Find your moment in Myrtle Beach
As South Carolina’s main beach town, Myrtle Beach is no stranger to helping visitors create magic moments. In fact, it's kind of perfected the art. Picture this: a sunrise (or sunset) walk along the beach—without your phone—or tee time with your friends, enjoying a scenic fairway view. Maybe you’ll find your Myrtle Beach groove on the dance floor as live bands play or channel your inner kid alongside your little one at various attractions.
With literally thousands of restaurants here, fresh seafood and creative Southern cuisine could become some of your favorite memories. Read on for our guide to where to play, sleep and eat along the Grand Strand’s 60 miles of coastline.
By the water
Don’t miss: A walkable (and boatable) historic fishing village set along a saltwater estuary, Murrells Inlet is filled with as many culinary riches as gorgeous views, arguably best seen on a Murrells Inlet Salt Water Marsh Eco Tour. On this 2-hour cruise, you’ll not only learn about the area’s ecology from an onboard biologist but also gain access to a local beach only accessible by boat. Stay on the water in Murrells Inlet with a 75-minute sunset and ocean sighting cruise with Crazy Sister Fishing & Cruises.
Celebrating its 90th anniversary as one of South Carolina's oldest state parks, Myrtle Beach State Park is nestled among oceanfront maritime forest and one of the last beachfront green spaces on the Grand Strand. With the high-rise hotels in the distance, the space here is quieter than some other parts of the beach.
Where to Stay: With miles of oceanfront sand, there are plenty of places for a beach day. But sometimes you just want to splash out closer to your room. Enter Breakers Resort, which has an indoor lazy river, an oceanfront indoor water park, an oceanfront pool deck and a sunken pirate ship, just to name a few water attractions. With more than 14 pools, Caribbean Resort & Villas also has the “Pirate’s Plunge” high-speed water slide and a Silly Submarine aquatic playground for kids. Soak in the rays at the rooftop pool at the oceanfront Prince Resort at The Cherry Grove Pier. Ocean Lakes Family Campground, one of the largest campgrounds on the East Coast with 310 oceanfront acres and nearly one mile of beachfront, features 859 campsites and its own water park with lazy river.
Dine at: While in Murrells Inlet, you’ll find a series of fun restaurants on a long stretch of wharf. Drunken Jack’s is casual and fun, while Wicked Tuna serves up serious sushi and other seafood in a more elegant atmosphere.
Part restaurant, part beach bar, RipTydz Oceanfront Grille & Rooftop Bar is located on the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk. Dishes range from salads to jaw-dropping seafood bar towers (the signature “Rip Tyde” includes a dozen raw oysters, half a pound of shrimp, a whole 1-pound Maine lobster, Dungeness crab clusters, snow crab clusters and sushi-grade ahi tuna). Meanwhile, at the longstanding Boardwalk favorite Sea Captain's House, a cozy 1930s cottage overlooking the ocean, try the pecan crusted grouper or traditional shrimp and grits.
Barefoot Queen Riverboat Cruises offers lunch and dinner cruises sailing down the Intracoastal Waterway, so you can relax and enjoy the views.
On the Course
Don’t miss: If golf is your go-to for relaxation, outdoor recreation or a little friendly competition, Myrtle Beach is already on your radar, thanks to its nearly 80 courses. (Four of its many championship golf courses were designed by the likes of Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer.) With so many courses within an easy, um, drive—and such tee-friendly temperatures—you can get in three or four rounds over a weekend. Among the spots competing for your attention: Pine Lakes Country Club, aka “The Granddaddy”, which was Myrtle Beach’s first golf course originally designed by Robert White, the first president of the PGA of America. This historic spot less than half a mile from the ocean was also the place where Henry Luce's team had the idea for Sports Illustrated.
Five local courses make Golfweek’s Top 200 Resort Courses list this year, with the Caledonia Golf & Fish Club in Pawleys Island leading the pack. A relative newcomer, having opened in 1994, Caledonia’s 6,526-yard layout quickly shot up the list of courses you have to play when you’re here. Its sister course, True Blue Golf Club, also made the list, as did the Moorland Course at Legends Resort. Longtime standouts on the list include the Dunes Golf & Beach Club, which opened nearly 80 years ago, and whose Robert Trent Jones design has hosted USGA Championships as well as national, collegiate and state events as well as the links-style Grande Dunes Golf Club, which features five holes that play along the Intracoastal Waterway.
Where to stay: Combine your golf and hotel stay at Litchfield Beach & Golf Resort on Pawleys Island, where you’ll get the guaranteed best tee time pricing; all golf packages include a discount and hot breakfast as well. Ocean Creek Resort gives you a chance to practice your strokes at their on-site putting green before setting off to the many nearby golf courses, like Barefoot Resort and its four championship courses. Anderson Ocean Club is not only close to championship courses like Pine Lakes, Dunes Golf and Beach Club as well as Grande Dunes, but it also has an on-site spa to help soothe any aching muscles.
Dine at: Keep the golf theme going and celebrate the Australian champion at Greg Norman Australian Grille in North Myrtle Beach. Along with the fresh seafood Myrtle Beach is known for, here you can also have wild Australian kangaroo braised in bacon confit, root hash and a house balsamic glaze or try the lamb lollipops (a New Zealand rack of lamb, corn and poblano medley with pesto sauce).
Enjoy local cuisine (and craft beer) in Murrells Inlet at Southern Hops Brewery, where the menu includes Lowcountry shrimp and sausage, as well as burgers and pub grub. Choose from 40 Carolina beers (both North and South) on tap at Black Drum Brewing; dine on pizza, salads or meats like Carolina pulled pork, beef brisket and Texas hot links. If it’s barbecue by the pound you’re after, make a beeline for Swig & Swine BBQ.
In Nature
Don’t miss: Many of the hiking trails are shaded at Vereen Memorial Historical Gardens in Little River, making it a nice break from the heat. (They’re also family- and pet-friendly.) This 115-acre park features wooden boardwalks that extend across salt marshes and small islands; stop and rest in the gazebo overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway.
Lay your blanket on the undeveloped beaches of Huntington Beach State Park. Admission is free for children age five and younger, while adults are just $5 and the park is dog-friendly year-round. After sunbathing, visitors can explore Atalaya Castle, the Moorish-style remains of a stately winter home surrounded by palm trees.
Combine nature with the arts by signing up for the free Myrtle Beach Arts & Gallery Trail. Spanning 60 miles across Myrtle Beach’s 14 communities, it features diverse sites ranging from coastal art to historic downtown areas.
Where to stay: Reconnect with the natural beauty of the coast by staying in well-appointed areas further from the crowds. Avista Resort in North Myrtle Beach is close to quieter beaches and ecological preserves like Cherry Grove’s salt marshes. DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Myrtle Beach Oceanfront is adjacent to Myrtle Beach State Park, giving easy access to its wooded trails.
Dine at: Not only is Hook & Barrel known for being an eco-friendly restaurant (serving sustainable seafood, cooking with environmentally-friendly equipment and using unbreakable dinnerware), but founder Heidi Vukov is also a James Beard 2026 Best Chef Southeast semi-finalist. Jordan Lazarus, winner of the second season of Chef Swap at the Beach, helps create the healthy dishes at Lekker Eats. Using local, organic produce and products, the menu is bursting with plant-based goodness as the main draw.
Sunset lovers, listen up. Big Chill Island House at Barefoot Landing offers spectacular views from its perch along the Intracoastal Waterway. There’s even an evening Sunset Celebration complete with a countdown with a ringing bell and a signature cocktail toast. Its three bars and live music also pair well with margaritas and menu items like the Island House lobster roll and chicken peanut mango salad.
With the family
Don’t miss: Family Kingdom Amusement Park has more than 35 rides ranging from spinning teacups for toddlers to the 60-year-old Swamp Fox wooden rollercoaster overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. For a calmer bird's-eye view of the area, head over to the SkyWheel, Myrtle Beach's landmark 187-foot observation wheel. Here, you can step inside one of the 42 glass-enclosed, climate-controlled gondolas, which revolves three times in about 10 minutes. There's room for up to six people, but smaller parties won't be seated with strangers.
With all these water views, you might want to check out some marine animals. Head to Ripley’s Aquarium to meet the sandbar sharks, green moray eels and sea turtles of Dangerous Reef or pet stingrays in Friendship Flats. See penguins in a new light via an immersive 50-foot, floor-to-ceiling window and a transparent crawl tunnel.
Spanning 350 acres, Broadway at the Beach is a massive entertainment complex that includes restaurants, shops and family entertainment. One option is Legends in Concert, which features rotating tribute acts. This spring, you can catch tribute acts for Elvis, Carrie Underwood, Bruno Mars, The Blues Brothers, Michael Jackson and Bob Marley.
Myrtle Beach is the "Mini Golf Capital of the World," with more than 30 courses. Pick your favorite theme, from dinosaurs (Jurassic Golf) to pirates (Captain Hook’s Adventure Golf). Register for the free Myrtle Beach Mini Golf Trail Pass, where you can check in at each course you play to accumulate points and earn prizes.
Where to stay: Myrtle Beach is quite simply one of the most family-friendly vacation destinations out there with its dazzling array of attractions. The hotels themselves though could be on your kids’ bucket list. Crown Reef Resort not only has an arcade and an on-site water park—you can even choose Slide Zone rooms with views of the water park—but it is also just minutes away from Family Kingdom Amusement Park & Waterpark. Landmark Resort is in the same area, also close to Myrtle Beach State Park, and with its own water park for guests. Captain’s Quarters Resort has 15 water features, everything from a “wrecked” pirate ship with water cannons to a 232-foot indoor lazy river.
Dunes Village Resort in North Myrtle Beach, just three miles north of the Boardwalk, has indoor water parks and a kids club where the staff facilitate arts and crafts, sports and games.
Dine at: Myrtle Beach is no stranger to national food chains like Dave & Buster’s or Southern ones like Lulu’s, but there are also plenty of local places to try. Kids get a souvenir cup with their order at Nacho Hippo, a Mexican-style cantina with locations in North Myrtle Beach and Market Common. The Hangout caters to kids of all ages with its hourly foam parties, lawn games and an indoor arcade (all paired with nachos, wings and all the good fried stuff).
Be the hero of all kids with a trip to Sugar Life Ice Cream & Candy Bar, which has a dizzying selection of sweets at its multiple locations along the Grand Strand; maybe don’t send their dentist a postcard.
At the table
Don’t miss: With such a "hopping" beer scene across 60 miles, you might need a guide to make the most of this flourishing craft brewery landscape. Follow along the Myrtle Beach Beer Trail by downloading the free digital pass; not only will your taste buds be rewarded, but you can also earn prizes as you go. Tidal Creek Brewhouse in Market Common offers 12 different beers, plus coffee for your designated drivers, along with a large breakfast, lunch and snack menu.
Head to Duplin Winery, right off U.S. Highway 17 South, to sample up to 10 wines on the scenic outdoor patio, choose one for a full serving and keep the Duplin wine glass as a souvenir—all for just $10 per person.
Where to stay: With more than 2,000 restaurants across the Grand Strand, you’ll be spoiled for choice before you even see a menu. If you want more than a grab-and-go option at your hotel, consider the following. Waterscapes Restaurant, located inside the 4-star Marina Inn at Grande Dunes, overlooks the Grand Dunes Marina and serves New American cuisine. Café Amalfi at Hilton Myrtle Beach Kingston serves a hearty Southern breakfast and has floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the ocean. Cypress Room at Island Vista Resort offers a number of breakfast classics plus Lowcountry surf and turf options at dinnertime. North Beach Resort & Villas’ 21 Main Steakhouse is an upscale option, known for its 28-day dry-aged meats and an extensive wine list.
Dine at: All foodies should give aforementioned Hook & Barrel a whirl to sample the dishes whipped up by a James Beard semi-finalist, the first in Myrtle Beach's history. Another popular local spot is Big Mike’s Soul Food, whose Southern comfort dishes are known for their “meat ‘n’ three” plates like fried chicken or pork chops and homemade sides like collard greens, fried okra and candied yams.
If you think all waffles are created equal, Johnny D’s Waffles will change your mind no matter the hour (breakfast is served all day). Try the signature red velvet cake batter waffle, drizzled with cream cheese icing and topped with powdered sugar and butter or opt for the twisted chicken, a house-made bacon waffle topped with house-breaded chicken tenders topped with a drizzle of maple mustard with powdered sugar and butter. A few blocks from the Boardwalk, Winna’s Kitchen is a casual bistro with both vegetarian options and hearty fare like meatloaf and potatoes.
Despite its name, The Grumpy Monk wants you to have fun at its three locations while you dine on fresh sushi or down a pint. The restaurant is decorated with indoor trees wrapped in fairy lights, and pints here are served in glasses that display quirky sayings or pictures designed to make you laugh (for example, “pick-up line: blink if you want me”).
At showtime
Don’t miss: Myrtle Beach is known for its vibrant nightlife, so make live music and dancing part of your plans. After a little libation, adults can test out their dance moves at numerous indoor and outdoor venues along Murrells Inlet MarshWalk. Musicians perform nightly here at places like Dead Dog Saloon and Wahoo's Fish House. For fans of full-blown entertainment productions, Myrtle Beach comes through on a theatrical scale. Start with ICONIC, which blends comedy, country, classic rock anthems, Broadway and pop power ballads at the Alabama Theatre. On nights off, the show cedes the stage to everyone from country stars to Motown and Beatles tribute bands. Head to The Carolina Opry for a highly acclaimed show that spans all genres and features more than 35 performers.
Located on the Intracoastal Waterway in North Myrtle Beach, Barefoot Landing is set up like a village with shopping, dining and entertainment options. Here’s where you’ll find Alabama Theatre as well as live music at House of Blues. Along with hosting all sorts of musical acts, the House of Blues also hosts a weekly murder mystery dinner on Saturdays and a gospel brunch each Sunday.
Where to stay: From big-stage productions to live bands and can’t-miss shows, there’s always another performance about to start on the Grand Strand. But sometimes the star of your vacation can also be your hotel. Less than 10 miles from the airport, The Ellie Beach Resort, part of the Tapestry by Hilton collection, sprawls over 30 acres. Guests can enjoy six pools, three waterslides, beach access, oceanfront rooms and on-site dining. Just steps from the Boardwalk, SkyWheel and Broadway at the Beach, visitors can spend some time floating down the lazy river at voco The Shelby - Myrtle Beach, sip a poolside cocktail at the Tiki Bar or use direct access to the beach. The swim-up pool bar at hotel Blue was the first in South Carolina, and with the poolside DJ, it’s always a party scene.
Dine at: You’ll hear live music coming from different bars and restaurants in Myrtle Beach, but set your watch for 6 p.m. if you’re headed to Local on the Water as that’s usually when the band hits the stage each night. Every Friday night, The Boathouse Waterway Bar & Grill features an up-and-coming country musician; their Backyard Summer Concert Series covers all genres each Sunday from April through September.
If you’re exploring The Arts and Innovation District near Main Street, Broadway and Ninth Avenue North, you’ve got some yummy options. Build your own charcuterie board at The Tasting Room on 9th, a premier wine bar that hosts a singer/songwriter open mic night on select Mondays. Get ready to dance in your seat to the live music at Boteco VIP Latin Bar & Cuisine, a Brazilian restaurant whose name refers to casual bars selling homemade snacks and a variety of drinks.
Should your evening last into daylight, you’re in luck. HoneyBees opens at 6 a.m., so you can grab some breakfast before your Zzzs.
Alone together
Don’t miss: For more spa treatments, head to Cinzia Spa, which has a number of option for couples, such as the hydrotherapy tub soak for two, followed by 70-minute Swedish massages. The Himalayan salt ritual—which includes a salt soak for two, full body polish and a heated Himalayan salt stone massage—is designed to improve health and mood.
Instead of a lazy river, take a lazy stroll together through Brookgreen Gardens. This award-winning National Historic Landmark spans 9,000 acres in nearby Murrells Inlet. Walk around the grounds with your beloved or join a tour. Admission tickets are good for seven consecutive days and give you access to the gardens, the Native Wildlife Zoo, the Lowcountry Center and Trail and the Enchanted Storybook Forest.
Where to Stay: If the only real plan is enjoying the moment together, you probably want to avoid the loud fun being had by kids in Myrtle Beach. Marina Inn at Grande Dunes is a AAA 4-Diamond hotel at a quiet location on the Intracoastal Waterway. Spacious guest rooms start at 450 square feet and all have private terraces looking out at the waterway or the property’s private marina. Although not oceanfront, the resort reserves a private section of the nearby beach for its guests and provides a complimentary shuttle service for the five-minute trip. Guests also have preferred access to the Grand Dunes Golf Course and optional in-room spa services.
About two miles away, the Mediterranean-style Marriott Myrtle Beach Grande Dunes sits on a 370-foot-wide private beach and also gives guests access to the adjacent Grand Dunes golf course and tennis courts. The 4-star property has a full-service spa with couples massages that let you unwind side by side.
Dine at: No need to rush out of bed as breakfast is served until 3 p.m. at Blueberry’s Grill, which has two locations in Myrtle Beach. Cooking American cuisine, the menu here changes seasonally; working with local farmers, the restaurant also rotates in two new dishes every six weeks to cater to ingredients with short growing seasons.
If you’re in the mood for casual Italian, head to Angelo’s Steak & Pasta, where you can order from the menu or head to the all-you-can-eat buffet. Bistro 90 has a dress code for a more elegant experience dining on its homemade Italian cuisine and USDA prime dry-aged steaks; it also has an extensive wine list so you can toast each other.