When thinking of great South Carolina beaches, most people think of Myrtle Beach. With a long strip of sandy coastline, plenty of restaurants, and family-friendly attractions, it’s an obvious choice.
What most people don’t realize though is that Myrtle Beach’s northern neighbor, North Myrtle Beach, offers all that the Grand Strand is known for but with a slightly different vibe. With a bit of a quieter ambiance for added relaxation, you’ll still have plenty of great things to do, delicious restaurants, fun amenities, and easy access to Myrtle Beach whenever you’d like.
Whether you decide to stay your entire trip at one of our North Myrtle Beach resorts or are staying in Myrtle Beach and just want to make a day trip, you’ll find many things to do in North Myrtle Beach that will satisfy everyone in your bunch.
Located near the North Carolina border, North Myrtle Beach is only about a 20 minute drive from the center of Myrtle Beach.
Use our list below to find things to do for shoppers, thrill seekers, outdoor enthusiasts, wine tasters, and everyone in-between. Get the full scoop on the best things to do in North Myrtle Beach.
1. Head to the Beach
A getaway to North Myrtle Beach certainly isn’t complete without spending some time on the beach. Grab a chair, umbrella, cooler, and great book and you’re ready for the perfect day!
This is the best place to relax and unwind from daily life and something that can’t be missed. Even in the winter, a day on the beach is ideal, just swap a swimsuit for a t-shirt and you’re good to go.
If you’re not a fan of the sand, you can still get your fill of the fresh ocean breeze by going on an exciting jet ski ride, checking out the views above while parasailing, or embarking on a dolphin cruise.
2. Get Entertained at Barefoot Landing
4898 Highway 17 South, North Myrtle Beach
Barefoot Landing is the quintessential pick for shopping, dining, and entertainment in North Myrtle Beach. Whether you’re traveling with your friends, family, or partner, there’s something for everyone at Barefoot Landing.
Here you’ll find boutique and specialty shops, unique dining experiences that will satisfy all appetites, entertainment for all ages, and select events and attractions that will cater to younger and older vacationers.
If you’re familiar with Broadway at the Beach in Myrtle Beach, Barefoot Landing is similar, just on a smaller scale. For those having a hard time deciding where to eat and what to do while here, we recommend:
- Getting some live music with your southern meal at House of Blues.
- Enjoying live music or a comedy show at the Alabama Theatre.
- Testing your adrenaline at LuLu’s Arcade and Mountain of Youth Ropes Course.
- See unique wildlife at Alligator Adventure.
Whatever you’re in the mood for, your whole family is sure to find plenty of live entertainment and fun at Barefoot Landing!
3. Have a Glass of Wine at Duplin Winery
4650 Highway 17 South, North Myrtle Beach
While South Carolina isn’t generally thought of as a wine-producing state, Duplin Winery is certainly the exception! Voted one of the best wine bars in Myrtle Beach, sip and savor Duplin Winery’s famous sweet Muscadine wine on the outdoor patio.
The winery is located in front of Barefoot Landing, so although not oceanfront, you’ll feel like you’re enjoying the warm ocean breeze when you have a glass of wine in hand at this local winery.
4. Cast a Line at the Cherry Grove Pier
3500 N Ocean Boulevard, North Myrtle Beach
Given North Myrtle Beach’s prime location on the Atlantic Ocean, the fishing here is great. For a more intense fishing experience, you can charter a boat for deep sea fishing but for everyone else, the catch off the fishing pier is great.
Anyone is allowed to fish off the Cherry Grove Pier with the admission price. You’ll find a full tackle and gift shop with everything you need, including gear rentals.
For those not interested in fishing, this pier is still a great place for scenic ocean views.
5. Play One of the North Myrtle Beach Golf Courses
North Myrtle Beach is home to many of the area’s finest fairways and challenging, yet rewarding, golf courses. For a golfer, no Myrtle Beach vacation is complete without a little bit of time on the fairway and is regularly regarded as one of the best places to golf on the East Coast.
Some of our favorite North Myrtle Beach courses include:
Learn more about the many Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach area golf courses to find the ideal place to tee off.
6. Enjoy a Round of Miniature Golf
Swap a full golf course for a mini one for some extra fun. Vacationers will discover the great putting greens and the most colorful characters at miniature golf courses in North Myrtle Beach. Mini golf, or putt putt, is the perfect pick for a night out with your sweetheart or an afternoon with the kids, thanks to its easy gameplay. Plus, it’s a low-cost option that won’t break the bank.
With so many to choose from, get the full list of the best mini golf courses in Myrtle Beach.
7. Go Kayaking, Paddleboarding, or Surfing
Head to the salt marshes of North Myrtle Beach for scenic kayak or stand-up paddleboard excursions. Ideal for most ages, you can schedule a guided water sports tour with J&L Kayaking for backwater scenic routes, paddling along the Waccamaw River, and twilight excursions.
Kokopelli Surf Camp is where you can take a surf lesson or take a stand-up paddleboard tour to a remote island or through the salt marsh.
Whichever of these outdoor activities you choose, it’s a great way to break the monotony of a day with your toes buried in the sand, if that’s something you need a break from!
The next time you stay at one of these Myrtle Beach resorts, you’ll receive an exclusive Myrtle Beach discount card, offering discounts and freebies at dozens of Myrtle Beach area restaurants, attractions, shows, and more.
8. Get a Strike at 810 Billiards & Bowling
1105 Highway 17 South, North Myrtle Beach
Home to standard and boutique bowling lanes, this unique indoor entertainment facility is well known to locals and vacationers alike for its social atmosphere but that’s not where the fun stops.
Visitors will get to enjoy bocce, table tennis, air hockey, pinball, and even more classic games for all ages. Plus, 810 Billiards & Bowling has their fair share of menu items straight from the grill and the bar.
This is a great place to enjoy some unique nightlife or on a rare rainy day during your beach vacation.
9. Be Creative at Board & Brush
617 Main Street, North Myrtle Beach
At this DIY wood sign workshop, no two signs are alike as guests get to pick from hundreds of designs to create their very own personalized gift or artsy addition to any home. Board & Brush instructors prep the wood and stencil for you so you can focus on personalizing your sign through staining and painting customization.
Ideal for a one-of-a-kind souvenir or a gift for someone back home, get in touch with your creative side at this interactive shop.
10. Go Horseback Riding at Inlet Point Plantation
Where: 5800 Little River Neck Road, North Myrtle Beach
Schedule the beach experience of a lifetime thanks to Inlet Point Plantation. Enjoy sightseeing like never before – from horseback!
Horseback tours take guest riders along the coast of Waites Island near North Myrtle Beach. You can select from a daytime beach ride, a sunset stroll, or a trail ride along the Intracoastal Waterway through Inlet Point Plantation’s pecan groves.
11. Stroll Down Main Street
Although North Myrtle Beach doesn’t have anything like the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk, the town does have a lively Main Street around Ocean Drive Beach that’s a whole lot of fun. Enjoy live music, dancing, eating, and drinking down this street, popping into shops, bars, and restaurants along the way.
North Myrtle Beach is famous for the birthplace of the Carolina Shag and, more specifically, Fat Harold’s Beach Club, where you’ll find shagging enthusiasts having a good time nightly! Nearby is OD Pavilion Amusement Park, located directly on the beach featuring classic thrill rides and carnival games.
12. Hit the Track on Go-Karts
Speed down the race track while you test your driving skills at one of North Myrtle Beach’s go-kart tracks. Although not great for small children, it is a family-friendly activity, so long as your children are tall enough to put their pedals to the metal!
The K1 Speed race track is located at 720 Main St. in North Myrtle Beach.
13. Relax at La Belle Amie Vineyard
Where: 1120 Saint Joseph Road, Little River
Want more Southern wines? This vineyard is just a short drive outside of North Myrtle Beach in quaint Little River.
La Belle Amie Vineyard perfects their wines using grape vines that are over one hundred years old! This local winery offers live music on select dates, wine tastings, and a wine shop to accompany its acres of beautiful vineyards.
14. Test Your Skills at Shark Wake Park
150 Citizens Circle, Little River
Shark Wake Park isn’t your average day on the water. Also located in Little River, make a day trip out of it and visit here before you go to the vineyard listed above.
Their cable wakeboarding and kneeboarding park is a thrilling adventure where you can practice your best moves and tricks on the water. Obstacle Island is a family-oriented floating playground for kids and the young at heart, complete with slides, climbing towers, and more! Although not a typical water park, this one is sure to impress people of any age!
Get Ready for an Incredible Vacation at North Myrtle Beach
For a family-friendly vacation you’ll all love, book your next beach trip to North Myrtle Beach. For more space to spread out on the sand and a more low-key ambiance, you’ll love your time in North Myrtle Beach. Plus, if you need some extra excitement, Myrtle Beach and all of its attractions are only a short drive away!