15 fun and unique things you can only do in Myrtle Beach, SC
There's more to this coastal destination than the beach itself.


Myrtle Beach, SC, is undoubtedly a popular destination for beach lovers, timeshare owners, and snowbirds. Constantly set apart from other South Carolina hotspots for its beautiful and wide beaches, notoriously challenging golf courses, unique art and culture, the list goes on. As one of the top tourist destinations in the U.S., Myrtle Beach has endless activities and attractions for you to experience. Here are some of the top things to do in Myrtle Beach.
1. See Myrtle Beach from the top of the SkyWheel

Standing at 200 feet tall, the Myrtle Beach SkyWheel has panoramic views of the entire coastline. The enclosed, climate-controlled gondolas offer a safe and comfortable experience for people of all ages. Whether you ride the SkyWheel during the day or at night, you can see the entire Grand Strand, the local name for the 60-mile stretch of beach from Georgetown to the Little River. This iconic ferris wheel is an exciting attraction for families who want to sit back, relax, and enjoy the view.
2. Make a splash at Dunes Village Resort—and its water park
Looking for a resort your whole family can enjoy? Dunes Village Resort is an oceanfront resort with an indoor waterpark featuring four water slides, lazy rivers, and heated pools. Guests can utilize the resort’s fitness center, game room, tennis courts, and basketball courts. There are also plenty of activities, restaurants, and bars on-site, which means you may not even need to leave the resort.
3. Take in the art at Franklin G. Burroughs - Simeon B. Chapin Art Museum
Although this art museum may seem quaint from the outside, don’t let it fool you. The Franklin G. Burroughs-Simeon B. Chapin Art Museum features many exhibits of wonderfully curated, thought-provoking art, including four main collections and various short-term exhibitions. The permanent Bishop Collection of Antique Maps & Historical Prints includes 15 maps from 1606 to the mid-19th century, and the Barbara Burgess and John Dinkelspiel Collection includes 21 works by transplanted Bostonians who settled in the Lowcountry, along with works by nearly a dozen other Southern artists. The museum is free, but even a small donation goes a long way.
4. Enjoy actual Myrtle Beach

When visiting Myrtle Beach, you will, of course, have to visit the beach. So grab your beach towels, chairs, and umbrellas for a day of tanning and fun in the water. Myrtle Beach is also the perfect place to take surf lessons, ride a bike, or build sand castles. With gorgeous white-sand beaches and warm water from the Atlantic, Myrtle Beach is considered one of the nicest beaches on the East Coast.
5. Play a round of golf

With more ranked golf courses than any other city in the U.S., Myrtle Beach is a must-visit for avid golfers. While there are obviously plenty to chose from, Tripadvisor users rave about Man O' War, a 18-hole public golf course; the oceanfront Dune Golf and Beach Club, designed by the renowned golf architect Robert Trent Jones Sr.; and the Arnold Palmer–designed King's North at Myrtle Beach.
6. Play a round of golf (but make it miniature)

While Myrtle Beach is known for golf, not all of us can be Phil Mickelson. Jungle Safari Mini Golf offers a fun and easy 18-hole mini-golf course, which is perfect for young couples or families looking to enjoy a stress-free evening. The course is well laid out with jungle-themed decorations and a watering hole for the life-like giraffes and elephants.
7. Catch a show at GTS Theater

The GTS Theater is a charming 1920s-inspired, cabaret-style theater that features family-friendly live entertainment. Make sure to catch the Motown Tribute Show, as the GTS theater is home to the very first Motor City Tribute. The cast will quickly have you singing along to hits from iconic musicians such as the Jackson 5 and Stevie Wonder.
8. Get competitive at the Myrtle Beach Pinball Museum

Flash back to the ‘70s and ‘80s with some of the most-played pinball machines of the time. Unlike most museums, you can actually touch the items on display at the Myrtle Beach Pinball Museum. Book play time by the hour and you’ll have unlimited access to more than 20 vintage and new machines. If you’re expecting a historical museum, think again—this is a glorified arcade that’s perfect for kids and kids at heart.
9. Enjoy the wine at Coastal Wine Boutique and Tasting Room
Have an adult night out and sip on some fine wine from around the world while enjoying a charcuterie board filled with cured meats and cheeses at Coastal Wine Boutique and Tasting Room. If you don’t know too much about wine, don’t worry—the staff is friendly and knowledgeable. And if beer is more your style, you’re also in luck. They offer a wide selection of often hard-to-find beers. This is an excellent place for couples, friends, wine connoisseurs, and even those who are traveling solo.
10. Take a day trip to Atalaya Castle
Take a step back in time and explore the Atalaya Castle, about 40 minutes south of Myrtle Beach. Built in the ‘30s by business tycoon and philanthropist Archer M. Huntington and his wife, sculptor Anna Hyatt Huntington, the 40,000-square-foot castle is packed with fascinating Moorish architecture. Stroll through the property—now part of Huntington Beach State Park—and take in the sprawling sculpture garden and beautifully dilapidated home at this historic landmark on daily tours. Don't forget to check out the annual Atalaya Arts and Crafts Festival if you’re in town in late September.
11. Chow down at Captain George’s Seafood Restaurant

Captain George’s Seafood Restaurant is a seafood lover’s paradise as it offers all-you-can-eat Alaskan snow crab legs, steamed clams, mussels, shrimp, oysters, and more. Trust us, you’ll never leave hungry, thanks to the buffet-style serving. This spot is great for large families, too, with large tables to accommodate bigger groups.
12. Take a hike at the Meher Spiritual Center

Whether you are spiritual or not, a hike at the Meher Spiritual Center is rejuvenating for the mind and body. The beautiful center is composed of 500 acres of lakes, wetlands, marshes, and woodlands—some of the last remaining undeveloped land on the Myrtle Beach coastline. The undisturbed peace of the spiritual center makes this an excellent spot for meditating, hiking, and enjoying the beauty nature has to offer. Dedicated to the late Meher Baba, a spiritual mystic, the center still carries on his values of spiritual life, rest, and meditation.
13. See wildlife on the Waccamaw River Tours

Take a guided journey along the Waccamaw River and be on the lookout for birds native to the Myrtle Beach area. The Waccamaw River Tour is a 1.5-hour nature and wildlife tour that offers a view of alligators, turtles, peacocks, herons, and many other animals that live in the local ecosystem.
14. Shop for the original hammock and other Myrtle Beach must-buys
Whether you’re shopping for yourself or a loved one, everyone can find something fun and unique to bring home from the Hammock Shops Village. Take a stroll around the Original Hammock Shop to see where the first-ever hammock was created, and take one home so your vacation relaxation can live on. Love to cook? Check out the selection of olive oils and vinegars at High Country Olive Oil or the gift baskets and kitchen gadgets Carolina Gourmet. If you’re looking to wear your purchase, check out one of the several clothing and jewelry stores. You’re sure to find something fun for the kids too at the toy and puzzle shops or the local mercantile.
15. Spend the day on the water with a guided kayak tour
Kayakers can take a paddle with a guide to see some of the country’s most beautiful coastal waters. A lovely and relaxing way to spend a couple hours, you' follow their guide for an even-paced journey. Choose to float along the Waccamaw River or the Murrells Inlet, which each have their own unique ecosystem and wildlife.