North Myrtle Beach is a quiet, beach-side community just up-beach, past Crescent Beach, from the quintessential spring break destination, Myrtle Beach. It marks the beginning of the Grand Strand, a 60-mile string of South Carolina beaches that runs from the fishing pier at Cherry Grove Pier down to Pawley’s Island. This strip of golden sand is lined with restaurants and resorts.
Looking for the best places to stay in North Myrtle Beach? Browse through beachfront properties to find the right location, amenities, and price point for you and your family.
Community-minded, there are also a plethora of North Myrtle Beach attractions. There are award-winning golf courses and mini-golf adventures. There are summer regattas on the Intracoastal Waterway, movies in the park, a Hollywood Wax Museum, and a weekly Farmer’s Market. Holidays are celebrated throughout the year in Carolina style with July 4th fireworks and a Christmas light show.
The calming atmosphere of where shore meets sand is perfect for an impromptu relaxing weekend. It’s also an ideal choice for a week-long, family-friendly vacation packed with activities and new experiences. In fact, North Myrtle Beach is one of the best beaches in South Carolina, with some of the Grand Strand’s best things to do and see.
Let’s dive right into the specifics so you can start planning your dream vacation to North Myrtle Beach.
1. Play a Round or Two of Golf
The ping of the perfect swing. A hole-in-one with the Atlantic Ocean as a backdrop. The award-winning golf courses surrounding North Myrtle Beach (NMB) are a golf mecca and were designed by golfing greats. Sun and surf with a gentle (sometimes) sea-fueled cross breeze tempt linksmen of all levels.
A few of the best courses to play nine at are:
- The Surf Golf and Beach Club
- Azalea Sands Golf Club
- Beechwood Golf Club
- Eagle Nest Golf Club
- Dunes Golf and Beach Club
2. Movies@McClean Park
Grab a beach blanket and your favorite movie buddy. Each Friday, roughly 15 minutes past sunset, from June to October, the small city turns out for some beachy live entertainment -Movies@McClean Park on Oak Drive.
There is something for everyone: Kids’ movies and old classics are on the schedule. Movies@McClean Park is a popular free event for families, a unique date night, or just a relaxing evening under the South Carolina stars.
3. Show Off Your Precision Skills with a Round of Miniature Golf
Take a break from the links and play through with pirates and dinosaurs. North Myrtle Beach’s treasure of miniature golf locations, some championship-rated, have waterfalls, Tyrannosaurus Rex, video games, and golf-adventure fare.
And each year, thousands descend on North Myrtle Beach for the U.S. Pro Mini Golf Association’s Master Tournament. There are almost a dozen putt-putt golf locations throughout the city but a few of our favorites include:
- Hawaiian Rumble
- Black Pearl Golf
- Miniature Bay Miniature Golf
- Mayday Golf
- Professor Hacker’s Dinosaur Golf
- Lost Treasure Golf
- Aloha Golf
- Molten Mountain
4. OD Pavilion Amusement Park
There is no better combination than an intimate fair and the beach. The oceanfront entertainment, the OD Pavilion in North Myrtle Beach, ticks both boxes.
The attraction is centrally located within walking distance of the micro-neighborhood of Main Street’s Ocean Drive Beach. A stop on Ocean Boulevard (OD), admission to the pier is free. The rides, however, require tickets to access the Ferris wheel, small roller coasters, or any of the kid’s rides.
5. Enjoy Fireworks all Year Long
There are many ways to honor North Myrtle Beach; one of the most popular is to turn the night sky into a canvas of light and color. Watching is easy. Pull up a beach chair or float on the Intracoastal waterway for the best view of the fireworks over the water.
Regular firework displays are scheduled on holidays and weekly throughout the summer.
- Barefoot Landing (Mondays)
- Broadway at the Beach (Tuesday and Friday) – just note that this location is farther south in Myrtle Beach but still just a quick drive away.
- Downtown – 4th of July
6. Go Kneeboarding in Little River
For vacationers looking for a resort-style water park, there are many roughly five miles south in the Myrtle Beach area. Landlubbers can visit Shark Wake Park, located in the North Myrtle Beach Sports Complex in and on Little River, SC.
This river-based entertainment offers kneeboarding, wakeboarding, and waterskiing. A jungle gym of cabled water floats and a ropes course is available to all ages. And safety instructors are present at all times.
Just note that this is only available seasonally and they do close in winter.
7. Escape the Sand & Take a Hike
The marine ecosystem and saltwater marshes surrounding provide many opportunities to hike paved walking paths and explore the seven acres of Heritage Shores or plan a relaxing day of fishing or crabbing at dog-friendly Russell Burgess State Park.
A few of our other favorite places to take a long walk are:
- Heritage Shores Nature Preserve
- Ingram Dunes Nature Preserve
- Russell Burgess Coastal Preserve
- Murrell’s Inlet Marsh Walk
8. Try All the Watersports
It is absolutely necessary, when visiting the shore, to try at least one new outdoor activity. North Myrtle Beach has a handful of water experiences fun and safe for the whole family.
Most area outfitters are seaside and have watercraft, including small boats, kayaks, SUP, jet skis, and parasail rentals. They offer instruction and guided charters.
Although we know a lot of your trip will be spent lounging on the beach and splashing in the waves, if you need a little more excitement, there’s a number of watersports you can try out.
9. Spend a Day at a Museum or Aquarium
Ripley’s Aquarium is located further south in Myrtle Beach, but the northern community is home to Alligator Adventure. The reptilian zoo is adjacent to Barfoot Landing and home to an extensive collection of animals: lizards, turtles, snakes, flamingos, and a rare albino alligator. The wildlife park also houses big cats and ostriches.
The city also hosts several specialized museums, definitely choices of some of the best things to do in North Myrtle Beach.
Spend a day indoors as a break from the sand and surf and instead visit:
- Myrtle Beach Pinball Museum
- The Horry Museum and L. W. Paul Living History Farm
- Wheels of Yesteryear, a private car collection
10. Enjoy Live Music at the House of Blues
Even though North Myrtle Beach is referred to as a quieter community, that doesn’t mean that it is boring. The city has a relatively lively nightlife and is known for its outdoor live music spots and artistic performances.
It is also home to a House of Blues restaurant and an intimate concert venue. Freestanding just off 48th Street between Barefoot Resort Bridge and Intracoastal Waterway, the House of Blues is active year-round, with tickets available online and at the door.
In addition to live music, the area includes performing arts. Just around the corner is the community playhouse, The Alabama Theatre. In the area, The Carolina Opry is a renowned performance arts center whose productions combine music, comedy, and dance for a two-hour extravaganza.
11. Go Wine-Tasting
If sweet wines are at the top of your list, try a few hours tasting the creations at Duplin Winery. Located off of Barefoot Resort Bridge and Intracoastal Waterway, a rustic building houses tastings, shops, and live music.
Part of the Coastal Winery region, Duplin works primarily with a muscadine grape, a vine that dates back to circa 1584. A few of their most famous wines are:
- Summertime Stout
- Coastal Shag
- Cotton Candy Wines
- Hatteras Red
12. Eat, Drink, & Be Merry in North Myrtle Beach
It is almost impossible to list all of the restaurants, bars, pubs, ice cream, and dessert spots but there are a few that are worth the time and effort.
Blueberry’s Grill is a popular brunch spot, and Lulu’s North Myrtle Beach hamburger joint with a seaside vibe that sits on the Lewis’ Pond across the Intracoastal Waterway from Barefoot Queen, riverboat cruises.
A little inland just off of Conway Street are three Joe-centric eateries: Native Joe’s Scoop and Grind provides ice cream and coffee, while Hamburger Joe’s and Joe’s Bar & Grill cover a crafted lunch or upscale dinner.
Here are a few other places to grab a pint, lunch, or both:
- Crooked Hammock Brewery
- Duplin Winery
- Flynn’s Irish Tavern
- Bennett’s Calabash Seafood Buffet
Enjoy These Best Things to Do in North Myrtle Beach
On many beach vacations, non-water activities are limited. But in South Carolina, the options for fun are endless and can be planned like a dolphin cruise or left as a spontaneous day of wine tasting and shopping at Barefoot Landing.
Whatever your interests, something on the long list of the best things to do in North Myrtle Beach will whet your appetite for adventure.