1. Royal Garden Resort
City: Garden City, SC
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (800) 446-4010, (843) 651-1929
Address: 1210 North Waccamaw Dr.
Description: In the midst of the weatherworn beach houses and cottages of Garden City Beach is the Royal Garden Resort, with more than 206 condominium units and suites. The oceanfront property features golf packages. Enjoy Royal Garden’s indoor and outdoor pools, a Jacuzzi, sauna, game room, and gift shop. Restaurants and attractions are within walking distance, and there’s a seasonal snack bar, too.
2. Tupelo Bay Golf Center
City: Garden City, SC
Category: Golf
Telephone: (800) 657-2680, (843) 215-7888
Address: 1800 US 17 S.
Description: The driving range at Tupelo Bay has a large turf hitting area, great for practicing real course conditions. Tupelo also offers an extensive mat hitting area that is both covered and open. It also features practice target greens to assist in determining your individual club distance. A large practice putting green is also available to help you feel more comfortable with that “magic putter” in your hand. The range is lighted for evening practice so go for it, day or night! A small bucket of 30 balls is $6, medium bucket of 50 is $8, and a large of 120 is $11.
3. Tupelo Bay Golf Center
City: Garden City, SC
Category: Golf
Telephone: (800) 657-2680, (843) 215-7888
Address: 1800 US 17 S.
Description: If you’re looking for a family-flavored golf course in the Surfside/Garden City area, Tupelo Bay Golf Center is the place for you. In addition to the nine-hole par 3 golf course, Tupelo Bay offers an 18-hole Executive Golf Course, an award-winning driving range, golf lessons, golf-club rentals, and golf packages. The par 3 course is great fun for the entire family. It also provides a great short-game workout with holes ranging from 73 to 105 yards, and the course is lighted for evening play. Club rental (four clubs and bag) is available for $1, and a pull cart is available for $2. The adult rate for nine holes is $13. Eighteen holes is $16. Kids age 12 and younger can play 9 holes for $9 and 18 holes for $12. Tupelo Bay is open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
4. Med Plus South Strand Family Clinic
City: Garden City, SC
Category: Health Care
Telephone: (843) 357-2443
Address: 2347 US 17 Business
Description: This walk-in clinic, across from Garden City Furniture, also serves regular patients by appointment. The clinic conducts allergy tests as well as bone-density tests to determine early signs of osteoporosis. It is open Mon through Fri from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and on Sat from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The cost of a first-time urgent-care visit ranges from $85 to $120. Discounts are applied for subsequent visits.
5. The Pier At Garden City
City: Garden City, SC
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (843) 651-9700
Address: 110 South Waccamaw Dr.
Description: The Pier at Garden City is generally open seven days a week, 24 hours a day from Mar through Dec. Daily hours may vary, so it is best to call ahead. Daily admission to fish is $9, and spectators are admitted free. Season passes can be purchased for $150 for the first person and $100 for each additional angler. Bait and rental gear are available from the tackle shop. Stop by the arcade and oceanfront deck of the Pier Cafe for before or after fishing. The cafe itself usually closes from Christmas through Apr 1.
6. Ocean Pines/Magnolia Grove
City: Garden City, SC
Category: Retirement
Telephone: (800) 238-6565, (843) 651-2520
Address: 3196 Moonshadow Lane
Description: In accordance with federal guidelines, Jensen’s has restricted its manufactured-housing development to people age 55 and older. Initiated in the early 1970s, this development is currently home to about 575 families. At Jensen’s, residents lease their lots and buy their own homes. A senior can move into a double-wide abode for between $85,000 and the low $100,000s. Jensen’s is quiet and well manicured and bubbles with small lakes and canals. A clubhouse in the development has a pool. Residents plan their own activities through the Jensen’s Activity Club (JAC), which distributes a monthly newsletter chock-full of things to do. There’s a sales office on-site.