It’s no secret that Myrtle Beach holds a special place in my heart. Since I have family living in Myrtle, I’ve had the pleasure of visiting multiple times a year for over 30 years now (eek getting old over here). My parents now own several beach condos-more on that later- so now it’s even easier for me to get to the beach.
What I love about Myrtle Beach is that no matter who you’re with, there’s always something to satisfy everyone. Seriously- I’ve been there on family vacations, girls trips and romantic getaways with my husband- and there’s always something to do!
Not sure what to bring? Check out my new post: The Best Beach Packing List HERE.
*Side note: Throughout this post I will be talking about North Myrtle Beach but will most likely just see me say Myrtle Beach. The purpose is not to confuse anyone but mainly just because A) everyone refers to the whole Myrtle Beach area as “Myrtle Beach” anyway and B) I’m honestly just too lazy to keep typing out North Myrtle Beach every two seconds. I have no shame.*
How to Get There
So if you live in the Eastern half of the United States, you obviously have the option of driving to the beach. Myrtle Beach is about a 11 hour drive from my hometown so I can remember lots of trips spent in the back of my parent’s car with my sister and about 1,000 of our blankets and pillows.
Times have changed since then. Many airlines are recognizing that Myrtle Beach is a popular summer destination and have offered great deals on flights. If I plan my trip right, I’m often able to fly to the beach cheaper than if I drove once I calculated the cost of gas and food along the way.
Myrtle Beach International Airport is about a 25 minute drive to North Myrtle Beach. The airport has 8 airline partners:
- Allegiant Air
- American Airlines
- Delta Airlines
- Frontier Airlines
- Porter Airlines
- Spirit Airlines
- Sun Country Airlines
- United Airlines
I know some people are opposed to budget airlines. Let’s face it- we’ve all heard the horror stories. Personally, I fly on Spirit all the time. Even with some of the paid extras, I’ve found that they usually have fairly good prices and great flight times. I also like that I can usually get a nonstop flight with most of the budget airlines.
I’d also like to mention that I’ve had FAR more problems with the major airlines as opposed to any of the budgets. Lost luggage, over booked or delayed flights- seriously you name it. So if the budget airline has the best deal or times for your trip don’t be scared! If you’re still unsure, I’ve composed a list of tips to help you Avoid Going Broke Flying on Budget Airlines HERE.
Rental Cars
If you’re flying to the beach and planning to leave your hotel or condo at least a couple times on your trip, you’re probably going to want to rent a car. Uber and Lyft are also available but for most I wouldn’t recommend relying on them for your whole trip. Sam and I tried to get away with just Ubering our whole trip once and it was an expensive disaster. Seriously- if you have any doubts don’t do it!
There are multiple rental car companies at the Myrtle Beach airport:
- Alamo
- Avis
- Budget
- Dollar
- Enterprise
- Hertz
- National
- Thrifty
The rental car counters are located across from baggage claim. Let me give you a helpful tip. Seriously- this might be the most helpful tip in this entire post. The rental car counters tend to get VERY busy, especially when multiple flights are coming in at once. When you land, send the person with the rental car reservation IMMEDIATELY to the rental car counter to get in line while everyone else waits for the luggage. I can’t stress this enough- we have not done this in the past and have waited upwards of three hours (!!!) to get our car when three different flights all tried to get their rental cars at the same time.
Where to Stay
Disclosure:
In the name of full transparency, here is where I let you know that my parents rent beach front condos in North Myrtle Beach. Do I think you should stay there? Absolutely. Am I telling you this because I want to trick you into staying with them or because I’m earning a kick back? NO.
Honestly, I recommend my parent’s condos to my readers only because I know they’re an awesome, reliable place to stay that I know you’ll love (just the same as when I recommend anything!)
Pick Your Preference
There are obviously a large amount of hotels, beach houses and condos to choose from when visiting Myrtle Beach. I would recommend deciding your must haves prior to selecting where you want to stay. Want to stay right on the beach so you can wake up and walk straight out to the sand? Don’t mind a walk or drive to the beach as long as you’re staying close to your favorite restaurant or activity? The choice is yours!
Condos:
Kastner’s Beach Houses:
As I’ve already mentioned, my parents condos have a soft place in my heart. I grew up going to these condos, long before my parents even considered purchasing any. I like staying in condos for beach vacations because the full kitchen makes it easy to never have to leave the property. Here’s a list of some of the features:
- Located directly on the beach
- Inground pool
- Private balcony overlooking the ocean
- Sleeps up to 6-8
- Fully stocked kitchen
- Direct access to owner if any problems arise
Condos can be booked directly here.
Hotels:
As I’ve said, with all of the hotel options it can be hard to narrow it down. I’ve selected the following hotels because they consistently get great reviews!
Beach Front:
- Marriott Myrtle Beach Resort & Spa at Grande Dunes
- Embassy Suites by Hilton Myrtle Beach Oceanfront Resort
- Beach Cove Resort
Broadway at the Beach Area:
Barefoot Landing Area:
Airport:
What To Do
Beaches
North Myrtle Beach is famous for its beautiful, wide sandy beaches. Spend your days sunbathing, swimming, or building sandcastles. Cherry Grove Beach and Crescent Beach are two popular spots that offer a quieter, family-friendly atmosphere.
Broadway at the Beach
A fun spot packed with shops, restaurants, and cool attractions. It’s great for a day out with the family, offering rides, live shows, and unique places to eat.
Barefoot Landing
This shopping, dining, and entertainment complex is a must-visit. Enjoy a stroll along the boardwalk, visit unique shops, and dine at waterfront restaurants. Don’t miss attractions like Alligator Adventure and the House of Blues.
The Great Escape Room
Challenge your problem-solving skills with friends or family at this interactive escape room experience. Each room offers a different theme and level of difficulty.
Duplin Winery
A winery specializing in sweet Muscadine wine. They offer wine tastings- I recommend upgrading your tasting to get the delicious cheese dip and crackers.
Apache Pier
The East Coast’s longest wooden pier is a great place to go fishing. I love walking out and enjoying the view. There is a restaurant on the pier that serves up some classic breakfast.
Miniature Golf
- Professor Hacker’s Lost Treasure Golf
- 1705 Hwy 17 S, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582
- Mayday Golf
- 715 Hwy 17 N, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582
- Hawaiian Rumble Golf & Batting Cages
- 3210 Hwy 17 S, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582
- Captain Hook’s Adventure Golf
- 2205 N Kings Hwy, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
Alabama Theatre
Catch a live show at this renowned theatre, known for its high-energy performances and family-friendly entertainment. The theater offers a variety of shows, from musical acts to comedy nights.
Medieval Times
Offers an exciting dinner show where you can enjoy a hearty feast while watching knights battle in jousting tournaments. It’s a unique experience with thrilling performances, perfect for a fun night out with family or friends
Myrtle Beach Pelicans
The Pelicans are a minor League baseball team affiliated with the Chicago Cubs.
Pirates Voyage
Kind of like Medieval Times but better because it’s pirates.
Topgolf
Highly recommend reservations as slots fill quickly.
Where to Eat
These are some of my favorite restaurants in the North Myrtle Beach area. There are soo many restaurants to choose from that I have no doubt you will find something you like:
- Carolina Roadhouse: Steakhouse vibes with something for everyone
- My favorite: Roadhouse Chef Salad with the BEST croissants
- Sea Captain’s House: Traditional Seafood favs with a beautiful ocean view
- My favorite: Crab cakes
- Boardwalk Billy’s: A laid-back atmosphere with a ton of outdoor seating
- My favorite: Crab leg dinner
- Molly Darcy’s: A classic Irish pub
- My favorite: Molly’s Open Faced Reuben
- Blueberry’s Grill: A great place for breakfast (in fact, my favorite place for breakfast)
- My favorite: Banana Fosters French Toast, blueberry hushpuppies and the mimosa flight
- Chuck’s Steakhouse: a steakhouse featuring a large salad bar
- My favorite: Shrimp scampi with rice pilaf
- Chestnut Hill: Serves steak and seafood and has the BEST happy hour
- My favorite: Crabcakes and any other happy hour appetizer
- Bimini’s Oyster Bar: The name says it all
- My favorite: The saltines (just kidding. I don’t eat oysters but Sam and my dad said they were awesome)
- Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville: Serves tropical, Jimmy Buffet themed food and great for kids!
- My favorite: Cheeseburger in Paradise
- Umberto’s: An upscale Italian restaurant that serves several premeal courses- go hungry
- My favorite: Steak scampi
Tips for a Great Trip
- Plan Ahead: Myrtle Beach is very busy during the summer months. You will likely need dinner reservations every night, especially if you have a group. Plan ahead for the week and make the reservations as early as the restaurant will allow.
- Pick An Off Season Date: As much as I would love to gate keep this tip for my own personal benefit, September and October are the best times to go to Myrtle. The weather and ocean are still warm and everyone has gone back to school and work. It is so peaceful. Plus places to stay are significantly cheaper in the off season! If you don’t care about swimming, April and May are similarly nice.
- Save Some Cash: If you plan on eating out, consider going for lunch. Not only will it be cheaper but less crowded as well.
