A Bit About Myrtle Beach SC
As far as family-friendly beach town goes, Myrtle Beach couldn’t accommodate the entire family better if it tried! This colorful coastal town is so much more than white sand and seafoam blue waves. There really is something for everyone to enjoy along the shores of Myrtle Beach.
Nature enthusiasts can cruise along on a swamp water kayak tour where ecological education is part of the adventure. Thrill seekers will enjoy Myrtle Beach’s iconic Sky Wheel and its many rides and attractions lining The Boardwalk. The region surrounding Myrtle Beach is rich in history too with historical homes waiting to be explored and exquisite gardens boasting sculptures and works of art from the surrounding area.
Even if you choose to spend your day on the sand, Myrtle Beach’s nightlife, dining, and entertainment offers after-hours fun you can’t find anywhere else. I’m spilling all the details on my recent trip to Myrtle Beach this past spring along with a roundup of the best of the best things to see, do, taste & see in this South Carolina coastal town… below, keep scrolling!
A Complete Myrtle Beach Travel Guide
(ps: both of our suits are by Kortni Jeane. I love this line of swimsuits has all sorts of colors and prints that come in every style and silhouette imaginable for both mother & daughter.)
Where to Stay in Myrtle Beach: High Rise Condominium Style Hotels
Myrtle Beach offers oodles of options when it comes to hotels, condominiums and vacation rentals. Parts of the beach are quieter than others while other parts are where you want to go to see and be seen!
When I visited Myrtle Beach with my mom and Annie this past spring, we knew we wanted to stay right on the water in a condominium style hotel. Having an extra living space and kitchen amenities when staying someplace longer than a few days with a toddler is a serious game changer! We spent a few nights at The Caravelle Resort. Sitting on the north end of the beach, this area was a bit quieter than closer to town which was something we preferred.
The Caravelle Resort is a budget-friendly resort with rooms the can start as low as $118 in peak season. The resort has a restaurant on-site, an outdoor and indoor pool plus a splash pad that the kiddos will love. It’s newly remodeled spacious rooms offer more than enough space for a small family. We loved the large rooftop patio common space with its ocean views and scattered hammocks fit for lounging!
Where to Stay in Myrtle Beach: Private Beach Rentals
If you’re looking for something more secluded with private beach access, Airbnb and VRBO offer many adorable beach house rentals right on the water. We strolled past dozens of these darling 1-2 room beach cottages during our afternoon walks. I’m thinking they would make for a nice place to siesta come summertime! I found a few of them similar to the style pictured above for rent on Airbnb.
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What to Do in Myrtle Beach: Ride the Skywheel
The best way to kick off a visit to Myrtle Beach is with a visit to the Downtown Boardwalk and a ride on the SkyWheel. This enclosed Ferris Wheel offers views of the Atlantic Ocean and city shoreline from 200 ft above. Riders will soar the sky in climate-controlled gondolas, so no matter the time of year you can ride the Skywheel in comfort.
What to Do in Myrtle Beach: Stroll Along the Boardwalk
After your ride, be sure to explore the many shops lining the boardwalk nearby and grab a scoop of ice cream at Peaches Corner!
What to Do in Myrtle Beach: Take a Cypress Swamp Kayak Tour
When thinking of a beach vacation, snakes and swamps usually aren’t the first thing that comes to mind. The coastal region of South Carolina is famous for its creeks, swamps, wildlife, and Spanish moss. A kayak tour with Black River Outdoors is the best way to experience these natural wonders and you might be surprised that you’ll learn a lot along the way. Passionate naturalists guide these peaceful kayak tours along the Waccamaw River while educating paddlers on the swamp, its plants, and inhabitants. You may even spot a few birds, snakes, alligators and everything in between.
During our 2-hour excursion, we spotted several snakes and somehow I even mustered up the courage to pick one up and hold one myself! This kayak tour was truly an incredible experience and a definite highlight of our trip to Myrtle Beach. At only $40 an adult for a two-hour tour, this adventure should be added to every nature lover’s visit to Myrtle Beach!
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What to Do in Myrtle Beach: Stroll the Grounds of Brookgreen Garden
If snakes aren’t your thing, no worries. As I said, there really is something for everyone in Myrtle Beach!
Brookgreen Gardens is referred to as the floral jewel of South Carolina’s coastal community. After our afternoon visit to these lovely gardens, I would go even further to say that Brookgreen Gardens should be referred to as the floral jewel to the entire country! It truly is such a beautiful place and I have yet to visit something like it before.
The sprawling gardens consist of a 9,127-acre property that preserves both the natural beauty and cultivated landscape of this historic site. In the 1700s, the land that the gardens sit on today was once a thriving rice plantation. Live Oak trees that were planted over 250 years ago still stand tall with their branches swaying in the breeze today.
A ticket to Brookgreen Gardens admits you onto the grounds for 7 days following your purchase. A great deal if you’re planning a weeklong visit to Myrtle Beach!
What to Do in Myrtle Beach: Sail on the Seas with the Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show
I said earlier that Cypress Swamp Kayak Tour was the highlight of my trip to Myrtle Beach. But I’m going to have to back up just a minute and restate my claim. The kayak tour simple tied with the Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show as both being highlights of our getaway.
Oh my goodness, I could go on all day about how wonderful the Pirate Voyage Dinner & Show was!! I didn’t even know that I was a fan of dinner theater until our evening “at sea” with those swashbuckling pirates.
The larger than life show is a produced by Dolly Parton herself and invites guests to join in on the adventures of the famous Captain Blackbeard as he sails the seven seas with his crew. Throughout the dinner, a battle of epic proportions unfolds on land, deck, and sea. Viewers will see a larger than life skirmish between the Sapphire and Crimson crews complete with high-diving, dancing mermaids, flying parrots and more.
Tickets to the show vary depending on seating preferences but roughly range around $50 for an adult and $30 for a child. Included is an unforgettable adventure along with a three-course tasty meal fit for swashbuckling pirates of all ages.
What to Do in Myrtle Beach: Step Back into Time & Learn about the History of Hopsewee Plantation
I’ve been fascinated with antebellum Southern architecture for as long as I can remember and was thrilled to discover a historic home open for tours just an hour outside of Myrtle Beach. We stopped at Hopsewee Plantation on our drive up from Charleston for a brief tour of the home and property.
The Hopsewee plantation house was built in 1735, roughly 40 years before the Revolutionary War, on the site of a large rice plantation. Fun fact: one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence was born in this very home. The history of Hopsewee Plantation is preserved today in the hopes to educate its guests on what life was really like during antebellum times. The beautiful Southern home is a delight to tour and the architecture really is exquisite. But it’s important to also pay a visit to the slave quarters residing behind the home to properly grasp a glimpse into the time period and life on a Lowcountry rice plantation.
Guided Tours are $20 for adults and the home is open for tours from Tuesdays to Saturdays on the hour from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. The River Oak Cottage Tea Room sits steps away from the home serving afternoon tea and tasty treats all with a sweeping view of the grounds.
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Where to Eat in Myrtle Beach: Lunch AL Fresco at Wicked Tuna
One of the most popular spots to grab a bite on Murrell’s Inlet, Wicked Tuna offers stylish indoor seating and spots to dine outdoors right on the water. The menu boasts fresh steaks and seafood along with Japanese-fusion dishes such as tempura-fried “Wicked Shrimp” and an assortment of sushi.
Where to Eat in Myrtle Beach
Strong Waters Craft Cocktails & Kitchen
One of the newest restaurants in Myrtle Beach, Strong Waters strives to support all things local when sourcing ingredients for its farm-to-table menu. The restaurant’s decor and cuisine are inspired by the Prohibition Era where diners can have a dining experience like no other.
Angus Steakhouse & Seafood
The perfect spot for a Texan like myself to grab a meal with a taste featuring the comforts of home. The decor is reminiscent of a lively hunting lodge
Duplin Winery
This Myrtle Beach Winery was recently featured in Martha Stewart Living and named as one of Martha’s favorite summertime wines. Stop by for a tasting or to grab a bottle of their many blends, including Scuppernong, the oldest wine in America!
Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show
Croissants Bistro and Bakery
Peaches Corner Ice Cream
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Broadway at the Beach
This is one of the most popular places to shop, eat and drink or be entertained in Myrtle Beach. With popular national restaurants such as Hard Rock Cafe, Dave & Busters, & Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville, you can find a place to dine to satisfy every taste, preference, and age-range here. The outdoor shopping center includes one-of-a-kind beach boutiques, stores you’ll recognize from your own hometown and touristy spots where you can pick up Myrtle Beach-inspired treasures to bring home.
Barefoot Landing
Located on Myrtle Beach’s Intercoastal Waterway, this shopping destination boasts both quaint boutiques and national retail shops. You’ll find dozens of restaurants & eateries too.
Myrtle Beach SC is a popular destination come summer time but it also makes for an incredible family-getaway in the offseason too. During our trip, the weather was just a bit too chilly to take a dip in the water but we filled our day with so much fun & adventure we didn’t even miss the being on the beach!
When you visit the beach do you often sit and stay on the water the whole time or do you like to get out and explore all of the different amenities your destination has to offer?! I personally love a good mix!
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Thank you so much to Visit Myrtle Beach for inviting my family along for a visit this Spring and help me feature this Myrtle Beach travel guide. We had a marvelous time and hope to come back again soon.
As always, all opinions are my own.
Please feel free to reach out if you’re planning a trip to Myrtle Beach – I’d be happy to chat and try and answer any questions you might have.
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xo, alice
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