7 Things to Do With the Longer Days at The Beach

Soak Up the Sun

When you’re staying at the beach, longer days call for more time in the sun, of course, whether that’s beachfront or poolside at your resort. Just be sure to protect yourself from those rays with sunblock and a pair of glasses!

Soak in the Water

Closely linked to sunshine are ways to cool off via water – and we have plenty of ways to do that here. From the 60 miles of oceanfront coastline to the Intracoastal Waterway to the west to the scattering of cypress swamps and salt marshes, there are oodles of options to splash and play on these longer days. Choose to swim, boat, kayak, canoe, Jet Ski, paddleboard, surf, and more. And for the adrenaline junkies, there is Myrtle Waves Water Park, which has extended hours on certain days, and Shark Wake Park, featuring a cable wakeboarding and kneeboarding system and a floating obstacle island. If you're looking for something more hybrid, check out Seakart in Murrells Inlet. Half boat/half jet ski!

Go for Golf

Myrtle Beach is known globally as the Golf Capital (and Mini Golf Capital) of the World for a reason, with over 80 championship golf courses and more than 35 mini golf courses – or putt putt courses, as we call it around here – featuring over-the-top themes. Take a swing at the legendary Mt. Atlanticus Minotaur Golf, Captain Hook’s Adventure Golf, or Jurassic Mini Golf, just to name a few. Or try PopStroke at Broadway at the Beach, digital mini golf on another level, TopGolf, a massive, three-level driving range, or any of the disc golf courses at the beach.

Go for a Walk

There are plenty of unique ways to walk, get a breath of fresh air, and enjoy the great outdoors. Go shelling or shark tooth hunting on any of our beaches, including Myrtle Beach State Park or Huntington Beach State Park, where you can also picnic, bird watch, and explore Atalaya Castle during the park’s extended hours. Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet is another must-visit for a magical walk through the breathtaking flower gardens and sculpture collection that live under the ancient live oaks. In 2025, Brookgreen Gardens debuted its new Simpson Art Center, and from May to August, a “Gardens of Glass” exhibit will showcase larger-than-life glass sculptures throughout the gardens.

Game On

Take in a game or start one of your own before the sun goes down. Myrtle Beach is home to the Pelicans, a heavy-hitting minor league baseball team that plays up a ton of entertainment. And for the 2026 season, Pelicans Ballpark is revealing new upgrades, like new seats, a soundboard, a video board, and more. Or, if you’d rather hit the court and take action into your own hands, give any of our area outdoor pickleball courts; a new pickleball complex, The PicklePort, is expected to open later this summer.

Shopping

A little retail therapy mixed with a dose of Vitamin D does the body good, so check out any of these outdoor shopping hubs at the beach that have longer opening hours over the summer. Broadway at the Beach and Barefoot Landing both host a lineup of unique boutiques, as well as bars and restaurants, theatre and entertainment venues, breweries, summer outdoor concerts, and more. The Market Common is another popular outdoor shopping spot, plus it hosts a movie theatre, more bars and restaurants, playgrounds, and walking trails.

Outdoor Dining

There are hundreds of restaurants here at the beach serving up some of the best cuisine in the country, but there are those restaurants that also serve a sensational view while you dine to add to the ambiance. The Murrells Inlet MarshWalk is a waterfront restaurant haven in the inlet; the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk boasts a bounty of restaurants, bars, and breweries oceanfront; and many area marinas feature waterfront dining as well, from the ocean to the river. To help you find the perfect restaurant for waterfront/alfresco dining, check out our dining guide.