A Weekend of Gorgeous Views in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Disclaimer: We are not paid to promote any restaurant, hotel, activity, product, or attraction. All opinions are subjective and based on our personal experience. Your experience may be different.
I’ve always heard about Myrtle Beach being a popular spring break destination, but never really knew it was a popular summer getaway too. Since moving to Greenville, SC, I have been checking out a lot of tourist destinations around the state. I found out that there is a lot to do both on and off the beach in Myrtle, so a great pick for anyone who doesn’t want to just sunbathe all day. With an abundance of waterfront activities, entertaining shows, year-round events, touristy attractions, excellent restaurants and shopping, and beautiful sandy beaches…it’s summer all year-round here!
Living in Upstate South Carolina, I was able to take several trips to the area (it’s an easy 4 hour weekend roadtrip from Greenville). I am not huge on just lying around a beach all day, so I appreciated that there were many other attractions here for more active types. There is a great mix of attractions, whether you prefer lying on the warm sand, swimming, taking a stroll along the boardwalk, or even visiting an aquarium. My guide will give you a few ideas to get started.
SkyWheel
At 187 feet, this iconic beachfront Ferris Wheel stands tall as one of the highest in the US. You get to sit in an enclosed air conditioned gondola (perfect for those extremely hot & humid spring and summer days) as you circle around 3 times, all while gazing at incredible views of the Atlantic coast. I really enjoyed the scenery and would say it is worth the rather pricey admission fee (at least one time). I’ve been on a lot of rides which cost almost the same but offer much less in terms of views.
Some of the best views of the beach, pier, and boardwalk can be enjoyed on this ride. I really thought the scenery was incredible; this viewpoint is not one you will get at the beach. I really loved the views of the pier. You can also see the boardwalk from way up here.
If you are looking for something fun to do at night, there is a really cool show where the wheel is transformed into an LED show with over a million colorful lights.
The Boardwalk
Because of its’ recent completion (the boardwalk opened in 2010), it appears to be much newer, cleaner, and less hectic than many others I have visited in recent years. It often ranks amongst the best in the country (I recently saw it listed on both Travel + Leisure and National Geographic’s best in the US list).
I love old-fashioned beach boardwalks. Walking one is like taking a step back in time – I love the retro arcades, snack shops, and quirky decor and attractions. Sure, they can be a bit cheesy but really that’s part of the fun. You can check out some of my favorite boardwalks for more ideas for your summer bucket list.
There are a handful of restaurants and shops, but not too many that you feel overwhelmed. You can either walk or bike (hours for biking vary seasonally) across the scenic 1.2 mile stretch. The boardwalk is also home to the famous SkyWheel. Summertime, you will find a lot of festivals and events going on including a big 4th of July celebration and the Carolina Country Music Fest.
During the early morning hours, you can often spot a dolphin. Or, you can always book a cruise with guaranteed sightings (I’ve taken a lot of these in Florida and I definitely recommend). Unfortunately, time constraints prevented us from enjoying a cruise this time around, but it’s definitely on our list for the next time!
Tip: If you are looking for direct access, be sure to consider one of the several lodging options located directly on the boardwalk (Bay View Resort, Holiday Sands North, etc.).
Broadway at the Beach
You will never run out of vacation activities at the city’s premier entertainment, dining, and shopping destination. Here you will find numerous popular themed tourist restaurants such as: Hard Rock Cafe, Margaritaville, Bar Louie, Planet Hollywood (update closed), Joe’s Crab Shack, and more. Basically, you will find all those fun, overpriced restaurants that you are willing to splurge on during a vacation because they offer that special over-the-top atmosphere.
We dined at the Hard Rock which we tend to frequent in a lot of touristy places. Normally, I am not a huge fan of chains, but the food is great here and I really love the upbeat vibe, friendly servers, and fun rock n’ roll memorabilia. I love the spicy hint in their Twisted Mac and cheese and all the fun appetizers. The nachos are the must try here!
Other popular activities at this complex include: Myrtle Waves Water Park, the Hollywood Wax Museum, Encounters: UFO Experience, and scenic helicopter rides just to name a few. You will also find plenty of nightlife including bars and nightclubs.
Although it was small, we had a great time at Ripley’s Aquarium. A couple was actually nice enough to give us 2 admission tickets they weren’t using, so we lucked out and paid nothing. The tunnel of sharks exhibit is pretty neat. You will get to see sharks swim right over your head!
“The Swarm” – An interesting exhibit where you can place your hand into a tank filled with Garra rufa fish (toothless Turkish fish that eat dead skin). I actually saw something about these fish on a Today Show episode a few months before we visited and it’s something I always wanted to experience.
As you can see in the photo below, the fish will run to your hand and eat away any dead skin or calluses. It doesn’t hurt at all, but rather feels like a light tickle. Afterwards, your hands will feel smooth and exfoliated.
Pier 14
Pier 14 is a waterfront restaurant where you can enjoy local seafood and fabulous views. There is also a gift shop for picking up a few local souvenirs. For only $1, you can walk to the edge of pier. The views are beautiful and you will be able to get some pretty good shots of the boardwalk and SkyWheel. Save some money by making your own souvenir: this is an excellent location for trip photos! Fishing day passes are also available for only $7.
Tip: Your pass to the pier is good all day. Be sure to plan both an afternoon and night visit to take advantage of the gorgeous views in both daytime and evening settings.
Huntington State Park
If you are into biking or hiking, I recommend a daytrip over to the 2500 acre coastal gem Huntington Beach State Park. This state park is loaded with beautiful views of the coast, salt marshes, and maritime forests. I love the woodsy 3 mile bike path (6 miles round trip) through the forested portion of the park.
I highly recommend taking a break from all the commotion by taking a relaxing morning ride on this tree lined path. This park is an amazing place to experience some rural recreation and healthy exercise away from the crowds. What a nice change of pace, and scenery!
Tip: Plan your ride or walk early in the morning or late in the evening to avoid the extreme heat! For those of you not interested in biking, there are plenty of other activities to enjoy at this beautiful park, including: strolling along the 3 mile beach, camping, picnicking, fishing, birdwatching, hiking, and swimming. Note: This bike path is technically not part of the state park, but rather a portion of the Waccamaw Neck Bikeway, which crosses through the park.
Beaches & beautiful sunrises
The Grand Strand refers to the extensive 60+ miles of gorgeous coastline found in South Carolina. Be on the lookout for washed jellyfish along the shore. Enjoy digging your feet into the smooth white sand and dipping your feet in the warm water before the afternoon crowds hit. I recommend treating yourself to breakfast at The Cypress Room at Island Vistas resort. The food was excellent, and more importantly, the views were incredible!
I recommend planning a stroll around sunrise. When you get up this early, the temps are so much more tolerable. There are barely any crowds and you may even get lucky and spot a few dolphins. We were lucky enough to see a few in the distance, but we were way too far away for any pics. We did love photographing one of the most incredible sunrises we have experienced.
Tip: Visit during the off season to bypass the crowds
Other activities in the area:
- Paddle boat rentals and tours
- Guided Kayak tours
- Dolphin cruises
- Sunset cruises
- Pirate Voyage – a pirate themed dinner and show
- Carolina Opry
- Legends in Concert
- Medieval Times
- Myrtle Beach State Park
- Themed miniature golf courses – I’ve never seen more jam packed in such a small area.
- Shopping. There is an unending selection of discount beach themed stores (Eagles, Beach Life, etc) – Great for finding budget bathing suits, towels, chairs, souvenirs, etc.
…and so much more
One thing’s for sure you will never run out of interesting activities and events to keep you busy! I will definitely plan a return trip to engage in some of the activities that I missed out on the first time around. Most hotels are open year-round, however, a majority of the restaurants are only open seasonally.
Attraction Address and Pricing Info:
SkyWheel: Located on the boardwalk (14 Ave N to 2 Ave N). Rides cost $20 per adult, $16 per kid
Broadway at the Beach: Located at 1325 Celebrity Cir. (Parking is free)
Pier 14: Located on the boardwalk (14Ave N to 2 Ave N). $1 entry fee. $7 for fishing.
Huntington Beach State Park: Located at 16148 Ocean Hwy, Murrells Inlet, SC. $8 per adult admission fee. Hours are 6am-6pm (10pm during Daylight Savings).
