North Myrtle Beach: It's different up here
When people hear the term “North Myrtle Beach,” they might think it’s just a geographic reference—the northern part of Myrtle Beach. But North Myrtle Beach is a proper city in its own right, with its own personality and charm. This nine-mile stretch of the Grand Strand is less touristy and quieter than some of its southern neighbors, and has four distinct neighborhoods: Windy Hill, Crescent Beach, Ocean Drive and Cherry Grove.
Full of waterfront restaurants, award-winning golf courses, natural beauty, live entertainment and shopping opportunities, North Myrtle Beach packs a lot into its boundaries. Get to know the area better with this guide that moves north along the coast.
Windy Hill
The vibe: From its position at the southernmost end of North Myrtle Beach, Windy Hill offers access to the ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway. This is where people come to be entertained, play golf or do some serious shopping.
Where to eat: It’s hard to miss Lucy Buffett’s LuLu’s, with its yellow and turquoise exterior, plus a neon sign featuring a sun and palm tree. Located right on the Waterway, the menu offers scratch-made, never-frozen food like fried green tomatoes, NOLA shrimp and grits, fried oysters and, of course, the catch of the day. As you might expect from Jimmy Buffett’s sister, there’s live music daily starting at 5 p.m. as well.
Along with its namesake item, Hamburger Joe’s cooks up casual meals like fried bologna, hickory smoked pork barbecue and buffalo wings right behind the bar. Big Chill Island House’s patio overlooks the Waterway so you can watch boats go by as you dine on things like tuna poke, crab rangoon dip or chicken peanut mango salad. (It also has a great sunset view from the rooftop bar.) Stop by Duplin Winery, located just in front of Barefoot Landing (more on that in a second), for some Muscadine wine to take home, or to sample a flight on the relaxing outdoor patio.
What to see/do: Situated around a lake with restaurants and a theater, Barefoot Landing is set up like a village and a destination in itself. Whether you’re looking for clothes (for you or your pooch), candles, or confections, you can find various boutique stores here. Plus, no matter your drink of choice, this complex has you covered: Carolina Vineyards Winery offers wine tasting; Kentucky Mist Distillery sells a variety of moonshine and Crooked Hammock Brewery pours out craft beers on tap. Check out live shows at family-friendly Alabama Theatre or see touring acts at House of Blues; the latter also hosts a weekly murder mystery dinner on Saturdays and a gospel brunch each Sunday.
This part of North Myrtle Beach is also home to Barefoot Resort, which features four award-winning championship golf courses designed by some of golf's heavy hitting architects (Tom Fazio, Pete Dye, Greg Norman and David Love III). Book your tee time online so you can start the day swinging.
Don’t miss: Alligator Adventure is adjacent to Barefoot Landing and you’ll see people snapping a pic with the gator statue outside. From albino alligators to false gharials, this zoo focuses on reptiles and its shows include alligator live feedings and snake handling.
If you’re more interested in your own treats, try the saltwater taffy at Wee-R-Sweetz, still made on site by 100-year-old machines. There’s also fudge, truffles, chocolate and “gourmet apples,” which is to say, apples dipped in various yummy things a dentist would hate. Native Joe’s Scoop & Grind adds flavors such as banana pudding, cotton candy and super hero to the usual roster of frozen treats. It doesn't stop there, as you can also get signature coffee drinks, smoothie bowls and cold brews.
Crescent Beach
The vibe: Named for the curved shape of the region, this area has celeb cachet as Vanna White’s hometown. Today, it’s where families and golfers relax.
Where to eat: Family-owned Benito’s Brick Oven aims to bring Italy’s rich flavors to the beach with its house-made dough and fresh pasta sauces. Along with pizza, the restaurant serves strombolis, calzones and pasta dishes like lasagna and cheese ravioli.
For different European vibes, head to Molly Darcy’s Irish Pub and Restaurant, which looks out onto the beach from its location on South Ocean Boulevard. Expect pub grub like wings, potato skins and mozzarella sticks along with a host of fish entrées and salads.
What to see/do: While you could easily spend your day lazing at the beach, you also have the option to go bouncing along on a banana boat or parasailing with New Wave Water Sports, conveniently located on the sand behind Molly Darcy’s. (If you can’t decide between the two, know that you do get a mini banana boat ride out to the parasailing boat.) Observer spots are also available on the parasailing boats but must be booked online.
Whether you’re looking for mini golf or regular golf, you can find both in Crescent Beach. You’ll know you’re in the right place for Hawaiian Rumble Minigolf when you see the 40-foot artificial active volcano. (This course will also host this year’s US ProMiniGolf Association Master’s Tournament on Oct. 6–10.)
Anyone from amateurs to more seasoned golfers can book a tee time at Azalea Sands Golf Club, just blocks from the Atlantic Ocean and one of the few local courses that doesn’t require a forced carry (hitting the ball entirely over a hazard to reach the other side). Designed by Gene Hamm and opened in 1968, Beachwood Golf Club has 18 holes as well as a driving range and golf instruction; it was named the 2026 Myrtle Beach Area Golf Course of the Year by the Myrtle Beach Area Golf Course Owners Association.
Don’t miss: Choose from more than 400 bottles from places like Napa Valley, Italy and France at Bin 2004, a wine and tapas restaurant. Here you can build your own charcuterie boards and eat homemade pastas. If you catch a glimpse of Frank Sinatra in the men's restroom, you haven't been overserved, it's just his portrait on the wall.
Ocean Drive
The vibe: Main Street and its many shops are located in this lively part of town that’s full of history and dancing. This is where South Carolina's official state dance, the Shag, began.
Where to eat: With views along the Intracoastal Waterway from its perch on the Doc Holidays Marina, Boardwalk Billy’s is a casual restaurant serving barbecue, burgers and seafood. If you come for dinner, you’ll be treated to live music as well. A stone’s throw away is Local on the Water, with its Lowcountry boils, sushi rolls and artisan pizzas. Some of its daily music events require tickets, so check the calendar to see who is playing.
Closer to the beach is Hoskins Restaurant, a family-owned, diner-style eatery that’s been serving the area since 1948. Look for the horseshoe design with four stars around its red sign outside and inside, expect reasonable prices for all three meals of the day.
Wherever you eat, you can top it all off with The Crazy Mason Milkshake Bar & Ice Cream Shop. A picture is worth a thousand words, so just go here and salivate over their signature creations like the "Butter My Waffle" and "Sweet Cheesus".
What to see/do: It’s free to enter the North Myrtle Beach Historical Museum (open Tuesday–Saturday) and learn about the area. The exhibits on hand are a mix of artifacts and memorabilia highlighting everything related to North Myrtle Beach, from the Waccamaw Indians and agriculture to Prohibition and golf. There's even an exhibit on hometown celebrity Vanna White.
As you walk along Main Street and near the Ocean Drive Beach and Golf Resort, you’ll notice engraved sidewalk pavers and commemorative markers. This is the Shag Walk of Fame, celebrating legends of the state dance. Just a few steps away (dance your way there if you like), inside the resort is the Shaggers National Hall of Fame, which has photos and information about the honorees.
Don’t miss: All this talk of the Shag, you can’t not see it performed while you’re in North Myrtle Beach. A quick six-count, eight-step pattern inspired by the jitterbug as well as rhythm and blues music, this partner dance involves twirls and fancy footwork. You're bound to see locals dancing this while out and about, but if you want a guaranteed sighting, head to Fat Harold's Beach Club. Colloquially known as the Home of the Shag, Fat Harold's also offers free Shag lessons for beginners every Tuesday night at 7 p.m.
Cherry Grove
The vibe: The northernmost of the four neighborhoods, Cherry Grove offers access to the ocean, salt marshes and the Intracoastal Waterway. This is the place to be for watersports like boating, kayaking, pier fishing and charter fishing.
Where to eat: The coastal theme of Snooky’s Oceanfront begins outside. Here its aqua-colored exterior mirrors the ocean and you’ll find a sign with a giant octopus tentacle wrapped around a fork. Step inside and you’ll see the ocean straight behind the restaurant. Longshot Fishing brings fresh seafood daily to the restaurant. The raw bar features goodies like house oysters on the half shell, shrimp ceviche, lobster salad and steamed snow crabs.
Popular with anglers, Cherry Grove Pier stretches 985 feet into the ocean. At its base on the beach is Driftwood Restaurant, which serves casual fare like seafood baskets, burgers, salads and oyster po’boys. If you’ve had your fill of seafood, check out Old South BBQ and its slow-smoked meats, savory pulled pork, ribs and fresh sides.
What to see/do: Created in 2007, Heritage Shores Nature Preserve is a 7-acre protected wetland habitat on an island in the Cherry Grove Marsh. The walking paths feature a series of elevated boardwalks and observation docks for seeing birds like blue herons, great egrets and brown pelicans as well as white-tailed deer. You might spot bottlenose dolphins swimming in adjacent inlet waters. Marsh kayaking is allowed here if you want to get a closer look.
Located at the other side of the marsh, Russell Burgess Coastal Preserve is popular with birdwatchers. Crabbing and fishing is allowed from the ground level, but not from the boardwalk.
Don’t miss: What started as a small grocery store in 1948 has grown into a sprawling family of businesses that stretch more than 200,000 square feet along Sea Mountain Highway. Today, Boulineau’s includes a restaurant, laundromat, beach shop, gas station, hardware store and a shoe store. If you’re staying at a vacation rental in Cherry Grove, Boulineau’s cluster of businesses probably has whatever is needed. Next summer, it will open the Cherry Grove Creamery as well.
For sweet treats, there’s Dairy Hut, which serves homemade ice cream, thick milkshakes and hot dogs. Sunset Slush offers more than 30 flavors of classic Italian ice, the perfect way to end your day.