17 Fun Things to do in Myrtle Beach with Kids (adult’s love these too)

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Planning to visit Myrtle Beach on a family vacation? Good choice!

You will be happy to know that there are endless things to do in Myrtle beach with kids that us adult’s love doing too.

In this guide, we share our top tips on what to do in Myrtle Beach including where to eat and drink, most popular attractions, and where to stay!

We tend to stay away from things like mini golf and general museums and kids play centers, preferring to dive deeper into a region to see what makes it unique and special.

That’s what you’ll find below in our guide on what to do in Myrtle Beach, SC.

We only share what we have experienced ourselves and can recommend.

As we’ve been traveling for over 22 years, 12 years with our kids, we know what makes a great travel experiences, so instead of just listing everything you can do in Myrtle Beach, SC, we’ll share what we personally think makes it special and will help you have a great family vacation.

Let’s get started!

Is Myrtle Beach Worth Visiting?

Considered one of America’s best family vacation spots, Myrtle Beach is a seaside resort town that’s absolutely worth visiting.

It’s quiet and peaceful and still feels like nature, rather than concrete, dominates the landscape.

In my opinion, October is a great month to visit Myrtle Beach South Carolina, because the summer sun still lingers but without the stifling humidity we are used to at home in Raleigh, North Carolina that sends you scurrying for the AC.

The pool in the resort is not overrun by school kids enjoying their vacation and the girls almost have the lazy river all to themselves.

And the ocean dumps small waves to shore, the rhythmic sounds wash away the stress I carried here alongside my suitcase.

That’s the beauty of a beach vacation at any time of the year.

I think it’s almost as if your psyche knows the power the ocean has to heal so it tightens your tension so that by the time you reach the healing ocean, the waves can strip all of it from you at once.

We visited the destination on a campaign with the Visit Myrtle Beach tourism board.

Fun Things to Do in Myrtle Beach with Kids

If you’re wondering what is there to do in Myrtle Beach, besides just the beach? Then below you will discover some of those regions and all the fun things to do in Myrtle Beach with kids.

1. Spend the Day at the Beach

You cannot visit Myrtle Beach and not experience the gorgeous 60 miles of coastline. It’s one of the best beach vacation spots in the United States. 

It’s known as the Grand Strand and is home to 14 distinct communities that offer something special to the region.

From the the surfing breaks on North Myrtle Beach to the pristine natural beauty of Huntington Beach and Myrtle Beach State Parks and the family-friendly Cherry Grove Beach, you can find the perfect beach experience for you.

Some of the best beaches in Myrtle Beach area also include:

• Surfside Beach
• Garden City Beach
• Murrells Inlet
• Litchfield Beach

When it comes to free things to do in Myrtle Beach with kids, you can’t beat time playing in the sand by the ocean! 

2. Stroll the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk and Promenade

Along the main shoreline is a 1.2 mile stretch of Myrtle Beach boardwalk and promenade.

There are two main sections: one is a more serene, natural environment, and the other is focused on fun with beachfront shops, restaurants and the iconic 200-foot SkyWheel.

For nostalgic fun pop into the Fun Plaza Arcade, or grab a hot dog and a milkshake from Peaches Corner, a staple since the 1930’s. There are plenty of kid friendly things to do in Myrtle Beach in this boardwalk region.

3. Ride the SkyWheel for Myrtle Beach Views

The SkyWheel is a gigantic observation wheel that stands out in the cityscape.

There are 42 glass-enclosed gondolas that can seat up to six people. If you’re afraid of heights, you may find it to be a thrilling ride. I found it quite serene.

The ride goes for about 10 minutes and you get beautiful views of the Atlantic Ocean and up and down Myrtle Beach.

Get there early so you can almost have the entire wheel to yourself and enjoy one of the relaxing Myrtle Beach attractions for families!

4. Watch a Spectacular Sunrise at Myrtle Beach State Park

A mile of natural beachfront, a fishing pier and a magnificent rising sun. What more do need to start your day in the most joyful way?

Head down to Myrtle Beach State Park, to watch a magnificent Myrtle Beach sunrise.

You’ll appreciate this one-mile slice of preserved natural beauty nestled between the high rises. Enjoy a walk along the beach or the winding boardwalk protecting the dunes and nesting sea turtles.

You can even walk along the pier and enjoy seeing what the fishermen pull in.

5. Join a Ranger Program at Myrtle Beach State Park

“I thought that was going to be so boring, but it was so much fun. I can’t believe we got to hold a jellyfish, and we caught 13 hermit crabs and two blue swimmers!”

Our kids were excited to share all they had learned from our morning with Ranger Ann on the fishing pier in the Myrtle Beach State Park.

After learning about (and holding) blue swimmers and hermit crabs and jellyfish we walked along the boardwalk to find monarch butterflies to tag, but the windy conditions were keeping them away.

Ranger Ann was very enthusiastic about the region and sharing her passion for the local wildlife and fauna with us.

I loved how she subtly weaved in messages of conservation and how small acts by individuals can make positive changes.

Myrtle Beach State Park is 312 acres on the city’s south end in a gorgeous oceanfront maritime forest that reminded me of the natural bush you’d find on many of our beaches back home in Australia.

It receives an estimated 1 million visitors a year, few of which were present when we visited.

I’m so glad they thought to preserve this place in 1936 when it became South Carolina’s first state park.

Joining one of the ranger programs is definitely one of the most educational and fun things to do in Myrtle Beach with kids. Children of all ages will enjoy it.

There is a campground in the State Park and other cool programs like sunrise and sunset beach yoga.

This was my favorite area in the region and perfect for Myrtle Beach kids activities. They will love it!

6. Go Kayaking through a Salt Marsh in Huntington Beach State Park

This has to be one of the most fun things to do in South Carolina for those that love the outdoors!

We started our guided kayak tour through the salt marsh with our guide Paul telling us that Huntington Beach State park has some of the best bird watching on the East Coast.

As an Aussie we know what it’s like to be surrounded by an abundance of birds, each with their own personality and quirks.

The marshlands were thriving with birds such as egrets, herons, cormorants, eagles, vultures and osprey.

We even saw a kingfisher standing on the tip of the grass. It looked so much like its relative, our very own kookaburra. Unlike the kookaburra, this kingfisher is a fish eating bird and doesn’t have the laugh of the kookaburra, more like an evil cackle.

For two hours we paddled under the warm sun through the marshlands learning more about the history of the area and the ecology of the marshlands.

It didn’t end up being an alligator adventure for us, as they were starting to move to warmer waters.

During the warmer months, you have a good chance of seeing them out in the marshlands doing a little lunch hunting. Don’t worry, they are not interested in you!

Put this on your list of family things to do in Myrtle Beach, beyond the beach! 

Related Reading: Two cool kayaking experiences in Myrtle Beach

7. See Live Oak Trees at Brookgreen Gardens

If you’re looking for places to visit in Myrtle Beach that provide your own space and tranquility, then head to Brookgreen Gardens.

This is a national historic landmark that hosts the largest collection of outdoor American sculptures in the world.

You may think that sounds like a lot of art to look at it – it truly is. The collection contains over 2,000 works by 425 artists over the 9,127-acre property.

There is also a small zoo, an Enchanted storybook Forest, a butterfly house and boat rides and trekker excursions taking you deeper into the property.

Don’t miss Live Oak Allée, which is comprised of 250-year-old Live Oak trees with weeping Spanish moss that were planted in the early 1700s when Brookgreen Gardens was four thriving rice plantations.

There is a great activity booklet for the kids to keep them engaged with various scavenger hunt type questions.

So if you’re looking for more things to do near Myrtle Beach, consider these beautiful gardens.

8. Explore Murrells Inlet

The small fishing village of Murrells Inlet was once the lair of the infamous pirate Blackbeard.

It’s located right near Huntington Beach State Park and Brookgreen Gardens so it abounds in natural beauty waiting for you to explore.

I loved its Southern coastal vibe on the intracoastal waterway. I wish we had more time to explore it. It offers more sedate Myrtle Beach family fun than the boardwalk area and is our personal preference.

There are plenty of water sports to do in the area including parasailing, jet skiing, and fishing charters.

I love the look of this guided stand up paddle board trip around the beautiful waters of Murrells Inlet.

There is a half-mile-long Marsh Walk, which has gorgeous views of the marshlands and the fishing boats coming in with the day’s catch pulled from the surrounding waters and sent straight to the restaurants.

Along the boardwalk are a string of restaurants with outdoor seating areas, views and live music. (see where we ate down below)

It’s the place to be after dark for seafood, drinks, and relaxed southern fun.

Murrells Inlet reminded us of Calabash in nearby Brunswick Islands, North Carolina

9. Shop, Eat, Play at Broadway at the Beach

Broadway at the Beach is home to top attractions at Myrtle Beach and is the place for shopping, restaurants, nightlife and family entertainment, all of which border a 23-acre lake.

Here you’ll find plenty of things for kids to do in Myrtle Beach like Ripley’s Aquarium, WonderWorks, Margaritaville, and Hard Rock Café.

A must in Myrtle Beach attractions for kids, beyond the beach! 

10. Unleash Your Inner Scientist at WonderWorks

When I first saw the upside-down building, I thought what Las Vegas style rubbish is this? Who would want to go into something so kitschy and gaudy?

Never let ignorance get in the way of a good experience.

I had no idea what that upside-down building was – I thought it was just that, an upside-down building with probably arcade games in it or something.

But alas no, inside it are three levels of imagination, experiments, and adventures.

We’ve visited a few interactive science museums before, but WonderWorks has to be one of my favorites.

There is nothing boring or kitsch in here, and each station and activity teaches you something interesting about life.

Not sure what to do in Myrtle Beach in bad weather? It’s one of the Myrtle Beach attractions perfect for those rainy days that take you away from Myrtle waves!

We learned why those bed of nails we were lying on were not piercing our skin, how high we could jump, how good we were at shooting basketball hoops, and who was our celebrity doppelganger (Jane Fonda for me!).

We got to feel what a hurricane could potentially feel like, just how cold the water was when the Titanic sunk, and how to push the limits of electrical understanding.

Thank you, WonderWorks, for taking care of much of my homeschooling curriculum for the month – I was very excited to see Kalyra do very well in the weather and natural disaster quizzes!

Our two favorite activities were of course the high ropes course. I’m getting braver with each one we try, and the girls practically run across them now without holding on to anything!

And then there was laser tag. It’s always a fun game to play as a family. I was stunned to walk out as the winner with a score three times as high as the others.

I guess I liked the rapid-fire function!!

WonderWorks is definitely one of the best things to do in Myrtle Beach with kids.

11. Find Your Treasure at the Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show

Kalyra and Savannah are tumbling addicts. They attend tumbling classes when we’re in Raleigh and are forever practicing their back handsprings and front tucks.

I am forever trying to remember which one is which!

As soon as the Pirates Voyage show started and the pirates in front of us began tumbling, back tucking, back handsprings and more amazing acrobatic tricks, I knew we had arrived at the right show.

The girls were mesmerized the entire time.

Savannah would not let me touch her head after the performance, in case I erased her memory and interrupted her dreaming of life as a back-handspringing pirate in a dinner show.

Needless to say we loved the Pirates Voyage Show, it’s one of those Myrtle Beach family activities to amaze the kids and offers a completely unique dining experience.

It’s 90 minutes of acrobats, juggling, special effects, singing and cool lighting as they searched for lost treasure. All of this happens while you eat a four-course meal.

Craig and I even volunteered to participate in the water bucket relay race. Unfortunately we did not win, but had fun splashing more water on ourselves than in the buckets.

It’s the pirate life for me!

Put this on your list as one of the fun things to do in Myrtle Beach at night.

12. Sing and Dance at The Carolina Opry

If you like singing, dancing and comedy, then consider a night at The Carolina Opry.

We love taking the girls to the theater and the Opry in Nashville so we knew we’d enjoy this evening. I love how the music spanned multiple genres and ages like soul, country, and pop and rock.

My favorite was the Elvis section and This is Me from The Greatest Showman! It was quite the performance with all the cast involved in the singing and dancing.

Savannah was mesmerized by the guitar playing throughout the show. She has her own guitar now so I loved how this show motivated her to keep practicing.

The Carolina Opry is a kid-friendly Myrtle Beach attraction.

13. Splash Around at Myrtle Waves Water Park

Myrtle Waves Water Park in Myrtle Beach is South Carolina’s largest water park and the perfect destination for families looking to beat the heat and have a splash of fun.

With over 30 water slides, attractions, and 1.2 million gallons of water, it’s a must-visit attraction for families and thrill-seekers alike.

The park has something for everyone, from the thrilling Riptide Rockets and Thunderbolt Speed Slides to the more relaxing Lazy River and Ocean in Motion Wave Pool.

There are also food stalls and vendors throughout the park where visitors can grab a quick bite or refreshing drink.

14. Ride the Roller Coasters at Family Kingdom Amusement Park

Family Kingdom Amusement Park has over 37 thrilling rides and a wide range of attractions, from classic rides like bumper cars and a Ferris wheel to more intense thrill rides such as roller coasters.

There are also plenty of rides designed specifically for younger children, making it an ideal destination for families with kids of all ages.

15. Set Sail on Blackbeard’s Pirate Cruise

For more unique things to do in Myrtle Beach with kids, consider a ride on Blackbeard’s Pirate Cruise.

This thrilling and interactive adventure allows the whole family a chance to step back in time and experience the excitement of the high seas.

The cruise takes place on a replica pirate ship, complete with a crew of swashbuckling pirates and plenty of pirate-themed activities.

During the cruise, passengers can participate in a variety of games and activities, such as water gun battles and treasure hunts.

There are also pirate-themed shows and performances, complete with music, dancing, and plenty of laughs.

And if you want to continue the theme of pirates, head over to Captain Hook’s Adventure Golf afterwards and check out the mini golf course.

16. Enjoy A Medieval Times Dinner

If you need fun things to do in Myrtle Beach with kids at night, then take them to enjoy a Medieval Times Dinner.

This is an immersive and unforgettable evening where the whole family can witness the grandeur of a medieval banquet.

The dinner takes place in a castle-like setting and features a four-course meal served by costumed servers.

The highlight of the dinner is the tournament, which features knights in shining armor competing in jousting matches, sword fights, and other medieval games of skill.

It’s an exciting and entertaining spectacle that will keep visitors on the edge of their seats.

17. Hit the Go-Kart Tracks at Broadway Grand Prix

Broadway Grand Prix has some thrilling go-kart tracks, mini-golf courses, and arcade games, making it a place that the whole family can find enjoyment at.

The highlight of the park is its seven go-kart tracks, featuring twists, turns, and high-speed thrills that are sure to get your heart racing. Other attractions include an 18-hole mini-golf course, bumper boats, a climbing wall, and an arcade with a variety of games.

A visit to Broadway Grand Prix is a chance to let loose, have fun, and create unforgettable memories with loved ones.

Places to Eat in Myrtle Beach with Kids

When traveling with kids, it can always be a struggle finding places to eat! Here are some places we loved when we visited!

Indulge in Local Seafood at Wicked Tuna, Murrells Inlet

We had a delicious seafood dinner at the slightly upmarket Wicked Tuna which is in the MarshWalk.

As Murrells Inlet is known as the seafood capital of South Carolina, it was the perfect dinner choice.

The seafood at this restaurant is straight from hook to table. They have seven boats that go out each day to bring back the best of the local catch.

Craig, Kalyra and I couldn’t get enough of the mussels in a bacon tomato broth, and our grilled seafood platter was delicious, especially the tender sea scallops and local sweet and flakey, triggerfish.

Eat Award Winning Red Velvet Waffles from Johnny D’s Waffles and Bakery

Are you ready for some of the best waffles in America?

According to the Food Network, the red velvet waffles at Johnny D’s rank amongst the nation’s best and perfect for your Myrtle Beach family activities.

Chef and owner Jamie Saunders’, creates innovative dishes like these and her chipotle bacon eggs benedict.

She is also an active supporter of the Champion Autism Network and trains her staff to accommodate families’ needs for those with children on the autism spectrum.

Good news for gluten free pancake lovers – if you’re looking for places to go in Myrtle Beach there are gluten free strawberry and banana hot cakes.

Get Your Cheap and Tasty Burgers at River City Cafe

The River City Cafe is a chain of cafes in Myrtle Beach, and each one is a relaxed place to eat a wide variety of burgers.

I like the colorful outdoor seating area of the location we visited on 21st Avenue North. There are a few throughout the Myrtle Beach area.

Eating here is quick, easy and affordable.

Croissants Bakery and Bistro

For a French-inspired breakfast head to Croissants Bakery and Bistro.

Some of their signature breakfast menu items include pancakes, eggs benedict or bananas foster french toast.

Chef and owner Heidi Vukov is committed to preparing and serving fresh local vegetables, fruits, seafood and meats. We appreciated the friendly service here as well.

Be sure to take some macaroons home with you when you go. They are truly delicious!

Where to Stay in Myrtle Beach

We loved our Island Vista Resort on North Myrtle Beach home for our three-night stay.

It’s a few miles north of main Myrtle Beach, and the only hotel for nearly a mile in either direction making it feel like a secluded slice of paradise.

It’s on the beachfront and has an indoor and outdoor pool (heated in the cooler months) and spas, including a lazy river, waterfall and kids splash area.

And the sunrise view from our balcony was amazing!

We loved the apartment style suites. We had plenty of room and our own space.

There were two bedrooms, a living room, large kitchen, and a balcony with ocean views.

The Cypress Room has an affordable ala carte breakfast menu and happy hour drinks every afternoon from 4- 6pm and bar snack food (great wings!)

There is also a pool bar for drinks and snacks.

There are plenty of things to do in the North Myrtle Beach area, including the Go Ape Zip line and adventure course, but we chose to relax at the resort and enjoy the beach.

• Read more reviews and book your stay at Island Vista here.
• Check out more accommodation in North Myrtle Beach and Myrtle Beach.
• And VRBO has you covered with home vacation rentals. 

Watch Our Myrtle Beach With Kids Video

Check out the beauty of Myrtle Beach in our video. Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more family travel videos:

Final Thoughts on Things to Do in Myrtle Beach With Kids

It doesn’t take long until you feel all the stresses of daily life leave you when you visit Myrtle Beach.

You’re left with just peace and easy breathing and a connection to nature and the present moment.

That deepens for the rest of our trip as we return to nature, kayaking, walking and climbing trees.

While I could have stayed on that pool chair for our entire three days in Myrtle Beach, SC, I think you and I both know that’s a family vacation that would end up feeling a little bland and monotonous.

A beach vacation needs a healthy balance of relaxation and adventure for it to be truly memorable.

And that’s what Myrtle Beach gave us.

More US Beach Vacation Ideas

Need more inspiration for beach vacation ideas? Then here are some other guides that you may find useful…

• Essential Things to do in Beaufort, SC
• 2 day itinerary for Wrightsville Beach, NC
• Podcast: Wrightsville Beach for Australian nostalgia and funny lingo
• 12 Fun Things to do in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama (our favorite beach bar is here)
• 3 day getaway to Martha’s Vineyard
• 16 Awesome things to do in San Diego with kids
• Why you should visit Kaanapali Beach, Maui for a relaxing vacation
• Escape to Paradise at the Atlantis Beach Resort, Paradise Island Bahamas
• 16 Spectacular Vacation Spots in Florida
• 13 of the best experiences on the North Carolina Beaches

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