On Location: North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Located just south of Little River on the coastline of South Carolina is North Myrtle Beach, nine miles of four combined communities: Cherry Grove, Windy Hill, Ocean Drive, and Crescent Beach.

North Myrtle Beach is rooted in history, with a vibe all its own, packed with plenty of things to see and do in attractions, restaurants, entertainment, recreational activities, resorts, and more. We’ve done a deep dive into what North Myrtle Beach has to offer, so you can discover it for yourself!

Dining and Entertainment

Barefoot Landing in North Myrtle Beach is a happening hub of dining, shopping, and entertainment offerings along the Intracoastal Waterway. Take the family to Lucy Buffett’s LuLu’s, owned by Jimmy Buffett’s sister and known for their gumbo and seafood platters, yard games, a ropes course, and arcade.

More family fun can be had at Crooked Hammock Brewery in Barefoot, where you can tap into their craft beer, take in the live music, and play on the plentiful yard games. 

Also located within Barefoot is the new hotspot, Big Chill Island House, a multi-level boho beauty of a restaurant offering fresh seafood dishes and views of the waterway. And for more upscale dining, Greg Norman’s Australian Grille is a must for their steaks, seafood, and wine selections. Wine can also be sampled and purchased at nearby Duplin Winery, where they make their own line of muscadine wine, a gift shop, and live music outside on the patio.

If you’re up for a show, Alabama Theatre at Barefoot Landing has been a crowd pleaser since 1993. Fondly named after the band, Alabama, that that got their start in the Myrtle Beach bar scene, this theatre dazzles on-stage with their nightly music revues. Brand new to the Grand Strand, check out Greg Rowles Legacy Theatre right in the heart of North Myrtle Beach. No detail is left untouched in their theatre, with amazing lights, sound quality and video boards!

North Myrtle Beach is known as shag dance (South Carolina’s state dance) central, where the city hosts thousands of members of the Society of Stranders (SOS) in the fall and spring for a weeklong schedule of shag events along Main Street. But you can learn how to shag dance – and watch the pros take the floor – year-round at Fat Harold’s Beach Club.

And rounding out the North Myrtle Beach dining scene is a classic on Main Street: Hoskins, a diner-style restaurant that’s been serving of locals and tourists since 1948 – and that includes Vanna White of “Wheel of Fortune” fame, who is a regular when she comes back to visit her hometown.

Outdoor Activities

All beaches in the Myrtle Beach area offer a bounty of water sport activities, of course, by boat, paddle, skis, Jet ski, and more, and North Myrtle Beach doesn’t disappoint in this category.

Hop aboard one of the charter fishing boats at Voyager Deep Sea Fishing, which departs from Dock Holiday’s Marina. Choose from a half-day fishing trip to a longer Gulfstream fishing trip called “Fill Your Freezer.” Voyager also offers dolphin cruises in calm waters throughout the day. Or you can cruise along the Intracoastal Waterway aboard the Barefoot Queen Riverboat, which launches from Barefoot Landing for peaceful sightseeing, birthdays, or special gatherings.

If your crew feels the need for more speed, they will love Shark Wake Park within the North Myrtle Beach Park & Sports Complex that features a course for cable wake boarding, knee boarding, water skiing, wake skating, and foil boarding, plus a floating obstacle course with slides, climbing towers, and more.

For underwater adventures, go scuba diving with the professionals at Coastal Scuba, who will help you explore all of the shipwrecks and artificial reefs that lie beneath the surface along the North Myrtle Beach coastline.

A favorite among locals and visitors alike is New Wave Watersports, located right on the sand you can soar via parasail and get the most stunning views of the coast, or opt for a banana boat ride fun for all ages.

If you'd rather be near the water but not on it, check out Inlet Point Plantation for your very own horseback riding session on the beach. Having been in business for almost 30 years, any skill level adventurist is bound to make a lifetime memory. 

Experience tranquility and solitude by way of Great Escapes Kayak Expeditions. Choose between a kayak or paddleboard and keep your eyes peeled for birds, sea turtles, and dolphins.

Events

In addition to the two massive SOS shagging events held in North Myrtle Beach throughout the year, the city also hosts an Irish Italian Festival each year, the well-known St. Patrick’s Day parade, and the Music on Main concert series each summer every Thursday evening.

Resorts

North Myrtle Beach is also home to a wide array of luxe resorts and vacation rentals, including Avista, North Beach Resort and Villas, the Prince Resort at the Cherry Grove Pier, Condo-World Resort, Thomas Beach Vacations, and more.