Classic boardwalk beach town on the Grand Strand
Myrtle Beach is the heart of the Grand Strand, a 60 mile run of beaches on the South Carolina coast. It is an easygoing, family-focused resort with a boardwalk, amusement attractions, shows, golf and seafood buffets. Beyond the bright lights there are quieter state parks and the sculpture gardens of Brookgreen.
Tap a card to open it. Day trips are marked.
A boardwalk running along the oceanfront with shops, arcades and piers. The wide beach is the reason most people come.
Beach and boardwalk are free.
A large observation wheel on the boardwalk with enclosed gondolas. It gives views up and down the coast.
The official site listed standard adult flights at $20.99 in 2026; packages cost more.
A big entertainment complex with shops, restaurants and attractions around a lake. It is busy every evening.
Check the official site for current prices.
An aquarium with a moving walkway through a shark tunnel. It is a good rainy-day choice.
Check the official site for current prices.
A large sculpture garden and nature reserve on a former rice plantation. It holds one of the biggest collections of American figurative sculpture.
Adult admission about 25 USD in 2026, valid for 7 consecutive days; open daily 9:30 am to 5 pm, later on some evenings.
A natural beach with marsh boardwalks, alligators and the Moorish-style Atalaya house. It is great for birding.
Check the official site for current prices.
A state park with a quiet beach, fishing pier and maritime forest trail. It is a calm alternative to the main strip.
Check the official site for current prices.
A waterfront shopping and dining complex on the Intracoastal Waterway. It has shows and boardwalks.
Check the official site for current prices.
A boardwalk along the marsh lined with seafood restaurants and bars. It is lively at sunset.
Check the official site for current prices.
A historic port city with antebellum houses, cobbled streets and famous food. It is one of the South's most visited cities.
Check the official site for current prices.
Everything above is open to read. A Hodolog account lets you build the trip around it.
Choose how many days you have.
Day one boardwalk and Broadway, day two Brookgreen and Huntington Beach, day three the state park, Barefoot Landing and the MarshWalk.
Historic waterfront town with rice plantation history.
34 mi · Car, about 1 hour
Riverfront historic district and the USS North Carolina.
71 mi · Car, about 1 hour 45 minutes
Historic city with food and architecture.
93 mi · Car, about 2h15 each way
Best: May and September to October. Warm sea and sunshine with fewer crowds than summer.
Daily high and average, by month
Typical inches per month
Quiet season. Lower prices, fewer crowds.
Climate normals: NASA POWER (public domain). For your own dates, a trip's Plan tab shows the forecast and the usual weather.
July 4
Fireworks along the beach.
March
Held each March since 1951.
Early June
Beach festival with music and events.
June
Large outdoor country music festival.
May
Motorcycle rally that fills the city.
Around Memorial Day weekend
Another large motorcycle rally.
There is no US advisory for its own cities, so this is based on UK FCDO advice for the USA, which notes violent crime rarely affects tourists but urges care in unfamiliar areas at night; in Myrtle Beach take care on the busy boardwalk at night and watch for rip currents.
The oceanfront boardwalk is walkable, but most attractions are spread along long roads.
Coast RTA buses run, but a car is far more practical.
The neighborhoods that suit most first visits.
Best for: first-timers, families
Close to the SkyWheel and beach.
Best for: families
Quieter beaches and condos.
Best for: couples
Planned district with shops near the south end.
Best for: budget, families
Small town south of Myrtle Beach.
Best for: first-timers, families
Steps from the boardwalk, SkyWheel and beach.
Best for: families, groups
Resorts with pools and direct beach access.
| Main airport | Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR), 3 mi from the center |
| To the center | Taxi, ride app or rental car; the airport is very close to the beach. |
| Around town | A car is easiest along the Grand Strand; ride apps work for short trips. |
| Ride apps | Uber, Lyft |
Lightly fried seafood, named after a nearby town.
Southern classic.
Salty roadside snack.
Fried cornmeal balls.
Creamy crab soup from the Lowcountry.
Local calabash style seafood.
Cold, sugary tea.
| Plugs | Type A and B, 120 V |
| Tap water | Safe to drink |
| Tipping | Tip 18 to 20 percent in sit-down restaurants and bars, and a few dollars for hotel and taxi services. |
| Payments | Cards and contactless payments are accepted almost everywhere. |
| Etiquette | Americans are informal and friendly; tipping is expected for most services. |
The area was largely undeveloped coastal forest until a railway and the first hotel arrived around 1900. The town took its name from the wax myrtle shrubs that grow along the coast. It grew into a popular resort after the Second World War, and golf courses spread across the region from the 1960s. Myrtle Beach became a city in 1957.
Researched 2026-10-13. Check official sources and recent changes before you go.