Surfworks Myrtle Beach

Myrtle Beach will soon be home to South Carolina's first man-made surf park, called Surfworks. The park's surfing lagoon will generate up to 1,000 waves per hour, with waves between 2-6 feet in height. The development will also include an amphitheater to accommodate up to 15,000 people, a surf school, a restaurant, and a brewery. Preliminary renderings of the park have been completed and the building is expected to be completed in 2024. For more information, visit https://www.surfworks.com/myrtle-beach

Brand New Show Debuting At The Alabama Theatre

The Alabama Theatre of North Myrtle Beach is bringing their new production, ICONIC, to The Beach in 2023. This new show is a cutting-edge, brand new production show on stage and in the air. Along with visual elements and a state-of-the-art video wall unlike anything you may have seen along the Grand Strand. Featuring memorable music, comedy and widely recognized Country music chartbusters, Classic Rock anthems, Broadway and Pop power ballads. This family-friendly production will debut in on February 23, 2023 and run until the end of October 2023.

Cherry Grove Fishing Pier Reconstruction

After suffering serious damage during Hurricane Ian, the beloved Cherry Grove Fishing Pier is undergoing structural repairs. The pier is partially open to the public now and expects to fully reopen by May 2023. 

Downtown Myrtle Beach Arts & Innovation District

The City of Myrtle Beach is committed to revitalizing and improving the Arts & Innovation District at Ninth Avenue North in downtown Myrtle Beach. Planned construction in the Arts & Innovation District  is expected to start in April 2023 and includes a new apartment building, performing arts center, stores, restaurants and even a gym. These revitalization efforts aim to make Myrtle Beach a booming place for both residents and tourists.

Plans for New WWII Memorial in Warbird Park

The City of Myrtle Beach revealed plans for a World War II memorial at Warbird Park near Market Common. The 1,428-square-foot memorial is part of planned expansion to the park that will include 47 more parking spaces and a trail system. It is planned to be completed in the fall 2023.

Revitalization of the Broadway Theater

The expansion of Myrtle Beach’s Arts and Innovation District continues with the former Broadway Theater that will soon become a 300-seat performing arts center. The combination theater, drugstore and department store thrived back in the day, and the city of Myrtle Beach and Coastal Carolina University are teaming up to restore the buildings to their previous state. The city hopes to have the project finished by summer 2024. 

Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach welcoming new animals

There’s no better place to be “hanging out” than at Ripley’s Sloth Valley, Ripley’s Aquarium’s awesome new sloth habitat! These cuddly sleepers will “slowly” make their way to join the Aquarium’s dazzling collection of animals in late spring of 2023. See them only at Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach! 

Ripley’s Aquarium brings adventure to life with an all new Discovery Center

Explore uncharted seas and climb to new heights as Ripley’s Aquarium brings new adventures to its centerpiece, Discovery Center! Walk the plank and dive into oceans of family fun as Ripley’s Aquarium brings a brand-new themed play structure and awesome new discovery games. Coming spring of 2023.

Get ready for Ripley’s Crazy Golf

New to Ocean Blvd, Ripley’s Crazy Golf is no ordinary indoor minigolf! Grab a drink and put your skills to the test under crazy lights with out-of-this-world trick shots! This will be an experience the entire family can enjoy when it opens in spring 2023. https://www.ripleys.com/myrtlebeach/ 

Ripley’s Illusion Lab is becoming a reality on Ocean Boulevard

Descend into Ripley’s mind bending lab of illusions, where things are not always what they seem! Switch up your perspective, challenge your senses, and spark your curiosity as you engage with optical, photographic, and interactive illusions. At Ripley’s Illusion Lab, visitors are invited to step into a world of optical trickery and view things from a totally new — and bizarre — perspective. Opening spring of 2023.

Stars and Strikes Getaway-n-Play

Opening in 2023 is a new family entertainment complex coming to Myrtle Beach’s Coastal Grand Mall. The 52,500-square-foot Stars and Strikes Getaway-n-Play will offer “high-tech” bowling, an arcade, a multi-story laser tag arena and axe throwing and brings a new kind of experience to the growing shopping center!

Surfside Beach Pier Reconstruction

The Surfside Beach Pier was destroyed and washed away during Hurricane Matthew in 2016. The town of Surfside Beach is reconstructing their iconic pier to withstand hurricane force winds, making it stronger and safer than ever before. The pier will feature a restaurant and vendor space and is slated to be completed in March 2023. For renderings and more information, please visit https://www.surfsidebeach.org/pier. 

Greg Rowles Dinner Theatre

The Greg Rowles Dinner Theatre will feature world-class entertainment along with a fine dining experience reminiscent of the retro Vegas showroom style setting. It is expected to open on the Grand Strand in 2024.

AVIATION AND TRANSPORTATION

Garden City Beach Streetscape Project

Garden City Beach is undergoing a $46 million roads and streetscapes project that will include improvements throughout the city. Project details include road and drainage upgrades as well as enhancements to pedestrian and bicycle facilities, street lighting and landscaping.

Flight Routes

Southwest Airlines announced a new direct flight from Denver, CO (DEN) to Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR) starting June 10.

CULINARY

Bubba’s Fish Camp and Smokehouse Grill

Bubba’s Fish Camp, a sister restaurant to the longtime beloved Bubba’s Fish Shack, is now open in Myrtle Beach! Bubba’s Fish Camp offers a beach-inspired menu with fried and grilled seafood along with meats smoked in-house and is conveniently located right across from Broadway at the Beach.

Don’s Deli

With 40 years of New York-style deli operations experience, Don Jackson opened Don’s Deli with his son in fall of 2022. The Conway restaurant serves up New York style sandwiches and a full line of desserts with many customers raving about the deli’s offerings and value.

Hop N Which Officially Opens in Downtown Conway

Owners of Grumpy Monk and Sneaky Beagle, popular local restaurants with several locations, opened up another restaurant in Downtown Conway on Third Avenue. This new restaurant concept features about 50 craft beers and sandwiches, with several local and regional brews.

Kainan Filipino Eatery

First-time restaurant owners, Steve and Grace Harrington, said they moved to South Carolina looking for the best place to open their Filipino restaurant, Kainan Filipino Eatery. The Conway restaurant serves up traditional Filipino breakfast items, appetizers, noodle dishes, and even desserts. 

Peach Cobbler Factory

Rod and Tracey Adams opened Peach Cobbler Factory, a dessert bar franchise location in Carolina Forest in November 2022. The dessert bar specializes in peach cobbler but also includes other sweet staples like cinnamon rolls and banana pudding. The franchise is looking to open additional locations in Pawley’s Island, North Myrtle Beach and Conway in 2023. 

Terrazza 19

Terrazza 19, a new restaurant located at The Grand Dunes Golf Club, opened in September 2022. 

The restaurant is open to the public and offers a breakfast, lunch and dinner menu filled with shareable plates and craft cocktails in the course’s newly expanded clubhouse.

Seawitch Cafe 

Myrtle Beach resident Tina Littleton opened the Seawitch Cafe in October 2022 in The Market Common. Seawitch Cafe offers a variety of delicious breakfast staples, such as omelets, avocado toast, donuts and other pastries.

Swig & Swine

The award-winning Charleston-based BBQ joint, Swig & Swing, will open a new location in the 500 Block of Broadway Street in historic downtown Myrtle Beach–its first location outside of the Charleston market. Under pitmaster and owner Anthony DiBernardo, the menu includes beef brisket, pork, sandwiches, sides, desserts and a full bar—all served with genuine hospitality. Swig & Swine has a devout following and is a Southern Living Magazine Top 50 BBQ joint. The downtown Myrtle Beach location is expected to open mid-2023. 

EVENTS & SHOWS

Carolina Country Music Festival 

The sixth annual Carolina Country Music Fest (CCMF) will return to Myrtle Beach from June 8-11, 2023. The festival will feature more than 30 of the industry’s biggest stars. The lineup of artists include Morgan Wallen, Miranda Lambert, HARDY, Brooks and Dunn, Lainey Wilson and more! For additional information, visit www.carolinacountrymusicfest.com.

Conway Riverwalk Event Space Expansion

A brand new amphitheater, officially titled, is coming to Downtown Conway in the next few months. The new space will host events put on by the City of Conway such as movie screenings, live music, and performing arts shows. The amphitheater is part of an ongoing effort by the City of Conway to make use of its unused spaces in an effort to make the City more walkable and accessible for residents and visitors. 

LODGING

Holiday Inn Club Vacations

Holiday Inn Club Vacations announced that they will be building a new resort on the Grand Strand and will feature 152 one-to-four bedroom villas. These villas will also include patios with ocean views - with a portion designated for luxury options. The hotel is expected to be completed in 2024 and will be across the street from the company’s existing resort on South Kings Highway near the Myrtle Beach International Airport. 

Surfside Beach Oceanfront Hotel Rooms Refresh

Every year, Surfside Beach Oceanfront Hotel takes steps to improve the experience for guests by updating accommodations. For 2023, the hotel has new case goods in every room. This includes all new furnishings like dressers, nightstands and tables creating a more modern look and feel in our guest rooms.