Myrtle Beach is a popular destination for sun-seekers and golfers, but there’s more to this coastal city than meets the eye. If you’re looking for some under-the-radar experiences to spice up your trip, here are 10 suggestions that will make your visit unforgettable.
Ride the SkyWheel at night
One of the most iconic landmarks in Myrtle Beach is the SkyWheel, a 187-foot tall Ferris wheel that offers panoramic views of the ocean and the city. While riding the SkyWheel during the day is a great way to see the sights, riding it at night is a whole different experience. You’ll be dazzled by the colorful lights and the reflections on the water, and you’ll feel like you’re floating in the sky. It’s a romantic and magical way to end your day.
Explore Brookgreen Gardens
If you need a break from the beach, head to Brookgreen Gardens, a 9,100-acre botanical and sculpture garden that showcases the natural and cultural heritage of South Carolina. You’ll find more than 2,000 works of art by American sculptors, as well as a zoo, a butterfly house, a lowcountry trail, and a boat tour. You can also join guided tours, lectures, and special events throughout the year.
Dive with sharks at Ripley’s Aquarium
For an adrenaline-pumping adventure, sign up for the Shark Dive program at Ripley’s Aquarium, where you can get up close and personal with some of the most feared predators of the sea. You’ll don a wetsuit and a helmet that allows you to breathe underwater, and then you’ll enter a 15-foot deep tank filled with sand tiger sharks, nurse sharks, sawfish and more. You’ll also get to feed some of the fish and interact with the divers. It’s an experience you won’t forget.
Have fun at WonderWorks
WonderWorks is an indoor amusement park that combines education and entertainment in a fun and interactive way. You’ll find more than 100 exhibits that challenge your mind and body, such as a bed of nails, a hurricane simulator, a laser tag arena, a ropes course, and a 6D motion ride. You can also enjoy live shows, such as magic, comedy and science demonstrations.
Visit Myrtle Beach State Park
Myrtle Beach State Park is a natural oasis in the midst of the urban sprawl. Here you can enjoy a pristine beach, a fishing pier, a nature center, hiking trails, camping facilities and picnic areas. You can also spot various wildlife, such as deer, raccoons, squirrels, birds and sea turtles.
Travel back in time at Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament
If you’re looking for some medieval fun, head to Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament, where you can enjoy a four-course feast while watching a thrilling show of knights, horses, falcons and swordplay. You’ll cheer for your knight as he competes in jousting, hand-to-hand combat and other games of skill. You’ll also witness a royal falconer display his majestic birds of prey.
Pose with celebrities at Hollywood Wax Museum
If you’ve ever wanted to meet your favorite celebrities, you can do so at Hollywood Wax Museum,
where you’ll find lifelike wax figures of movie stars, musicians, athletes, and more. You can pose with them, take selfies, and learn some fun facts about their lives and careers. You can also visit the adjacent attractions, such as Hannah’s Maze of Mirrors, Outbreak: Dread the Undead, and Break Out: Escape Games.
Shop, dine, and play at Broadway at the Beach
Broadway at the Beach is a one-stop destination for shopping, dining, and entertainment. You’ll find more than 100 specialty shops, restaurants, bars, and attractions, such as Ripley’s Aquarium, WonderWorks, The Simpsons in 4D, Dave & Buster’s, and The Carolina Comedy Club. You can also enjoy live music, fireworks, festivals and other events throughout the year.
Meet exotic animals at Myrtle Beach Safari
If you love animals, you’ll love Myrtle Beach Safari, a 50-acre preserve that houses more than 130 rare and endangered animals, such as tigers, lions, leopards, wolves, elephants, monkeys and more. You can join a guided tour that allows you to interact with some of the animals, such as feeding a tiger cub, holding a baby monkey, or touching an elephant. You can also watch some amazing demonstrations of animal intelligence and agility.
Beat the high scores at the a pinball museum
If you’re feeling nostalgic for the arcade games of your childhood, you’ll love Myrtle Beach Pinball Museum, where you can play more than 40 classic pinball machines from different eras. You’ll find games like Star Wars, The Addams Family, The Wizard of Oz and more. You can also play some retro video games, such as Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, and Space Invaders.
