Located along the Atlantic coast is the dreamy Myrtle Beach. 60 miles of captivating coastline, countless places to visit, and various things to do in Myrtle Beach await you and your family. The grand strand is separated from the contiguous United States by the Intracoastal waterway which makes Myrtle Beach technically an island.
Today, the city has undergone massive development and welcomes over 20 million tourists each year. Myrtle Beach is well-connected and easy to reach.
You could take a day or night flight, train, or get here by road from any major city across the world. January, November, and December are the busiest months in Myrtle Beach and a large number of visitors throng the city during this time.
Myrtle Beach with its unique dolphin cruises, sandy beaches, extensive botanical gardens, outdoor adventures, lip-smacking fresh seafood, and countless breweries is the best destination to have the time of your life! A Myrtle Beach vacation will enable you to experience South Carolina hospitality at its finest.
Water parks, amusement parks, museums, golf courses, there is no dearth of things to do in Myrtle Beach. You will be spoilt for choice with the remarkable number of places to visit and things to do in Myrtle Beach.
Therefore, continue reading for an ultimate guide to the unmissable Myrtle Beach attractions.
1. Huntington Beach State Park
Located at Murrells Inlet, this destination is very popular among bird watchers and wildlife enthusiasts. Home to the best-preserved beach in the Grand Strand, this place also boasts a freshwater lagoon, a salt marsh, and a forest amidst the beach. Wildlife lovers definitely should add this place to their list of things to do in Myrtle Beach.
You can fish, swim or take a boat on the Atlantic ocean. You can bike through the park and spot colorful birds and animals along the way. You must hike across the Kerrigan trail to spot spoonbills, alligators, nesting loggerheads, sea turtles, minks, myrtle beach pelicans, and many more.
If you want to buy souvenirs, basic groceries, snacks, fishing, and boating accessories, pay a visit to the gift shop then.
The famous Atalaya is located inside the park. It was the home of Spanish architect Archer Huntington and his wife Anna Hyatt Huntington. This building is historically significant and represents Spanish culture. It is listed as a National Historic Landmark and is another highlight of this beautiful park.
The park has more than a hundred camping sites equipped with electricity, WiFi, and water. Come with your whole family and stay amidst the pristine waters and exotic wildlife! You could also bring your canine friends to this park since the park is dog-friendly. The place forms a nice option for things to do in Myrtle Beach with your pets. You could bring your canine friends to this park since the park is dog-friendly. But please note that it is mandatory to keep your dogs on a leash.
Timings: Open from 6 A.M. to 6 P.M.; all 7 days of the week.
Entry Fee:
$8 – Adults
$5- Senior Citizens
$4- young adults aged 6 to 15
Free- children younger than 5 years
2. The Atalaya
$2- For everyone aged 6 years and above
Free- Children under 5 years
2. Brookgreen Gardens
This is yet another highlight of the Murrells Inlet and the brainchild of Archer Huntington and Anne Hyatt Huntington. There are countless statues to admire and things to do in Myrtle Beach’s Brookgreen Gardens.
This stunning garden is located between Pawleys Island and Myrtle Beach. Brookgreen Gardens is also a wildlife preserve.
It is a very unique garden of sculptures that houses the work of numerous noteworthy sculptors. Hang out in solace amidst the colorful, mesmerizing flowers and various animals like otters, bald eagles, alligators, foxes, and much more.
The most distinctive feature of the Gardens is the collection of sculptures. The Garden features the work of Anna Hyatt Huntington, Leo Lentelli, Donald De Lue, Edward Francis McCartan, Janet Scudder, Eleanor Mary Mellon, etc.
Anna Huntington’s Fighting Stallions graces the entrance of the garden. Initially used as a plantation, visitors can learn about how plantations worked back in the day and the lives of slaves that worked in them. For a hands-on learning experience, add this to your itinerary of things to do in Myrtle Beach.
You can walk through the lush green spaces or take a tour bus if you do not prefer walking or even avail a boat!
Kids will have a lot of fun at the Butterfly House and Peace Garden Room. The breathtaking fountains, hidden pathways, nature trails, and boat tours can be enjoyed by families, kids, and solo tourists alike. The Alston Family Cemetery oak plantation which is the burial ground of a former South Carolina governor is also located here.
There are special events in October and December. You can also buy a lot of unusual artifacts from the gift shop. The Brookgreen Gardens offer some of the best things to do in Myrtle Beach, SC. Therefore, definitely include it in your things to do in Myrtle Beach list.
Timings: 9:30 A.M. to 5 P.M. on all days except Christmas.
Entry Fee: $20 – Adults
$18- Senior citizens and young adults
$10- Children from 4 to 12 years
Free- Children under 3 years
3. Carolina Opry
The Carolina Opry is the most famous theatre in all of South Carolina. This place offers some of the most entertaining things to do in Myrtle Beach. The theatre, founded by Calvin Gilmore has been awarded the Governor’s Cup which is the highest tourism award in South Carolina. It was the first live theatre in Myrtle Beach and still continues to be the most popular among the other options for things to do in Myrtle Beach for tourists.
The Carolina Opry is known for hosting a wide range of vibrant performances by renowned artists. The talent shows are of the greatest standards and are known to be exceedingly entertaining.
There are over 9,000 energy-packed performances that can enthrall the audience with their vibrance, creativity, and opulence.
The Time Warp show featuring young artists and music from the 60s, 70s, and 80s is well-liked by the audience. Pure Magic, Thunder and Light, and The Carolina Opry Christmas Special are also extremely sought-after.
One of the best Myrtle Beach attractions, this theatre must be on your itinerary of things to do in Myrtle Beach on your visit to South Carolina.
Be sure to buy your tickets beforehand, since the shows sell out rapidly each night!
Timings/ Fee: It is recommended to purchase a package since it is more cost-effective and covers the best shows. To select and book your tickets, click here.
The Carolina Opry is open from Monday to Saturday from 11 A.M. to 10 P.M. Refer to their show calendar to see the shows showcased on your travel date and plan accordingly.
4. Barefoot Landing
Amidst the sandy shores of the Atlantic Ocean, enjoy the finest food, shopping, and entertainment experiences accompanied by stunning views of a pristine lake at Barefoot Landing. It is a lively village along the Intracoastal waterway and should definitely be on your things to do in Myrtle Beach list.
Shopaholics can spend countless hours shopping at stores selling a wide range of local products. Beautiful boutiques and shops selling clothes, accessories, and other fashionable goods from renowned brands as well as locally-owned shops offer a plethora of options for shoppers.
It is also a food lover’s paradise! Restaurants at Barefoot Landing serve both international and local cuisine. The delectable food options include pasta, tacos, fudge, ice creams, and much more. Lucy Buffett’s Lulu’s, Bully’s Pub and Grill, Greg Norman Australian Grille, and Flying Fish are some other restaurants that represent Southern cuisine at its finest. Eat your fill and satisfy your cravings!
You can also visit the House of Blues at Barefoot Landing which offers some amazing musical acts performed by talented musicians. Music lovers will have the time of their lives here as Rock, Country, R&B, Latin, Reggae, Metal, and Hip-Hop are some of the acts that are performed here.
Visit the House of Blues on a Sunday, and enjoy a mouth-watering brunch accompanied by the finest music. The Alabama Theatre with the best live showcases in North Myrtle Beach is also a must-visit.
The Barefoot resort at Barefoot Landing is also known for its luxury yachts, townhouses, and golf villas. The Norman Course, Fazio Course, Dye Course, and Love Course are classic golf courses that are located here. Visit their official website to make your reservations now!
5. Golf Courses
Known as the Golf Capital of America, Myrtle Beach is a haven for golf enthusiasts. Myrtle Beach, SC has more than 50 places that welcome golfers from across the world. From a professional to a beginner, there are courses to suit everyone.
There are many clubs all along with the city that are centers of putt-putt golf. The Golf Courses are of varied dimensions and technicalities and hence, have different prices.
The prices depend on the tee times, level of difficulty, and the amenities offered. There are many new and old, regular-sized and mini-golf courses strewn all across the city to suit each person’s needs.
Mini Golf courses are popular amongst visitors since they are not only cost-effective but also provide the ultimate golfing experience for beginners as well.
The themed miniature golf courses like Jurassic Mini Golf and Captain Hook’s adventure golf are appealing and unique to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
Some acclaimed golf courses that are specially designed with the finest layout and you definitely need to visit if you are planning a golf vacation to Myrtle Beach are Aberdeen Country Club, Founders Club, MB National King’s North Club, Caledonia Golf, and Fish Club.
6. Family Kingdom Amusement Park
The Family Kingdom Amusement Park and Splash Water park, Ocean Blvd is a welcoming, old-world amusement park. This quaint amusement park in Myrtle Beach is full of thrill rides with loads of fun and amusement.
38 adventurous rides including Go-Karts, rides for kids, roller coasters, and bumper cars, await you and your family in Myrtle Beach’s Family Kingdom Amusement Park.
Further, clowns, jugglers, balloon sculptors, and face painters add to the appeal and charm of this marvelous park. Dive 110 feet and let yourself loose in the Slingshot Drop Zone. Bump against one another at the bumper cars and do not forget to explore the Go-karts!
Splashes Oceanfront Water Park boasts numerous thrilling water-based rides with the ocean as the backdrop. Drop down the Water Flumes at high speeds, laze around and sunbathe at the lazy river, enjoy the exhilarating Speed water slides, and you can even take the kids for a joyful time at the Children’s area.
There are even options for intermediate-speed water slides if you do not wish to slide down the super-speedy ones.
Entry Fee: Free- There is no fee to enter the park.
The only entrance is free, you will have to purchase individual ride tickets separately. All-day unlimited wristbands are available at $32.95(plus tax) but you can also opt to buy separate tickets for the rides of your choice at $1.15 per ride (plus tax).
Timings: Family Kingdom Amusement park- 6 P.M. to 11 P.M. All days of the week.
Note: The Splash Oceanfront Water park is currently closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
7. Ripley’s Aquarium
Ripley’s Aquarium at Myrtle Beach is the place for the most exotic, animated aquatic life in all of Myrtle Beach. Spend time with the creatures of the sea like never before. Sea turtles, barracudas, sharks, jellies, eels, rays, sea lions, and more than 14,000 exotic fish species comprise the lively aquatic life here.
The newly-added glass enclosures housing several new variants of marine life have been added recently. Ripley’s aquarium lets you get up close and personal with all the aquatic animals enabling you to learn by observing their habits for yourself through touch tanks, behind-the-scenes encounters, and much more.
You can touch a penguin at the penguin encounter, spot an endangered African penguin, and even venture into the 360-foot tunnel to crawl and examine the penguin habitats. Adorable baby penguins are nursed at the penguin nursery too.
Kids can even spend the night at Ripley’s aquarium to see the nightlife of the sea creatures! Kids Nightout sleepovers and Scout sleepover is organized for the sole purpose of educating the participants and letting them learn through experience by spending the whole night at the aquarium.
You can also arrange your sleepover with your chosen group of people and sleep with the sharks! Have your own swimming adventure at Swim with the Rays.
Stingrays, cow nose rays, and spotted rays will brush against you as you plunge into the waters. Feel them for yourself on a magical learning experience underwater. Delving into the waters is one of the most unique things to do in Myrtle Beach.
Dangerous Reef Aquarium is also a major highlight here. Enjoy a thrilling experience with vicious creatures like nurse sharks, green sea turtles, green moray eels, sand tiger sharks, tarpon, and sandbar shark There is a glass-bottom boat ride as well where you can ride a boat that separates you from menacing creatures by just 3 inches of glass! The boat rides happen at a frequency of 20 mins.
You can also shop for the choicest souvenirs, snacks, toys, and figurines representing the animals of Ripley’s Aquarium at the souvenir shops.
Entry Fee: $29.99- Adults
$19.99- Children aged 6 to 11
$9.99- Children from 2 to 5 years of age
You will have to pay separately for each individual attraction/experience at Ripley’s Aquarium. Click here to book your tickets.
Timings: 9 A.M. to 11 P.M. Open all days of the week.
8. Myrtle Wave Water Park
The Myrtle Waves Water Park at Myrtle Beach is the largest in the Myrtle Beach Area. This destination ranks high among the things to do in Myrtle Beach. Battle the waves at the Ocean in Motion Wave Pool or relax and float on tubes at the Lazy River. Plunge into the water below after sliding down numerous exhilarating water slides of different speeds, shapes, and sizes.
The Night Flight, The Rocking Ray, Snake Mountain, and Arooba Tooba, are delightful tube slides that are a source of thrill for visitors. Ride the waves at the Flowrider and surf your worries away! Added to this, there are play areas for toddlers and many food hubs to snack on delicious treats. One of the most popular things to do in Myrtle Beach, both adults and children can have an enjoyable time here.
Entry Fee: Tickets are sold based on height. For booking tickets, click here.
Special concessions are available for senior citizens and military personnel looking to buy tickets for things to do in Myrtle Beach’s biggest water park. Season passes can also be purchased. To avail of senior citizen/military discount and buy season passes, you have to purchase tickets at the park.
Timings: Open only on weekends from August 16th, 2021 generally from 11 A.M. to 5 P.M. To check the timings on the day you plan to visit, click here.
9. Famous Buildings at Myrtle Beach
Myrtle Beach is not only known as a glorious beach of the Atlantic Ocean and offers different amusement parks, but the cultural and historical roots of the city are also up for display at the numerous articulate museums.
There are some fun museums that do not have any particular historical significance but make for an interesting choice of things to do in Myrtle Beach.
9.1. Chapin Art Museum
The Franklin G Burroughs-Simeon B. Chapin Art Museum is the only art museum in Myrtle Beach. The museum has over 10 galleries that feature the work of talented artists and has an incredible collection of fine art.
Must visit if you are an art aficionado and looking for things to do in Myrtle Beach.
There are programs like art classes and summer camps for passionate youth and adults that encourage people to explore their talent and create impressive work of their own. The library here has a fine collection of books and art-related DVDs.
Note: Entry is free for all. Timings vary each day. Call to enquire before visiting.
9.2. Hollywood Wax Museum
The Hollywood Wax Museum in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina is another popular spot in the city. You can click goofy photos of Hollywood movie stars, singers, and pop culture icons wearing costumes and props.
The statues are so realistic that you might be able to fool people into thinking that you actually met your favorite celebrities!
The timings vary weekly. Visit their official website to book tickets and check the timings.
9.3. Wonderworks
This place offers some of the best things to do in Myrtle Beach. Have you never seen an upside-down building? Well, you can enter one and have an amazing time at Myrtle Beach! Wonderworks is a science museum but does not feel like one. Nothing is drab, dull, or boring here.
Challenge your body at the Physical Challenge zone, experience harsh weather conditions that you never have before at Extreme Weather Zone, and take a trip to space at the Space Discovery Zone all inside one building! Even shoot, hide, and defend at the Laser Tag Arena!
Forget where you are and enjoy the experience of being in a different world at the 6-D motion ride. Explore countless art and science exhibits at the Wonder Art Gallery and have the best and the most interesting learning experience in the Myrtle Beach Area.
Wonderworks is open from 9:30 A.M to 10 P.M. on all days of the week. To book your tickets now, click here.
We also need to mention the famous Civil War Fort and Museum at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. It was opened in 1966 and houses weapons, flags, and uniforms from the civil war. Being a museum of history and design arts, historic sites, Florence National Cemetery, and many intriguing exhibits made the museum popular among visitors. This place was very popular among things to do in Myrtle Beach but now, the museum is permanently closed to the public.
10. Other Attractions and Things To do In Myrtle Beach
10.1. Myrtle Beach Boardwalk
The Myrtle Beach Boardwalk is a 1.2-mile path of scenic views. The vibe here is always energetic and lively. There are a lot of stores to shop from, restaurants to eat at, and hotels to stay in. The Myrtle Beach Boardwalk is the site for festivities and events are conducted here all year. The boardwalk offers many options for things to do in Myrtle Beach.
10.2. Fishing
Fishing is one of the most unique things to do in Myrtle Beach. The South Jetty at Murrells Inlet and other places all along North Ocean Boulevard is famous for catching fish. Myrtle Beach is the hub for both inland freshwater and beach fishing.
Surf fishing is another popular activity here. Catching fish while moving about rather than standing at the pier will give you more access to catch fish easily and makes the process a lot easier.
Flounder, black drum, sea bass, mackerel, and even sharks can be caught here.
C. Visiting the Breweries
Myrtle Beach is sought-after for specially crafted beer. Drinking some of the best beer in the country must definitely be on your list of things to do in Myrtle Beach.
You have to try New South White Ale, Nut Brown Ale, and India Pale ale at the breweries here. Dirty Myrtle double IPA and Dark Star Porter are also a must-try at the different breweries all around the beach complex.
Tidal Creek Brewhouse, New South Brewing, and Independent Republic Brewing Co. are noteworthy breweries you can visit at Myrtle Beach.
Apart from the above-mentioned places, there are some other things to do in Myrtle Beach too. You can visit the Myrtle Beach Convention Center which is a busy 8000-seat arena. Concerts, sports-related events, and exhibitions happen here. To know more, click here.
Kids Zone is a must-visit if you are looking for things to do in Myrtle Beach with children. There are loads of fun-filled rides and activities here to keep the kids engaged, happy, and entertained.
You can also indulge in watersports which are extremely popular in this sparkling beach city. Be sure to hire a jet ski and a pontoon boat to traverse through the briny waters of the beach.
And if you want to enjoy the serenity, visit Pawleys Island then. it is a calm island, located very close to Myrtle Beach. If you wish to explore the ocean in a peaceful, small town, then this place is perfect for you. Several cruise agencies offer a Dolphin Cruise at Murrells Inlet too. You can spot wild playful dolphins if you are lucky!
Myrtle Beach’s history tells us that it used to be a popular center of rice plantations and you can still spot an old rice mill here and there while going about the city.
Now there you go. There are various things to do in Myrtle Beach and hopefully, this article was able to give you an insight into some of the best things to do in Myrtle Beach.
Suggested Reads
10 Amazing Things To Do In Carolina Beach
