22 Best Things to do in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Filling in your planner with things to do in Myrtle Beach before you get there is not only a good idea, it’s a necessary one. The Carolina beach town has such a wide array of activities and attractions that a bit of pre-planning and research will prevent a lot of indecision later on.

Luckily, we’ve already done the research for you. You can thank us later.

Myrtle Beach is located on the northeast coast of South Carolina, between Sullivan’s Island (site of the Civil War Fort Sumter) and the North Carolina border.

With the Atlantic Ocean to the east and the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) to the west, it makes an excellent destination for families, couples, singles, and groups.

Nicknamed the “Grand Strand,” Myrtle Beach’s sandy beaches encompass a 60-mile stretch of coastal Carolina beaches from Little River to Pawley’s Island.

Along with the obvious sun, sand, and surf, the coastal town is widely known for its nightlife, family-friendly entertainment, musical theaters, and legendary pro-designed golf courses (do the names Palmer, Nicklaus, or Trent-Jones ring a bell?).

TLDR

• Most Significant Landmark in Myrtle Beach – SkyWheel Myrtle Beach
• Best Park in Myrtle Beach – Myrtle Beach State Park
• Best Free Activity in Myrtle Beach – Myrtle Beach Boardwalk
• Best Activity for Kids in Myrtle Beach – Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach
• Best Activity for Adults in Myrtle Beach – Duplin Winery Tour
• Best Food in Myrtle Beach – Sea Captain’s House
• Best Nightlife in Myrtle Beach – Broadway at the Beach
• Best All-Around Accommodation in Myrtle Beach – Courtyard by Marriott Myrtle Beach Barefoot Landing

Best and Fun Things to do in Myrtle Beach, SC

We’ve come up with a collection of fun, unique, entertaining, and thrilling activities and attractions to pencil onto your to-do list.

The Palmetto State, and Myrtle Beach in particular, offer so much to do that it wasn’t such as hard task. The hard part will be deciding what to leave off the list of what to do in Myrtle Beach. Good luck!

1. Myrtle Beach Boardwalk and Promenade

Every beach town needs a boardwalk, and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina has one of the best.

It opened in 2010 and features gift shops, arcades, restaurants, resort hotels, thrill rides, and attractions along a 1.2-mile-long walkway (which extends from the 2nd Avenue Pier to the 14th Avenue North Pier) just off of Ocean Blvd.

Best of all?

The beach is right there if you decide you need a dip in the ocean.

Enjoy panoramic views of the Grand Strand from the 187-foot-tall SkyWheel. More an observation wheel than your typical Ferris wheel, you’ll sit in comfort in fully enclosed gondolas (with AC) while taking in panoramic ocean and sunset views.

How’s that for a great way for the whole family to relax after a day in the sun?

Eateries along and around the boardwalk area include the LandShark Bar & Grill, Moe Moon’s, Hurricanes Daiquiri Bar & Grill, The Bowery, and Sharkey’s Oceanfront Restaurant.

Looking for hotels right on the boardwalk?

Breakers Myrtle Beach Resort is an excellent choice for convenient access to the beach and things to do in Myrtle Beach.

In the mid-range category, it offers indoor and outdoor pools, hot tubs, an indoor lazy river, restaurants and snack bars, a waterpark, and games.

Aqua Beach Inn is just a block away from the Myrtle Beach, South Carolina boardwalk. There’s an outdoor pool and a hot tub. Guest rooms have a kitchenette with a two-burner stove and coffee makers. This is a nice choice if you like convenience but want a little distance from all the action.

The luxury oceanfront condo, at Avista Resort in North Myrtle Beach, has two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and accommodates eight guests.

A full kitchen, dining area, living area, and on-site resort restaurant, bar, fitness center, and pool make this one of the best accommodations North Myrtle Beach offers. It’s right on the beachfront and offers easy access to things to do in North Myrtle Beach.

Anderson Ocean Club and Spa by Oceana Resorts is another Myrtle Beach hotel that offers the convenience of oceanfront access. There’s a fitness center, a beachfront swimming pool, a lazy river, an indoor pool, a full-service day spa, and a poolside bar.

Guest rooms have fully equipped kitchens, seating areas, and free Wi-Fi. This is a great choice for families who want the convenience of the beach and easy access to other entertainment options.

See Related: Best Things to do in Charleston, South Carolina

2. Retail Therapy

When you need a break from the sand, sun, and surf, Myrtle Beach does not disappoint.

Check out the 350-acre Broadway at the Beach shopping and dining destination for wine, sunglass, apparel, and home decor shops like Earthbound Trading, ItSugar, M.R. Ducks, Ron Jon Surf Shop, and the Paula Deen Store.

Murrells Inlet Marsh Walk is designed to resemble a historic fishing village. Shop, walk, or ride banana boats and jet skis during the day. By night, watch the sunset and listen to live music at locations such as Creek Ratz, Wicked Tuna Grill & Sushi Bar, and Mojo’s Marina Bar and Grille.

You can also enjoy Polynesian Fire Luau and Dinner Show Ticket in Myrtle Beach.

Barefoot Landing is an ICW and lakeside location filled with shopping, dining, and entertainment options such as a carousel, kiddie rides at Barefoot Amusements, and Crooked Hammock Brewery Tours.

The Christmas Mouse, Carolina Vineyards Winery, and M.R. Ducks are just a couple of the many retail shops.

Restaurants at Barefoot Landing include Lucy Buffett’s LuLu’s, the Flying Fish Public Market & Grill, Auntie Anne’s Pretzels, River City Sweets, and Bully’s Pub & Grill. 

To be close to the retail action of Broadway at the Beach, La Quinta by Wyndham Myrtle Beach Broadway Area is an excellent choice. All rooms have a mini fridge and a microwave. The resort has a fitness center, an outdoor pool, a hot tub, and meeting space. This pet-friendly hotel offers free Wi-Fi.

Sheraton Broadway Plantation Resort Hotel Villas, also near Broadway at the Beach, has a fitness center, tennis courts, and a game room.

There’s an outdoor pool with a lazy river, a poolside bar and grill, and an indoor pool. Guest rooms have a kitchenette, living areas, and dining tables. Some guest rooms have a full kitchen.

Hampton Inn Murrells Inlet / Myrtle Beach Area is a good option if you plan to spend time near Murrells Inlet and the southern end of the South Carolina Grand Strand. There’s an outdoor pool, a hot tub, a fitness center, a snack shop, and a business center.

All rooms have a mini fridge, a microwave, a coffee maker, and free Wi-Fi. Indian Wells Golf Course, Murrells Inlet Marsh Walk, and Brookgreen Gardens are nearby.

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3. Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach

Ripley’s Aquarium, at Broadway at the Beach, is one of our favorite Myrtle Beach attractions for when you need a break from the heat. You can check out tropical rainforest and marine life such as sharks, rays, penguins, lionfish, and piranhas.

Habitats like the Amazon, the Indo-Pacific Coral Reef, and the Dangerous Reef, which is a 340-foot tunnel beneath a 750,000-gallon tank of marine wildlife.

A moving walkway takes you through the exhibit. Look up to see rays, sharks, and lots of fishy creatures. You can even book a glass-bottom boat tour that takes you above the Dangerous Reef aquarium (this is at an additional cost, of course).

You can also experience a Private Escape Room Games adventure for a side trip.

4. Hollywood Wax Museum

Pose with wax versions of Dale Earnhardt, Clint Eastwood, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, and many more at one of the most fun attractions in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The Hollywood Wax Museum also has a mirror maze and a haunted attraction.

The Hollywood Wax Museum is located at Broadway at the Beach, so it’s super easy to add to your day’s agenda of things to do in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Get your admission ticket now.

See Related: Best Museums in the US You Need to Visit

Sports fanatics will want to pay a visit to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Located at Broadway at the Beach, it features more than 200 artifacts, documents, photos, and other memorabilia from the archives of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Visit displays showcasing vintage footballs and helmets, the Vince Lombardi Super Bowl trophy, and artifacts from Hall of Fames names such as Dick Butkus, Joe Montana, Joe Namath, and John Elway.

6. Myrtle Beach Nightlife

If you’re a fan of country music, the Bowery (open since 1944) is a must-do for Myrtle Beach nightlife, live music, local bands, and line dancing.

Country music legends Alabama got their start there as the house band from 1973 to 1980. They even mention it in the song “Dancin’, Shaggin’ on the Boulevard” (“… the Bama boys at the Bowery, they can’t dance but they play for free …”).

The “shag” is a coastal Southern dance, similar to swing dancing, just to clarify for anyone wondering (oh, behave).

You’ll also find a wide range of restaurants, bars, and nightlife at Broadway at the Beach and Barefoot Landing, which offers live music at House of Blues. Enjoy blues, rock, reggae, metal, and hip-hop as well as the famous Sunday Gospel Brunch featuring regional gospel groups and a gigantic brunch buffet.

See Related: Best Tropical Vacation Spots in the World

7. Dinner and a Show

Gather the whole crew and book a night of dining, entertainment, and things to do in Myrtle Beach. The Pirate’s Voyage Dinner & Show offers swashbuckling fun with full-size pirate ships and a 15-foot-deep lagoon. There are even sea lions, mermaids, and tropical birds.

Jousting knights, princesses, and racing steeds bring 11th Century Spain to the Grand Strand with the Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament. Enjoy a four-course meal as you watch the action. You can even eat “Medieval-style” with no utensils. Be sure to bring the wet naps for this one. Or not. You do you.

For accommodations near Medieval Times, take a look at Staybridge Suites Myrtle Beach – West, and IHG Hotel. These all-suite accommodations offer free Wi-Fi, kitchenettes, daily breakfast, an outdoor pool, a hot tub, a convenience store, tennis courts, and a fitness center.

Another option in the Medieval Times area is Hilton Garden Inn Myrtle Beach/Coastal Grand Mall. Amenities include an outdoor swimming pool, an indoor pool, a fitness center, a business center, and an on-site restaurant. Spacious guest rooms have a mini fridge, a microwave, a coffee maker, a desk, and free Wi-Fi.

8. Musical Theater and Live Entertainment

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina is famous for its celebrity theaters, comedy shows, circus acts, and musical entertainment. In fact, a lot of folks visit the area in the off-season for just this aspect. Christmas and seasonal shows are all the rage on the Grand Strand.

The Legends in Concert Theater features celebrity look and sound-alike tribute artists such as Dolly Parton, Rod Stewart, and Elvis Presley.

The Alabama Theatre hosts comedy and country music shows from popular artists such as Lee Greenwood, The Temptations, Lorrie Morgan, and Josh Turner. And, yes, it’s the theater of that famous country band.

Other Myrtle Beach comedy, music, and entertainment venues include the Carolina Opry, the Broadway Theater, and the GTS Theater, which features the popular Motown Tribute Show.

The Carolina Opry, which was the first to open in the Myrtle Beach area, hosts top recording artists and tribute bands performing the hits of ABBA, The Beach Boys, Fleetwood Mac, and Queen.

The Grande Shores hotel is within easy access to the Carolina Opry. Situated beachfront, it has an outdoor pool, an indoor pool, a hot tub, a business center, a fitness center, a restaurant, and a bar. There’s also a bar at the pool for those frosty, frozen drinks.

All guest rooms have a mini fridge and free Wi-Fi. For an extended Myrtle Beach vacation or a family trip, choose a suite with a kitchen and a dining area.

To entertain yourself more, you must not forget to watch Charles Bach Wonders Magic Show on your visit.

See Related: Best Spring Break Destinations for Families

9. Christmas at the Beach

Speaking of Christmas (mentioned above in case you missed it), you’ll find a wide variety of holiday entertainment and Myrtle Beach attractions.

Along with seasonal shows at the theaters, there are parades along the Grand Strand, an ice-skating rink, a Parade of Trees at Ripley’s Aquarium, walk-through light shows, Brookgreen Gardens’ Night of a Thousand Candles event, and other brilliant light extravaganzas.

10. Go-Karts, Miniature Golf Courses, and More

Is it really a beach trip if you don’t play at least one round at mini golf courses or zip around a go-kart track? We think not.

Pick up a club and hit a hole-in-one at Captain Hook’s Adventure Golf, Treasure Island Mini Golf, Jungle Safari Golf, Shipwreck Island Adventure Golf, or Jurassic Mini Golf, or hop on a go-kart at Broadway Grand Prix or K1 – Indoor Go-Karts. These are all super fun things to do in Myrtle Beach with kids.

The Sheraton Myrtle Beach, located near Captain Hook’s Adventure Golf, is a mid-range option with an indoor pool, a fitness center, a business center, a coffee shop, and a restaurant.

Rooms have a microwave and a mini fridge. It’s near the Myrtle Beach Convention Center, Ripley’s Aquarium, fun things to do in Myrtle Beach, and other popular Myrtle Beach things to do.

Located near Jungle Safari Golf in North Myrtle Beach, and offering quite a bit of entertainment on its own, the North Shore Oceanfront Resort Hotel has its very own water park complete with slides and lazy rivers.

The hotel has a beachfront pool, an indoor pool, a blacklight mini golf course, an arcade, meeting facilities, a fitness center, and on-site restaurants. Guest rooms have a mini fridge, a microwave, private balconies, and a Keurig coffee maker.

See Related: Best Charleston Walking Tours: Explore South Carolina on Foot

11. Ripley’s Haunted Adventure

Fans of Halloween and haunted house mazes will definitely want to visit Ripley’s Haunted Adventure, conveniently located at the Boardwalk on Ocean Boulevard.

Make your way through a haunted asylum as live actors try to scare the living daylights out of you. Open 365 days a year, it’s a great way to get your scare on. You can get your Haunted Adventure admission ticket here.

12. Ripley’s Believe it or Not! Museum

Ripley’s strikes again!

Located on the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk, Ripley’s Believe it or Not! is just the place to go to see oddities and just plain ‘ole weird stuff like shrunken heads, vampire killing kits, art on bread slices, and much much more.

To stay near all the fun and freaky attractions of Ripley’s when you visit Myrtle Beach, check out the Hilton Grand Vacations Club Ocean Enclave Myrtle Beach on North Ocean Boulevard. It has an outdoor pool, an indoor pool, a fitness center, a bar, a convenience store, and free Wi-Fi.

Suites have a kitchen, dining area, and separate living areas. Two-bedroom suites feature one king-size and two queen-size beds. Three-bedroom suites have one king-size, three queen-size beds, private balconies, and Atlantic Ocean views.

See Related: Best Places to Travel in December on a Budget

13. Duplin Winery

Spend a relaxing time sipping and sampling at Duplin Winery, which is conveniently located beside the Barefoot Landing shopping, dining, and entertainment complex. Enjoy live music and a rustic setting as you taste the winery’s famous muscadine wine, which is popular with locals and tourists alike.

Looking for a hotel near Duplin Winery?

Barefoot Resort & Golf is just across the ICW from Duplin and Barefoot Landing. Choose from golf course and yacht club villas or the Courtyard by Marriott Myrtle Beach Barefoot Landing hotel (which is located about 1.5 miles from the golf resort). There’s a fitness center, business facilities, an indoor pool, and free Wi-Fi. Golf courses feature greens designed by Love, Norman, Dye, and Fazio.

14. Animal Encounters

The kids (and probably you too) will love all the fun and unique animal encounters you can experience in Myrtle Beach. The Lowcountry Zoo, located at Brookgreen Gardens, has otters, alligators, foxes, ducks, deer, and other local wildlife.

Yell “Crikey!” and channel your inner Steve Irwin at Alligator Adventure. The park has swamp habitats for sea turtles, Chilean flamingos, bobcats, and, of course, many types of gators and crocs. But you probably won’t be allowed to wrestle a gator.

Myrtle Beach Safari is a 50-acre tropical nature preserve. You’ll take a guided walk (by reservation only) as you visit cheetahs, African elephants, a liger (a cross between a lion and a tiger), Bengal tigers, chimpanzees, and gibbons.

The T.I.G.E.R.S. Wild Encounter Tour is a 3-hour walking tour of the wildlife preserve and animals. You may even get to feed a baby tiger.

All proceeds from the T.I.G.E.R.S. tour benefit the Rare Species Fund (RSF), which provides support and training to worldwide conservation programs that protect and help conserve chimpanzees, gorillas, lions, tigers, elephants, and more.

If you’re looking for nearby resorts (and want to get in a challenging game of golf), Legends Golf & Resort is about 20 minutes from Myrtle Beach Safari. It has three championship golf courses – Heathland, Moorland, and Parkland – at the resort.

Stay and play packages are available and include accommodations among the Scottish-inspired villas (of all things).

For a hotel within easy access to Alligator Adventure and other fun things to do at the beach, consider the Hilton Myrtle Beach Resort. There’s an on-site spa, several restaurants, a pool, a hot tub, free Wi-Fi, and fitness facilities. All of the guest rooms have balconies.

Some have sleeper sofas and additional living space, which is great to have when you’re spending a week with the whole crew.

See Related: Best Girls Trip Destinations Around the World

15. Huntington Beach State Park

Located at Murrells Inlet, Huntington Beach State Park is the perfect place to go kayaking, fishing, or relaxing along the three-mile beach. Walk along the boardwalk where you can watch for birds and view gators and other South Carolina wildlife in the saltwater marsh habitat.

Sites and Activities

• Atalaya Castle – A National Historic Landmark and Moorish-style home of 20th Century sculptor Anna Hyatt Huntington
• Sandpiper Pond Nature Trail – a two-mile out and back trail along coastal plains (bring the binoculars to catch sight of herons, osprey, and egrets from the Observation Tower
• Boat ramp access about a mile from the entrance at Oyster Landing
• Geocaching, swimming, and fishing
• Hiking and biking
• Camping for tents and RVs
• Guided segway tour

For resort-style living in a natural setting, try Litchfield Beach and Golf Resort, which is located within easy access to the state park. All rooms have free Wi-Fi, a microwave, and a mini fridge. Some guest rooms have full kitchens, fireplaces, seating areas, and a washer and dryer. There’s an indoor pool, an outdoor pool, a fitness center, and on-site dining at this lovely Myrtle Beach hotel.

16. Brookgreen Gardens

Founded by the Huntington family of the aforementioned state park, Brookgreen Gardens is next on our list. Spend peaceful quiet time among the sculptures and extensive botanical gardens of this 9,000-acre park.

The largest sculpture garden in the United States, the former rice plantation has an extensive collection of flowers, reflecting pools, and fountains as well as a pathway lined with live oak trees that were planted in the 1700s. Enjoy music, theater performances, and guided tours at this South Carolina garden.

This Myrtle Beach park has a butterfly garden, marshes, an education center, and more than 2,000 pieces of American figurative sculptures from leading artists and sculptors.

See Related: Best South Carolina Beaches

17. Myrtle Beach State Park

Located north of Huntington Beach, this state park at Myrtle Beach offers a peaceful place to enjoy wildlife and green space among the attractions of the Grand Strand. It’s situated within a coastal maritime forest filled with hollies, waxed myrtles, poplars, and magnolia trees.

If you’re looking for a less crowded Myrtle Beach, option, this may be just what you’ve been searching for.

Activities Include:

• Fishing pier and surf fishing
• Bird watching
• Camping for tents, RVs, and cabins
• Swimming, geocaching, birdwatching, and picnicking
• Bicycling or hiking along the Yaupon Trail and other nature trails
• Equestrian trail

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Residence Inn by Marriott Myrtle Beach, near the state park, has a fitness center, a pool, a bar, a restaurant, and laundry facilities. Some rooms have kitchen areas, bunk beds, and extra living space. This is a great option for an extended stay or larger families and groups.

18. Music and Festivals

From food and fun to live music and more, Myrtle Beach offers a variety of year-round festivals.

The Carolina Country Music Fest is three days of country music’s biggest artists performing at the Burroughs and Chapin Pavilion Place, which spans more than 18 acres between Ocean Boulevard to the Boardwalk.

Past performers have included Luke Bryan, Keith Urban, Chris Janson, Chase Rice, Jimmie Allen, Kelsea Ballerini, Darius Rucker, and Ashley McBryde (to name just a few).

The Atalaya Arts and Crafts Festival is held in September at Atalaya Castle at Huntington Beach State Park. You can enjoy live music and more than 100 artists as well as food vendors.

Home to the International Culinary Institute of Myrtle Beach at Horry Georgetown Technical College (which has its own bakery and hosts weekly farmer’s markets), cuisine and culinary tourism are strong in the Myrtle Beach area.

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina food festivals include the Blue Crab Festival in May, the Little River ShrimpFest in October, and the Loris Bog-Off Festival in October (chicken “bog” is a mix of chicken, rice, sausage, pepper, and other savory spices).

See Related: Best Vacation for a Group of Friends

19. Outdoor Adventure

Go for a rural ride or a sunset trot on the beach with Inlet Point Plantation or Horseback Riding of Myrtle Beach.

Inlet Point Plantation offers beach and sunset rides as well as tours through their pecan groves, wooded trails, and the ICW. For the six and under crew, they offer hand-led pony rides through the pecan grove.

During the summer (in-season) months, the horses at Horseback Riding of Myrtle Beach like to take it easy in the shade (Don’t we all?).

Enjoy a peaceful ride along wooded trails in the rural area of Conway, which is about 30 minutes from the Myrtle Beach area. From November to the end of February, rides are taken along the sand of Garden City Beach. It’s just north of Murrells Inlet.

Myrtle Beach Zipline Adventures is for the thrill seekers in your crew. Tackle obstacle courses or soar along the zipline overlooking the ocean. Choose from 600-foot-long ziplines, a two zip line rush, a ropes course, a physical challenge zone, and other unique obstacles.

20. Get Out on the Water

Whether it’s deep sea fishing and parasailing or sunset cruises and dolphin-watching excursions, you’ll find all sorts of water-based adventure in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Charter fishing boats offer half and full-day trips offshore to catch (or try to catch) tuna, flounder, red drum, and more. Best of all? All fishing gear, rods, and reels are provided. All you have to do is show up.

If your crew prefers to stay closer to shore, rent a pontoon boat or go jet skiing around the Myrtle Beach waterways. Pontoon boat and jet ski rentals are available from a wide range of operators in Myrtle Beach.

If a jet ski isn’t your thing, take a sunset kayak tour with Black River Outdoors. You’ll spend a four-hour guided tour gliding across the peaceful waters.

For a fun family excursion, book a private island adventure SUP or kayak tour with Trailblaze Adventure. You’ll paddle to a secluded barrier island where you can explore and hunt for shells and sand crabs before paddling back.

Another fun option is a guided stand-up paddleboard tour along Murrells Inlet or the Waccamaw River.

See Related: Best Family Vacation Spots in the World

21. Amusement Park, Water Park, and Family-Friendly Attractions

Myrtle Waves Water Park has water slides, a FlowRider surf simulator, waves pools, and a kids’ water play area. Myrtle Waves Water Park is the perfect water park spot to enjoy thrills and splashes of salt-free water after a day of waves and Atlantic Ocean saltwater.

Family Kingdom Amusement Park, a family-friendly amusement park on Ocean Boulevard, offers thrill rides, a steel and wooden roller coaster, kids’ rides, an arcade, bumper cars, games, and more.

While you’re at Family Kingdom Amusement Park, be sure to check out the Hurricane roller coaster among Myrtle Beach’s amusement park rides. It was featured in Kenny Chesney’s video for the song “Anything But Mine” from the 2004 album When the Sun Goes Down.

Go back and watch that video when you get the chance. You just might catch some of Myrtle Beach’s other sites and scenes besides the amusement park (such as the Myrtle Beach Pavilion). Some of the scenes (specifically the surfing ones) were shot in California.

Pavilion Park is a fun kids zone attraction the whole family can enjoy.

The family-friendly park is made up of a Fun Park (with kid-friendly rides like a carousel, a train ride, mini tea cups, and the Broadway 360 Ferris wheel) and an Action Park (with high-flying swing rides, a pendulum ride, and other thrill seeker favorites).

Located at Broadway at the Beach, Pavilion Park is a favorite Myrtle Beach things to do on our list.

Located at the Broadway at the Beach complex, WonderWorks Myrtle Beach is filled with more than 100 hands-on exhibits related to science.

This includes a space discovery zone, a light and sound zone, technology, and other educational (but totally fun, we promise) entertainment for families visiting Myrtle Beach.

Check out the Extreme Weather Zone. You can experience hurricane-force winds, withstand icy cold water, or become a human lightning rod at the Tesla coil exhibit. There’s also laser tag, a 6-D motion ride, and a ropes course.

The Polynesian Oceanfront Motel, on the oceanfront near the Family Kingdom Amusement Park, is a budget option for families or groups on a Myrtle Beach vacation. The motel has two swimming pools, a hot tub, and free Wi-Fi. All guest rooms have a kitchenette and sitting areas. Some have balconies.

22. Foodie Favorites

From seafood, craft beer, and regional specialties to pizza, BBQ, and boardwalk treats like corn dogs, cotton candy, and funnel cake, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina offers nearly as much eating as it does seeing and doing along the Atlantic coast.

The Noizy Oyster features a New Orleans favorite, the seafood boil. This popular creation is a steam pot filled with such things as crab legs, crawfish, shrimp, corn on the cob, red potatoes, and lots of seasoning and spices.

Fire & Smoke, Sea Captain’s House (a Myrtle Beach favorite since 1962), and the Flying Fish Public Market & Grill are the places to go for shrimp and grits and other Lowcountry favorites.

Feeling like ingesting a whale of a meal?

Head to Captain Benjamin’s Calabash Seafood Buffet. Choose from more than 200 items, including peel-and-eat shrimp, local oysters, and calamari as well as wings, pork ribs, steamed vegetables, and fried chicken.

Check out Prosser’s Barbecue or Simply Southern for classic Carolina barbecue. Peaches Corner is the boardwalk favorite for hot dogs, cheeseburgers, onion rings, and thick and creamy milkshakes.

See Related: Best Warm Winter Backpacking Destinations

Getting Around Myrtle Beach

If you’re flying into Myrtle Beach on a morning, day, or night flight, the closest airport is Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR). It’s approximately three miles from Myrtle Beach.

There are a variety of on-site car rental companies, including Enterprise, Dollar, and Budget, but it’s not a bad idea to book ahead with someone like Kayak.

Myrtle Beach extends about 60 miles from North Myrtle Beach to Litchfield Beach. Along the way, it passes through Atlantic Beach, Surfside Beach, and Garden City Beach.

Highway 17 is the main road running through town (you’ll find a lot of the main attractions along this road). It does split off and run as two parallel roads, so there’s that to be aware of.

Bus service is available through Coast RTA Public Transport services. It offers a wide range of routes all along the Grand Strand. You can also rent bicycles if you prefer to pedal your way around town finding things to do at Myrtle Beach.

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