MYRTLE BEACH FAMILY VACATION
As my life is evolving with my son, I find myself looking for family friendly destinations more and more. While I hadn’t thought of Myrtle Beach as a destination to visit, Bryan’s side of the family decided to take a trip out there and it surprised me as a great family friendly beach town.
Myrtle Beach is definitely touristy, but that’s what makes it such a great destination for families. There’s so much to do and the kids will love it. You can relax by the beach, stroll along the boardwalk, shop at Broadway on the Beach or play a round of golf at one of the many courses surrounding the town. If you’re looking for a laid-back and family friendly destination, Myrtle Beach is a great place to visit.
WHERE TO STAY IN MYRTLE BEACH
When deciding where to stay for a Myrtle Beach family vacation, there are two main areas to choose from — North Myrtle Beach or Central Myrtle Beach. In between those two areas lies the Boardwalk in the heart of Myrtle Beach. Our family spent the week in North Myrtle Beach known for its wide beaches, quieter atmosphere and a variety of beachfront condos and vacation rentals. If you are looking to be close to the Boardwalk while also enjoying the beaches then Central Myrtle Beach may be a better fit for your family.
If you’re visiting Myrtle Beach with family, you’ll be more comfortable renting a vacation home and there are plenty of options available. Hotels are also a popular accommodation. A few top-rated hotels in the area are listed below:
GETTING AROUND MYRTLE BEACH
There’s no way around it, you will definitely want a car for a Myrtle Beach family vacation. The town isn’t very walkable unless you plan on staying in one neighborhood. From North Myrtle Beach, most other area attractions are a 30 minute drive. For the best deals on rental cars, I always use rentalcars.com.
BEST MYRTLE BEACH ACTIVITIES
A family vacation to Myrtle Beach can be as relaxing or high-energy as you want it to be. You can spend every day at the beach or choose to get out of the house and enjoy the many activities around the area. Take a look at some of the family friendly activities in Myrtle Beach.
+ THE BEACH
This one is a no brainer. Most families are vacationing in Myrtle Beach for the beach! There are over 60 miles of sandy beach along the town making it a great beach destination. This was Meyer’s first beach trip and while he was still too young to enjoy the waves, Bryan and I loved getting to see the first time his little toes touched the ocean. Some of the best beaches in Myrtle Beach are North Myrtle Beach, Surfside Beach and Myrtle Beach.
+ THE BOARDWALK
The Myrtle Beach Boardwalk is a popular tourist attraction that stretches along the beachfront area with a scenic view of the Atlantic Ocean. This is an area known for its entertainment, dining, shopping and the famous Myrtle Beach Sky Wheel.
+ BROOKGREEN GARDENS
Brookgreen Gardens is such a beautiful and unique thing to do while visiting Myrtle Beach with family. It’s an expansive garden complex located in Murrells Inlet with beautifully landscaped gardens, sculptures, wildlife exhibits, historical sites, and art collections. There’s even an on-site Low Country zoo and boat tours available.
+ MURRELLS INLET
Murrells Inlet is located just south of Myrtle Beach. It’s a charming coastal town known for its natural beauty, waterways, seafood restaurants, and laid-back atmosphere. Here you’ll find the The Murrells Inlet MarshWalk, which is a waterfront boardwalk lined with restaurants, bars, and shops. You can take a stroll along the MarshWalk, enjoy the views and stop for a meal, live music, or a drink.
Another cool experience here are the sunset boat tours. You can book your experience here.
+ BROADWAY AT THE BEACH
Broadway at the Beach has a wide range of activities and attractions for the whole family to enjoy making it a hub of entertainment for the Myrtle Beach area. Families can enjoy plenty of shopping, dining and nightlife. There’s also endless entertainment options on Broadway including mini golf, go-kart, Ripley’s Aquarium and WonderWorks — an interactive science museum.
+ BAREFOOT LANDING
Barefoot Landing is another popular area in North Myrtle Beach situated along the Intracoastal Waterway, offering picturesque views of the water. Similar to Broadway at the Beach, there are a variety of activities and attractions for the whole family. The House of Blues, outdoor concerts and more shopping are all found here.
RESTAURANTS IN MYRTLE BEACH
There are plenty of great restaurants surrounding Myrtle Beach with a wide range of options to suit the entire family. Here are a few recommendations for your stay in Myrtle Beach:
+ WICKED TUNA
+ CROISSANTS & BAKERY
+ LOLEO
+ BLUEBERRY’S GRILL
+ SEA CAPTAINS
+ JOHNNY D’S WAFFLES
+ HOOK & BARREL
Myrtle Beach was such a relaxing coastal experience that I recommend for any family vacation. Whether you’re interested in water-based adventures, seafood dining, soaking up the sun and sand or simply taking in the scenic views, Myrtle Beach has something to offer the whole family. And, if you ever have questions or need travel advice, reach out on Instagram!
HAPPY TRAVELS, LIZ STANFORD
Disclosure: Some of these links are affiliate links, which means when you purchase something using these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. However, I only link these companies because I have used them or truly recommend them based on their quality and the experience I had.