Get rid of those winter blues with a Myrtle Beach, South Carolina getaway vacation! Enjoy the milder weather, smaller crowds, and numerous attractions open year-round. There are plenty of activities to keep you busy and having fun during your stay! Make 2026 a great year with an adventure to Myrtle Beach on your bucket list! Please check with each establishment you plan on visiting for updated January hours, availability, and prices.

Check out our list of the 16 best things to do in Myrtle Beach in January 2026:

Restaurant Week in South Carolina

Thursday, January 8 – Sunday, January 18, 2026, Restaurant Week is an event where local restaurants offer special discount menus at local restaurants., Restaurant Week is an event where local restaurants offer special discount menus at local restaurants. Participating restaurants include Croissants Bistro and Bakery, Thoroughbreds Chophouse, Voodoo Brewing Company and more, Click here for participating restaurants in the Myrtle Beach area.

Myrtle Beach Art Museum

If you’re looking for an indoor attraction that’s great for families, the Myrtle Beach Art Museum is a wonderful option. Admission is free for children 18 and under, $5 for seniors 65+ and veterans, and $8 for general admission. Artwork created by local, regional, national, and international artists is displayed in a wide range of mediums that include paintings, sculptures, crafts, and photography. The museum is a knowledgeable and artistic destination for the budding artist in the family. The Myrtle Beach Art Museum is open year-round.

Create art at Board & Brush

Do-it-yourself art studio Board & Brush is in North Myrtle Beach, and offers a huge array of unique, personalized workshop projects, including wooden signs, table trays, door mats, and more! Come as a beginner; no experience is needed, as they will teach you all the skills. Just bring your creativity and personality! They will provide education, materials, and fun!

Dive under the sea at Ripley’s Aquarium

Dive into the underwater world of wonders at Broadway at the Beach. Meet and discover some of the world’s most fascinating sea creatures at Ripley’s Aquarium, which includes two levels of fascinating attractions. The upper-level displays include exhibits like the Rio Amazon, Penguin Playhouse, Planet Jellies, and Friendship Flats, where you can touch stingrays. The lower-level features exhibits like Rainbow Rock, Sloth Valley, and the Dangerous Reef, which takes guests on a slow-moving 340-foot glide path through an underwater tunnel that is surrounded by some of the ocean’s fiercest creatures, including sharks and eels!

Spending the day at The Market Common

It’s a local favorite spot and the talk of the town! The Market Common, near the Myrtle Beach airport, is worthy of an entire day and has everything from dining to shopping to entertainment. Begin your day with a stroll around Valor Memorial Garden, or play at Savannah’s Playground with the family. Get a fresh latte, protein shake, or cold-pressed juice at Loleo’s juice bar. Shop the deluxe boutiques, and get lunch at Zardin, an upscale healthy eatery that provides fresh, local, rich food. Tupelo Honey Southern Restaurant, King Street Grille, and more eatery options are available. In the afternoon, go play at 810 Billiards and Bowling, which features a variety of amenities like bowling, arcade, mini-golf, and more. For children, take them to Edventure Children’s Museum for hands-on learning and play exhibits. Also, special activities in January on select dates include options such as Team Trivia and Friday Music Bingo at 810 Billiards and Bowling, live music at Crepe Creation, and more!

The Ultimate Dessert at The Crazy Mason

If you’re looking for a sweet treat, The Crazy Mason has you covered! They are the ultimate Dessert Destination! Try their crazy shakes, crazy dessert nachos, crazy sundaes, and even more crazy desserts. They also have single desserts, like a single or double scoop of ice cream, in a cup or an in-house made waffle cone. There are hundreds of delicious toppings to choose from and are locally grown or sourced from partnerships with local bakeries and businesses. They are located at 2461 Coastal Grand Circle, near the Coastal Grand Mall and have a second location in North Myrtle Beach at 801 Main St. How crazy and fun is that!

Fun Outing at Barefoot Landing

Barefoot Landing is a popular tourist destination offering year-round fun! Positioned on the Intracoastal Waterway, Barefoot Landing offers a wide variety of dining cuisines, a brewery, yard games and hammocks, shopping, and family entertainment.

Post-Christmas Sales at Tanger Outlets

The holiday shopping season may start on Black Friday, but the deals don’t stop and keep rolling in after the New Year! Tanger Outlets has two convenient locations for after-Christmas shopping in Myrtle Beach: 17 Business North near Barefoot Landing towards North Myrtle Beach, and on Highway 501 just outside the main Myrtle Beach area.

Search for shells and shark teeth on the beach

This time of year, with fewer beachgoers, is perfect for shelling up and down the Grand Strand and finding that perfect memento to take home. The popular beach finds along the Grand Strand include shark teeth and sand dollars. Head out right after high tide for the best chance to find some of these exotic sea shells and fossils.

Scenic Coastal Helicopter Rides

Explore the beach high in the sky with a spectacular bird’s-eye view! Helicopter rides provide an alternative with an element of thrill. A sightseeing helicopter tour takes guests hundreds of feet above the Myrtle Beach coastline and over some of the area’s most popular attractions. Schedule your sightseeing helicopter tour:

• Oceanfront Helicopters | (843) 946-0022 | Myrtle Beach
• Myrtle Beach Biplanes & Helicopters Rides | (843) 427-7351 | North Myrtle Beach
• Executive Helicopters | (843) 427-7351 | North Myrtle Beach

Hammock Shops Village in Pawleys Island

The Hammock Shops Village has been the heart of Pawleys Island since 1938. Have a fun-filled day with your family, where you can shop at one of their 21 stores, dine at Local or BisQit, play at the playground, and learn about local history. The shops include the Original Hammock Shop, which has been open since 1938, and Whitmire Fine Jewelry, which specializes in handmade Pawleys Island shells and other beach jewelry. You’ll also find clothing and wine boutiques, candles, artwork, home decor, a general store, and more.

Soar high on The SkyWheel

There’s no better way to take in the sights of the Myrtle Beach area than nearly 200 feet in the air in your own private, enclosed (and temperature-controlled!) gondola. Gather up to six family and friends for this unique flight. The SkyWheel, located by the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk, is open daily throughout January. Tickets are $19.99 for adults (ages 12 and up), $15.99 for children (ages 3 to 11), and free for children ages 2 and under. Prices are subject to change.

Concerts in Myrtle Beach

Bravo! Sit back and enjoy the show! Select and purchase a ticket for a live concert performance.

• An Evening With Larry The Cable Guy – January 16, 2026, at the Alabama Theatre.
• In The Air Tonight – Phil Collins Tribute – January 17, 2026, Tribute Concert at The Carolina Opry.
• Piano Men: A Tribute to Elton John and Billy Joel – January 18, 2026, Tribute concert at The Carolina Opry.
• The Beach Boys – January 24, 2026, Concert at the Alabama Theatre.
• Should’ve Been A Cowboy – Toby Keith Tribute – January 25, 2026, Tribute Concert at The Carolina Opry.

Walk around The MarshWalk in Murrells Inlet

Come enjoy the ocean breeze! Murrells Inlet, located in the heart of the historic fishing village of Murrells Inlet, is a ½ mile wooden boardwalk along the saltwater marsh. The MarshWalk takes pride in the most spectacular waterfront dining along the Grand Strand. Enjoy savory Lowcountry cuisine, fresh seafood, the finest steaks, and a variety of fine food prepared by award-winning chefs. Along with the fine waterfront dining, enjoy live nightly music, water sports, charter fishing, sightseeing tours, kayaking, and shopping. All this and more all along the MarshWalk. 

Visit Brookgreen Gardens

Brookgreen Gardens is an area favorite for travelers and locals, boasting over 10,000 acres of manicured gardens and dazzling sculptures. While you visit in January be sure to check out all their special events such as:

• Photography After Dark with Photographer David Johnson – Thursday, January 8, 2026 | 4:30 – 7:30 p.m. Learn the Photography tricks of the trade with hands-on night photography and experience the Night of a Thousand Candles through a whole new lens. 
• Playwriting 101 – Friday, January 16, 2026 | 2:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. All aspiring and current playwrights! Attend a playwriting workshop to continue or begin a script of your own. This engaging workshop covers all of the bases on playwriting to get your creative juices flowing.
• In Praise of the Ancestors Curator Talk Saturday – January 17, 2026 | 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. Join award-winning textile artist Torreah “Cookie” Washington, in praising and acknowledging the innovation and vision of African American fiber artists.
• Gullah Rag Rug Workshop Saturday – January 17, 2026 | 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. Join Cookie Washington, Nationally Recognized Quilter and Cultural Preservationist, in an afternoon of hands-on celebration of Gullah artistry and tradition. The workshop includes guided rag rug instruction and experience.
• Open Studio Wednesday – January 21, 2026 | 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Located in the new Simpson Art Center, guests may come in and visit with the sculptor and observe the processes of creating a sculpture of clay to bronze. This program is open to the public once a month and is included with garden admission.
• Playwriting 101 – Friday, January 23, 2026 | 2:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. All aspiring and current playwrights! Attend a playwriting workshop to continue or begin a script of your own. This engaging workshop covers all of the bases on playwriting to get your creative juices flowing.
• Sip and Sculpt Saturday – January 24, 2026 |  1 p.m. – 3 p.m. With your favorite drink in hand, let your creativity flow into whatever your heart desires, no prior art experience needed!
• Playwriting 101 – Friday, January 30, 2026 | 2:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. All aspiring and current playwrights! Attend a playwriting workshop to continue or begin a script of your own. This engaging workshop covers all of the bases on playwriting to get your creative juices flowing.

Visit the Lowcountry Zoo

While you’re at Brookgreen Gardens, be sure to visit the Lowcountry Zoo and say hi to some of the area’s native animals. The zoo is home to dozens of animals, including otters, alligators, red foxes, owls, and hawks. You may even see a wild turkey, fox, squirrels, and eagles perusing the facility. The compassionate, hardworking zoo staff provide the animals with daily, high-quality care and attention. The zoo is a favorite among all ages and provides plenty of learning opportunities through self-guided tours or included daily feeding tours. Admission to the Lowcountry Zoo is free with regular garden admission.

As you can see, there is so much to do in Myrtle Beach year-round! In addition, many new attractions and restaurants open their doors in Myrtle Beach every year. There’s no better time to start planning your Myrtle Beach vacation—get the lowest Myrtle Beach resort room rates here!