25 Best Things to Do in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Planning a trip to the Grand Strand? These activities and attractions in Myrtle Beach will keep everyone in your group happy.

Located in the middle of the Grand Strand that stretches for 60 miles along South Carolina's Atlantic Coast, Myrtle Beach attracts tourists galore with its bustling oceanfront boardwalk, gorgeous beaches, golf courses, nightlife, and more. While summer is a popular time to visit, it's a year-round destination with attractions for every season, travel style, and budget.

Here are 25 fun things to do in Myrtle Beach, from soaring above the sandy strip to embracing your inner pirate on a themed cruise — this is the old stomping ground of Blackbeard and the gang, after all.

See Myrtle Beach from above on the SkyWheel.

Take in miles of Myrtle Beach's skyline and ocean views from the SkyWheel, a 200-foot Ferris wheel with snazzy all-glass, gondola-style boxes that allow 360-degree views from high up. For a VIP experience, you and three friends can lounge on leather seats in your own glass-floored car.

Race along the tracks in go-karts.

Head to The Track for a go-kart ride on the Mighty Myrtle elevated track, where drivers ride up three and a half stories and circle back down with an exciting drop at the end. At the Broadway Grand Prix, seven go-kart tracks range from the Pro Track for experienced drivers to the Family Track for all levels. There's also a Junior Racer and Kids Track so everyone can get behind the wheel for some driving fun.

Root for the home team.

For some local baseball action, check out the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, a Single-A Affiliate team of the Chicago Cubs. Promotions include Fireworks Fridays and a chance for kids ages 12 and under to run the bases after every game.

Soak up the sun at the beach

Myrtle Beach is home to dozens of public beaches that are perfect for sunning, swimming, surfing, wading, and searching for seashells and shark teeth along the shore. Several beaches offer wheelchair access as well as chairs equipped with balloon tires, making them more accessible to everyone.

Explore the shore by Jet Ski or banana boat.

Ride with your group of three to 10 on a banana boat, a yellow banana-shaped tube that's towed through the waves. You can choose from several Myrtle Beach companies, including Downwind Sails and Express Watersports. Rent a Jet Ski to speed through the ocean at your own pace, or join a tour for a guided excursion through the Intracoastal Waterway's tributaries for sightseeing and fun. Companies such as Island Adventure Watersports and Express Watersports offer rentals and tours.

Go on a guided kayak tour.

Take a guided kayak tour through Myrtle Beach's streams and backwaters to experience the unique environments and wildlife of the area, including the Waccamaw River, marshes, and local islands. Tours are offered by J & L Kayaking and Great Escapes Kayak Expeditions, among other locally owned companies.

Keep an eye out for dolphins.

Go on a cruise to see dolphins swimming alongside the boat, or spend a day deep-sea fishing with one of several Myrtle Beach companies such as Voyager or Hurricane Fleet. You can also soar over the area on a parasail adventure for a bird's-eye view of Myrtle Beach and the Atlantic. Feel the breeze, spot some dolphins, and enjoy a thrilling experience with Downwind Sails, Express Watersports, or New Wave Watersports.

Hit the water on your own.

Take out a pontoon boat, stand-up paddleboard, canoe, or scuba gear from one of the many Myrtle Beach rental companies to explore the area at your own pace. There are plenty of places to go on the river as well as along the coast.

Play classic arcade games.

Kids of all ages (or anyone who considers themselves to be young at heart) will have a blast at the Myrtle Beach Pinball Museum. It costs $12 per hour to access to the interactive museum's 26 vintage pinball machines from the 1970s, '80s, and '90s. You won't have to worry about digging for loose change or purchasing tokens — once inside, all machines are set to free play, so you can spend every minute just enjoying the game.

Tee off at top golf courses.

More than 90 public, private, and semi-private golf courses in the Myrtle Beach area make it a favorite destination for golf fans from all over. Consider the variety of price ranges, landscapes, and courses designed by famed golf course architects like Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, and Robert Trent Jones, every golfer can find the perfect place to play.

Opt for a kid-friendly miniature golf course.

For family fun and entertainment, Myrtle Beach boasts more than 50 miniature golf courses, with a variety of themes, prices, and locations to choose from. Even if you're not traveling with kids, it's a great date-night activity or a fun way to strike up a little friendly competition. Some of the most popular courses include the Atlantis-themed Mt. Atlanticus Minotaur Golf, Neverland-inspired Captain Hook's Adventure Golf, and the indoor-outdoor Cancun Lagoon.

Visit a world-class art museum.

Once you've had your fill of the beach, head inside to check out the impressive permanent collection of Southern art, antique maps, historical prints, and crafts at the Franklin G. Burroughs-Simeon B. Chapin Art Museum. Don't forget to stop by the gift shop to pick up souvenirs in the form of books, jewelry, stationery, or home decor.

Listen to live music for free.

There's nothing like stumbling upon a band or musician putting on a great show, especially when it's free. That's what you get during the Music on Main Concert Series on Main Street, running perpendicular to Ocean Boulevard, in North Myrtle Beach. The series takes place on Thursdays from June through September.

Get hands-on at the Children's Museum.

Traveling with little ones? Head to the EdVenture Children’s Museum, where kids can get in on the action with immersive exhibits showing them how things work at a supermarket, at the beach (geared toward ages three and under), in a cafe, and at the doctor's and dentist's office. Other displays focus on STEM topics such as space and flight, while a few more take a closer look at auto mechanics, motor skills and balance, performing arts, construction, art, magnets, and wind tunnels.

Admire plants and animals at Brookgreen Gardens.

Brookgreen Gardens is home to 9,127 acres featuring stunning botanical gardens, an extensive collection of American sculptures, the Lowcountry Zoo, and the Lowcountry History and Wildlife Preserve. Whether you make time to visit just one or several of these attractions, you're in for a real treat.

Take in the area's natural beauty.

Luckily for nature lovers, the area is home to two state parks that are both worth visiting. Make time for Myrtle Beach State Park, an oceanfront destination with nature trails, bike paths, equestrian trails, a fishing pier, and several picnic areas. Located at the southern end of Myrtle Beach, there's also Huntington Beach State Park, which has 2,500 acres of hiking trails, marshes, bays, and opportunities for overnight camping.

Sip the day away at a nearby winery.

Duplin Winery is a great place to sample a variety of sweet vino while enjoying cheese, crackers, and a virtual tour of its Rose Hill, North Carolina, home base. As part of the tour, you'll have a chance to hand-bottle your own wine to take home. Nearby, Carolina Vineyards Winery, located near the Intracoastal Waterway in North Myrtle Beach, offers a variety of tastings, including frozen wine during the summer.

Sample local beers at a microbrewery.

New South Brewing, a microbrewery in Myrtle Beach that's been open since 1998, serves ales, lagers, IPAs, and seasonal specialties such as Oktoberfest and Dark Star Porter. Meanwhile, Tidal Creek Brewhouse offers not just small-batch craft beers but also freshly brewed coffee and Lowcountry food favorites like fried green tomatoes and shrimp and grits.

Geek out over classic cars.

Classic car enthusiasts can geek out over all their favorite models at the Wheels of Yesteryear Vintage Automobile Museum. Open in Myrtle Beach since 2009, the museum showcases a collection of more than 150 American-made cars and trucks that husband-and-wife founders Paul and Carol Cummings have been assembling over decades. Visit the gift shop to pick up nostalgic die-cast collectible versions of your favorite vehicles, plus shirts and other car-centric souvenirs.

Learn about wildlife at Ripley's Aquarium.

Don't miss Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach; not only is it a wonderful place to view sea creatures like stingrays up close, but also sloths and other South American critters. Check the website before you go to book additional experiences such as behind-the-scenes tours of the Marine Science Center, penguin encounters, glass-bottom boat rides, sleepover parties, or the ever-popular Breakfast With a Mermaid event.

Embrace your inner pirate.

Get ready to don cheesy pirate gear and practice your best "Arrrrrrr!" Myrtle Beach — and the entire Carolina coast, for that matter — was once a haven for Blackbeard, Anne Bonny, and heaps of other infamous pirates back in the day, so why not get in on some family-friendly pirate action on a themed cruise while you're in town? Blackbeard’s Pirate Cruise and Pirate Adventures of Myrtle Beach each offer kid-friendly sailings that might include temporary pirate tattoos, costumes for the kiddos, stories about those who once sailed through these waters, or a treasure-seeking adventure that ends in an epic water cannon battle.

Cruise the Intracoastal Waterway on a riverboat.

If you'd like to enjoy a boat ride that's a little less pirate-y, you can always opt to cruise the Intracoastal Waterway on the Barefoot Queen riverboat instead. She features several indoor and outdoor decks to spread out on, with onboard narration and entertainment, as well as a fully stocked bar to enjoy while you take in views of the surrounding area. Scenic daytime and lunch cruises are 1.5 hours long, while dinner cruises last two hours.

Master the waves at Kokopelli Surf Camp.

Pick up a new beach hobby at Kokopelli Surf Camp, which runs group and private lessons designed for every level, whether you're just starting out or want to brush up on your skills. Three-day camp sessions are also offered for kids, while surfboard rentals are available if you'd rather do your own thing.

Experience early-1900s farm life.

Part of the Horry County Museum, the L.W. Paul Living History Farm lets you see what it was like to live in the area as a farmer between 1900 and 1955. Demonstrations and presentations change seasonally according to what's happening on the farm. Guided tours are free and last about an hour, so it's worth checking out if you're suddenly craving a little time away from the beach.

Tour a popular local distillery.

Take a behind-the-scenes tour of the Twelve 33 Distillery for a chance to see how some of your favorite spirits are created "from grain to glass," and how locally sourced ingredients make the craft cocktails served here really stand out. Among the distillery's specialties are several types of rye whiskey, spiced rum, vodka, and gin with ties to South Carolina's prohibition era. Pro tip: book the VIP tour to enjoy a special tasting flight in the distillery's secret speakeasy.

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