Days in the Sun, Nights to Remember
Here’s your reminder that summer, ultimately, is the real reason most of us live here and why most of our visitors come to this spectacular part of the world year after year. Sure, the off season has its benefits, too, but after the winter and cold spring we endured, it’s time for your real reward: summer…ahhh.
Weekly fireworks displays are the norm all summer long and can be seen near the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk (July 4th), over Broadway at the Beach (Tuesdays at 10 p.m., starting June 2rd), Barefoot Landing (Mondays at 10 p.m. starting June 1st) and Pelican’s Baseball Stadium Friday nights after home games, but on Independence Day (7/4/25) you won’t be able to look skyward after dusk without seeing fireworks lighting up the sky everywhere.
In annual polls, nearly all visitors say “the beach” is their top reason for visiting the 60 miles of beautiful shoreline called the Grand Strand as well as the South Carolina’s Hammock Coast — which is Georgetown County’s official tourism moniker. Three Hammock Coast beaches, in fact, were named the best in South Carolina by USA Today/10 Best in 2024 and 2025: Pawleys Island, Litchfield Beach and Huntington Beach. Wide, safe, beautiful sandy beaches, interesting inlets, swashes teeming with seabirds and sea life. There are hundreds of public beach access points between Georgetown and Sunset Beach, N.C., even in residential areas, and free parking options are available for those who come early. Pay-to-park options are plentiful for those who come later and who are willing to shell out a few bucks. Some municipalities offer annual stickers, providing free parking for those city residents. Rent chairs and umbrellas, use the freshwater showers, and take advantage of the restaurants (and restrooms) just off the beach when you need a break.
Personal watercrafts (PWCs), better known as “jet skis,” offer an electrifying rush that will leave your heart racing—when used responsibly and within the law, of course. Glide along the tranquil Intracoastal Waterway, taking in the stunning beauty of the local wildlife and lush surroundings, or tear through the waves as you ride the ocean and inlets at full speed. It’s an experience that awakens the senses and fuels the soul! From Little River to Georgetown, you can find a jet ski rental facility close by.
Test your balance and nerve by standing up on a paddleboard, which looks something like a giant surfboard, or sit and enjoy the water in a kayak; both are popular ways to enjoy the water while also getting some exercise and relaxation. These simple-to-use flotation crafts are easy to learn to maneuver, and most watersports operators offer instruction, rentals, guided trips, and solo exploration options.
For the young (and young at heart) our area water parks offer hours of family-friendly fun in the sun. Myrtle Waves, located on U.S. 17 Bypass in Myrtle Beach, may be the best known
and largest with its popular ten-story-tall Turbo Twisters, Wild Water Race mat slider attraction, and Lazy River. For hardcore adrenaline junkies, the Shark Wake Park in the North Myrtle Beach Sports Complex offers cable-driven kneeboards, wakeboards, water skis, and tamer, little-kid friendly activities on its own freshwater lake. Many hotels also offer smaller waterparks perfect for families with little ones.
Stay tuned for updates on Surfworks, the $71 million artificial wave surfing facility for beginner to pro to be located at the site of the former Palace Theatre at Broadway at the Beach. For now the Atlantic Ocean will have to suffice as Surfworks isn’t set to open until 2027.
Outdoor water enthusiasts regularly take to pleasure boating, dolphin and sunset cruising, and fishing, which offer ideal ways to explore the area’s natural water features. Guided trips are readily available, and many marinas provide boat rentals, ensuring accessible and budget-friendly DIY outings. Additionally, two boat clubs offer memberships for more frequent boating without owning a vessel.
The Intracoastal Waterway, area rivers, and inlets offer safe pontoon boating for beginners, shielded from the ocean’s strong currents and waves. Even without a SC fishing license, anglers can enjoy saltwater or freshwater fishing when on a licensed fishing charter. Fishing on your own, however, does require state licensing. Fishing licenses are available at area big box retailers, such as Walmart and Bass Pro Shop.
Fishing is so popular on the piers, it attracts both novices and seasoned anglers. Many piers offer rentals for those who travel without their own gear. Fishing charters by boat are available for those seeking deep-sea adventures, aiming for trophy and/or game fish like mahi-mahi, wahoo, tuna, and grouper.
The newest pier, the Surfside Beach Fishing Pier, opened in 2024, giving anglers and beachgoers a much-anticipated attraction to replace the beloved original, destroyed in 2016 by Hurricane Matthew. It comes with restaurants and an ice cream shop. The Grand Strand and Hammock Coast boasts some 10 public fishing piers along its 60-mile stretch.
Experience the magic of our sunsets, unwind during happy hour, or embark on a captivating dolphin cruise – all offering a perfect blend of relaxation and breathtaking views, with onboard bars, bathrooms, and tasty snacks to keep you refreshed. The Pie-Eyed Parrot in Murrells Inlet invites you to indulge in a range of delightful daily cruises, with the “Ultimate Sunset Happy Hour” cruise being the crowd favorite, a true escape into serenity. In North Myrtle Beach, the Barefoot Queen riverboat sweeps you away on unforgettable sightseeing and dinner cruises, complete with live entertainment, as you soak in the spectacular vistas of the Intracoastal Waterway. It’s the ultimate way to unwind and make lasting memories on the water.
A dozen or so sunset coastal cruises may be found from Georgetown to Calabash, and in Conway cruises are available along the scenic, cypress-lined Waccamaw River. A Pedal Pub, named the Inlet Brew Boat, along the Murrells Inlet Marsh Walk allows for boating, BYOB drinking (beer and wine only) with a USCG-licensed captain steering. Most of all, these cruises offer late afternoon/early evening boating and imbibing where someone else does the driving.
Huntington Beach State Park in Murrells Inlet boasts pristine beaches adorned with wind-sculpted trees and majestic dunes, evoking the nostalgic essence of what was once the area’s entire coastline. Birdwatchers will delight in the diverse avian species that inhabit the area, while trails offer glimpses into their natural habitats. Brackish and freshwater lagoons near the causeway provide a habitat for large sun-basking alligators. An interactive nature center aids in understanding the surrounding flora and fauna, and expert naturalists offer guided tours of the park’s distinctive features. The historic Atalaya, once the winter residence and art studio of renowned American sculptress Anna Huntington, is open to the public, with an admission fee for all-day access. Birders from around the world flock to this park to catch a glimpse of migrating birds that stop for a rest, mating, or a snack. It’s common to see nesting bald eagles, osprey, and the painted bunting, a small bird splashed with so much color it looks like a box of flying crayons.
Myrtle Beach State Park, South Carolina’s first state park (founded in 1936), serves as a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. Activities such as camping, hiking, picnicking, fishing, beachcombing, a nature center, playground, pier, and more await visitors, with an admission fee for all-day access. Miles of maritime hiking trails with interpretive signage along the way offer an excellent, shaded way to visit and learn about this undisturbed coastal forest.
Vereen Memorial Gardens in Little River at the state line, is an often overlooked hidden gem, featuring three miles of trails, wooden boardwalks meandering through and around native maritime trees, across salt marshes all the way to the Intracoastal Waterway – and it’s free to visit. Additionally, numerous small municipal parks scattered across the Grand Strand and Hammock Coast provide further options for relaxation and recreation.
The Grand Strand and Hammock Coast flaunt an impressive concentration of live music whether it’s solo performers or six and seven-piece bands, some featuring brass sections. The diversity spans every genre imaginable, from beach music and trop rock, to rock ‘n’ roll, reggae, R&B, country, yacht rock, bluegrass, jazz, and even a burgeoning alt-indie scene. Local music thrives as troubadours, cover bands, and tribute bands deliver popular hits and original compositions at tiki bars, restaurants and large dedicated music venues across the region.
The unofficial home of live music in the area might arguably be the Murrells Inlet MarshWalk, where nearly all of the eight restaurants host live music, some nightly, such as The Dead Dog Saloon. All the Marsh Walk venues are located along a picturesque creekside boardwalk.
La Belle Amie Vineyard in North Myrtle Beach hosts outdoor live music festivals year-round most Saturdays (weather permitting), along with live daytime music from solo artists on Wednesdays. An admission fee is required, and online ticketing is suggested and available at a discounted price. Also in North Myrtle Beach, the Music on Main Concert Series takes place by the oceanfront on Main Street every Thursday night beginning June 4 and ending September 24.
The North Myrtle Beach Park & Sports Complex Amphitheater hosts the Sounds of Summer, a concert series with one show per month June – September featuring the biggest names in tribute entertainment beginning June 19 with Mamma Mania, an ABBA tribute. Dave Matthews, Billy Joel, Foreigner and Journey tributes are also scheduled this summer. Free admission.
Historic Conway’s spectacular Riverfest (since 1980) is slated for June 27 with 1980s legends Slaughter and Vixen headlining the evening performances.
Celebrating its 11th anniversary, the four day/night Carolina Country Music Festival has become the largest annual music festival of the region, drawing an estimated 35,000 guests each day. Located in downtown Myrtle Beach at the site of the former Myrtle Beach Pavilion Amusement Park, this year’s festival is packed with the biggest names in country music and is scheduled for June 4-7. This year’s festival will feature Post Malone, Blake Shelton, Luke Bryan, Riley Green, and many others. Visit www.carolinacountrymusicfest.com
The Hammock Coast ’s serene, verdant, and artistic cultural gem, Brookgreen Gardens (now in its 95th year) will once again host its enormously popular Summer Light: Art by Night program each Wednesday and Saturday evening, 6-10 p.m. from May 27-Aug 22. Regional acts of every variety will take the stage for early evening performances within the beautiful campus of this breathtaking and historically important sculpture garden, spectacularly lit. This year’s feature, Gardens of Glass: The Art of Craig Michael Smith. This is a ticketed event. Food trucks, full bar available, and don’t miss the all-new Purdy Center, an $18-million indoor conservatory and welcome center which opened earlier this year.
For those who prefer classical music, theatrical and orchestral pop, the award-winning Muzika! from Varna International will return in 2026 with Liederabend, a curated evening of German art song on June 13 at Trinity Church in Myrtle Beach. On June 6 a Balkan Bouquet of Eastern Orthodox choral music and dances performed in part by an award-winning youth choir from Bulgaria along with the Carolina Youth Choral at the Trinity Church. On June 14 The Magic of Broadway at the Ground Zero theater in Myrtle Beach celebrates Broadway’s grandest theatrical hits. Visit varnainternational.com for more information and ticketing.
If you’re looking for live music while shopping or dining, head to Broadway at the Beach or Barefoot Landing, both of which offer numerous restaurants and bars that feature live music. Broadway at the Beach in Myrtle Beach, which opened in 1995, is home to The Hangout with its massive outdoor stage and kid-friendly atmosphere. New this year, The Big Fish offers a rotating mix of regional touring acts, local performers, great seafood, a 70-seat bar, large stage and covered open-air deck. Also set to open this summer at Broadway at the Beach, the Ole Smoky Distillery and Yee-Haw Brewing Co., promises to offer hand-crafted whiskeys, craft beer, and lakeside entertainment. Barefoot Landing in North Myrtle Beach also features live music at several locations, including the House of Blues, the Big Chill Island House, Taco Mundo, Dick’s Last Resort, Lulu’s and Duplin Winery and a summer concert series at its lakeside amphitheater.
Coastal communities throughout the Grand Strand and Hammock Coast offer live music at countless bars and eateries year-round, and even more during peak season. Head inland to Carolina Forest or Conway to discover additional places for live music to suit every taste. There are too many places to name but know that you’re invited to come out and sing along, or become the star of the show at numerous Karaoke-friendly bars. Visit www.myrtlelive.com for an extensive list of live venues and artists with calendars. The information is broken down by area, North (North Myrtle Beach to Little River), Central (Myrtle Beach west to Conway) and South (from the Market Common to Pawleys Island.)
Though Myrtle Beach is less than 100 years old (it was incorporated in 1938 and didn’t become a city until 1957), the area is filled with fascinating and important history dating back to the prehistoric era when indigenous peoples roamed and settled the lands. Evidence of this 50,000-year-old history and forward through the colonial, revolutionary, antebellum and Civil War eras, to the mid-20th century, are all on display at the Horry County Museum in Conway. A city of significant historical importance, Conway was founded in 1732 and is loaded with historical markers, self-guided walking tours, shops, restaurants, and a full-time live musical theater.
Did you know that around 600 German POWs were housed and worked in the Myrtle Beach area during WWII? The first POWs were housed around what is now 70th Avenue North, and more were housed at “Splinter City” at the Air Force Base, now The Market Common. “Splinter City,” was originally named for the wooden structures built quickly to house the then brand-new gunnery training range barracks and workshops near the airport, and to house some of the P.O.W.s. It lives on today as a free disc golf course. Some of these former P.O.W.s stayed and resettled here after the war and their descendants are still in the area. Learn more about this fascinating history and see photos of the old camps at the Horry County Museum.
Equally important to our history, the port city of Georgetown was founded in 1729, though settlements go back much further. The third oldest city in SC, Georgetown, was famous for its international seaport beginning in 1732 and was vital to the slave-enabled trade in indigo, cotton, tobacco, pine tar, and most importantly, rice.
Georgetown, with its charming historic district, boasts shops, restaurants, grand antebellum homes, sailing excursions, museums, and antique stores, all just a few blocks off of U.S. 17. Here, you’ll find several museums that offer fascinating insights into the Lowcountry’s past. The Kaminski House Museum, the Rice Museum, and the South Carolina Maritime Museum are all located on Front Street and within walking distance of each other. Nearby, the Gullah Museum and the Georgetown County Museum also provide glimpses of the region’s people and past.
Myrtle Beach, too, has its museums, including the fun and whimsical, such as the Hollywood Wax Museum, the Myrtle Beach Pinball Museum, the Wheels of Yesteryear (a must-visit car museum) and Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, The children’s museum, EdVenture, in Market Common, offers discounts for locals. Also Broadway at the Beach’s Wonderworks, and the Grand Strand Model Railroad Club, offer something unique for visitors and locals. Ripley’s Aquarium is ever-expanding, offering even more family-friendly edu-tainment. If you hadn’t been in a few years you may not have seen their penguin habitat, added in 2020, and Sloth Valley added in 2023.
For a more refined gallery experience in Myrtle Beach, don’t miss the Franklin G. Burroughs - Simeon B. Chapin Art Museum near Springmaid Pier. Most of the museum’s 11 galleries sit within a rehabilitated beach home, more than 100 years old.
Warbird Park (Market Common), which recently underwent a major expansion, features an outdoor display of the U.S.A.F. military presence between 1940 and 1993. It’s home to a memorial beam from the North Tower of the World Trade Center, a new WWII memorial and trail system. Enjoy a picnic shelter, benches, green spaces and walking path. Free to visit.
Calabash also boasts shops and an array of restaurants, along with the Sunset River Gallery, which hosts works from more than 100 local and regional artists.
From mild to wild, the Grand Strand’s amusement parks, standalone rides, pirate adventures, Medieval jousting, and more, provide endless entertainment for the thrill seeker, or the just-brave-enough crowd. The SkyWheel in downtown Myrtle Beach is thrilling without being too scary, while the nearby Sling Shot is only for the bravest. The thrill-ride park Funplex on Ocean Blvd. at 14th Ave N., offers rides for all, from younger first-timers to thrill-seekers.
The Family Kingdom, celebrating 60 years, has been entertaining guests of all ages since 1966, with dozens of thrill rides and kiddie rides. Four new rides are set to open in 2026 including The Raptor, an all-new single-rail roller coaster reaching speeds up to 52 m.p.h. The park is free to enter, and ride tickets are sold separately. Although the beloved Pavilion Amusement Park in downtown Myrtle Beach has been closed since 2006, many of its rides were moved to Broadway at the Beach and rechristened Pavilion Park. The impossible-to-miss Broadway 360 observation wheel stands just over 150-feet tall, offering a spectacular light show and equally stunning views of Broadway at the Beach.
Smaller oceanfront communities such as Garden City Beach, Surfside Beach and North Myrtle Beach also host small amusement parks with some impressive rides. For racing fun, Go-Kart tracks may be found all along the Grand Strand, such as The Track in Myrtle Beach, the Broadway Grand Prix in Myrtle Beach, The Fun Warehouse on the south end of Myrtle Beach and indoor electric racing at K1 Speed in North Myrtle Beach.
Dino Park at Broadway at the Beach entertains and informs visitors (especially the younger ones), inviting all to step back in time to the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods. This bit of family fun comes complete with plenty of photo-ops, educational opportunities, and, of course, a gift shop.
Perfect for unbearably hot or rainy days, the indoor Interactive Experience Unleashed has finally opened and features virtual reality games for kids and adults that pair your movement with 3-D graphics on a headset. The entertainment of the future is here today. Located in Myrtle Beach on 76th Ave N.
The family friendly Alley Oops opened in North Myrtle Beach in March and features Duckpin bowling, Maryland-inspired seafood, burgers and more, plus full arcade, a live shark tank and is a dine-bowl-play concept. 3607 Hwy 17 S, North Myrtle Beach.
Stars & Strikes, 810 Bowl and Myrtle Beach Bowl in Myrtle Beach, along with 810 Bowl in North Myrtle Beach and Conway and Surfside Bowl in Surfside Beach are also part of the dine-bowl-play offerings along the Grand Strand.
The 1.2-mile Myrtle Beach Boardwalk has received new planking, seating options and decorative landscaping, looking bright, clean and new since 2024. While you’re at the Boardwalk, stop for a game of beach volleyball, shopping, dining, nostalgic arcades and more.
Theaters of all sizes dot the region, including the iconic 2,000-plus-seat Carolina Opry and Alabama Theatres with their long-running variety stage shows and the newer Greg Rowles Legacy Theatre in North Myrtle Beach. Catch some real laughs at the Comedy Cabana, or the best in artist tribute shows at Legends in Concert. Original and tribute acts continue to regularly visit the House of Blues in North Myrtle Beach, and the Historic Winyah Auditorium in Georgetown hosts a variety of musical performances, along with plays and musicals at the historic Strand Theater on Front Street, also in Georgetown. Illusionist Charles Bach will return with magic and more at the Wonders Theatre at Broadway at the Beach. Also, at Broadway at the Beach, The Broadway Theater hosts Maximum Velocity, a Cirque du Soleil– style show, scheduled to run all summer long through October.
Riga Tony’s Murder Mystery Dinner Show (Myrtle Beach) provides an immersive theater experience along with what the guests say is “delicious Italian food.” The dinner theater alternates with a Wild West-themed dinner and show, too. The two largest dinner theaters, Medieval Times and Pirate’s Voyage, round out the dinner-and-a-show offerings, combining full dinners with adventurous, family-friendly shows filled with live animals and spectacular athleticism.
Carolina Improv presents live, interactive improv comedy (and classes) several times per month at Catch the Fire Church (220 Ronnie Ct. Carolina Forest) 7:30 p.m., free admission. www.arolinaimprov.com
As sports tourism grows, the Grand Strand continues to offer a plethora of recreational activities for visitors and locals. Whether it’s softball, baseball, basketball, lacrosse, soccer, or even pickleball, you can find it all at the massive sports complexes such as Grand Park Athletic Complex in The Market Common, Pepper Geddings Recreation Center in Myrtle Beach, the Ripken Experience in Myrtle Beach, the North Myrtle Beach Aquatic and Fitness Center, the North Myrtle Beach Park & Sports Complex, and various other locations throughout the region. In a pickle? New Pickle Ball courts are open everywhere, offering fun and fitness for all ages. Active locals find there are many opportunities for fun and exercise and many thousands of athletes and their families come year-round to participate in league play. Rather watch? A newly renovated Myrtle Beach Pelicans baseball stadium hosts MLB minor league play all summer long.
Known as the “seaside golf capital of the world,” the region continues to attract millions of golfers each year to its some 90 courses, more than half of them rated 4 to 5 Star (according to Golf Digest magazine). Golfers from around the globe and around the U.S. descend en masse each spring and fall, but also enjoy cheaper summertime rounds, too. Myrtle Beach is also known as the Mini Golf Capital of the World, with around 40 creative and fun courses.
Tiger Woods’ endorsed venture, PopStroke, features a carefully conceived 36-hole mini golf course and a full-service restaurant and bar located at Broadway at the Beach. Also nearby, TopGolf allows for some serious swinging and partying at its massive three-story driving-range-styled facility.
Making the most of the Summer of ’26 doesn’t require a big budget or elaborate plans. It’s about embracing a sense of adventure, unwinding by the water, and enjoying evenings outdoors. Combine these ideas to create your own Grand Strand experience and make the most of the season.
