While most people head to Myrtle Beach, S.C., when the temperatures rise and the sun is hot, this Southern beach locale actually offers the perfect retreat any time of year. Regardless of your interests–shopping, music, sports, golfing, etc.–Myrtle Beach provides a slew of activities to fill any vacation itinerary during every season.

An aerial view of the Myrtle Beach area of South Carolina, often called the Grand Strand because it stretches for 60 miles. Photo courtesy of Myrtle Beach Area Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Although the beach remains popular with visitors, there are many landlocked attractions also gaining notoriety. For something truly out of the ordinary, then Ripley’s has what you want. To get you started, head into Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Odditorium, where you can check out an amazing and eclectic collection of unique artifacts such as a shrunken head or see how you stack up to the world’s tallest man.

Thrill-seekers should garner a ticket to Ripley’s Haunted Adventure, where they will explore the remains of the Grimsby & Streaper Casket Company. Right next door, Ripley’s Moving Theater will keep the adrenaline pumping as you experience a movie like no other. For a slower-paced activity, stop by Ripley’s Aquarium, and check out thousands of underwater life in nine different galleries.

If you ever wanted to satisfy your need for speed, then make your way over to NASCAR Speedpark. Featuring seven tracks, both oval and road courses, this is the place to put the pedal to the metal. The park also includes two miniature golf courses, bumper boats, game arcade, kiddie rides and a snack bar. Plan to spend quite a bit of time here; once you start racing, you’ll be hooked!

As the old cliché states, “The show must go on,” and that’s true for the many theaters in Myrtle Beach. Throughout the year, a variety of entertainment styles take to the stage and put on a musical extravaganza for visitors. For instance, at the Alabama Theatre, performers exhibit their musical ability in “One–The Show,” which encompasses country, Broadway, bluegrass, gospel, comedy and many more genres.

At Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede, a dinner show, 32 beautiful horses and a cast of top-notch riders thrill audiences with feats of trick riding and competition, pitting North against South in a friendly and fun rivalry. Photo courtesy of Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede.

Another great experience is the dinner show at Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede. Set in an enormous arena, the excitement begins with the loud rumbling of wild buffalo as they race into the spotlight. The action is nonstop from there, featuring stunt riders on horseback, musical performances, and audience participation in the fun and games. During the 90-minute show, guests enjoy a four-course dinner, which makes this a one-stop spot for food and fun!

Although many enjoy the rest and relaxation a vacation offers, many others see it as a change to indulge in their favorite hobby: shopping! Well, not to worry, because Myrtle Beach can fulfill that desire, too. For example, Broadway at the Beach is a 350-acre complex featuring more than 100 shops scattered across a landscape of varied architecture: New England Fishing Village, Caribbean Village, Charleston Boardwalk, Heroes’ Harbor and Celebrity Square. From apparel and jewelry to toys and home accents, plus some interesting specialty stores, Broadway at the Beach offers everything you could ever want or need.

In fact, you can make an entire day out of a visit to Broadway at the Beach. After all, the complex also includes theaters, 19 restaurants, 15 attractions, 11 nightclubs and three hotels, all situated around a 3-acre lake.

Located along the Intracoastal Waterway, Barefoot Landing brings to mind an old-fashioned fishing village, complete with a boardwalk and dock surrounding a 27-acre lake that’s home to waterfowl, exotic fish and other wildlife. It just so happens the center also features more than 100 retail and specialty shops plus a variety of restaurants and entertainment options.

Island Vista features an indoor/outdoor pool complex with three pools, a children’s pool, whirlpool tubs and a lazy river. Photo courtesy of Island Vista.

Finally, if all this activity is making you tired, retreat to your own one-, two-, three- or four-bedroom condominium at Island Vista, situated right on the beach. Trust me when I say these condos are roomy…my husband and I had plenty of room, which was especially nice since we were traveling with our daughter and all her stuff! This luxurious property includes lushly appointed accommodations, an indoor/outdoor pool complex with three pools, whirlpool tubs and a lazy river, a fitness center, and oceanfront dining at The Cypress Room.

These accommodations are perfect for any size traveling party, and offer all the amenities of home but with an ocean view. And, since Myrtle Beach is perfect for any vacation year-round, rates tend to drop after the busy summer season. It’s a win-win situation!

As you can see, Myrtle Beach is not just a beach town. Although you can enjoy the waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the warm sand beaches, this fun city offers more ways than you can imagine to create lasting vacation memories. Having traveled to Myrtle Beach before and after having children, my husband and I found it to be a great destination for everyone in your traveling party.

For more information or to plan your trip, visit www.myrtlebeachinfo.com.

Disclosure: Karon Warren visited Myrtle Beach as a guest of Island Vista and the Myrtle Beach Area Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Kansas City, Mo., may be a small metropolis, but this city is big on history. In fact, this area is home to three outstanding historical attractions covering politics, sports and music–a perfect mix for travelers of all ages and interests.

1. Harry S. Truman Library and Museum: Located in nearby Independence, the Harry S. Truman Library and Museum tells the story of both our country’s 33rd president and the man behind the Oval Office. The facility divides the majority of its exhibits, audiovisual displays and a wealth of mementos into two key segments: Truman’s presidential years and his life and times.

Visitors at the Harry S. Truman Library and Museum can revisit the Oval Office as it was for President Truman in 1950. Photo by Bruce Mathews, courtesy of Truman Library.

Just off the lobby, the museum opens with the White House Gallery, which contains artifacts and papers from Truman’s time in office. I could have spent hours reading through all the letters, notes and papers showcased in this exhibit. Just beyond this gallery, you will find a replica of the Oval Office as it appeared in 1950. One furnishing caught my eye right away: a cabinet television. In fact, Truman was the first U.S. president to have a TV in the Oval Office.

Down the hall, you’ll find another exhibit fully outlining Truman’s presidential years. It’s an enlightening, behind-the-scenes look at the key issues and events that marked Truman’s presidency, including the decision to use the atomic bomb, fighting the Cold War and recognizing Israel. The wealth of journals, letters and notes written by Truman demanded my interest and attention, but I was forced to move along to other parts of the gallery if I was to catch even a glimpse of everything else featured.

In fact, while I had almost a full hour to explore the Truman Library, I barely made it downstairs before I had to leave. Therefore, I would recommend a full day at this attraction. www.trumanlibrary.org

2. American Jazz Museum: In downtown Kansas City, the American Jazz Museum showcases the evolution of jazz through the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s. It highlights the lives and achievements of such jazz masters as Charlie Parker, Duke Ellington and Ella Fitzgerald. Full of memorabilia, rare photos and more than 100 recordings, these exhibits will keep your fingers snapping and your toes tapping. And, if you’re like me, you’ll get so caught up in the sights and sounds, you’ll have to stick around and catch some of the live music that always abounds in the adjoining “The Blue Room.” www.americanjazzmuseum.com

3. Negro Leagues Baseball Museum: Next to the American Jazz Museum, the

The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum chronicles the history and heroes of the Negro Leagues from their founding after the Civil War to their demise in the 1960s. Photo Courtesy of the Kansas City Convention & Visitors Association.

Negro Leagues Baseball Museum explores the history of African-American baseball from the league’s inception after the Civil War through its demise in the 1960s. While some player names are more recognizable than others, the story of all as they persevered to make their mark in baseball history is compelling and heartwarming. Exhibits include touch-screen computer displays, short films, photographs, newspaper clippings and more. Like the other museums mentioned above, it’s easy to get caught up in the experience, so make sure you plan adequate time to take it all in. www.nlbm.com

Disclosure: Karon Warren visited these museums as a guest of the Kansas City Convention & Visitors Association.