You’ve seen the postcards. The neon-lit SkyWheel spinning against a purple dusk, the rows of high-rise hotels, and that 1.2-mile boardwalk that smells perpetually like salt air and funnel cakes. Most people think they know exactly what a trip here looks like. They imagine a gaudy, loud, "Golf Capital of the World" where the only thing to do is get a sunburn and eat at a buffet.
Honestly? They aren't entirely wrong, but they’re missing the point.
Myrtle Beach in 2026 is a weird, wonderful mix of old-school kitsch and surprisingly deep natural beauty. If you spend your whole week on the main drag, you're doing it wrong. There’s a version of this city that feels like a quiet maritime forest, and another that feels like a high-end culinary hub. Basically, if you’re bored here, you just aren’t looking in the right corners.
Things to do in Myrtle Beach Beyond the Boardwalk
Look, the Boardwalk is great for people-watching and grabbing a chili dog at Peaches Corner. You have to do it at least once. But if you want to see why locals actually stay here, you need to head south to Myrtle Beach State Park.
It’s the first state park in South Carolina, and it feels like a different planet. One minute you’re in a dense maritime forest of live oaks and loblolly pines, and the next, you’re on a beach that actually has room for your towel. No hotels. No loud music. Just dunes.
If you’re a morning person—and even if you aren’t—get there for the sunrise. Most tourists are still sleeping off their seafood towers, so you’ll have the shoreline to yourself. You can hunt for shark teeth near the tideline, which is way more satisfying than buying a plastic one at a gift shop.
The MarshWalk Vibe
About 20 minutes south of the main hub sits Murrells Inlet. They call it the "Seafood Capital of South Carolina," and the MarshWalk is the heart of it. It’s a wooden boardwalk that hugs a saltwater marsh.
Instead of arcades, you get live music drifting from every restaurant. Go to Wicked Tuna for the view, but stay for the sunset. In 2026, the MarshWalk is leaning hard into its "eco-tourism" side. You can jump on a Saltwater Marsh Eco Tour with a marine biologist who will actually explain why the marsh matters, rather than just pointing at a heron and moving on.
Entertainment That Isn't Just for Tourists
We have to talk about Broadway at the Beach. It’s 350 acres of shopping and "edutainment." It sounds like a corporate trap, and parts of it are, but places like Ripley’s Aquarium are legitimately world-class. In 2026, they’ve expanded their interactive experiences. You can do "Fin and Tonic" cocktail classes or go for a VIP penguin encounter.
Is it touristy? Yes. Is it worth it? Also yes.
The Magic and the Music
The Carolina Opry was the first theater here, and it’s still the gold standard. But if you want something a bit weirder, check out the Charles Bach Wonders Theatre. It’s part magic show, part comedy, and it’s located right in the middle of Broadway.
Then there’s the GTS Theatre. It’s an intimate, 1920s Gatsby-style cabaret. They do a Motown tribute called "Motor City Musical" that usually has the entire room standing up. It’s small-batch entertainment in a city that usually does everything at scale.
The Hidden Gems (No, Seriously)
If you tell a local you're looking for "things to do in Myrtle Beach," they might point you toward Vereen Memorial Historical Gardens. It’s just north in Little River. Most people ignore it because it’s 30 minutes away, but it’s free and features boardwalks that wind through salt marshes and historical cemeteries. It’s quiet. Like, actually quiet.
Another one? Atalaya Castle.
Located inside Huntington Beach State Park, this was the winter home of sculptor Anna Hyatt Huntington. It’s a Moorish-style castle with 30 rooms, open courtyards, and a hauntingly beautiful history. It’s not what you expect to find at a beach resort. It feels more like a Mediterranean ruin than a South Carolina landmark.
- La Belle Amie Vineyard: A former tobacco plantation that now produces Muscadine wine. They host "Wine After Work" events with live music under massive oaks.
- The Market Common: Built on the old Air Force base. It’s a walkable "urban village" where you can rent electric bikes, hit a high-end bowling alley at 810 Billiards, or just walk around the lake at Valor Memorial Garden.
- Twelve 33 Distillery: If you’re tired of sweet tea, go here for small-batch spirits made with local grains. Their lounge has a "speakeasy" vibe that’s a nice break from the neon lights.
Timing Your Trip for 2026
The "best" time to visit depends on your tolerance for humidity and humans.
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Spring (March-May): The 65th Annual Can-Am Days happen in March, and the Myrtle Beach Classic (golf) hits in May. The weather is perfect—roughly 70 to 75 degrees.
Summer (June-August): It’s packed. Expect traffic on Highway 501. But this is when the Carolina Country Music Fest brings in huge stars, and the fireworks happen every Tuesday and Friday at Broadway at the Beach.
Fall (September-October): My personal favorite. The water is still warm enough to swim, but the crowds vanish. You can actually get a table at Sea Captain’s House without a two-hour wait.
Actionable Insights for Your Visit
Don't just fly in and stay at a resort. If you want to actually enjoy Myrtle Beach, you need a plan that balances the high-energy "Grand Strand" with the slower Lowcountry life.
- Rent a car: The Grand Strand is 60 miles long. You cannot rely on walking or cheap Ubers to get from North Myrtle Beach to Murrells Inlet.
- Eat local: Skip the national chains. Go to Boardwalk Billy's for sushi by the waterway or Golden Griddle Pancake House for a retro breakfast.
- Download the "ParkMobile" app: Parking near the beach is almost always paid now. Having the app saves you from sprinting back to a meter.
- Visit Brookgreen Gardens: It’s the largest sculpture garden in the country. Your ticket is valid for seven consecutive days, which is a steal because you cannot see it all in one afternoon.
- Hit the water: Whether it’s a dolphin cruise on the Sea Thunder or kayaking the Waccamaw River, get off the sand. The perspective from the water is where the real magic happens.
Forget the "tourist trap" reputation. Myrtle Beach is as deep or as shallow as you make it. If you spend your time at a castle in the morning and a neon-lit arcade at night, you’ve captured the true spirit of the place. Just remember to pack more sunscreen than you think you need—that South Carolina sun doesn't play around.
Check the local event calendars for the Run to the Sun Car Show in March or the Blue Crab Festival in May to see which side of the city's personality matches yours. Your best bet is to pick one "big" attraction a day and spend the rest of your time wandering the state parks or the MarshWalk. That’s how you do Myrtle Beach like someone who actually lives here.