Your Guide to North Myrtle Beach, SC: Shag Dancing Meets Barefoot Fun

North Myrtle Beach offers a wide array of accommodations for every kind of traveler, from luxurious oceanfront resorts with every imaginable amenity to spacious condo rentals ideal for extended family vacations.

If you're seeking a high-end beachfront escape, North Beach Resort & Villas in Windy Hill is a standout, known for its elegant towers, sprawling pool deck with a swim-up bar, on-site dining, and full-service spa.

Nearby, Beach Cove Resort offers a more laid-back yet tropical atmosphere with oceanfront suites, multiple pools, and close proximity to Barefoot Landing.

In the heart of Ocean Drive, Avista Resort is a favorite among families thanks to its roomy suites with kitchens, multiple pools, lazy river, and beachside location.

On the north end of town, the Prince Resort at the Cherry Grove Pier offers panoramic ocean views and unbeatable access to one of the area's most beloved piers—perfect for anglers and sunrise seekers alike.

A bit farther south, between North Myrtle and Myrtle Beach proper, Sea Watch Resort is ideal for those who want beachfront access but a bit of serenity. With its many pools, hot tubs, and on-site tiki bar, it’s a hidden gem.

Across from Barefoot Landing, Ocean Creek Resort offers a unique gated setting with condos, villas, and garden homes nestled among creeks and walking trails, giving it a more secluded, natural vibe while still offering tennis courts, dining, and beachfront amenities.

For those who prefer the flexibility of vacation rentals, Condo-World and Thomas Beach Vacations manage hundreds of properties ranging from cozy condos to expansive beach houses. Many of these rentals come with full kitchens, ocean views, and access to pools or beachfront locations, making them a popular option for groups, large families, and long-term stays.

Barefoot Landing in North Myrtle Beach is a lively waterfront destination packed with restaurants, shops, and entertainment. Families love Lucy Buffett’s LuLu’s, where Southern coastal cuisine meets live music, a ropes course, and an arcade. Crooked Hammock Brewery adds craft beer, backyard games, and a casual vibe, while Big Chill Island House offers fresh seafood and waterway views. For something more upscale, Greg Norman’s Australian Grille serves premium steaks and seafood, and Duplin Winery is a must for a muscadine wine tasting with live music on the patio.

For entertainment, Alabama Theatre delights with high-energy shows, while House of Blues Myrtle Beach hosts major concerts and themed dinners. On Main Street, the Greg Rowles Legacy Theatre delivers unforgettable performances in a state-of-the-art setting.

Main Street is also the heart of North Myrtle Beach’s shag dancing scene. The legendary Fat Harold’s Beach Club invites visitors to experience the Carolina Shag firsthand during year-round events and the biannual SOS festivals.

As for dining traditions, Hoskins Restaurant has been serving Southern comfort food since 1948 and is beloved by locals and visitors alike. In Cherry Grove, enjoy waterfront eats at Duffy Street Seafood Shack or casual beach bites at Boulineau’s Beach Café. Whether you're chasing live music, dancing the shag, or enjoying a family meal, North Myrtle Beach has you covered.

The coastal beauty of North Myrtle Beach sets the stage for an incredible variety of outdoor experiences and family-friendly activities. Naturally, the beach is the centerpiece, offering endless opportunities for watersports—from Jet Skiing and paddleboarding to parasailing and banana boat rides. New Wave Watersports is a longtime favorite for both, launching right from the sand and providing adrenaline-pumping adventures with unforgettable views.

Fishing fans will want to climb aboard a charter with Voyager Deep Sea Fishing, where you can reel in the big one on a half-day trip or go all-out with a Gulfstream excursion. If you prefer calmer cruising, the Barefoot Queen Riverboat departs from Barefoot Landing and offers scenic voyages along the Intracoastal Waterway perfect for sightseeing or celebrating a special occasion.

For an entirely different kind of thrill, head inland to Shark Wake Park at the North Myrtle Beach Park & Sports Complex. This massive facility features a full cable wakeboarding park and an inflatable aqua park loaded with slides, jumps, and climbing towers. Nearby, Coastal Scuba opens the door to underwater exploration with guided dives to local shipwrecks and reefs just offshore.

If your idea of outdoor fun includes a little peace and quiet, Great Escapes Kayak Expeditions offers scenic paddles through salt marshes where dolphin sightings and seabird encounters are common. You can even go horseback riding on the beach at Inlet Point Plantation for a magical coastal memory at any experience level.

But not all the fun in North Myrtle Beach happens on the water. The area is a haven for golfers, with beautiful championship courses like Tidewater Golf Club and Barefoot Resort & Golf, which offers four signature courses designed by legends like Greg Norman and Davis Love III.

Miniature golf is practically a local pastime—perfect for family-friendly competition—with fun-themed courses like Professor Hacker’s Lost Treasure Golf and Hawaiian Rumble Mini Golf drawing crowds of all ages. North Myrtle Beach is also part of the Myrtle Beach Mini Golf Trail, making it easy to turn your putt-putt passion into a full-blown vacation adventure.

North Myrtle Beach is a city that knows how to celebrate—and its calendar is filled with events and festivals that bring the community together in big, bold ways. The crown jewels of the city’s cultural calendar are the two massive Society of Stranders (SOS) events held each spring and fall, where thousands of shag dancers descend on Main Street for a week of music, dancing, and reunions rooted in the region’s iconic beach music traditions.

Spring also brings one of the most beloved annual traditions in town: the St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Festival. With colorful floats, street vendors, Irish food, and family fun lining Main Street, it’s the largest St. Patrick’s Day celebration in South Carolina. In early fall, North Myrtle Beach pays tribute to two beloved heritages with the Irish Italian International Festival, featuring live music, street performers, food booths, and arts and crafts that represent both cultures.

Throughout the summer, the city lights up with free outdoor concert series like the Music on Main events, which take place every Thursday evening right on Main Street, and the Sounds of Summer series held monthly at the North Myrtle Beach Park & Sports Complex. Both series offer a fun, family-friendly atmosphere and a great way to experience the region’s live music talent.

During the holiday season, the city transforms into a festive wonderland for the annual Great Christmas Light Show at the North Myrtle Beach Park & Sports Complex. With more than two million lights, a dazzling drive-through display, Santa’s Village, and seasonal treats, it's a signature holiday tradition that brings joy to visitors of all ages and celebrates the spirit of the season.