Thanks to the Champion Autism Network (CAN), Myrtle Beach is host to numerous sensory friendly events.
These sensory friendly events allow children and adults with autism to enjoy the same things that non-autistic people enjoy.
The businesses that hold sensory/autism friendly events are specially trained in handling those within the autistic spectrum. To ensure a sensory friendly events environment, each business is personally met with, including company management. A walk through the property and business procedures are discussed.
Any discount and/or service the business is committed to making is discussed and finalized, which can result in the business becoming CAN Certified.
Champion Autism Network also provides autism awareness seminars for their employees and help to develop a plan for team communication should an episode occur.
Some of the local Myrtle Beach businesses that hold sensory friendly events are:
– WonderWorks Broadway at the Beach
– Myrtle Beach Bowl
– Fun Warehouse
– Ripley’s Aquarium Broadway at the Beach
– Rockin’ Jump Trampoline Park
Autism Friendly
Champion Autism Network’s autism-friendly travel destination initiative is growing with national and international recognition. Training for management and staff at restaurants, hotels and venues is available for businesses wanting to support this loyal and growing community. It’s a known fact, autism families are extremely loyal. Children/people on the spectrum crave routine and familiar surroundings. Once a family has had a successful visit to your establishment, you can bet they will be back AND tell their friends about the experience.
Once a business becomes CAN Certified, they can expect these perks:
-Support just a phone call away
-A CAN badge for your website
-A CAN Certified sticker for your establishment window
-A listing on the CAN website indicating you’ve completed the training with contact information and link to your website.
-A press release announcing your business’ participation in the CAN program.
-The ability to state you are an autism-friendly business on your MBACC business listing.
As stated earlier, autism families are extremely loyal. The result is that word spreads quickly among the autistic community when they have a good (or bad) experience.
The following sensory friendly events and businesses can be found in the local Myrtle Beach area:
(Some events may have already passed.)
Sensory Friendly means lights up, music down from 3 to 7 p.m. on selected dates listed below.
Skating with basic skate rental OR Inflatables with 1 slice of pizza and a drink for $10. Additional activities for $5. Additional activities can be skating with basic skate rental, inflatables, 1 game of laser tag, or 1 go cart race.
Dates: January 25, April 19. 2021
Sensory Friendly means house lights up and music and sound effects down.
$7 per person.
Noise-canceling headphones are available at guest services. Be amazed as the beautiful Aquarium mermaids show off their skills. This sensory-friendly mermaid show will feature no music and follow with a meet and greet in Friendship Flats.
Doors open at 3 p.m. Be sure to visit the CAN table in the lobby for a special Selfie Scavenger Hunt.
Dates: January 24, February 28, March 28, April 25, May 23, 2021.
Sensory Friendly Family Bowling & Birthday Bash
Celebrate January birthdays at the BIRTHDAY BOWLING BASH!!
Enjoy sensory friendly family bowling. Music down, lights up and room to move around.
$1.00 per game per person and $1.00 for shoes.
Food specials: choice of Hot dog, Chicken Nuggets or Grilled Cheese with chips and 12oz Soda for $3.
THEN celebrate that month’s birthdays, sing Happy Birthday (if all can tolerate it) and have cupcakes!!! Our families can rest assured their special birthday kids will be celebrating among friends!!
COVID safety precautions are in place and CAN activities have the entire bowling alley to themselves.
COVID-19 precautions:
- The bowling alley is not open to the public. This is a CAN only event.
- Happy Birthday is sung over the PA system (not loud).
- Cupcakes and drinks are served at the top of your lane.
- Every other lane is used to ensure social distancing.
- We request that everyone wear a mask (if able).
- Each lane has a set of balls that have been sanitized one of every size on the lane. No one else but your family will have use of those balls.
Dates: January 17, February 21, March 21, April 11, May 2.
Times: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Myrtle Beach Fire Department Autism Awareness Tee
MBFD is selling their new Autism Awareness shirts in their Administration Office at 921-B Oak St in Myrtle Beach. Give them a call at 843-918-1104 to order one or stop by Monday-Friday between the hours of 8 and 5.
Myrtle Beach Area Restaurants That Support Champion Autism Network
CAROLINA FOREST
Famous Toastery: 2005 Oak Heart Rd., Suite 5, Myrtle Beach, SC 29579 | Phone: 843-796-4433
Great breakfast and lunch options. 10% off when you present your CAN card.
SURFSIDE BEACH
Benjamin’s Bakery: 415 US-17 BUS, Surfside Beach, SC 29575 | 843-238-4923
Breads, bagels, sweets, sandwiches and their own roasted coffee. Small dining area. You may want to call ahead and pick it up. 15% off when you show your CAN card.
Golden Egg: 810 3rd Avenue S, Surfside Beach, SC 29575 | Phone: 843-477-1100
Excellent breakfasts and accommodating staff, several gluten-free choices. Gluten-free pancakes are GREAT! Best times to go are between 6-9:30am and after 12:00pm. Show your CAN card for preferential seating if there is a wait.
Hamburger Joe’s Surfside Beach: 1410 Hwy 17 S, Surfside Beach, SC 29575 | Phone: 843-215-9052
Friendly staff, relaxed environment and great burgers. To minimize wait time and overstimulation, best times to go are between 3-5pm. 10% off when you show your CAN card.
Jellie Bellie & Co.: 800 Hwy 17 S, Surfside Beach SC, 29575 | Phone: 843-712-2821
Something for everyone: coffee bar, bar, ice cream, breakfast, lunch and dinner. Seating outside on the deck, inside and quiet dining area upstairs if needed–just ask the manager for access. Show your CAN card get preferential seating and 10% off.
Lasers Pizza: 1500 Hwy 17 Business North Surfside Beach, SC 29575 | Phone: 843-232-0001
Pizza, subs, steak and cheese sandwiches, gyros. Show your CAN card and get 10% off.
Ole Fashion Ice Cream Parlor: 665 US-17 BUS, Surfside Beach, SC 29575 | Phone: 843-742-8093
Try to go during off-peak times. Thursday is BOGO banana splits! Show your CAN card and get 10% off.
Surf Diner: 11 S Ocean Blvd, Surfside Beach, SC 29575 | Phone: 843-712-1850
Ocean front dining at the Surfside Beach Pier. 10% off when you show your CAN card.
Surfside Pizza: 821 Surfside Dr, Surfside Beach, SC 29575 | Phone: 843-839-2312
Pizza, subs, soup and pasta dishes. Delivery in the Town of Surfside Beach only. Small dining area, we recommend pick-up or delivery. 10% off when you show your CAN card.
GARDEN CITY
Garden City Pancake House: 2908 Business 17 South, Garden City, SC | Phone: 843-651-2200
For parties of 10 or more, call 30-60 minutes ahead so they can be sure to be ready for you. 10% off for families with autism when you show your CAN card.
GEORGETOWN
Sweeties Sweets: 707 Front St, Georgetown SC. 29440 | Phone: 843-545-5400 Homemade ice cream, gourmet chocolates, fudges and toffees. Show your CAN card and get 20% off.
Old Georgetown Creamery: 915 Front St, Georgetown, SC 29440 Phone 843-461-9147 40 flavors of ice cream, sundaes, foot long hot dogs and fresh squeezed lemonade. Show your CAN card and get 10% off.
MYRTLE BEACH
Angelo’s Steak and Pasta: 2311 S Kings Hwy, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577 | Phone: 843-626-2800
Great steaks and an Italian Buffet, Angelo and his team are ready to serve. Please call for reservations so they can ensure a great visit and meal.
Carolina Seafood & Steak: 29911 N Kings Hwy, Myrtle Beach, SC 29572 | Phone: 843-945-9288
Good restaurant with different options for seating depending on sensory needs. Ownership committed to making your visit happy and successful. Show your CAN card and get 10% off.
Fairytale Sweets: 10177 N Kings Hwy, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina 29578 | Phone: 843-999-3937 Roasting nuts, coffee and Dippin’ Dots are just some of the yummies available at the CAN supporting business inside the Myrtle Beach Mall. Show your CAN card and get 10% off.
Good Day Cafe: 819 Main St,, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577 | Phone: 843-448-4663
Sweet little place that employs folks on the spectrum. Gluten-free wraps, vegan and vegetarian selections. Present your CAN card and get free sweet or unsweet tea and 10% off.
Johnny D’s Waffles & Bakery: 3301 N Kings Hwy, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577 | Phone: 843-448-6789
Great place and super supportive of the Autism Community, however, the restaurant itself is tough sensory friendly-wise when crowded. They do have a set of noise-canceling headphones you can ask for. Peak times are 10:30-12:30. If there is a wait, show your CAN card and get preferential seating AND 10% off.
NY Pizza Kitchen: 914 N Ocean Blvd, Myrtle Beach SC. 29577 Phone 843-213-1769. Next to the Gay Dolphin. Autism aware owner and staff. Show your CAN card and get 15% off.
NY Pizza Kitchen: 1101 N Ocean Blvd, Myrtle Beach SC. 29577. Phone 843-945-2970. Across from the Skywheel. Show your CAN card and get 15% off.
NY Pizza Kitchen: 706 N Ocean Blvd, Myrtle Beach SC. 29577. Phone 843-444-0440. On the Boardwalk. Show your CAN card and get 15% off.
sweetFrog Premium Frozen Yogurt: 3699 Renee Drive, Myrtle Beach SC 29579 | Phone: (843) 796-3505 Show your CAN card and get 10% off.
sweetFrog Premium Frozen Yogurt: 706B North Ocean Blvd, Myrtle Beach SC 29577 | Phone: (843) 443-6108 Show your CAN card and get 10% off.
NORTH MYRTLE BEACH
Hamburger Joe’s North Myrtle Beach: 712 48th Ave S, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582 | Phone: 843-272-6834
Friendly staff, relaxed environment and great burgers. To minimize wait time and overstimulation, best times to go are between 3-5pm. 10% off when you show your CAN card.
Johnny D’s Waffles & Benedicts: 5063, 3900 Hwy 17 S, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582 | Phone: 843-663-1700
If there is a wait, show your CAN card and get preferential seating and 10% off.
sweetFrog Premium Frozen Yogurt: 254 Hwy 17 North, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582 | Phone: 843-663-3456 Show your CAN card and get 10% off.
PAWLEYS ISLAND
Beach Burgers & BBQ: 13088 Ocean Highway, Pawleys Island SC. Phone: 843-979-3333 Supportive owner and staff ready to accommodate sensory needs, changing of TV shows and just love on your kiddos. Show your CAN card and get 10% off.
Pawleys Island Bakery: 10517 Ocean Hwy, Pawleys Island, SC 29585 Phone 843-237-3100. Breakfast sandwiches, salads, wraps, pastries, cakes and pies. Catering available. Show your CAN card and get 10% off.
NY PIzza Kitchen: 9180 Ocean Hwy, Pawleys Island, South Carolina 29585. Phone 843-353-2160. Free Delivery. Show your CAN card and get 15% off.
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