Myrtle Beach is more than the beach. Here are the attractions, parks, piers and shows worth your time along the Grand Strand, from free spots locals love to the big-ticket shows. Every one is on our free map, so you can see what's near you and pair it with a local place to eat.
A 187-foot wheel on the Boardwalk with enclosed, climate-controlled gondolas. Pretty at night when it lights up. · Hours change by season · check website · 📞 843-839-9200
The 1930s Moorish-style winter home of Archer and Anna Hyatt Huntington, inside Huntington Beach State Park. $2 plus park admission. · 9 AM–4 PM (to 5 PM during daylight saving time)
Hundreds of American sculptures set in gardens under live oaks, plus a small native-animal zoo and creek boat tours. · Usually 9:30 AM–5 PM · check website
An oceanfront amusement park with the Swamp Fox wooden coaster and plenty of kiddie rides. Pay per ride or get a wristband. · Seasonal · check website for open dates
Pirate battles, acrobatics and a four-course meal around a full-size lagoon. A Christmas show runs Nov 4, 2026–Jan 2, 2027. · Show times vary · see schedule · 📞 843-497-9700
Variety shows and concerts at Barefoot Landing. The South's Grandest Christmas Show runs Nov 2, 2026–Jan 2, 2027. · Show times vary · see schedule · 📞 843-272-1111
Live tribute artists perform as music legends. A Rockin' Memphis Christmas runs Nov 3, 2026–Jan 1, 2027 (adults $39.95–54.95, kids $15.95–29.95). · Show times vary · see schedule · 📞 800-960-7469
A small art museum in a beach-cottage-style building across from Springmaid Beach, with rotating exhibits. · Hours vary · check website · 📞 843-238-2510
A free 1900–1955 working farm run by the Horry County Museum, with animals, a smokehouse and farm demonstrations. · Usually Tue–Sat 9 AM–4 PM · 📞 843-365-3596
Nights of a Thousand Candles at Brookgreen Gardens
Murrells Inlet · Holiday light display · $
More than 2,700 hand-lit candles and millions of lights across the gardens, with holiday music and a nightly tree lighting at 6 PM. Tickets $40 adults, $20 kids 4–12 ($35/$15 for members). · Select nights Nov 27, 2026–Jan 3, 2027 · 4–9 PM · tickets required
A drive-through light show at the North Myrtle Beach Park & Sports Complex. $25 per standard vehicle on Village Nights, $20 on select other nights through Dec 9. · Nov 23–Dec 30, 2026 · gates 5:30–9:30 PM · closed Nov 26 & Dec 25
Holiday lights along the Boardwalk in downtown Myrtle Beach, free to walk, with events at Burroughs & Chapin Pavilion Place. · Nov 25, 2026–Jan 2, 2027 · nightly 5–9 PM
Broadway at the Beach Tree Lighting & Christmas Parade
Myrtle Beach · Tree lighting & parade · Free
Tree lighting in The Hangout Courtyard with fireworks at 8 PM on Nov 14, then A Very Broadway Christmas Parade on Dec 5. · Tree lighting Sat Nov 14, 2026, 6–8 PM · parade Sat Dec 5, 11 AM
The annual tree lighting in front of the Grand 14 Cinema. On Dec 31, 2026, A Southern Times Square brings a midnight ball drop here too. · Sat Nov 21, 2026 · 6–8 PM · carriage rides 5:45–8:45 PM
A free town tree lighting, then a Christmas parade along Ocean Boulevard and Surfside Drive. · Tree lighting Thu Dec 3, 2026, 4–8 PM (lighting 6:30) · parade Sat Dec 12, 2 PM
A tree lighting at Morse Park Landing, then a parade along Business 17 to the landing the next day. · Tree lighting Sat Dec 5, 2026, 4–6 PM · parade Sun Dec 6, 3–6 PM
Decorated, lighted boats parade down the Intracoastal Waterway from Little River, ending at Dock Holidays Marina in North Myrtle Beach. · Sat Nov 28, 2026 · 5 PM
What is there to do in Myrtle Beach besides the beach?
Plenty: state parks, fishing piers, an oceanfront boardwalk, an aquarium, dinner shows, live music theaters, gardens and history museums. Most of the big attractions sit along Highway 17 between North Myrtle Beach and Murrells Inlet.
For a first visit, walk the Boardwalk and ride the SkyWheel, spend a rainy afternoon at Ripley's Aquarium, catch a show at the Carolina Opry or Alabama Theatre, and drive south to Brookgreen Gardens and Huntington Beach State Park.
What is Myrtle Beach known for?
Myrtle Beach is known for 60 miles of beach, golf, seafood, live shows and family attractions. The Grand Strand runs from Little River near the North Carolina line down to Pawleys Island.
North Myrtle Beach is the home of the shag, South Carolina's state dance, and Murrells Inlet calls itself the seafood capital of South Carolina.
What can you do in Myrtle Beach in the off-season?
Shows, museums, the aquarium, state parks and the piers stay open in the cooler months. Some outdoor attractions, like the water park and amusement park, close for the winter.
Christmas shows run from early November at the Carolina Opry, Alabama Theatre, Pirates Voyage and Legends in Concert. Fall and winter are also a great time for the state parks, with fewer bugs and smaller crowds.
Local tips
Hours change a lot by season here. Check the attraction's website the day you go.
Broadway at the Beach puts Ripley's Aquarium, WonderWorks and the Hollywood Wax Museum within walking distance of each other.
Huntington Beach State Park, Atalaya and Brookgreen Gardens sit across the highway from each other. Make it one day trip.
Book show tickets ahead in summer and during the holiday season.
Summer Saturdays are check-in day for a lot of rentals, so Highway 17 and 501 get heavy traffic.
Common questions
What is the most popular attraction in Myrtle Beach?
The beach and the Boardwalk draw the most people. For a ticketed attraction, Ripley's Aquarium at Broadway at the Beach is one of the most popular, especially on rainy days.
Is Myrtle Beach good for families?
Yes. Between the aquarium, mini golf, go-karts, state parks, piers and dinner shows, there is plenty for kids of every age.
What is there to do in Myrtle Beach at night?
Walk the Boardwalk and ride the SkyWheel, see a show at the Carolina Opry, Alabama Theatre or Pirates Voyage, or head to the Murrells Inlet MarshWalk for live music on the water.
Hours, prices and vibes change, and some listings are still being checked. Call ahead or check the attraction's website before you go. Know a local spot we're missing? Tell us on our Facebook page.