Honestly, if you just pull up to the Grand Strand and park your chair in the sand for a week, you've done it right. But let’s be real for a second. Most people visiting South Carolina think they’ve seen the best Myrtle Beach top things to do because they walked the Boardwalk and grabbed a generic t-shirt. They're missing the soul of the place. There is a massive difference between the "tourist trap" version of this city and the actual, salt-crusted reality of the Lowcountry.
The Grand Strand is sixty miles of continuous sand. Sixty. That is a staggering amount of coastline.
Most travelers cluster around the 1.2-mile Boardwalk. It’s loud. It smells like funnel cake and ocean air. It’s iconic, sure, but it's just the surface. If you want to actually enjoy your time here without feeling like you're stuck in a giant, neon-lit vending machine, you have to look toward the marshes, the state parks, and the weird, niche spots that the locals actually frequent.
The SkyWheel and the Boardwalk Reality Check
Look, the SkyWheel is impressive. Standing 187 feet tall, it’s one of the tallest land-based observation wheels in the country. You get an enclosed, climate-controlled gondola, which is a godsend in the July humidity. It’s one of those Myrtle Beach top things to do that actually lives up to the hype, mostly because the view of the Atlantic is genuinely hypnotic.
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But don't spend your whole day there.
Walk the Boardwalk, get your Instagram shot, and then move. If you stay in that three-block radius, you’re going to pay $15 for a burger that tastes like cardboard. Instead, head a few blocks off the main drag. There’s a gritty, authentic charm to the older parts of the city that people overlook.
Why You Should Skip the Crowds for Huntington Beach State Park
If you hate people, go south.
Huntington Beach State Park is the literal opposite of the downtown neon. It’s over 2,500 acres of pristine coastal preserve. This is where the real South Carolina lives. You’ve got alligators—actual, massive gators—chilling in the freshwater marshes right next to the causeway. I've seen tourists get way too close to them for a photo. Don't be that person. They are faster than they look.
The park is also home to Atalaya Castle. It sounds fancy, but it’s actually the former winter home of Archer and Anna Hyatt Huntington. It’s this haunting, Moorish-style structure with open courtyards and ironwork. Anna was a world-renowned sculptor; her work is across the street at Brookgreen Gardens.
- Pro Tip: If you’re a bird watcher, this is your Mecca. Over 300 species have been spotted here.
- The jetty at the north end of the park is arguably the best fishing spot on the entire Grand Strand.
Brookgreen Gardens: More Than Just Plants
Directly across from the state park is Brookgreen Gardens. It is massive. We are talking 9,000-plus acres. It was the first public sculpture garden in America, founded in 1931.
People think "garden" and think of a few roses and a bench. This place is a sprawling outdoor museum. It houses the largest collection of American figurative sculpture in the country. Walking through the Live Oak Allée—trees planted in the 1700s when this was a rice plantation—is a heavy experience. The moss hangs low. The air feels different. It’s quiet.
It’s one of those Myrtle Beach top things to do that forces you to slow down. You can’t rush Brookgreen. You’ll also find a "Lowcountry Zoo" on-site with native species like bald eagles, red foxes, and river otters. These aren't exotic imports; they are animals that belong in this ecosystem, often brought there for rehabilitation.
The Secret of Murrells Inlet MarshWalk
Eat here. Just do it.
Murrells Inlet is the "Seafood Capital of South Carolina." It’s about 20 minutes south of the main Myrtle Beach strip. The MarshWalk is a half-mile wooden boardwalk that hugs the salt marsh. No neon. No arcades. Just a string of incredible restaurants like Wicked Tuna or Dead Dog Saloon.
The vibe here is vastly superior to the downtown dining scene. You can sit outside, watch the goats on "Goat Island" (yes, a tiny island in the marsh where goats live during the summer to keep the brush down), and listen to live acoustic music.
Wait. Why are there goats? Local legend says they were originally put there to keep the island clear, but now they’re just local celebrities. They get boated back to a farm in the winter. It’s weird. It’s local. It’s perfect.
The Broadway at the Beach Trap
Everyone goes to Broadway at the Beach. It’s an entertainment complex centered around a 23-acre lake. It’s home to Ripley’s Aquarium and WonderWorks.
Is it "touristy"? Yes. Extremely.
Is it worth it? Sorta.
If you have kids, Ripley’s Aquarium is actually world-class. The dangerous reef tunnel—where you glide on a conveyor belt under sharks and sawfish—is legitimately cool. But Broadway is also where you’ll find the chains. Margaritaville, Paula Deen’s, Hard Rock. If you want a unique culinary experience, this isn't it. But if you want a one-stop shop where the kids won't complain and you can grab a cold beer while walking around, it hits the mark.
Golf: It’s Not Just a Hobby Here, It’s a Religion
You cannot talk about Myrtle Beach top things to do without mentioning golf. There are around 90 courses in the area. It’s arguably the golf capital of the world.
If you’re a serious player, you’re looking at places like Caledonia Golf & Fish Club or Dunes Golf and Beach Club. These aren't just "courses"; they are architectural masterpieces. Caledonia is built on an old rice plantation and is breathtakingly beautiful.
If you’re a terrible golfer like most of us, Myrtle Beach is also the undisputed king of "putt-putt." There are over 50 miniature golf courses. We’re talking massive volcanoes that erupt with actual fire, pirate ships, and prehistoric jungles. It’s a rite of passage. Mt. Atlanticus Minotaur Goff is a local favorite for its sheer verticality and weirdness.
The Myrtle Beach State Park Alternative
If Huntington Beach is too far south for you, Myrtle Beach State Park is right in the heart of the city but feels worlds away. It was the first state park in South Carolina, opened in 1936.
The beach here looks like what the whole area looked like before the high-rises took over. There are dunes. There are maritime forests with twisted oaks and pines. There is a pier where you can rent a rod and reel for a few bucks and try to catch king mackerel or bluefish.
It’s the best place to find shark teeth. Honestly. Walk the tide line after a storm. You’ll see people hunched over, staring at the shells. Most are looking for the tiny, black, triangular teeth of lemon or bull sharks. It’s addictive.
Beyond the Sand: The Waccamaw River
Most people forget that there is a massive river system just inland. The Waccamaw River is a "blackwater" river. The water isn't dirty; it’s stained a deep tea color by the tannins from the cypress trees.
Renting a kayak in Conway (about 25 minutes inland) or taking a boat tour from the Wacca Wache Landing is a completely different perspective. You swap the crashing waves for absolute silence. The cypress knees stick out of the water like gnarled fingers. It’s spooky and beautiful.
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Shopping Without the Regret
Skip the outlets if you want something real. Head to The Market Common.
This is a "live-work-play" community built on the site of the old Myrtle Beach Air Force Base. It feels like a polished uptown district. You’ve got upscale shops, a cinema, and some of the best parks in the city. Valor Park often hosts food truck festivals and movie nights.
For the "weird" stuff, go to Gay Dolphin Gift Cove on the Boardwalk. It’s been there since 1946. It’s a sprawling, multi-level maze of everything from genuine fossils to plastic flamingos. It’s an institution. You will get lost. You will buy something stupid. It’s great.
Actionable Steps for Your Trip
To actually make the most of the Myrtle Beach top things to do, you need a strategy. Don't just wing it.
- Timing is Everything: If you visit in July, you will melt and be surrounded by 20 million other people. The "sweet spot" is late September through October. The water is still warm, the humidity drops, and the crowds vanish.
- The North vs. South Divide: North Myrtle Beach is generally quieter and more "family-oriented" with lots of vacation rentals. South Myrtle (downtown) is where the action, noise, and nightlife live. Choose based on your heart rate preference.
- Get a State Park Pass: If you plan on visiting both state parks, just buy the day pass or look into a ParkPassport if you're staying a while. It’s cheaper and gives you access to the hidden gems.
- Eat Local Seafood: Look for the "Fresh on the Menu" stickers. If a place is serving "Calabash style" shrimp, it means it’s lightly breaded and fried. It’s a regional staple.
- Respect the Flag System: The ocean here has strong rip currents. Pay attention to the flags on the lifeguard stands. Green is good, yellow is caution, red means stay out. They aren't joking.
Myrtle Beach is often dismissed as a "cheap" or "tacky" destination. It can be that if you want it to be. But if you look past the neon signs and the giant beach stores, there is a deep, rich, and naturally stunning coastal world waiting.
Go to the MarshWalk at sunset. Walk through the Atalaya ruins. Find a shark tooth at the state park. That is the real Myrtle Beach experience.
Your Grand Strand Checklist
- Check the tide charts before heading to the state parks; low tide is better for beachcombing.
- Book tee times at least three weeks in advance during the spring and fall peak seasons.
- Bring bug spray if you're heading to the marshes—the "no-see-ums" are no joke.
- Download a local parking app like "ParkPoolr" or "Passport Parking" to avoid tickets in the downtown lots.
- Visit the Carolina Opry or Alabama Theatre if you want a high-production show; they are staples for a reason.