While sitting in the sand and enjoying the waves is unquestionably at the top of everyone’s list for a vacation on the Grand Strand, there are tons of unique things to do in Myrtle Beach that will attract all ages.
From surf camps to penguin meet-and-greets, there are plenty of hidden gems and off-the-beaten-path activities to do in Myrtle Beach. To sweeten the deal even more, remember that guests staying at one of our Vacation Myrtle Beach resorts will enjoy discounts to many attractions, restaurants, and shops in the area with their very own Myrtle Beach discount card.
Let’s dive right into these 27 unique to-dos to add to your Myrtle Beach trip for you and your family’s next getaway.
1. Go Back in Time at Medieval Times
Feast on a four-course meal while knights duel for your entertainment. Myrtle Beach offers a variety of unique dinner shows, but Medieval Times is one of our fan favorites.
Feast on a four-course meal while knights duel, horses charge across the arena, and a queen presides over the whole wonderfully over-the-top affair. Myrtle Beach has its fair share of unique dinner shows, but this tops the list for its quirky brand of fun – especially for special celebrations.
You’ll be assigned a knight to cheer for before settling in for roughly two hours of jousting, sword fights, horsemanship, and medieval pageantry. Dinner is part of the experience, and yes, you’re expected to eat it without utensils. Apparently forks haven’t been invented yet.
2. Enjoy an Amusement Park for the Mind
WonderWorks, located within Broadway at the Beach, makes education a whole lot of fun! This family-friendly venue will spark your imagination and get you thinking like a scientist for the day. Lie on a bed of nails, withstand hurricane-force winds, and experience a 6D adventure at WonderWorks.
If your kids enjoyed WonderWorks, they’ll also love the interactive science and aviation exhibits at EdVenture Myrtle Beach.
3. Swap the Beach for the Intracoastal Waterway
Photo Credit: Jiujiuer
Looking for an outdoor activity? Everyone knows the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk and our miles and miles of Atlantic Coast, but most are blown away by just how serene and beautiful the Intracoastal Waterway is.
Here is the best place to go kayaking, paddleboarding, or jet skiing through some of the most isolated areas of the Grand Strand.
4. Go Underwater at Ripley’s Aquarium
While the aquarium itself might not be a hidden gem, not many people know about the animal encounters you can have. Wade in the water or snorkel alongside the stingrays, or stay on land and meet the African penguins who live at Ripley’s Aquarium.
5. Go Horseback Riding on the Beach
Trade your beach chair for a saddle and see a quieter side of the Grand Strand. With Inlet Point Plantation, you and your family can enjoy a guided tour on Waites Island, along the Intracoastal, or within the Pecan Groves. This’ll give you a great chance to see more of the Myrtle Beach area from a completely unique vantage point.
Tours include rides along the Intracoastal Waterway, through shady Pecan Groves, and, seasonally, out to secluded Waites Island, where you can ride right along the beach. You don’t need to be an experienced rider, either.
6. Hunt for Your Own Souvenir
Photo Credit: ChicagoPhotographer
Who hasn’t scavenged the beach looking for shark teeth to take home? Skip the traditional shopping! With Fossils Forever, they’ll take you and your family on a shark tooth hunting adventure so you can find your own souvenir to bring back home with you.
7. Learn to Surf the Waves
Don’t expect massive waves on your Myrtle Beach vacation, but for those who are new to surfing, our gentle waves are ideal to learn on. Kokopelli Surf Camp offers professional lessons for adults and kiddos alike.
8. Have Some Fun at Shark Wake Park 843
A day at Shark Wake Park 843 is easily one of the most fun things to do in Myrtle Beach. Here you can try out water sports like wakeboarding, kneeboarding, water skiing, or play on the floating obstacle course. This North Myrtle Beach water park isn’t like anywhere else you’ve been before!
9. Transport Yourself to Brazil
While Myrtle Beach has plenty of delicious restaurants, one of the most unique is Rioz Brazilian Steakhouse. Here, you can savor an authentic Brazilian Churrascaria dining experience where gauchos bring different cuts of beef, pork, lamb, and poultry to your table.
10. Try Locally Brewed Beers
Photo Credit: Nitr
While a lot of people flock to The Bowery, the home of famous country band Alabama, for a sunset beer, if you’re trying to get off the beaten path, you’ll want to swap that plan out for one of Myrtle Beach’s breweries.
If you’re more of a wine person, you might be surprised to know that the Grand Strand has their very own winery, Duplin Winery. Here you can try some of the best southern sweet wines. Often, the breweries and Duplin Winery have live music where you can listen to some of the area’s best local musicians.
11. Get a Quirky Gift at Gay Dolphin Gift Cove
Open since 1946, this massive oceanfront gift shop is packed floor to ceiling with souvenirs, seashells, jewelry, beachwear, shark teeth, nautical oddities, and plenty of things you absolutely did not know you needed until you walked in.
It’s definitely a fun stop when you’re strolling the Boardwalk, especially if you need a souvenir that goes beyond the standard Myrtle Beach magnet. Give yourself some time to browse. Half the fun is seeing what strange little treasure turns up around the next corner.
Gay Dolphin is near the Myrtle Beach SkyWheel, one of the best things to do in town, so make a stop at the shop before or after your ride!
12. Embrace the Beauty of Brookgreen Gardens
Photo Credit: Craig Zerbe
Brookgreen Gardens is best known for its magnificent Christmas lights, but really, all year-round, the gardens are a must-see in Myrtle Beach.
Enjoy a stroll through the botanical gardens, learn about the area’s history, and pay a visit to the Low Country Zoo to see the animals that call this area home.
13. See Myrtle Beach from Above
If the SkyWheel isn’t unique enough for you, get even better ocean views from a helicopter ride. Night or day, you’ll be wowed by the beauty of Myrtle Beach and the surrounding area when you can take it all in from above.
14. See Even More Local Wildlife
Touch a real live alligator or slithering snake at Alligator Adventure at Barefoot Landing. You can also watch the alligators during feeding time and see some exotic birds and mammals.
Time your visit for one of the live shows or alligator feedings, where you can watch these enormous reptiles in action and learn a little about them in the process. There are also opportunities to get an up-close look at some of the park’s smaller residents.
It’s part wildlife park, part reptile encounter, and a nice change of pace when you’ve already seen plenty of Myrtle Beach’s more predictable seagulls and pelicans.
15. Journey Through the Waccamaw River
Book a nature and wildlife tour with Waccamaw River Tours to really get off the regular path and into an area that not even many locals know very well. The Waccamaw River is considered one of the finest blackwater rivers and is home to abundant wildlife.
16. Visit Small Towns
Shop at the local shops and retailers in historic downtown Conway or head north to Little River. While Conway might have a little more charm, Little River is a great place to visit if you’re seeking fishing adventures.
17. See Historic Cars, Planes, & Games
Are you a big fan of the classics? See some of the coolest vintage hot rods and automobiles at Wheels of Yesteryear. Or, if planes are more your speed, see historic fighter aircraft on display at Warbird Park, just outside The Market Common.
For our retro game lovers, the Myrtle Beach Pinball Museum is for you! Here you can play on retro pinball machines, dating as far back as the 1970s.
18. Stroll Along the MarshWalk
Head south to Murrells Inlet for a different take on the classic Myrtle Beach waterfront stroll. The MarshWalk follows a wooden boardwalk along a natural salt marsh, with fishing boats, waterfront restaurants, and plenty of opportunities to spot herons, egrets, and other coastal wildlife along the way.
Come during the day for the views and fresh seafood, or stick around after sunset when the MarshWalk really wakes up. The restaurants and bars regularly feature live music, and it’s easy to wander from one waterfront patio to the next.
19. Get Your Adrenaline Flowing
For the thrill seekers in the group, you’ll love the wide variety of amusement parks and thrill rides in and around Myrtle Beach. A few of our favorites include:
- Family Kingdom Amusement Park, Myrtle Beach’s seaside amusement park
- O.D. Pavilion Amusement Park, North Myrtle Beach’s oceanfront amusement park
- Beach Rider Jet Boat at Broadway at the Beach, for a water ride that rocks, rolls, and will have you hanging to the edge of your seat
- Sling Shot Thrill Ride, where you’ll travel at speeds of over 120 miles per hour.
20. Cheer on the Home Team
The Myrtle Beach Pelicans are our city’s minor league baseball team. For an All-American experience, cheer on the home team, enjoy a hot dog, and end the evening with post-game fireworks after select games.
21. Go Back in Time
While we recommend living in the moment during your vacation, Myrtle Beach has a unique history most people don’t know about. If you’d like to go back in time during your trip here, experience what life was like on a farm in early-1900s Horry County at the L.W. Paul Living History Farm or step inside Atalaya Castle, built in 1931 and a former winter home, at Huntington Beach State Park.
Another option is to explore the art galleries and exhibits at the Franklin G. Burroughs-Simeon B. Chapin Art Museum.
22. Enjoy Some Local Treats
Although most people rush to make a reservation or two at our most popular oceanfront restaurants, that’s not all the Grand Strand has to offer.
For a dinner unlike any other, reserve your table for a fondue dinner at The Melting Pot. For a quick bite, find a seat at the bar at the historic Peaches Corner for a burger, hot dog, and ice cream. And to top it all off, satisfy your sweet tooth with one-of-a-kind donuts at Duck Donuts.
23. Go Scuba Diving
Photo Credit: Adrien Ledeul
Although most people don’t initially think of Myrtle Beach as a scuba diving destination, that’s what makes this a unique opportunity. You won’t have the busy crowds or stressed corals. Instead, schedule a scuba diving tour of a post-Civil War wreck or alongside barracuda with Coastal Scuba.
24. Call Out to Lady Luck
Although South Carolina doesn’t typically have casinos, the Myrtle Beach area is home to the only one. The Big “M” Casino isn’t just a regular casino; it’s a boat cruise. That means you can gamble with table games, enjoy a buffet, and take in some great scenery.
If you’re simply here for the views, cruise the Intracoastal Waterway on the Barefoot Queen instead.
25. Get on Your Dancing Shoes
Ever heard of the dance, the Carolina Shag? This dance took our coast by storm starting in the 1940s, and even today you can go shagging on the weekend at one of the many restaurants and clubs on Main Street in North Myrtle Beach.
26. Hit the Mini Links
Photo Credit: Andrew Angelov
Myrtle Beach doesn’t just have mini golf. It has turned mini golf into something of a local art form. You can putt your way past erupting volcanoes, pirate ships, dinosaurs, jungle ruins, and enough waterfalls to make you wonder who’s paying the water bill.
With dozens of Myrtle Beach miniature golf courses to choose from, there’s a course for just about every age and level of competitive spirit. Pick one that catches your eye, grab a putter, and prepare to discover which member of the family takes a tiny windmill obstacle far too seriously.
27. Spend Some Time at Myrtle Beach State Park
Want a quiet stretch of beach? Myrtle Beach State Park is an ideal place to lay down your towel for the day. Walk beneath live oaks and magnolias, look for wildlife along the trails, then follow the path straight out to the Atlantic.
You can also stroll the fishing pier, try your luck catching dinner, or simply claim a quiet patch of sand. It’s a completely different side of Myrtle Beach, yet just minutes from the heart of town.
Enjoy All the Unique Things to Do in Myrtle Beach
Myrtle Beach has never been a destination that takes itself too seriously, and that’s part of the fun. Where else can you ride a horse on the beach, cheer on a jousting knight, play mini golf beside a giant volcano, and hunt for shark teeth all in the same vacation?
Make one of the Vacation Myrtle Beach Resorts and Hotels your home base, and you’ll be close to the action while still having the beach waiting when you’re ready to slow things down.