What is Myrtle Beach?
Myrtle Beach is a seaside city in Horry County, South Carolina, on the United States East Coast. It is centrally located on “The Grand Strand,” a 60-mile (97-kilometer) stretch of beach in northeastern South Carolina.
This beach town is a major tourist attraction in South Carolina and across the United States. The city’s balmy subtropical climate, miles of beaches, 86 golf courses, and 1,800 restaurants draw more than 20 million people each year, making it one of the country’s most popular vacation spots.
Myrtle Beach is also a quickly rising and desirable area to live in, ranking as the #1 fastest-growing city, the 11th best place to retire, and the 26th best place to live in the United States, according to U.S. News & World Report. Additionally, according to the United States Census Bureau, the Myrtle Beach metropolitan region is the country’s second-fastest-growing metro area. It has more than 104,000 individuals moving to the Myrtle Beach, Conway, North Myrtle Beach area in the last eight years, representing a 27.7% increase in population.
10 Things to Do in Myrtle Beach
1. Stroll along the seafront boardwalk
This palm-lined promenade runs about 2 miles between 1st Avenue North and 15th Avenue North in downtown Myrtle Beach. While strolling down the beach, stop for a bite to eat at one of the ocean view café terraces.
Along the way, there’s plenty to keep the kids (and the young at heart) entertained, including Ripley’s Haunted Adventure and world-famous arcades. Pay a nominal entrance charge to gain access to 2nd Avenue Pier, a popular fishing and sea breeze hangout. If you show up early in the morning, you’ll be rewarded with a spectacular sunrise over the Atlantic.
2. Myrtle Beach SkyWheel
The Sky Wheel, which stands 20 stories tall along the Myrtle Beach seafront, is a hard-to-miss sight. Take a 20-minute ride in one of the gondolas for panoramic views of the city and the ocean.
The gondolas are climate-controlled and enclosed, allowing you to ride in luxury at any time of year, rain or shine. You can buy tickets at the door, or you may avoid the lines by booking ahead of time online. Then, spend the extra money for the VIP gondola with the glass floor for even more vertigo-inducing thrills.
3. Go fishing at Myrtle Beach State Park Pier
This pier is an excellent location to start if you’ve ever wanted to experience the thrill of catching amberjack or a massive barracuda. Go early in the morning, when the area is teeming with local fishers who may be prepared to offer advice. The Park costs roughly $5 to enter, and there is a minor fee to fish at the pier.
You can rent fishing equipment or drop baskets to try your hand at catching blue crabs at the pier store. Then, continue to the park trails for a trek or a peaceful dip in this unspoiled area of the Grand Strand.
4. Go shopping and relax at The Hammock Shops Village
It’s the quintessential scene of a lazy summer day in the South: swinging on the porch in a hammock with an ice-cold drink in hand. A local riverboat captain began creating robust hand-woven rope hammocks in the early 1900s, and they became so popular that he eventually opened a hammock business.
The shop is still open, and it’s now part of a quaint little village with a few dozen stores to browse. Browse for jewelry, books, beach clothing, wine, Southern-style gourmet food, and, of course, those wonderful handmade hammocks along the brick walk surrounded by flowers, oaks, and pines.
5. La Belle Amie Vineyard
This tobacco estate turned winery has a 200-year history and some excellent wines to sample during a tasting. You’ll be taught the stories of the Bellamy family and their wine-making traditions, which have been passed down from relatives from the South of France, as you sip and savor the wines.
Hear how the winery began with high aspirations but was nearly destroyed by disasters. Check the calendar for upcoming activities, including regular bonfires in the winter and music festivals in the summer. In addition, by bringing a few things to contribute to local food banks, you can save a few dollars on entry.
6. Brookgreen Gardens
At this tourist favorite stop, you will find flower-filled manicured gardens, figurative sculptures by American artists, reflecting pools, and fountains is a quiet refuge covering more than 9,000 acres. In the shade of the large moss-laden trees planted in the 1700s, stroll through the Live Oak alley.
Catch a guided tour to learn about the history of the former rice plantation and the Gullah community who worked there, or stroll along the lovely pathways on your own. Throughout the summer, the gardens feature a variety of musical and theatrical activities. The cost of admission is approximately $14, with reductions available for children and seniors.
7. Play a round of mini-golf
Myrtle Beach has been dubbed the “Miniature Golf Capital of the World,” so you’ll want to spend some time there putting. Because there are roughly 50 courses to select from, there is a lot of competition to attract mini golfers, so you’ll find some lavish and aggressively cheerful venues that are more akin to little theme parks.
Jurassic Mini Golf transports you back in time, while Monster’s Lair Fantasy Golf transports you to a medieval realm equipped with a fire-breathing dragon. At Shipwreck Island Adventure, you may pretend to be a putter-wielding pirate. Here are a few of the more unconventional and whimsical mini-golf courses to visit.
8. Feast on fresh seafood
There are numerous ways to enjoy seafood in Myrtle Beach, whether you go for fish and chips on the boardwalk, stop by a friendly tiny oyster bar, or splurge at an upmarket ocean-view restaurant.
Ask the chef about the capture of the day at the Flying Fish Public Market and Grill, and they’ll harvest your fish right from the market and prepare it precisely the way you like it. Then, order the “dunkin’ pot” laden with steamed shellfish at Dirty Don’s Oyster Bar or the Carolina seafood platter at Sea Captain’s House for a romantic supper.
9. Rejoice a sunset cruise around Murrells Inlet
Relax on the deck while gliding across the peaceful Murrells Inlet waters with a glass of wine in hand, watching the sunset sun paint the sea and sky in brilliant pink and crimson. It’s a lovely way to end another day of your Myrtle Beach vacation.
A few private boat operators offer daily sunset excursions, who provide various vessel types and tour options. Go on a cruise based on your budget and board for a relaxing couple of hours on the water.
10. Enjoy Bowery’s live country music
The Bowery has been a downtown Myrtle Beach nightlife fixture for more than 70 years, and it’s where legendary country band Alabama developed their skills before breaking out. Rugged and rustic, it’s the kind of location where you should forget about your lofty ideas in favor of a night of drinks and cheers.
Set your sights on the boisterous house band, who will serenade you with songs of heartbreak and heavy drinking night after night. If you’re hungry, head next door to Duffy’s Tavern for a delicious burger and Cajun wings.
Conclusion
So, to answer why Myrtle Beach is so famous, it is because of the many things people can do there. It is a great vacation spot, especially for families. It is also a wonderful place to retire.
