Spend your next holiday on South Carolina’s Atlantic Coast in Myrtle Beach. There are so many fantastic things to see and do while here that you will want to come back time and time again.

Myrtle Beach is best known for the Grand Strand, 60 miles of beaches that stretch along the coast. Stroll along the boardwalk and watch street performers, enjoy different eateries, or have a blast in the arcades.

Visit the Family Kingdom, an old-fashioned amusement park with fun rides and games. Take a ride on one of the tallest Ferris wheels in the United States, the SkyWheel. Myrtle Beach also has several free activities you can enjoy when you visit.

You can actually experience much of Myrtle Beach on a budget and that includes seeking out activities that do not cost a thing. Before hitting the town checking out the sites, drop your bags with a luggage storage service.

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Hit the Beach

Take a run along the sandy beach or roll out a towel and do a little sunbathing. With 60 miles of amazing beaches, you can relax in the sun or take a dip in the ocean. Watch surfers try their luck against the waves that roll in or give surfing a try.

Breathe in the fresh, salty air while relaxing on the beach with family or friends. You can even enjoy the beach in the evenings and watch breathtaking sunsets, or if you are an early morning person, take in the vibrant sunrises over the ocean.

Broadway at the Beach

Located in the heart of Myrtle Beach, Broadway at the Beach is a shopping complex and outdoor entertainment area that covers 350 acres. The complex surrounds a lake and has almost everything you could want.

It is free to visit Broadway at the Beach; however, you will need to fork over some dough to enjoy many of the attractions. Some of the live entertainment theaters have free and cheap tickets so you can enjoy the shows while here.

Visit during the summer months and enjoy the Great American Summer Nights Entertainment Series where you can see fire dancers, stilt-walkers, acoustic performers, acapella performances, and even character appearances.

Myrtle Beach, Photo by Hannah Busing on Unsplash

Franklin G. Burroughs-Simeon B. Chapin Art Museum

Located along the Grand Strand, the Franklin G. Burroughs-Simeon B. Chapin Art Museum is a contemporary visual arts museum that opened in 1977. The museum is best known for showcasing Southern artists that are still living.

The museum is housed in an adorable fully restored beach cottage that dates back to the 1920s. There are eleven galleries in all filled with visual art exhibits that change throughout the year. Special events are often held at the museum.

Horry County Museum and LW Paul Living History Museum

Sign up for a guided farm tour at the Horry County Museum and LW Paul Living History Museum, held each Saturday except during farm events or holidays. The tour is no charge and will last about an hour. While here you will get a glimpse of early 1900s farm life.

The living history museum covers 17 acres of prime farmland in Horry County and has been set up to mimic the farming culture of the area from 1900 to 195 including the homestead, crop management, and farm machinery.

Every season sees different events on the farm change so you will want to visit during each season to get the full experience. Events and demonstrations showcase the everyday life of farmers and their families as the year rolls by.

Vereen Memorial Gardens

Lace up your hiking boots, fill your backpack, and set out for a fantastic hike through the woods. Stroll along the boardwalk in the Vereen Memorial Gardens just outside Myrtle Beach in Little River, South Carolina.

It is free to visit the gardens and you can hike or bike through with family or friends. You can even bring your four-legged companion along for a day of exploring. The gardens are open from dawn to dusk.

Murrells Inlet Marsh Walk

Take a short trip from Myrtle Beach to the historic and iconic fishing village known as Murrells Inlet. Take an hour or so and meander along the MarshWalk where you can do a little bird watching, soak up the scenery, and enjoy the saltwater marsh.

There is no cost to meander along the MarshWalk. Stop by one of the waterfront restaurants in Murrells Inlet, see some of the shops and find great souvenirs. Visit with locals and tourists as you enjoy this bustling fishing village.

Barefoot Landing

Visit Myrtle Beach during May and enjoy live music at the Dockside Village Amphitheater. Concerts are held every Friday and Saturday during May and are free, just bring your own chair or blanket, sit back and relax.

Barefoot Landing also offers fantastic street performers during the summer months and is a great place to hang out on a warm, sultry South Carolina evening. There are several restaurants and shops for you to enjoy when visiting.

The Market Common

Be sure to drop by the Market Common if you happen to visit Myrtle Beach during the summer months. Many free events are hosted here during the summer including daytime and nighttime activities.

Activities include:

Concerts on the Green
Held to the Market Common every third Thursday all summer long and enjoy great live concerts in Valor Park. Snacks and drinks are available for purchase but admission to the concert is free. Bring a blanket or chair and enjoy the music.
Movies Under the Stars
Every Friday beginning at the end of June through the beginning of August, Valor Park hosts Movies Under the Stars. Movies start at dusk and are family-friendly. Bring your lawn chair or a blanket and enjoy a no-cost movie in the park.
Complimentary Carriage Rides
Take a complimentary carriage ride through the Market Commons on Tuesday evening during the summer months. You can catch the carriage in front of the Dolce Lusso Salon and it is free to enjoy.