Planning a day in Myrtle Beach? Here’s what to do, see and eat

At the heart of the Grand Strand is the City of Myrtle Beach, a popular summer destination where thousands of families vacation every year and, in recent years, more and more people are calling home. In fact, in 2022, U.S. News and World Report named Myrtle Beach one of the fastest growing cities in the United States – two years in a row!

It’s easy to see why TripAdvisor has listed Myrtle Beach as one of the Top 10 Summer Destinations in its annual Seasonal Travel Index. “The Beach,” as it’s known to locals, is filled with exciting attractions, exceptional dining and plenty of places to shop, all within minutes of South Carolina’s coastline.

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Here are some quick tips on things to do, see and eat while staying in the City of Myrtle Beach.

Beach Tips

If you’re visiting and don’t go to the beach, did you even go to Myrtle Beach?

The beach is, by far, the most popular attraction in the city, if not the entire region.

Aside from classic beach activities like swimming, surfing, building sand castles and relaxing with a good “beach read,” there are so many ways to experience the coast of Myrtle Beach.

You can go saltwater fishing for flounder, sea trout,Spanish mackerel and other fish along Myrtle Beach area’s beaches and marshes (just be sure to get a fishing license from the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources). Explore undeveloped maritime forests and beach dunes by horseback by booking a horseback riding tour. For a budget-friendly, relaxing and educational activity, search the beaches for beautiful seashells. (The Sun News has tips for where to find the prettiest shells.)

You can even camp on the beach overnight. There are plenty of places to pitch your tent, but The State says Myrtle Beach State Park is one of the best places to camp in South Carolina.

But before you set up your umbrella and take a dip in the water, you’re going to want to review our guide to beach rules of the Myrtle Beach area. There are a lot of really specific rules including how big of an umbrella you’re allowed to use, where you can pitch your umbrella, how far you can swim from the coast and where you can surf. Even taking sand from the beach is illegal. Violating beach laws can earn you a fine of up to $500 and/or 30 days in jail, upon conviction.

There’s more to Myrtle Beach than just ‘The Beach.’ These 15 spots make up the Grand Strand

What to Do

Myrtle Beach Boardwalk

One of the busiest attractions in Myrtle Beach is the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk, which runs from the 14th Avenue to 2nd Avenue Piers. This is one of the city’s main hubs, filled with things to do, places to shop and bars and restaurants. For kid-friendly activities, check out the Ripley’s Believe it or Not Odditorium, where children’s imaginations can run wild while observing some of the world’s quirkiest “odd-ifacts.” Adults and children alike can have a blast playing timeless arcade games at the Fun Plaza Arcade. For a day of thrills, head to Myrtle Beach Thrill Rides, where you can ride the Slingshot, the Skyscrapper and The Air Strike.

Explore more of what the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk has to offer with this guide from The Sun News.

Broadway at the Beach

Broadway at the Beach has everything from dining and shopping to nightlife and live shows, making it one of the largest epicenters of entertainment in Myrtle Beach. With attractions like the Ripley’s Aquarium and the Hollywood Wax Museum for the kids as well as Legends in Concert and Crocodile Rocks dueling piano bar for the adults, Broadway at the Beach is fun for all ages.

Tanger Outlet Center

If you’re looking for great deals on designer brands and the latest fashion trends, go to Tanger Outlet Center. The outlet shopping center is home to about 200 brands, from luxury clothing and accessories like Saks Fifth Avenue and Michael Kors to high-end home goods like Le Creuset and Crate & Barrel.

Myrtle Beach Piers

Myrtle Beach’s love of its piers is palpable. They’re where locals and visitors gather to enjoy ocean views, go fishing, socialize and even go dining and catch live shows. There are four piers in Myrtle Beach, each with its own vibe and unique attractions.

Apache Pier is part of the Apache Family Campground and offers live entertainment throughout the summer. The pier also has an arcade and is a great place to go fishing.
For a day of fishing, Pier 14 has everything you need from a tackle shop to fishing pole rentals. And when you get hungry, Pier 14 has the Pier 14 Seafood Restaurant where you can enjoy fresh seafood with an ocean view.
Myrtle Beach State Park has its own pier where nature lovers can relax and take in serene views of an undeveloped beach. It’s also a popular spot for fishing and crabbing.
Where the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk ends is where the 2nd Ave Pier begins. It’s most known for being home to Wicked Tuna, a three-story building with a restaurant on the top two floors. Windows facing the ocean and coastline offer unobstructed beach views.

Learn more by reading our guide to piers in the Myrtle Beach area.

Golf

Golf enthusiasts from beginners to experts come to Myrtle Beach to test their skills on world-class courses. Out of the roughly 90 golf courses in the Grand Strand, the City of Myrtle Beach is home to about 30 of them. That’s more golf courses than any other city in South Carolina.

The first golf course to open in Myrtle Beach was Pine Lakes Country Club, which welcomed golfers in 1927. It was designed by Robert White, a Scotland native.

Myrtle Beach is also home to golf courses designed by famous golfers. Arnold Palmer designed several courses at Myrtle Beach National including King’s North, which is considered to have several of the best holes in the Grand Strand.

Dunes Golf and Beach Club was a favorite among readers of The Sun News. See where else locals like to tee up with our readers’ guide to the best golf courses in the Myrtle Beach area.

You don’t have to be an expert golfer to get in on the fun. With around 50 minigolf courses, Myrtle Beach has more miniature golf courses per square mile than anywhere else in the country, earning it the nickname “The Minigolf Capital of the World”. It’s also home to the ProMiniGolf Association which hosts the annual minigolf “Master’s” tournament at Hawaiian Rumble. Test your skills at Myrtle Beach’s seven hardest courses.

Think you’re a minigolf expert? Test your skills at Myrtle Beach’s 7 hardest courses

Where to Eat

There is no shortage of places to dine in Myrtle Beach. From pancake houses to surf and turf with an ocean view, here are a few recommendations:

Pancake houses are essential in Myrtle Beach and having a go-to spot is part of being a local. Readers of The Sun News voted for their favorites, and Eggs Up Grill on 38th Avenue was the clear winner. Here’s how the 17 top staff picks “stacked up” against one another.
Broadway at the Beach is a favorite among visitors and locals. Readers voted The Grumpy Monk as their favorite restaurant and bar in two separate polls. If you want to see more of what Broadway at the Beach offers, check out the results for our best restaurant poll and best bar poll.
Craft beer culture in the Myrtle Beach area is brewing. If you’re looking for a solid local beer, readers say the Wingtip Pilsner from Grand Strand Brewing Co. was their favorite.
Fresh seafood is one of the main ingredients of Myrtle Beach’s culinary landscape. If you’re looking for some of the region’s best fresh seafood markets, The Sun News’ Jason Lee recommends checking out Bimini’s Oyster Bar and Seafood Market, Mr. Fish Seafood Market and Cackalacky Fish Company. Explore more with our guide to fresh seafood markets.

Votes are in: This is Myrtle Beach’s best pancake house, according to readers