What do you do when there’s no breakout meeting or the panels are done for the day? Where do you go when you need a little time away from the hubbub of convention chaos? Exhibit City News’ 5 in 15 offers five places to go to eat, relax, or simply stay that are a 15 minute or less walk from the convention center. In Myrtle Beach, South Carolina that means the Myrtle Beach Convention Center (MBCC), the convention center of the Golf Capital of the World.
Eat
Myrtle Beach has three Soho Steak and Seafood Sushi Bars (407 21st Ave N), but the one you’ll want is just seven minutes from the convention center. Asian-fusion with rooftop seating, Soho is great for small groups or solo diners. Open from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 a.m., Soho offers lunch, dinner, or late night relaxation. Start with Bang Bang Solo Shrimp or Philly Cheesesteak Egg Rolls for appetizers, and move on to Pad Thai, Yaki Soba, Spicy Orange Chicken, Ribeye, Surf n Turf, Baby Back Ribs, or New Zealand Lamb Chops for your entree. There is a sushi menu which is available day and night; sushi and sashimi, platters, and rolls including the hot Dynamite Roll, the Myrtle Beach Special Roll, the Alaska Roll, or Crunchy Roll. There’s over 110 items on the sushi menu; even vegetarian options!
Sleep
The Strand (2700 North Ocean Blvd) is stylish and intimate, with a more personal feel than larger resorts. A boutique vibe on a beachfront location, the Strand is a 14 minute walk from MBCC, and a great place to mix work and play. Take a day after the tradeshow to relax in the private cabanas at the oceanfront pool, after a free deluxe hot breakfast. There’s free wifi, free parking, a fitness center, a bar and lounge with happy hour, and of course, the gorgeous beach.
If the 14 minute walk to the beach is too much, you can stay at the Sheraton Myrtle Beach (2101 N Oak St), which is actually connected to the convention center. Upscale, professional, as well as convenient, the Sheraton Myrtle Beach is a full service hotel with on-site dining, fitness center, and modern, spacious rooms with city or partial ocean views. The Sheraton is 10 minutes away from the Myrtle Beach airport, offers free wifi, a business center, conference facilities, indoor pool, breakfast buffet and restaurant, coffee shop, and convenience store.
Play
Right at the edge of our 15 minute limit is the Myrtle Beach SkyWheel (1110 N Ocean Blvd). Climate controlled gondolas take you 20 stories over the Atlantic for a breathtaking view. And we’re kind of cheating here, because the Skywheel is on the Myrtle Beach boardwalk, where there’s plenty else to do, day or night, including ice cream, arcades, the Myrtle Beach Slingshot, Ripley’s Haunted Adventure and much more.
Crocodile Rocks Dueling Piano Bar (1320 Celebrity Cir Unit CS5) is open from 7:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. for those that want to add some nightlife to their tradeshow visit. An interactive dueling piano bar, the energy is high as two pianists take requests, play favorites, bring comedy, and get everybody to singalong just 12 minutes away from the convention center.
This story originally appeared in the Q3 2025 issue of Exhibit City News, p. 80. For original layout, visit https://issuu.com/exhibitcitynews/docs/exhibit_city_news_-_jul_aug_sept_2025/80.
