Visiting Myrtle Beach: Top Attractions, Best Time to Go & Travel Tips
By Jeff Lowe • February 22, 2026
Myrtle Beach has been one of the most popular beach destinations on the East Coast for decades, and it doesn't take long to understand why.
The city sits along a 60-mile stretch of Atlantic coastline called the Grand Strand, where wide sandy beaches meet entertainment districts, seafood restaurants, and more attractions than you could reasonably fit into one trip.
We're planning a May trip with another couple, so I've been digging into what actually makes this place work.
Golf tends to dominate the conversation, but what caught my attention is everything else — state parks, waterfront dinners, live shows, and those classic boardwalk evenings.
If you're thinking about a visit, here's a closer look at the top attractions, the best time to go, and what to expect once you look past the fairways.
The Beaches: The Heart of Myrtle Beach
The beach itself is the main draw, obviously. Miles of soft sand and a shoreline wide enough that it rarely feels packed, even when the calendar says it should.
Stay in the central beach area and you're in the middle of everything, especially near the Boardwalk. Public access points are easy to find, chair and umbrella rentals are everywhere, and restaurants are a short walk away. Good pick if you like having activity right outside your door.
Want something calmer? Myrtle Beach State Park has fewer high-rises and a more relaxed feel, plus walking trails, picnic areas, and a fishing pier that juts out into the Atlantic.
Drive a bit farther south and you'll hit Huntington Beach State Park, which has a reputation for being unspoiled in a way that's hard to find along the resort corridor. Birdwatchers and nature lovers tend to gravitate here, and the beach itself is quiet.
Whether your ideal day involves baking in the sun, walking the shoreline for miles, or just listening to the waves, there's a stretch of sand here that fits.
The Myrtle Beach Boardwalk & SkyWheel
The oceanfront energy concentrates along the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk, a 1.2-mile promenade that runs parallel to the water and serves as the city's central gathering spot.
Here you'll find:
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Casual restaurants and bars
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Arcades and souvenir shops
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Ice cream stands and beachy snack spots
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Oceanfront views at every turn
The SkyWheel Myrtle Beach is the most recognizable landmark on the Boardwalk. It rises nearly 200 feet above the shoreline and gives you panoramic views of the Atlantic and the city. At night, the colorful lighting makes it the focal point of the beachfront.
Even if you never step onto the wheel, an evening stroll along the Boardwalk is one of those things you should do at least once here.
Broadway at the Beach
Broadway at the Beach is the go-to for an all-in-one entertainment complex, and it consistently tops visitor lists for good reason.
Built around a large lake, it packs shopping, dining, nightlife, and attractions into one walkable area. Evenings are especially popular — restaurants fill up and live music drifts through the open-air spaces.
Attractions here include:
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Ripley's Aquarium of Myrtle Beach
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Specialty shops and boutiques
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Live entertainment venues
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Bars and late-night spots
Ripley's Aquarium is worth mentioning on its own for the underwater tunnel — you walk beneath sharks and other sea life, and it's immersive enough that adults get just as into it as kids do.
If you'd rather park once and have everything within walking distance for the evening, this is the place.
Barefoot Landing & North Myrtle Beach
Head north and you'll find Barefoot Landing, which has a slightly more laid-back feel.
It sits along the Intracoastal Waterway and pairs waterfront dining with specialty shops and entertainment venues. The pace is slower than the central district, which makes it a good spot for a relaxed dinner or a sunset walk.
North Myrtle Beach, just nearby, feels less crowded and more residential. If you want a quieter place to stay while still being close to the action, it's worth a look.
Murrells Inlet & the MarshWalk
About 20 minutes south of central Myrtle Beach is Murrells Inlet, often called the Seafood Capital of South Carolina.
The MarshWalk is the main draw — a wooden boardwalk along the marsh lined with seafood restaurants and live music venues. It's known for:
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Fresh local seafood
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Waterfront views
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Casual, coastal ambiance
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Beautiful sunsets over the marsh
If you want a scenic setting to go with dinner and drinks, Murrells Inlet is a nice change of pace from the main resort strip.
Beyond Golf: Mini-Golf, Water Sports & Shows
Myrtle Beach has more than 80 golf courses, but not everyone visiting is here for championship play. The good news is you don't have to be.
The mini-golf scene here is practically its own attraction. Pirate ships, jungle themes, volcanoes — elaborate courses line the major roads. It's lighthearted and competitive, and it works well for couples or families.
On the water, you'll find options like:
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Parasailing
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Jet ski rentals
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Dolphin-watching tours
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Deep-sea fishing charters
Evenings bring another layer of entertainment. Dinner theaters, tribute concerts, and live music performances are all part of the routine here. If you want to mix beach days with structured nights out, you won't struggle to fill an evening or two.
Brookgreen Gardens: A Cultural Surprise
Brookgreen Gardens shows up on nearly every "must-see" list, and after reading about it, I get why.
It's a large sculpture garden and wildlife preserve that combines art, history, and natural beauty. You can wander through manicured gardens filled with American figurative sculptures, check out the Lowcountry zoo exhibits, and learn about the region's history.
It's quieter and more reflective than the beachfront buzz — a good reminder that Myrtle Beach has more going on than amusement-style attractions.
Best Time to Visit Myrtle Beach
When you go can shape your trip quite a bit.
Spring (April–May):
One of the best windows. Temperatures are warm without being oppressive, crowds are lighter than peak summer, and prices tend to be more reasonable. May especially offers great beach weather before the heavy family travel season kicks in.
Summer (June–August):
Hot, humid, and crowded. This is prime vacation season, especially for families. The ocean is at its warmest, but accommodation rates peak right along with it.
Fall (September–October):
Another strong option. The weather stays warm and crowds thin out after Labor Day. Just keep in mind this overlaps with Atlantic hurricane season, though plenty of trips go off without a hitch.
Winter (November–March):
Much quieter and cooler. Swimming isn't really on the table, but winter can be a peaceful time for beach walks and lower lodging rates.
If beach time matters most and you'd rather avoid peak-season congestion, late spring and early fall are the sweet spots.
Where to Stay in Myrtle Beach
Accommodations here range from high-rise oceanfront resorts to smaller boutique properties and vacation rentals.
In general:
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Central Myrtle Beach offers the most action and easy access to the Boardwalk.
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North Myrtle Beach provides a quieter, more residential feel.
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Murrells Inlet offers scenic marsh views and proximity to top seafood spots.
For our own trip, we prioritized staying near the beachfront so we could walk in the mornings and catch sunsets without driving. Being close to the ocean tends to make the whole experience better, especially on a shorter stay.
Dining in Myrtle Beach
Seafood gets top billing, but the dining scene goes well beyond that.
Expect to find:
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Casual beachside grills
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Upscale steak and seafood restaurants
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Southern comfort food
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Waterfront dining along the Intracoastal and marsh
Shrimp and grits, she-crab soup, fried oysters, and fresh catch specials show up on menus all over town. Whether you're in flip-flops on a patio or dressed up for a white-tablecloth dinner, there's something at nearly every price point.
A Destination with Layers
What surprised me most while planning this trip is how layered Myrtle Beach feels. On the surface, it's a classic beach town known for golf and family vacations. Dig a little deeper and you find scenic state parks, cultural gardens, waterfront dining districts, and an entertainment lineup that stretches well beyond the sand.
Couples, families, friend groups, solo travelers — it works for all of them. You can spend entire days doing nothing but enjoying the ocean, or you can fill your schedule with shows, attractions, and explorations up and down the Grand Strand.
That balance is probably why so many people come back year after year.
Myrtle Beach: More Than a Golf Getaway
As our May trip gets closer, I'm more convinced than ever that Myrtle Beach offers more than its golf reputation suggests. The courses are abundant, sure. But so are the beaches, boardwalk evenings, seafood dinners, and quiet moments along the marsh.
If you're looking for a coastal destination that blends energy with relaxation — and has something for nearly every type of traveler — Myrtle Beach deserves serious consideration.
Come for the sand, the shows, the seafood, or just a change of scenery. Chances are you'll find your own favorite corner of the Grand Strand.