The Myrtle Beach Area
15 Must-Visit Attractions in Myrtle Beach

Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet offers visitors beautiful views of one of the premiere gardens in America with dozens of sculpted statues, blooming and colorful flowers and a zoo featuring the exotic wildlife of South Carolina. There’s no question that the 1,600 acre cultural center is such a premiere destination for visitors and locals year-round on the Grand Strand. The gardens also features boat rides, back-road excursions and a butterfly house! And during the summer the gardens stay open later for Summer Light: Art by Night where live entertainment, family fun and delicious food combine with the beautiful landscape.

The Myrtle Beach SkyWheel has become somewhat of an unofficial symbol of Myrtle Beach, so it’s no surprise that the SkyWheel is on this list. Open all year long, you can experience some of the best sights of Myrtle Beach as you float above 20 stories right next to the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk.

It’s now the only ocean-front amusement park in Myrtle Beach with more than 35 rides including rollercoasters, log rides, go-karts, a Ferris wheel and a waterpark with mini golf. Family Kingdom really has just about everything you could ask for in a seaside amusement park.

The only aquarium in Myrtle Beach, Ripley’s Aquarium continues to regularly add new exhibits while bringing in crowds all year round. If you want a once-in-a-lifetime experience, get up close and personal with stingrays or dive with the sharks. Ripley’s also offers behind-the-scenes tours for visitors.

Maybe the most decorated restaurant in Myrtle Beach, Sea Captain’s House has provided delicious food with a beautiful, ocean-front view for over 60 years. As you walk into the former seaside cottage, you’re immediately surrounded by southern hospitality and wall-to-wall decoration of seaside memorabilia. And every seat in the restaurant provides amazing views of the crashing waves hitting the shoreline as you dine on some of the best seafood that Myrtle Beach can offer.

If you’re looking to leave your competitors in the dust, look no further than Broadway Grand Prix in Myrtle Beach, just across from Broadway at the Beach. Show off your racing skills on seven different go-kart tracks, including a Junior, Kids and Family Tracks. And the awesomeness doesn’t stop on the track;  there’s also two 18-hole mini golf courses, a 20,000 square foot arcade, amusement rides, and a Kid-Zone featuring multiple rides for the little ones.

Regarded as the “Reptile Capital of the World,” Alligator Adventure is the closest thing to a zoo that Myrtle Beach has to offer and it does a fantastic job at immersing guests into the lives and surroundings of its inhabitants. If you ever wanted to sit eye-to-eye with a giant snake or get the opportunity to pet a live alligator or even watch a live alligator feeding, then Alligator Adventure is the place for you.

That upside down structure you see when passing Broadway at the Beach wasn’t an accident; it’s WonderWorks, an “amusement park for the mind” that offers guests a mix of entertainment and education in 50,000 square feet of hands on exhibits and challenges, including exhibits on space exploration, natural disasters and light and sound. WonderWorks also offers an indoor ropes challenge, laser tag and a 6D motion ride!

Dave & Buster’s is the premiere dining and gaming experience. It’s located at Broadway at the Beach and features hundreds of arcade games and delicious food and drinks, including plenty of special offers and coupons, like free game-play opportunities, happy hour specials and local events. Weekday specials include Eat and Play Combos, All-You-Can-Eat Wing Nights and Military Discounts. It’s really THE spot to watch the big game while eating great food, fantastic drinks and letting out your inner child while playing arcade games.

The Carolina Opry has been one of the most popular Myrtle Beach attractions since its opening in 1986. The theater holds productions almost every evening throughout the year, with shows ranging from country and gospel to Broadway-style productions. The Christmas Show of the South is The Carolina Opry’s annual Christmas special and is a guarantee to get you in the holiday spirit if you’re visiting in November or December. There are also concerts from famous artists regularly held at the theater. Some previous artists to perform here include Travis Tritt, Charlie Daniels, LeeAnn Rimes, and Gladys Knight.

The Bowery is one of the most iconic landmarks in Myrtle Beach. It has been providing live music, great food, and unforgettable memories to locals and visitors since 1944. More notably, it helped pave the way for one of the most successful country bands of all time, Alabama. Alabama served as the house band at The Bowery from 1973 to 1980 before striking a deal with RCA Records and going on to win almost every country music award imaginable. The Bowery has plenty of memorabilia from those days on display that you can check out when you visit.

Huntington Beach State Park sits right across from Brookgreen Gardens and offers guests tons of scenic attractions. Camp, sight-see, relax at the beach, walk along the park’s freshwater lake or get the opportunity to see some of South Carolina’s endangered plants and animals up close. You can even tour Atalaya Castle, the winter home of Archer and Anna Hyatt Huntington, which sits right next to the beach and is home to the annual Atalaya Arts & Crafts Festival. And if you’re just looking to avoid the beach crowds around Myrtle Beach, then heading to Huntington Beach State Park is a great idea.

The House of Blues at Barefoot Landing in North Myrtle Beach offers plenty of entertainment for everyone, including national touring bands and entertaining theater shows. Don’t miss the Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre where everyone is a suspect. But the House of Blues doesn’t just offer stunning performances, they also have the House of Blues Restaurant & Bar, featuring tons of delicious foods like St. Louis Ribs and Shrimp & Grits. And be sure to get their Sunday morning for the World Famous Gospel Brunch featuring fantastic food and live gospel music. Check out our events page for more dates and concerts coming up!

Baseball is THE summer sport and the Myrtle Beach Pelicans are here to get your baseball fix. Visiting Pelicans Ballpark should be near the top of any visitor’s list during your spring or summer vacation. Not only are the Pelicans defending two-time Carolina League champions but the ballpark offers tons of giveaways, pre-game autograph sessions, special promotions and so much more throughout the season. The park is also infamous for its setting of the television show Eastbound & Down. Be sure to check out the events page for more details on the Myrtle Beach Pelicans’ schedule.