour 2 houses including the Swan House, visit Victorian Playhouse, walk in the nature trail, and visit the gardens.

5. Stone Mountain Park: This is one of the most popular and visited places in Atlanta. You can pay an all day pass -$34 for all ages, except $19 for kids 3-11. However you can still have plenty of fun without spending the money on the pass. All you do need to pay is $8 parking permit fee per vehicle and pack a picnic bag and you will find number of things to enjoy for free. You can hike up the Stone mountain, sit by the picnic area overlooking the carving on the mountain or many other picnic areas, play at the children's playground, walk around The Crossroads, where you can see the 1870's southern town living, visit the Stone Mountain Museum, go to one of its beaches, or just walk anywhere in its 15 miles of nature trail. During summer, you can enjoy free laser show in the evenings.

6. City Pass: For $69 (value: $118.93) for adults and $49 (value: $85.53), you can visit any of the following 6 Atlanta Attractions within a 9 day period.

- Coca Cola

- Georgia Aquarium

- Atlanta Botanical Garden or The Fern Bank Museum

- Atlanta History Center or The High Museum of Art

- Zoo Atlanta

- Inside CNN Tour

7. Centennial Olympic Park: This Park is located in the heart of downtown Atlanta, and is in the vicinity of other popular attractions, such as the Coca Cola, Georgia Aquarium, CNN, etc. This is where many festivals and concerts held during the 1996 Olympic Games. No matter what the season, there is always something that children can enjoy for free!

- Music at Noon: Every Tuesday and Thursday from April to October from noon to 01:00 local musicians can be R & B, Jazz, Pop, etc.

- Every Wednesday from April to September, free concerts from 5.30 to 08.00 a clock

- Fourth Saturday Family Fun Days: Every fourth Saturday ofApril - September, noon to 4pm there is a free family fun movie. The kids can also enjoy other interactive activities.

- Fountain of Rings: This fountain in the middle of the park is the world's largest interactive fountain, symbolizing the 5 rings of the Olympics. There's a spectacular show with light and music, every day throughout the year, at 12:30, 3:30: 6:30, and 9:00pm

- Ice Skating: This is the only outdoors skating rink in Atlanta.

8. Chattahoochee Nature Reserve: Located just 15 miles north of Atlanta. Tickets are € 5 adults, $ 2 children, and children under 2 years are free. All activities are free with general admission ticket. This protected area allows children learn about the ecology of the Chattahoochee area and its habitat. Here are some things that children can enjoy

- Star Lab: This is a portable planetarium where children can watch the galaxy and the solar system. You can also see how the sky looked like through the eyes of the oldGreeks, Egyptians, and Native Americans etc.

- Animal Encounter: Every Thursdays and Fridays at 10am and 4pm, kids can see a resident animal from the nature center up close, and learn about its habitat from the Center's Naturalist.

- Guided Hikes: Every Saturdays and Sundays at 1:00 and 3:00pm there are guided Hikes through the trails of the nature center.

9. Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotel / Hard rock Cafe: It's a Hotel in the heart of Downtown, a cylindrical glass of tower. You can at the 72nd floor observation deck to get to see the whole city. Up and down the glass elevator is part of the fun. Tickets are $ 5 for adults and $ 3 for children under 12. After getting a good view of the city you can walk to Hard Rock Cafe restaurant. From 11 14:00 enjoy lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe for £ 8.99 can meals for children are $ 7.50 a drink, which is quite a bargain for the city. menu for children of 4 pages of menu Rockers Lil ', we have, asrock, reuse and recycle, and even comes with a packet of tree seeds.

10. Story time: In, and around Atlanta, almost all libraries, and Barnes and Noble bookstores have 30 minute-1 hour Story times for different children age groups, 1- 2 times a week. This is a great activity for the kids and some downtime for you, for free. In addition to stories, the activities may include sing -along, dancing, arts and crafts etc.

Also read my post on: 10 Kid friendly places to visit in NYC @ a Bargain or FREE, at http://www.travelbargainmama.com

Which one of these or any other kid friendly places in Atlanta is your kids favorite to visit?