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Myrtle Beach
THE QUICK VERDICT
Choose Myrtle Beach if You want the cheapest big-name East Coast beach vacation, a boardwalk and SkyWheel and 50 mini-golf courses for the kids, a tee time on one of 90 golf courses, and direct flights from 30+ US cities..
- Best for
- 60-mile Grand Strand, the 200ft SkyWheel, 90 golf courses, 50+ mini-golf courses for the kids
- Best months
- Apr–Jun · Sep–Oct
- Budget anchor
- $150/day mid-range
- Skip if
- you rely on public transit
Myrtle Beach is the resort capital of the 60-mile Grand Strand on the South Carolina coast and the most popular family beach vacation in the South. The 200-foot SkyWheel and the Boardwalk anchor the city center, Broadway at the Beach is the entertainment district with shops and restaurants, and the area holds more than 90 golf courses plus 50-plus miniature golf courses (a self-claimed mini-golf capital of the world). Direct flights into MYR from 30+ US cities, peak season runs April through September, and the food-and-mini-golf scene is unapologetically aimed at families and golf groups, not foodies.
Tours & Experiences
Bookable tours, activities, and day trips in Myrtle Beach
Where to Stay
Compare hotels and rentals in Myrtle Beach
📍 Points of Interest
At a Glance
- Pop.
- 38K (city) / 410K (Myrtle Beach metro)
- Timezone
- New York
- Dial
- +1
- Emergency
- 911
Myrtle Beach is the resort capital of the 60-mile Grand Strand on the South Carolina coast, running from Little River at the North Carolina line south through North Myrtle Beach, Myrtle Beach proper, Surfside Beach, Garden City, and down to Pawleys Island. Year-round city population is about 38,000; metro about 410,000; summer pushes well past a million on peak weekends
Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR) hosts direct flights from more than 30 US cities including all the major Eastern Seaboard hubs plus Chicago, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, and Toronto. The airport is 3 miles from the boardwalk, making MYR one of the most convenient resort-airport setups in the South
The Grand Strand has more than 90 golf courses including Caledonia Golf and Fish Club, Tidewater, the TPC Myrtle Beach (a former PGA Senior Tour stop), and the Dunes Golf and Beach Club. Spring and fall are golf shoulder seasons with rates 30-50% off summer; the Myrtle Beach World Amateur each August draws 3,000+ golfers
Myrtle Beach claims the title of "mini-golf capital of the world" with more than 50 elaborate themed mini-golf courses along the Grand Strand including Hawaiian Rumble (which actually hosts the US Pro MiniGolf Master National Championship), Captain Hook's, Mt. Atlanticus, and Dragon's Lair
The 200-foot SkyWheel on the Boardwalk opened in 2011, was the tallest Ferris wheel east of the Mississippi at the time, and has 42 climate-controlled glass gondolas with sweeping views of the Atlantic. Tickets are $19 adult day, $24 night; a 12-minute ride lasts roughly three full revolutions
Broadway at the Beach is a 350-acre entertainment district with restaurants, bars, the Ripley's Aquarium, the Pavilion Park amusement rides, mini-golf, and the Hard Rock Cafe; it is connected by a chain of artificial lakes you can paddle around. It runs west of the beach on US-17 Bypass
Spring break in early-to-mid March, the Carolina Country Music Festival in early June (one of the biggest country festivals in the country), and Atlantic Beach Bikefest plus Harley-Davidson Bike Week in mid-May are the big events. Bike Week brings 200,000+ riders and is a love-it-or-leave-it spectacle
Top Sights
The Boardwalk and SkyWheel
📌A 1.2-mile oceanfront boardwalk built in 2010 running from the 14th Avenue Pier to the 2nd Avenue Pier with the 200-foot SkyWheel as its centerpiece. Lined with arcades, beach bars, ice cream stands, and Ripley's Believe It or Not. The boardwalk hosts free Tuesday-night summer fireworks (Memorial Day through Labor Day) and live music. The most-visited stretch on the Grand Strand.
Broadway at the Beach
📌350-acre inland entertainment complex on US-17 Bypass with more than 100 shops and restaurants, the Ripley's Aquarium, IMAX theater, Hard Rock Cafe, multiple mini-golf courses, paddle-boats on the lakes, and after-dark club scene at Senor Frog's and Margaritaville. The other half of any standard Myrtle Beach trip beyond the boardwalk; expect to spend a half day.
Brookgreen Gardens (Murrells Inlet)
🌳A 9,100-acre garden and outdoor sculpture museum 18 miles south of Myrtle Beach proper, founded in 1931 by Anna Hyatt Huntington and her husband. Holds the largest collection of figurative sculpture in the United States set in formal gardens, plus a low-country zoo with otters, alligators, foxes, and a butterfly house. Easily a half day; consider Sunday brunch at the on-site restaurant.
Ripley's Aquarium of Myrtle Beach
🏛️A 87,000 sq ft aquarium inside Broadway at the Beach with a 330-foot moving glide-walk through a clear acrylic tunnel under the shark and ray tank. Holds 750+ species across 1.5 million gallons. Tickets $30 adult, $20 child; allow 90 minutes to 2 hours. Reliably the rainy-day backup that saves a Myrtle vacation.
Hawaiian Rumble Mini Golf (North Myrtle Beach)
🌳The most-celebrated of Myrtle Beach's 50+ themed mini-golf courses, with a 40-foot active mini-volcano that erupts every 20 minutes complete with smoke and rumbling sounds, and home to the US Pro MiniGolf Master National Championship every October. $14 adult; bring a sweatshirt for the volcano-side play. Open year-round.
Murrells Inlet Marshwalk
📌A half-mile wooden boardwalk along the salt marsh in Murrells Inlet (15 mi south of Myrtle Beach), with eight oceanfront restaurants in a row — Wicked Tuna, Drunken Jack's, Bovine's, Dead Dog Saloon — all with marsh-view decks and live music. The casual side of Grand Strand dining and the best place on the coast for sunset oysters and beer.
Myrtle Beach State Park
🌳A 312-acre quiet beach park 3 miles south of the boardwalk, with a less-developed beach (no high-rises in view), a 700-foot fishing pier, lifeguarded swim area, hiking through maritime forest, and 350 campsites. The beach itself is the same Atlantic; the difference is the absence of the boardwalk crowd. $8/adult day-use entry.
Off the Beaten Path
Sea Captain's House
A 1930s-era oceanfront restaurant in a former beach house that has hosted breakfast, lunch, and dinner since 1962. Cooked-to-order shrimp and grits ($24), she-crab soup, and a serious oceanfront brunch. Reservations essential for any sunset dinner; for breakfast, walk in early. The dining-room view of the Atlantic from a 90-year-old beach house frames the meal.
In a town of high-rise condo restaurants, the Sea Captain's House is a low-slung classic from the original Myrtle Beach era when the city was still a small Southern resort. The food matches the setting.
Painter's Homemade Ice Cream
A small-batch ice cream parlor on King's Highway making 30+ flavors fresh on site daily, including peach (when the South Carolina peaches are in), salted bourbon caramel, and a banana pudding ice cream that is a local legend. $6-8 a scoop, line out the door July-August. Open through Labor Day.
Pawleys-area peaches go into peach ice cream from June through August. Painter's peach in July is the single best ice cream flavor on the South Carolina coast and it is unimprovable.
Wicked Tuna (Murrells Inlet Marshwalk)
One of the eight Marshwalk restaurants 15 miles south, this is the sushi-and-fresh-fish standard-bearer with a fish-house-style dining room over the salt marsh. Tuna nachos ($18) and the grouper sandwich ($24) are the moves; sit on the deck at sunset. Reservations advised summer weekends.
The Marshwalk itself is an underrated Grand Strand destination, and Wicked Tuna with its sunset salt-marsh deck and fresh tuna pulled in just down the inlet is the best of the eight.
New South Brewing
A small craft brewery on the inland industrial side of Myrtle Beach with a tasting room serving New South's White Ale, Nut Brown, and a stupendous Lager that won the state in 2022. $7 flights of four 5-oz pours; food trucks rotate Friday-Saturday. Closes by 9 PM.
Myrtle Beach is much more about chain bars than craft beer, so finding a serious 25-year-old brewery (founded 1998, one of the first craft breweries in South Carolina) feels like a small triumph. The Lager is the standout.
Climate & Best Time to Go
Myrtle Beach has a humid subtropical climate with hot humid summers and mild winters. The Atlantic moderates the worst summer heat (highs 30-32°C in July) and keeps winters above freezing most days (winter highs 14-16°C). Peak season is April through September; spring and fall are excellent shoulders for golf and quieter beaches. Hurricane season runs June through November with peak risk August-October.
Spring
March - May54 to 77°F
12 to 25°C
Excellent — March is spring break season (busy and party-heavy), April and May are some of the best months on the Grand Strand with warm days, cool nights, water warming to 22°C by late May, and rates well below summer peak. Bike Week mid-May is a love-it-or-leave-it event for non-rider visitors.
Summer (Peak Season)
June - August73 to 90°F
23 to 32°C
Hot, humid, with daily afternoon thunderstorms (typically 3-5 PM, 30-60 minutes). Atlantic water 27-29°C is bathwater-warm. Peak family vacation, peak hotel rates, peak boardwalk crowds. Tuesday boardwalk fireworks Memorial Day through Labor Day. Hurricane risk begins building in August.
Autumn
September - November59 to 82°F
15 to 28°C
September and early October are the second-best stretch of the year — water still 25-27°C, weather still warm and dry, golf rates dropping, family crowds gone with school back in session. Hurricane risk peaks September-October. November cools off and beach crowds vanish.
Winter
December - February39 to 61°F
4 to 16°C
Mild but not warm — too cool for swimming, fine for golf and walking the beach. Many snowbirds from the Midwest, Canada, and the Northeast settle into Grand Strand condos for January-February. Hotel rates the lowest of the year. Most chain restaurants stay open; some smaller seasonal spots close.
Best Time to Visit
Mid-April through mid-June and September through mid-October for the best balance of warm weather, manageable crowds, and lower rates. Peak summer (mid-June through August) has the warmest water but biggest crowds and highest prices. Avoid Bike Week (mid-May, late September) if you are not into the Harley scene.
Spring (March-May)
Crowds: Moderate to high (peaks during Bike Week)Mid-March is spring break (busy and party-heavy), April and May are excellent — warm, less crowded, water warming. Atlantic Beach Bikefest Memorial Day weekend and Harley Bike Week mid-May are huge draws for some travelers and disasters for others. Carolina Country Music Festival early June is increasingly the marquee event of late spring.
Pros
- + Warm but not hot
- + 30% off summer rates
- + Excellent golf weather
- + Carolina Country Music Festival
Cons
- − Spring break crowds in March
- − Bike Week traffic mid-May
- − Water still cool through April
Summer Peak (mid-June through Labor Day)
Crowds: Very highThe classic Myrtle Beach family vacation — warm Atlantic, lifeguarded beaches, packed boardwalk, free Tuesday fireworks, and condo rentals at peak. Book 3-4 months ahead for July weeks; bridge backups Sundays-Mondays. Rate peaks the week of July 4.
Pros
- + Warmest water
- + Tuesday fireworks
- + All operators open
- + Peak family atmosphere
Cons
- − Highest prices
- − Boardwalk packed
- − Daily afternoon thunderstorms
- − Hurricane risk begins August
Fall (September-October)
Crowds: ModerateSeptember after Labor Day and October are local favorites — water still 25-27°C, weather summer-warm, family crowds gone, golf rates dropping. Hurricane risk peaks September-October so monitor forecasts. Mid-October Carolina Bike Fest and Hawaiian Rumble Pro MiniGolf Master Championship.
Pros
- + Warm water
- + 30% off peak rates
- + Empty restaurants
- + Excellent golf
Cons
- − Hurricane risk peak
- − Some seasonal operators close mid-September
- − Travel insurance recommended
Winter (November-February)
Crowds: LowMild but too cool for swimming, fine for golf and beach walking. Snowbirds from the Midwest, Canada, and the Northeast settle into condos for January-February at heavily discounted long-term rates. Most boardwalk attractions stay open at reduced hours.
Pros
- + Cheapest rates of the year
- + Best golf rates
- + Snowbird community
- + Mild weather
Cons
- − Too cool to swim
- − Some seasonal restaurants closed
- − Quieter boardwalk
🎉 Festivals & Events
Carolina Country Music Festival
Early JuneA 4-day country music festival on the Burroughs and Chapin Pavilion grounds with 30+ acts including major Nashville headliners. One of the biggest country music festivals in the country, drawing 100,000+ fans.
Atlantic Beach Bikefest
Memorial Day weekendA 4-day African-American motorcycle festival centered in North Myrtle Beach's Atlantic Beach community since the 1980s. Brings 200,000+ visitors and live music; can dramatically affect traffic and lodging.
Harley-Davidson Bike Week
Mid-MayA 10-day Harley-Davidson rally with 200,000+ bikes. Boardwalk and Ocean Boulevard are loud and crowded; some travelers love it, others avoid these dates entirely. Hotel rates spike.
Myrtle Beach World Amateur Golf Tournament
Late AugustThe largest amateur golf tournament in the world, with 3,000+ amateur players competing across all 90+ Grand Strand courses. Tee times become impossible to get from late August through Labor Day.
US Pro MiniGolf Master National Championship
Mid-OctoberThe pro mini-golf nationals at Hawaiian Rumble in North Myrtle Beach, with 100+ pro mini-golfers competing. Yes, this is real and yes, it is exactly as charming as it sounds.
Boardwalk Tuesday Fireworks
Memorial Day-Labor Day weeklyFree fireworks every Tuesday at 10 PM over the ocean off the 2nd Avenue Pier, Memorial Day through Labor Day. The standard week-long Myrtle vacation centerpiece.
Safety Breakdown
Moderate
out of 100
Myrtle Beach is a typical mid-sized US tourist beach city — generally safe for tourists who use common sense, but with a higher property crime rate than its Grand Strand neighbors and occasional concerns around the boardwalk and Ocean Boulevard late nights. Real risks are typical beach hazards (rip currents, sun, jellyfish), spring break and Bike Week incidents, hurricanes August-October, and the boardwalk-area party scene that can attract trouble after 1 AM.
Things to Know
- •Property crime in tourist hotels and beach lots is the most-common issue; lock your car, never leave valuables visible on the beach (use a rented locker or a hotel safe), and use the in-room safe for passports and extra cards
- •Rip currents on the Grand Strand are common, especially after summer storms; swim only at lifeguarded sections (Memorial Day-Labor Day, 9 AM-5 PM at most public beaches), check daily flag colors, and if caught swim parallel to shore
- •Spring break (mid-March), Atlantic Beach Bikefest (Memorial Day weekend), and Harley-Davidson Bike Week (mid-May) bring crowds and traffic that can be intense — book accordingly or avoid these specific weeks if you want a family vacation
- •Boardwalk and Ocean Boulevard after 1 AM can get rowdy with bar crowds; stay aware, do not flash cash, and use Uber back to your hotel
- •Sun exposure is intense; reef-safe sunscreen, hats, reapplication after swimming
- •Jellyfish (typically harmless moon jellies, occasionally Portuguese man-of-war) wash up on Grand Strand beaches; check daily beach conditions before swimming
- •Hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30 with peak risk August-October — monitor National Hurricane Center and follow Horry County evacuation orders without hesitation
Natural Hazards
Emergency Numbers
Emergency (all services)
911
Myrtle Beach Police (non-emergency)
843-918-1382
Grand Strand Medical Center
843-692-1000
US Coast Guard Sector Charleston
843-740-7050
Costs & Currency
Where the money goes
USD per dayBackpacker = hostel dorm + street food + public transit. Mid-range = 3-star hotel + neighbourhood restaurants + transit cards. Luxury = 4/5-star + fine dining + taxis. How we calibrate these numbers →
Quick cost estimate
Customize per category →Estimates based on regional averages. Flight prices vary by season and airline.
budget
$90-150
Off-beach motel, grocery breakfast and lunch, casual boardwalk dinner, free beach time, mini-golf, no-cover boardwalk entertainment
mid-range
$160-280
Oceanfront mid-range hotel double, sit-down breakfast and dinner, SkyWheel tickets, Ripley's Aquarium, one round of golf or a Murrells Inlet dinner
luxury
$350-700+
Hilton or Marriott oceanfront resort or Grande Dunes condo, dinner at Sea Captain's House and Wicked Tuna, premium golf at Caledonia or Tidewater, charter fishing
Typical Costs
| Item | Local | USD |
|---|---|---|
| AccommodationOff-beach budget motel, summer | $90-140/night | $90-140 |
| AccommodationOceanfront mid-range hotel double, summer | $180-280/night | $180-280 |
| AccommodationOceanfront condo (1 BR) summer | $200-380/night | $200-380 |
| AccommodationLuxury resort (Hilton, Marriott) | $280-550/night | $280-550 |
| FoodBoardwalk casual dinner per person | $22-35 | $22-35 |
| FoodSit-down dinner mid-range (Sea Captain's) | $45-75/person | $45-75 |
| FoodMarshwalk seafood dinner per person | $40-65 | $40-65 |
| FoodBeer at a boardwalk bar | $5-8 | $5-8 |
| TransportRental car midsize, summer day rate | $40-80/day | $40-80 |
| TransportUber MYR to Boardwalk | $15-25 | $15-25 |
| TransportHotel oceanfront parking | Free-$15/night | $0-15 |
| ActivitySkyWheel ticket | $19 day, $24 night | $19-24 |
| ActivityRipley's Aquarium | $30 adult, $20 child | $20-30 |
| ActivityMini golf (Hawaiian Rumble, Mt Atlanticus) | $12-15 | $12-15 |
| ActivityRound of golf, peak season | $80-180 (top courses $200+) | $80-200 |
| ActivityBrookgreen Gardens admission | $22 adult | $22 |
| ActivityHalf-day inshore fishing charter (4 anglers) | $500-700/boat | $500-700 |
💡 Money-Saving Tips
- •Spring (April-May, except Bike Week) and fall (September-October) cut hotel rates 30-50% from peak July-August prices and the weather is often better
- •Stay off-beach (1-2 blocks inland) for 30-40% savings; the 5-minute walk to the sand is no real hardship
- •Free Tuesday-night boardwalk fireworks Memorial Day through Labor Day make for a free family evening
- •Book golf as a multi-round package through Myrtle Beach Golf Trips, ChampionsGate, or directly with a course; rates drop 20-30% from rack
- •Eat lunch as your big meal; most restaurants have lunch menus 30-40% cheaper than dinner with the same kitchen
- •Cook in if you have a condo with a kitchen; the Food Lion or Publix off US-17 is near every Grand Strand location
- •Use the Boardwalk and the beach (free) as your primary entertainment; SkyWheel + Aquarium + 1 mini-golf per family member is plenty of paid attractions for a week
United States Dollar
Code: USD
Myrtle Beach uses US dollars. ATMs are everywhere; bank ATMs (Wells Fargo, Truist, Bank of America) charge no surcharge with most US debit cards. Boardwalk standalone ATMs charge $5+ surcharges; avoid where possible. Credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex) accepted everywhere. South Carolina sales tax is 6%; Horry County and the City of Myrtle Beach add another 3% for a total of 9% on most purchases (and a 1% local hospitality tax on hotels and prepared food).
Payment Methods
Credit cards accepted everywhere; Apple Pay and Google Pay reliable in chains and boardwalk vendors. Cash useful for tips, small boardwalk purchases, and some food trucks.
Tipping Guide
20% standard at sit-down restaurants; 18% acceptable. Casual boardwalk eateries 15-18% is fine. Many restaurants employ J-1 visa workers from Eastern Europe and Latin America who depend heavily on tips.
$1-2 per drink, 18-20% on tabs.
$30-50 per round if a forecaddie or single bag carrier; $80-120 for a full caddie at high-end courses (in addition to caddie fee).
15-20% of charter cost split between captain and mate.
15-20%, round up.
$3-5/night left in the room daily.
$1-2 per bag.
How to Get There
✈️ Airports
Myrtle Beach International Airport(MYR)
3 mi / 5 km southwest of the BoardwalkOne of the most convenient resort-airport setups in the South — 10 minutes by car or Uber to the Boardwalk ($15-25). All major rental car brands on-site. Direct service from 30+ US cities including ATL, BOS, BWI, CLE, CLT, CVG, DCA, DFW, DTW, EWR, FLL, IAD, JFK, LGA, MSP, ORD, PHL, PIT, RDU, RIC, ROC, and Toronto YYZ.
✈️ Search flights to MYRWilmington International Airport(ILM)
75 mi / 120 km north in Wilmington, NCA regional alternative if MYR fares are too high. 1.5 hours by car down US-17 to Myrtle Beach. Smaller airport with less direct service but sometimes cheaper fares.
✈️ Search flights to ILMCharleston International Airport(CHS)
95 mi / 155 km south2 hours by car up US-17. Useful for travelers combining a Charleston-Myrtle Beach trip; less practical if Myrtle Beach is the only destination.
✈️ Search flights to CHSGetting Around
Myrtle Beach has a long thin layout — the entire city stretches 14 miles north-south along the Atlantic, parallel to two main roads (Ocean Boulevard / Kings Highway / US-17 Business along the beach, and US-17 Bypass inland). You usually need a car for any trip beyond walking distance of your hotel, though Uber and Lyft are reliable. The Boardwalk area is genuinely walkable for restaurants, arcades, and beach access; Broadway at the Beach requires a car or rideshare.
Rental Car
$40-80/day midsizeThe default for any Myrtle Beach trip beyond a single hotel's walking radius. Pick up at MYR airport (3 miles from the boardwalk, all major brands on-site). Daily rates run $40-80 in summer for a midsize sedan. Most hotels offer free or $10-15/night parking; boardwalk public lots run $2-3/hour or $15-25/day.
Best for: Any meaningful Myrtle trip; required for Brookgreen Gardens, Murrells Inlet, golf trips
Uber / Lyft
Uber base $3 + ~$2/mile, surge commonReliable in Myrtle Beach with short waits and reasonable fares. Boardwalk to Broadway at the Beach is a $10-15 Uber. MYR airport to a downtown hotel runs $15-25. Surge pricing typical on summer Saturday nights.
Best for: Restaurant runs, after-bar trips home, airport transfers without renting
Coast RTA
$1.50-3/rideThe local Coast Regional Transportation Authority runs limited bus service across Horry County including beach trolleys (route 7) along Ocean Boulevard in summer. $1.50 per ride. Schedules and frequency are limited; not enough to fully ditch a car for a wider Grand Strand trip but useful for short hops.
Best for: Boardwalk hops, occasional rides; not a primary mode
Walking
FreeThe Boardwalk strip from 14th Avenue Pier to 2nd Avenue Pier is walkable and pleasant; many oceanfront hotels are 1-3 blocks from restaurants and beach. Walking is impractical between major attractions — the Boardwalk and Broadway at the Beach are 2.5 miles apart and inland Broadway has no pedestrian connection.
Best for: Boardwalk dining, beach access from oceanfront hotels
Bike / Beach Cruiser Rental
$10-20/dayBeach cruiser rentals from boardwalk vendors run $10-20/day. Riding on the Boardwalk itself is restricted (mornings only or off-season); beach riding is best at low tide on the firm sand. Useful for moving between hotel and dinner spots in the central oceanfront strip.
Best for: Oceanfront strip exploration, low-tide beach rides
Walkability
The 1.2-mile Boardwalk is excellent for walking with arcades, bars, restaurants, and beach access continuous. Beyond the Boardwalk strip, Myrtle Beach is car-dependent — Broadway at the Beach is 2.5 miles inland with no pedestrian connection, and the Grand Strand stretches 60 miles total with no continuous walkable corridor.
Travel Connections
Entry Requirements
Myrtle Beach is in South Carolina, USA, so US visa rules apply. Most Western European, British, Australian, New Zealand, Japanese, and South Korean passport holders qualify for visa-free entry under ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) for stays of up to 90 days. Other nationalities need a B-1/B-2 tourist visa from a US embassy.
Entry Requirements by Nationality
| Nationality | Visa Required | Max Stay | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| US Citizens | Visa-free | Unlimited (domestic travel) | Real ID-compliant driver's license or passport required for domestic flights to MYR. |
| Canadian Citizens | Visa-free | 6 months in any 12-month period | No visa required. Passport required for air entry. Direct YYZ-MYR service available on Porter Airlines and Sun Country. |
| UK Citizens | Visa-free | 90 days under ESTA | ESTA application required online before departure ($21, valid 2 years). |
| EU Citizens | Visa-free | 90 days under ESTA | Apply for ESTA at least 72 hours before departure at esta.cbp.dhs.gov. |
| Australian Citizens | Visa-free | 90 days under ESTA | Same ESTA process. Australian passport meets all requirements. |
| Other nationalities | Yes | Per visa terms | B-1/B-2 visitor visa applied for at US embassy in home country. |
Visa-Free Entry
Tips
- •ESTA must be approved before you board your flight to the US — apply at least 72 hours ahead
- •MYR has direct flights from 30+ US cities and Toronto, but no other international service; international visitors typically connect through ATL, JFK, EWR, ORD, or CLT
- •A US driver's license, EU/UK driving license, or International Driving Permit is sufficient to rent a car; you must be 21 (often 25 without surcharge)
- •There is no border control between South Carolina and North Carolina or Georgia — once you have entered the US, all coastal travel is unrestricted
- •Customs allows $800 of goods duty-free per person; declare all items honestly
Shopping
Myrtle Beach has more retail per visitor than nearly any US destination — three major outlet centers, two major malls, and the Boardwalk T-shirt-and-souvenir economy. The two Tanger Outlets locations (501 in Myrtle Beach proper and the larger one at North Myrtle Beach) hold 200+ stores total including Nike, Coach, Polo, and Adidas at outlet prices. Coastal Grand Mall and Broadway at the Beach cover the standard chain-mall scene.
Tanger Outlets — Highway 17 and 501
outlet centerTwo huge open-air outlet centers with 200+ brand-name stores at outlet prices — Nike, Coach, Polo Ralph Lauren, Adidas, J.Crew, Vera Bradley, Under Armour. The Highway 17 location (North Myrtle Beach) is bigger and newer; the 501 location (closer to Myrtle Beach proper) is smaller but more central.
Known for: Brand-name outlets, sportswear, kids clothes, golf gear
The Market Common
lifestyle centerA 114-acre walkable mixed-use shopping and residential district built on the former Myrtle Beach Air Force Base, with Anthropologie, Banana Republic, Pottery Barn, Williams-Sonoma, plus restaurants, a movie theater, and the only Whole Foods in town. The polished side of Grand Strand shopping.
Known for: Mid-tier national brands, walkable layout, dining
Boardwalk and Ocean Boulevard
tourist stripContinuous T-shirt shops, bathing-suit stores, beach gear, fudge and saltwater taffy, henna tattoo, airbrush T-shirts, and souvenir shops along the boardwalk and Ocean Boulevard. Quality is mostly tourist-grade; the experience is the point.
Known for: Beach gear, T-shirts, fudge, henna tattoos, classic Myrtle souvenirs
Broadway at the Beach
entertainment + shoppingThe 350-acre inland complex has 100+ shops alongside the restaurants and attractions, including Build-A-Bear, Bath and Body Works, IT'SUGAR (3-story candy store), and a number of beach-themed boutiques. Best treated as combined shopping and dinner for a half-day.
Known for: Family shopping, candy, novelty, Build-A-Bear
🎁 Unique Souvenirs to Look For
- •Pawleys Island rope hammocks — handwoven on Pawleys since 1889 at the Hammock Shops Village; $200-450 for the iconic rope hammock you have seen on porches across the South
- •South Carolina peach products — peach jam, peach moonshine, peach BBQ sauce; the Peach Stand on US-17 has the broadest selection
- •Boiled peanuts — a Lowcountry roadside specialty sold at every gas station on US-17; canned versions ship-able home
- •Cheerwine and Sun Drop sodas — Carolina-only carbonated beverages; load up on a 12-pack to bring home
- •Myrtle Beach Pelicans baseball cap — the local Class-A minor league team plays at TicketReturn.com Field; affordable and a real local souvenir
- •Salt-water taffy — every boardwalk and Broadway candy shop sells it; Broadway's IT'SUGAR has the broadest selection
Language & Phrases
English is universal; Myrtle Beach's service economy is heavily staffed by J-1 visa workers from Eastern Europe and Latin America in summer, so the accents you hear are diverse. The local accent is a mild Carolina coastal Southern, less twangy than the upstate Carolinas.
| English | Translation | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| The Grand Strand (the 60-mile beach corridor) | The Strand | always abbreviated |
| Ocean Boulevard, the main beach road | The Boulevard | always with article |
| Boiled peanuts, the gas-station Lowcountry snack | Boiled peanuts | BOILED PEE-nuts (often "p'nuts") |
| Sweet iced tea, the South Carolina default beverage | Sweet tea | always assume sweet unless you specify |
| A barbecue sandwich (Carolina is mustard-based or vinegar-based) | BBQ sandwich | do NOT call it pulled pork in SC |
| Shrimp and grits, the standard Lowcountry breakfast or dinner | Shrimp and grits | GRITS (NOT grits as in cereal) |
| Calabash, the local style of fried seafood | Calabash-style | CAL-a-bash (named for the NC town just north) |
| A she-crab soup, the Charleston classic also served on the Strand | She-crab soup | SHE-crab (made with female crab roe) |
| A hush puppy, the deep-fried cornmeal side | Hush puppy | HUSH puppy (always plural at the table) |
| Y'all (Carolina universal "you-all") | Y'all | YAWL |
| Doing the shag, the Carolina Beach Music dance | Shaggin' | the official SC state dance, taught in NMB |
| Atlantic Beach Bikefest weekend (Memorial Day) | Bikefest | a known annual event, plan around it |
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Costa Rica · OVR 68
easy to live online · decent pedestrian spine
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Mexico · OVR 69
decent pedestrian spine · solid bar scene
Mexico · OVR 71
fast wifi, English-friendly · decent pedestrian spine