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9 Ways to Enjoy Myrtle Beach Like a Local

Want to get off the typical tourist route and discover hidden gems in the Grand Strand? While Myrtle Beach is a popular beach destination year after year, there are still plenty of ways you can explore the area like a local.

Spend a day or 2 of your trip soaking up the hot spots like Broadway at the Beach, Barefoot Landing, riding high on SkyWheel Myrtle Beach, and strolling along the Boardwalk but for the rest of your stay? Get off the beaten path and head to the local hangouts.

These are the 8 tips you need for an unforgettable local’s only experience during your next trip to Myrtle Beach.

1. Stay During the Shoulder Season

If you really want to feel like a local, plan your Myrtle Beach vacation during the shoulder seasons (spring and fall).

In the spring and fall months, you’ll feel like you have the beach all to yourself. And don’t think just because it’s not summer that the sun and sand won’t be warm, as these seasonal periods are some of the best times to visit Myrtle Beach even for beach weather.

Plus, you can typically save money on your Myrtle Beach vacation during these seasonal periods, especially when you pick from these affordable Myrtle Beach resorts.

Not only will you enjoy better prices, but the tranquility that covers Myrtle Beach during this time of the year will offer you a truly local experience that’s hard to get during the busy summer months.

2. Enjoy a Different Waterfront at the MarshWalk

The Murrells Inlet MarshWalk is almost always bustling with great music, fresh seafood, and good people.

Located in the heart of the historic fishing village of Murrells Inlet, visitors will get to enjoy some of the best waterfront dining in the area, thanks to multiple waterfront restaurants serving Lowcountry cuisine and fresh seafood with a gorgeous backdrop of a saltwater estuary. Along with the great food is great music that you’ll find at many of the restaurants on select evenings.

You might find some tourists here but for the most part, the MarshWalk is a local’s haunt.

3. Cheer on the Home Team

Myrtle Beach Pelicans baseball games are a popular spot for locals, thanks to their gameday deals, fun promotions, and social atmospheres. Cheer on the home team one night during your stay for a truly authentic Myrtle Beach experience.

Seasons typically start in early spring and end towards the end of summer.

Be sure to stop by the official Myrtle Beach Pelicans store to round out your fandom with a shirt, cap, or souvenir to show your Myrtle Beach pride.

This family-friendly activity is one of the most fun things to do in the Myrtle Beach area.

4. Cook Up the Local Cuisine

Myrtle Beach is well known for its eclectic cuisine, from Lowcountry recipes to seafood classics. What better way to enjoy Myrtle Beach’s favorite recipes than preparing them in your own Myrtle Beach resort with a kitchen?

There are several fish markets and grocery stores nearby where you can get all the ingredients you need to prepare a delicious meal with an oceanfront view. Or, even more local, grab a rod and reel and catch your own meal!

5. Experience the Local Music Scene

From the Bowery on the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk to the Boathouse on the Intracoastal Waterway and live music right on the Atlantic at Tin Roof, you can enjoy Myrtle Beach like a local at several live music venues around Myrtle Beach.

You’ll also find catchy tunes playing at the Murrells Inlet MarshWalk or visit Main Street in North Myrtle Beach where the shag scene is going strong!

If you need some Myrtle Beach nightlife recommendations, we’ve got that too!

6. See the Grand Strand From a Different Vantage Point

You know about Myrtle Beach’s miles of sandy beachfront. But that’s not where the marine life and exploring ends.

While many visitors flock to water sports like parasailing or jet skiing, we suggest you take a more tranquil approach.

If you pick the right Myrtle Beach kayak tour, you’ll get to take a tour through some of the most remote areas of the Grand Strand. Select kayak tours will take you through winding creeks, saltwater marshes, and barrier islands, where you’ll experience the Grand Strand like you’ve never seen before.

We recommend checking out these kayak tour services:

• Glass Bottom Kayak Tours
• J&L Kayaks
• Kokopelli Kayak Tours

7. Sip & Savor at Breweries & Wineries

Myrtle Beach’s craft beer scene has grown steadily over the years, with a handful of microbreweries and brewpubs that carry locally crafted brews springing up along the Grand Strand.

In Myrtle Beach, you’ll find microbreweries in downtown Myrtle Beach, along the Intracoastal Waterway, and steps from shopping and entertainment at The Market Common. Check out our list of must-visit breweries in Myrtle Beach.

If wine tasting is more your thing, enjoy a drink or two and a Saturday concert at La Belle Amie Vineyard in Little River, or enjoy a glass of sweet muscadine wine on the front porch of Duplin Winery in North Myrtle Beach.

8. Get Outside at Myrtle Beach State Park

Although the beach right in the center of Myrtle Beach might catch your attention first, if you want the local experience, head to Myrtle Beach State Park for your days on the sand.

With over a mile of pristine coastline, Myrtle Beach State Park provides ample opportunities for beachgoers to relax, sunbathe, swim, and build sandcastles. Lifeguards are on duty during the peak season for added safety.

Another great local option for a beach day is Surfside Beach or farther south to Huntington Beach State Park.

Head to Brookgreen Gardens for incredible botanical gardens and wildlife preserve if you need a break from the sand.

Photo Credit: Chuck Lawhon

9. Shop local at The Hammock Shops

It doesn’t get much more living like a Myrtle Beach local when you shop and support local businesses! At The Hammock Shops in Pawleys Island, you’ll discover several local shops including boutique clothing stores, home decor and souvenir shops, gourmet and specialty food shops, and even a wine boutique and a fossil shop.

This is a great way to support the local economy and pick up a unique souvenir.

Explore South Carolina the Local Way

All year-round Myrtle Beach beckons visitors to its southern shores. While many happily spend their time exploring all the fun entertainment, dining, and shopping options right in the center of the city, for those looking for a more authentic getaway, there’s plenty more to see and do.

After you book your stay at a Myrtle Beach resort, take these tips to heart to plan a fantastic, local trip to the Grand Strand.

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