With its myriad attractions, numerous restaurants, and comfy resorts, it’s little wonder that Myrtle Beach is a popular destination in South Carolina. In fact, according to the Myrtle Beach Area and Conventions Bureau, the beach brings in over 20 million visitors each year. One of the area’s highlights is the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk. If you’re planning on vacationing at the beach, this handy guide will help you learn about all the great things to see, do, and eat during your trip.
Things To Do at the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk
From the sky-high thrills with great views to new discoveries with family and friends, there’s plenty to do at the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk. The variety of options on display here means that there’s something for everyone to enjoy!
Skywheel
Built in 2011, the Skywheel is an iconic location on the boardwalk. The wheel takes guests almost 200 feet into the air, offering guests a great view of the Grand Strand. The glass windows and doors in every gondola allow passengers to take photos from every angle, and the exterior lights that glow at night ensure that whether you’re on the ground or in the air, the Skywheel gives you something beautiful to look at. Want to watch the sunrise in style? The Skywheel now offers a special Sunrise Flight, which offers early risers a stunning sunrise view alongside coffee and pastries. The Skywheel is a great choice for anyone who wants an excellent view of the entire boardwalk, but it’s not the only option at Myrtle Beach.
Myrtle Beach Zipline Adventures
There’s the Myrtle Beach Zipline Adventures for those who want something a little more fast-paced. These tours take guests into the air above the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk, allowing another great view of the area. There are several zipline tours on offer, all with varying intensity levels. As a result, Myrtle Beach Zipline Adventures has something for everyone. Plus, the tours include complimentary photos.
Thrill Rides
Speaking of fast-paced, Myrtle Beach features thrill rides for those looking for extra excitement. Perhaps the most iconic of these rides is the Slingshot. Locked into a two-seater compartment, riders are launched into the air at over 100 miles per hour. The ride takes guests 300 feet off the ground at its apex before sending them back to Earth. Meanwhile, the Skyscraper is renowned for its incredible spins. This ride takes passengers 170 feet into the air, spinning them at speeds of up to 60 miles per hour. The spins are so intense that riders feel four-G forces! Last but not least is the Air Strike, which seats its riders back to back in free-spinning vehicles. This attraction races 62 miles per hour and gives guests over three Gs of force. With the speed, height, and intensity these rides share, they’re not for the faint of heart, but anyone looking for a thrill is sure to find it at the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk.
Ripley’s Myrtle Beach
Ripley’s is host to several attractions on the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk, from state-of-the-art technology to a beautiful aquarium. First, there’s Ripley’s Believe it or Not! Odditorium. This museum features several wacky exhibits collected by world traveler Robert Ripley. In fact, these exhibits served as the inspiration for his “Believe it or Not” cartoons! From shrunken heads to an authentic vampire killing kit, there’s plenty of quirky fun for curious minds of all ages. As a bonus, the Odditorium is located just across from the Skywheel, so you can quickly walk there after enjoying a view from above.
Next, there’s Ripley’s Aquarium, a great spot for anyone interested in aquatic life. The Indo-Pacific coral reef shows off the bright colors of the rainbow, with thousands of intricately colored fish swimming through a beautiful reef structure. Want a more up-close experience? Check out Stingray Bay, which hosts three varieties of stingrays alongside the bonnethead and leopard shark. At the shallow end of the tank, there’s even an opportunity to pet these graceful, gentle creatures. Planet Jellies and the Living Gallery offer mesmerizing experiences with jellyfish, anemones, and sea dragons, but their most famous exhibit is the Dangerous Reef. The Dangerous Reef is a 340-foot-long tunnel where thousands of fish surround guests in all shapes and sizes. From sea turtles to eels to massive sharks, there’s a new fish around every corner at the Dangerous Reef.
Ripley’s is also home to two different visual marvels. First, there’s Ripley’s 5D Moving Theater, a state-of-the-art experience that functions as a movie theater and motion simulator. You’ll feel every bump, drop and turn in one of the two films offered here. Whichever you choose, Ripley’s 5D Moving Theater promises to give guests a highly immersive experience. Next is Ripley’s Marvelous Mirror Maze. This mind-bending labyrinth is filled with mirrored corners, dead ends, infinity mirrors, and countless LED lights. The optical illusion produced by these tricky mirrors offers a fun challenge for those who want to tease their brain.
Pier 14
Do you enjoy fishing? Then consider visiting Pier 14. Built in 1926, this pier is a historic landmark that has stood the test of time. It has survived direct hits from several hurricanes for almost a century now. The pier offers fishing passes, live bait, and a tackle shop to assist you with all your fishing needs. No fishing pole? No problem! Pier 14 provides pole rentals for anyone looking to fish who don’t have a fishing pole. As a result, Pier 14 is a great spot to fish for both beginners and experts alike. While the fishing opportunities alone are enough to justify making Pier 14 a part of your stay, you’ll find it has even more to offer.
Food at the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk
With over 20 million annual visitors, it’s no surprise that the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk is home to several delicious restaurants. You’ll be spoiled for choices, from freshly caught fish to spectacular sweets on your vacation.
Pier 14
As mentioned before, Pier 14 has more than just great fishing; it also has excellent food! Located over the ocean, the pier offers a view as good as its meals. Variety is this restaurant’s greatest strength. Jumbo cheese ravioli and juicy cheeseburgers share space with crab legs and a grouper filet. There are options for every type of taste bud at Pier 14, so after a relaxing day of fishing, anyone can enjoy a meal here.
Peaches Corner
Another landmark in Myrtle Beach, Peaches Corner, first opened in 1937 and has served visitors to the boardwalk for generations. Peaches Corner offers traditional, all-American food. Hotdogs, Hamburgers, and BBQ Sandwiches are all classics they’ve served since they opened over 80 years ago. You can’t go wrong with Peaches Corner for a taste of tradition.
Art Burger Sushi Bar
As its name suggests, Art Burger Sushi Bar offers a unique combination of food. The menu features a variety of burgers and sandwiches, all named after famous paintings and artists like Kahlo, Picasso, and The Scream. On top of that, it offers makimono rolls, nigiri, and sashimi. Aside from its food, this restaurant strives to highlight the art found in Myrtle Beach. As such, they’ve dedicated a portion of the restaurant to local Art guilds, so they have a space to show off their work. Whether you’re a burger, sushi, or art fan, this restaurant will surely have something for you.
Sharkey’s Oceanfront Restaurant
Are you looking for a relaxing restaurant that specializes in seafood? Then consider Sharkey’s Oceanfront Restaurant. Sharkey’s offers fish tacos, shrimp, crab legs, and more! It also provides a variety of mixed and frozen drinks and overlooks the boardwalk. Sharkey’s is definitely worth checking out if you want a good view of the sites along the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk.
I Love Sugar
Just a two-minute walk from the Skywheel, I Love Sugar strives to satisfy your sweet tooth. This candy store features 6,000 square feet of candy, with visuals as impressive as its variety. The spectacle provides a compelling reason to visit, from 30,000 gummy bears hanging from the ceiling to 65-foot murals of mermaids made out of candy and even one of the largest candy walls in America.
Places To Stay Near the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk
With everything there is to do and see at the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk, you may be wondering where you can stay that’s close by. Fortunately, there are many great options just a few miles away! These Myrtle Beach timeshares are conveniently located to help you make the most of your time while also offering quality accommodations.
Hilton Grand Vacations Club Ocean 22
This seafront resort is just a six-minute drive from the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk and offers several great amenities. There’s a covered, ocean-view pool as well as a separate indoor pool, so you can enjoy the water without having to hit the beach! This Hilton Grand Vacations timeshare also features a kids’ activity center to keep the little ones entertained, as well as both business and fitness centers. As a result, you won’t have to give up your routines, even on vacation. This resort also offers free entry to the Wild Water and Wheels park, just 20 minutes away. Suites accommodate four to eight guests here.
Dunes Village Resort
Dunes Village Resort offers a host of amenities to its guests. Onsite dining options include the Cabana Tiki Bar, Captain’s Cafe, and even a Starbucks. From breakfast to dinner, this resort has options for every meal. Dunes Village is also home to an indoor waterpark, complete with a kids zone, three whirlpools, and a winding waterslide. There’s also an outdoor lazy river! After an exciting day at the boardwalk, you can unwind at the Lost in Serenity Spa before retiring to spacious suites that accommodate up to six guests.
Bluegreen Vacations Seaglass Tower Resort
Want to be as close to the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk as possible? Then Bluegreen Vacations’ Seaglass Tower Resort is an excellent choice. This Bluegreen resort is less than a mile away from the boardwalk and its many attractions. Its nineteen stories of suites featuring floor-to-ceiling windows ensure stunning ocean views. Speaking of suites, each one comes with a balcony or porch you can enjoy in a standard or deluxe one-bedroom villa. Guests can also look forward to a hot tub as well as both an indoor and outdoor pool.
Westgate Myrtle Beach Oceanfront Resort
The Westgate Myrtle Beach Oceanfront Resort is another excellent resort near the boardwalk. With just a five-minute drive separating you from all the attractions the boardwalk offers, you’ll be in a prime spot to maximize your time while you vacation in the Grand Strand. This Westgate resort has four restaurants, from pizza to a bar and grill, so there’s plenty of variety in onsite dining. Additionally, the Westgate is home to both a heated pool and a heated lazy river. When you return from a day out, you’ll relax in spacious villas that accommodate two to eight guests.
