You’re driving down Highway 17 Business in Myrtle Beach, past the neon signs and the smell of saltwater taffy, when suddenly it hits you. A massive, classical-style building is literally balanced on its roof. It looks like a hurricane picked up a mansion from the 1800s and spiked it into the pavement at Broadway at the Beach. This is the upside down house Myrtle Beach SC visitors always point at from their car windows. It’s called WonderWorks.
It’s weird. It’s jarring. Honestly, it’s a bit of a local landmark that defines the skyline of the city’s most popular shopping and dining complex. But beneath that "flipped" exterior is a massive "edu-tainment" center that covers 50,000 square feet. It isn't just a photo op; it’s a full-blown interactive science museum disguised as a theme park.
The Backstory of the Flipped Mansion
Most people think the building is just a quirky architectural choice made by a developer who wanted to stand out. While that’s true from a business perspective, WonderWorks actually has a pretty elaborate "lore" attached to it. The story goes that a top-secret research laboratory was once located on a remote island in the Bermuda Triangle. During an experiment to harness the power of a man-made tornado, things went sideways. The wind grew too strong, the vortex lifted the entire lab off the ground, and it landed upside down right here in South Carolina.
Is it true? No. Does it make the experience cooler for kids? Absolutely.
When you walk inside, you’re greeted by the "Inversion Tunnel." Because the building is upside down, you basically have to be "realigned" to explore the floors. It’s a spinning tunnel of lights that messes with your equilibrium, signaling that you’ve officially left the normal world behind. Once you’re through, you realize that the ceiling is the floor and the floor is the ceiling, though the exhibits themselves are oriented so you can actually use them without standing on your head.
What’s Actually Inside the Upside Down House Myrtle Beach SC?
WonderWorks divides its chaos into "Wonder Zones." It’s a mix of physical challenges, space exploration, and light/sound physics. If you have kids who are bouncing off the walls of your hotel room, this is where you take them.
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Extreme Weather and Physical Feats
One of the first things you’ll encounter is the Hurricane Shack. You step inside and experience 74-mile-per-hour winds. It’s loud, it’s windy, and it’s a genuine reminder of why locals take hurricane season so seriously. Right next to it, you can touch a plate of water that is exactly 28 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s the temperature of the water the Titanic sank in. You can’t hold your hand in there for more than a few seconds before the "burn" starts. It’s sobering.
Then there’s the Bed of Nails. It sounds like a circus trick, but it’s actually a lesson in pressure and surface area. You lie down on a flat board, press a button, and 3,500 sharp steel nails rise up to lift you. Because your weight is distributed across so many points, it doesn't hurt. It’s just... strange.
The Space Discovery Zone
The space section is surprisingly deep. There’s a full-scale replica of an EVA (Extravehicular Activity) suit that astronauts wear. You can jump into a Gyro Extreme, which mimics the multi-axis rolls astronauts face during training. It spins you in every possible direction.
Note to self: Do not do the Gyro Extreme after eating a massive burger at the nearby Wahlburgers. You will regret it.
The Glow-in-the-Dark Ropes Course and Laser Tag
Once you’ve done the science stuff, the top floor (which is technically the bottom floor of the upside-down house) features more high-energy activities. The Spacewalk Ropes Course is three stories tall. It’s all blacklight-lit with neon colors. You’re strapped into a harness, navigating over 20 different obstacles like swinging bridges and tightropes.
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Because it’s indoors, it’s the perfect "Plan B" for when the South Carolina afternoon thunderstorms inevitably roll in and ruin your beach day.
Competition and Speed
If the ropes course isn’t your thing, there’s a massive laser tag arena. It’s themed like a blacklight urban forest. It’s fast-paced and usually crowded, but it’s a staple of the Broadway at the Beach experience. There’s also a 6D XD Motion Theater. It’s a "ride" where the seats move, the wind blows, and you’re shooting at targets on a screen. It’s loud, flashy, and exactly what you’d expect from a tourist-heavy attraction.
How to Do WonderWorks Without Losing Your Mind
Let’s be real: Myrtle Beach in the summer is hectic. WonderWorks can get packed. If you show up at 1:00 PM on a rainy Tuesday, you’re going to be shoulder-to-shoulder with five hundred other people who had the same idea.
- Timing is everything. Go early. They usually open at 10:00 AM. If you’re there when the doors open, you can knock out the big stuff like the Ropes Course and the 360-degree bikes before the crowds peak.
- Dress for the occasion. This is a major one. You cannot do the ropes course in flip-flops or a skirt. They have a strict dress code for the physical attractions for safety reasons. Wear sneakers.
- The Ticket Situation. It isn't cheap. Expect to pay around $30 to $40 per person depending on age and current promotions. However, they often have "After Dark" specials or local discounts if you’re a resident of Horry County.
Is the Upside Down House Actually Worth It?
This depends on who you are. If you’re a couple looking for a quiet, romantic evening, this ain't it. It’s loud. It smells like popcorn and excitement. It’s chaotic.
But if you’re a family? It’s a goldmine. It’s one of the few places in Myrtle Beach where kids can actually learn something while feeling like they’re just playing. It bridges the gap between a museum and a theme park perfectly. Plus, the photo of you "holding up" the corner of the upside down building is a rite of passage for any Grand Strand vacation.
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The engineering of the building itself is a marvel. To support the weight of a 50,000-square-foot facility that is structurally "inverted," the architects had to use massive steel beams and a foundation that goes much deeper than the surrounding shops at Broadway. It’s a feat of modern construction that people often overlook because they’re too busy staring at the fake cracks in the stucco.
What Most People Get Wrong About WonderWorks
A common misconception is that WonderWorks is just for little kids. Honestly, the "Physical Challenge" zone has some stuff that will humble an adult. Try the virtual sports or the "Bubble Lab" where you can create a bubble big enough to stand inside. It’s harder than it looks.
Another thing people miss is the "Art of Illusion" gallery. It’s tucked away and features mind-bending optical illusions that are genuinely fascinating. It’s a nice break from the high-decibel noise of the rest of the park.
Planning Your Visit: Actionable Next Steps
If you're ready to check out the upside down house Myrtle Beach SC has to offer, here is how you should handle your trip:
- Check the Weather: Save WonderWorks for a rainy day or an exceptionally hot day (above 95 degrees). The air conditioning is legendary and offers a much-needed break from the Carolina humidity.
- Buy Tickets Online: You can often find slight discounts on their official website or through third-party "vacation pack" sites. It also allows you to skip the main ticket line, which can get long during peak season.
- Combine with Broadway at the Beach: Don’t just go for WonderWorks. Park once and make a day of it. You’ve got Ripley’s Aquarium, the Pavilion Park rides, and plenty of food within walking distance.
- Bring Socks: If you’re wearing sandals to the beach but plan on doing the indoor attractions, throw a pair of socks in your bag. You’ll need them for certain simulators and the play areas.
- Set a Time Limit: Most families spend about 3 to 4 hours inside. Plan your meals accordingly so you don't end up paying for "theme park snacks" when there are great restaurants just 200 yards away outside the building.
WonderWorks remains a staple of the Myrtle Beach experience because it’s weird, it’s big, and it’s consistently fun. It’s a rare tourist trap that actually delivers on the promise of its bizarre exterior. Whether you’re there for the physics or just the laser tag, the "upside down house" is a landmark that isn't going anywhere anytime soon.