Myrtle Beach Suburbs Conway

One of the oldest towns in South  Carolina.  This historic river town has preserved much of its past, including many centuries old live oaks.  The Horry County  museum chronicles local history and contains prehistoric artifacts.

North Myrtle Beach

In 1968, four small beach towns:   Windy Hill Beach, Crescent Beach, Ocean Drive Beach and Cherry Grove Beach  located on the northern edge of the Grand Strand, joined to form the City of North Myrtle Beach. Their goal was to provide unmatched services to its residents and tourists; create a unique, safe beach community; and offer a place with recreation and vacation facilities. More than 30 years later, the City of North Myrtle Beach is home to over 12,000 permanent residents, and many others call it home during vacations and weekend trips throughout the year.

  Murrells Inlet

in the south end of the Grand Strand, Murrells Inlet is the oldest fishing village in the state. It is home to fishermen, writers, poets and more legends and ghost stories than any other part of the Grand Strand. The area's history recounts stories of pirates, aristocratic plantation owners, the daughter of a U.S. vice president being forced to walk the plank of a pirate ship, phantom lighthouses steering ships from storms and cemetery-walking ghosts.

Georgetown

28 miles S of Myrtle Beach

The lifestyle of pre-Revolutionary War days comes alive here. Named after George II, this etown of only 11,000 people contains more than 50 historic homes and buildings dating back as far as 1737. Masted ships sailed from this riverfront, bound for England with their cargoes of indigo, rice, timber, and "king cotton." You can take a leisurely stroll along the Harbor Walk, tour the antebellum homes, or dine at some of the favorite spots.

Pawleys Island/Litchfield

25 miles S of Myrtle Beach; 12 miles N of Georgetown

One of the oldest resorts in the South, Pawleys Island has been popular with vacationers for more than three centuries. During the 18th century, rice planters made the island their summer home so that they could escape the heat and humidity of the Low Country and enjoy ocean breezes. Storms have battered the island, but many of the weather-beaten old properties remain.

The beaches here are among the best-maintained, least-polluted, and widest along coastal South Carolina. Because so much of the land is private, however, access to public beach areas is limited.

Many visitors from Myrtle Beach come to Pawleys Island to shop for handcrafts, such as the famous Pawleys Island rope hammock. At various plantation stores (known as the hammock shops), shoppers can find wicker, pewter, miniature doll furniture, clothing, candles, Christmas items, brass, and china.

    Myrtle Beach Area Attractions

  Alligator Adventure

(843) 365-0655

U.S. Hwy. 17 N.

North Myrtle Beach

An alligator park and reptile research institute that adjoins Barefoot Landing in North Myrtle Beach,  this is one of the largest reptile facilities in the world. In addition to alligators and crocodiles, the natural 12.5 acre setting is home to a variety of exotic birds, frogs, snakes, tortoises and lizards.

All are situated in  natural surroundings that emulate the beautiful wetland habitats to which these animals are accustomed.

Bellefield Nature Center

U.S. 17

South of Pawleys Island

The center is open year round, and admission is free.

The Bellefield Nature Center, at the entrance to Hobcaw Barony, is operated by the Belle W. Baruch Foundation. The Center features displays and audiovisual programs on Hobcaw's history, coastal environments, local wildlife and the teaching and research programs of the Baruch Institutes. Visit the saltwater touchtank and snake displays. Audiovisual programs are also shown daily. There are no walking trails or self-guided tours, and advance reservations are required for guided tours and special programs.

Brookgreen Gardens

US Highway 17 South

Murrells Inlet

843-237-4218

Located twenty miles south of Myrtle Beach, Brookgreen Gardens is known  as the most beautiful sculpture garden in America. In 1930, Archer Milton Huntington, and his sculptress wife, Anna Hyatt Huntington,  purchased  four colonial plantations. In 1931 they organized a non-profit institution to preserve habitats for native plants and animals while providing an outdoor showcase for American Figurative Sculpture.

Brookgreen is also home to a 23-acre Wildlife Park that protects the habitats of a wide variety of indigenous animals.

Brookgreen’s botanical gardens feature 2,000-plus species and sub-species of plants.. "The Springfield," a pontoon-type craft that accommodates approximately 50 passengers tours the flora and fauna of the creeks, as  guides identify such and give historical aspects of the rice fields.

Broadway At the Beach

1325 Celebrity Circle

Myrtle Beach, SC 29577-7445

 (843)444-3200

a 350-acre entertainment complex in the heart of Myrtle Beach, offers 20 restaurants including Hard Rock Café, Planet Hollywood, Official All Star Café, Easyriders Café and NASCAR Café. Broadway at the Beach, nestled around  a 23-acre lake, features more than 100 specialty shops and attractions such as  Celebrity Square nightclub district, Carmike's Broadway Cinema 16, The Palace Theater, NASCAR SpeedPark and Dragon's Lair Fantasy Golf.

Broadway at the Beach  also offers IMAX Discovery Theater and Ripley's Aquarium.

Butterfly Pavilion

Broadway at the Beach

Myrtle Beach

1-877-280-2751

Open daily.  Call for hours.

The 22,500 square foot Butterfly Pavilion is a fully enclosed butterfly habitat featuring North American and tropical butterflies.  It contains a 30 foot waterfall, a sunken pirate ship and colorful moths, butterflies, and birds.  Interactive displays include a giant (walk-through) bee hive.

Carolina Safari Jeep Tours

(843) 497-3480

Tours take place twice daily during the summer; other seasons, once a day.

Each specially designed tour vehicle seats 10 to 13 passengers and a tour guide "safari-style," allowing for an extensive and personalized overview of area history and local lore as well as tons of narrative information.

The itinerary includes natural coastal attractions, historic areas, old plantation homes, two islands and an unexpected abundance of natural beauty.

Binoculars are provided, and you're welcome to bring cameras;

Franklin G. Burroughs and Simeon B. Chapin Art Museum

3200 S. Kings Hwy., Myrtle Beach

(843) 238-2510

The museum features an art gallery, gift shop and an art education center.

The art gallery building is housed in the former Springmaid Villa, a 1920s beach house that was saved from demolition. Renovations created 10 galleries with a total 3,600 square feet of exhibition space, a tea room and a large seminar room. Exhibits in the gallery showcase local and regional artists and national art exhibits.

Children's Museum of South Carolina

2501 N Kings Hwy

Myrtle Beach, SC 29577-3054

 (843)946-9469

Family Kingdom Ocean Front Park

301 3rd Ave S

Myrtle Beach,

(843)916-0400

Family Kingdom is open from late March to late November. Operating hours vary, depending on the season.

South Carolina's largest roller coaster  and  largest Ferris wheel are both available here.  . The Swamp Fox Roller Coaster is a great wooden classic with a 62-foot drop. Children like the  miniature locomotive that chugs around the grounds. The antique carousel was built in Germantown, Pennsylvania, in 1932. Other attractions include go-carts, bumper cars and the Express Himalaya.

This home of family fun takes a great deal of pride in it's reputation as a "family-friendly" park. There is a  separate area called Kiddie Land  just for toddlers & tots. In Kiddie Land, you'll find lots of "small" rides, including a miniaturized ferris wheel and roller coaster.

The Franklin G. Burroughs, Simeon B. Chapin Art Museum

3100 South Ocean Blvd., Myrtle Beach

238 2510

Tuesday - Saturday, 10 - 4  Sunday,1 - 4

Admission charged.

The Franklin G. Burroughs, Simeon B. Chapin Art Museum is a public art museum for the visual arts and includes "the Villa" exhibition galleries. Its programs include local art shows, a permanent art collection and traveling guest artist exhibits. An art library and working studios support active educational programs.

Fun Spot Action Park

500 S. Ocean Blvd.

Myrtle Beach

open daily from March until December

Operating hours vary, depending on the season.

This park will put you in the driver's seat of a custom-designed go-cart on a number of different and exciting tracks. The Super Eight Track, a multilevel, nine-turn course with hairpin curves features Myrtle Beach's only nine-horsepower carts. On the Family Track, two-seater carts allow a parent and child to share a spin.. The action park also features Bumper Cars, Bumper Boats, a Space Walk, Ferris wheel, carousel, Kiddie Cars and several other attractions for the little ones.

Hopsewee Plantation

off  U.S. 17 S., 12 miles south of Georgetown

843-546-6961

Schedule visit in advance.

The plantation, featuring a view of the North Santee River, is open to the public early March through early November on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Other times are available by appointment. The plantation mansion, which was once the home of Thomas Lynch Jr., a signer of the Declaration of Independence, is surprisingly elegant in its simplicity.

Horry County Museum

438 Main St.

Conway 626-1282

The  Horry County Museum showcases not only Horry County history but much of the surrounding area's history as well.

Originally a post office, the building stands on what was formerly the grounds of a historic home. Just outside the museum, stands the stately old Wade Hampton oak. A plaque on the oak commemorates the day in 1876 when Confederate Gen. Wade Hampton brought his campaign for the governorship to Conway and addressed the residents from beneath the tree. Many years later, when construction of a railroad threatened the historic oak, a spirited local lady, Mary Beaty, brandished a loaded shotgun and ordered workers, "Touch not a single bough." Her defiance inspired other residents to actively protect the town's magnificent live oaks.

Myrtle Beach Pavilion Amusement Park

812 N. Ocean Blvd.

Myrtle Beach

(843) 448-6456

In the heart of downtown Myrtle Beach, the Pavilion has been the area's No. 1 family attraction for more than four decades. In the last several years, the park has spent $10 million-plus on new rides, expansions and renovations. Covering 11 acres, the Pavilion currently offers more than 35 rides for young and old. One exciting option is the Hydro Surge, an 1,100-foot whitewater rafting experience that recreates the excitement of rafting down a wild river in an eight-person raft.

The Pavilion Grand Prix Road Course, a 900-foot-long go-cart course, allows the all family members to test their skill.

  Myrtle Beach Grand Prix Family Thrill Park

3201  South Kings Highway

Myrtle Beach

(843) 238-3787

and

3900 US Highway 17 South

North Myrtle Beach

(843) 272-6010

10AM - 11PM in season.

Grand Prix Family Thrill Parks (North and South) each feature a variety of racing cars and tracks including formula Grand Prix, Go-Carts, Speed Racers, and Junior Racers. The parks are divided into zones which accurately describe the types of rides found in each area. Families and individuals of all ages enjoy spending time in the Family Thrill Zone, Race Zone, Children Zone, Laser Zone, Food Zone, Golf Zone, Water Zone, and Game Zone. The parks are designed to accommodate more than 3,000 people at one time, and can accommodate groups of all sizes. 

Myrtle Waves

3000 10th N. Ext. (off U.S. 17 Bypass)

Myrtle Beach

843-448-1026

20 acres of water rides and slides. The Carolinas' largest water park is also the tallest; Turbo Twisters is a 10-story, lightening-fast ride. With 30 rides and attractions, Myrtle Waves is proudly staffed by professionally certified lifeguards. The just-for-children Tadpool, only 18 inches deep, includes a Little Dipper Slide and the Magic Mushroom water fountain.

The Lazy River serves up a cool and relaxing opportunity to float along a designated course. Picking up the pace is no problem on Snake Mountain, Pipeline Plunge or Ricochet Rapids all heart-in-your-throat water slides. Only the adventuresome venture to the Riptide Rocket, two body flumes that send you blasting.

Myrtle Waves also boasts its own Ocean In Motion Wave Pool

NASCAR Speed Park

1820 21st Ave N

Myrtle Beach, SC

 (843)626-8725

          and

North Myrtle Beach Grand Prix

3900 Hwy. 17 S., Windy Hill Section

North Myrtle Beach

The Speed park is designed to provide family entertainment that resembles as closely as possible the NASCAR racing circuit. 

An impressive variety of vehicles includes Grand Prix go-carts, mini Ferraris, Jeeps and Corvettes that can be maneuvered on a variety of tracks for high performance fun. A few of the most challenging tracks require licensed drivers; however, there is plenty of racing excitement available for all ages.

Both parks also offer miniature golf courses and water race parks with bumper boats. The south park boasts speed boats and the East Coast's only Hydro-Fighter. The North location has a complete Kiddie Park with rides that include Dinosaurs, a Car Carrousel and a merry-go-round. Air-conditioned arcades and snack bars are provided at both locations.

Ocean Watersports

300 4th Ave. S.

Myrtle Beach, SC 29577

843-232-8383

http://www.familykingdom.com

Ripley's Sea Aquarium

1110 Celebrity Cir

Broadway at the Beach

Myrtle Beach, SC

(843)916-0888

Ripley's  74,000 square foot Aquarium is a unique, state-of-the-art, multi-sensory, entertainment facility which transports visitors to numerous aquatic environments.

It is a stunning exhibition of fish behind glass.  Five portions of the aquarium feature different sea habitats.

Ripley's Believe It or Not! Museum

Ocean Blvd. & 9th Ave No Myrtle Beach

843-448-2331

More than 500 exhibits from the believable to the bizarre.  

  South Carolina Aquarium

(843) 579-8601

The South Carolina Aquarium on Charleston Harbor depicts the rich variety of life that exists in the aquatic environments of South Carolina. Opening Spring of 2000, the Aquarium will bring together over 10,000 animals and 5,000 live plants normally separated by hundreds of miles in the wild. Journey from the Mountain to Sea, and learn how these environments, no matter how different, are mutually interdependent. River otters, snakes, fish, turtles, alligators, and birds, all in their natural habitats will be found und