36 Hours in Myrtle Beach: Your Guide to a Quick Weekend Trip
Your guide to fun in a day & a half
Teal blue waves with relaxing sandy beaches, fresh seafood cooked to perfection, laughs and smiles from day to night entertainment — you can enjoy all this and more in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
The Myrtle Beach area, or known as The Beach, boasts 60 miles of coastline, 2,000 restaurants, over 80 golf courses, several live theaters, and dozens of attractions.
If 36 hours is all the time you have to enjoy The Beach, here are some recommendations to make the most of it! The best and beachiest beach awaits you.
Places to Visit:
Day One
Get Right to the Heart of Downtown
3 p.m. / Myrtle Beach Boardwalk
You’ve arrived at The Beach and you want to get right in middle of the action!
Head to the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk, a famous spot in the heart of downtown. The Boardwalk spans 1.2 miles of goregous oceanfront views and is dotted with restaurants, bars and souvenir shops — including the famous Gay Dolphin Gift Cove).
Be sure to make stops along your stroll, this is prime people-watching territory and there are also some fun selfie spots and murals along the way. It's also a good chance to walk the beach, put your toes in the ocean for the first time or enjoy a stroll along one of the piers.
If you're looking for some activities, take a ride on SkyWheel Myrtle Beach to see The Beach from 187 feet up in the air, stop into a classic beachfront arcade or hop across Ocean Boulevard to enjoy one of the attractions like Ripley’s Crazy Golf, a colorful indoor mini golf course with many unexpected layouts.
When your done on the boardwalk, stroll down the street to nearby Grand Strand Brewing Co., a charming downtown brewery, just off the strip that features locally crafted beers, tasty smashburgers and good vibes all around. If you get a chance, try the Beach Easy easy-drinking wheat — it's the new official beer of Myrtle Beach!
Savor Fresh Seafood & Southern Flavors
5 p.m. / Hook & Barrel
When it's time for dinner, enjoy your first full meal at The Beach with a stop at Hook & Barrel, known for their sustainably sourced seafood.
Award-winning chef Heidi Vukov puts a twist on Southern classics like shrimp and grits, fried green tomatoes, and thick cuts of candied bacon. There's lots to get excited about here but appetizers including Oysters a la Heidi and the unique candied bacon rack are show stoppers you won't want to miss.
Hook & Barrel's wine list is extensive, with expert pairings for any dish on the menu. The patio is perfect for dining al fresco, or opt to eat inside the high-end, nautical themed dining room.
Marvel in a Myrtle Beach Tradition
7 p.m. / The Carolina Opry
A trip to Myrtle Beach isn’t complete without checking out one of our live shows, and The Carolina Opry is the longest-running show in town!
On Friday nights, the Opry presents “Time Warp,” a show designed for all ages that takes the audience on a journey throughout generations of entertainment featuring songs from across the decades, dazzling costumes and set designs, plus dancing, singing, comedy and more.
There's a reason the Carolina Opry has been a Myrtle Beach tradition for almost 40 years — it's an evening like no other!
Where to Eat:
Day Two
Eat the Most Important Meal of the Day
8:30 am / Croissants Bistro & Bakery
Start the day off right at Croissants Bistro and Bakery with their in-house roasted coffee, delicious southern breakfast options and pastries. The bananas foster french toast is an indulgent must-try or the crab cake benedict for a seafood breakfast twist. A local tip is to order some house-made macaroons to go to enjoy the rest of the day!
Explore Broadway
10 a.m. / Broadway at The Beach
Broadway at the Beach is the epicenter of fun at The Beach with dozens of attractions, shopping and restaurants. Feel like a kid again at The Simpsons in 4D or zipline across the lake at Soar & Explore. Catch another dazzling display at Broadway Theater with rotating shows throughout the year. Walk around and take in the smells of warm fudge and pralines cooking, and get your caricature drawn as a keepsake!
Pit Stop for Lunch
1 p.m. / Broadway at The Beach
Now for lunch, there are many options at Broadway at the Beach. If you are looking for more southern cooking, try Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen, or check out The Hangout, where you will be constantly entertained during your meal (really, you can dance on the tables!). New to the area, VooDoo Brewing Co. offers regional craft beers and a tasty menu with pizza, snacks, burgers and more.
Enjoy a Piece of History
3 p.m. / Huntington Beach State Park
Located in Murrells Inlet, about 30 minutes from Myrtle Beach proper, Huntington Beach State Park is a relaxing protected beach and wildlife preserve. Take a tour of the park to observe alligators, deer, birds, and other South Carolina wildlife in their natural habitat. Also located at the State Park is Atalaya Castle, a Moorish style home built in the early 1900s. Surrounded by tall palmetto trees, the home has been preserved to portray life during that time period so visitors can take a tour. Brookgreen Gardens is also nearby, so if there’s some extra time, explore the largest sculpture garden in America and get lost in nature’s beauty.
Indulge in Hook to Plate Dishes
5 p.m. / Murrells Inlet MarshWalk
Head on over to the MarshWalk, a group of eight local restaurants located right on the saltwater marsh in Murrells Inlet. From the cocktails to the seafood, everything served at the MarshWalk is fresh and vibrant. Start off with a drink from the Beer Garden at The Claw House or Tuna Shak. For a traditional southern seafood meal, grab an outdoor table on the back patio at Drunken Jacks. A local tip is to try the hushpuppies, basically deep fried cornbread - you won’t be sorry! For a more modern dining experience, try Wicked Tuna, known for their creative dishes and their commitment to hook to plate seafood. Order a few sushi rolls, surf and turf, or the fresh catch of the day.
Dance the Night Away
8 p.m. / Murrells Inlet MarshWalk
Chances are by now that you’ve heard a band or two playing live music, which can be heard throughout the entire area almost every night of the week. The MarshWalk is one place that offers live music consistently, especially at Dead Dog Saloon or Creek Ratz, where bands perform some of their original songs and the classic hits for hours. Enjoy the sunset and marsh views all evening long while listening to the sounds of beach music.
Things To Do:
Day Three
Soak in the Sunshine
9 a.m. / The Beach!
Spend a little time at the beach and soak in the warm sunshine, teal water and sugary sand. The Myrtle Beach area is known for its flat, wide beaches, and many resorts and vacation rentals offer chairs and umbrellas for their guests. Check with your accommodation before traveling — there are some beach rental options as well.
Brunch in Style
11:30 a.m. / The Market Common
Before you leave, explore The Market Common, a beautiful neighborhood with shopping, restaurants and parks. Stroll around the shops and look out for the many local businesses with the perfect souvenir to take home with you. Grab a brunch at Tidal Creek Brewhouse which serves both coffee and craft beer along with a delicious menu of savory and sweet dishes.
Where to Stay:
Katie Hunter recently relocated to Myrtle Beach, SC, but she is a true South Carolinian at heart. Growing up in Charleston, SC and living in the SC Upstate, Katie cherishes the rhythm of southern hospitality and a refreshing sea breeze. Katie has written stories for her friends and family to enjoy ever since she was little and is excited to uncover everything that makes Myrtle Beach, The Beach. Katie loves baking, the beach, and her Clemson Tigers. She can often be found walking her black labrador retriever or checking out a new restaurant in the Grand Strand with her husband.