Where would Elvis go if he came to Myrtle Beach? Here are some spots fit for the King

It appears that Elvis never performed in the Myrtle Beach area before his untimely death in 1977.

But if the iconic singer were to come to the coastal city today, where would he go and what would he do?

Myrtle Beach area Elvis tribute artist Alex Mitchell offers up some places he believes that the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll would visit.

Mitchell will be one of several Elvis tribute artists who will be in Myrtle Beach Feb. 1-3 for the Elvis Festival.

It could be that some of the Elvises may make their way to these spots.

Watching movies

Elvis Presley loved to watch movies and he liked to rent out places, Mitchell said. He said Elvis would rent out a movie theater, such as the Grand 14 in The Market Common, and watch movies.

Time on the beach

Of course, Elvis would have been on the beach, Mitchell said. He liked to go to Hawaii. Elvis starred in the 1961 film, “Blue Hawaii,” which focused on an Army man (played by Presley) who arrived back in Hawaii. Presley also was in the military.

Taking a ride

Elvis would probably rent a golf cart and drive it around Myrtle Beach, Mitchell said.

Elvis loved to drive golf carts, especially driving them on his Graceland property “like a maniac,” Mitchell said. The “Elvis” movie included scenes of Elvis and others driving golf carts around the Memphis property.

Mitchell said Graceland, Presley’s mansion which is now a major tourist destination, offers visitors a simulated golf cart ride.

The Graceland site says visitors can “take a spin around the Graceland Mansion grounds, just like Elvis did! Sit in a custom-designed golf cart simulator equipped with 360-degree video technology, and experience one of Elvis’ favorite at-home hobbies through virtual reality.”

Seeing double

Presley also might enjoy seeing himself portrayed at the Hollywood Wax Museum in Myrtle Beach, where he is at the counter of a 1950s soda shop along with other superstars Marilyn Monroe, James Dean and Humphrey Bogart. The scene is reminiscent of the 1984 Gottfried Helnwein’s painting, “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” which shows the icons at a diner counter.

Horseback riding

Elvis also loved horses. He had a stable at his Graceland mansion. Mitchell said Presley would probably take an opportunity to do horseback riding on the beach.

A good cigar

Mitchell said Elvis loved a good cigar. He believes he would have gone to a cigar shop in the Myrtle Beach area, such as Nick’s Cigar World, 2705 Highway 17 S. in North Myrtle Beach.

Fine dining

It’s no secret that Elvis loved to eat. Anyone remember his famous peanut butter and banana sandwich? Mitchell said he would probably eat at somewhere like the Flamingo Grill, 7050 N. Kings Highway in Myrtle Beach, where the chic decor gives a nod to the 1950s and ‘60s - a time Presley would surely remember.