Myrtle Beach travel guide

About Myrtle Beach

Myrtle Beach is a resort city in Horry County, South Carolina, United States. It is located in the center of a long and continuous 60-mile (97 km) stretch of beach known as the "Grand Strand” in the northeastern part of the state, on the East Coast of the United States. Its year-round population was 35,682 as of the 2020 census, making it the 13th-most populous city in South Carolina.

Places to visit in Myrtle Beach

1. Myrtle Beach Boardwalk

   Beach

   A lively oceanfront promenade lined with shops, arcades and casual eateries, running beside the sand and anchored by a giant observation wheel that gives sweeping views along the Grand Strand.

2. 

   Brookgreen Gardens

   Park · 18 mi from centre

   South of the city at Murrells Inlet, this former rice plantation displays hundreds of American figurative sculptures among live oaks and themed gardens, plus a small zoo of native Lowcountry animals.

3. 

   Huntington Beach State Park

   Nature · 17 mi from centre

   Quiet beaches, salt marsh boardwalks rich in birdlife and alligators, and the Moorish-style Atalaya castle ruins make this park a calm counterpoint to the busy resort strip.

4. 

   Myrtle Beach State Park

   Beach · 5 mi from centre

   A stretch of undeveloped maritime forest and beach within the city, with a fishing pier, shaded nature trails and picnic spots that feel far removed from the high-rise hotels nearby.

5. 

   Broadway at the Beach

   Entertainment

   A large lakeside complex of shops, restaurants and attractions including an aquarium with an underwater tunnel, making it an easy evening stop for families and groups.

6. Barefoot Landing

   Market

   Set along the Intracoastal Waterway in North Myrtle Beach, this open-air shopping village combines boardwalk strolling, waterfront dining and live entertainment venues. It makes a relaxed evening outing away from the beach crowds.

7. Murrells Inlet MarshWalk

   Viewpoint

   A wooden boardwalk running past seafood restaurants and bars overlooking the tidal marsh, popular for fresh local catch, watching herons and egrets, and evening live music.

Top experiences in Myrtle Beach

Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays.

Gastronomy & nightlife

Hard Rock Cafe Myrtle Beach

• 1 day
• Free cancellation

From $36 per adult

Where to stay in Myrtle Beach

Popular hotels in Myrtle Beach, out of 224 properties you can book.

Sheraton Myrtle Beach

• Central

From $99 per night

Kingston Plantation Condos by Embassy Suites

• Beachfront

From $126 per night

Westgate Myrtle Beach Oceanfront Resort

• Beachfront
• 10.03 reviews

From $94 per night

DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Myrtle Beach Oceanfron

• Beachfront
• 8.03 reviews

From $63 per night

Crown Reef Beach Resort And Waterpark

• Beachfront

From $171 per night

Dayton House Resort, Bw Signature Collection

• Beachfront

From $60 per night

Paradise Resort

• Beachfront

From $93 per night

Caribbean Resort & Villas

• Beachfront

From $106 per night

Captains Quarters Resort

• Central

From $117 per night

Baymont by Wyndham Georgetown Marina

• Beachfront

From $67 per night

Sands Ocean Club Resort

• Beachfront

From $74 per night

The Sandbar Hotel Trademark Collection By Wyndham

• Beachfront

From $60 per night

Best time to visit Myrtle Beach

Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Myrtle Beach is April and October to November, when average daytime highs are around 68–74°F and rain falls on about 5 days a month.

Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.

Myrtle Beach weather forecast

• Wed 21 Oct 71° 47° 0%
• Thu 22 Oct 72° 48° 0%
• Fri 23 Oct 71° 47° 0%
• Sat 24 Oct 73° 53° 0%
• Sun 25 Oct 74° 54° 0%
• Mon 26 Oct 75° 54° 0%

Know before you go

Currency

United States dollar (USD)

Language

English

Calling code

+1

Driving

On the right

Time zone

America/New_YorkUTC−4

Capital

Washington, D.C.

Upcoming public holidays in United States

• Wed 11 NovVeterans Day
• Thu 26 NovThanksgiving Day
• Fri 25 DecChristmas Day
• Fri 1 JanNew Year's Day
• Mon 18 JanMartin Luther King, Jr. Day
• Mon 15 FebPresidents DayWashington's Birthday

Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.

Getting to Myrtle Beach

These are the airports closest to central Myrtle Beach. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.

• MYR Myrtle Beach International Airport3 mi (5 km) from the city centre
• CRE Grand Strand Airport12 mi (19 km) from the city centre

Getting around Myrtle Beach

One aspect of Myrtle Beach that is less-than hospitable are its roads. A tourist may find the style of driving in Myrtle Beach to be aggressive, reckless and hard to manage. Myrtle Beach has one of the highest accident rates in the state, due in part to its impatient drivers and oddly-placed roads.

By bus

Coast RTA is the bus system for the Myrtle Beach area. Routes run along major thoroughfares and to and from neighboring towns. Service hours are quite limited. Schedules are available at all Myrtle Beach Area Conventions and Visitors Bureau offices. Fares are $1.50 adults, $1.25 students, $0.75 children.

By taxi

There are several private cab services in the area which can run up to $50 for a trip across the Grand Strand. The rate is $2.80 a mile $1 for extra passenger, rates are set by the City of Myrtle Beach.

Myrtle Beach travel FAQ