The coastal city, located in Horry County, South Carolina attracts over 14 million visitors every year. That’s because Myrtle Beach boasts an array of outdoor activities, attractions, restaurants, shopping malls and nightlife venues. It’s an affordable beach destination, especially great for families with young children, avid golfers and spring breakers. With so many things to do in Myrtle Beach, your next vacation is sure to be action-packed and unforgettable.
1. Explore Broadway at the Beach
Broadway at the Beach is one of the largest entertainment venues of its kind, featuring hundreds of unique shops, mouthwatering eateries and award-winning attractions. The fun includes a mini golf course, aquarium, cinema, wax museum and kiddie rides, as well as an exciting nightlife scene. Broadway is an excellent place to spend the day or night. Visit the dueling piano bar, have a drink at Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville or enjoy the performance at the Fudgery.
2. Shop at the Tanger Outlets
Save the Tanger Outlets for a rainy day. Myrtle Beach is an excellent destination for affordable shopping and the outlet mall located on HWY 17 is a favorite among bargain shoppers. At the Tanger Outlets you’ll find an array of your favorite designer stores including Michael Kors, Ann Taylor, Coach, J. Crew, Adidas and more, offering amazing deals on clothes, shoes and specialty items. Make sure to bring your AAA, AARP, College or Military Id cards for outstanding savings.
3. Attend a Dinner Show
Dinner theaters are a popular night-time attraction in this South Carolinian seaside city. Vacationers have many different venues to choose from, join Captain Blackbeard and his crew at the Pirates Voyage dinner experience. Get a chance to see Elvis and the Blue Brothers perform live at the Legends in Concert tribute show. Travel back to when knights, dragons and jousting matches were the order of the day at Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament. Another great venue is the Carolina Opry, which features various musical, comedy, dance, and entertainment shows. There are also a number of comedy and improv clubs to visit while in Myrtle Beach, but dinner will not be included.
4. Become a Pro at Mini Golf
Myrtle Beach boasts over 100 mini golf courses along the main highway, so your next trip is excellent time to perfect your putt. Some favorite courses are Shark Attack Adventure Golf, the only oceanfront miniature golf course in Myrtle Beach, and Hawaiian Rumble where you’ll play alongside a erupting volcano. Professor Hacker’s Lost Treasure Golf lets kids and adults enjoy riding the mining cart to the top of the mountain and putt their way down through caves and waterfalls. Lastly, there’s Mt. Atlanticus Miniature Golf, a towering course that features lush tree houses and spectacular ocean views.
5. Attend a Concert at the House of Blues
The House of Blues entertainment venue is located in the Barefoot Landing complex in North Myrtle Beach. House of Blues Myrtle Beach was built to resemble a Southern farmhouse with adjoining tobacco warehouse. The music hall is sheathed in authentic tin from an old tobacco barn from Jackson, Mississippi. Popular performers include Whiskey Kiss, Flogging Molly, Uncle Kracker and Grace Potter.
6. Have Dinner at Dick’s Last Resort
Dining at Dick’s is one of the most uniquely entertaining experiences. Be prepared to encounter energetic yet surly servers who dish out good grub, cold beers and plenty of surly sarcasm. You’ll be seated at picnic-style tables without tablecloths or napkins and patrons are expected to be insulted or placed in uncomfortable situations. You’ll also be given large bibs and white paper hats with degrading statements just to add to the embarrassment. It’s a dining experience that’s fun for all ages, but highly recommended for adult birthday parties and bachelor/bachelorette outings.
7. Enjoy the View on the Myrtle Beach SkyWheel
The SkyWheel is definitely a one-time experience, but certainly an enjoyable ride for families with young children as well as couples looking for a romantic setting. Offering spectacular views of Myrtle Beach’s main strip as well as reasonable pricing, this unforgettable experience will leave you breathless 20 stories above the Atlantic Ocean.
8. Ride the Swamp Fox at Family Kingdom
Family Kingdom, the only seaside amusement park in the city, sits on 13 acres along Ocean Boulevard. The park boasts 37 rides including the Swamp Fox, a wooden coaster voted one of the top 10 “Most Underrated” roller coasters in North America. You’ll also find the O.D. Hopkins Log Flume and the Great Pistolero Round-up. Be sure to visit the Splashes Oceanfront Water Park located across the street which features a lazy river with waterfalls, water flumes, and eight kiddie slides. It was voted number five on TripAdvisor’s list of the top 10 amusement parks outside Orlando.
9. Visit the Boardwalk
Opened in 2010, the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk has been recognized as the nation’s #3 boardwalk by National Geographic and one of the best US boardwalks by Travel + Leisure magazine. The 1.2 mile stretch provides pristine oceanfront views, numerous shops and restaurants, as well as attractions like Ripley’s Mirror Maze, 5D Moving Theater and Haunted Adventure. Be sure to create your own t-shirt in one of the seaside printing shops to commemorate your vacation.
10. Enjoy the Beachfront
Aside from the number of outdoor activities, shopping malls and attractions that Myrtle Beach offers, don’t forget to spend some time at the beach. Top beaches include Myrtle Beach, Myrtle Beach State Park and North Myrtle Beach. Although the weather is fairly mild year round, the most popular beach vacation months are April through October. Try fishing off the Cherry Grove pier in North Myrtle Beach or rent beach buggies to ride along the sand. Chilling on the sand is one of the top things to do in Myrtle Beach.
