Things to do in Myrtle Beach
Welcome to Myrtle Beach
In the heart of South Carolina’s 60-mile (97-kilometer) Grand Strand of prime Atlantic shoreline, Myrtle Beach attracts 20 million visitors a year seeking sun, surf, and subtropical temperatures. The city’s boardwalk, complete with the 187-foot (57-meter) SkyWheel and amusement park rides, is a family-friendly draw, while its 80-plus golf courses, designed by pros like Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus, earn a place on putters’ bucket lists. Don’t miss festivals like the Carolina Country Music Fest and Myrtle Beach Bike Week—and there’s never a bad time to savor local seafood and Carolina-style barbecue.
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Top 15 attractions in Myrtle Beach
#1
Hollywood Wax Museum Myrtle Beach
The Hollywood Wax Museum is a staple attraction near the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk. Spend a few hours out of the sun and snap photos with realistic wax depictions of your favorite celebs—everyone from Princess Di to Jackie Chan is represented. Kids particularly love the Hollywood Wax Museum, a long-standing family favorite at Myrtle Beach.More
#2
Myrtle Beach SkyWheel
Towering 200 feet above the sea in the sunny vacationland of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, the SkyWheel is a modern take on your typical Ferris wheel. Riders are whisked above the oceanfront promenade on bench seats in enclosed air conditioned gondolas for views of the piers, ocean and downtown. After twilight, the SkyWheel puts on a mesmerizing display with its one million tiny computer-coordinated LED lights that pinwheel a rainbow of colors through the night sky.One of the tallest Ferris wheels on the eastern seaboard – and certainly the largest amusement structure on this stretch of the Great Strand – views from the top on clear days reportedly sweep 40 miles in either direction. Some guests have seen dolphins and even whales splashing in the offshore waters from the SkyWheel’s heights. While sea breezes can sometimes rock cages, an intercom button in each enclosure allows communication with controllers in case you need to get off the ride early.Each of the 42 gondolas were constructed with slanted glass so riders can snap reflection-free photos of the surrounding scenery. A general admission ticket affords a ride lasting three slow revolutions – around 10 minutes. And one VIP gondola allows riders to skip the queue and enjoy enhanced features – double the ride time, cushioned leather seats and a glass floor affording 360-degree views.More
#3
Ripley's Aquarium of Myrtle Beach
Ripley's Aquarium of Myrtle Beach borders the Atlantic Ocean and is known for its vaulted underwater walkways, large tanks filled with colorful sea creatures, and live shark-feeding shows. Set in the Broadway-at-the-Beach shopping, dining, and entertainment complex, the aquarium features exhibits for visitors of all ages.More
#4
Brookgreen Gardens
Situated on a 300-acre (121-hectare) expanse within a larger South Carolina coastal preserve, Brookgreen Gardens was the nation’s first public sculpture garden when it opened in 1931. Today the National Historic Landmark is an oasis of native flora and fauna, including 250-year-old live oaks, and more than 2,000 sculptures.More
#5
WonderWorks Myrtle Beach
WonderWorks Myrtle Beach is an amusement park with more than 100 interactive exhibits to engage your mind and imagination. Built in an upside-down “top-secret laboratory” that was mysteriously transported from Bermuda to Myrtle Beach, this family-friendly park features six wonder zones, laser tag, a glow-in-the-dark ropes course, and a 6D motion ride.More
#6
North Myrtle Beach
Perched on the northern end of South Carolina’s Grand Strand, North Myrtle Beach offers a relaxing place to enjoy the beauty of South Carolina coastal living. Many come here to learn how to surf thanks to the long slow-rolling breakers, while others come for the shopping, dining, and live entertainment at Barefoot Landing.More
#7
Broadway at the Beach
Located in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Broadway at the Beach is a popular outdoor shopping and entertainment center. Home to theaters, restaurants, nightclubs, hotels, amusement parks, and more than 100 specialty shops, the complex has options for travelers of all ages and interests.More
#8
Family Kingdom Amusement Park
Family Kingdom Amusement Park is South Carolina’s only beachfront amusement park, featuring more than 35 attractions—from kiddie rides to thrill rides—for the whole family to enjoy. Just minutes from the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk and Promenade, the park is mere steps from the beach, so you can roll in the sand and then rollick on a roller coaster.More
#9
Hard Rock Cafe Myrtle Beach
Visitors venturing into the Hard Rock Cafe Myrtle Beach, located in the heart of the Broadway at the Beach shopping complex, will find strong drinks, an exhaustive menu, live music, and more. In classic Hard Rock fashion, original instruments and costume pieces from musical greats decorate the towering walls and provide the perfect backdrop for live performances.More
#10
Myrtle Beach State Park
This swath of maritime forest on the Grand Strand attracts visitors who want an escape from the rampant development of the South Carolina coast. The park boasts over a mile (1.5 kilometers of undeveloped beach—home to some of the best surf fishing in the state—as well as beachside campsites, nature trails, and a fishing pier.More
#11
Carolina Opry
The Carolina Opry, the first theater in Myrtle Beach, hosts a variety of daily performances that blends family-friendly music, dance, and comedy in a state-of-the-art space. The Carolina Opry holds many concerts and shows during the year, has been named a Top Attraction in Myrtle Beach by CNBC, and has received the coveted Governor’s Cup.More
#12
Medieval Times Myrtle Beach
Ideal for families looking for dining and entertainment, Medieval Times Myrtle Beach is a live theater performance complete with sword fights, falcon flights, and jousting on horseback—all during a meal fit for kings. Inspired by 11th-century feasts and tournaments, Medieval Times lets visitors travel back in time for a night to the age of castles and knights.More
#13
Myrtle Waves Water Park
Myrtle Waves Water Park pumps some 1.2 million gallons of water daily through churning wave pools, meandering rapids, super slides, and calming raft rides, perfect for cooling down during the hot South Carolina summer. The state’s largest water park features more than 30 attractions catering to both thrill seekers and the tiniest visitors.More
#14
Grand Strand
The Grand Strand comprises 60 miles (100 kilometers of uninterrupted sandy beach along the South Carolina Coast. A majority of the area’s 14 million annual visitors come for the boardwalks, beaches, amusement parks, and mini golf courses of Myrtle Beach, while Murrells Inlet serves as the region’s culinary capital.More
#15
Barefoot Landing
A stroll around South Carolina’s Barefoot Landing on the Waterway is an ideal way to spend an evening in North Myrtle Beach. With more than 100 shops and restaurants, there’s a tantalizing variety of sundries, souvenirs, and sustenance. There’s also an alligator park, a 7-D cinema, a live tiger attraction, and a lovely view of the riverfront.More
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Currency
US Dollar ($)
Time Zone
EDT (UTC -5)
Country Code
+1
Language(s)
English