Myrtle Beach, South Carolina has long been one of the most popular coastal towns in the eastern United States and is well-known for its sandy beaches, fun nightlife, and water sports. With 60 miles of beaches (often referred to as the Grand Strand), a seemingly endless boardwalk, more miniature golf courses than golfers can swing a club at, and a number of amusem*nt parks, it is the perfect vacation spot for a fun, family-friendly getaway!
Myrtle Beach is just a two-hour drive from both Charleston, South Carolina, and Wilmington, North Carolina so it is the perfect place to stop on a Carolina road trip. Just remember to load up on sunscreen and drink plenty of water. Nothing ruins a vacation faster than a sunburn or dehydration!
We understand that one of the best parts about going on a Myrtle Beach vacation is simply lying on the golden sands and doing pretty much nothing or floating down a resort’s lazy river without a care in the world. However, there are a lot of great things to do in the Myrtle Beach area besides just going to the beach itself that are great for the whole family. To prove it, we have put together a list of our favorite Myrtle Beach attractions.
Explore Myrtle Beach with Let’s Roam
At Myrtle Beach, you could spend an afternoon swimming, parasailing, or sunbathing, see the sunset from a giant Ferris wheel, and watch a live show at a state-of-the-art theater. If you want to find a really unique way to spend your time there, check out our Myrtle Beach Scavenger Hunt. This fun-filled adventure will take you through Myrtle Beach’s history while visiting the best landmarks on and off the beach!
BOOK A MYRTLE BEACH SCAVENGER HUNT
The Absolute Best Things to Do in Myrtle Beach
Myrtle Beach Boardwalk & Promenade
Stretching over a mile, the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk is home to restaurants, shops, hotels, and attractions. The boardwalk is the heart of Myrtle Beach and while you are there, you can take a sightseeing stroll along the beach, get a bird’s eye view from the SkyWheel, or visit one of the Ripley’s attractions. If you get hungry, you have a wide variety of restaurants to choose from, and let’s not forget the beautiful sunsets that you can see here!
Myrtle Beach Skywheel
Rising 200 feet above the boardwalk, the Myrtle Beach Skywheel gives amazing views over Myrtle Beach’s high-rise hotel skyline, the Grand Strand, and the sparkling blue Atlantic Ocean. The gondolas can fit up to six people which makes it perfect for families or groups of friends traveling together and the Skywheel runs until 11 pm giving you the chance to see the city lights from above all year round.
Broadway at the Beach
With over 100 specialty shops, 20 eateries, hotels, a theater, bars, nightclubs, and a plethora of other attractions, Celebrity Circle’s Broadway at the Beach is the biggest entertainment and nightlife center of its kind in Myrtle Beach. At Broadway, you will find zip lines, jet boats, a mirror maze, an aquarium, and much, much more. Many of the rides here were once part of the historic Myrtle Beach Pavilion amusem*nt part. Although the park shut down in 2006, Broadway at the Beach gave these rides a new lease on life and allow visitors to experience a special part of Myrtle Beach’s history.
You can even see “Legends in Concert”, a live entertainment tribute show featuring musical performers impersonating some of the biggest singers of the century including Elvis, Bruce Springsteen, Britney Spears, Celine Dion, and Carrie Underwood.
Ripley’s Aquarium
Broadway at the Beach is also home to Ripley’s Aquarium. At the aquarium, you can view hundreds of colorful fish, watch the penguins waddle around, and walk through a shark tunnel and gaze around you in awe at these beautiful creatures. If you are looking for something a little more extreme, you can even swim with the stingrays as part of the Stingray Experience. There are a lot of interactive experiences for people of all ages so Ripley’s Aquarium is definitely a fun place for the whole family!
WonderWorks
This science-focused indoor amusem*nt park has over 50,000 square feet of “edu-tainment” and 100 hands-on exhibits. Located within the Broadway on the Beach complex, WonderWorks provides is a fascinating destination for curious kids. While there, you can visit the Extreme Weather Zone, Space Discovery Zone, and the Imagination Lab for an educational and fun-filled day.
Hollywood Wax Museum
At the Hollywood Wax Museum, you can get up close and personal with your favorite stars. You can take photos with your favorite Hollywood celebrities and there are even props that you can use during your filming shoot. Make sure to get the all-access pass which also gives you access to the maze of mirrors and a zombie-themed haunted house that is surprisingly very scary. Also, leave a few hours to explore because you might find yourself so wrapped up in all the fun things to do that you won’t want to leave!
The Market Common
Known as Myrtle Beach’s Uptown Downtown, The Market Common features over 60 shops, boutiques, restaurants, and bars as well as an art gallery, bowling alley, and a children’s playground. It is a great place to escape when you need a little break from the touristy Boardwalk and it gives you a chance to look into the daily lives of people who call Myrtle Beach home.
Barefoot Landing
Located in North Myrtle Beach, Barefoot Landing started off as a collection of unique gift shops and has now expanded into a full-fledged entertainment zone with shops, restaurants, and attractions. Barefoot Landing is home to Alligator Adventure, which is one of the world’s largest reptile facilities, and one of the locations of Crooker Hammock Brewery Tours. You can also find a handful of amusem*nt park rides including a Ferris Wheel which is sure to keep little kids occupied for at least a little bit!
Myrtle Beach State Park
If you want to really escape the crowds, head over to Myrtle Beach State Park. This beautiful park is located within the oceanfront maritime forest and features nature trails and surf fishing from the pier. You can either visit the park as a day trip or plan an overnight getaway and spend the night at the Myrtle Beach campgrounds or one of the park’s rental cabins.
Family Kingdom Amusem*nt Park
Located on Ocean Boulevard, the Family Kingdom Amusem*nt Park has 38 rides to choose from and with thrill rides, family rides, go-karts, and kiddie rides, you are bound to find something for every member of the family. You can ride the steel roller coaster, free-fall 110 feet in the Slingshot Drop Zone, or try your driving skills at the bumper carts. Besides the great array of rides, the park also features the Picnic Pavilion, a covered dining area that can hold 100 guests, and is a great location for large events.
The park is free to enter and visitors pay per ride or purchase an all-day ride pass. At just $33 for the whole day, this is a very cost-effective way to have the amusem*nt park “experience” without having to pay the hefty price tag that usually comes along with it.
The Carolina Opry
The Carolina Opry is a musical variety show that has been having guests dancing in their seats since 1986. Using a cast of over 35 performers, the Carolina Opry combines two hours of music, comedy, and dance into one high-energy show. If the Carolina Opry isn’t exactly your style, the theater also houses the Time Warp, which features music from the 60s, 70s, and 80s, and the Christmas Show of the South. The Christmas show opens on November 1st and runs through the holiday season.
Myrtle Beach Art Museum
The Myrtle Beach Art Museum opened in 1997 and is the city’s only art museum. It is located in a 1920s villa and while it feels a bit more like a beach house than a museum, they have 11 galleries showcasing local, national, and international artists. The museum is located on Ocean Blvd and is free to visit so it is the perfect place to escape the hot South Carolina sun.
Myrtle Waves Water Park
With over 30 water slides and attractions, the Myrtle Waves Water Park is a fun place to spend a day in the water without having to worry about salt and sand! The park features water slides, tube slides, and Tsunami, a wave generator where you can try out your boogie boarding or surfing skills. While you are there, you can rent a cabana if you want a little extra privacy and comfort. The park is open from May until September but make sure to check their schedule online before you go to make sure it is open, especially in the case of inclement weather.
Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show
This fun, pirate-themed dinner is definitely the most interesting dinner option in Myrtle Beach! Dine on a four-course pirate feast including vegetable soup, buccaneer bread, Captain’s BBQ pork, and pirate potatoes as you watch an exciting Cirque de Soleil type show featuring famous pirate Captain Blackbeard and Calico Jack, beautiful mermaids, and full-size pirate ships. It is a bit cheesy but very entertaining and sure beats having dinner at a “normal” restaurant. Make sure to check the Pirates Voyage website to get a full schedule of their dinner shows and to purchase tickets.
Murrels Inlet
Located about 30-minutes south of Myrtle Beach, Murrels Inlet has a fascinating history. This old fishing village is believed to have been the sport where hushpuppies, a popular southern food, were perfected and also where pirates hid their treasure. It was also the home of Native Americans, Spanish and English colonists, and rich plantation owners, and a visit to the Inlet gives tourists a closer look at the history of the region.
While you are in Murrells Inlet, make sure to check out Huntington Beach State Park where you can experience the natural beauty of South Carolina, and then head over to the Murrels Inlet Marshwalk for dinner or drinks. There are a number of indoor and outdoor music venues right on the water where you can listen to live music.
Brookgreen Gardens
The tranquil Brookgreen Gardens is a botanical sculpture garden in the beautiful Murrels Inlet that allows you to explore South Carolina’s natural flora and fauna. There is a small zoo located onsite displaying some of the state’s native animals and in the gardens, you can find roses, perennials, shrubs, and mature trees, including 250-year-old live oak trees. It is a great place to spend a few hours relaxing amongst nature!
Intracoastal Waterway
The 3,000-mile Intracoastal Waterway extends along the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts of the US. It is one of the oldest canals in America and today, it is home to many gift shops, restaurants, and tourist attractions. It passes by the Grand Strand at Little River, a small fishing village. This shipping waterway is comprised of creeks, rivers, bays, sounds, and canals. While you are there, you can kayak, and paddleboard along this quiet waterway and reflect on the beautiful nature surrounding you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Things to Do in Myrtle Beach
What is there to do in Myrtle Beach?
Myrtle Beach is a great destination for families and there are plenty of activities to choose from including live shows, amusem*nt parks, shopping centers, and of course, the sandy beaches of the Grand Strand.
How do I get to Myrtle Beach?
Myrtle Beach is just off Hwy 17 and is easily accessible from Charleston, Savannah, Charlotte, and Wilmington. There are also flights from major cities across the US flying directly into Myrtle Beach and the airport is just a short taxi ride from the city center.
Where is the best place to stay in Myrtle Beach?
As Myrtle Beach’s attractions are spread out across the Grand Strand, we recommend staying close to the Myrtle Beach boardwalk. This gives you easy to attractions in all directions and you get to be in the heart of Myrtle Beach.
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