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Explore the Grand Strand

Your Insider's Guide to
Myrtle Beach

From hidden-gem beaches to the newest attractions of 2026 — here's everything our guests love most about our stretch of the South Carolina coast.

Best Time to Come to Myrtle Beach

The Grand Strand is a year-round destination — but each season offers something different. Here's what to expect when you visit.

Mar – May

Spring

Mild temperatures (60s–70s), fewer crowds, and blooming flowers. Ideal for golf, outdoor dining, and beach walks without the summer heat.

Jun – Aug

Summer

Peak season. Warm ocean (80°F+), every attraction open, and the boardwalk in full swing. Book early — this is when families travel most.

Sep – Oct

Fall

The local favorite. Ocean is still warm through October, crowds thin out, rates drop, and the weather stays beautiful well into November.

Nov – Feb

Winter

Quiet and mild (50s–60s). Perfect for golf, holiday lights at Brookgreen Gardens, and a peaceful escape without the crowds.

New for 2026

Myrtle Beach keeps getting better. Here are a few of the most anticipated new openings coming to the Grand Strand this year.

2026 Season

Family Kingdom's Raptor Coaster ↗

The biggest addition to Family Kingdom since 1966. A 100-ft RMC Raptor coaster reaching 50 mph — and the most anticipated new thrill ride on the Grand Strand.

Early 2026

Downtown Flavortown ↗

Guy Fieri's 50,000 sq ft mega-restaurant and entertainment complex is coming to Myrtle Beach Mall — featuring food, bowling, arcade games, and a tiki bar.

Q3 2026

The PicklePort ↗

A state-of-the-art pickleball facility with 12 indoor courts, 4 covered outdoor courts, a championship court, pro shop, and league play. Pickleball heaven.

Our Favorite Local Activities

Filter by who's traveling with you, or scroll through all of our handpicked recommendations below.

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Beaches & Outdoor

A 1.2-mile oceanfront promenade stretching from the 2nd Avenue Pier to Pier 14. Home to the SkyWheel, shops, restaurants, and live music all summer long.

Family Outdoor

312 acres of oceanfront maritime forest with nature trails, a free fishing pier, picnic facilities, and a mile of undeveloped beach. A peaceful alternative to the busy main beaches.

Family Outdoor

At 1,206 feet, Apache is the longest wooden pier on the East Coast. Fresh seafood, fishing, live music in summer, and incredible sunrise views over the Atlantic.

Family Outdoor

Just south in Murrells Inlet — a quiet, natural retreat with trails, wildlife viewing, and the iconic Atalaya Castle. A photographer's dream.

Family Outdoor

A North Myrtle Beach classic. Great for fishing, photos, and sunset strolls. Legendary for record-breaking catches — including the largest tiger shark ever landed from dry land.

Family Outdoor

Located in Market Common, this all-inclusive playground combines splash pad features with play structures designed for kids of all abilities. Free and endlessly fun.

Kids Outdoor
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Family Attractions

A 187-foot observation wheel with 42 climate-controlled gondolas. Day or night, the views over the coastline are unforgettable — a Boardwalk must-do.

Family Kids

A favorite rainy-day pick. Walk through the underwater tunnel surrounded by sharks, rays, and sea turtles. Located at Broadway at the Beach.

Family Indoor

Over 100 hands-on exhibits inside an upside-down building. Laser tag, a glow-in-the-dark ropes course, 6D motion ride — a full afternoon of indoor fun for all ages.

Family Indoor

The only seaside amusement park in South Carolina. Home to the classic Swamp Fox coaster and — new for 2026 — a 100-ft RMC Raptor coaster reaching 50 mph.

Family Outdoor

A 300+ acre entertainment complex with the SkyWheel, Ripley's, WonderWorks, dozens of restaurants, and live music venues. The hub of Myrtle Beach family fun.

Family

One of the largest reptile facilities in the world, with hundreds of alligators, crocodiles, and exotic animals. Live feeding shows and educational demos throughout the day.

Family Outdoor
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Water Parks & Watersports

South Carolina's largest water park — 24+ slides, a wave pool, a lazy river, and a dedicated kids' area. Private cabana rentals available for families who want shade and space.

Family Outdoor

Setting sail from Murrells Inlet, these cruises guarantee dolphin sightings in their natural habitat. One of the most peaceful and memorable ways to spend an afternoon on the water.

Family Outdoor

The Intracoastal Waterway is calm and ideal for beginners. Rent a tandem kayak to paddle with young kids, or take a guided eco-tour to spot herons, egrets, and dolphins.

Family Outdoor

Soar 500+ feet above the Atlantic for an unforgettable view of the coastline. Most operators offer tandem and triple rides, so it's fun for groups too.

Adults Outdoor

Rentals available up and down the coast and along the Intracoastal. Explore at your own pace, or book a guided tour for dolphin spotting and cruising.

Adults Outdoor

Half-day and full-day charters out of Murrells Inlet and Little River. Catch mahi, king mackerel, grouper, and more — the captain does the hard work so you can enjoy the ride.

Family Outdoor

Golf on the Grand Strand

Consistently ranked among the top public courses in the country. Set on a former rice plantation in Pawleys Island — moss-draped oaks, sweeping fairways, and a legendary back nine.

Adults Outdoor

A Tom Fazio–designed championship course and former host of the Senior Tour Championship. A must-play for serious golfers visiting the area.

Adults Outdoor

Four signature-designed courses by Davis Love III, Greg Norman, Pete Dye, and Tom Fazio — all at one resort. The most concentrated lineup of big-name designs in the area.

Adults Outdoor

Myrtle Beach is the mini golf capital of the country. Hawaiian Rumble, Mount Atlanticus, and Dragon's Lair are all highly themed, kid-approved classics worth a night out.

Family Kids

A links-style course along the Intracoastal Waterway. Known for its elevated tee boxes and dramatic water views on the back nine.

Adults Outdoor

Dozens of Grand Strand courses let kids under 16 play free when accompanied by a paying adult. A surprisingly easy way to build a golfer in the family.

Family Kids
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Shows & Entertainment

The first theater in Myrtle Beach and still the most acclaimed. Family-friendly music, dance, and comedy — expect high production value and standing ovations.

Family Indoor

A full four-course feast served while you cheer on your knight during sword fights, jousting, and falconry. The kids will love it — and honestly, so will you.

Family Indoor

Located at Barefoot Landing, known for high-energy live music, seasonal shows, and a rotating lineup of national touring acts. A Grand Strand landmark since 1993.

Family Indoor

Dolly Parton's take on dinner theater. Acrobatic pirates, sea lions, tropical birds, and mermaids — all while you eat a four-course meal. Unique to Myrtle Beach.

Family Kids

A massive four-day country music festival every June right on the beach. National headliners, tens of thousands of fans, and unmatched energy in the Grand Strand.

Adults Outdoor

Minor-league baseball at TicketReturn.com Field. Cheap tickets, fireworks nights, and a laid-back family atmosphere — a classic summer evening out.

Family Outdoor
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Nature & Wildlife

America's first public sculpture garden — over 2,000 sculptures spread across stunning grounds, plus a small zoo with native Lowcountry wildlife. A full-day visit you won't regret.

Family Outdoor

A Moorish-style castle built in the 1930s, tucked inside Huntington Beach State Park. Self-guided tours, open-air courtyards, and incredible photo opportunities.

Family Outdoor

A half-mile wooden boardwalk running along the saltwater estuary, lined with some of the best seafood restaurants on the coast. Sunset here is unmatched.

Family Outdoor
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Shopping

A waterfront shopping and dining complex in North Myrtle Beach with over 100 shops, specialty boutiques, restaurants, and live entertainment. A must-stop for visitors.

Family

Over 170 brand-name stores across two locations on Highway 17 — Tanger Outlets Myrtle Beach and Tanger Outlets North. Serious shopping, serious savings.

Family

An upscale outdoor lifestyle center with boutique shops, local cafés, and a movie theater. More sophisticated than the boardwalk, with a community feel locals love.

Adults
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Dining & Nightlife

A Myrtle Beach institution since 1962. Oceanfront dining in a converted 1930s beach cottage — the best shrimp and grits on the coast, period.

Family

On the Murrells Inlet Marsh Walk. Known for fresh seafood, biscuits that arrive the moment you sit down, and one of the best sunset views in South Carolina.

Family

An upscale dinner option for couples or special occasions. Located at Market Common — reservations strongly recommended on weekends.

Adults

A casual waterfront spot in Murrells Inlet with live music, relaxed vibes, and fresh-off-the-boat seafood. Kids love watching the boats come in.

Family Kids

Oceanfront rooftop bar right on the Boardwalk. Craft cocktails, live music, and some of the best sunset ocean views in Myrtle Beach. An adults-only favorite.

Adults

Locally famous for oversized burgers and walls covered in thousands of guest signatures. Multiple Grand Strand locations. Kids get to draw on the walls — it's a thing.

Family Kids

Ready to Plan Your Visit?

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