Myrtle Beach

My Favorite 5-Day Itinerary for Myrtle Beach (Adaptable to 3–4 Days)

Day 1 – Boardwalk, SkyWheel & First Taste of the Ocean

I almost always start my trips on the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk. If you arrive by midday, drop your bags, throw on flip-flops, and walk straight to the ocean. That first whiff of salt air and sunscreen never gets old.

On my last visit in spring 2026, I checked into a modest oceanfront hotel near 10th Avenue North. Within ten minutes, I was on the sand with my feet in the surf. I recommend an easy first afternoon: swim, nap on the beach, and then stroll the Boardwalk north to south.

• Afternoon: Hit the beach, then wander the Boardwalk & Promenade, grab a funnel cake or soft-serve, browse the kitschy T-shirt shops.
• Late Afternoon: Ride the SkyWheel just before sunset for panoramic views of the coastline and high-rise architecture.
• Dinner: Casual seafood near the Boardwalk—try a local spot for fried shrimp or fish tacos.
• Evening: Walk the pier (2nd Avenue Pier or Pier 14), listen to buskers, maybe ride a few amusement rides if you’re feeling nostalgic.

3-day visitors: This is a core day—don’t skip it. It anchors your sense of place and checks off several must-see attractions in Myrtle Beach right away.

Day 2 – Broadway at the Beach, Ripley’s Aquarium & Evening Show

Day 2 is for bright lights, family-friendly attractions, and a bit of shopping. I like to start late morning to avoid early crowds and stay into the evening for fireworks (in summer) and live entertainment.

• Morning: Brunch near your hotel, then drive or rideshare to Broadway at the Beach.
• Midday: Explore Ripley’s Aquarium, walk the lakeside boardwalks, sample snacks from kiosks.
• Afternoon: Choose a museum or attraction (WonderWorks, Hollywood Wax Museum, etc.), or just shop and people-watch.
• Dinner: Eat at Broadway or nearby—lots of casual and kid-friendly choices.
• Night: Take in a big show at Carolina Opry or Alabama Theatre, or catch live music at Broadway.

Tip: If you’re planning 3 days in Myrtle Beach with kids, this day is non-negotiable. Buy combo tickets online in advance to save money.

Day 3 – Murrells Inlet MarshWalk & Huntington Beach State Park

This is my personal favorite day—salt marshes, seafood, and a slower pace. I usually rent a car for a day or two so I can explore Murrells Inlet and the parks at my own speed.

• Morning: Drive to Huntington Beach State Park for a beach walk and birdwatching; tour the hauntingly beautiful Atalaya Castle.
• Afternoon: Continue to Murrells Inlet, stroll the MarshWalk, maybe book a short eco-boat tour.
• Sunset & Dinner: Grab a table overlooking the marsh for fresh local seafood and live music as the sky turns pink and orange.

For couples, this is hands-down one of the most romantic ways to spend a day on the Grand Strand, and it’s still very family-friendly if you’ve got kids in tow.

Day 4 – Brookgreen Gardens & Pawleys Island Vibes

If you have a fourth day, dedicate it to Brookgreen Gardens and the quieter southern Strand. I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve wandered under those live oaks.

• Morning to Mid-Afternoon: Explore Brookgreen Gardens (sculpture gardens, zoo, boat tour). Bring sunscreen and water.
• Late Afternoon: Drive down to Pawleys Island for a walk on the beach and that “arrogantly shabby” lowcountry charm.
• Evening: Dinner at a lowcountry restaurant between Pawleys and Murrells Inlet; drive back up the coast.

Day 5 – Market Common, Golf or Mini-Golf & Last Beach Sunset

Your final day is a choose-your-own-adventure: golf, shopping, or just a slow farewell to the ocean.

• Morning: Play a round of golf or mini-golf (this is the mini-golf capital of the world, after all).
• Lunch & Afternoon: Head to The Market Common for a more urban, walkable vibe—cafés, boutiques, and parks.
• Evening: Return to the beach near your hotel for one last swim and sunset walk; get ice cream or a cocktail on an oceanfront patio.

Adapting to 3–4 Days: For a 3 day itinerary for Myrtle Beach, keep Days 1–3 and skip Brookgreen/Pawleys unless you’re especially into gardens and history. For a 4 day itinerary for Myrtle Beach, add either Day 4 or Day 5 depending on whether culture (Brookgreen) or casual fun (Market Common/golf) appeals more to you.

1. Myrtle Beach Boardwalk & Promenade

The Boardwalk is Myrtle Beach’s living room—1.2 miles of wooden walkways, ocean views, neon signs, and the happy chaos that defines peak summer here. It opened in 2010 and almost instantly became the heart of the city again, replacing older, patchier beachfront walkways.

I love walking it just after sunrise when it’s quiet except for joggers and the occasional fisherman; by late afternoon, it becomes a parade of beachgoers, families, and street performers. If you’re staying within a couple blocks, you’ll probably end up here at least twice a day.

• Best time to go: Early morning for peaceful photos; late afternoon to night for a lively vibe.
• Family-friendly? Very—there are arcades, ice cream stands, and plenty of places to sit.
• Romantic? Yes—take a post-dinner stroll with the sound of waves just below.

Local tip: If you’re driving in, park a few blocks inland in paid lots or garages—cheaper than oceanfront. Also, boardwalk prices can be touristy; step one or two streets back for more local-priced meals.

2. Myrtle Beach SkyWheel

The SkyWheel has become such a landmark that I now use it as my mental compass point when I’m downtown. Opened in 2011, this 187-foot Ferris wheel offers climate-controlled gondolas and sweeping views of the coastline and the city’s vertical wall of high-rises.

On my last ride in late summer 2026, I timed it for that “golden hour” when the sun was just above the horizon. The water turned a soft metallic blue, and you could trace the Grand Strand curving away in both directions. On clear days, the view honestly rivals some major city skylines—just with more ocean and fewer office towers.

• Best time: Sunset or nighttime for city lights; mid-morning for fewer crowds.
• Tickets: Buy online in high season; combo deals sometimes include nearby attractions.
• Accessibility: Gondolas are easy to board; great option for all ages.

Photo tip: Clean your phone camera lens and turn off the flash. Press it gently against the glass to avoid reflections.

3. Broadway at the Beach

Broadway at the Beach is Myrtle’s premier entertainment complex—a big, colorful sprawl of shops, restaurants, bars, amusement rides, and attractions wrapped around a man-made lake. It opened in the mid-1990s and has been evolving ever since.

On weekends, especially in summer, Broadway feels like a festival: street performers, music spilling out of bars, kids clutching souvenir bags and giant stuffed animals. I come here every trip, usually in the late afternoon. I’ll grab a coffee or frozen drink, walk the loop around the water, and duck into whichever attraction fits my mood that year.

• Key attractions: Ripley’s Aquarium, WonderWorks, Hollywood Wax Museum (across the highway), the Pavilion Park rides.
• Good for: Families, groups, and anyone wanting a one-stop “things to do in Myrtle Beach” cluster.
• Noise level: High in peak season; quieter in shoulder months (April–May, Sept–Oct).

Money-saving tip: Check combo tickets (Aquarium + WonderWorks, etc.) and look for coupons in local visitor magazines and hotel lobbies.

4. Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach

Ripley’s Aquarium is one of those places I thought I’d outgrow—until I found myself grinning like a kid in the shark tunnel again. The main draw is the moving walkway under an acrylic tunnel where sharks and rays glide silently overhead.

When I visited with friends and their two kids in 2025, we spent nearly half an hour just circling that tunnel, pointing out different species and watching the sawfish hover right above us like something from another world. It’s a great rainy-day fallback and an easy win with children.

• Allow: 2–3 hours if you take your time.
• Best time: Opening hour or later in the evening to avoid school groups.
• Tickets: Online advance purchase recommended in summer.

Local tip: If you’re planning a 3 day itinerary for Myrtle Beach with kids, slot this in on Day 2 midday when the sun is strongest—it’s fully indoors and air-conditioned.

5. The Carolina Opry

The Carolina Opry is Myrtle’s original high-production music and variety show, running since the mid-1980s. If you grew up with beach trips here, chances are your grandparents insisted on going “to a show,” and this was probably it.

As a live-entertainment junkie, I’m always pleasantly surprised by the production value: strong singers, tight band, and a mix of country, pop, classic rock, and comedy. The holiday show from November through early January is especially beloved, and 2026’s lineup includes some updated sets and lighting effects.

• Good for: Multi-generational groups, date nights, and anyone wanting a clean, polished evening show.
• Seats: Book center orchestra if you can; balcony is fine and sometimes cheaper.

Planning tip: For 4 days in Myrtle Beach or more, dedicate one evening to a show here or at Alabama Theatre; buy tickets 1–2 days in advance during peak months.

6. Alabama Theatre at Barefoot Landing

Named after the country group Alabama, this theater at Barefoot Landing in North Myrtle Beach specializes in variety shows and seasonal performances. The vibe is similar to Carolina Opry but with its own personality and emphasis on upbeat, crowd-pleasing numbers.

I like pairing a show here with a pre-show stroll around Barefoot Landing: walk the boardwalks over the lake, grab dinner, then head into the air-conditioned theater for a couple hours of music and laughs.

7. Barefoot Landing

Think of Barefoot Landing as Broadway at the Beach’s more relaxed cousin. It’s also a shopping-dining-entertainment complex around a lake, but with a slightly calmer, more grown-up atmosphere.

One of my favorite evenings last year was here: I arrived just before sunset, grabbed a drink from a small bar with a deck, and watched turtles and fish in the lake as the sky turned orange. Later, I wandered the shops and listened to a local band playing outside a restaurant.

• Best for: Families, couples, anyone staying in North Myrtle Beach.
• Combine with: Alabama Theatre, Alligator Adventure, or a North Myrtle Beach beach day.

8. Murrells Inlet MarshWalk

The Murrells Inlet MarshWalk is a half-mile wooden boardwalk over a beautiful salt marsh, lined with restaurants and bars. This is where locals bring out-of-town guests when they want to impress them with seafood and scenery.

On a July evening in 2025, I sat at an outdoor table with a plate of blackened mahi-mahi and a cold beer, listening to a cover band play Tom Petty as kayakers paddled through the marsh below. Every few minutes, someone would stop along the boardwalk just to take another photo of the sunset.

• Best time: Sunset; arrive 60–90 minutes before to find parking and a table.
• Family factor: Very family-friendly early in the evening; more bar-like later at night in summer.

Local tip: If you’re on a budget, you don’t have to eat at the priciest spots. Grab an appetizer or two at one place, then stroll with an ice cream afterward.

9. Huntington Beach State Park & Atalaya Castle

Just south of Myrtle Beach, Huntington Beach State Park is where I go to remember that the coast is more than condos and casinos. Here, sand dunes, maritime forest, and salt marshes are protected, and the beach feels wide and wonderfully undeveloped.

On my last visit, I walked the marsh boardwalk in the quiet of mid-morning and spotted egrets, herons, and even an alligator in the distance. The beach itself is perfect for long, contemplative walks.

Inside the park, you’ll find Atalaya Castle, the Moorish-style former winter home of Archer and Anna Hyatt Huntington, built in the 1930s. Wandering its courtyards and tiled rooms feels like discovering a forgotten set from an old film.

• Good for: Nature lovers, photographers, couples, and anyone needing a break from the crowds.
• Fees: State park entrance fee per person; small extra fee for Atalaya tour.

10. Brookgreen Gardens

Brookgreen Gardens is one of the most unique attractions in the Southeast—a blend of sculpture garden, botanical garden, and lowcountry history site on what used to be rice plantations. Founded in 1931 by the Huntingtons, it now houses one of the largest collections of American figurative sculpture in the country.

I’ve visited in every season, and each one has its own magic: camellias and early blooms in late winter, lush greenery and flowers in spring and summer, and the famous Nights of a Thousand Candles event in December (which 2026 is already gearing up for, with expanded dates and timed entries).

• Allow: At least half a day; a full day if you’re into art and nature.
• Don’t miss: The Live Oak Allée, the sculpture gardens, the lowcountry zoo, and the boat tour if available.

Comfort tip: Wear breathable clothing and comfortable shoes; there’s a lot of walking and limited shade in some areas.

11. The Market Common

Built on the former Myrtle Beach Air Force Base, The Market Common is a modern, mixed-use “town center” district with apartments, shops, restaurants, and parks. It’s where I go when I’m craving a break from the beachy chaos and want a more urban, café-and-boutique vibe.

I’ve spent many mornings here sipping coffee on a patio, watching joggers circle the lake at Grand Park. In the evenings, the area fills with locals walking dogs, catching a movie, or meeting friends for dinner.

• Best for: Shopping, dining, people-watching, and a different side of Myrtle Beach.
• Family note: There are playgrounds, open green spaces, and frequent events.

12. Family Kingdom Amusement Park & Swamp Fox Coaster

Family Kingdom is a classic, seaside amusement park with a slightly retro feel—no massive entry gates or giant parking lots, just rides clustered near the ocean. The wooden Swamp Fox roller coaster is the star, clattering and roaring in glorious old-school fashion.

I rode the Swamp Fox at dusk one summer with a friend who hates big coasters. We both ended up laughing and screaming through the turns, the ocean view flashing in and out. It’s not the tallest or fastest, but it has personality.

• Tickets: You can buy ride-all-day wristbands or individual tickets; choose based on how ride-happy your group is.
• Best time: Evenings when the lights are on and the air is cooler.

13. Myrtle Beach Mini-Golf Courses

Myrtle Beach is often called the “mini-golf capital of the world,” and honestly, it’s earned. There are dozens of over-the-top courses with pirate ships, volcanoes, dinosaurs, and waterfalls. I try a new one each trip.

One late-night game at a pirate-themed course sticks in my memory: we played under black lights, with cheesy pirate music in the background, and ended up in a hilarious, ultra-competitive showdown on the final hole. It’s inexpensive, silly fun and surprisingly memorable.

• Best time: Evenings or an overcast afternoon; avoid peak midday heat.
• Good for: Families, couples, and groups—great light-hearted date-night idea.

14. Pier 14 & Other Fishing Piers

Piers are part of Myrtle Beach’s visual identity—long wooden fingers stretching into the Atlantic. Pier 14, right along the central oceanfront, is one of the most recognizable, with a restaurant and bar perched over the waves.

I like to walk out in the early morning with a coffee in hand, watching surfers line up for waves and anglers quietly tending their lines. The rhythmic sound of waves hitting the pilings is hypnotic.

• Other notable piers: 2nd Avenue Pier, Apache Pier (very long, often live music), and Garden City Pier.
• Fees: Usually a small fee to walk out; extra for fishing.

15. North Myrtle Beach & Main Street (Ocean Drive)

North Myrtle Beach feels like a small beach town attached to the bigger Myrtle metro. Main Street in the Ocean Drive area is legendary for shag dancing—the state dance of South Carolina—and beach music.

On a warm Saturday night, I wandered into a shag club just to watch. Couples in their 50s, 60s, even 70s floated across the floor, a smooth, sliding step perfected over decades. You don’t have to dance; just watching with a drink in hand is a cultural experience.

• Best for: Quieter beaches, condo stays, and nightlife with a more local flair.

16. Myrtle Waves Water Park

On especially hot summer days, the ocean sometimes feels like warm bathwater. That’s when Myrtle Waves, one of the largest water parks in South Carolina, shines. Slides, a lazy river, wave pools—it’s a full-day splash fest.

As an adult, I’m mostly here for the lazy river and people-watching, but my friends’ kids sprint from slide to slide like it’s their job.

• Good for: Families and thrill-seekers; a great way to break up multiple beach days.
• Money tip: Look for weekday discounts and online promotions.

17. Hollywood Wax Museum & Entertainment Center

You’ll know you’re near the Hollywood Wax Museum when you see King Kong climbing a skyscraper by the highway. Inside, there are wax figures of celebrities, plus connected attractions like a mirror maze and haunted walk-through.

It’s goofy, over-the-top fun and a solid option if you’ve got a rainy afternoon or need something for teens who’ve had enough sand for one day.

18. WonderWorks

The upside-down building at Broadway at the Beach is WonderWorks, an interactive science and entertainment center. Think hands-on exhibits, simulations, and a ropes course.

On my last visit, I watched adults get just as into the hurricane simulator and bubble lab as the kids. It’s one of the rare attractions that truly works across age groups.

19. Myrtle Beach State Park

Closer to the main city than Huntington, Myrtle Beach State Park offers a greener, less-developed stretch of shoreline, a pier, and nature trails. It’s a nice compromise if you want a quieter beach day without driving too far south.

I like to come here on weekend mornings when the central beaches are packed. The atmosphere is more relaxed, and there’s a sense of being in a pocket of nature even though the city is just up the road.

20. Myrtle Beach Golf Courses (and Top Mini-Golf Picks)

Myrtle Beach is a golf mecca, with over 80 courses in the larger Grand Strand area. You can play everything from budget-friendly municipal layouts to designer tracks by the likes of Jack Nicklaus and Robert Trent Jones.

On a recent fall trip, I played a morning round at a course near the Intracoastal Waterway. Cool air, early light over the water, and the distant hum of the beach waking up—it’s a completely different side of Myrtle.

• Popular full courses: Barefoot Resort (multiple courses), Caledonia Golf & Fish Club, Tidewater Golf Club.
• Fun mini-golf: Mt. Atlanticus, Captain Hook’s Adventure Golf, Professor Hacker’s Lost Treasure.

Money-saving tip: Look for twilight rates and shoulder-season deals (late Sept–early Nov is prime).

Bonus Hidden Gems in Myrtle Beach

Vereen Memorial Gardens

Near Little River, Vereen Memorial Gardens is a serene park with boardwalks over marsh, perfect for a quiet walk and sunset photos without the crowds.

Salt Marsh Kayak at Sunrise

Booking a sunrise kayak tour in the marsh around Murrells Inlet or Cherry Grove Inlet is one of my favorite adventurous-yet-peaceful activities. In 2025, I watched the sun rise through a lattice of spartina grass, with dolphins surfacing nearby—it felt worlds away from the busy strip.