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Myrtle Beach
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Myrtle Beach blends Atlantic beaches, oceanfront attractions, seafood, golf and Southern culture into a lively South Carolina coastal escape for memorable holidays.

Atlantic Setting and Coastal Character

Myrtle Beach occupies a central stretch of South Carolina’s Grand Strand, a long arc of sandy shoreline on the Atlantic coast. The city is defined by its broad beach, warm-weather outdoor life and easy relationship with the ocean: mornings bring walkers and anglers to the water’s edge, while the beachfront fills with families, cyclists and visitors watching the sky change over the surf. Beyond the sand, the landscape shifts into maritime woodland, tidal creeks and low-lying coastal neighbourhoods.
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Seaside Entertainment

The Myrtle Beach Boardwalk and SkyWheel form the city’s most recognisable oceanfront focus, with arcades, amusements and views across the shoreline. Inland, Broadway at the Beach brings restaurants, shops, attractions and evening entertainment around a lake, while Ripley’s Aquarium offers a more concentrated look at marine life. The city’s resorts and commercial areas are closely tied to leisure, but quieter stretches can be found at Myrtle Beach State Park and along the southern beachfront.

Southern Flavours and Outdoor Life

Myrtle Beach’s visitor culture is shaped by seafood, barbecue, golf and the wider culinary traditions of the Carolina coast. It is also a practical base for active days spent swimming, kayaking, fishing, playing golf or exploring nearby wetlands. At sunset, live music, theatres and family entertainment give the resort a different rhythm from its daytime beach life, while the former Myrtle Beach Air Force Base area, now associated with The Market Common, illustrates how the city has continued to reuse and reshape its urban landscape.

When is the best time to visit Myrtle Beach?

Best: April, October–November · 19–26°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January14100
February1695
March21110
April (best)2685
May31100
June35140
July36160
August36170
September31140
October (best)26100
November (best)1990
December16110

Getting to and around Myrtle Beach

How to get there

Myrtle Beach International Airport is the principal air gateway, located just inland from the southern part of the city and served by flights that vary seasonally. Visitors also reach the area by road, most commonly via US 17, which runs through the Grand Strand and connects Myrtle Beach with coastal North Carolina and other South Carolina destinations. Interstate 26 and Interstate 95 provide wider regional access, although both require a connecting drive. Intercity bus options may serve Myrtle Beach and nearby communities, but schedules and routes change, so they should be checked before travelling. There is no passenger railway station in Myrtle Beach with regular long-distance service; the nearest Amtrak connections are outside the city and require onward ground transport.

Transportation

A car is useful for covering Myrtle Beach’s spread-out resort districts, shopping areas, golf courses and southern attractions, although traffic on Kings Highway and Ocean Boulevard can be slow during busy periods. The beachfront and central Boardwalk area are walkable, and bicycles can be practical on quieter stretches, subject to local rules and conditions. Local bus services operated by Coast RTA connect parts of the Grand Strand, while taxis and app-based ride services provide alternatives for short trips. Parking arrangements differ between hotels, public areas and private attractions. Visitors staying near the oceanfront can often combine walking with occasional rides, but should not assume that every attraction is conveniently close to the beach.

Best attractions in Myrtle Beach

Myrtle Beach’s principal attractions cluster around the Atlantic shore and the commercial districts just inland. The Myrtle Beach Boardwalk provides a lively route beside the sand, with arcades, amusements and the SkyWheel, whose enclosed gondolas offer broad views over the coastline. Ripley’s Aquarium at Broadway at the Beach explores marine habitats through large tanks and interactive displays, while Broadway itself combines shops, restaurants and family entertainment around a lake. Myrtle Beach State Park offers a more natural setting within the city, with maritime forest, beach access and space for fishing and walking. The Market Common occupies part of the former air base and adds landscaped public areas, retail and dining to the southern end. Golf courses, miniature-golf venues and seasonal shows reflect the resort’s long-standing leisure culture, while the beach remains the city’s defining open-air attraction.

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Best landmarks in Myrtle Beach

The SkyWheel is Myrtle Beach’s most conspicuous modern landmark, rising above the Boardwalk and expressing the city’s identity as an oceanfront resort. The Boardwalk itself is significant as a public seafront promenade and entertainment corridor rather than as a historic monument. Myrtle Beach State Park’s pier provides a more restrained coastal landmark, linking the city’s recreational life with the practical traditions of fishing and beach access. The former Myrtle Beach Air Force Base area, now associated with The Market Common, represents an important layer of twentieth-century military history and subsequent urban reuse. Along the shore, the long sweep of beach and the line of beachfront hotels form a changing collective landmark rather than a single protected historic district. Unlike older South Carolina cities, Myrtle Beach has comparatively little colonial or antebellum architecture, reflecting its later development as a resort.

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Explore Myrtle Beach on the map

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Neighbourhoods in Myrtle Beach

Best restaurants in Myrtle Beach

Myrtle Beach’s dining scene is rooted in the seafood and Southern cooking of the Carolina coast, with shrimp, oysters, flounder, crab and other locally familiar catches appearing alongside fried seafood platters, grilled fish and casual beachfront meals. Barbecue is another important regional influence, often served with slaw, beans and other traditional sides, while Lowcountry flavours can be found in dishes built around rice, sausage and seafood. The restaurant landscape ranges from family-run seafood houses and breakfast cafés to steakhouses, international cuisines and contemporary dining in the central resort area, Broadway at the Beach, The Market Common and nearby Murrells Inlet. Calabash-style seafood, associated with the neighbouring North Carolina coast, is also widely represented in the wider Grand Strand dining scene. Seasonal specials and market availability may shape menus, so freshness and preparation vary between establishments.

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Best bars in Myrtle Beach

Myrtle Beach’s evening scene is shaped more by resort entertainment, live music and family attractions than by a single concentrated nightclub district. The central Boardwalk and nearby Ocean Boulevard offer bars, arcades and venues with a seasonal holiday atmosphere, while Broadway at the Beach brings restaurants, music and late-evening activity around its lake. Country music, beach-oriented bands, karaoke and tribute performances are common parts of the entertainment mix, and established theatres present concerts, comedy and large-scale variety shows. The Market Common provides a calmer setting for evening drinks, dining and cinema-going. Nightlife becomes busier during summer and major holiday periods, whereas quieter months can feel more local and relaxed. Visitors should check current venue arrangements and local rules, particularly concerning alcohol, transport and late-night travel.

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Best nightclubs in Myrtle Beach

Myrtle Beach’s evening scene is shaped more by resort entertainment, live music and family attractions than by a single concentrated nightclub district. The central Boardwalk and nearby Ocean Boulevard offer bars, arcades and venues with a seasonal holiday atmosphere, while Broadway at the Beach brings restaurants, music and late-evening activity around its lake. Country music, beach-oriented bands, karaoke and tribute performances are common parts of the entertainment mix, and established theatres present concerts, comedy and large-scale variety shows. The Market Common provides a calmer setting for evening drinks, dining and cinema-going. Nightlife becomes busier during summer and major holiday periods, whereas quieter months can feel more local and relaxed. Visitors should check current venue arrangements and local rules, particularly concerning alcohol, transport and late-night travel.

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Best shops in Myrtle Beach

Shopping in Myrtle Beach ranges from resort souvenirs and beachwear to regional food products, independent gifts and contemporary retail. Broadway at the Beach is one of the city’s most recognisable shopping and entertainment complexes, with stores arranged around a lake, while The Market Common offers shops, restaurants and landscaped public spaces in the southern part of the city. Tanger Outlets provides an outlet-style retail experience along the wider Grand Strand, though it is a commercial centre rather than a traditional market. Visitors seeking local character can look for South Carolina foods, coastal artwork, shell-inspired gifts, surf clothing and handmade items, while specialist shops and beach retailers supply practical holiday goods. The area does not have a centuries-old covered market tradition comparable with Charleston; its shopping culture reflects modern resort development, seasonal tourism and the broader retail pattern of the American Southeast.

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Myrtle Beach essentials

Currency and Payment
The currency is the US dollar (USD). Major hotels, restaurants, shops, attractions and petrol stations generally accept widely used debit and credit cards, and contactless payment is increasingly available, though it is not universal. Carrying a small amount of cash is sensible for beachside purchases, smaller businesses, tips and situations where card terminals are unavailable. ATMs are common in commercial and resort areas but may apply fees, particularly when operated independently. International visitors should tell their bank about overseas use where necessary and check whether their card issuer applies foreign-exchange or withdrawal charges. Prices displayed in the United States normally exclude sales tax, which is added at the till.
Safety
Normal coastal-resort precautions are appropriate in Myrtle Beach: keep valuables out of sight, secure belongings on the beach and in vehicles, and take care in crowded entertainment areas. Use marked crossings on busy roads, particularly along Ocean Boulevard and Kings Highway, and be cautious when walking after dark in unfamiliar or sparsely occupied areas. Beach conditions deserve particular attention, as surf, tides, storms and rip currents can change quickly; follow posted warnings and lifeguard instructions. Heat, sun exposure and dehydration are common practical concerns during summer. When driving, allow for congestion and avoid leaving luggage visible in parked cars.
Emergency Situations
Dial 911 in the United States for police, fire and ambulance emergencies. Give the operator the exact location, including a hotel name, street address or nearby landmark, and remain on the line until told to disconnect. For urgent medical treatment, emergency departments provide hospital care, while pharmacies and walk-in clinics may handle less serious concerns; international visitors should check how their travel insurance covers treatment. On the beach, report a serious incident to a lifeguard or call 911, especially for suspected drowning, injury or a dangerous rip current. For non-urgent police matters, contact the local police department through its published non-emergency channel rather than using 911.
Do's and Don'ts
Observe posted beach rules, respect lifeguard instructions and avoid entering the water during warnings about dangerous surf or weather. Use designated access points and do not disturb dunes, sea oats or wildlife habitats. Swimwear is appropriate on the sand and at pools, but cover up when entering shops, restaurants or other public interiors. Tipping is customary in American table-service restaurants, bars, taxis and for many personal services, with the amount reflecting service and local practice. Keep noise considerate around accommodation, dispose of rubbish properly and treat staff courteously. Laws and local ordinances can govern alcohol, fires, vehicles and activities on the beach, so read signs rather than relying on assumptions.
Local Tips
Myrtle Beach is easier to understand when divided into broad areas: the central oceanfront contains the Boardwalk and SkyWheel, the southern end includes the state park and Market Common, and the northern resort districts extend towards the wider Grand Strand. Early mornings are particularly rewarding for beach walks before heat and traffic build. Broadway at the Beach is convenient for combining dining, shopping and attractions, while Murrells Inlet to the south offers a separate waterfront community rather than another Myrtle Beach neighbourhood. Summer traffic can make short journeys unexpectedly slow, so group nearby activities together and allow extra time when crossing the main coastal roads.
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From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloHey y'all[hey y'all]
GoodbyeSee ya later[see ya later]
YesYessir[yessir]
NoNah[nah]
Please/You're welcomePlease/No problem[please/no problem]
Thank youThank ya[thank ya]
Excuse me/SorryExcuse me/My bad[excuse me/my bad]
How are you?How y'all doin'?[how y'all doin']
Fine. And you?I'm good, how 'bout you?[I'm good, how 'bout you?]
Do you speak English?Y'all speak English?[y'all speak English?]
I don't understandI don't get it[I don't get it]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseCan I see the menu, please[can I see the menu, please]
I don't eat meatI don't eat meat[I don't eat meat]
Cheers!Cheers![cheers!]
I would like to pay, pleaseCan I pay now, please[can I pay now, please]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Help![help!]
Go away!Go away![go away!]
Call the Police!Call the cops![call the cops!]
Call a doctor!Call a doctor![call a doctor!]
I'm lostI'm lost[I'm lost]
I'm illI'm sick[I'm sick]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...I wanna buy...[I wanna buy...]
I'm just lookingJust browsing[just browsing]
How much is it?How much does it cost?[how much does it cost?]
That's too expensiveThat's too pricey[that's too pricey]
Can you lower the price?Can ya give me a discount?[can ya give me a discount?]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?What time is it?[what time is it?]
It's one o'clockIt's one o'clock[it's one o'clock]
Half past (10)Half past ten[half past ten]
MorningMorning[morning]
AfternoonAfternoon[afternoon]
EveningEvening[evening]
YesterdayYesterday[yesterday]
TodayToday[today]
TomorrowTomorrow[tomorrow]
1One[one]
2Two[two]
3Three[three]
4Four[four]
5Five[five]
6Six[six]
7Seven[seven]
8Eight[eight]
9Nine[nine]
10Ten[ten]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Where's the...?[where's the...?]
What's the address?What's the address?[what's the address?]
Can you show me (on the map)?Can you show me (on the map)?[can you show me (on the map)?]
When's the next (bus)?When's the next bus?[when's the next bus?]
A ticket (to ....)A ticket to ...[a ticket to ...]

History of Myrtle Beach

Indigenous Coastal Communities

Before European settlement, the coastal plain around present-day Myrtle Beach was used and inhabited by Indigenous peoples, including communities associated with the Waccamaw and neighbouring coastal groups. The rivers, estuaries, maritime forests and ocean supplied fish, shellfish, game and plant resources, while inland routes connected the shore with the wider Carolina low country. European maps and later colonial records applied changing names to the coastline, which was known broadly as part of Long Bay. Much of the area remained lightly developed for centuries because its sandy barrier shore, wetlands and pine forests were difficult to exploit on a large scale. This earlier relationship with the coast remains relevant to understanding the region’s ecosystems, even though modern Myrtle Beach is now dominated by tourism and urban development.

Colonial Settlement and Plantation Coast

South Carolina’s colonial expansion reached the Grand Strand through farming, timber extraction and coastal trade rather than through the dense urban settlement associated with Charleston. European and enslaved African communities shaped the broader low country economy, cultivating crops and working in forestry, transport and domestic trades. The coast around Long Bay remained comparatively isolated, with scattered settlements connected by sandy roads and waterways. After the American Revolution, families continued to farm and harvest the region’s extensive pine forests. The social and economic systems of slavery, followed by emancipation and Reconstruction, affected the wider Horry County area profoundly. Myrtle Beach itself was not yet a resort city, but the resources and transport patterns established during these periods laid foundations for later commercial development.

Timber, Railways and the Birth of Myrtle Beach

The decisive early twentieth-century change came from the Burroughs and Collins Company, a timber and turpentine enterprise that bought large tracts around Long Bay. In 1900, the company’s Conway and Seashore Railroad connected the coast with Conway, making it easier to move timber and bring visitors towards the beach. A company settlement developed around the railway and was named Myrtle Beach, reportedly after the wax myrtle plants common in the area. The railroad also encouraged modest recreational use of the shore. As timber operations declined, the beach’s scenery and accessibility became increasingly valuable in their own right, allowing a commercial seaside community to emerge from an industrial landscape.

Incorporation and Resort Development

Myrtle Beach incorporated as a town in 1938, formalising local government as its population and visitor economy grew. Roads and improved transport links gradually replaced the railway’s central role, while hotels, cottages, amusement facilities and golf courses expanded the seasonal resort. The Second World War brought a major military presence through the construction of Myrtle Beach Army Air Field, later Myrtle Beach Air Force Base. After the war, rising car ownership and greater leisure travel accelerated the city’s transformation into one of the Southeast’s principal beach destinations. The resort economy increasingly combined oceanfront accommodation with entertainment, restaurants and attractions, establishing the pattern of development still visible along the Grand Strand.

Military Closure and Contemporary Myrtle Beach

Myrtle Beach Air Force Base closed in 1993 after decades as a significant local employer and military installation. Its former land was redeveloped for mixed uses, including The Market Common, housing, offices, retail and public spaces, creating a new urban district away from the traditional oceanfront. During the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries, Myrtle Beach continued to grow through tourism, residential construction, golf, entertainment and seasonal migration. The city’s identity now rests on several overlapping layers: a working coastal environment, a large visitor economy, a history of timber and military activity, and an expanding metropolitan area within Horry County. Debates over growth, traffic, beach management and environmental pressure remain part of the city’s modern story.

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Evendo: Your Ultimate Travel Guide to Myrtle Beach

Discover Myrtle Beach like never before with Evendo, a 100% free app-based travel guide. Covering top attractions, landmarks, restaurants, and more to make your trip unforgettable.

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Explore Myrtle Beach with ease using Evendo, the free app-based travel guide. From landmarks and attractions to restaurants and tours, Evendo has everything you need to plan the perfect trip.

  • History of Myrtle Beach and travel essentials
  • Curated local tips to experience the city like a local
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Welcome to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina—a coastal paradise famous for its stunning beaches, vibrant nightlife, and top-notch attractions. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, Evendo is your ultimate companion to make the most of your trip.

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