15 Reasons To Visit Myrtle Beach, SC This Summer

We live really close to Myrtle Beach, like close enough that my parents will drive there just to shop and come home. It’s a really fun beach town with so much to do. If you’re thinking about visiting Myrtle Beach this summer, you definitely should. I put together a list of 15 reasons to visit Myrtle Beach, SC this summer.

Now, I specify summer because a few things on this list are summer-only activities. The others are open year round, and I’ll make a note of which is which, just to make your life easier.

15 Reasons To Visit Myrtle Beach, SC This Summer

1. See the Polynesian Fire Luau

This is one of the summer-only activities on this list. We went to the Polynesian Fire Luau (6803 N Ocean Blvd) a few years ago for Pete’s birthday, and we absolutely loved it. You eat a full Polynesian meal, watch traditional dancing (and there’s audience participation too!), and then watch a poi show.

For more details, see our full Polynesian Fire Luau review.

Polynesian Fire Luau info:

Showtimes: 6 pm on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday
Run time: 2.5 hours
Cost: Starting at $49.99 for adults and $24.98 for children. Kids under 2 are free.
Tickets: Order tickets online here or call the box office at 843-424-1978

2. Visit the Ripley’s Aquarium

It’s hot in Myrtle Beach in the summer, so you might be looking for a way to cool down. Ripley’s Aquarium (1110 Celebrity Cir) is a great way to do that — because it’s air conditioned inside. You’ll be able to check out sharks, jellyfish, plus you can even have breakfast with a mermaid!

Ripley’s Aquarium info:

Hours: Daily from 9 am to 7 pm
Cost: $34.99 for adults, $24.99 for children ages 6 to 11, $12.99 for kids 3 to 5. Kids under 3 are free.
Tickets: Order tickets online here.

3. Hang out at the beach

If you’re going to Myrtle Beach in the summer, you want to go to the beach. At least for a little while. There’s a lot of public beach access located right off the boardwalk and public parking lots on the other side of the boardwalk.

Myrtle Beach beach info:

You are not permitted to sleep on the beach or at a beach access between 9 pm and 8 am. For more, check out this list of Myrtle Beach beach laws.

Heading to the beach at Myrtle Beach?

These posts will help you pack for your day at the beach:

• What To Pack For A Day At The Beach With Kids
• 10+ Best Beach Snack Ideas

4. Swashbuckle your matey at the Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show

We went to the Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show (8907 N Kings Hwy) for my birthday one year and it was great. The show is open year round, but you should check it out seasonally because the show does change (there’s a Christmas show and a generic one).

Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show info:

Showtimes: Daily at 6 pm
Run time: About 2 hours, with a 50 minute pre-show
Cost: Starting at $54.99 for adults and $29.99 for children ages 3 to 9.
Tickets: Order tickets online here or call the box office at 843-497-9700

5. Watch the dueling pianos at Crocodile Rocks

We meet friends in Myrtle Beach every summer, and one of the things we always do is go to the piano bar Crocodile Rocks (1318 Celebrity Cir CS3). It opens at 7 pm and if you get there early, there’s no cover. Plus, at that time, it’s cheaper to get one of the dueling pianos to play your request (prices do go up during the night for shout outs on the board at the bar and for songs).

Crocodile Rocks info:

Hours: Doors open at 7 pm Wednesday through Saturday
Run time: Until the bar closes
Cost: Free for anyone with a local ID. There is a cover charge for non-locals.
Tickets: Call 843-444-2096 for VIP seating

6. Become a skeptic at Ripley’s Believe It or Not

I actually like Ripley’s Believe It or Not (901 N Ocean Blvd), even though I’m never really sure if I should believe it … or not. The one in Myrtle Beach is right off the boardwalk, and it’s pretty big. It’s a good way to beat the heat for a while.

Ripley’s Believe It or not info:

Hours: Daily from 11 am to 7 pm
Cost: $24.99 for adults and $14.99 for children ages 3 to 11. Kids under 2 are free.
Tickets: Order tickets online here.

7. Rock out at the House of Blues

The House of Blues (4640 Hwy 17 S) is a great place to catch a show. We’ve seen so many of our favorite bands there. What’s great is that during the summer (through October), you can listen to live music outside on the deck starting at 6pm Thursday through Saturday. It’s completely free, and the music has been fantastic every time we’ve been there.

House of Blues info:

Check out the House of Blues Myrtle Beach events calendar for details on upcoming shows and tickets.

8. Stroll along the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk

I like the boardwalk in Myrtle Beach because it reminds me of Atlantic City, just without the casinos and gambling. There are stores, restaurants, and attractions all over the boardwalk. There are of things to do on the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk, so everyone is able to enjoy it.

For more details, check out our 12 Things To Do On The Myrtle Beach Boardwalk post.

9. Root for the Myrtle Beach Pelicans

This is another summer(-ish)-only activity.

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans (1251 21st Ave N) are a Minor League Baseball affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. Because the baseball season is only during certain months (including the summer), you can only watch the team during those months. So if you’re in Myrtle Beach over the summer, check out a game.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans info:

Dates: The 2021 Myrtle Beach Pelicans schedule runs from May 4 to September 19
Cost: Tickets start at $9
Tickets: Order tickets online here or call the box office at 843-918-6000

10. Have dinner and a show at Medieval Times

If you don’t have a Medieval Times near you, check out Medieval Times in Myrtle Beach (2904 Fantasy Way). You get dinner, a show with knights and horses, and something to do if you end up with a rainy night on your beach vacation. Because in Myrtle Beach, rainy days are pretty common.

For more details, see our full Medieval Times review.

Medieval Times info:

Showtimes: 5 pm Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday; Saturday at 4:30 pm and 7 pm
Run time: About 2 hours
Cost: Starting at $55.95 for adults and $28.95 for children. Use the code SPRING21 to save up to $10 (valid through 12/31/21)
Tickets: Order tickets online here or call the box office at 1-888-WE-JOUST (935-6878)

11. Hike at the Myrtle Beach State Park

The Myrtle Beach State Park (4401 S Kings Hwy) is fantastic for nature lovers. The forest runs along the Atlantic Ocean. Plus, there’s a Nature Center with natural history displays, saltwater aquariums, and reptiles. It does have a nominal fee to enter, but it’s worth it.

Myrtle Beach State Park info:

Hours: March through November: 6 am to 10 pm; December through February: 6 am to 8 pm
Cost: $8 per adult (16 to 64); $5 for seniors (65+); $4 per child ages 6 to 15. Kids 5 and under are free.

12. Eat and rock out at Hard Rock Café

You can go to Hard Rock Café at Broadway at the Beach (1318 Celebrity Cir) any time, but during the summer, there are usually four days of live music. That schedule is definitely because of the summer. And although you can hear live music there during the rest of the year, your choices are more limited.

You can still go for dining, though.

Hard Rock Café info:

Hours: Daily from 12 pm to 8 pm

13. Check out the Hollywood Wax Museum

I didn’t think I would like a wax museum as much as I did until I went to one. They’re so much fun. The Hollywood Wax Museum (1808 21st Ave N unit a) has a huge King Kong hanging off the side of it, calling you inside. How can you say no?

Hollywood Wax Museum info:

Hours: 9 am to 9 pm Sunday through Tuesday; 9 am to 9 pm Wednesday through Saturday
Run time: About 2 hours, with a 50 minute pre-show
Cost: Starting at $26.99 for adults and $16.99 for children ages 4 to 11. Kids 3 and under are free.
Tickets: Order tickets online here or call the box office at 843-424-1978

14. Get lost at the Ripley’s Marvelous Mirror Maze

If you’re claustrophobic, Ripley’s Marvelous Mirror Maze (913 N Ocean Blvd) isn’t for you. But if you want a place to (potentially) get lost for a while so you can beat the summer heat, this is it. My cousin and I did it a couple years ago and it was definitely a lot harder than we expected.

Ripley’s Marvelous Mirror Maze info:

Hours: Daily from 11 am to 7 pm
Run time: About 2 hours, with a 50 minute pre-show
Cost: $9.99
Tickets: Order tickets online here

15. Go Shopping

I’m not gonna say I saved the best for last, but Myrtle Beach has some great shopping options. There’s Broadway at the Beach, two Tanger Outlets, Coastal Grand Mall (which is one of my favorite malls), and a ton of strip malls. Of course, there are also the traditional beach shops (like Eagles Beachwear and Wings Beachwear) for tourists.

Looking for more reasons to visit Myrtle Beach?

We have a few other posts to help you make your decision.

• The Bowery: Myrtle Beach, South Carolina’s Oldest Music Bar
• 15+ Family-Friendly Things To Do At Broadway At The Beach
• 12 Things To Do On The Myrtle Beach Boardwalk
• Legends In Concert Review
• Top 10 Dinner Shows In Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Day trips from Myrtle Beach, SC:

If you’re in Myrtle Beach, SC for a week, you might not want to stay in town the entire time. So we put together a list of day trips you can take from Myrtle Beach, SC that are around a two hour, maximum, drive from Myrtle Beach.

• Charleston, SC
• Fayetteville, NC
• Wilmington, NC
• Airlie Gardens (Wilmington, NC)
• Brookgreen Gardens (Murrells Inlet, SC)

Which of these 15 Reasons To Visit Myrtle Beach, SC This Summer is your top reason for planning a trip?