Myrtle Beach Travel Guide
Best neighborhoods, things to do, and when to visit
Myrtle Beach, SC
Sixty miles of sand run along the Grand Strand, backed by a boardwalk, a Ferris wheel, and mini-golf courses shaped like pirate ships. Warm summers fill the shoreline, while quieter shoulder seasons bring golfers to the area's many courses.
Airport
Myrtle Beach International Airport, just outside downtown
Language
English, with Southern regional accents
Currency
US dollar ($), cards widely accepted
Ideal trip length
Four to six days, longer for a beach week
Best time to visit Myrtle Beach
September – November
Average temperature
48-83°F (9-29°C), Warm ocean water in September, drier and milder by November with plenty of sun.
Crowd Level
Moderate
Reason To Visit
Fall brings ocean water still warm from summer, calmer beaches, and mild afternoons near 76°F (24°C) in October. November stays one of the driest months for long walks along the shore.
Fall eventMyrtle Beach Oktoberfest
Plyler Park
Things to do
Walk the boardwalk at sunrise, swim while the water holds its summer warmth, kayak the salt marsh creeks, then watch for dolphins from the state park pier as the crowds thin.
Popular events
Spring
Myrtle Beach Marathon, World Famous Blue Crab Festival, Myrtle Beach Food Truck Festival
Summer
Carolina Country Music Festival, Carolina Country Music Fest, Fourth of July Fireworks
Fall
Myrtle Beach Oktoberfest, Fall Bike Rally
Winter
The North Myrtle Beach Elvis Festival, Myrtle Beach Art & Music Fest at the Depot
Where to stay in Myrtle Beach
Beach towns, quiet inlets and inland pockets, each with its own pace along the Grand Strand.
North Myrtle Beach
A separate beach city just north, where quieter sand meets a long grid of low-rise streets.
Known for
Quiet beach blocks and easy parking near the sand
Surfside Beach
A small town south of the city, with a fishing pier and mostly low buildings near the sand.
Known for
Fishing pier and low-key stretches of beach
Things to do nearby
Myrtle Beach State Park
Nearby neighborhoods
Springmaid Beach
Garden City
A narrow peninsula between ocean and marsh, good for long walks on uncrowded sand.
Known for
Long, uncrowded beach walks between ocean and marsh
Murrells Inlet
A working fishing village on a tidal creek, with a boardwalk lined by seafood kitchens.
Known for
Creekside boardwalk and fresh seafood kitchens
The Dunes
A settled oceanside pocket north of downtown, with wide lawns and quiet streets.
Known for
Golf-lined streets a short drive from the ocean
Things to do nearby
Dunes Golf and Beach Club, Myrtle Beach Boardwalk
Nearby neighborhoods
Ocean Forest
Springmaid Beach
A calm stretch at the city's south end, close to protected shoreline and a pier.
Known for
Pier walks and access to Myrtle Beach State Park
Things to do nearby
Myrtle Beach State Park, Springmaid Pier, Myrtle Beach International Airport
Must see places in Myrtle Beach
Sixty miles of Atlantic shoreline, a 1930s boardwalk, and gardens of live oaks just inland.
Myrtle Beach Boardwalk and Promenade
A 1.2-mile oceanfront walkway linking piers, arcades, and seafood counters.
Neighborhood
Myrtle Beach
Things to do nearby
Myrtle Beach Skywheel
Time needed
1–2 hours
Myrtle Beach SkyWheel
A 187-foot observation wheel with glass gondolas and wide views of the shoreline.
Neighborhood
Myrtle Beach
Things to do nearby
Myrtle Beach Boardwalk & Promenade, Plyler Park
Time needed
30–45 minutes
Brookgreen Gardens
Sculpture gardens under centuries-old live oaks, about 20 miles south of the city.
Neighborhood
Murrells Inlet
Time needed
3–4 hours
Huntington Beach State Park
Three miles of quiet beach, salt marsh boardwalks, and strong birdwatching.
Neighborhood
Murrells Inlet
Time needed
2–3 hours
Atalaya Castle
A 1930s Moorish-style winter home and studio set behind the dunes.
Neighborhood
Murrells Inlet
Time needed
45–60 minutes
Myrtle Beach State Park
Maritime forest trails, a fishing pier, and a nature center beside a wide beach.
Things to do nearby
Myrtle Beach International Airport, Grand Park
Time needed
2–3 hours
Murrells Inlet Marsh Walk
A half-mile wooden walkway over tidal marsh, with shrimp boats and sunset views.
Neighborhood
Murrells Inlet
Time needed
1 hour
EdVenture Myrtle Beach
Hands-on science and art exhibits downtown, suited to younger travelers on rainy days.
Neighborhood
Myrtle Beach
Things to do nearby
Chapin Memorial Library, Myrtle Beach Boardwalk & Promenade
Time needed
1–2 hours
Local recommendations by Airbnb hosts in Myrtle Beach
The spots Myrtle Beach hosts send guests to - and the tips they pass along
Myrtle Beach Boardwalk
- Take a sunset stroll along the 1.2-mile oceanfront boardwalk, with arcades, shops, and live music at Plyler Park.
- Explore both sides of the boardwalk: one serene with ocean views, the other buzzing with shops, restaurants, and the SkyWheel.
- Ride the Myrtle Beach SkyWheel for a 15-minute panoramic view in climate-controlled gondolas above the boardwalk and ocean.
- Browse distinctive boardwalk shops, including the large Gay Dolphins gift shop packed with a wide variety of items.
Barefoot Landing
- Stroll the waterfront boardwalks and pathways around the lake for scenic views along the Intracoastal Waterway.
- Browse dozens of boutiques and shops for souvenirs, sundries, and unique specialty items in a relaxed, walkable setting.
- Plan time for attractions like Alligator Adventure, House of Blues, Alabama Theatre, 7-D cinema, and a children’s playground.
Windy Hill Beach
- Head to Windy Hill Beach for a nearby oceanfront spot, just a short drive from the condo.
- Visit around sunrise or sunset; you may catch both over the water and sometimes see dolphins offshore.
- Plan parking costs: it may be free before 9 a.m. and after 5 p.m., with hourly fees in between.
- Know Windy Hill is the southernmost section of North Myrtle Beach and close to Barefoot Resort.
Broadway at the Beach
- Spend a full day enjoying shops, restaurants, the aquarium, WonderWorks, rides, museums, and more around the lake.
- Walk the boardwalk around Lake Broadway, enjoy piers, fountains, photo spots, playgrounds, and feed the fish.
- Plan at least half a day; afternoons easily stretch into evening with live music, waterfront dining, and nightlife.
- Enjoy free experiences like playgrounds, fireworks displays, scenic strolling, and plentiful photo-worthy backgrounds throughout the complex.
- Try hands-on fun and games: WonderWorks with indoor ropes course, zipline over the lake, swan boats, and amusement rides.
Surfside beach
- Enjoy Surfside’s clean, family-friendly two-mile beach, ideal for swimming, surfing, fishing, boating, and sunbathing.
- Head toward the pier area in the evening, when it may host events or live music and has a relaxed vibe.
- Use beach access points with showers, restrooms, foot showers, and handicap-accessible ramps for a convenient beach setup.
- Park near 5th Ave N using the local parking apps, then walk to nearby beach bathrooms, restaurants, and bars.
Family Kingdom Amusement Park
- Ride standout attractions like the Swamp Fox wooden coaster, Twist ‘n Shout, Ferris wheel, bumper cars, and go-karts.
- Choose how you play: stroll the arcade area, buy individual ride tickets, or opt for all-day wristbands.
- Bring cash for on-site vendors and check local coupon books for possible ride and park discounts.
- Visit in the warmer months, as the park operates seasonally from spring through late summer with limited fall weekends.
Places to eat and drink in Myrtle Beach
Southern kitchens, oceanfront grilles and Italian tables along the Grand Strand
Sea Captain's House
A 1930s beach cottage turned dining room, serving Lowcountry seafood right above the sand.
Highlights
She-crab soup, shrimp and grits
Why do locals love it
Oceanfront windows and a fireplace room inside a converted cottage.
Lee's Inlet Kitchen
Open since 1948 on the Marsh Walk side of the inlet, cooking fried and broiled local catch.
Highlights
deviled crab
Why do locals love it
Same family has cooked inlet seafood here since the 1940s.
Captain Benjamin's Calabash Seafood
Calabash-style buffet with a long spread of fried seafood and desserts.
Highlights
crab legs, Calabash-style seafood
Why do locals love it
Calabash frying tradition served buffet style
Hook & Barrel
A seafood kitchen leaning on sustainable catch and produce from nearby growers.
Highlights
she-crab soup
Why do locals love it
Sourcing notes name the boats and farms behind each plate
Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen & Bar
Southern kitchen and bar serving comfort plates through the day.
Highlights
sweet potato pancakes
Why do locals love it
Biscuits arrive hot from the oven at brunch
Aspen Grille
Seasonal Southern cooking with a menu that shifts through the year in Myrtle Beach.
Highlights
Shrimp and grits, crab cake
Why do locals love it
The kitchen leans on what is in season rather than a fixed menu.
Carolina Roadhouse
A long-running Myrtle Beach roadhouse turning out grilled steaks and generous plates.
Highlights
Prime rib
Why do locals love it
Steaks and ribs arrive from an open grill in the dining room.
Villa Romana Italian Restaurant
An Italian dining room in Myrtle Beach for pasta and red-sauce classics.
Highlights
Veal parmigiana, lasagna
Why do locals love it
Straightforward Italian plates served in generous helpings.
Explore Myrtle Beach: The best travel itineraries
Three routes through Myrtle Beach, from a single day on the Boardwalk to a week that reaches the inlet and the gardens.
Experienced Airbnb hosts in Myrtle Beach
1,990+
Places to stay in Myrtle Beach
10,360+
Things to do in Myrtle Beach
30+
Verified guest reviews in Myrtle Beach
257,060+
1 Day trip
One day built around the oceanfront core, with sand in the morning, a wheel ride at golden hour, and dinner above the beach.
Morning
Sand and shoreline
Lifeguards and showers make this a simple first stop of the day.
Afternoon
Aquarium and lakeside shops
Save the shark tunnel for the warmest part of the afternoon.
Evening
Wheel, then a table by the water
Ride the wheel before dinner while the coastline still holds light.
3 Day trip
Three days that pair the Boardwalk with Market Common's parks and a slower afternoon on the state park shoreline.
Morning
Central beach morning
Arrive early for easier parking near the Boardwalk.
Afternoon
Rides and a retro course
The mini golf course has indoor levels if the sun gets strong.
Evening
Rooftop music
Come early if you want a rail seat facing the water.
Morning
Lakeside walk
Flat paths and playgrounds work well with young kids.
Afternoon
Shops and a mini golf round
The dinosaur course sits close to the plaza, good for a short break.
Evening
Art then dinner theater
The museum closes earlier than the show, so start there.
Morning
Park trails and surf
Bring a rod if you want to try the surf fishing here.
Afternoon
Waterway lunch
Sit outside for the Intracoastal Waterway view.
Evening
South-end pier light
The shoreline curve here frames the last of the sun.
5-7 Day trip
Five days across the whole strand, from the Cherry Grove pier and shag dancing on Main Street to Brookgreen Gardens and the Murrells Inlet marsh.
Morning
Beach first
Showers and lifeguards sit right at this access point.
Afternoon
Boardwalk classics
Order at the counter and take the food out toward the sand.
Evening
Views then seafood
Book the wheel ride before your dinner seating.
Morning
Under the tunnel
Timed tickets help you skip the midday line.
Afternoon
Slides and lakeside shops
Lockers and shade are limited, so pack light for the water park.
Evening
Games and rock memorabilia
Both sit inside the Broadway complex, an easy walk apart.
Morning
Reptiles on the boardwalk
Elevated walkways keep sightlines clear over the ponds.
Afternoon
Tidal lake shopping
The boardwalk loop is shaded in patches by late afternoon.
Evening
Pier at dusk
Anglers land king mackerel here through the warm months.
Morning
Birds and undeveloped sand
Stop on the causeway with binoculars for wading birds.
Afternoon
Sculpture and native animals
Wear comfortable shoes; the garden paths run long.
Evening
Marsh sunset dinner
Tables fill fast when the tide and sunset line up.
Morning
Vintage metal
More than 100 cars, so allow an unhurried hour.
Afternoon
Golf and a show warm-up
Book a tee time ahead on weekends.
Evening
Dinner and acrobatics
The show serves a four-course meal, so skip a late lunch.
Family travel
Ripley's Aquarium and the SkyWheel keep kids happy, while Myrtle Beach State Park offers shade, trails, and gentle surf.
Couple travel
Stroll the live oak paths at Brookgreen Gardens, then share a quiet evening on the sand near the Second Avenue Pier.
Solo travel
Walk the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk at sunrise, then browse the shops and marsh views at Murrells Inlet MarshWalk.
How to get around Myrtle Beach
Metro and train
Myrtle Beach has no passenger rail or metro service. Plan on buses, rideshares, or a car, and check Amtrak for the nearest stations inland.
Bus
Coast RTA buses link the beach, malls, and nearby towns. Check the operator for current routes, times, and fares, since service can be limited on Sundays.
Rental car
A car helps along the Grand Strand. Kings Highway and Highway 17 Bypass slow in summer, so allow extra time and confirm parking rules near the beach.
Walking
The oceanfront boardwalk and side streets suit flat, easy walking. Bring water in summer heat, and use marked crossings on the busy coastal highways.
Generated with AI and may contain mistakes. Sources include third-party travel data and Airbnb data from listings, hosts, and host guidebooks. Updated September 2026.