Top 10 things to do in Myrtle Beach

Read time : 7 mins

Located along South Carolina’s South Atlantic coast in an area referred to as the ‘Grand Strand,’ Myrtle Beach is a fun holiday destination all year-round thanks to its mild climate. Visitors can expect to enjoy everything from the 60 miles of beautiful beaches, water sports, and countless golf courses to scenic trails for walking, colourful gardens, a top-notch dining scene and more. With so much to see and do, these highlights can help you plan an especially unforgettable escape.

#10

Sample the mouth-watering food scene

Where: Throughout Myrtle Beach

What: While the Grand Strand may bring vision of fried seafood and fast foods to some, the restaurant scene in Myrtle Beach has changed significantly in recent years. Today you’ll find a myriad of dining options with some 1600 restaurants to choose from. Menus often include fresh seafood, not only fried but fixed just about any way you want it, along with sushi, juicy steaks, pasta and a wide range of local, regional and international fare. There are gourmet eateries for sophisticated palates as well as casual diners and cafes, with options for relaxing with a delicious meal while gazing out at the Atlantic.

Highlights: The Melting Pot is one of the top-rated restaurants in Myrtle Beach, famous for transforming fondue into modern chic. At the centre of every table are heating stations with a boiling cauldron of melted cheese for dipping foods like breads, broccoli and apples. Flavoured broths are also prepared at tableside for cooking up small portions of seafood, chicken, steak, pork and more as well as creative dipping sauces. For dessert you can indulge in melted chocolate for dipping bananas, strawberries, pieces of cake or even more chocolate. There are a wide range of seasonal and fixed menu items which can all be paired with a selection of craft brews and wines.

#9

Take a spin on the Skywheel

Where: 1110 North Ocean Blvd, Myrtle Beach Boardwalk

What: The Skywheel is a 187-foot Ferris wheel that’s become one of the most popular attractions in Myrtle Beach. Riders sit in glass-windowed gondolas that provide jaw-dropping views of the coast and the Atlantic Ocean. It was the very first of its kind in the country, and the largest of any Ferris wheel in America when it opened in 2011. Each of the gondolas is temperature controlled, so you won’t have to worry about being enclosed in the heat during the summer or get too chilly when temperatures dip. A VIP option is available for a spin that lasts twice as long in a leather-seated gondola.

Highlights: Don’t miss a ride on the SkyWheel after dark, when it illuminates the night, creating a spectacular scene. Once the sun sets, it’s an experience like no other, as you’ll be a part of this incredible light show while being able to take in the dazzling lights of the boardwalk as well as the boats that dot the sea.

#8

Immerse yourself in vibrant gardens

Where: Located in Murrells Inlet on Pawleys Island, just south of Myrtle Beach

What: Visiting botanical gardens is a relaxing way to experience beautiful greenery and colourful flowers, often including some rare and unusual plants. You’re likely to view specimens from places that aren’t native to your particular locale, while also supporting the conservation of plants and gaining an appreciate for the role they plan in supporting the world’s ecosystem.

Highlights: Brookgreen Gardens is considered one of the city’s hidden gems. A National Historic Landmark, it was opened in 1931 as is a remarkable wonder with native fauna and flora as well as impressive sculptures. It sits across over 9,100 lush acres and has been voted one of the best in all of North America. There’s something in bloom here all year round, the list is nearly endless. In the springtime, view daffodils and rain lilies, Iceland poppies, snapdragons, wallflower, foxglove and alyssum, among many others. Summer brings begonias, Angelonia, innia, vinca, anise hyssop, salvia and much more. Several types of roses bloom in the fall along with spider lilies, chrysanthemum and swamp sunflowers. Visitors can enjoy resting under the shade of giant live oak trees that have been standing her for centuries, view creatures native to South Carolina, including alligators, in the zoo and get up close to a variety of butterfly species at the butterfly pavilion. There are reflecting pools, fountains and hidden pathways in the Peace Garden Room too.

#7

Sip tasty craft brews

Where: Throughout Myrtle Beach

What: If you’re into craft brews you’ll find lots of opportunities for sipping a cold one in Myrtle Beach, home to craft beer bars, brew pubs and even a local brewery. Many establishments offer flights so you can sample a variety without becoming too intoxicated while getting a few for how they differentiate. You’ll find brewpubs old and new, from Liberty’s Broadway at the Beach that’s been around since the 90s, and the more recently opened Gordon Biersch at The Market Common, along with bars specializing in exotic offerings with an extensive selection of drafts on tap and rare bottles too.

Highlight:  New South Brewing is the place to go for anyone who has interest in the brew-making process and tasting the results. Located right downtown, it was founded in 1998 as the state’s second oldest brewery. Visitors can take tours, available on Wednesdays at 3 p.m., which include a souvenir glass, samples throughout the tour and a full beer afterwards. It also offers outdoor seating for sipping under the sun and even yoga/beer sessions on Sunday mornings. They include an hour of yoga practice followed by a complimentary beer. Several cans are available for takeaway, and you can enjoy a variety of rotating taps that include favourites like the Drink a Peach fruit beer, the Dark Star porter, So Dirty IPA and White Ale.

#6

Walk the picturesque trails

Where: Throughout Myrtle Beach

What: The region’s mild climate makes Myrtle Beach a wonderful place for a walk just about any time of the year. You’ll find scenic walking trails that range from leisurely strolls along the 60 miles of beaches while enjoying the captivating ocean views, to the 1.3-mile-long Myrtle Beach Boardwalk along with short treks through the woods and paved park paths. Lace up your comfortable walking shoes, put on those sunglasses, slather on the sunscreen and enjoy.

Highlights: The Vereen Botanical Gardens, also known as the Vereen Memorial Historical Gardens, is a park open year-round that hosts multiple trails for hiking and wooden boardwalks which cross a number of salt marshes and small islands. Especially picturesque, there are wooden porch swings to relax on and a beautiful waterside gazebo too. The walking paths are arranged along a three-mile-long loop and include a fishing pier with steps that lead down to the water.

#5

Discover the culture and ecology of the Lowcountry

Where: Throughout Myrtle Beach

What: There is a wide range to choose from for those who want to discover the Lowcountry’s culture and ecology. The area is home to multiple historical museums, talented theatre troupes, an array of music venues and art galleries. The symphony hosts classical works and more, while community theatre groups perform comedies, dramas and musicals on stage. There are several art galleries that showcase a rotation of world-class exhibits featuring renowned artists from across the countrym while museums focused on history display collections from the Civil War years as well as the plantation era of rice, cotton and lumber.

Highlights: Hobcaw Barony is the ideal spot to immerse yourself in the area’s history in a lovely outdoor setting. A nature and history preserve, it hosts the Discovery Center, a historic home that belonged to Bernard Baruch and was visited by the likes of former president Frank Roosevelt and Winston Churchill, as well as a 19th-century slave village. Tours of the grounds, once used for indigo and rice production and include wildlife and endangered species habitats, are offered Tuesday through Friday mornings.

#4

Get out and play on the water

Where: The ocean, rivers, inlets and other waterways of Myrtle Beach

What: With so much water, one of the top things here is take part in water sports. The options are practically endless, and there are rental services available to get the necessary gear, as well as lessons and tours to join if you’re looking for a guide and equipment. Enjoy parasailing, paddleboarding, surfing, kayaking, jet skiing, windsurfing, fishing and even flyboarding.

Highlights: One of the fastest growing water sports is stand-up paddleboarding (SUP). It makes for an especially memorable holiday, and one of the best ways to experience it here is along the Intercoastal Waterway. There are outfitters that offer eco-friendly paddleboarding adventures in this fragile aquatic environment, departing from Peachtree Landing in Myrtle Beach. Most are two-hour trips that also include instruction, and you’ll be able to have fun while enjoying the area’s impressive flora and fauna, including egrets, osprey, herons, turtles and alligators.

#3

Head to the beach

Where: Throughout Myrtle Beach

What: The 60 miles of coastline here with white sandy beaches, Atlantic waters and plentiful sunshine what brings so many to Myrtle Beach every year. A popular playground for families, outdoor adventurers and more, visitors can enjoy building sandcastles, swimming, jet skiing and many other water sports, or just relaxing on the soft sands. There are beaches for enjoying solitude and busier stretches where you’ll find a wide range of facilities with restaurants and hotels just steps from the sand.

Highlights: Cherry Grove Beach is tucked between North Myrtle Beach and Little River. It was named the best beach in South Carolina by USA Today readers and offers a wealth of attractions and local landmarks. The beautiful sandy beach is the top spot to hang out, but the Cherry Grove Pier is famous as one of the area’s best places to fish, with record catches here like the largest tiger shark caught from dry land in the world, weighing in at nearly a ton. There are also mom-and-pop shops to browse, including vintage and antique stores, cafes and eateries like the popular Duffy Street Seafood Shack.

#2

Experience the boardwalk and promenade

Where: 400 North Ocean Blvd.

What: Opened in the summer of 2010, giving new life to the Grand Strand, the boardwalk and promenade span more than a mile. It has a carnival-like atmosphere with rides, arcades, souvenir shops and restaurants. While the SkyWheel is one of the most popular attractions there are many other exciting options, from family-friendly rides to thrill rides like The SlingShot which propels guests at speeds of up to 100 miles per hour and over 300 feet into the air along with Ripley’s Haunted Adventure and Ripley’s 5D Theater. The promenade has become a hub of activity in the city, with summer nights bringing a variety of live entertainment like jugglers and stilt walkers along with a firework display.

Highlights: Ripley’s Moving Theater is part theatre part thrill ride, making use of computer graphics and high-tech special effects, including those you may have seen in award-winning films like ‘Avatar.’ It’s a futuristic ride where you’ll experience the thrill of racing a motorcycle, riding a roller coaster or driving a snowmobile, all while strapped into your seat that moves along with the action on the screen.

#1

Play a round of scenic golf

Where: Throughout Myrtle Beach

What: Myrtle Beach is a golfer’s paradise for golfing enthusiasts of all types, from beginner to pro. There are over 100 courses on the Grand Strand, with the quality and variety nearly unrivalled. It began as a golf destination for the wealthy, but it’s become a place where anyone can play championship-calibre golf regardless of handicap at reasonable prices. You’ll find courses showcasing the area’s striking coastal beauty, courses where you’ll stand in awe of majestic moss-covered oaks and everything in between.

Highlights: Of the nearly endless courses here, Dunes Golf & Beach Club is often rated the favourite. Designed by famous golf course architect Robert Trent Jones, it’s been hosting major tournaments for decades, including the 2014 PGA Professional National Championship and the Senior PGA Tour Championship. Many of the holes on the front nine are framed by pines and mature oaks, while much of the back nine plays along Singleton Lake and the tidal marshes. Each of the holes are named to warn oncoming golfers about the challenges ahead, like “Waterloo” the signature hole that curves sharply around the lake.