Myrtle Beach

South Carolina's largest beach resort featuring miles of sandy beaches, a bustling boardwalk, golf courses, and family entertainment options. It's a popular vacation destination with water parks, shopping, and seafood restaurants.

Things to do

• Myrtle Beach Boardwalk — Stroll the 1.2-mile oceanfront promenade featuring shops, restaurants, arcades, and live entertainment with direct beach access.
• Huntington Beach State Park — Explore pristine Atlantic beaches with a 1.5-mile nature trail through maritime forest and access to quiet swimming areas.
• Barefoot Landing — Visit this 350-acre riverside shopping village in North Myrtle Beach with outlet stores, restaurants, and The House of Blues concert venue.
• Myrtle Beach SkyWheel — Ride the 187-foot observation Ferris wheel offering panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and surrounding landscape.
• Brookgreen Gardens — Tour 9,100 acres of sculptured gardens, walking paths, and wildlife habitats showcasing American figurative sculpture.
• Water Parks — Cool off at Myrtle Waves or Caribbean Water Park featuring slides, lazy rivers, and wave pools during summer months.
• Golf Courses — Play championship-level courses like Barefoot Resort and TPC of Myrtle Beach, which hosts PGA Tour events.

Food to try

• Calabash Seafood — This regional specialty features fresh-caught local seafood lightly breaded and fried, typically served family-style with hushpuppies and coleslaw.
• Lowcountry Boil — A one-pot dish combining shrimp, corn, potatoes, and sausage boiled with Old Bay seasoning, reflecting coastal Carolina tradition.
• She-Crab Soup — A creamy Charleston-influenced soup made with local blue crabs and their roe, served throughout Myrtle Beach seafood restaurants.
• Fresh Oyster Roasts — Seasonal roasted oysters served at waterfront establishments, often prepared with butter and local spices during fall and winter months.
• Shrimp Burgers — A local favorite made with fresh Atlantic shrimp mixed with seasonings and served on a bun, found at casual beach restaurants.

Local customs & good to know

• Beach Etiquette — Respect rip current warnings, obey lifeguard flags, and keep beaches clean by removing trash—locals take ocean safety seriously.
• Hurricane Season Awareness — Visit during spring or fall to avoid June-November hurricane season when many businesses have reduced hours and storm preparations occur.
• Golf Culture Dominance — Myrtle Beach considers itself the 'Golf Capital of the World' with over 100 courses, so golf enthusiasts and packages are deeply embedded in local tourism.
• Summer Crowds — Plan for peak crowds and traffic in June-August when families vacation; quieter visits occur in April-May or September-October.