Say the words “beach trip” to half a dozen people, and they are likely to summon distinct vacation visions. Some are sleepy and sun-soaked, while others are packed with outdoor adventure or shopping excursions. That’s why it’s key to pick a place that can satisfy everyone’s wish list. As the anchor of a 60-mile stretch of Grand Strand waterfront communities, each with its own unique appeal, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, is perfectly positioned to cater to just about any crew’s ideal coastal escape.
There’s plenty to do in any season, but the best months to visit Myrtle Beach are June through August for perfect beach weather. Visit in the fall to avoid the crowds and still find lots to do. Innovative epicurean experiences? Check. Fresh seafood? Check. Boutique-shopping districts loaded with charm? Check. Lush landscaped gardens, moonlit kayak tours, and live music spilling out into the streets? Check, check, and check. Visitors can plan a fun, affordable trip to Myrtle Beach. For cheaper rates, look for rooms and specials in the off-season.
With so much variety offered, all you need to bring to ensure a good time is plenty of SPF—and a solid game plan for your vacation. Check out these things to do for a perfect Myrtle Beach trip.
Wake Up To Ocean Views
Book Your Group Into A Beachside Escape
If having a central location to slather on sunscreen together in the morning (or sip nightcaps in your pajamas at day’s end) is key for your group, book a stay at the Island Vista Resort, where the multi-room suites sleep up to 10, and feature amenities such as full kitchens, cozy living and dining areas, ocean-view balconies, and laundry machines. It’s billed as “the only oceanfront hotel for nearly a mile in either direction.” So, with big buffers separating the resort’s wide, clean beach from the nearest hotels, it feels fully removed from the rowdy crowds and miniature golf madness of the city’s more densely developed areas.
islandvista.com, 6000 North Ocean Boulevard, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
Robbie Caponetto
Indulge At A Four-Star, Oceanfront Resort
Two miles northeast of the Island Vista Resort, there’s also Myrtle Beach Marriott Resort & Spa at Grande Dunes, which is the gold standard of the Grand Strand. Here, the lack of large-group lodging options is offset by luxe, recently refreshed rooms and a quiet, full-service spa. Pair beach views with spa experiences, and you’re setting yourself up for a fantastic vacation. No matter where you stay, be sure to pack the essentials: lightweight layers, a wide-brimmed hat, and plenty of SPF. The town’s vibe is casual, but you’ll want to bring a few nicer outfits for nights out.
8400 Costa Verde Drive, Myrtle Beach, SC 29572
Robbie Caponetto
Tour The Beach Bar Scene
Hit The Boardwalk Bars
Start things off on a high (make that high-energy) note with a cruise through the open-air bars clustered near the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk, with their big people-watching patios and party-time vibes. You’ll find all the daiquiris and piña coladas you could hope for, but a trip here isn’t all sugary frozen drinks and oversized fishbowls. It’s worth veering slightly off the main drag for something with a little more personality and polish too.
Between Second Avenue North and 15th Avenue North, Myrtle Beach, SC
Duck Into A Speakeasy For Lowcountry Cocktails
The Prohibition-themed Strong Waters Craft Cocktails & Kitchen, which flies fittingly under the radar, rotates a seasonal menu of local-leaning microbrews but always keeps two in-house, barrel-aged cocktails on tap, along with a Bartender’s Choice option for indecisive—or adventurous—tipplers. They say it’s “a speakeasy where the drinks are as strong as the current in the ocean,” so come prepared for a good time. It’s also a hub for live music and fantastic sandwiches and burgers.
strongwatersbar.com, 2005 A North Ocean Boulevard, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
Raise The Roof With Sunset Views
Closer to the water, find RipTydz Oceanfront Grille & Rooftop Bar, which is owned by the folks behind Wicked Tuna in Murrells Inlet. With over 500 seats and 17,000 sprawling square feet, RipTydz has room for everyone. It raises the (beach) bar with a menu of super-fresh seafood (including raw bar selections and seafood towers), a sprawling rooftop restaurant that transforms into a club, and a top-notch perch for sunsets.
riptydz.com, 1210 North Ocean Boulevard, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
Taste Handmade Beers And Spirits
Tap Into Local Brews
When it’s time to enjoy a sip of a local brew, make your way to Grand Strand Brewing Company, which opened in 2021 and is the city’s exciting destination for craft beers, sampling (which you can do indoors and out), a taproom turning out handmade beers, and tasty eats from an on-site kitchen that invites local chefs to cook and share. You’ll find a bit of everything here, including sours, pilsners, and stouts with local flair.
grandstrandbrewing.com, 819 North Kings Highway Unit 101, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
Hang At A Beer Garden
Head to Barefoot Landing to check out Crooked Hammock Brewery, which draws beer and food lovers from near and far with its restaurant and beer garden. It’s a family-friendly hangout with craft beers; ribs, cornbread, and giant pretzels on the menu; seating both indoors and out; fire pits for cool nights; hammocks for hanging out; and places to play for kids and adults. (Corn hole, anyone?)
Sip Locally Sourced Spirits
For even more fun, there’s also Twelve 33 Distillery, a craft production distillery that sources locally and offers tours and tastings. Check out the recent releases to find out what delicious spirits they’re cooking up on the coast. All of the grains and other ingredients they use to make their handcrafted spirits come from local farms. In addition to tastings, you can also book guided tours to learn about each part of the distilling process.
twelve33distillery.com, 593 East Highway 90, Little River, SC 29566
Try A Wine Tasting
There’s wine to be found on this slice of coast too. Sidle up to Duplin Winery in North Myrtle Beach. Located near Barefoot Landing, here you can sip and listen to live music, or enjoy a wine tasting with friends where you’ll sample 10 different wines. In the area, there are also tasting rooms at La Belle Amie Vineyard, Carolina Vineyards Winery, and Wine Therapy.
Robbie Caponetto
Choose From Diverse Lowcountry Dining Spots
Dine On The Daily Catch
In the evenings, locals descend on the lively joints along Main Creek in Murrells Inlet. Many of these spots employ their own fleets of fishing boats to deliver the daily catch. Don’t miss Dead Dog Saloon, which is beloved for its live music and seafood; The Claw House, a New England-style lobster house and raw bar; and Drunken Jack’s, long known for its fried seafood platter and often legendary wait times.
Weigh All The Waterfront Options
Speaking of waterfront dining, there’s no shortage of options, attitudes, and dress codes to choose from, and you and your traveling companions can easily divide your time between fancier environs and flip-flop–friendly joints. For brunch, there’s 60-year-old Myrtle Beach mainstay the Sea Captain’s House, a 1930s home with a grassy lawn that backs up to the sand. Regulars go for Crab Cakes Benedict and the restaurant’s signature She Crab Soup.
seacaptains.com, 3002 North Ocean Boulevard, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
Find Your Favorite Flavors
Chef-owned 42nd Street Bar and Grill serves apps, salads, seafood, steaks, and more with Asian and European flavors, from shrimp gyoza to beef and mushroom Wellington. Another favorite located on the Grand Strand is the Opa Opa Taverna & Bakery, which can be found in the Grand Dunes village shops. Don’t miss the Greek classics on the menu, including baklava, spanakopita, and tiropita.
Robbie Caponetto
Explore Sustainable Eateries
There are worthy exceptions to the always-eat-on-the-water rule. Hook & Barrel in Myrtle Beach is a new sustainable-seafood restaurant from cookbook author Heidi Vukov. The eco-friendly restaurant uses local produce to craft coastal dishes. On the menu, you’ll find she crab soup as well as smoked shrimp and grits, crab cakes, and cioppino.
hookandbarrelrestaurant.com, 8014 North Kings Highway, Myrtle Beach, SC 29572
Try Elevated Fare
There’s also the locally sourced fare at Pawleys Island favorite Rustic Table from co-owners Anne Hardee and chef Adam Kirby. Be sure to order a tomato sandwich with clam chowder or a salad with pecan-encrusted flounder, or try one of their signature items, like shrimp ‘n’ grits—with creamed corn grits, shrimp, sausage, tomatoes, parsley, butter, white wine, and lemon.
rustictable.com, 10683 Ocean Highway, Pawleys Island, SC 29585
Travel For Farm-To-Table Cuisine
If time permits during your trip, travel 20 miles to Little River to dine on farm-to-table cuisine (which is paired with an expertly curated wine list) at The Parson’s Table. It’s housed in a converted 1885 church featuring a mix of salvaged elements from other decommissioned houses of worship across the South.
parsonstable.com, 4305 McCorsley Avenue, Little River, SC 29566
Gawk At Goats Before Dinner
For a pre-dinner diversion, stroll along the half-mile MarshWalk and have a look at the goats and peacocks inhabiting tiny Goat Island offshore. Then, for something different, enjoy the elevated Italian eatery Costa Coastal Kitchen & Bar just down from Murrells Inlet’s busy strip of restaurants and bars.
Shop Local Art, Design, And Food Gifts
Bring Home Southern-Made Goodies
You can stock up on Southern-made snacks (from brands like Birmingham’s Merry Cheese Crisps and New Orleans’ Love, Cookie) while browsing at the original Southern Living store in The Market Common. In our namesake store, you’ll find plenty of products to help you celebrate the South, including home decor, gifts, and garden items. You’ll find more than 30 shops and boutiques (as well as several restaurants) in The Market Common retail hub, so there’s no better place to shop the day away.
marketcommonmb.com, 3064 Howard Avenue, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
Shop Stunning Swimwear From A Carolina Designer
Visitors can hardly hurl a seashell in this town without hitting one of those ubiquitous beach-gear emporiums that are bursting at the seams with cheap T-shirts and fidget spinners. But there are more compelling options here too. Start with a swimwear upgrade from Tara Grinna, a line of fit-focused suits, separates, and cover-ups sold at namesake storefronts in North Myrtle Beach and Pawleys Island. Visit the flagship store in North Myrtle Beach.
taragrinna.com, 4828 US 17 South, Myrtle Beach, SC 29575
Relax With A Locally Made Souvenir
Top tip: Leave time and room in your suitcase for a hand-knotted cotton rope hammock (designed way back in 1889) from The Hammock Shops Village and The Original Hammock Shop in Pawleys Island. The cotton rope hammocks come in a variety of colors and are sure to help you bring a bit of coastal tranquility back home with you. You’ll relish this relaxing reminder of your trip every time you kick back in it.
pawleysislandhammocks.com/hammockshop, 10880 Ocean Highway, Pawleys Island, SC 29585
Go On An Art Walk
To take a deeper look inside the happening local creative scene, join a First Friday Art Walk and peruse the works on display in over a dozen galleries and restaurants located in the Five Points area along Broadway and Main streets. If you’re ready to tackle a curated arts tour, get a free pass to the Myrtle Beach Arts & Gallery Trail, which is broken down into three different trails to choose from and offers stops at galleries, artisan shops, museums, public art attractions, and more along the way.
Dedicate A Day To Music, Food, And Fun
Sample The Region’s Best At A Food Festival
The Little River ShrimpFest happens in October, and it brings jazz music and a shrimp cook-off to the shores of the Little River. Local waterfront restaurants serve up fresh local shrimp and seafood, and art and crafts vendors, live music, and entertainers create a festive atmosphere.
littlerivershrimpfest.org, 4468 Mineola Avenue, Little River, SC 29566
Learn About Local Delicacies
The Loris Bog Off happens each year on the third Saturday in October, and it celebrates chicken bog, a local delicacy that combines rice, chicken, sausage, and pepper into a dish you won’t soon forget. The food celebrations at this fest happen alongside live music and fireworks.
lorischamber.com/loris-bog-off-festival-1
Find An Activity Everyone Will Love
Take A Spin With A View
While you’re on the main drag, keep an eye out for the 187-foot-high SkyWheel to light up at dusk. For views from its scenic heights, book your tickets and take the whole family to this rotating observation tower. A ride ensures that you’ll enjoy sunset views from private gondolas that are climate-controlled. In addition to photo ops over the ocean, you’ll see the lights and bustle of Myrtle Beach, the oceanfront boardwalk, and promenade buzzing below.
skywheel.com, 1110 North Ocean Boulevard, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
Entertain The Entire Family At The Hangout
The Hangout, a restaurant and entertainment venue on the Strand, offers more than 20 things to do for the whole family. There’s live music and theatrical shows, games and contests, plus a foam machine, a giant sandbox, and a wishing wall. The restaurant features a seafood-heavy menu and over-the-top cocktails served while a live band plays or a DJ spins a soundtrack of catchy tunes.
thehangout.com/hangout-myrtle-beach, 1181 Celebrity Circle, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
Take In Wildlife And History On A Nature Walk
When you’re ready for a change of pace from the go-go energy of Myrtle Beach proper, pile everyone in the car and head south to Huntington Beach State Park. It’s a great place to break up a day of sunbathing and shell collecting. Explore its uncrowded beaches with nature walks and see if you can spot wildlife like sandhill cranes, roseate spoonbills, and even the occasional alligator. Your group can also enjoy a self-guided tour of the palm-shaded Atalaya Castle, which was the one-time winter estate of philanthropist Archer Huntington and his wife, Anna Hyatt Huntington, who was a prominent sculptor during the early 20th century.
southcarolinaparks.com/huntington-beach, 16148 Ocean Highway, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576
Appreciate Acres Of Art And Blooms
Situated just across the road is Brookgreen Gardens, where over 80 of Anna Hyatt Huntington’s sculptures, plus a strong collection of works by more than 430 other American figurative sculptors, keep watch over the 9,127-acre property complete with elegant gardens, splashing fountains, and moss-draped live oaks. (During the summer, the gardens offer a special illuminated exhibit during the evenings.)
brookgreen.org, 1931 Brookgreen Drive, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576
Adventure Out On The Water
If there’s a member of your group who’s looking forward to some outdoor adventure, now’s the time to test the waters—and their mettle—with a guided kayak excursion through the marshes of Murrells Inlet with Crazy Sister Marina. You could also rent a stand-up paddleboard, book a sunset kayak tour, or get a private small-group surf lesson for the crew with Surf the Earth in Pawleys Island.
Take A Sunset Dolphin Cruise
If you’d like to glimpse wildlife during your trip, book a sunset cruise to glimpse dolphins. Just sit back, enjoy the salty sea breezes, and keep your eyes peeled for the shadows of fins dipping amidst the waves. Try Blue Wave Adventures, which has been in business for decades, for a dolphin watch excursion and plenty of fun for the whole family.
bluewaveadventures.com, 4123 US 17 Business, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576
Have A Spa Day
Sometimes your ideal beach weekend involves a spa treatment or two. After a day spent exploring Grand Strand shops or sunning on the sands, you deserve it. Popular area spas include Hibiscus Spa at Myrtle Beach Marriott Resort and Spa at Grande Dunes, Awakening Spa at Anderson Ocean Club, and Celestial Spa on Cloud 9. Whether you’re looking for a massage, spray tan, or other treatment, you’ll find just the pampering you need on the Grand Strand.
Learn The Carolina Shag
For those who are itching to get out on the dance floor, Myrtle Beach has something for you too. Book a free lesson in the Carolina shag, a historic dance style that was re-popularized in the 1989 film Shag. You can find free lessons, along with great music, on Tuesday nights at Fat Harold’s Beach Club in North Myrtle Beach.
fatharolds.com, 212 Main Street, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582
