Top 7 Things to Do in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
The height of the travel season is upon us and one of the most popular destinations is the famous coastline of South Carolina. The sun, spectacular beaches, amusements, excellent food and outdoor adventures make it a trip well worth taking. Whether a first visit or the 100th, there’s plenty to do while there. However, the best things to do while in Myrtle Beach are somewhat off the beaten path. Following is a list of some of the lesser known activities that turn out to be the most fun for annual visitors.
Top 7 Things To Do in Myrtle Beach
1. Miniature Golf is Not for the Faint of Heart
Myrtle Beach is renowned as being the Miniature Golf Capital of the World. In fact, visitors and residents alike have over 50 courses to choose from. They feature amazing creations, such as fire-breathing dragons, pirate ships, mountains spouting molten lava and even a Mayan temple. The best part is that they change from year-to-year, as businessowners try to outdo each other for the most spectacular attractions. They’re all located right off Highway 17 and are rated by visitors as “major fun.”
2. Find Out About Reality TV Up Close and Personal
Here’s one of the things to do in Myrtle Beach that few people know about. Myrtle Manor is a reality TV show on the Learning Channel. It’s about the management and residents of a trailer park in the area. The show’s cast, who actually live on-site, have come to love it when visitors stop by to chat with them, shake hands and even take some pictures.
If you ever really wanted to know what goes on behind the scenes of a reality TV show, meeting the residents of the Myrtle Manor Trailer Park is the perfect opportunity to resolve your curiosity. Plus, finding it is super easy. Take US Highway 501 to the US 17 Bypass. Signs will lead you the rest of the way.
3. How to Thrill the Children
Want a one-of-a-kind experience your children or grandchildren will remember for the rest of their lives? The most fantastic opportunity awaits at The Institute of Greatly Endangered and Rare Species (T.I.G.E.R.S.) located at Barefoot Landing. Get a good look at some of the most rare animals in the world while touring Preservation Station.
Children and adults alike can cuddle up with baby apes, monkeys and tiger cubs as well as come face-to-face with a 500 pound tiger. In 2006, Guinness Book of World Records announced that the largest cat in the world, a liger, resides at the facility. T.I.G.E.R.S. is a 50-acre preserve and offers visitors many opportunities to interact with the wild life. It’s located just off of South Highway 17 in North Myrtle Beach.
4. Something Special for the Sherlock Holmes Wannabees in the Group
One of the newest things to do in Myrtle Beach is to visit an escape room, or breakout room. Visitors are given different scenarios such as escaping a serial killer, cracking a bank vault or finding hidden treasure. Then they must solve a series of puzzles within a set time limit in order to escape the room they’re in.
The few facilities that exist in the area maintain family-friendly atmospheres that focus on problem solving and teamwork. The facilities provide an opportunity to work with family members toward a common goal – escape. They can be found right off the beach parallel to Highway 31.
5. A Farm is More Than an Activity – It Can Be an Experience
There are several working farms in the Myrtle Beach area that offer tours and activities based on the time of year your visit occurs. One of the most interesting, however, is Freewoods Farm. It is the only working African-American historical farm in the country. While there, visitors will see reenactments of the activities and practices applied centuries ago.
Visitors will also have the opportunity to take a step back in time during the period between 1865-1900 while enhancing their experience with hands-on education set up in three distinct sections on the farm (Freewoods Farm, Wetlands Preserve and Main Street). We think this farm will become one of your favorite things to do in Myrtle Beach. It’s located on Freewoods Road just a short distance off Highway 707.
6. Spark Your Imagination While Challenging Your Mind
For a really unique experience you need to check out WonderWorks. It may just look like a building that’s been dropped on it’s head. However, there’s much more than meets the eye inside the structure. The 50,000 sq. ft. amusement park was designed with “edu-tainment” in mind.
More than 100 hands-on exhibits combine entertainment with education in “Wonder Zones”. Here, participants can explore everything from physical challenges like the 3-story rope climb in the Physical Challenge Zone to withstanding the 84 mph winds in the Hurricane Shack in the National Disaster Zone. This is definitely one of the best things to do in Myrtle Beach; visitors will find hours of fun activities as they soar and explore. It’s located right off Broadway at the Beach on Celebrity Circle, so is really easy to find.
7. Discover the Best of South Carolina on Four Wheels
Whether you’re a novice or experienced, ATV adventure tours are one of the best ways to explore the South Carolina backwoods. Guided tours, mini rides and overnight cabin stays can bring the best of the Myrtle Beach area to life.
Riders can either stay high n’ dry or down n’ dirty by touring wooded trails as well as open riding areas. For the riders safety, a mini-training course is provided prior to setting out for your day of fun and adventure. Safety gear is also provided. Additionally, children 5-11 are allowed to ride with an adult.
It should be noted, however, that ATV tours are seasonal and very popular. Make sure you call and make a reservation before planning your trip. The facilities are located just outside of North Myrtle Beach, so you won’t miss a minute of some of the best things to do in Myrtle Beach.
Summing Up
The variety of things to do in Myrtle Beach provide any visitor with a vacation that is sure to be memorable. With its 60 miles of sandy beaches, plenty of activities, live entertainment, endless shopping opportunities and marvelous dining experiences, the area boasts the honor of being one of the best vacation destinations in the US. Although there are many popular activities to choose from, sometimes the quirky ones are the most fun and well-worth the effort of finding.
