Myrtle Beach: The 11 Best Reasons to Go This Summer

1.2 Miles of Oceanfront Fun

You may have been to Myrtle Beach before, but have you been to the new Myrtle Beach? Its ocean-front promenade, the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk, is the place to be while in South Carolina. Named one of the best boardwalks in America when it debuted in 2010, the 1.2-mile walkway is lined with shops, restaurants, and gorgeous sea views.

Visitors don't just play on the Boardwalk, they also stay. The four-star Bay View on the Boardwalk, the AAA 3-Diamond Holiday Inn at the Pavilion, and several other oceanfront hotel are close to the action and offer sweeping views of Myrtle Beach and the Atlantic Ocean.

Aquatic Adventures

Seaside Myrtle Beach is synonymous with watersports, and fun and affordability can go hand in hand as local tour operators sometimes offer deals on aquatic adventures including paddleboarding, kayaking, parasailing, jet skiing, and fishing.

Those who wish to sit back and let the adventure come to them will enjoy sightseeing and wildlife-spotting cruises. Dolphins, sea turtles, and sting rays are regular visitors to the waters off Myrtle Beach, and the whole area is a well-known bird watchers' paradise.

Wet & Wild

When you just don't feel like dealing with the beach's sand and salty water but still crave some wet and wild adventures, head to one of the many Myrtle Beach water parks.

Take on the towering slides, raging waterfalls, wild wave pools, and lazy rivers. Splashes, the beachside Family Kingdom waterpark, sits in the heart of the action on South Ocean Boulevard; Myrtle Waves Water Park is the state's largest, with 20 acres and one million gallons of water; and Wild Water & Wheels offers aquatic fun alongside mini golf, bumper boats, go-carts, and kid-friendly amusement rides.

Work on your tan without worry as all area waterparks are monitored by professional lifeguards for safe poolside fun for the whole family.

Shows & Entertainment

High energy performances like Thunder & Light, award-winning variety shows such as the Carolina Opry, and a bit of dragon slaying at Medieval Times Dinner ∓ Tournament keep days and evening lively in Myrtle Beach. It's easy to catch a show or listen to a music legend with Myrtle Beach's abundant entertainment options.

And nothing says family fun like America's favorite pastime. Root for the home team, Myrtle Beach's own Pelicans, whose home-game tickets start at an affordable $8.

Summer Savings

You can't put a price tag on fun, and along the 60 miles of pristine beach and at the free-for-all 350-acre outdoor entertainment and shopping complexBroadway on the Beach, you don't have to. That's because there's an endless array of affordable and free entertainment options in Myrtle Beach and its surrounds.

Check the Visit Myrtle Beach calendar for a current listing of upcoming concerts and festivals, including no-charge events like the popular Beach Boogie & BBQ Festival held annually during Labor Day weekend. Find live bands all summer long at the Pier at Garden City Beach. At Ocean Boulevard's Hot Summer Nights concert series, you'll find music, plus street performers, inflatable jumping rooms, and fireworks displays every Wednesday night.

The Visit Myrtle Beach site has a deals page featuring deep discounts on various hotels and resorts, all conveniently located close to the area's action. Among the deals, find seasonal and military-family discounts, girlfriends' getaways, and pet-friendly packages.

The coupons page is full of discounts at area attractions, amusement parks, excursions, and shopping.

Family Fun

Go on seafaring escapades aboard the Sea Gypsy at Pirate Adventures, be awed by majestic sea life at Ripley's Aquarium, and fly through the zip lines at Go Ape Treetop Adventure. Myrtle Beach's mix of attractions keeps the whole family entertained. From skyscraping thrill rides to world-class fishing, and from mini-golf to award-winning 18-hole courses, there's truly something for everyone.

It's Tee Time

There's no shortage of world-class courses in South Carolina's Lowcountry. Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, and Greg Norman are just a few of the big names that have designed gorgeous greens for Myrtle Beach golf.

Get Hooked!

Fishing enthusiasts should ready themselves for the big haul with a few pushups before heading out to Myrtle Beach. The Springmaid Pier—one of several in the city—offers intense fishing action, holding the state record for the biggest tarpon (125 pounds) and Spanish mackerel. Sharpen your hooks and your hauling skills at this popular South Ocean Boulevard pier—with a tackle shop conveniently onsite—or charter any one of the area's knowledgeable charter fishing boat captains.

Deep sea and inshore backwater fishing, crabbing, shrimping, shelling—it's all here.

Rollin' Good Times

When in Myrtle Beach, the fun doesn't end when daylight does. Nightlife options are endless, find among them the world-renown House of Blues and Bowery for live music; Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville and the Dead Dog Saloon for rollin' good times; and nightclubs, comedy clubs, and pubs for nighttime entertainment.

Oceanfront Dining

Sashimi, tacos, T-bone steaks, and world-famous honey butter hushpuppies all converge at Myrtle Beach. Your brood's pickiest eaters will naysay nothing with so many oceanfront dining options.

Retail Therapy

From indulging in high-end retail therapy to spotting the perfect souvenir on the Boardwalk or haggling your way to a great deal at the popular flea market, there's no shortage of options when it comes to Myrtle Beach shopping. Take back home a little bit of Myrtle Beach and relive the fun all year long.