No single destination can possibly have more to offer than Myrtle Beach. The Grand Strand is renowned for its endless white sandy beaches and over 100 golf courses.
Myrtle Beach is brimming with an array of exciting opportunities for beach lovers. Explore the over sixty miles of beaches. Plus a host of different activities to fill every minute of every day of a family vacation.
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This list contains more than 21 things to do at Myrtle Beach. There is more to do than we can discuss in one sitting. Rest assured a family vacation to the Grand Strand will be fulfilling, fun, and fabulous.
Table of Contents
- 1. Go to the beach
- 2. Watersports at the beach
- Visit An Amusement Park
- 6. Go Shopping
- 7. Play Golf
- Outdoor Adventure
- Nightlife
- 20. Fishing
- 21. Miniature Golf Courses
- More Beach Vacation Ideas
1. Go to the beach
One of the best things in Myrtle Beach is the beach itself. Beautiful white sand with waves rolling up as the sun smiles down on your day. Myrtle Beach was named one of the most famous and oft-picked coastal destinations in the world and it is not hard to see why the beaches in Myrtle are top-notch.
There are three municipalities on the Grand Strand. They are; Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, and Surfside Beach. Returning visitors tend to have their favorite areas for vacation lodging. Most hotels and condos offer umbrella rentals for a full day of fun in the sun.
Jump waves, search for seashells, build sandcastles, go for a walk on the edge of the ocean, play frisbee on the beach or sit and watch the waves roll up. If you can think of beach activity, it is available at Myrtle beach.
2. Watersports at the beach
Water sports and aquatic adventures are plentiful at the Grand Strand.
Go parasailing, ride one of those super fun Banana boats with your family and friends, rent a jet ski, go kayaking, do stand-up paddleboarding, go on a Dolphin cruise or ride on a pontoon boat. You can even go scuba diving or surfing at Myrtle Beach.
The beaches are not the only attraction though, there is much to see and do.
Visit An Amusement Park
3. Myrtle Beach Pavilion
The Myrtle Beach Pavilion provides lots of enjoyment for many couples as well as everyone else. There are around forty thrill rides available if you feel daring. In addition, there are a variety of skill games and souvenir shops. If you’re feeling hungry, there are snack bars, and a restaurant is located within the Pavilion.
4. Myrtle Beach Skywheel
Towering nearly 200 feet above sea level and located at the oceanfront boardwalk in the heart of Myrtle Beach, the SkyWheel is the tallest observation wheel on the east coast. You and your family get a rare bird’s eye view for miles of the breathtaking high-rise hotel skyline and sky-blue waters of the Atlantic ocean. Ride at night for a more spectacular view of the lights.
5. Family Kingdom Amusement Park
Featuring 38 rides, Family Kingdom is the only oceanfront amusement park at Myrtle. It’s where you will find the iconic Swamp Fox wooden roller coaster and lots more fun things like bumper cars and the log plume water ride.
6. Go Shopping
Broadway On The Beach And Barefoot Landing
Broadway on the Beach and Barefoot Landing are very popular tourist attractions in Myrtle. Visitors flock to these areas in search of the popular dining, dancing, shopping, and browsing these hot spots have to offer; the ambiance is second to none.
The kids will be fascinated by the fire-breathing dragon at the miniature golf course on Broadway on the Beach. You can sit at one of the lakeside restaurants and watch the dragon pop out every few minutes. It is fun to gaze across the lake anxiously waiting for the dragon to make his appearance over a pleasant meal.
13 Best Places To Shop In Myrtle Beach
7. Play Golf
If you’re a golf enthusiast the Myrtle area has some of the hottest and most popular courses around. Many people annually flock to Myrtle Beach on a quest to play on the many gorgeous greens which exist along the coast. The difficult part will be how to choose which one to go to.
You will even find golf courses designed by Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, and Greg Norman.
Outdoor Adventure
8. Huntington Beach State Park
Myrtle Beach offers an abundance of activities specially geared for those seeking exploration, discovery, solace, and relaxation in the natural environment.
At Huntington Beach State Park, you can catch a glimpse of alligators that inhabit the salt marshes in the nature preserve as well as walk nature trails and view a variety of different birds that make the area their own little private sanctuary.
9. Myrtle Beach State Park
Nature seekers can also enjoy the solitude and serenity of nature in the nearby Myrtle Beach State Park by hiking the various nature trails and visiting the local pier.
Travelers seeking a true taste of the Myrtle Beach outdoors can go crab fishing or rent fishing equipment from one of the area’s eight piers. Those seeking the ultimate fishing experience can even elect to go deep-sea fishing with a chartered fishing boat company.
10. Murrells Inlet Marsh Walk
Less than 5 miles outside of Myrtle Beach, you’ll find Murrells Inlet. This marsh walk gives you an unequaled view of the local saltwater marsh, wildlife, including birds and reptiles, and just all-around general gorgeous scenery.
To get there, use Highway 17 Bypass South until you get past Inlet Square Mall. Make a left at the Highway 707 traffic light to Business 17 and turn right.
If you are here during Independence Day, don’t miss the 4th of July boat parade. Patriotically decorated boats run down the parade route while docks on the side are just as decorated. Fireworks close out the day and awards are given for the best decorations.
Nightlife
After a day of fun under the sun, the nightlife in the Myrtle Beach area comes alive. Whether you’re in search of a quiet and romantic evening or one full of hopping entertainment, you’ll find exactly what you’re longing for in one of the numerous restaurants, nightclubs, or theatres located in the vicinity.
11-16 Dinner Theatres
A variety of somewhat unique experiences also awaits. Nightlife, in particular, is a very popular attraction at Myrtle Beach. You can check out a show with live entertainment at one of the many local clubs or dinner theaters in the area where you will also experience great food.
- House of Blues
- Carolina Opry
- Alabama Theatre
- Legends in Concert
- Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show
Medieval Times Dinner and Banquet
The Medieval Times Dinner and Banquet offers something different. You get to be a part of the show and support your team at Medieval Times. Enjoy the exciting tournament games and jousting matches as you eat a sumptuous, four-course feast. The colorful, authentic costumes and weapons will transport you to another time.
17. Visit a Vineyard
Also, you can enjoy a sampling of local wine tasting and gourmet foods at the Belle Amie Vineyard and Winery. A tour of the vineyards is also possible at the former tobacco plantation and travelers can even visit the vineyards gift shop located on the property.
18. Shagging
For a romantic time, many couples love a dance that is very popular, especially in Myrtle Beach. Shagging, as it is called, is a dance that started enjoying its popularity in the 1940s and 1950s.
This Southern dance is a fun way to spend time with a loved one and many couples go to the Grand Strand just to shag. There are many clubs, dance halls, and shagging parties available to everyone. Furthermore, there are shagging festivals held yearly.
Myrtle Beach is a great place for couples to visit. There are many great attractions available in Myrtle Beach for you and your loved one to enjoy while staying there.
19. Sunset or Dinner Cruise
Book a sunset cruise or a dinner cruise as a perfect way to end a wonderful day at the beach.
The cruises all take place on North Myrtle Beach’s Intracoastal Waterway. You will enjoy stunning views you can’t catch by car. Dine on the Atlantic ocean while you cruise the Intercoastal waterway.
You may even have the pleasure of spotting local wildlife like pelicans and other birds and fish.
20. Fishing
All seasons provide good fishing at Myrtle Beach. Different fish come through based on the time of year it is. My family always visited the Cherry Grove fishing pier in October for the Spots. We rented a house across the street from the beach and spent a week fishing and eating our catch.
There are 8 piers to fish from at the Grand Strand. Some of those have nice little restaurants and entertainment.
You can also go deep-sea fishing which is always fun.
21. Miniature Golf Courses
Myrtle Beach offers more mini-golf places than any other city in the U.S., making it the Miniature Golf Captial of the World. Also known as Putt-Putt, these mini golf adventures have fabulous designs including everything from pirates to tropical safaris.
So many different things to do at Myrtle Beach and lots of choices for places to stay also. Hotels, Motels, Condos, Beach Houses, Cabins, and even camping are all available at Myrtle Beach South Carolina. The choice is yours. Start planning now.
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Updated 5/26/22
