Head to South Carolina's Crown Jewel for Wonderful Sights and Bites
Hit the open road to explore the natural beauty and good times along Myrtle Beach and the Grand Strand!
All year long there's something magical about wandering along the scenic seashore of South Carolina. Nothing is quite comparable to an afternoon spent with the sun shining bright and pristine waves rolling by. With a population of 35,682, Myrtle Beach is centrally located in the middle of a 60-mile stretch of beach that's known as the "Grand Strand. From delectable food and family-friendly activities to beautiful natural sites and outdoorsy fun, this coastal charmer is full of Lowcountry history and culture.
Read on for a sampling of the best things to do in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina on a getaway, including taste worthy restaurants, music venues, shopping, natural wonders, and much more. Whether your drive or fly into town, you're sure to find your very own slice of seaside paradise!
Begin with Breakfast
Make your way to Johnny D's if you're craving a sweet treat to start your day. You'll be in love after the first bite of the signature Belgian waffles that include more than 10 creative options like cinnaroll, red velvet, bacon, and banana split. The menu also includes standards like omelettes with home fries and eggs Benedict. If you're craving a traditional meal, try the all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet at Magnolia’s at 26th! This no-frills eatery has tasty offerings like bacon, eggs, grits, biscuits, pancakes, sausage gravy, and fresh fruit. There's also a hearty lunch and brunch buffet with dishes like fried pork chops, collards, candied yams, and peach cobbler.
BREAKFAST & BRUNCH OPTIONS
Take a Walk
Find time for a leisurely stroll through Brookgreen Botanical Gardens. The crown jewel of South Carolina's coast has 9,127-acres of native and cultivated landscape with a variety gorgeous flowers, trees, reflecting pools, and fountains. In addition to its natural beauty, the facility has the country's largest collection (over 2,000 works by 430 artists) of American figurative sculptures on display in garden settings, three galleries, and inside a visible storage and research facility with small sculptures, paintings, and etchings.
Bonus: Wildlife lovers will rejoice at the sight of garden's Lowcountry Zoo that includes native species (like alligators, red foxes, river otters, and herons), a butterfly house, a rehab center for injured or disabled animals, and interactive classes like Meet the Animals and Whispering Wings Butterfly Experience.
BROWSE THE GARDENS
Shake It Up at Lunch
Head to Broadway at the Beach for good eats and vibes at The Hangout. It's all about great food and drinks, live music, special events and tons of Southern hospitality! Don't be surprised if you get pulled into some line dancing or an impromptu dance off at the center stage! FYI: Dancing on the table is optional but highly encouraged.
Sample apps like peel & eat shrimp, fried pickles, and BBQ pork nachos. The main attraction is an Ultimate Seafood Boil with snow crab, mussels, fresh wild caught shrimp, sweet corn, red potatoes, and Conecuh sausage. It's seriously big enough to feed 4 people.
Explore Broadway at the Beach
Keep the momentum going with a walk around Broadway at the Beach. Located in the center of Myrtle Beach on 350 acres, it's the largest entertainment complex in the entire state of South Carolina and has a diverse mix of family fun, shopping, nostalgia rides at the Pavilion Park, restaurants, nightlife spots, and hotels. Before leaving, visit Wonderworks and satisfy your sweet tooth with a stop at Byrd's Famous Cookies, Sweet Molly's Creamery or any of the other scrumptious ice creameries and dessert shops.
EXPLORE BROADWAY
Go to the Opry
The Carolina Opry should be on your list of must-see shows! Whether you opt to check out the signature Carolina Opry or Time Warp show, you're in for a big treat! Each is jam-packed with powerhouse performances the cover country music standards, popular tunes through the decades, and even Christmas tunes during the holiday season. It's the perfect place to hear stellar covers of Hank Williams, Leon Russell, Dave Matthews Band, and Stevie Wonder to name a few. Plus, the all-star shows include comedic banter, high energy dancing, floor shaking clogging, and much more.
Escape to Murrells Inlet
The bustling fishing village of Murrells Inlet is a quick drive from central Myrtle Beach. It's worth the drive and an outdoor enthusiast's dream. There are plenty of outdoor activities that include kayaking, deep sea fishing, camping at Huntington Beach State Park, or just stopping for a walk along the park’s iconic causeway. Check out Dead Dog Saloon, The Claw House, Wicked Tuna, Drunken Jack's, or Neptune Bistro & Raw Bar if you want quick bite to eat with drinks and live entertainment.
Promenade to the Boardwalk
The boardwalk is the perfect destination if you want to do a variety of things and lounge on the beach too. Make time to play, eat, and shop, while browsing the area. Must-see stops include SkyWheel, LandShark Bar & Grill, RipTydz Oceanfront Grille & Rooftop Bar, The Bowery, Gay Dolphin Gift Cove, and I Love Sugar.
Indulge in Local Fare
Add Hook & Barrel to your list of area restaurants! This fine dining spot is passionate about serving up fresh and flavorful food. Sample the she-crab soup (made to order in front of diners at the steam galley), smoked shrimp and grits with andouille sausage, peppers, and smoked tomato broth, fish bites with house remoulade, and bourbon bacon with brown sugar glaze! Save room for a decadent bite of Key Lime Pie or Triple Chocolate Mousse Cake for two.
Hop to the House of Blues
Whether you want to attend a concert and have meal or drink, the House of Blues Myrtle Beach is the place to visit. Check out the Restaurant & Bar, browse the event calendar, and make reservations for the World Famous Gospel Brunch on Sundays to avoid a long wait. The weekly brunch features soulful music and and hearty all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet featuring Southern-inspired favorites!
CHECK OUT HOB
Rest and Relax
From high-end budgets to more conservative ones, Myrtle Beach has plenty of options for visitors to cozy up along the coast. Local accommodations include full-service beachfront luxury resorts (like Anderson Ocean Resort & Spa), oceanfront hotels, cozy beach homes, motels, condo, and even campgrounds. You're sure to find a place that suits your unique needs with amenities that may include kiddie pools, lazy rivers, on-site restaurants, mini-golf, tennis courts, and onsite dining.
Plan Your Getaway
Discover all that Myrtle Beach and the Grand Strand has to offer by visiting visitmyrtlebeach.com.
Janece Maze is Associate Editor at Country Living, where she covers DIY projects, gardening, and travel. When she’s not in the kitchen creating a new recipe with farm fresh ingredients, you can find her on the road heading to a music festival or browsing a local consignment shop.
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