Myrtle Beach boasts 60 miles of gorgeous coastline.

Outdoor Things to Do in Myrtle Beach

1. The Beach

The beaches of the Grand Strand are beautiful and clean. Check out Huntington Beach State Park, which boasts picnic tables, restrooms, and a playground along with stunning sand dunes and wildlife.This park also hosts plenty of fun events, as our family learned when we (accidentally!) attended a lively Kite Festival on the beach. Locals rave about Myrtle Beach State Park, which gets a lot of love for its hands-on nature center and walking trails.

And the fun doesn't end in Myrtle Beach proper. Travel to North Myrtle Beach if you want to stay along the ocean at a lower price. Cherry Grove Beach is even quieter, if you're looking for a truly relaxing beach vacation with fewer frills.

2. Broadway at the Beach

A family could spend an entire day at this shopping and entertainment complex and still not do everything. There are kid-friendly stores, museums, a toddler playground, and places to feed the fish. There's also Pavilion Park, an amusement park with rides to delight the tall and the small. We loved the view from the Broadway 360 Observation Wheel.

There's also lots of great entertainment at The Hangout, a restaurant and bar with outdoor music, yard games, an arcade, an indoor slide, and a world-class collection of Pez dispensers. Our kids love the blue ocean-themed slushies, complete with a plastic shark filled with grenadine "blood" to dump into the drink. There's also a foam party every hour on the hour!

RELATED: Best Amusement Parks in the US for a Family Vacation

Get your thrills at the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk. Photo by Maureen Wilkey

3. Myrtle Beach Boardwalk & Promenade

Running just over a mile along the oceanfront at Pier 14, the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk has its own offerings of thrill rides and fun experiences. Best known of these is the SkyWheel, which soars over 200 feet into the air above the Atlantic. Big kids and teens will love the zip line and slingshot rides, and all ages can play at the Boardwalk's two arcades. Ripley's has a large presence here too, with its popular Believe It or Not museum, a haunted house, a 5D theater, and a mirror maze.

4. Family Kingdom

This seaside amusement park is open daily from April through September, then on weekends through mid-October. Visitors rave about its thrilling rides, including the Yo-Yo, a high-speed swing into the sky. Country-music fans may recognize the Hurricane from a Kenny Chesney music video. It takes riders speeding in circles on a hilly track while music blasts in the background. And the Swamp Fox is a wooden roller coaster that has been a Myrtle Beach landmark since 1966.

5. Myrtle Waves Water Park

Open mid-May through early fall, Myrtle Waves is South Carolina's largest water park, with over 20 slides and attractions. Our favorite was Night Flight, an enclosed single-tube slide that twists and turns through complete darkness. For the littles there is Saturation Station, an interactive playground with three small slides and a volcano waterfall bucket. Guests of all ages love the wave pool and the lazy river. Look out for special prices if you go in the last three hours the park is open on any given day, or from 3-8pm on select Fridays during the summer.

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Brookgreen Gardens Is an enchanting place to explore with kids.

6. Brookgreen Gardens

This 9,100-acre property features a gorgeous botanical and sculpture garden, a small zoo with animals like otters and alligators, and a sweet area for families that includes a reading nook with books to borrow. But the real highlight for kids is the Children's Storybook Forest and Sensory Trail. With tons of interactive elements and playhouses based on fairy-tale characters, it will be hard to tear your little ones away from this enchanting area. Admission provides access to the gardens for seven consecutive days.

7. Helicopter Tours

View Myrtle Beach from the sky via helicopter! OceanFront Helicopters offers a $29 helicopter ride that travels two miles over the beach. It also offers longer tours, some with a focus on local marine life and others that fly over Myrtle Beach's most beautiful homes. There is no minimum age to fly. Helicopters can fit three passengers, plus the pilot. Kids under two ride free on a parent's lap.

8. Mini Golf

Myrtle Beach has dozens of mini golf courses up and down the coast, each with its own fun and family-friendly theme. My kids like the Hawaiian Rumble Mini Golf course, which is PGA-rated (who knew that was a thing) and includes rescued tropical birds and a volcano that "erupts" every 20 minutes. Captain Hook's Adventure Golf brings you into the Peter Pan story with lots of animatronics. Or if your kids are into Percy Jackson, try out Mount Atlanticus Minotaur Golf, which has a lot of fun with the myth theme.

Ahoy, mateys! Set sail on a pirate ship. Photo courtesy of Blackbeard's Pirate Cruise

9. Pirate Cruises

Shiver me timbers! Kids who love pirates will have a blast sailing on a pirate ship in Myrtle Beach. Blackbeard's Pirate Cruise offers families a one-hour adventure where kids get to transform into mini pirates (complete with tattoos and a mustache) to help solve a mystery surrounding Bad Billy Bones and the missing treasure. Pirate Adventures has families boarding the Sea Gypsy for a 90-minute cruise where little pirates (again with tattoos and mustaches, if they wish) go into battle against Pirate Pete to find their own hidden loot.

10. Go-karting

Got a kid with a need for speed? Broadway Grand Prix has seven go-kart tracks. That includes a speed-racer track for those over five feet tall, a family track were children can ride with their parents in a two-seater, and a kids' course where little ones get to race each other. The Track is known for its elevated go-kart race course, which has drivers racing up and down three-and-a-half stories, with a surprise drop at the end. Both amusement centers also feature arcades, mini golf, and classic rides like flying planes and carousels.

11. Myrtle Beach Pelicans Baseball Game

Check out this fun minor league baseball team near Broadway at the Beach! There are promotions like touch-a-truck night, and kids can run the bases many nights of the week. Check out Taco Tuesdays and half-price hot dog nights, along with lots of great baseball. The Chicago Cubs' Pete Crow-Armstrong is an alumnus.

12. Myrtle Beach Safari

The Myrtle Beach Safari starts at around $400 per person—so when we say it isn't cheap, we mean it. But if you're looking to splurge, reservations are required to tour this 50-acre wildlife preserve. You can meet a liger (the world's largest big cat), hug an African elephant, play games with chimps, interact with wolves, and more. Tours include a pizza lunch, snacks, and professional digital photos.

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Ripley's is one of the best aquariums the author's family has visited.

Indoor Kids' Activities in Myrtle Beach

13. Ripley's Aquarium

I've been to a lot of aquariums, and Ripley's is definitely one of the best. Highlights include Stingray Bay, a giant touch tank where families can get friendly with these gentle sea creatures. Beautiful tropical fish are on display inside the Rainbow Rock exhibit, and jellyfish get the star treatment at Planet Jellies. Also check out the Penguin Playhouse, which features adorable penguins. But our family's favorite experience was walking through the Dangerous Reef, a giant transparent tunnel where we got face-to-face with sharks, sawfish, and green sea turtles.

WonderWorks Myrtle Beach. Photo by Maureen Wilkey

14. WonderWorks Myrtle Beach

WonderWorks features over 100 hands-on exhibits. Highlights include the Light & Sound Zone, where families can have a dance party in front of a screen that multiplies their bodies into different patterns. Hold on tight inside the Hurricane Shack; winds there reach 155 miles per hour. My daughters had to be pulled away from the Physical Challenge Zone, where we tried laying down on a bed of nails, then went crazy creating giant bubbles in the Bubble Lab. A 6D motion theater combines 3D film with special effects like moving seats.

Outside the museum is the Soar & Explore area where visitors can climb a three-story ropes course or a take a 50-foot-high zip line over water (both experiences cost extra).

15. EdVenture Children's Museum

EdVenture Myrtle Beach is a smaller version of the massive Columbia, SC kids' museum.This location is a 3,000-square-foot space that's sure to delight young ones, particularly the preschool and toddler crowd. Little ones can burn some energy ascending the spaceship climbing structure, explore a child-sized house with a 60s-style interior (while the moon landing plays on an old TV), and inspect an airplane engine. Bonus: EdVenture is located at the Market Common, an upscale outdoor shopping center with lots of family restaurant options.

RELATED: The Best Children's Museum in Every State

You never know what you'll find at the Franklin G. Burroughs-Simeon B. Chapin Art Museum.

16. Franklin G. Burroughs-Simeon B. Chapin Art Museum

The only art museum in Myrtle Beach, this bright and airy gallery is a great place to see inspiring works of art, with a focus on Southern artists. Exhibitions are rotating and may feature paintings, sculptures, photos, textiles, and ceramics. After touring the gallery, the Carolyn Burroughs Tea Porch is a sweet place to relax while looking out at the Atlantic Ocean. And the museum shop has something for art lovers of all ages. Admission is free, though donations are highly encouraged.

17. Shopping

When you land in Myrtle Beach, make sure you find a coupon book or two. They contain lots of discounts for the hundreds of t-shirt, souvenir, and candy shops in Myrtle Beach. Hermit crabs are free with the purchase of a cage at many stores. Be sure to check out the Gay Dolphin for lots of weird tchotchkes and an indoor fountain. There are also two Tanger Outlet Centers nearby.

18. Horry County Museum

Those seeking to learn some local history should check out this free museum. Highlights include a giant freshwater-fish tank, a display on Native Americans, and a collection of old-timey beach photos and swimsuits. Not far from the museum is the LW Paul Living History Farm, where guests can experience everyday life on a real working farm (think demonstrations on blacksmithing and canning vegetables). Be sure to check the museum calendar to see what fun events are happening.

Enjoy a swashbuckling dinner show.

19. Pirates Voyage Dinner Show

My kids were on the edge of their seats watching this swashbuckling performance that featured tons of stunts and impressive acrobatics. Mermaids, sword fights, animals that do tricks—this show's got it all. Plus, the four-course dinner was delicious. Our menu had crowd-pleasers like corn on the cob, biscuits, and roasted chicken. Tickets aren't cheap, but seeing my daughters so entranced by the performance was absolutely worth it.

20. Hollywood Wax Museum

Talk about photo ops! Visitors to this museum can rub elbows (or at least take selfies) with celebrities like Marilyn Monroe and Justin Bieber. Other activities include a mirror maze and an exhibit dedicated to zombies. This particular Mother of Dragons was excited about getting a picture with Jason Momoa, while the kids liked getting pics with Taylor Swift and Will Ferrell. If you're visiting Myrtle Beach over a holiday, the Hollywood Wax Museum is one of the few local attractions open 365 days a year.

Get your fill of delicious seafood.

Myrtle Beach Restaurants Kids Love

21. Calabash Seafood Buffets

We had no idea what these were before we landed in Myrtle Beach. We saw about a dozen between the airport and our condo, so we had to look them up. It turns out Calabash seafood is freshly caught, lightly breaded and deep fried, and it can be any kind of seafood from calamari to flounder to clams. You'll also find a variety of other southern classics, like fried okra, shrimp and grits, biscuits, tomato pie, hush puppies, and banana pudding.

Another great element for our less-adventurous eater was a create-your-own-pasta dish station. She was able to pick a pasta shape and a unique sauce and toppings to fit her taste. We read that The Original Benjamin's is the best, and it didn't disappoint. There are 170 menu items in 11 dining rooms, each featuring a different theme from elaborate model ships to figureheads to a giant aquarium. These places are all a little pricey, so go hungry.

22. Croissants Bistro & Bakery

Looking for great brunch? Croissants Bistro & Bakery has amazing baked goods and southern staples like shrimp and grits and chicken and waffles, as well as delicious sandwiches and salads.

23. Chile Frito

My family really enjoyed the no-frills Mexican food at Chile Frito, where the menu includes tacos, burritos, quesadillas, and other favorites. The kids menu includes chicken nuggets for little ones who don't like Mexican food!

24. Mr. Fish

Mr. Fish serves up fresh local seafood and sushi. It also has an adjacent seafood market if you want to pick up supplies and do your own cooking while on vacay.

25. Brisket

If you prefer eating from the land over the sea, try some South Carolina barbecue. We loved Brisket in North Myrtle Beach not only for the amazing namesake dish, but also for the enchanting patio complete with fairy lights and a classic-rock cover band. Try some Carolina Gold Sauce—a mustard-based barbecue sauce with a vinegary twist. Enjoy a glass of sweet tea or a local beer to wash it down!

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You won't have a hard time finding ice cream shops in Myrtle Beach. Photo by Maureen Wilkey

26. Ice Cream Spots

What better way to cool down after a day at the beach than with some ice cream? There are dozens—and I mean dozens—of places to get ice cream in Myrtle Beach. The family-owned Kirk's Ice Cream Parlor features 40 flavors. Visitors to the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk have been getting their ice cream fix at Mad Myrtle's since 2000. Small chain The Crazy Mason serves insane shakes topped with other desserts in souvenir mason jars. In North Myrtle Beach, try Melt—it has dozens of amazing flavors, many of which are homemade.

Who needs to leave the hotel when you have your very own spash pad at Marriott's OceanWatch Villas at Grande Dunes. 

Family-Friendly Myrtle Beach Hotels and Resorts

27. Homewood Suites by Hilton Myrtle Beach Oceanfront

If your goal is to be close to oceanfront entertainment, this Hilton-owned hotel has a very convenient location on the beach, only a 10-minute walk from the Skywheel. There are also a few pools on site and an indoor water park complete with big slides, a lazy river, and a splash pad.

28. Compass Cove Oceanfront Resort

An enormous property with over 500 one-, two-, and three-bedroom condos, Compass Cove is one of the best Myrtle Beach resorts for large families. It offers lots of deals on its website, including specials on local attractions. There are six indoor and outdoor pools, with three lazy rivers and seven hot tubs. Small touches like outdoor grills and laundry facilities make your vacation that much easier.

RELATED: Guide to Family-Friendly Resorts & Hotels

29. Marriott's OceanWatch Villas at Grande Dunes

This hotel's activity center offers daily games and crafts like sand art, tie dye, and even painting wine glasses (some activities cost a little extra). There are several on-site pools and a splash pad, along with beach access. But the real highlight for kids is the Treehouse. It's hard to tear them away from from this multi-level, treehouse-themed playground!

30. Landmark Resort

Landmark Resort debuted its on-site water park, H2Oasis, in 2022. It features three 40-foot slides and a jungle-themed splash pad for little ones. That's in addition to its current indoor water features like a lazy river and five whirlpools. The resort has a poolside snack bar with kid favorites like pizza and nachos, so don't be surprised if your children don't want to leave!

31. Captain's Quarters Resort

Captain's Quarters is great for families looking to save money on their stay. This oceanfront resort has 15 water features, including Shipwreck Lagoon, a pirate-themed water park that features a big ship and water cannons. Captain's Quarters also houses a 20-lane bowling alley and an arcade, and offers seasonal, poolside entertainment like magic shows and luau parties (under construction as of July 2025).

32. Avista Resort

If you're interested in the more relaxed environment of North Myrtle Beach, check out this top-rated resort with an indoor and outdoor lazy river! It's affordable even during peak season. Choose a one-, two-, or three-bedroom condo with an in-unit kitchen and laundry, and enjoy on-site activities like a bubble party in the lazy river and a Hawaiian luau and buffet.

Unless noted, photos by the author

Additional reporting by Maureen Wilkey

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