Meetings Focus checked in with seven coastal destinations in the Southern U.S. to see what they can offer attendees in the way of casual beachfront fun. Here are the highlights for planners to ponder when bound for the beach with a fun-seeking group.
Virginia Beach, Va.
Virginia Beach is home to one of the most recognized boardwalks in the country, The Virginia Beach Boardwalk, which consists of a 28-foot wide, three-mile-long concrete walkway that invites groups to explore the area’s three beaches: Resort, Sandbridge and Chesapeake Bay.
“The boardwalk has evolved over the years; the beach was at one time quite a bit lower than it is today, but now you can literally walk right off the boardwalk onto the beach and into the ocean,” says Todd Bertka, VP of convention sales and marketing with the Virginia Beach CVB.
Bertka describes the north end of the boardwalk as being hip and trendy, with a “sophisticated, millennial-driven vibe,” while the southern end of the boardwalk has a traditional feel and also is where the annual East Coast Surfing Championships are held each August, a mainstay of Virginia Beach.
Just around the corner from the southern end of the boardwalk is the Rudee Inlet, a small marina community, offering an opportunity for a group fishing excursion. The area also features two popular oceanfront seafood eateries, Rudee’s Restaurant & Cabana Bar and Rockafeller’s Restaurant. Rudee’s has space for up to 100, while Rockafeller’s has group dining for up to 90.
Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Myrtle Beach is situated on the Grand Strand, a stretch of beach in northeastern South Carolina that is a major tourist draw, bringing in well over 10 million visitors each season.
“What sets Myrtle Beach apart from competing destinations is the ability to appeal to all different types of meetings and corporate events,” says Danna Lilly, director of group sales with the Myrtle Beach CVB.
Lilly highlighted a sample of the many casual offerings available for groups, including amusement parks, live theaters, shopping and exploring the rich cultural landscape of the city.
The 2,500-acre Huntington Beach State Park offers oceanside camping, fishing and nature programs along its three miles of beach. Groups can also explore Atalaya, a castle-like home that served as the summer residence of philanthropist Archer M. Huntington and his wife, sculptor Anna Hyatt Huntington.
Groups can also get lost exploring Myrtle Beach’s 1.2 mile-long Oceanfront Boardwalk and Promenade, stretching from 14th Avenue to the 2nd Avenue Piers, and home to an array of festivals and events.
Wilmington, N.C.
Wilmington’s riverfront was recently voted as “America’s Best Riverfront” in USA Today’s 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards. Its three island beaches, Carolina Beach, Kure Beach and Wrightsville Beach, however, are equally appealing for groups visiting the area.
Carolina Beach is described as offering the “original beach experience” by Connie Nelson of the Wilmington and Beaches CVB. In March, residents celebrated the completion of the Carolina Beach Boardwalk improvement project, which widened the boardwalk from eight to 16 feet and added 10-foot-wide, handicapped-accessible public beach entryways, alongside various other renovations.
For attendees with a sweet tooth, Britt’s Donuts is a must-visit, assuming your group is meeting in the summertime, as it’s only open during the tourist season. Britt’s has been serving its glazed handmade donuts since 1939 and in 2014 the shop celebrated its 75th anniversary.
Nelson says that Kure Beach is less commercialized and the most laid-back of the beaches, mixing North Carolina’s oldest fishing pier and the newer Ocean Front Park, where groups can host private events.
Wrightsville Beach has a more cosmopolitan feel, according to Nelson, and is actually located on a separate island apart from the Carolina and Kure beaches. Groups can engage in a variety of watersports around the island, and surfing fans shouldn’t miss out on the family-owned Sweetwater Surf Shop.
Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Ala.
The Gulf Shores and Orange Beach region consists of 32 miles of white-sand beaches located along the Gulf of Mexico. As if that doesn’t sell itself, the area offers several interesting ways for groups to unwind.
“Those attending meetings and conventions in the Gulf Shores and Orange Beach are truly able to kick back and relax, bring their families along and enjoy some great productivity during their meetings,” says Beth Gendler, vice president of sales for Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism.
The Flora-Bama Lounge & Oyster Bar straddles the Alabama-Florida line and has been recognized as one of the top beach bars in the country. It features daily live entertainment and can be utilized for events.
The Gulf is a one-of-a-kind venue made entirely out of shipping containers, offering fresh seafood and a full bar, with all-outdoor seating. Gendler says that groups can enjoy a meal or drink while watching fishing boats, leisure cruisers and dolphin and sunset cruises as they return or depart.
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Galveston, Texas
Galveston has over 60 structures listed in the National Register of Historic Places and also boasts a rich culture, which can be experienced throughout the city.
“Galveston is an affordable beach destination that offers a tropical environment, world-class facilities, historic charm and tourist attractions,” says Meg Winchester, director of the Galveston Island CVB.
Winchester recommends groups explore the Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier amusement park, featuring thrill rides for adults and kids, in addition to midway games, shopping, live music and entertainment. The pier also houses numerous dining options, from elegant to casual.
Murdoch’s Bathhouse is another historic spot that has been battered numerous times by hurricanes and still carries on. Winchester says Murdoch’s patio is a great place to sit and take in views of the Gulf.
South Walton, Fla.
South Walton is a coastal community consisting of 16 beach neighborhoods across 26 miles of sugar-white-sand beaches. Its 15 rare coastal dune lakes are a favorite for groups to navigate.
“Groups have the opportunity to explore the coastal dune lakes by kayak, paddleboard or hiking the exterior,” says Carey Peters, communications coordinator with Visit South Walton.
In Seaside, where The Truman Show was filmed, there are a number of notable stops. Bud & Alley’s Waterfront Restaurant and Rooftop Bar provides an award-winning regional menu and patrons can even win a drink on the house by guessing the time of sunset. Sundog Books and Central Records is an old-school, two-story book and record store that also hosts live performances.
Stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) may be widely available across the U.S., but South Walton’s coastal dune lakes provide an ideal location for learning the popular watersport. YOLO Board Adventures in Sandestin—and even the YOLO Board Store itself—are worth any active group’s time.
Tybee Island, Ga.
Tybee Island is located in the easternmost point of Georgia and known as “Savannah’s Beach” due to its close proximity to the state’s original capital city. The small island has become a popular spot for tourists and is now evolving into a one-of-a-kind option for groups meeting on the island or in Savannah (about a 30 minute drive away).
“Strolling the pier, climbing to the top of the Tybee Lighthouse, kayaking, taking a dolphin cruise, biking around the island on one of our many trails or simply hanging out at the beach are all wonderful ways to spend your time at Tybee,” says Sara Lane, director at Visit Tybee.
Tybee Pier & Pavilion is located in the heart of the south end of the island, according to Lane, and serves as the cultural hub of the island that also provides spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean.
Lane recommends groups check out The Crab Shack, North Beach Bar & Grill and A-J’s Dockside Restaurant to take in the local flavors, while those seeking nightlife can explore Rock House, Wet Willie’s, the Tybee Island Social Club and Fannies on the Beach.
