Myrtle Beach continues to gain national attention thanks to one of its own, Emmy Award–winning TV host and producer Darley Newman, creator of the long-running PBS series Travels with Darley and author of the soon-to-be-released book Revolutionary Road Trip. While this Grand Strand native travels the globe as part of her global travel brand, she also frequently returns home to Myrtle BeaAdd Postch to shine a light on the place where her passion for travel first began.
"Myrtle Beach is home and it's very near and dear to my heart," she said. "I have fond memories of growing up along the beach and look forward to coming back often to see all that's evolved over the years."
Darley & Visit Myrtle Beach Team Up for a National Satellite Tour
This past February, Darley returned to Myrtle Beach through a partnership with Visit Myrtle Beach to host a full morning of satellite media interviews with over 30 TV and radio stations across the U.S.
During the live and recorded segments, Darley broadcasted from the balcony of the new Ocean Escape Boardwalk Oceanfront Condos, telling audiences about her love of her hometown as well as providing spring and summer vacation planning insight. She explained how the Myrtle Beach area remains one of the nation’s most affordable beach destinations and spotlighted Visit Myrtle Beach's new stay-longer, get-more promotional offer, Make More Myrtle Moments, which links visitors to dozens of accommodations that are offering free bonus nights.
For over four hours, Darley spoke with reporters, anchors and hosts from stations in New York, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Atlanta and more. Watch the interview that aired on FOX Carolina News.
The media tour collaboration positioned Myrtle Beach to local news outlets across the country, offering audiences timely insights into value-driven travel at a moment when affordability remains top of mind. To date, the tour has garnered $15 million in earned media!
The Myrtle Beach Episode of Travels With Darley Released on PBS
This past January, Darley's hit show Travels With Darley aired its Season 13 installment on PBS, which was a "homecoming" since the TV host traveled back to Myrtle Beach to present the destination through both a personal and visitor-friendly lens. Watch The Trailer
Travels with Darley explores destinations through a mix of local culture, history, food, music and outdoor experiences, typically guided by residents who know the area best. The Myrtle Beach episode highlights classic Grand Strand staples such as Carolina Shag dancing, mini golf and iconic entertainment like The Carolina Opry, while also spotlighting well-known local favorites like Sea Captain’s House and Johnny D’s.
Beyond the familiar, the episode leans into the region’s mix of nature, art and heritage by featuring places like Brookgreen Gardens and Myrtle Beach State Park, and it reinforces the destination’s broad appeal by including experiences and travel options that are welcoming to families with accessibility needs.
“Having grown up in Myrtle Beach, I’ve seen it evolve as a destination where tradition, community and new experiences come together," Newman said. “I wanted to capture the experiences I was able to have as a child, including time at Brookgreen Gardens, with new programs and initiatives, like Champion Autism Network, making the beach even more welcoming,” Newman said.
Darley’s New Book Showcases Her Passion For America's History, Rooted In Her Home State
Darley also came back to her hometown of Myrtle Beach in early February during the South Carolina Governor's Conference on Tourism, serving as moderator for a panel discussion on leveraging South Carolina's 250th anniversary to drive tourism, storytelling and community growth. Through her moderating role, she helped guide a statewide conversation about heritage tourism, creative storytelling and the power of local narratives.
Darley's passion for American history is fueled by her South Carolina roots. Her new book focuses on lesser-known Revolutionary War stories, and her next PBS half-hour special on visitable Revolutionary sites, both underscoring her commitment to bringing history to life, much of which ties directly back to her home state. Revolutionary Road Trip by Darley Newman explores American Revolution sites within the Palmetto State and throughout the U.S. and is currently in pre-sale and set to be released this June.
The book is timely as South Carolina is increasingly positioning itself as the place “where the Revolutionary War was won,” highlighting its important role in the founding of America. In fact, the state has more than 200 Revolutionary War sites, including some near Myrtle Beach. The SC250 initiative is a statewide effort led by the South Carolina American Revolution Sestercentennial Commission to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution.
