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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.
Spring
Mild temperatures (60s–70s), fewer crowds, and blooming flowers. Ideal for golf, outdoor dining, and beach walks without the summer heat.
Summer
Peak season. Warm ocean (80°F+), every attraction open, and the boardwalk in full swing. Book early — this is when families travel most.
Fall
The local favorite. Ocean is still warm through October, crowds thin out, rates drop, and the weather stays beautiful well into November.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Just south in Murrells Inlet — a quiet, natural retreat with trails, wildlife viewing, and the iconic Atalaya Castle. A photographer's dream.
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.
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.
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.
A favorite rainy-day pick. Walk through the underwater tunnel surrounded by sharks, rays, and sea turtles. Located at Broadway at the Beach.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
A Tom Fazio–designed championship course and former host of the Senior Tour Championship. A must-play for serious golfers visiting the area.
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.
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.
A links-style course along the Intracoastal Waterway. Known for its elevated tee boxes and dramatic water views on the back nine.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Minor-league baseball at TicketReturn.com Field. Cheap tickets, fireworks nights, and a laid-back family atmosphere — a classic summer evening out.
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.
A Moorish-style castle built in the 1930s, tucked inside Huntington Beach State Park. Self-guided tours, open-air courtyards, and incredible photo opportunities.
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.
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.
Over 170 brand-name stores across two locations on Highway 17 — Tanger Outlets Myrtle Beach and Tanger Outlets North. Serious shopping, serious savings.
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.
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.
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.
An upscale dinner option for couples or special occasions. Located at Market Common — reservations strongly recommended on weekends.
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.
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.
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.
Ready to Plan Your Visit?
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