Myrtle Beach South Carolina Boardwalk and Brookgreen Gardens

Why visit Myrtle Beach

The first reason is simple: the beach. Wide, gently sloping sand runs for miles, and every stretch is public, so you can walk for an hour at low tide without hitting a fence.

The second reason is variety. Few beach towns pack so much into one strip.

The third reason surprises many first-time visitors: a short drive south takes you into a gentler landscape of rice field history, live oaks, tidal creeks and fishing villages. Brookgreen Gardens, Atalaya and Huntington Beach State Park give the area a depth that the hotel strip alone does not suggest, and they are worth building a full day around.

The oceanfront and downtown attractions

Myrtle Beach Boardwalk and Promenade

The boardwalk runs for a little over a mile between the 14th Avenue Pier and the 2nd Avenue Pier. The northern section is a raised wooden deck with ocean views, the middle stretch has an arcade-and-souvenir carnival feel, and the southern promenade is calmer, with benches, palmettos and landscaped dunes.

SkyWheel

The SkyWheel stands right beside the boardwalk near the center of the oceanfront, and its enclosed, climate-controlled gondolas give you a long view over the beach, the hotel towers and the ocean. A ride takes several rotations and lasts around ten to fifteen minutes.

Family Kingdom Amusement Park

On South Ocean Boulevard, Family Kingdom is a classic seaside amusement park with a wooden roller coaster, a Ferris wheel and plenty of rides for younger children. It feels old fashioned in a good way. Plan two to four hours if you have kids with you.

For the long drive or a souvenir that is not another T-shirt, Magic Story makes personalized storybooks with your child as the hero, and you get 45% off the first book when you subscribe (affiliate link).

See Magic Story books

Broadway at the Beach

Set around 23-acre Lake Broadway, this entertainment complex brings together shops, restaurants, theaters and attractions such as Ripley's Aquarium, WonderWorks and the Hollywood Wax Museum. The Pavilion Park keeps a few nostalgic rides from the city's old oceanfront amusement park.

State parks, gardens and the quieter coast

Myrtle Beach State Park

Opened in 1936, Myrtle Beach State Park was the first state park in South Carolina and was built largely by the Civilian Conservation Corps. It protects about a mile of undeveloped beach, a fishing pier, a campground and a shady maritime forest of live oaks and magnolias. Two short nature trails wind through the woods, and a nature center has saltwater aquariums and exhibits on coastal wildlife.

Brookgreen Gardens

Just south of Murrells Inlet, Brookgreen Gardens was founded in 1932 by Archer and Anna Hyatt Huntington on land that had been four rice plantations. Today it holds one of the largest outdoor collections of American figurative sculpture in the world, set among live oak allées, fountains and flower gardens.

Huntington Beach State Park and Atalaya

Across US 17 from Brookgreen, Huntington Beach State Park offers a broad, uncrowded beach, a freshwater lagoon, salt marsh boardwalks and some of the best birdwatching on the coast. Alligators are often seen from the causeway, and in winter you may spot waterfowl and other wading birds.

Along the Grand Strand, north and south

Murrells Inlet MarshWalk

About thirteen miles south of Myrtle Beach, Murrells Inlet began as a fishing village and still has a working waterfront feel.

Barefoot Landing

In North Myrtle Beach, Barefoot Landing is a large shopping and dining complex built around a small lake beside the Intracoastal Waterway. Wooden walkways connect more than a hundred stores and restaurants, and the Alabama Theatre and Alligator Adventure sit next door.

North Myrtle Beach and Cherry Grove

The northern end of the Strand feels more residential, with lower buildings and a relaxed pace. This is the home of the Carolina shag, the state dance, and you can still find beach music nights in the clubs along Main Street.

Golf and live shows

Myrtle Beach is famous for golf, with dozens of courses spread from Little River to Pawleys Island, and many play packages bundle rounds with lodging. Evenings bring live music theaters such as the Carolina Opry and Legends in Concert.

Food and local flavors

Seafood is the main event. Look for fried and broiled platters of shrimp, flounder, oysters and deviled crab, often served Calabash style, a light, crisp fry named after the fishing town just over the North Carolina line.

For dinner with a view, head to the Murrells Inlet MarshWalk, where waterfront restaurants line the boardwalk, or to the docks in Little River, a fishing village with boats unloading their catch.

Where to stay

Central oceanfront. Staying near the boardwalk puts you within walking distance of the SkyWheel, amusement rides and nightlife.

North Myrtle Beach. Lower buildings, rental houses and a slower pace make this area good for multigenerational groups and longer stays, with easy access to Barefoot Landing.

Surfside Beach, Garden City and Murrells Inlet. South of the city, these communities offer beach houses, quieter sand and quick access to Brookgreen Gardens and Huntington Beach State Park.

Best time to visit

Spring, from April to early June, brings warm days, blooming gardens and water that warms up week by week.

Summer, from mid-June through August, is peak season. Expect hot, humid days, afternoon thunderstorms, full beaches and heavy traffic on Kings Highway.

Fall is many locals' favorite season.

Winter is mild and quiet, with cool days and lower rates.

Getting there and getting around

Myrtle Beach International Airport is close to the southern part of the city, and nonstop or connecting flights arrive through hubs such as Atlanta and Charlotte. By road, US 501 links the coast with Interstate 95, while US 17 runs the length of the Grand Strand.

A car is the most practical way to explore.

A suggested itinerary

First day

Start with a sunrise walk on the beach, then spend the morning swimming. After lunch, head to Broadway at the Beach for the aquarium and the lakeside shops.

Second day

Drive south to Brookgreen Gardens when it opens and spend the morning among the sculptures and live oaks. Cross US 17 to Huntington Beach State Park for a picnic, a quiet swim and a look at Atalaya.

Third day

Spend the morning at Myrtle Beach State Park, walking the forest trail and fishing from the pier.

Practical tips

• Swim near lifeguard stands and watch the flag warnings, because rip currents are a real hazard along this coast.
• Check local beach rules before you go; glass, alcohol and some tents or canopies may be restricted on the sand.
• Use strong sunscreen, a hat and plenty of water, since summer heat and humidity are intense by midday.
• Reserve lodging, tee times and show tickets early for summer weekends and festival dates.
• Leave extra time for driving, and avoid Kings Highway at peak hours when you can.
• Bring insect repellent for marsh boardwalks and state parks, especially around dawn and dusk.

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