Broadway at the Beach (Myrtle Beach) Travel Guide - Free

Explore Broadway at the Beach in Myrtle Beach with Evendo's free guide. Find the best shops, historic streets, restaurants, and gems on web or mobile.

Download on the App Store Get it on Google Play
Broadway at the Beach
Broadway at the Beach photo 2
Broadway at the Beach photo 3
All photos

Broadway at the Beach in Myrtle Beach combines Ripley’s Aquarium, rides, restaurants, shops and lakeside entertainment for all-ages coastal fun.

A Purpose-Built Waterfront District

Broadway at the Beach is less a traditional neighbourhood than a large entertainment and shopping complex at the centre of Myrtle Beach’s visitor economy. Set around Lake Broadway, it occupies a broad site near the intersection of US 17 Bypass and 29th Avenue North, between the city’s oceanfront resorts and inland commercial corridors. Its pedestrian paths, bridges, landscaped areas and lakeside terraces create a walkable environment within an otherwise car-oriented part of the Grand Strand.
Read more about Broadway at the Beach

Attractions Around Lake Broadway

The complex combines family attractions, restaurants, retail units and evening entertainment in one concentrated setting. Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach is its most substantial cultural attraction, with marine habitats and educational displays, while WonderWorks provides an interactive science-focused experience in a distinctive upside-down building. Pavilion Park brings amusement rides to the site, and smaller attractions, arcades and seasonal events add to the holiday atmosphere. The result is deliberately theatrical rather than historic: themed façades, brightly lit signs and water views frame a day or evening of organised leisure.

Food, Shopping and After-Dark Activity

Dining ranges from familiar American chains and seafood restaurants to bars, cafés and casual places suited to families. Shops sell beachwear, souvenirs, sweets, gifts and specialist merchandise, while venues such as Hard Rock Cafe and Margaritaville contribute music-led branding to the district. After dark, illuminated buildings and lakeside promenades keep the area active, although the atmosphere is centred on restaurants, attractions and family entertainment rather than an independent late-night neighbourhood scene.

Best attractions in Broadway at the Beach

Broadway at the Beach’s attractions are concentrated around Lake Broadway and combine education, rides and theatrical family entertainment. Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach is the principal draw, with large marine habitats, underwater viewing and displays designed to introduce visitors to aquatic life. WonderWorks offers hands-on science and technology exhibits inside its recognisable upside-down building, while Pavilion Park provides amusement rides in an open-air setting. The paths over and around the lake make a pleasant linking route between these larger attractions, restaurants and shops, and the pedestrian bridges provide changing views across the water. Seasonal events, live entertainment and smaller arcades or themed attractions add variety, although the programme changes. Visitors seeking Myrtle Beach’s natural landscape should note that Broadway at the Beach is an inland, landscaped leisure complex rather than a beach or nature reserve.

Show more attractions

Best landmarks in Broadway at the Beach

The most recognisable landmark at Broadway at the Beach is the complex itself: a planned entertainment landscape organised around Lake Broadway, with pedestrian bridges, themed façades and prominent signs visible from the surrounding roads. WonderWorks’ upside-down exterior acts as an especially distinctive visual marker, while Ripley’s Aquarium is identifiable by its large lakeside presence and marine-themed visitor environment. Pavilion Park’s rides add a moving skyline of amusement structures, although these are entertainment features rather than historic monuments. Together, the lake, bridges and buildings express the late twentieth-century resort-development model that shaped much of Myrtle Beach beyond the original oceanfront strip. Broadway at the Beach has little surviving historic fabric in the conventional sense; its local significance comes from its role as a recognisable gathering and leisure complex within the modern Grand Strand landscape.

Show more landmarks

Explore Broadway at the Beach on the map

A handpicked selection of must-see spots in Broadway at the Beach, mapped for you.

Best restaurants in Broadway at the Beach

Dining at Broadway at the Beach is designed for holiday groups, with a broad mix of casual restaurants, branded venues, bars and sweet shops arranged around the lake and internal walkways. Seafood, burgers, steaks, American comfort food and family-friendly menus dominate, reflecting Myrtle Beach’s resort economy rather than a narrowly regional cuisine. Recognisable destinations such as Hard Rock Cafe and Margaritaville contribute music, themed interiors and substantial evening trade, while other restaurants provide more straightforward café, grill and waterfront dining. Outdoor seating is particularly appealing around the lake when conditions are comfortable, and snacks, ice cream and confectionery make the complex easy to combine with rides or aquarium visits. The area is useful for choice and convenience, but visitors looking for a quieter independent restaurant culture may find more locally varied options elsewhere in Myrtle Beach and the surrounding Grand Strand.

Show more restaurants

Best bars in Broadway at the Beach

After dark, Broadway at the Beach becomes a brightly lit dining and entertainment district rather than a conventional club quarter. Restaurants with bars, themed venues and live-music programming provide the main evening activity, with Hard Rock Cafe and Margaritaville helping set the tone through music-led branding and casual nightlife. Arcades, amusement rides, seasonal performances and illuminated lakeside walks keep the area active for families, couples and groups, while venues may offer different atmospheres according to the night and season. The complex can become crowded around dinner and event times, and individual entertainment schedules change, so visitors should check current details directly. Those seeking large late-night dance clubs or a more locally rooted pub scene may need to continue elsewhere in Myrtle Beach; Broadway’s evening identity is centred on organised leisure, dining and spectacle.

Show more bars

Best nightclubs in Broadway at the Beach

After dark, Broadway at the Beach becomes a brightly lit dining and entertainment district rather than a conventional club quarter. Restaurants with bars, themed venues and live-music programming provide the main evening activity, with Hard Rock Cafe and Margaritaville helping set the tone through music-led branding and casual nightlife. Arcades, amusement rides, seasonal performances and illuminated lakeside walks keep the area active for families, couples and groups, while venues may offer different atmospheres according to the night and season. The complex can become crowded around dinner and event times, and individual entertainment schedules change, so visitors should check current details directly. Those seeking large late-night dance clubs or a more locally rooted pub scene may need to continue elsewhere in Myrtle Beach; Broadway’s evening identity is centred on organised leisure, dining and spectacle.

Show more nightclubs

Best shops in Broadway at the Beach

Shopping at Broadway at the Beach is concentrated in a resort-oriented collection of shops rather than a traditional high street. Visitors find beach clothing, souvenirs, gifts, sweets, toys and specialist merchandise alongside retail connected to the complex’s attractions and themed venues. The setting around Lake Broadway makes browsing easy to combine with dining or an aquarium visit, and the pedestrian layout offers a more leisurely experience than a roadside shopping centre. Branded stores and holiday-focused retailers are particularly prominent, while the range may change as individual tenants change. This is a practical place to pick up Myrtle Beach-themed items, casual holiday clothing or gifts, but it is not known for a historic market, antique district or concentrated community of independent designers. For everyday necessities, visitors may find broader retail choice in the surrounding commercial corridors.

Show more shops

Broadway at the Beach essentials

Getting There
Broadway at the Beach is at 1325 Celebrity Circle, close to US 17 Bypass and 29th Avenue North. Visitors arriving by car from central Myrtle Beach, the oceanfront or other Grand Strand resorts can approach via the bypass, but should allow time to find a space during busy summer periods and event evenings. The complex is not served by a railway or underground system; local bus connections and taxi or rideshare drop-offs depend on current city and operator arrangements. Myrtle Beach International Airport is south of the complex, so airport arrivals normally require a car, taxi, rideshare or other road transfer.
Getting Around
The site is designed for walking once visitors have parked or been dropped off. Paths circle Lake Broadway and connect the principal restaurants, shops and attractions, with bridges and pedestrian crossings linking the different sections. Distances are manageable but the complex is spread over a large area, and summer heat can make the walk feel longer. Internal roads remain active, so use marked crossings and take care around reversing vehicles. The wider surroundings are much less pedestrian-friendly, particularly near US 17 Bypass, and walking from distant hotels may involve busy roads without a continuous visitor-oriented route.
Safety
Broadway at the Beach is a busy commercial site, especially during summer afternoons, school holidays and evening dining periods. Keep phones, wallets and bags secure in crowded queues, arcades and event areas, and establish a meeting point if travelling with children. Take care near the lake, bridges, rides and traffic lanes, and follow attraction staff instructions. At night, remain in the populated, lit parts of the complex and arrange transport from a recognised pick-up point rather than walking beside major roads. Normal coastal precautions also apply during thunderstorms, extreme heat and heavy rain.
Emergency Situations
In the United States, dial 911 for police, fire or urgent medical assistance, giving the operator the Broadway at the Beach address, 1325 Celebrity Circle, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and identifying a nearby attraction, bridge or restaurant if possible. For a non-urgent issue, ask venue staff or security for assistance and follow their directions. Do not rely on a British-style 999 or 112 call. In hot weather, seek shade and water promptly, while during lightning or severe storms move indoors and follow official warnings and staff instructions.
Do's and Don'ts
Do use marked crossings, respect queues and follow the rules of each attraction, particularly around rides, aquariums and interactive exhibits. Do keep food, drink and rubbish away from the lake and landscaping, and ask before photographing performers or other visitors closely. Do remember that many restaurants and venues operate as private businesses even though the paths feel like a public promenade. Avoid blocking bridges or entrances, climbing on themed structures, feeding wildlife or allowing children to run near traffic and water. During evening entertainment, keep noise and behaviour considerate around families and nearby businesses.
Local Tips
Use Lake Broadway as your orientation point: Ripley’s Aquarium occupies a prominent position on the water, while the surrounding paths lead towards shops, restaurants, rides and entertainment venues. Wear comfortable shoes and bring sun protection, as much of the experience involves moving between buildings outdoors. A lakeside walk is a useful way to see the complex without committing to an attraction, and the illuminated façades are most atmospheric after sunset. If your main purpose is the aquarium or a scheduled show, plan that first and fit dining or shopping around it rather than assuming every venue follows the same timetable.
Eve, your Evendo local guide

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]
GoodbyeCatch y'all later[catch y'all later]
YesYessir/Yessum[yes-sir/yes-ma'am]
NoNah[nah]
Please/You're welcomePlease/No worries[please/no worries]
Thank youThanks a bunch[thanks a bunch]
Excuse me/Sorry 'Scuse me/I'm sorry['sk-yoose me/I'm sorry]
How are you?How y'all doin'?[how y'all doin']
Fine. And you?A-OK. How 'bout you?[a-ok. how 'bout you?]
Do you speak English?Y'all speak English?[y'all speak English?]
I don't understandI ain't gettin' it[I ain't gettin' 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 ain't eatin' no meat[I ain't eatin' no meat]
Cheers!Cheers![cheers!]
I would like to pay, pleaseI'll settle up, please[I'll settle up, please]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!I need help![I need help!]
Go away!Get lost![Get lost!]
Call the Police!Ring up the cops![Ring up the cops!]
Call a doctor!Call a doc![Call a doc!]
I'm lostI'm turned around[I'm turned around]
I'm illI'm feelin' poorly[I'm feelin' poorly]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...I wanna buy...[I wanna buy...]
I'm just lookingI'm just browsin'[I'm just browsin']
How much is it?How much does it run?[how much does it run?]
That's too expensiveThat's a bit steep[That's a bit steep]
Can you lower the price?Can ya budge on the price?[Can ya budge on the price?]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?What's the time?[What's the time?]
It's one o'clockIt's one[It's one]
Half past (10)Ten-thirty[Ten-thirty]
MorningMornin'[Mornin']
AfternoonAfternoon[Afternoon]
EveningEvenin'[Evenin']
YesterdayYest'day[Yest'day]
TodayToday[Today]
TomorrowTomorrah[Tomorrah]
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 addy?[What's the addy?]
Can you show me (on the map)?Can ya point it out (on the map)?[Can ya point it out (on the map)?]
When's the next (bus)?When's the next (bus)?[When's the next (bus)?]
A ticket (to ....)A pass (to ....)[A pass (to ....)]

History of Broadway at the Beach

A New Entertainment Concept

Broadway at the Beach opened in 1995 as a major mixed-use tourism development by Burroughs & Chapin, a long-established Myrtle Beach company involved in shaping the Grand Strand’s commercial growth. Rather than following the street pattern of an older town centre, the project was planned as a destination complex, bringing restaurants, shops, attractions and public-looking pedestrian spaces together around an artificial lake. Its creation reflected Myrtle Beach’s shift towards a broader visitor economy in which entertainment, dining and retail complemented the traditional appeal of the beach and oceanfront hotels.

The Lake as Organising Feature

Lake Broadway became the physical centre of the development and helped distinguish the complex from the strip malls and roadside businesses common along the wider Grand Strand. Bridges, promenades and themed buildings were arranged to encourage visitors to move between different parts of the site on foot, while landscaped edges provided spaces for outdoor seating and seasonal activity. The design established Broadway at the Beach as a self-contained leisure environment, although its identity remained closely tied to Myrtle Beach’s car-based tourism infrastructure and the major roads surrounding it.

Expansion of Family Attractions

Over the following decades, Broadway at the Beach expanded and changed its mix of attractions as Myrtle Beach’s visitor market evolved. Ripley’s Aquarium added a substantial marine-education component, while WonderWorks and Pavilion Park strengthened the family-entertainment offer with interactive exhibits and amusement rides. Restaurants, branded retailers and evening venues continued to rotate, keeping the complex aligned with changing holiday habits. Its contemporary significance lies less in historic architecture than in its role as one of the Grand Strand’s best-known examples of a purpose-built entertainment district.

Broadway at the Beach in Photos

Browse through our photo collection highlighting the charm and character of the destination.

0 / 0

Neighbourhoods near Broadway at the Beach

The closest neighbourhoods to Broadway at the Beach, if you have time for more than one stop.

Explore more

Myrtle Beach
More of the region

Explore more of Myrtle Beach

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

Explore Myrtle Beach
The Evendo app on two phones

Your all-in-one travel companion app

Explore expert travel guides, compare and book tours, experiences, hotels, and more, all from the palm of your hand. Download now for seamless trip planning wherever your wanderlust takes you.

  • Travel guides to regions, countries, cities, landmarks and attractions worldwide
  • Photos, local tips, maps, opening hours and contact details for every place
  • Easy booking for hotels, tours, tickets and experiences
Download on the App Store Get it on Google Play
More about the Evendo app

Evendo is a 100% free travel guide app: plan a trip, find what is worth seeing and book it, all in one place.

  • Restaurants, bars, nightclubs and shops picked for every destination
  • A "Near me" view of the attractions and amenities around you
  • History and travel essentials for each country and city

From world regions down to a single landmark, every guide brings together the places to see, where to eat and drink, and where to stay, with descriptions, photos and maps to help you plan.

No in-app purchases and no hidden costs. Download Evendo and take your guides with you wherever you travel.

Get the latest from Evendo

Hand-picked travel deals, new destination guides and trip ideas, straight to your inbox.