Sink your toes into the sands at Myrtle Beach
Myrtle Beach is a favorite vacation destination in South Carolina—for good reason. With 60 miles (96.6 km) of beach known as the Grand Strand on the Atlantic Ocean, plenty of opportunities for entertainment and multiple cultural offerings, Myrtle Beach has been luring visitors for decades. A man-made island, with the Intercostal Waterway separating the city from the mainland, this separation just adds to the allure of Myrtle Beach. While there are lots of things to love in Myrtle Beach, here are our top 10 picks.
The Grand Strand
Consistently named to lists of the best beaches in the country, the Grand Strand is 60 miles of pristine coastline running from Pawley’s Island in the south to North Myrtle Beach. From sunbathing to strolling to simply relaxing on the sand, the Grand Strand is perhaps the number one attraction in Myrtle Beach. Just be sure to leave your thongs at home: any bathing attire that shows the buttocks is prohibited; wearing such attire can result in fines or even arrest.
The Myrtle Beach Boardwalk
Opened in 2010, the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk has been consistently recognized as one of the best in the country. Adding to its reputation is the Myrtle Beach Skywheel, which opened in May 2011. Similar to a Ferris wheel, the Skywheel is a 200-foot (61 m) observation wheel with glass gondolas that look over the Atlantic Ocean. The first wheel of its kind in the U.S., the Skywheel continues to attract visitors throughout the day; be sure to check out the neon light show that takes place at dusk.
Adrenaline Adventures
Looking for something a bit more thrilling than sunbathing? Myrtle Beach has plenty of opportunities to raise your pulse. Feel the need for speed? The Myrtle Beach Speedway has been the training ground for many famous NASCAR stars and, with the Nascar Racing Experience, you’ll get the chance to drive a real NASCAR racecar on the Speedway. At Soar + Explore, a zipline and ropes course, participants can soar 50 feet (15 m) above the water on a 1000 foot (305 m) long line. There’s also a pirate-themed ropes course with 33 different challenge elements designed with more than 3,000 ropes and cables.
Step into History
Myrtle Beach is a haven for history buffs, particularly of the maritime variety. A visit to Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum allows guests to explore a fleet of National Historic Landmark ships, including the USS YORKTOWN, Cold War Memorial and the only Vietnam Support Base Camp in the U.S. To get a glimpse of life on a typical low country rice plantation, visit Hopsewee Plantation, located a short distance from Myrtle Beach on the North Santee River.
Golfing
If golf is a “good walk wasted,” there’s no better place to waste a walk than in Myrtle Beach. With more than 100 championship golf courses that are situated in dunes, pine forests and marshes (and plenty of mini-golf, too), Myrtle Beach is known as the “golf capital of the world.” Trade the blue of the beach for a few greens and enjoy the 19th hole.
Sip and Savor
Myrtle Beach is home to an expansive selection of restaurants serving cuisine from around the world. Home to Coastal Uncorked, a food and wine festival that’s held in late spring, Myrtle Beach welcomes chefs and foodies from the around the country to sip and savor. For those looking for something a bit more unique, check out Palmetto Moonshine, South Carolina’s first legal moonshine distillery, which offers tours in addition to tastes.
Take a Gamble
Though gambling isn’t legal in South Carolina, it’s possible to roll the dice in Myrtle Beach—just get out on the water. Residents and visitors can travel into international waters beyond the reach of federal and state gambling laws on vessels like the Big M, a luxurious gaming yacht. Enjoy Blackjack, Craps, Roulette and all varieties of poker as well as slots. The Big M departs from Little River, just minutes from Myrtle Beach.
Natural Beauty
While the Grand Strand is gorgeous, it’s worth checking out other types of beauty. Myrtle Beach State Park covers 312 acres of land by the southern end of the city and offers walking trails, mountain biking, fishing piers and a nature center to learn more about the flora and fauna of the park. Camping is also permitted. Huntington Beach State Park is also nearby. Also worth a visit is Brookgreen Gardens, a sculpture garden and wildlife preserve located just south of Murrells Inlet. Built on four former rice plantations, this 9,100-acre property includes several themed gardens with American figurative sculptures placed in them, the Lowcountry Zoo and trails that run through several ecosystems in nature reserves on the property.
On the Stage
On any given night during the summer, there is some sort of performance going on in Myrtle Beach. Perhaps one of the best-known venues is the Carolina Opry, which opened in 1992 and has been entertaining audiences with a variety of musical performances ranging from country to gospel to special holiday performances for more than 30 years. Other venues and shows include Dolly Parton’s Pirate Voyage, The Alabama Theatre, the Carolina Comedy Club and Medieval Times.
Making Waves
Though there is plenty of water and beach to enjoy, it’s worth visiting one of the many water parks in Myrtle Beach, including Myrtle Waves, one of the largest water parks on the eastern seaboard. Splashes, located on the oceanfront, has slides, flumes and a lazy river; Wild Water & Wheels is a water park that also has mini golf, bumper boats, go-carts and other entertainment. These are just some of the reasons to visit Myrtle Beach—there are plenty of adventures to be found and memories to be made when visiting this South Carolina destination.
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