North Myrtle Beach offers an irresistible combination of pristine beaches, thrilling water adventures, and endless family fun that makes it one of South Carolina’s premier vacation destinations.
Situated on the beautiful coastline of the Grand Strand, a visit to this vibrant beach town is the perfect opportunity to enjoy sunny skies and golden sands. Ready to start planning your North Myrtle Beach getaway? Book one of our oceanfront villas and prepare to kick back and relax just steps away from the beach.
Let’s explore everything this incredible destination has to offer, so you can start planning the perfect trip for your whole family.
1. Hit the Beach
Photo Credit: PQK
The heart of any North Myrtle Beach vacation begins with its stunning nine-mile stretch of pristine coastline, where soft sand meets the rolling waves of the Atlantic Ocean. These beautiful beaches serve as the perfect backdrop for swimming, sunbathing, volleyball, sandcastle building, and shell collecting along the shore.
Cherry Grove Beach and Ocean Drive Beach represent the most popular stretches of beach, featuring excellent amenities and professional lifeguards during peak season.
Families have everything they need for a perfect day at the beach, including clean restroom facilities, beach equipment rentals, convenient parking, and plenty of nearby attractions. There are multiple public beach access points, and the wide expanse of sand makes it easy to find a great spot to set up for the day.
Beach enthusiasts will discover optimal conditions year-round, though summer months bring the warmest water temperatures and most consistent sunny skies. During quieter seasons, the shore transforms into a serene walking destination where solo travelers and couples can enjoy peaceful sunrise strolls and discover the area’s natural coastal beauty.
2. Try Adventure Watersports
The Atlantic Ocean is the ultimate playground for exciting water-based adventures.
Parasailing experiences, provided by the likes of New Wave Watersports, offer breathtaking aerial views of the Grand Strand coastline, allowing participants to soar high above the water while taking in panoramic vistas of the entire region. These thrilling rides provide a unique perspective on North Myrtle Beach’s natural beauty and create lasting memories for adventure seekers.
Banana boat rides are another fun attraction for adrenaline junkies. If you’d rather zip along the coastline at your own pace, rent a jet ski from Action Water Sportz instead.
If you’d like to get out onto the Atlantic without getting wet, try a dolphin-watching tour. Local companies like Southern Shores Island and Dolphin Cruises provide visitors with incredible opportunities to observe marine life in their natural habitat.
3. Explore the Intracoastal Waterway
Those looking for a more gentle pace of watersports should focus on the Intracoastal Waterway instead.
This 3,000-mile inland stretch of water runs right through North Myrtle Beach, bringing ample opportunities to explore by kayak or paddleboard. The relatively calm conditions of the waterway make these activities accessible to a wide range of ages and skill levels.
Local rental companies, like Great Escapes Kayaking Tours, provide access to kayaking and paddleboarding equipment. Some operators also offer guided tours and lessons.
The protected waters of the Intracoastal Waterway offer ideal conditions for beginners learning new water sports, while experienced enthusiasts can venture into more challenging areas.
4. Go Fishing
Fishing enthusiasts will find that North Myrtle Beach offers some of the East Coast’s finest angling opportunities.
Cherry Grove Pier extends an impressive 985 feet into the Atlantic Ocean, providing excellent surf fishing and crabbing opportunities for visitors of all skill levels.
This iconic pier allows anglers to cast their lines into deeper waters without needing a boat, making it an accessible option for those looking to catch everything from king mackerel to red drum. Rod rentals are available.
Deep-sea fishing charters, such as Voyager Deep Sea Fishing, operate daily during peak season, taking adventurous anglers into the Gulf Stream where they can target larger game fish.
These professional operations provide all necessary equipment and expertise, ensuring both novice and experienced anglers can enjoy successful trips pursuing species like mahi-mahi, amberjacks, and barracuda.
For those who prefer calmer waters, inshore fishing on the Intracoastal Waterway targets popular species like redfish, flounder, and bass. These protected waters offer more comfortable conditions and consistent action, making them ideal for families with children or those new to saltwater fishing.
You do not need a fishing license in South Carolina when fishing on a public pier, a licensed fishing charter, or a privately-owned freshwater pond. You do need a license when fishing from shore or in saltwater on a non-charted boat. Kids under 16 are exempt as long as they’re not fishing commercially.
You can buy licenses from many of the bait shops in North Myrtle Beach. Bait shops tend to provide everything needed for a successful fishing adventure, from tackle and bait to ice and snacks.
5. Explore Barefoot Landing
Photo Credit: Beth Benson
Families visiting North Myrtle Beach will discover an impressive array of activities centered around Barefoot Landing, which serves as the area’s premier entertainment hub. This expansive complex combines shopping, dining, and attractions in a beautiful waterfront setting, creating a destination where families can easily spend an entire day exploring.
Shopping and Dining
The shopping experience at Barefoot Landing includes over 100 stores ranging from national brands to unique coastal boutiques, ensuring everyone can find perfect souvenirs or vacation wardrobe additions.
Waterfront dining options overlook the Intracoastal Waterway, offering scenic views alongside delicious meals. Some restaurants feature outdoor seating where diners can enjoy their meals while watching boats pass by.
Alabama Theatre
The Alabama Theatre has hosted exceptional live shows for over 30 years. Its roster features musical performances, comedy shows, and seasonal productions that appeal to all ages. This beloved venue continues to evolve its programming to include contemporary shows alongside classic favorites.
Check out their calendar before your trip; you’re bound to find an event that suits your tastes.
Alligator Adventure
Alligator Adventure houses an incredible collection of native and exotic animals, including alligators, crocodiles, caymans, lizards, and frogs. This unique attraction combines education with entertainment, allowing guests to learn about these fascinating reptiles while observing feeding demonstrations and handler presentations.
House of Blues
House of Blues presents major touring acts and local bands in an intimate concert venue. Enjoy world-class performances in a uniquely decorated setting that celebrates American musical traditions. You can also grab a bite to eat at the in-house restaurant.
6. Play Mini Golf
There are numerous mini golf courses in the North Myrtle Beach area. They feature elaborate themes ranging from pirate ships to volcanic eruptions, providing fun challenges for players of all skill levels.
Popular mini golf spots include:
- Lost Treasure Golf
- Molten Mountain
- Mayday Golf
- Professor Hacker’s Dinosaur Adventure Golf
- Mutiny Bay Miniature Golf
These creative courses transform a simple game into an adventure, with each hole telling part of a larger story through detailed scenery and interactive elements.
7. Swim, Race, and Play with the Kids
Families can find plenty of ways to burn off steam in North Myrtle Beach. There are entertainment venues to suit all ages, from little ones to teens.
Shark Wake Park
Shark Wake Park at North Myrtle Beach Park offers wakeboarding and features one of the largest inflatable aqua park activities on the East Coast. It provides endless fun for water sport enthusiasts looking to try something new.
810 Entertainment
810 Entertainment provides comprehensive indoor entertainment with bowling lanes, arcade games, and pool tables all under one roof. This facility ensures families have backup plans for rainy days or evenings when they want to stay indoors while still enjoying active entertainment.
K1 Speed Indoor Go Kart Racing
K1 Speed Indoor Go Kart Racing features electric karts capable of reaching speeds up to 45 mph, delivering professional racing thrills in a safe, controlled environment. The high-tech facility includes computerized timing systems that allow racers to track their improvement and compete with friends and family members.
8. Lose Yourself in Nature
North Myrtle Beach’s parks and nature preserves provide outstanding outdoor recreation opportunities that extend far beyond the beach.
North Myrtle Beach Park & Sports Complex
North Myrtle Beach Park & Sports Complex encompasses extensive facilities, including three miles of walking trails and a dedicated dog park where pets can exercise and socialize. This comprehensive recreational facility demonstrates the community’s commitment to providing quality outdoor spaces for both residents and visitors.
Waties Island
Waties Island (also called Waites Island) is an unspoiled barrier island with pristine beaches and maritime forest environments. For a unique experience, take a horseback riding tour of the island with Inlet Point Plantation.
Heritage Shores Nature Preserve
Explore the salt marshes in the Cherry Grove neighborhood when you visit the Heritage Shores Nature Preserve. These are some of the most pristine coastal ecosystems remaining along the Grand Strand.
Take a guided kayak tour with Cherry Grove Kayaking to have an experienced guide share knowledge about the complex relationships between plants, animals, and water systems that make these areas so important.
McLean Park
McLean Park offers traditional recreational facilities, including a baseball field, tennis courts, children’s playground equipment, and picnic tables, ensuring families have convenient access to outdoor fun. The park’s central location makes it easily accessible from most accommodations and provides a great spot for morning exercise or afternoon relaxation.
9. Dining & Nightlife
Photo Credit: StacieStauffSmith Photos
North Myrtle Beach’s culinary scene highlights fresh seafood and traditional Southern flavors, with local restaurants serving shrimp, oysters, and fish using family recipes passed down through generations.
Popular restaurants include:
- Hoskins, known for its authentic Southern breakfasts since 1948.
- Flying Fish Public Market & Grill, beloved for its fresh Lowcountry cuisine.
- LuLu’s, which combines dining with live music and family-friendly activities.
- Boardwalk Billy’s, popular for its BBQ menu and beautiful waterway views.
Check out our guide to the area’s top restaurants for even more recommendations.
The nightlife in North Myrtle Beach is fairly lively with beach bars and nightclubs offering live music and dancing late into the night during peak season.
Fat Harold’s Beach Club is the iconic spot for experiencing authentic Carolina Shag music and dancing. The atmosphere at Fat Harold’s is always fantastic, no matter if you plan to dance, drink, or simply grab a bite to eat.
If you’re a wine fanatic, head to Duplin Winery for relaxing wine tastings on their charming farmhouse porch. Duplin is one of the oldest and largest wineries in the South, and it’s renowned for its delicious sweet wines.
10. Take a Road Trip Along the Grand Strand
Although there’s plenty to do in North Myrtle Beach, no trip to the South Carolina coastline would be complete without exploring the wider Grand Strand region.
The bustling town of Myrtle Beach is a short drive away, and it’s a great destination for a day trip. Visit Ripley’s Aquarium for an immersive journey through marine ecosystems, with interactive exhibits that provide a hands-on learning experience.
Next, check out the Hollywood Wax Museum to pose with life-size wax models of your favorite stars. Take a stroll along the boardwalk, then hop aboard the SkyWheel for incredible views of the coastline.
If you’re happy to drive a little further south, Brookgreen Gardens is well worth visiting. It showcases a large outdoor sculpture collection alongside nature trails that wind through different gardens and ecosystems, including rice fields, oak forests, and freshwater swamps. It even has a Lowcountry zoo.
If you have time to spare, take a walk at nearby Huntington Beach State Park. It features three miles of pristine beach combined with salt marsh boardwalks that allow visitors to observe wildlife in undisturbed habitats.
Plan Your North Myrtle Beach Visit
North Myrtle Beach offers stunning beaches, fun attractions, and plenty of Southern charm.
Ready to make it your next vacation destination? Book a Sea House oceanfront villa today and indulge in the ultimate beach escape.