Best of the Beach: Our Picks for the Grand Strand’s 10 Top Attractions
As regular visitors to the Grand Strand know, the Myrtle Beach area is loaded with fun things to do. From the excitement in and on the ocean waters to sand- and sun-fueled on-land adventures, world-class shows, eco-focused outings, thrill rides, and far too many other attractions to name, the area seems to have it all.
But just which Grand Strand attractions are the best? It’s a tough call — and everyone’s likely to have their own opinions. But here at MBResorts, we’re especially keen on these top 10 must-visit attractions:
The Beach
It’s hard to deny that the Grand Strand’s biggest draw (both literally and figuratively) is the Atlantic Ocean. And with 60-plus miles of wide, white-sand beaches, the Grand Strand offers plenty of places to enjoy a day of sun and fun on the shoreline — along with easy access to most of them.
SkyWheel Myrtle Beach
Reaching heights of up to 200 feet above the Atlantic Ocean below, SkyWheel Myrtle Beach is a prominent part of the downtown Myrtle Beach skyline. And with 42 fully enclosed, climate-controlled gondolas offering rides up to the attraction’s 20-story apex, it’s also a great way to get a bird’s eye view of the Atlantic Ocean waters and shoreline, along with downtown Myrtle Beach.
The Myrtle Beach Boardwalk & Promenade
Running 1.2 miles along the Myrtle Beach oceanfront from Pier 14 to the Second Avenue Pier, the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk & Promenade has been recognized as one of the top boardwalks in the U.S. by both National Geographic and Travel and Leisure. And boasting a long list of restaurants, bars, shops, and entertainment offerings — plus amazing ocean views at every turn — it’s also a perfect place to take a seaside stroll.
The Shopping/Dining/Entertainment Hubs
The Grand Strand offers an array of large-scale retail complexes that not only feature abundant shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues all in one place but also regularly present free, family-friendly events like fireworks and live music to keep visitors well-entertained. Some of the top options here include Broadway at the Beach, Barefoot Landing, and The Market Common.
The Great Golf Courses
With nearly 75 courses to choose from — and many of them widely regarded as world-class — there’s a good reason the Myrtle Beach area is known among links lovers as the “Golf Capital of the World.” The area offers ample options for those looking to learn the sport as well as those who have been playing for years and are seeking new challenges, making it a perfect destination for nearly any player’s golf getaway.
… and Mini Golf Courses
For those who love to golf on a smaller scale, the Myrtle Beach area also offers a range of great mini-golf options. Some of the places on the area’s leaderboard for this (sometimes) less-serious version of the sport include Hawaiian Rumble, Cancun Lagoon, Mayday Golf, The Black Pearl, Captain Hook’s, and Jurassic Golf.
Brookgreen Gardens
Located south of Myrtle Beach in Murrells Inlet, the historic Brookgreen Gardens property boasts 9,000-plus acres of natural beauty. The main attraction here is the expansive sculpture gardens featuring 2,000-plus artworks from more than 400 artists — including the nation’s most comprehensive collection of American figurative sculptures. Other on-site attractions at Brookgreen Gardens include nature trails, a butterfly garden, historic rice plantations, and the Lowcountry Zoo.
Family Kingdom Amusement Park
Offering a range of amusement-park attractions — from easy-going kiddie rides and good-time classics to high-speed thrill rides and challenging games — Myrtle Beach’s Family Kingdom also delivers a pair of unique perks that are hard to find elsewhere: free admission and ocean views. (Park entry at the oceanfront attraction is free, and thrill-seekers can pay by the ride or get an unlimited-ride pass for the day.) Some of the most popular rides here include the 2,400-foot-long Swamp Fox wooden roller coaster, the steel Twist n’ Shout Coaster, the Tilt-a-Whirl, and the Log Flume Water Ride.
Myrtle Waves Waterpark
Local water park Myrtle Waves offers a collection of more than 30 waterslides, tube slides, and other fun water attractions — making it a great place to splash into some fun while beating the summer heat. More than 1.2 million gallons of water flow through the park’s water attractions, the most popular of which include the Riptide Rockets, the Turbo Twisters, the Arooba Tooba, and the FlowRider.
Myrtle Beach State Park
A leading area attraction for campers, hikers, bikers, and birders thanks to its campground, trails, and natural beauty, Myrtle Beach State Park also offers a fishing pier, and a serene stretch of Atlantic Ocean beach, picnic shelters, playgrounds and more. The park also offers a collection of ranger-led events that provide great learning opportunities for adults and kids alike!
Rely on MBResorts
Ready to take in all the best the Myrtle Beach area has to offer? Visit MBResorts.com to book your Grand Strand stay today. With our broad portfolio of Myrtle Beach area resorts and vacation rentals to choose from, you’re sure to find the perfect accommodations for an unforgettable adventure on the Grand Strand!