Best Arts & Cultural Places to Visit in the Myrtle Beach Area
Explore the Arts & Culture of The Beach
Everyone knows that Myrtle Beach is known for The Beach, but you may not know that the Grand Strand is home to a diverse arts and culture scene that has stemmed from its Lowcountry roots, beautiful scenery, and a collection of people from around the world. These arts and cultural spots along the Grand Strand are for you to check out, and maybe even get inspired by, during your beach vacation.
Atalaya Castle
Located within Huntington Beach State Park, the historic Atalaya Castle is an expansive structure that served as the winter home for the founders of Brookgreen Gardens – Archer and Anna Hyatt Huntington. The original estate was designed by the couple with their own unique touches and featured 30 rooms with a Spanish-inspired design. Now you can enter the state park to walk through what remains of this stunning property, and sort through photographs that provide a rich, detailed history of the home and the changes it’s seen.
Brookgreen Gardens
Brookgreen Gardens delivers a multitude of programs for artists and history enthusiasts. The famous Gardens were preserved by Archer and Anna Hyatt Huntington, the latter of whom created many of the on-site statues. Even if you’re just looking for a spot to experience serene nature, Brookgreen Gardens spans over 9,000 acres in Murrells Inlet. Step into its breathtaking Live Oak Allee, then meander through the sculpture gardens and fountains for a new sight at every turn. Regardless of the time of year you visit, there are always exciting new colors and changes for every season.
Brookgreen is also home to an accredited zoo, which features native species that have been rescued and rehabilitated. Children also love the Enchanted Storybook Forest with real-life playhouses designed around their favorite fairytales. Brookgreen hosts a slew of events throughout the year, none more popular than its Nights of a Thousand Candles during the holiday season. Other events include the Fall Family Harvest Home Festival, year-round tours and boat rides, Art Festival, concerts, lecture series, and more.
Myrtle Beach Arts & Gallery Trail
Serving 60 miles of artwork, the Arts and Gallery Trail is an interactive platform accessed through your smartphone. After registering for the free pass on your phone, you’ll have access to 14 communities with more than 100 locations across the Grand Strand where you can find galleries, museums, and art-filled attractions. Follow the trail to uncover some of The Beach’s ‘hidden gems’ with ocean-front sculptures, huge alleyway murals, and art-filled underground passages that only the locals know about! And, as you visit each place, mark it on your pass to accumulate points that you can win prizes such as stickers, t-shirts, and more cultural Myrtle Beach gear.
Seacoast Artist Guild Gallery
Established in 2005, Seacoast is a local non-profit arts organization dedicated to increasing the awareness of the arts and its benefits to the community. The gallery has members from around the Carolinas who share their passion with others in the area through natural light and open spaces. Seacoast also holds exhibits, workshops, and special events aimed at nurturing all artists-to-be. It's a great stop in The Market Common area, an upscale shopping and entertainment district located on Myrtle Beach's former Air Force Base.
Conway Glass
A local glass shop in Conway, only a few miles from the beach, offers glass blowing classes, stained glass workshops, and educational classes for kids. Visit their website or call the owners, Ed and Barb Streeter, to discover how you, too, can learn the intricacies of this craft. The shop also creates custom glass creations that you can ship to a loved one for any occasion. If you can’t make it in person or want to get a taste of the craft before arriving at The Beach, Ed has a livestream Q&A session via YouTube most Monday evenings.
Myrtle Beach Art Museum
Housed inside a beautifully preserved, century-old oceanside villa, the Myrtle Beach Art Museum is an experience in itself. Inside, more than ten rotating galleries showcase impressive works from local, regional, and nationally recognized artists, while hands-on classes, kids’ art programs, and special Community Family Days throughout the year make it an inspiring stop for visitors of all ages.
Art in the Park
Art in the Park is the Grand Strand’s biggest and boldest outdoor art show, turning Market Common’s Valor Park into a pop-up gallery packed with talent from across the country. Hosted by the long-running Waccamaw Arts & Crafts Guild, this three-times-a-year weekend event is where you’ll find everything from striking fine art to seriously cool handcrafted pieces, all in an easygoing, walkable setting that feels more festival than art fair.
Hopsewee Plantation
Weaving baskets from sweetgrass has been a longstanding tradition in the Lowcountry that stems from West African slaves. The baskets played a vital role on southern rice plantations and have long been treasured for their beautiful patterns and cultural remembrance. Vera Manigualt, an eight-generation Gullah descendant, teaches basket-weaving classes at Hopsewee Plantation every Thursday and Sunday. Join the plantation for Gullah tours (you can even save $1 off here), a special meal at the River Oak Cottage, or a guided tour through the property.
Horry County Museum
Created to preserve the local abundance of southern art, culture, and heritage, the Horry County Museum includes exhibits, events, and the L.W. Paul Living History Farm. Inside the museum’s exhibits, you’ll find farming tools, a look at our local wildlife, photographs, household items, military-related articles, and clothing based on the period displayed. There’s also a detailed look at the history of our beach and how it became a household name.
The L.W. Paul Living History Farm offers tours each Saturday at 10 a.m. to showcase what it was like to live and work on a farm in Horry County between 1900 and 1955. You’ll even be able to participate in some farming activities to truly feel what farming was like during that era, and look at a museum with a 4,400-gallon freshwater aquarium that was featured on Animal Planet’s “Tanked” in 2014. There is always something to learn at the Museum – check out their website for events, art galleries, and summer or fall activities.
International Culinary Institute
Myrtle Beach has its own renowned cooking school called the International Culinary Institute at Horry Georgetown Technical College, located in The Market Common, where students learn the finest culinary skills while managing a restaurant and farmers market. Many students and faculty will host community cooking classes throughout the year, including a Chef’s Table Reservation in a glassed private room. The menus are created to incorporate fresh, local ingredients with various textures and flavors - don’t miss out!
Theatre of the Republic
The Theatre of the Republic (TOR) is a major cultural resource that’s been in the area since 1969. This non profit offers quality performances to the community, by the community, that’s affordable and various in content, casts, and genre. Make a trip to this retro-styled establishment in Historic Rivertown in Conway to watch the local Coastal Youth Teen theatre, catch a musical, or a holiday show during the winter months.
The Long Bay Symphony
Did you know that Myrtle Beach has a symphony? World-class musicians provide high-quality performances featuring musical works from Mozart, Beethoven, popular Broadway musicals, and more. They host a series of concerts and events year-round and there’s even a youth symphony and string ensemble that performs concerts in the spring and winter. Visit their website for specific details on show dates and locations.
F1rst Friday Art Walks
In the Arts and Innovation District of Downtown Myrtle Beach off Broadway Street, join crowds of people as they watch live performances, check out artists and musicians, and try some downtown restaurants who feature dining specials throughout the night. Happening the first Friday of every month, the art walk is a self guided tour for people to explore the food, culture, and artistic scene in Myrtle Beach.
Myrtle Beach History Trolley Tours
Join Kathryn Hedgepath for her Myrtle Beach History Tours that depart from Market Common. These tours take place on an air-conditioned historic trolley that travels around the Myrtle Beach area for two hours. There are tours about Myrtle Beach in movies, its military history, Early Myrtle Beach in the War Years, ghosts, pirates and historic families, and so much more. All tours begin in front of the Grand 14 Theatre at The Market Common. Visit the Myrtle Beach History Tours website for a complete list of tours, trolley rides, and special events.
North Myrtle Beach Area Historical Museum
The North Myrtle Beach Historical Museum focuses on preserving the memories of this beautiful community, including Cherry Grove, Ocean Drive, Crescent Beach, Windy Hill, Barefoot Landing, Little River, Longs, Loris, and the Wampee areas. The museum opened in 2013 and features art exhibits, a museum store, and special events throughout the year.
More Art Galleries
Bryan Art Gallery
133 Chanticleer Dr W, Conway (Coastal Carolina University Campus)
843-349-6454
CJSS Skillern Family Art Museum
401 Atlantic St, Atlantic Beach
910-391-6914
Gallery 320
320 Brodway St., Myrtle Beach
8430839-3130
Perrone’s Restaurant
13302 Ocean Hwy, Litchfield Beach
843-235-9193
The Rice Museum
Prevost Gallery 633 Front St, Georgetown
843-546-7423
William H. Miller Studios & Fine Art
701 8th Avenue North, Myrtle Beach
843-410-9535