A Weekend in Myrtle Beach

Myrtle Beach is best known as a golfer’s destination, but visitors to this South Carolina resort town will find plenty of fun activities whether or not they enjoy hitting the links. In addition to its Grand Strand beaches and Intracoastal Waterways, which provide the perfect setting for fishing and water sports, Myrtle Beach boasts a bevy of big-budget tourist attractions. These include Broadway at the Beach and the Market Common, both massive outdoor shopping and entertainment complexes — and an abundance of theme parks to boot. Although Myrtle Beach’s cultural attractions are less conspicuous (and less well marketed) than its amusement parks and shopping centers, they are equally, if not more, worthy of a visit. The region is deeply historic and offers travelers the opportunity to tour 18th-century plantations, slave burial grounds and more.

The Perfect Myrtle Beach Weekend

Day One: Enjoy some classic Myrtle Beach activities! Spend your morning lounging on one of the beaches along the Grand Strand. For lunch, grab some pizza or burgers at one of the many diners and restaurants on the Strand. In the afternoon, dust off the sand and tee off at one of the area’s famous golf courses. Those who don’t play golf should do a couple of rounds of mini-golf at one of the courses on Kings Highway. If you choose to visit a Kings Highway mini-golf course, stop in at Villa Romana (707 South Kings Highway) afterward for a casual Italian dinner.

Day Two: Get active on Myrtle Beach’s scenic waterways and coastline. Charter a boat and go on a fishing excursion on the open ocean, rent a jet ski, go parasailing or try a dolphin cruise. If those options don’t fit into your budget, go fishing on the Apache Pier — no entrance fee required. Fishing supplies are available for rental at the Apache Pier Bait & Tackle Shop. In the evening, head to Broadway at the Beach, where you can catch an IMAX movie, visit Ripley’s Aquarium, go shopping and more. For dinner, there are plenty of quality restaurants at Broadway at the Beach, including Hard Rock Cafe and Planet Hollywood.

Day Three: Today is all about getting a bit of culture during your long weekend. In the morning, head south of Myrtle Beach to Brookgreen Gardens, about a 20-minute drive from the town center. Spend your morning walking around the sculpture gardens and spotting wildlife – remember to bring your camera. (Call ahead to get scheduled tour times for the day you visit: 843-235-6000 or toll-free at 800-849-1931.) Eat lunch at one of Brookgreen Gardens’ three restaurants and cafes. Next, head even further south (about a 40-minute drive from Brookgreen Gardens) to Hopsewee Plantation in Georgetown, South Carolina. Here, you can take a guided tour of the plantation house and its grounds (call ahead for reservations: 843-546-7891). Enjoy afternoon tea when your tour is finished; you’ll receive a discounted rate if you purchase a tour and afternoon tea together.

Learn more about this itinerary with our Myrtle Beach Attractions.

–written by Caroline Costello; updated by Christina Livadiotis