Myrtle Beach gets judged a little unfairly. People picture T-shirt shops, crowded sand and neon mini golf volcanoes, and they’re not wrong. Those things are definitely here, and honestly, the pirate mini golf is great.
But drive twenty minutes south and you’re walking under live oaks in one of the finest sculpture gardens in America. Keep going and you’re eating fresh shrimp on a boardwalk over the salt marsh while a band plays. Head north and older couples are dancing the shag, South Carolina’s state dance, in the beach clubs where it was born.
That’s the real Myrtle Beach: a roughly 60-mile stretch of coast called the Grand Strand, made up of 14 communities, each with its own personality. This guide covers 35 of the best things to do in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, from the beach, Boardwalk and family attractions to state parks, live shows, seafood, nightlife and day trips. It also covers where to stay, when to go, beach rules, budget tips and itineraries.
What Are the Best Things to Do in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina?
The best things to do in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina are spending time on the beach, walking the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk, riding the SkyWheel, exploring Broadway at the Beach, visiting Ripley’s Aquarium, riding the coasters at Family Kingdom, playing mini golf, wandering Brookgreen Gardens, exploring Huntington Beach and Myrtle Beach state parks, seeing a live show, and eating seafood on the Murrells Inlet MarshWalk.
For a first visit, build each day around three things: some beach time, one or two big attractions, and at least one quieter nature or Lowcountry experience away from Ocean Boulevard.
| Planning Detail | What to Know |
|---|---|
| Best for | Beaches, families, entertainment, golf |
| Ideal trip length | 3–5 days (a week for a true beach vacation) |
| Best family area | Central Myrtle Beach and Broadway at the Beach |
| Best nature | Huntington Beach and Myrtle Beach state parks, Brookgreen Gardens |
| Best evenings | The Boardwalk, Broadway at the Beach, Murrells Inlet MarshWalk |
| Best free things | Beach, Boardwalk, MarshWalk, Market Common, Art Museum |
| Rainy-day picks | Ripley’s Aquarium, WonderWorks, live shows |
| Best months | May, June and September for beach weather with fewer crowds |
| Airport | Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR) |
The Grand Strand at a Glance: Which Area Is Which?
Knowing the layout saves a lot of driving. From north to south:
| Area | Vibe | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Little River | Old fishing village | Seafood, fishing boats, Vereen Memorial Gardens |
| North Myrtle Beach | Relaxed, family-friendly | Barefoot Landing, Ocean Drive, Cherry Grove Pier, Alligator Adventure |
| Myrtle Beach (central) | Busy, high-energy | Boardwalk, SkyWheel, Broadway at the Beach, Family Kingdom |
| Market Common | Walkable, local | Shops, restaurants, parks |
| Surfside Beach and Garden City | Quieter, family beaches | Piers, rentals, calmer sand |
| Murrells Inlet | Seafood and marsh | MarshWalk, Brookgreen Gardens, Huntington Beach State Park |
| Pawleys Island | Laid-back and old-fashioned | Hammocks, quiet beaches, no high-rises |
The Beach and the Boardwalk
1. Spend Real Time on the Beach
It sounds obvious, but plenty of people book a beach vacation and then spend every day at attractions. The Atlantic is still the main event. Go early, when the sand is cool and quiet. Swim late morning, read through the afternoon, and come back at sunset. It’s free and usually more memorable than half the things you’ll pay for.
2. Walk the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk
The oceanfront Boardwalk and Promenade runs about 1.2 miles between the 14th Avenue North and 2nd Avenue piers. The north end is lively, with restaurants, arcades, souvenir shops and old-school beach landmarks like the Gay Dolphin gift shop. The southern stretch is a quieter wooden walkway through the dunes. You don’t need a plan here. Get an ice cream, wander, and let it unfold. Summer evenings often bring free entertainment and fireworks near Plyler Park.
3. Ride the SkyWheel
The 187-foot SkyWheel towers over the Boardwalk and is Myrtle Beach’s most recognizable landmark. Its enclosed, climate-controlled gondolas make it doable year-round. Go at sunset or after dark, when the coastline lights up and the wheel itself glows. If heights aren’t your thing, admire it from the Boardwalk and spend the money elsewhere.
4. Ride the Coasters at Family Kingdom
Family Kingdom is Myrtle Beach’s oceanfront amusement park, and it turns 60 in 2026. There’s no admission fee, so grandparents can walk around for free while kids pay per ride or buy wristbands. The park’s classic wooden coaster, the Swamp Fox, has been rattling riders for decades.
For the anniversary, the park added four new rides and built a 100-foot single-rail coaster with three inversions, planned for a late summer 2026 debut. Family Kingdom is seasonal, open mainly from spring through early fall, so check hours before you go.
5. Walk Out on the Piers
Piers are one of the simplest pleasures here. Walk out, watch people fish and look back at the coastline. The 14th Avenue and 2nd Avenue piers anchor the Boardwalk. To the north, Apache Pier is known as the longest wooden pier on the East Coast, and Cherry Grove Pier in North Myrtle Beach is a local favorite. Most piers charge a small walk-on fee.
6. Watch the Sunrise Over the Atlantic
Set an alarm at least once. Myrtle Beach faces east, so the sun comes up right out of the ocean. Take coffee down to the sand, watch the sky change color, and go back to bed if you want. No ticket, no reservation, no crowds.
Shopping and Entertainment Districts
7. Spend an Evening at Broadway at the Beach
Broadway at the Beach is less an attraction than a whole entertainment district around a lake, with restaurants, shops, bars and attractions, and it’s been running for more than 30 years. Walking around costs nothing; individual attractions charge separately. Walk around first, then decide what you actually want to pay for. Summer nights often bring fireworks over the lake.
8. Stroll Barefoot Landing
In North Myrtle Beach, Barefoot Landing wraps around a 27-acre lake beside the Intracoastal Waterway, with boardwalks, shops, restaurants and entertainment. It’s calmer than Broadway at the Beach and great when different people in the group want different things.
9. Explore The Market Common
Built on the former Myrtle Beach Air Force Base, The Market Common is a walkable district of shops, restaurants and parks. It feels more like a local neighborhood than a tourist strip. Nearby are Savannah’s Playground (an inclusive playground designed for kids of all abilities), Grand Park and Warbird Park, which displays retired military jets. Look for farmers markets, outdoor movies and festivals in season.
10. Learn the Shag on Ocean Drive
The shag, South Carolina’s official state dance, grew up in the beach clubs of Ocean Drive in North Myrtle Beach, where people danced to “beach music.” Several clubs on Main Street still hold shag nights and lessons. Even if you just watch, it’s a slice of local culture you won’t find anywhere else.
Family Attractions
11. Visit Ripley’s Aquarium
Ripley’s Aquarium at Broadway at the Beach is one of the most popular attractions in town. Its moving walkway glides through a long underwater tunnel while sharks, rays and sea turtles swim overhead. Kids can touch rays and horseshoe crabs, too. Allow about two hours, and save it for a rainy or scorching day if you can.
12. Meet the Reptiles at Alligator Adventure
Near Barefoot Landing in North Myrtle Beach, Alligator Adventure is a reptile park with hundreds of alligators, crocodiles, snakes and turtles. The live feeding shows are the highlight. It’s a good way to see gators safely before you spot a wild one at Huntington Beach State Park.
13. Play Pirate Mini Golf (at Least Once)
Myrtle Beach takes mini golf very seriously. Courses here come with erupting volcanoes, shipwrecks, dinosaurs, jungles and waterfalls, and there are dozens of them. Nobody needs experience, everyone can play, and it reliably produces some competitive family drama. Many courses are open late on summer nights, when it’s cooler.
14. Race Go-Karts and Ride Thrill Rides
For older kids and teens, Broadway Grand Prix has go-kart tracks for different ages and skill levels, plus rides. Pair it with Family Kingdom for a full day of thrills.
15. Try WonderWorks and the Indoor Attractions
WonderWorks, the upside-down building near Broadway at the Beach, is part science museum and part funhouse, with hands-on exhibits, simulators and a ropes course. Nearby you’ll find the Hollywood Wax Museum, escape rooms, arcades and bowling. Keep these in reserve for thunderstorms instead of spending a perfect beach morning indoors. Younger kids will also like the Children’s Museum of South Carolina.
16. Catch a Myrtle Beach Pelicans Game
In spring and summer, the Myrtle Beach Pelicans play minor league baseball at Pelicans Ballpark, which recently completed a $20 million renovation. Tickets are cheap, the atmosphere is family-friendly, and many nights end with fireworks. It’s a great, very American evening out.
Live Shows and Entertainment
17. See a Variety Show
Myrtle Beach has a bigger live entertainment scene than most beach towns. The Carolina Opry and the Alabama Theatre at Barefoot Landing put on long-running variety shows packed with music, comedy and dancing, with special Christmas shows in the holiday season. There are also comedy clubs, magic shows and tribute concerts. Beach in the morning, pool in the afternoon, a show at night: that’s a pretty good vacation day.
18. Go to a Dinner Show
Two dinner theaters are especially popular with families. At Pirates Voyage, rival pirate crews battle with acrobatics, water stunts and live animals in a giant indoor lagoon while you eat. At Medieval Times, knights joust on horseback during a four-course feast you eat with your hands. They’re touristy, loud and a lot of fun with kids.
Nature, Gardens and the Outdoors
19. Wander Brookgreen Gardens
Brookgreen Gardens, near Murrells Inlet, is where Myrtle Beach suddenly feels like a different place. It combines one of the most important collections of outdoor American sculpture in the country with botanical gardens, centuries-old live oak alleys, a Lowcountry zoo and history programs about the rice plantations that once stood here. In 2026, Brookgreen opened a new welcome center and conservatory gardens as part of a major expansion.
Plan on at least half a day, and check hours before you go. In the holiday season, don’t miss Nights of a Thousand Candles, when the gardens glow with thousands of hand-lit candles.
20. Explore Huntington Beach State Park and Atalaya
Across the highway from Brookgreen, Huntington Beach State Park has one of the most natural beaches on the Grand Strand, plus marshes, a nature center and some of the best birdwatching in the Southeast. Walk the causeway between a freshwater lake and the salt marsh and you’ll likely spot herons, egrets and alligators (keep your distance). The two-mile Sandpiper Pond Trail is a nice easy hike.
The park also holds Atalaya, the Moorish-style winter home of Archer and Anna Hyatt Huntington, the same couple who created Brookgreen Gardens. You can walk through its courtyard and empty rooms. Pair the two in one long day.
21. Spend a Morning at Myrtle Beach State Park
Right in the middle of town, Myrtle Beach State Park protects one of the last stretches of maritime forest on the Grand Strand. It has a quieter beach, nature trails and a fishing pier where you don’t need a separate saltwater fishing license (pier fishing fees apply). It’s a calm half-day away from the busiest stretch of Ocean Boulevard.
22. Take a Waccamaw River Nature Tour
Inland from the beach, the dark, cypress-lined Waccamaw River feels like a different world, with old rice fields, quiet swamp and plenty of birds. Boat tours and kayak trips run from Conway, Bucksport and nearby landings. It’s a great change of scene a few days into a beach trip.
23. Take a Dolphin Cruise
Dolphin-watching cruises leave from Little River, North Myrtle Beach’s Barefoot Landing area and Murrells Inlet. Sightings are common, especially in the calm inlets. Kids love them, and they’re an easy way to get on the water without any skill or effort.
24. Try Watersports
In season, you can go parasailing, rent jet skis, try paddleboarding or kayak the marshes around Murrells Inlet and Little River. Book with reputable outfitters, check the weather, and remember that afternoon summer storms roll in fast.
25. Go Fishing
You have plenty of options: cast from a pier, surf fish, or book an inshore or deep-sea charter from Murrells Inlet or Little River. Pier fishing is the easiest for beginners. Check current South Carolina saltwater fishing rules, since license requirements depend on where and how you fish.
Food, Golf and Nights Out
26. Eat Seafood on the Murrells Inlet MarshWalk
Murrells Inlet calls itself the seafood capital of South Carolina, and its MarshWalk is a boardwalk lined with about eight waterfront restaurants and bars, many with live music on the deck. Arrive before sunset, walk the marsh while fishing boats come in, and then eat. The boardwalk is free to stroll, which makes it one of the best evening outings on the coast.
27. Try Calabash-Style Seafood
You’ll see “Calabash” on menus all over the Grand Strand. It’s a style of lightly battered, quickly fried seafood named after a fishing town just over the North Carolina line. Order a big platter of shrimp, flounder and oysters, and try hushpuppies on the side. For fancier meals, Murrells Inlet and the Market Common area have more refined restaurants.
28. Play a Round of Real Golf
The Grand Strand is one of the biggest golf destinations in America, with dozens of courses at every price and skill level. If someone in your group is a golfer, give them a morning on the course and let everyone else have a beach morning. Spring and fall are peak golf seasons; summer and winter often bring better rates.
29. Enjoy Myrtle Beach After Dark
Myrtle Beach doesn’t stop when the beach empties. The Boardwalk gets livelier, the SkyWheel lights up, and live music starts at bars around Broadway at the Beach, Barefoot Landing and the MarshWalk. Adults can find breweries, rooftop bars and late-night spots, while families can stick to mini golf, arcades and summer fireworks. For more grown-up ideas, see our guide to things to do in South Carolina for adults.
Quieter Spots and Day Trips
30. Find a Quieter Beach
You don’t have to spend every day in central Myrtle Beach. Head south to Surfside Beach or Garden City, or north to North Myrtle Beach and Cherry Grove, for calmer sand and easier parking. The farther you get from the Boardwalk, the more relaxed it feels.
31. Swing in a Hammock on Pawleys Island
About 30 minutes south, Pawleys Island is the anti-Myrtle Beach: no high-rises, old weathered beach cottages and a famously sleepy pace. It’s also the home of the Pawleys Island rope hammock, which you can buy (and try) at the hammock shops. Go for a quiet beach day and a long lunch.
32. Visit Historic Georgetown
About 45 minutes south, Georgetown is the state’s third-oldest city, with a harborwalk lined with shrimp boats, a historic district and small museums about rice and maritime history. Nearby Hopsewee, a 1740s plantation house on the Santee River, offers tours and a tea room.
33. Walk the Conway Riverwalk
Inland Conway, about 20 minutes from the beach, has a charming old downtown under huge live oaks and a riverwalk along the Waccamaw River. It’s a peaceful break from the coast, and it makes a great starting point for a river boat or kayak trip.
34. Explore Little River and Vereen Memorial Gardens
At the northern tip of the Grand Strand, Little River is an old fishing village known for seafood, fishing charters and casino cruise boats. Nearby, Vereen Memorial Gardens has free walking trails and boardwalks through maritime forest and salt marsh along the Intracoastal Waterway. It’s a lovely, quiet stop on a longer trip.
35. Leave Part of Every Day Unplanned
This might be the most useful tip here. Weather changes, kids get tired, and sometimes the beach is just too good to leave. A vacation doesn’t get better because the spreadsheet has more rows. Leave room for the moments you didn’t schedule.
Free Things to Do in Myrtle Beach
Free things to do in Myrtle Beach include the beach, walking the Boardwalk, exploring Broadway at the Beach and Barefoot Landing, strolling the Murrells Inlet MarshWalk, visiting The Market Common, Savannah’s Playground and Warbird Park, the Art Museum of Myrtle Beach (free admission), Vereen Memorial Gardens, summer fireworks and sunrise on the beach.
Watch out for parking, which is often paid near the beach in central Myrtle Beach. For more budget ideas statewide, see our guide to free things to do in South Carolina.
Things to Do in Myrtle Beach With Kids
Myrtle Beach might be the easiest family vacation in the South. Young kids love the beach, Ripley’s Aquarium, mini golf, Savannah’s Playground, the Children’s Museum, dolphin cruises and Alligator Adventure. Older kids and teens go for Family Kingdom’s coasters, go-karts, WonderWorks, parasailing, Pirates Voyage and escape rooms. The trick is pacing: one beach morning plus one big attraction a day is plenty. For more ideas, see things to do in South Carolina with kids.
Things to Do in Myrtle Beach for Couples
Myrtle Beach isn’t just for families. Couples can walk the beach at sunrise, spend an afternoon at Brookgreen Gardens, take a sunset dolphin cruise, ride the SkyWheel at night, book a couples massage, take a shag lesson in North Myrtle Beach, and eat seafood on the MarshWalk while a band plays. Pawleys Island makes a quiet, romantic day trip. See more ideas in our guide to things to do in South Carolina for couples.
Things to Do in Myrtle Beach When It Rains
Summer storms often pass in an hour or two, but if the whole day is wet, try Ripley’s Aquarium, WonderWorks, the Hollywood Wax Museum, the Children’s Museum of South Carolina, bowling, arcades, escape rooms, an indoor show, shopping at Broadway at the Beach or Market Common, or the Art Museum of Myrtle Beach.
Best Time to Visit Myrtle Beach
The best time to visit Myrtle Beach for beach weather with fewer crowds is May, early June or September. Summer (June to August) is peak season, with the warmest water and the most going on, but also the highest prices and biggest crowds. Spring and fall are best for golf. Winter is quiet and cheap, with holiday shows and lights but no swimming.
| Season | What It’s Like | Good For |
|---|---|---|
| Spring (Mar–May) | Warming up; spring break and May bike rallies can be busy | Golf, walking, attractions |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | Hot, humid, warm ocean, peak crowds and prices | Classic beach vacation |
| Fall (Sep–Nov) | Warm water into September, thinner crowds, hurricane risk | Beach without crowds, golf |
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | Cool, quiet, lowest prices; some seasonal attractions close | Shows, holiday lights, deals |
Hurricane season runs June through November, with the peak in August and September. Book flexible rates for late-summer trips. For month-by-month detail, see our guide to the best time to visit South Carolina.
Where to Stay in Myrtle Beach
Where you stay shapes your trip more than you’d think. Pick an area close to what you’ll do most, rather than the cheapest hotel 30 minutes from everything.
| Area | Best For |
|---|---|
| Central Myrtle Beach | First-timers who want the Boardwalk, SkyWheel and attractions within walking distance |
| North Myrtle Beach | Families wanting a calmer beach with Barefoot Landing nearby |
| Surfside Beach and Garden City | Quiet, beach-focused stays and rental houses |
| Murrells Inlet | Seafood lovers and easy access to Brookgreen and Huntington Beach |
| Pawleys Island | Couples and anyone who wants peace and quiet |
Oceanfront resorts with lazy rivers and pools are a big part of the Myrtle Beach experience for families, and they can be lifesavers on hot afternoons.
Getting Around Myrtle Beach
Myrtle Beach International Airport is only a few minutes from the central beach area. Most visitors drive, though, and a car is very useful, since the Grand Strand is long and spread out. Without one, you can manage a central, beach-focused stay near the Boardwalk using rideshares, but you’ll need wheels for Brookgreen, Huntington Beach, Murrells Inlet and day trips.
Traffic on Ocean Boulevard, Kings Highway (Highway 17) and Highway 501 gets heavy in summer, especially on Saturdays, when many rentals change over. Use Highway 31 (Carolina Bays Parkway) to bypass the worst of it, and expect paid parking near the beach.
Beach Rules and Safety Tips
- Alcohol and glass: drinking alcohol on the beach isn’t allowed in Myrtle Beach, and glass containers are banned. Rules vary by town, so check local ordinances.
- Tents and gear: some Grand Strand towns restrict beach tents and canopies during the busy summer months. Check before you haul one down.
- Rip currents: swim near lifeguards, obey warning flags, and if you’re caught in a current, swim parallel to the shore.
- Storms: leave the water and beach at the first sound of thunder.
- Dunes and turtles: use marked beach accesses, stay off the dunes, and fill in holes before you leave. Sea turtles nest here in summer.
- Sun: wear sunscreen even on cloudy days and drink plenty of water.
Is Myrtle Beach Expensive?
It can be, but it doesn’t have to be. The beach, Boardwalk, MarshWalk and entertainment districts are free. Where costs climb is attraction tickets, dinner shows and summer hotel rates. A family that alternates beach days with one paid activity will spend far less than one buying multiple tickets every day. Look for combo passes for attractions you know you’ll use, eat a big lunch rather than a big dinner, and consider visiting in May or September for lower rates.
How Many Days Do You Need in Myrtle Beach?
Three days is enough to see the highlights. Five days or a full week is better if you want an actual vacation with time to relax on the beach. With three days, you see things. With five, you also get to sit still.
Myrtle Beach Itineraries
One Day in Myrtle Beach
| Time | Plan |
|---|---|
| Morning | Beach swim or walk |
| Late morning | Walk the Boardwalk |
| Lunch | Near the Boardwalk |
| Afternoon | Pick one: Ripley’s Aquarium, Broadway at the Beach or Myrtle Beach State Park |
| Evening | SkyWheel at sunset, or seafood on the Murrells Inlet MarshWalk |
Two Days in Myrtle Beach
Day 1, classic Myrtle Beach: beach morning, Boardwalk, SkyWheel, Broadway at the Beach, aquarium or mini golf, and a show or fireworks at night.
Day 2, nature and the Lowcountry: Brookgreen Gardens in the morning, Huntington Beach State Park and Atalaya in the afternoon, then sunset and seafood on the MarshWalk. This day shows you a side of the area that looks nothing like Ocean Boulevard.
Three Days in Myrtle Beach
Day 1: beach, Boardwalk and SkyWheel. Day 2: Broadway at the Beach, Ripley’s Aquarium, mini golf and a dinner show. Day 3: Brookgreen, Huntington Beach State Park and the MarshWalk. With more time, add North Myrtle Beach and Barefoot Landing, a dolphin cruise, a round of golf, Pawleys Island and plenty of slow beach days.
Myrtle Beach vs. Charleston vs. Hilton Head
| Destination | Choose It For |
|---|---|
| Myrtle Beach | Beaches, family attractions, shows, mini golf, golf, budget options |
| Charleston | History, architecture, food, walkable neighborhoods |
| Hilton Head | Quieter resorts, biking, golf, a slower coastal pace |
If you have time, don’t choose. Charleston is only about two hours south, so the two fit easily into one South Carolina road trip. See our guide to things to do in Charleston, South Carolina. For more ideas across the state, see our guide to the best things to do in South Carolina.
Common Myrtle Beach Mistakes to Avoid
- Never leaving Ocean Boulevard. Brookgreen, the state parks and Murrells Inlet are some of the best parts of the trip.
- Buying too many attraction tickets in advance. You probably won’t use them all.
- Staying too far from your plans. Saving $20 a night isn’t a bargain if you’re stuck in traffic every day.
- Underestimating the summer heat. Do outdoor things early, and use indoor attractions or the pool in the afternoon.
- Treating every day like a theme park day. You came to the coast. Leave time for the ocean.
Related Guides
Still putting your plans together? You might also find these useful:
- Best Places to Visit in South Carolina
- Things to Do in South Carolina in October
- Best Places to Eat and Drink in Charleston, SC
FAQ: Things to Do in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
What are the best things to do in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina?
The beach, the Boardwalk, the SkyWheel, Broadway at the Beach, Ripley’s Aquarium, Family Kingdom, mini golf, Brookgreen Gardens, Huntington Beach and Myrtle Beach state parks, live shows and the Murrells Inlet MarshWalk.
Is Myrtle Beach worth visiting?
Yes, especially if you want beaches combined with family attractions, golf, shows, seafood and easy day trips into quieter Lowcountry towns and state parks.
How many days should I spend in Myrtle Beach?
Three days covers the highlights. Five days to a week is better for a relaxed beach vacation with time for both attractions and downtime.
What can you do in Myrtle Beach for free?
Enjoy the beach, walk the Boardwalk, explore Broadway at the Beach and Barefoot Landing, stroll the MarshWalk, visit Market Common, Warbird Park and Savannah’s Playground, see the Art Museum of Myrtle Beach and watch summer fireworks.
Is the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk free?
Yes. Walking the roughly 1.2-mile Boardwalk is free. Attractions, restaurants and shops along it charge separately.
Is Myrtle Beach good for families?
Very. It has beaches, an aquarium, an amusement park, dozens of mini golf courses, dinner shows, playgrounds, state parks and plenty of indoor options for rainy days.
What is there to do in Myrtle Beach at night?
Ride the SkyWheel, walk the Boardwalk, see a variety or dinner show, play mini golf, catch summer fireworks, listen to live music on the MarshWalk or at Broadway at the Beach, or go shag dancing in North Myrtle Beach.
What should I do in Myrtle Beach when it rains?
Ripley’s Aquarium, WonderWorks, the Hollywood Wax Museum, the Children’s Museum, bowling, arcades, escape rooms, indoor shows and shopping.
What is the best month to visit Myrtle Beach?
May, early June and September offer warm beach weather with fewer crowds. July and August are best for a classic summer trip but are the busiest and most expensive.
Can you visit Myrtle Beach without a car?
For a beach-focused stay near the Boardwalk, yes, with rideshares for longer trips. You’ll want a car for Brookgreen Gardens, the state parks, Murrells Inlet and day trips.
Myrtle Beach Is Best When You Don’t Try to Do Everything
There are hundreds of attractions, restaurants and shows along the Grand Strand. You don’t need all of them. Spend a morning on the beach. Ride the SkyWheel once. Take the kids to the aquarium. Drive south and get lost among the sculptures at Brookgreen. Watch the marsh turn gold from the MarshWalk. Play one ridiculous round of pirate mini golf.
Then leave an afternoon completely empty. Among all the things to do in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, that might be the one you remember most.