Located in South Carolina’s Atlantic coast, visiting Myrtle Beach with kids is always a good start to a holiday. It has quickly become one of American families’ most popular and loved vacation spots. With over 60 miles of beach, it offers endless days of fun, Southern food and hospitality, sports, good times and memories. The outskirts of Myrtle Beach are packed with beautiful, historical landmarks that few take the time to visit…but which are definitely a must-do. Due to there being countless great things to do, we’ve created the ultimate Myrtle Beach kid-friendly travel guide!
Keeping families, parents, and kids in mind, we hope you all have an incredible time under the sun. Don’t forget to let us know about your holiday in the comments below!
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Best Time to Travel to Myrtle Beach
Spring: March, April, May
Spring is a good time to visit Myrtle Beach since the tourist peak season only starts to rise in May. The only downside is that during these months, while temperatures outdoors are great, the water is still too cold to swim in. However, it’s still a great time to visit and spend time along the sandy shore, or doing the many activities that the beach offers. Even better, there are many festivals in spring that are worth going to like the Myrtle beach Beech Jam, or the Horry County Fair.
Summer: June, July, August
As you may expect, summer is Myrtle Beach’s most popular season. The hot weather makes it an ideal time to plan full days at the beach, swimming in the refreshing water. If you plan to come in the summer, make sure you plan your accommodation with months in advance so that you manage to find something with a view at a good price. Don’t worry, there are plenty of resorts and hotels to choose from. During summer, you may want to spend time at one of the many exciting festivals such as The Summer Lights Festival at Brookgreen Gardens and the Carolina Country Music. They’re definitely some of the best summer festivals to go to in the area.
Fall: September, October, November
Although you may think summer is the best time to visit Myrtle Beach with kids, fall is actually better. The weather is still warm enough to take long walks, spend full days at the beach, and go swimming in the sea. To make it even better, there are much fewer chances of running into large crowds; something important to think about these days. There are also several festivals that your kids will love like St. John’s Greek Festival and the Little River Shrimp Fest.
Winter: December, January, February
Winter is also a pretty good time to visit the beach. Except for Christmas and New Years, you’ll barely see any crowds, and the temperature won’t go lower than 60 degrees. During Christmas time and New Year’s however, you can expect many lively activities, a festive spirit and shows to go to. It’s a great time to spend with the kids!
How To Get Around Myrtle Beach
Foot
The best way to get around Myrtle Beach is definitely by foot. Since most of the best entertainment and dining options tend to be quite close together, it takes almost no time at all to go from place to place. And since you’ll be spending most of your time at the beach, we bet there’s nothing better than sinking your feet in the sand!
Bike
Going up and down the beach and harbor with rike rentals is not only a fun activity to do at Myrtle Beach with kids, but it’s also a great way to get from place to place. You won’t have trouble finding bike rental shops around the beach. There are also plenty of kid-friendly options like seats and kid’s bikes.
Bus
The local bus service at Myrtle Beach offers 9 routes that goes to places like Conway, Georgetown, and Surfside Beach. They run from 6 am until 11 pm, and are very reasonably priced. Unless you plan to go far, it’s unlikely you’ll need it!
Airport shuttles
If you’re arriving in Myrtle Beach by plane, the easiest way to get to your hotel is by airport shuttle. They’re also a much more affordable option than cabs or Uber.
How much time to spend at Myrtle Beach
When travelling to Myrtle Beach with kids, it really depends on your routine, tastes and time limit your have. Some families could spend weeks at the beach, while others find that spending 3 or 4 days is more than enough.
However, we should mention that if you have a car available, it may be worth staying for longer. Having a car means that you’ll have more mobility and opportunity to discover other great areas outside of Myrtle Beach!
Things to Do in Myrtle Beach With Kids
1.Spend The Day At The Beach
When visiting Myrtle Beach with kids, it’s more than likely that the one thing you’ll spend most of your time doing is, well, being at the beach. Pack lunch, snacks, drinks, sunscreen and get ready for days under the sun. On days like these, there’s very little to worry about, especially when it comes to entertaining the kids. Kids do quite a good job at entertaining themselves! They’ll come in and out of the water, build sandcastles, play games, take naps…all you have to do is keep an eye on them and relax!
2. Broadway At The Beach
Broadway At The Beach is Myrtle Beach’s largest entertainment complex and shopping center. It’s known for its wide array of shops, attractions and rides like the Ferris Wheel, excellent dining, and exciting nightlife. Many residents and visitors turn to Broadway At The Beach as the sun goes down to end the day with a bang. Families tend to enjoy spending time here since everyone can find something they enjoy in a single place. It’s definitely one of the best things to do at Myrtle Beach with kids for the endless activities they can do; from zip lining and climbing up walls at WonderWorks, getting on thrilling rides at the Pavilion Park, to riding and designing custom cars at Ridemakerz.
3. Huntington Beach State Park
Huntington Beach State Park is much more than just another strand of beach. With landmarks such as Atalaya and a wide range of wildlife like loggerhead turtles and alligators and activities like surf fishing and birdwatching, there’s no doubt that it’s a great all-day option in Myrtle Beach with kids. When visiting Atalaya, don’t forget to check out the Brookgreen Gardens, they’re beautiful. Make sure to look out for festivals like the Atalaya Arts and Crafts Festival for an extra special outing! There are also many camping sites with available electricity, water, and sewers.
4. Kayaking
Kayaking is by far one of the best things to do in Myrtle Beach with kids. Not only is the ride very enjoyable and fun, but there are all sorts of things you can run into in the water. If you’re lucky, you might be able to spot some of Myrtle Beach’s best wildlife like dolphins, sea turtles, pelicans and otters! There are several reputable companies that will be happy to take you on tours around beautiful areas like Cherry Grove Beach and the popular Waites Island. Beside kayaking, many of them offer other activities like paddle boarding and canoe rides.
5. Boat Cruise – Dolphin Sightseeing
Hopping on a boat for a dolphin sight-seeing tour is just about one of the best things to do in Myrtle with kids. There are dozens of boat tours to choose from that offer you a lot more than an opportunity to get close to these friendly animals. Many of them offer thrilling high-speed rides, bird-watching activities, and shelling – a surprisingly popular activity among kids. In most boat rides you’re pretty much guaranteed seeing dolphins.
6. Cherry Grove Pier
Built in the 1950s, The Cherry Grove Pier has been a popular place for fishing through generations. The pier has an interesting history; it has survived many hurricanes, and has even been extended further into the sea. To finish a wonderful day at the beach, one of our biggest recommendations is to visit the pier at sunset. Besides seeing a world of different colors in the sky, you’ll more than likely run into local fishermen proud of their catch of the day. In fact, the pier has proudly been a popular place for world record catches, including a 1780 lb Tiger Shark.
7. Brookgreen Gardens
As we mentioned, the Brookgreen Gardens in Atalaya are one of the best things to do in Myrtle Beach with kids. The goals of the garden are to educate its visitors about art, the community, ecology and history of the Lowcountry. It’s a fun way to learn a bit more about the area, and be in contact with another form of nature besides the beach. The Live Oak Allée is decorated by stunning 250 year old Oak trees, and leads to four amazing rice plantations. There is also a beautiful butterfly garden that besides being loved by children, leads to the Huntington Sculpture Garden of important figures of the area. No matter where you look, you’ll be surrounded by incredible flowers and botanical plants. Make sure to take lots of pictures; the memories that will last you forever!
Don’t forget to check their website regularly. There are always festivals, concerts and events planned for the whole family.
Website: Brookgreen Gardens Address: 1931 Brookgreen Drive Murrells Inlet, SC 29576 Hours: Daily 9:30 AM - 5 PM Cost: Adults $18 Kids (4-12 years old) $10 Kids (under 3 years old) Free
8. Hopesewee Plantation
To take in a little bit of history and culture, visiting the Hopsewee Southern Plantation at Myrtle Beach with kids is a great idea. Built around 1740, the Hopsewee Plantation is one of the largest rice plantations in the entire South. Back in the day, it acted as the birthplace of Thomas Lynch, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. Today, it’s a National Historical Landmark and a private home that happily opens its doors to visitors, including dining!
At the plantation, you can go on a guided tour and explore the traditional art of sweetgrass basket weaving; a Southern art form that continues to be a symbol for the area. Another great activity to do with the family is the basket weaving workshop at only $55 per person.
Website: Hopsewee Plantation Address: 494 Hopsewee Rd., Georgetown, SC 29440 Hours: Tue - Sat 10 AM - 3 PM Cost: Adults $20 Kids (12 - 17 years old) $12.50 Kids (6 - 11 years old) $8.50
9. Visit Murrells Inlet and the Marsh Walk
Located a short, 20 drive away from Myrtle Beach, the Marsh Walk at Murrells Inlet is a great place to come to. In the 600s and 1700s, pirates including Blackbeard would roam the area and use it as a hideout. Today, Murrells Inlet is known as the Seafood Capital of South Carolina, so you can only foresee the best dining for the family. The Marsh Walk is a charming wooden walkway that guides you along dozens of restaurants while overlooking the sea where boats rest for the night. After dinner, take your time to walk along the path, and take in the wonderful beachy atmosphere.
10. Pavilion Nostalgia Park
Packed with classic rides, the Pavilion Nostalgia Park is the best attraction at the Grand Strand. Different to the modern theme parks we see today, the Pavilion Nostalgia Park offers families and kids to jump on a time machine and ride to the past. The park offers rides for everyone; from adrenaline-filled rides that flip you upside down, to calmer ones for younger kids. Overall, with attractions like the Herschell-Spillman Carousel, the Teacup rides, the Caterpillar and the Dune Buggy, it’s easy to spend hours in there! Better yet, since there is no entrance fee, there’s no obligation to ride at all and you can enjoy the atmosphere from below. Tickets to ride are bought at the ride before hopping on.
Things to Eat in Myrtle Beach
Barbecue
The South is legendary for its barbecue. When in Myrtle Beach with kids, make sure you don’t miss out on an opportunity to eat some good Southern barbecue. Some of our favourite places to eat barbecue at Myrtle Beach are Little Pigs, Prosser’s and Mission BBQ.
Boiled Peanuts
Boiled peanuts are an undeniable Southern classic, and one of the simplest forms of feeling happy. They’re a traditional snack, and actually quite addictive…in the best way possible. There’s not really a concrete place to get a hold of them, but from May to November you’ll see dozens of roadside stands selling them. That’s the best way to eat them too! Off a cart, on the street, overlooking the ocean. Perfect.
Peaches
As you may well have noticed, peaches are the South’s pride and joy. You can eat them in pies, cobbler, cake, toasts, ice cream…pretty much any way you can think of. When spending summer days in Myrtle Beach with kids, eating peaches in their pure form as a snack, the beach shore is as sweet as it sounds. Pack a few peaches from the local store and keep them around for a quick, healthy snack. Besides a great energy booster, it’s a great way to indulge in Southern culture and food.
Southern Sweet Tea
After a hot day out in the sun, there’s nothing more refreshing that a big glass of cold Southern sweet tea. Pretty much every restaurant at Myrtle Beach has dozens of pitchers ready for you. Otherwise, another good idea would be to prepare a pitcher at your hotel room and bring it with you to the beach. We’ve done it before and the kids love it!
Hoppin’ John
Hoppin’ John is a Southern staple. At Myrtle Beach with kids, it’s the perfect dinner to have after a full day in the sun and the beach. It’s a delicious combination of ice, black-eyed peas, rice and bacon. Some recipes include other types of meat like smoked turkey or ham hock, it depends on the cook. But don’t worry, it tastes amazing every time. If you ask us, it’s the perfect representation of Southern goodness on a plate. It’s the perfect kid-friendly meal!
We wish you all the best at Myrtle Beach! Let us know what your favourite thing to do is here, and if you can recommend any secret spots we haven’t mentioned. Myrtle Beach has become one of our favorite family vacation spots, so we hope you enjoy it as much as we do. Tell us about your best memory at Myrtle Beach in the comments! We’d love to know.
