Myrtle Beach Travel Guide

A protected stretch of undeveloped shoreline south of the main tourist strip, with maritime forest trails, a fishing pier, and campground. A quieter alternative to the crowded downtown beach, popular for surf fishing and birdwatching.

The classic central beach stretching alongside the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk, with lifeguards in summer, easy access from downtown hotels, and the SkyWheel as a landmark. Busiest and liveliest section of the Grand Strand.

A short drive south, this park pairs a pristine beach with salt marsh trails, alligator-spotting causeways, and the historic Atalaya Castle. One of the top birdwatching spots on the East Coast.

A 1.2-mile oceanfront boardwalk lined with shops, arcades, ice cream stands, and street performers. The social heart of the city, especially lively at sunset and during the nightly Sweet Frog fireworks in summer.

A 187-foot observation wheel on the boardwalk offering panoramic ocean and coastline views from climate-controlled gondolas. Especially striking lit up at night or during sunset.

A sprawling lakefront entertainment complex with shops, restaurants, mini-golf, an aquarium, and a nightlife district — effectively a self-contained resort town within Myrtle Beach.

A half-mile boardwalk hugging the salt marsh in nearby Murrells Inlet, the Marshwalk strings together a dozen-plus bars and restaurants with live music, raw bars, and sweeping sunset views over the water. Spots like Drunken Jack's, Dead Dog Saloon, and Wahoo's Fish House keep bands playing well into the night, and the wooden walkway makes bar-hopping easy.

It is especially popular for watching the sun drop behind the marsh grass with a cold drink in hand before the music picks up. Expect classic rock and country cover bands, fresh seafood, and a mix of locals and vacationers. Arrive early for a rail-side table if a big sunset crowd is expected.

A large aquarium at Broadway at the Beach with a moving glide-path tunnel through a shark tank, touch pools, and penguin exhibits. A reliable rainy-day option for families.

A Myrtle Beach institution since 1993, Fat Harold's is the spiritual home of Carolina shag dancing, the official state dance of South Carolina. The wide wooden dance floor, vintage jukebox hits, and beach music playlists draw both lifelong shaggers and curious first-timers who get pulled in for a free lesson. It sits right along Ocean Boulevard in the heart of the historic Golden Mile strip.

Expect a friendly, unpretentious crowd, cold beer, and a soundtrack of Motown and beach music classics rather than modern club hits. Weeknights often feature dance lessons, while weekends bring live bands and a packed floor. It is the stop for anyone wanting an authentic taste of the regions signature dance culture.

One of the largest club complexes on the Grand Strand, Bourbon Street packs multiple rooms and outdoor decks under one roof along Ocean Boulevard, mixing DJ sets, live bands, and karaoke across different nights. Late-night crowds gather for hip-hop and top-40 dancing, while an outdoor patio offers a breather with beach views.

The club draws a younger, energetic crowd and stays open into the early morning hours on weekends. Multiple bars mean shorter waits for drinks even at peak capacity, and rotating theme nights keep repeat visitors coming back. It is a solid pick for travelers wanting a classic beach-town club night rather than a quiet lounge.

An old-school oceanfront amusement park with a wooden roller coaster (Swamp Fox, built 1966), Ferris wheel, and adjoining water park — classic boardwalk-carnival atmosphere right on the sand.

A beachfront tiki-style bar built right into the sand behind the Michael Beach Resort, Ocean Annie's is a daytime-into-evening institution known for its swim-up pool bar, live DJs, and dance parties with sand between your toes. It has operated for decades as a Myrtle Beach warm-weather tradition.

Crowds gather through the afternoon and stay for sunset, with beach games, cold frozen drinks, and open-air dancing under string lights. Its oceanfront setting makes it one of the more scenic nightlife spots on the Grand Strand, best enjoyed on a warm evening before the music winds down around dusk into early night.

A Tom Fazio-designed championship course and one of the area's most acclaimed, blending Lowcountry marshland with classic parkland design. Regularly ranked among the top public courses in South Carolina.

A Mike Strantz design built on a former rice plantation, consistently ranked among the best courses in the U.S. Known for dramatic live-oak-lined fairways and a scenic, walkable layout.

Easy walking trails through maritime forest just behind the dunes, with a small nature center covering local flora and fauna. A shaded break from the beach heat.

A rustic, low-cost private zoo and rescue farm a short drive from downtown, home to alligators, bison, and exotic birds in a laid-back, walk-through setting.

Two large outlet centers (Hwy 17 and Hwy 501) with 100+ brand-name stores offering discounted apparel, shoes, and housewares — a popular rainy-day or off-beach activity.

An open-air lifestyle center built on a former Air Force base, with boutiques, restaurants, a lake, and green space — a more upscale, walkable shopping district than the boardwalk area.

The undisputed highlight of the Grand Strand's holiday season, this beloved event transforms Brookgreen Gardens in nearby Murrells Inlet into a glowing wonderland with roughly 3,000 hand-lit candles alongside elaborate LED displays woven through the historic live oaks and sculpture gardens. Held on select Thursday through Sunday evenings from mid-November into early January, the event also features live music, warm cider, and s'mores stations scattered along the garden paths. It regularly ranks among the top holiday light shows in the United States, and tickets sell out well in advance, so booking ahead is essential. Arrive at dusk to watch the candles being lit and allow at least two hours to wander the full grounds, which sit about 20 minutes south of Myrtle Beach.

This open-air entertainment complex in the heart of Myrtle Beach turns into a festive hub each December, with a towering lit Christmas tree, seasonal decorations strung across the lakefront promenade, and a temporary outdoor ice skating rink that draws locals and visitors alike. Shops and restaurants stay open late for holiday shopping, and the free-to-browse light displays make for an easy evening stroll even without paying for skate rentals. It is a relaxed, family-friendly way to soak up some winter atmosphere without leaving Myrtle Beach proper. Expect crowds on weekends and around Christmas week itself, so weekday evenings offer a quieter visit for photos of the lights reflected on the lake.

Just north in North Myrtle Beach, this waterfront shopping and dining boardwalk strings thousands of lights along its lakeside walkway each winter, creating a picturesque backdrop for an evening walk. The display is free to enjoy and pairs well with dinner at one of the waterfront restaurants overlooking the lake. It is a quieter, less crowded alternative to the bigger light shows in the area, popular with locals doing their own low-key holiday tour of the Grand Strand. Visit after sunset for the full effect, and check ahead as store hours can shorten slightly in the off-season winter months.

Early December brings this long-running community parade through Main Street in North Myrtle Beach, complete with festive floats, marching bands, local youth groups, and of course an appearance from Santa Claus himself. It is a genuinely local, small-town event rather than a tourist production, giving visitors a glimpse of how the Grand Strand celebrates the season away from the resort strip. Bring a folding chair and arrive early to claim a curbside spot, since the route draws a solid crowd of families. Afterward, nearby shops and restaurants along the parade route stay busy with holiday foot traffic.

Housed in a building that appears to have crash-landed and flipped upside down, WonderWorks is an indoor science museum built around more than 100 hands-on exhibits. Kids can lie on a bed of nails, take on a giant bubble challenge, experience a simulated hurricane, or test their reflexes in the sports arena. The upper level houses a laser tag arena and ropes course for an extra fee, while the main exhibit floor is included with general admission and easily fills two to three hours.

It is fully air-conditioned, making it a reliable backup plan on rainy or scorching afternoons, and the sheer novelty of the upside-down architecture makes for a fun photo before you even step inside. Best suited to kids roughly five and up who can engage with the interactive stations, though toddlers enjoy the bubble and light exhibits too.

South Carolina's largest water park, Myrtle Waves, spreads across 20 acres with slides and pools graded for nearly every age. Younger kids gravitate toward Little Squirt's Cove, a gentle splash zone with mini slides, while older children and teens take on body slides, tube rides, and the wave pool. A lazy river lets the whole family float together at an easy pace.

Lounge chairs and shaded cabanas line the pool decks, and outside food is not permitted, so budget for park concessions or plan to leave and return. It gets crowded on peak summer afternoons, so arriving at opening gives shorter lines on the marquee slides. Note: the park typically operates seasonally from late spring through early fall, so check operating dates before visiting outside peak summer.

Aimed squarely at toddlers through early elementary kids, the Children's Museum of South Carolina fills two floors with themed play areas: a pretend grocery store and bank, a bubble room, a construction zone, and a toddler-only soft-play space. Staff rotate special activities and craft stations throughout the day, and the museum hosts a splash pad and outdoor play area during warmer months.

It is smaller and calmer than the boardwalk's big attractions, which makes it a good fit for younger children who get overwhelmed by crowds and noise. Strollers fit comfortably through the exhibits, and there are quiet nursing and changing facilities on site. Plan for a morning visit before nap time, since the museum tends to get busier by early afternoon, especially on weekends and rainy days.

A go-kart complex built for families, NASCAR SpeedPark features seven track configurations ranging from a gentle kiddie loop to multi-level speed tracks for confident teen and adult drivers. Height requirements determine which tracks each child can ride, so families with a range of ages will likely split up across different tracks during a visit. Beyond karting, the park has an arcade, mini golf, and a small Ferris wheel-style attraction.

Tickets are typically sold as points loaded onto a card, which works out cheaper per ride than paying individually if you plan to stay a few hours. Evenings bring cooler temperatures and light displays on some tracks, making after 5pm a popular time to visit in summer. Closed-toe shoes are required for all racers.

Co-created by Dolly Parton, Pirates Voyage is a dinner theater built around a full-size ship in a 15-foot indoor lagoon, with acrobats, horses, and pirate stunt performers competing in a good-versus-evil storyline. A four-course meal, eaten by hand pirate-style, is served throughout the roughly two-hour show, and the sword fights, dives, and pyrotechnics keep most kids engaged from start to finish.

Seating is assigned by which pirate crew you cheer for, and arriving early lets families pick seats close to the water action. Because the show involves loud sound effects and occasional flashes, it suits children old enough to sit through a theater performance rather than toddlers. Booking ahead is recommended in peak summer weeks, since shows sell out on busy nights.

Kicking off the summer tourist season, the Sun Fun Summer Concert Series runs weekly from June 5 through August 30, 2026 along the Boardwalk and at Broadway at the Beach. Expect free evening performances from tribute bands, beach music groups, and regional country acts, paired with fireworks on select Fridays. The series traces its roots back to the historic Sun Fun Festival and remains one of the most family-friendly ways to spend a warm evening. Bring a beach chair, grab dinner from a nearby boardwalk vendor, and settle in for sunset shows most weekends. Parking fills quickly near the SkyWheel, so arriving early or walking from a nearby hotel is recommended during peak weeks in July.

Held right on the sand, the Carolina Country Music Fest returns for June 11 to June 14, 2026, drawing major touring country acts to a beachfront stage near the Boardwalk. Multi-day passes grant access to daytime pool parties, autograph sessions, and nighttime headline sets, while local bars host official after-parties throughout downtown. Because the festival draws visitors from across the Southeast, hotel rates spike and rooms sell out months ahead, so early booking is strongly recommended. Between sets, the beach itself becomes an extension of the festival grounds, with fans wading in the ocean during breaks. It is the single biggest music draw of the Myrtle Beach summer and a bucket-list stop for country fans.

Every March, Myrtle Beach honors its long-standing ties to Canadian snowbirds with the Canadian-American Days Festival, running from roughly March 7 to March 15, 2026. Expect free concerts on the boardwalk, fireworks, maple-themed treats, and hockey-adjacent street events celebrating the thousands of Canadian visitors who winter in the area. Local hotels and restaurants join in with discounts and themed specials. It is a low-key, family-friendly way to bridge the end of winter and the start of the spring season, and a good excuse to stroll the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk before peak-season crowds arrive. Live music stages pop up near the SkyWheel, and many events are free to attend, making this an easy add-on to any early spring visit.

One of the biggest motorcycle rallies on the East Coast, Myrtle Beach Bike Week takes over the Grand Strand from roughly May 8 to May 17, 2026. Tens of thousands of riders converge for poker runs, custom bike shows, vendor rows, and live bands at venues up and down Ocean Boulevard. Traffic gets heavy and hotels book up fast, so reservations should be made well ahead of time if attending. Beyond the roar of engines, the event brings a festival energy with food vendors and evening concerts. Even non-riders often come out to watch the parade of custom builds. It is not for anyone seeking a quiet beach week, but it is a signature slice of Myrtle Beach culture each spring.

As the crowds thin and temperatures ease, the Myrtle Beach Seafood and Craft Beer Festival takes over Broadway at the Beach from October 9 to October 11, 2026. Local restaurants set up tasting booths featuring Lowcountry classics like shrimp and grits, she-crab soup, and fresh oysters, paired with pours from regional breweries. Live music and cooking demonstrations run throughout the weekend, making it a relaxed way to sample the coast's culinary scene in one visit. Tickets typically include a tasting cup and sampling tokens, and lines are shortest during Friday's opening session. The event doubles as a soft farewell to the beach season before cooler weather sets in, with a distinctly local, unhurried feel compared to summer's bigger festivals.

Ringing in 2027, the Myrtle Beach New Year's Eve Beach Ball Drop takes place on December 31, 2026 at the Boardwalk near the SkyWheel. A giant lighted beach ball descends at midnight above a crowd bundled in coats, followed by fireworks over the Atlantic. Live bands and DJs play through the evening, and nearby restaurants offer prix-fixe dinner specials for the occasion. Unlike bigger-city countdowns, this one keeps a small-town, oceanfront charm, with families and couples mixing along the boardwalk rail. Arrive at least an hour early to claim a good viewing spot near the water, and dress warmly since coastal winter winds can cut through a light jacket quickly.

Tucked a few blocks from the beach in a quiet residential stretch, this small museum is one of Myrtle Beach's most overlooked cultural stops. It rotates thoughtful exhibits of regional and contemporary art, from Lowcountry landscapes to traveling contemporary collections, inside a bright, modern building that feels a world away from the arcade noise nearby. Admission is free, which makes it an easy detour on a rainy afternoon or a break from sun exposure. The museum also hosts a permanent collection tied to local history and coastal life, giving visitors context on the area beyond its resort identity. Docents are friendly and low-key, happy to point out favorite pieces without pushing a formal tour. It rarely appears on typical itineraries, so galleries are often nearly empty even during peak season, making it a genuinely peaceful counterpoint to the boardwalk crowds.

North of the main tourist strip, this quiet preserve sits along the Intracoastal Waterway and is easy to miss unless you already know it exists. A network of elevated boardwalks and shaded trails winds through maritime forest, salt marsh, and old family cemetery plots that trace back generations of local history. Interpretive signs explain the site's past as farmland and its role in coastal ecology, but the real draw is simply the stillness: herons wading in the marsh, moss-draped oaks, and boat traffic drifting by on the waterway. It is free to enter and rarely crowded, making it a favorite among locals for an early morning walk or a slow, unhurried escape from beach traffic. There are no vendors or amenities beyond a small parking area, so bring water. Best visited in cooler morning hours when wildlife is most active and the light through the canopy is at its softest.

A small, free memorial park in North Myrtle Beach that most vacationers never notice, Warbird Park displays a handful of vintage military aircraft on outdoor pedestals, including fighter jets from past conflicts, alongside plaques honoring local veterans. It sits just off the main highway, but its low profile means it rarely draws a crowd, even in the height of summer. Aviation enthusiasts and history buffs can walk right up to the planes for close inspection and photos, something not possible at larger, ticketed museums. The park doubles as a quiet green space with benches and shade trees, making it a pleasant stop to stretch your legs between beach days. There is no admission fee and no set hours beyond daylight, so it works well as a short, spontaneous detour. It is a modest but sincere tribute that gives visitors a glimpse of the region's military history away from the resort corridor.

A short drive inland from the beach, the historic town of Conway offers a wooden riverwalk along the Waccamaw River that most Myrtle Beach visitors skip entirely in favor of staying on the coast. The path winds past moss-covered cypress trees, small shops, and cafes housed in restored early-1900s buildings, giving a completely different flavor of the area's culture and history. Boat tours depart from the riverwalk dock for slow cruises through blackwater swamp scenery, spotting alligators, turtles, and wading birds along the way. The town itself retains a genuine small-Southern-city feel, with a historic downtown that predates the resort development along the coast by well over a century. Evenings bring a relaxed, uncrowded atmosphere with restaurants overlooking the water. It makes for an easy half-day trip that pairs well with a riverboat tour for anyone wanting to see the region beyond its beaches.