Visit Myrtle Beach, S.C. Announces Latest New Developments

In 2026, the Myrtle Beach are was named the fifth Best Small City in America by Resonance, recognizing the entire metro area as one of the nation’s most desirable places to live and visit. The renaissance continues with a wave of investments creating exciting new places to gather, explore and dine.

Events & Attractions

Myrtle Beach's Oceanfront Entertainment District

Downtown Myrtle Beach continues its transformation as the city invests in creating a more vibrant, walkable and connected urban core. This June 2026, decorative bistro-style lighting was installed along a seven-block stretch of Ocean Boulevard, adding to the vibrant atmosphere of the city’s oceanfront entertainment district. The streetscape lights complement the vivid glow from neighboring restaurants, shops and attractions like SkyWheel Myrtle Beach and further enhance the city’s festive atmosphere.

Pelicans Ballpark

Enhancements to Myrtle Beach’s Pelicans Ballpark were unveiled in April 2026, featuring upgraded seating, a state-of-the-art video board and a new 15,000-square-foot event venue, The Diamond. The new building is designed to host both sports-related activities and community, corporate and special events year-round. For over 25 years, the ballpark has been one of the Grand Strand's premier sports and entertainment venues, serving as the home of the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, the Chicago Cubs' Single-A affiliate, while hosting thousands of fans each season.

Food & Drink

Guy Fieri's Downtown Flavortown

Food Network star Guy Fieri opened the doors to his newest venture in June 2026 with Downtown Flavortown, an immersive dining and entertainment attraction combining Fieri’s signature comfort food, like his award-winning Bacon Mac N’ Cheese Burger, with family-friendly entertainment such as bowling lanes and an arcade.

Ole Smoky Distillery and Yee-Haw Brewing Co.

At Myrtle Beach’s Broadway at the Beach, Ole Smoky Distillery and Yee-Haw Brewing Co. opened their first Grand Strand location in May 2026. The waterfront venue features craft beers, moonshine and whiskey tastings, Southern comfort fare and a spacious indoor-outdoor setting for live music, watching sports and more.

UPTWN Prime

Located on Myrtle Beach’s north end, UPTWN Prime debuted its new upscale steakhouse concept in June 2026, featuring premium aged steaks, fresh seafood and handcrafted cocktails.

Inlet Shipwreck Bar & Grill

Murrells Inlet’s waterfront dining scene welcomed a new concept in February 2026 with the opening of Inlet Shipwreck Bar & Grill, a pirate-themed restaurant offering a laid-back atmosphere where young adventurers can enjoy the pirate ship playground.

Shark Bar at Makos on the Water 

Shark Bar at Makos on the Water in Little River opened in May 2026 as an open-air tiki bar overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway with live music and waterfront cocktails.

South Coast Beer Project

Carolina Forest’s South Coast Beer Project opened in June 2026 with craft beer, a full-service restaurant and spacious indoor and outdoor seating and gathering spaces.

Lodging

The Ellie Beach Resort Myrtle Beach, Tapestry by Hilton

The Ellie Beach Resort Myrtle Beach, Tapestry by Hilton introduced Ellie’s Snack Shack for poolside favorites in summer 2026.

Hampton Inn & Suites Myrtle Beach Oceanfront

In summer 2026, Hampton Inn & Suites Myrtle Beach Oceanfront added Whitecaps Sweets & Treats, Flipside Pizza and Tiki Tides Pool Bar.

Transportation

Myrtle Beach International Airport

In 2025, an expansion and renovation added six new gates and upgraded amenities, including two new dining options to Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR). 

In addition, MYR continues to expand its air service connectivity with several new nonstop routes. Southwest Airlines began weekly nonstop service to Houston in June 2026, while Contour Airlines entered the Myrtle Beach market with service to Beckley and Parkersburg, W.Va., and Altoona, Pa. Breeze Airways added nonstop flights to Manchester, N.H.; Orlando, Fla.; Pittsburgh, Pa.; and Portland, Maine, while increasing frequency on several existing routes. Allegiant Air also launched new nonstop service to Atlantic City, N.J.

Sports Facilities

The Ripken Experience Myrtle Beach

June marked the 20th anniversary of The Ripken Experience Myrtle Beach, one of the nation's premier youth baseball tournament destinations. The milestone coincided with several recent enhancements, including new turf at Ebbets Field, upgrades to The Bullpen gathering space, all-new outfield fences and a new outdoor food venue.

The Bridge at World Tour Golf Links

The Bridge at World Tour Golf Links opened in July as Myrtle Beach’s only Toptracer driving range, featuring 16 hitting bays and technology that allows golfers to play virtual courses, practice or compete in interactive games.

Styers Athletic Complex at Grand Park

Located in the heart of Myrtle Beach’s Market Common, Styers Athletic Complex at Grand Park completed a full renovation of all nine multipurpose fields in February. Each field received new turf, including around the pitching mound and home plate for improved durability and weather resilience.

North Myrtle Beach Park & Sports Complex

Earlier this year, the North Myrtle Beach Park & Sports Complex completed a major expansion, adding five new soccer fields, six baseball/softball fields, freshwater ponds, walking trails, playgrounds and picnic shelters to the facility. The complex now features 12 championship-caliber baseball and softball fields split into two six-field configurations, 13 soccer and multipurpose fields, an amphitheater and more.

The North Myrtle Beach Park & Sports Complex also opened Cypress Nook Disc Golf Course this June, providing players with a wooded course that winds through towering cypress and pine trees and features technical fairways and significant elevation changes. The addition gives the complex two 18-hole disc golf courses.

Pin Point Myrtle Beach

Just north in Little River, Pin Point Myrtle Beach opened this March, combining restaurant dining and special event space with nine indoor pickleball courts, seven golf simulators and interactive entertainment in a single destination.