exciting new family-friendly things coming to myrtle beach
Myrtle Beach is seeing tremendous growth –– both in population and in economic and business development. I’m rounding up a bunch of things that has caught my eye that we can expect to see throughout 2023 and beyond. Here are some of the exciting new family-friendly things coming to Myrtle Beach.
arts & innovation district
The City of Myrtle Beach is working to revitalize the downtown area of Main Street, Broadway Street, Oak Street and Ninth Avenue with some pretty cool stuff!
The development aims to give the area a thriving urban center for residents and visitors to enjoy. Here are a few proposed additions to the area: city offices, a new library, new museum(s), a performing arts center, a city square for outdoor activities/events and co-working space.
But this is a huge and very long term project. It’ll likely take 10+ years to see all of this come to fruition. Still very exciting!!!
Surfworks Myrtle beach
Surfworks looks very cool but this one also seems like it’s been in a holding pattern for years. There still isn’t much info on their website yet about timeline so hopefully it’ll start picking up steam sometime soon.
The website says the facility will consist of a man-made surf lagoon, a 15,000 person amphitheater and a restaurant and brewery.
Ripley's aquarium sloth exhibit
Ripley’s Aquarium is getting a new sloth habitat called Sloth Valley and will be opening in the spring! The aquarium is also getting a upgraded discovery center with brand new play structure and some interactive exhibits!
stars and strikes
Stars and Strikes opened in February and looks like it’ll be great for next-generation style bowling, which includes an immersive, high-tech bowling option. There is also an arcade room, laser tag arena, axe throwing, and lots of TVs for enjoying sports.
The Surfside Pier
The Surfside Pier will be completed sometime this year. It’ll feature some new shops and restaurants including the 2nd location for our favorite, Painters Ice Cream. The shops will likely open before the pier itself is 100% complete.
PopStroke
The final designs of the mini-golf, restaurant concept co-owned by Tiger Woods was just approved for Broadway at the Beach. The design also includes a playground area. It’ll be in front of The Hangout restaurant. No details on the timeline.
restaurants
South Coast Beer Project | The renderings here include a great playground space!
Swig & Swine | A popular Charleston area BBQ spot is on it’s way!
Many more but these look especially family-friendly.
new state park in georgetown
This one is a ways off but a huge land transfer has been in process for years that’ll open up 3 new state parks in SC. One of those is at the tip end of the Grand Strand, down in Georgetown! The property at the former Ramsey Grove Plantation will become our area’s newest state park over time.
public spaces
The monuments at War Bird Park is planning LARGE EXPANSION to include a larger World War II monument and expanded parking and trail system.
Georgetown is getting life-sized replicas of the Charters of Freedom. This includes the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights. They’ll go in at Rainey Park on Front Street. The ground-breaking ceremony was held in March.
Later this summer Rainey Park will also be getting the traveling bronze statue of Harriet Tubman called “The Journey to Freedom”. See photo above.
A little farther away
COLUMBIA | Riverbanks Zoo’s newest addition, an aquarium and reptile conservation center, is finally open! It’s a 20,000-square-foot addition with 12,000+ animals housed within.
If you’re planning a trip then check out our tips from season pass holders, The Dean Team Adventures.
CHARLESTON | The International African American Museum is slated to open by this summer. We love museums and this one will tell some especially important history from the site of where so many African Americans were transported away from their home and heritage.
CHARLESTON | What is being billed as the largest playground in the country and possibly the world is set to open sometime in 2023. It’ll be an all-inclusive playground with a $20 million dollar budget. It looks and sounds impressive! Definitely worth incorporating into a future day trip to Charleston!