how to have the best myrtle beach vacation
Some version of this question pops into our DMs and lands on every single Myrtle Beach Facebook group countless times per day… The question is essentially this: “Coming to Myrtle Beach soon, what should we do!?!”
It’s a fair question but also very hard to answer. It’s nearly impossible to give a good answer without knowing more. Personal preferences, location, ages of kids, abilities, budget, length of visit and more factor in!
So, as someone who has spent the last three years scouring the area for all the best offerings, here is my answer to that impossible question.
The beach
The Grand Strand has over 60 miles of coastline and is obviously the area’s biggest attraction. There are many accommodation options: large resorts, house rentals on the water and off, AirBnBs, hotels/motels, campgrounds, and more.
KNOW THE BEACH RULES | Myrtle Beach does have some restrictions on size of your shade cover during the summer. Surfside Beach is a little less restrictive and Georgetown County is too. And the basics–– fill in your holes, don’t play on the dunes, no glass bottles, no alcohol, note dog restrictions, don’t leave items out overnight, etc.
The shopping & dining
BAREFOOT LANDING | Shopping, dining, and entertainment in North Myrtle Beach. A little more high-end than Broadway at the Beach. We love Crooked Hammock Brewery and Nick Pike’s summer act. Alligator Adventure is a big draw for tourists and Big Chill Island House is the newest (gorgeous) restaurant.
Broadway at the Beach | Shopping, dining, and entertainment in central Myrtle. Much of it is dated and overrated but the new Key West Village portion just got some awesome new tenants. Popstroke and a show at Broadway Theater are our two favs here. Ripley’s Aquarium is also located here.
The MarshWalk | If you’re on the south end then this is the dining destination. Beware the restaurants are pretty pricey and the area stays very crowded. But the boardwalk along the marsh is great. I’d suggest opting to come here for an early morning beverage at Brown Fox Coffee Box instead of dinner. There are some fun water tours and adventures that leave from the MarshWalk. We love the SeaKart!
The Market Common | Lots of restaurants, a huge (and worth visiting playground), shopping, movie theater, and they often host special events there too (parades, outdoor movies, festivals, art shows, etc).
Pawleys Island | For such a small area it has lots of shopping options and you can read more about those here.
the big activities + entertainment
INDOOR FAVORITES | Our whole list of indoor favorites is linked but these are the most popular ones with tourists: Ripley’s Aquarium, Ripley’s Crazy Golf, Big Air or Sky Zone Trampoline Park, EdVenture Children’s Museum, Wonderworks, Wax Museum, Stars & Strikes, Fun Warehouse.
Museums & Education Centers | Fun and educational places exist all over the Grand Strand.
SkyWheel | We love riding on the SkyWheel! Regular flights are great but we’ve also enjoyed a sunrise one (just note the bfast mentioned is essentially just packaged muffins).
Myrtle Waves | This is the area’s only water park. It’s sister to Broadway Grand Prix which offers Go Karts, arcades, and more.
MINI-GOLF | This seems to be one of the top activities for tourists and locals alike. We love it too and wrote a whole post about which spots are worth visiting.
Dinner Theaters & Shows | Pirate’s Voyage and Medieval Times are the two kid-focused ones. The other performance we like is at the Broadway Theater. They have an amazing summer show that kids 3+ would enjoy.
State Parks | The area has two state parks that offer beach access, nature centers, playgrounds, trails, camping, and more. HBSP is our favorite because it has Atalaya Castle and plenty of gator spotting.
Brookgreen Gardens | One of the most beautiful places in all the Grand Strand. It features botanical and sculpture gardens, a small zoo, a nature-based play area, gift shop, and history.
Seasonal Events
Be sure to check out the local events calendars. We maintain one that focuses on family-friendly events here. But also have past seasonal events listed here so browse that because our most favorite things are the seasonal activities!
For summer in particular we love: Pelicans Baseball Games, Hula Shows, Brookgreen Gardens Summer Lights, and Farmers Markets.
where to eat
Our favorite subject! We have a guide for kid-friendly dining here.
water sports
SeaKart | Unique, safe and fun. And the only one in the whole USA!
Jack’s Surf Lessons | We love what Jack’s offers for locals and tourists.
Full list of other water sports here.
parks and playgrounds
Parks & Playground Guide | Organized by area and includes features and other good-to-know info.
Trails & Hikes | Not too many but still a few standouts.
small local businesses we love
INDOOR PLAY | The Little Gym • STAR Academy
SHOPPING | Wonder + Wilde for kids clothing •Back Again Books for affordable books • The Kangaroo Pouch for babies & toddlers • Rambler for men • Whimsy Roost for gifts