02-08-2025
Discover South Carolina's most vibrant coastal town
Gentle Atlantic breakers roll over the powdery sands of Myrtle Beach, which stretches for 60 miles along the southeastern coast of the US. Its famous mile-long boardwalk — lined with restaurants, gift shops and arcades — hums with activity.
Nicknamed the Golf Capital of the World, Myrtle Beach is home to the legendary Pine Lakes Country Club, where editors met in 1954 to conceive Sports Illustrated, as well as The Dunes, which hosts the PGA Myrtle Beach Classic tournament. With more than 80 full-sized courses to choose from, there are also more than 30 mini courses to enjoy. Myrtle Beach is home to 80 full-sized golf courses as well as 30 mini courses. Photograph by Visit Myrtle Beach
Beyond the greens, its wild roller coasters and meandering cycling routes may give the impression that Myrtle Beach is all get-up-and-go — but dig deeper and you'll find a charming, laid-back Southern city steeped in heritage. Here's everything you need to know before you go. What to do and see
Myrtle Beach is a vibrant hub where shops, museums, restaurants and live music venues can be found mere steps from the water's edge. Early risers can hop into a gondola on the eye-catching, 187ft-tall SkyWheel and watch the sun peek over the horizon while sipping a morning coffee. Afterwards, if you've not quite had your fix of dramatic heights, head to Broadway at The Beach's Pavilion Park. Here, thrill-seekers can mimic a freefall on the 65ft-tall Drop Tower or swing 120 degrees on the Beast ride. The Gay Dolphin Gift Cove is a souvenir shop famous for its seven storeys, each loaded with thousands of gifts and trinkets. Photograph by Visit Myrtle Beach
WonderWorks provides science lovers with a more educational experience. Adults and children alike can enjoy the 100 hands-on activities on offer, with highlights including astronaut training and hurricane simulation. Head back to the boardwalk for a dazzling treat: the iconic Gay Dolphin Gift Cove is a seven-storey souvenir shop — the largest in the state — packed with postcards, T-shirts and other trinkets.
For those who want to maximise their beach days, there are many places where you can roll out your towels. Approximately 20 miles south of downtown, Litchfield Beach is a tranquil escape and the perfect place to watch the waves and build sandcastles. Further north along the coast is the white-sand Huntington Beach State Park. One of the highlights here is Atalaya Castle, a Moorish-style, 30-room home built in the early 1930s by New York City philanthropist Archer Huntington and his wife, Anna Hyatt Huntington. Take a tour of the castle and be sure to stop by Brookgreen Gardens, where Anna's sculptures are displayed alongside works from more than 400 artists.
The Murrells Inlet MarshWalk, which is to the north of Huntington Beach State Park, is a haven for nature lovers. The half-mile wooden boardwalk threads along an estuary, where eagle-eyed birdwatchers can spot a variety of avian residents, including egrets, blue herons and hawks. There are also several wildlife-watching cruises on offer at the inlet, where dolphins and sea turtles might swim alongside the boats. Those with a need for speed can hop on a Seakart, a hybrid jet ski and inflatable boat, and glide across the calm waters of Murrells Inlet. Where to experience local history and culture
Learn about America's past at Atlantic Beach on the Grand Strand, which earned the moniker The Black Pearl in the 1930s because it provided a serene seaside retreat for the Black community during the segregation era. Each August, the city's Gullah Geechee Festival celebrates its residents' heritages as descendants of enslaved West Africans who laboured in rice, cotton and indigo fields in the South. Year-round, you can head south-west along the coastline to view crafts, artefacts and exhibits at the Gullah Museum of Georgetown. Murrells Inlet is a 12,000-acre freshwater islet home to the MarshWalk, a half-mile-long wooden boardwalk, from which visitors can spot local wildlife and enjoy waterfront attractions. Photograph by Visit Myrtle Beach
Alternatively, head to Sandy Island near Murrells Inlet, a 12,000-acre freshwater islet whose tight-knit Gullah community maintains their culture, language and way of life. Back in central Myrtle Beach, Motown music fans should enjoy a free tour of Charlie's Place (12.30-2.30pm, Tuesdays and Fridays), a former nightclub and hotel that once hosted Billie Holiday, Duke Ellington and Cab Calloway during the Jim Crow era. Where to eat and drink
While there are nearly 2,000 restaurants in the city, ranging from casual breakfast spots to food trucks and barbecue joints, seafood reigns supreme in Myrtle Beach. Local catches are menu highlights at spots like the oceanfront Sea Captain's House, known for its she-crab soup and hush puppies, and Hook & Barrel, an eco-friendly restaurant that serves up popular dishes like oysters, seared scallops and crabcakes. Residents have a soft spot for Southern comfort dishes such as those from Big Mike's Soul Food, a no-frills establishment serving shrimp with grits, fried chicken, collard greens and sugar-dusted beignets. For a full immersion in Southern hospitality, head to The Bowery, a landmark honky-tonk bar with live music and a selection of cold, crisp beers. Where to stay
There's a variety of accommodation options around town, from luxury resorts and budget motels to beach homes and campgrounds. Marriott Myrtle Beach Resort & Spa at Grande Dunes is an expansive oceanfront hotel with modern rooms and sprawling outdoor pools. Similarly luxe, the sleek and elegant Hilton Grand Vacations Club Ocean Enclave Myrtle Beach is a stone's throw from the Boardwalk. In addition to suites with full kitchens and ocean views, the Hilton also has a children's activity centre, outdoor and sheltered pools and a poolside bar. Three miles along the shore, the family-friendly oceanfront Dunes Village Resort has rooms ranging from studios to four-bedroom suites, plus an indoor water park and 250ft-long lazy river. When to go
Myrtle Beach's outdoor pursuits mean spring and summer are the best times to visit. Golfers generally prefer the cooler temperatures of autumn, while sightseers will love the whimsical lights and festive Christmas-themed shows during winter. There are frequent flights from London airports to Myrtle Beach International, with layovers in Charlotte, Philadelphia, Atlanta or Dallas. The Myrtle Beach Boardwalk is a four-mile drive from the airport. For more information, go to This paid content article was created for Visit Myrtle Beach. It does not necessarily reflect the views of National Geographic, National Geographic Traveller (UK) or their editorial staffs.
To subscribe to National Geographic Traveller (UK) magazine click here. (Available in select countries only).
