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Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, is a great time for everyone, with activities ranging from fishing off the pier, swimming, and building sandcastles to theme parks, cruises, and dinner theater. We know because this is one of our favorite, affordable family vacations. We never run out of things to do in Myrtle Beach, no matter how long we stay. Let’s dive into the top things to do in Myrtle Beach for families so you can make the most of your family vacation!
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How Long Is Myrtle Beach?
Myrtle Beach can be confusing for people visiting for the first time. Myrtle Beach is located along what is known as the Grand Strand. Think of the Grand Strand as a 60-mile string of pearls sitting along a crescent coastline running between Southport, North Carolina and Pawley Island, South Carolina. These pearls are beaches, and the Myrtle Beach area runs along this string, stretching along the warm Atlantic Ocean.
Precious pearls along the lovely neckline of the Atlantic Map Courtesy of https://www.grandstrandnewhomeguide.com/
Central Myrtle Beach is at the heart of these beaches, with areas like Cherry Grove and North Myrtle Beach to the north and Surfside Beach and Murrells Inlet to the south.
What are the Best Beaches in Myrtle Beach for Families?
Each area of Myrtle Beach has its benefits for a different vacation vibe. Let’s look at our favorites.
Splash in the waves, build sandcastles, or dig a giant hole!
Credit: Samantha Davis
Central Myrtle Beach
Central Myrtle Beach is touristy and crowded most times of the year. The big attractions of this area are the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk, which runs along the beach, and Broadway at the Beach, which is a 5-minute drive. More on those later.
Kokopelli Kid’s Surf Camp is a great part of Central Myrtle Beach. Here, kids and adults can learn to surf in the warm, gentle water from professional surfers. Choose between one to three days of lessons, from 10 a.m. to noon, Wednesday through Friday in June, July, and August. Kokopelli’s also offers SUP and kayak tours!
North Myrtle Beach
One of the best things about North Myrtle Beach is its breathtaking sunrises – plus, you’ll want to get here early to avoid the crowds!
Sunrises on the ocean just hit differently!
Photo by Jeremy Ricketts on Unsplash
Another great spot known for surfing is the 66th Avenue Surf area in North Myrtle Beach. The locals hang out here, and it’s great for people who already know how to surf.
Cherry Grove Beach
Cherry Grove Beach is a low-key beach with fewer crowds that the whole family will love. Go swimming or fish off the Cherry Grove Pier. It’s also perfect for flying kites, digging for seashells, or playing beach games.
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Hurl Rocks Park
If shark teeth hunting is at the top of your itinerary, stop by Hurl Rocks Park. Teeth love washing ashore here. There’s also a beautiful beach for swimming. Much to my oldest son’s dismay, he didn’t see any actual sharks!
Surfside Beach
For families with younger kids, we love Surfside Beach. There are plenty of family-friendly amenities like bathrooms and a playground. The shallow waters and lifeguards on duty make parents feel safer. For kids interested in surfing, the gentle waves make this a great place to practice!
Hiking Around Myrtle Beach
Myrtle Beach State Park
Myrtle Beach State Park has plenty of trails and picnic benches for a lunch surrounded by wildlife. Follow the well-maintained paths of the Yaupon, Sculptured Oak, and Pond trails and visit the three different nature areas with a length of about 2.5 miles total.
Huntington Beach State Park
For families willing to drive, Huntington Beach State Park to the south, near Murrells Inlet, is worth a visit. It’s the perfect place for birdwatching, and visitors can even spot turtles in the water. For fishermen, there’s also a fishing pier and tackle shop!
Areas to Stroll Around Myrtle Beach
Enjoy coastal views and plenty of activities at these boardwalks in the Myrtle Beach area.
Myrtle Beach Boardwalk
The Myrtle Beach Boardwalk and Promenade is a 1.2-mile stretch of shopping, entertainment, food, and beach views. Don’t miss the Myrtle Beach SkyWheel, a huge Ferris wheel with 42 enclosed glass observation areas showcasing beach views from 187 feet above ground.
Imagine the views of the coast atop the Myrtle Beach Skywheel!
Photo by Drew Perales on Unsplash
Broadway at the Beach
Broadway at the Beach is also the center of food, entertainment, and fun things to do, including the Hollywood Wax Museum, with wax figures, a mirror maze, and a zombie maze! We loved the wax figures, but my boys really enjoyed the zombie maze. They were 9 and 7 when we visited, and it was creepy, good fun without being too scary.
Visitors will also find WonderWorks Myrtle Beach here, an art gallery with interactive exhibits, including a giant piano/keyboard kids can jump on and a hurricane simulator, glow-in-the-dark ropes course, and laser tag.
Murrells Inlet
Murrells Inlet is a charming coastal sound at the southmost part of the Myrtle Beach stretch of beaches. This coastal area has a laid-back atmosphere and marshland running along the beach. Take in the views while walking along MarshWalk, a collection of shops and restaurants, and stop somewhere to enjoy live music and a meal.
Other Fun Activities for Families Visiting Myrtle Beach
As a popular tourist destination, the Myrtle Beach area has plenty of fun attractions to entertain families.
Get Close to Sharks at Ripley’s Aquarium
Families can walk through Ripley’s Aquarium in about 1.5-3 hours. There are plenty of interactive exhibits and activities, including touch tanks for sting rays, horseshoe crabs, jellyfish, mermaid shows, and countless types of underwater life.
Ripley’s has a dazzling jellyfish display – plus touch tanks!
Credit: Samantha Davis
Our kids loved walking through the 340-foot underwater tunnel while sharks, tarpons, eels, and sea turtles swam in the 750,000 gallons of water around them. We’ve been to more than a dozen different aquariums, and this was one of their favorite exhibits of all time.
Take in a Dinner Show
Myrtle Beach has no shortage of incredible dinner shows. Consider dinner at the Medieval Times. Go back to the 11th century and enjoy a four-course banquet, complete with a knight jousting show! Or put your detective hats on for the Riga Tony Murder Mystery Dinner (no real people actually killed before dessert anyway). Kids will also love the Polynesian Fire Luau dinner!
Water Slides and Theme Park Rides
There are amusement park-style rides all over Myrtle Beach boardwalks. These dedicated amusement parks are a great way to spend a half day or longer. Myrtle Waves Water Park has more than 30 water slides and attractions, including a kids’ play area, lazy river, wave pool, and FlowRider surf simulator. At Family Kingdom Amusement Park, enjoy kiddie rides, family rides, and thriller rides, including a 2,400-foot-long wooden rollercoaster that has been running since the park opened in 1966.
Burn Energy Exploring Brookgreen Gardens
Brookgreen Gardens is more than just a garden, with a 100-foot-long bridge, flowing water, beautiful botanicals, dozens of sculptures, and even a zoo inside! Visit with animals native to the area, including red foxes, white-tailed deer, alligators, and bald eagles.
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Visit Mt. Atlanticus Minotaur Golf
Myrtle Beach is the mini golf capital of the world, but Mt. Antlanticus Minotaur Golf is our favorite for families with older kids. Golf on two 19-hole courses across a sprawling landscape, complete with tiki huts, waterfalls, mermaids, and minotaurs. And don’t forget to check out the beach views from the top of the golf course!
For younger kids, we recommend wild adventures among safari animals at Jungle Safari Mini Golf or hanging with the Lost Boys and the fairies at Captain Hook’s Adventure Golf!
Go Racing at the Broadway Grand Prix
Families can easily spend half a day at the Broadway Grand Prix, a fun adventure for kids of all ages. They offer go-kart tracks for all skill levels, as well as a mini golf course, arcade games, bumper cars, a flight simulator, and a rock climbing wall. There is also a snack bar and amusement park rides for younger kids.
Little speedsters will love racing around the Broadway Grand Prix!
Photo by Gabriel Alenius on Unsplash
Go on a Pirate Cruise
Blackbeard’s Pirate Cruise is located on the intercoastal waterway behind 4 Points Sheraton. Climb aboard a real pirate ship and set sail for the high seas! Don pirate tattoos and mustaches, go on a treasure hunt, and take part in water cannon and interactive sword fights! This swashbuckling adventure is one kids won’t soon forget.
Take a Ghost Tour
Myrtle Beach has its fair share of haunted history, and a walking ghost tour is a fun way to hear the local legends after dark. Guides share stories of shipwrecks, restless spirits, and mysterious happenings that add a different perspective to the city’s seaside charm.
Places to Eat with Kids in Myrtle Beach
Any kid will love DinoLand Cafe. The themed restaurant has animatronic dinosaurs, and there are plenty of dining options, including fall-off-the-bone ribs and caveman-style steaks.
Peaches Corner is a hot dog stand across the street from Old Pavilion on Ocean Boulevard. A great place to people-watch while tasting delicious, kid-friendly foods like their famous cheeseburger baskets and chili dogs served since 1937.
No restaurant list for Myrtle Beach would be complete without seafood so close to the ocean! Sea Captain’s House has incredible food, indoor and outdoor seating, and live music. Plus, the kid’s menu has everything from shrimp and fish to chicken tenders and peanut butter and jelly. Even the pickiest eaters are sure to be happy!
What could be better than dinner with views like these?
Photo by Johannes Beilharz on Unsplash
When You Go
Where to Stay in Myrtle Beach
The Breakers Myrtle Beach is perfect for families vacationing on a budget. Rooms are simple but comfortable, and there are plenty of amenities, including five waterparks, indoor and outdoor pools, hot tubs, and games.
Holiday Inn Club Vacations South Beach Resort offers rooms for every budget. Keep it simple with a mini fridge and microwave, or opt for suites with laundry, kitchens, balconies, and whirlpool tubs. Amenities include indoor and outdoor pools, hot tubs, BBQ grills, and a game room.
We also love Island Vista Resort for families. The 1-4 bedroom suites come with kitchens, dining rooms, and ocean views and upgraded suites have dining rooms, washers, and whirlpool tubs. Kids will also enjoy playing in the indoor and outdoor pools, hot tubs, and lazy river.
Traveling to Myrtle Beach from Los Angeles
Families from Los Angeles can fly right into Myrtle Beach International Airport from LAX. Many airlines make this trip, including Spirit, Southwest, American, United, and Delta. Most flights have at least one connecting airport, and the average flight time is 7-10 hours or longer.
How To Save Money On Your Trip To Myrtle Beach
This is an excellent discount site for rental cars! We’ve literally saved hundreds using it.
Going (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights) is a free and/or membership-based site that sends emails when airline fares drop to an incredible rate. You can also go on their site to search for specific destinations. We’ve saved literally half the regular fare using this site. Some deals can even be booked with points. Best travel investment we’ve made.
To get discounts on tours in the area, we recommend Get Your Guide or Viator (which offers 51% off last-minute tours!).
To save time (and because we travel so much), we got an annual travel insurance policy for the whole family from this site. They have affordable policies for individual trips too and tools to make picking one easy.
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