12 Ways to Get More out of Your CCMF Trip to Myrtle Beach
Although there are some new amenities and activities at CCMF this year (the Wellness Ranch & Spa, the Chill Zone, and the ACL Cornhole Tournament), your weekend getaway doesn’t have to be limited to the oceanfront stage and festival grounds. There is so much to explore nearby at the beach, from where to eat and drink to additional entertainment and activity options during the day and night. Check out these recommendations of what to squeeze in between sets to create more memories.
Oh, and if you're still planning your trip, don't miss our Guide to CCMF here to make the most of every minute.
Where to eat
Up the street from CCMF on the boardwalk, just shy of the 14th Avenue Pier, is RipTydz, a mega, multi-level oceanfront restaurant that serves up some of the best seafood dishes at the beach. It’s like a big beach party here, where you can feel the ocean breeze from the open air dining rooms and kick back with a cold hand-crafted cocktail at any of their several bars.
This cool brewery, casual dining, and hangout spot that sits on the cusp of the CCMF grounds offers tasty bar grub, hand-crafted GSB beer, and seating both inside (think air-conditioning) and outdoors on the lawn, where there are fun yard games, picnic tables, and killer views. Don't forget to try a Beach Easy, the official beer of Myrtle Beach!
It’s been a Myrtle Beach icon since 1944, it’s just steps away from the grounds of CCMF, and it’s one you have to experience to understand it, all with a Bowery Beer in hand. The Bowery gave birth to the legendary country band, Alabama, whose members served beer and performed on stage there from 1973 to 1980. It’s the perfect accompaniment to CCMF weekend, where you can hang out on the front porch, grab a bite to eat, and listen to more live music.
This popular restaurant off the boardwalk and on the 2nd Ave. Pier gives you a bird’s eye view of the Myrtle Beach coastline, while you dine on their “Hook to Plate” fresh, local seafood. You’ll also fall in love with Wicked Tuna’s handmade cocktails, steaks, and sushi.
If you miss the days when you were younger and could eat outside at picnic tables or even while sitting on the grass, The Hangout brings back that nostalgia by making it a reality again. At Broadway at the Beach, you can come to The Hangout and fill your day with live entertainment, games, relaxation, and good food. Try their one-pound lifeguard burger, shrimp boil, or pulled pork BBQ sandwich with one of their signature cocktails to get the full experience. The establishment is open daily from 11:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. and until 10:00 p.m. on the weekends.
Start your concert day off right at Winna’s Kitchen, located a short block away from Grand Strand Brewing Company. Serving breakfast, brunch, and lunch from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Winna’s is charming and renowned by locals for their fresh, seasonal menu that features savory and sweet creations.
Activities for Pre-Festival Fun
Whether you’re looking for something to do before your fave performer hits the stage or in between sets, nearby Broadway at the Beach is a sure bet in a number of ways. This massive multi-use outdoor hub is packed with things to do: shopping, restaurants, mini golf courses, theatres, an escape room, Ripley’s Aquarium, WonderWorks museum, ziplines, amusement parks, and more.
Outlying entertainment options surrounding the Broadway at the Beach property include Broadway Grand Prix that features multiple racecourses, mini golf, and an arcade; TopGolf, a driving range on steroids, where you can tee off on three levels, dine, eat, and compete digitally; Hollywood Wax Museum, where a huge collection A-list celebs are realistically recreated, and a mirror maze and Zombie Outbreak game are also housed; and Myrtle Beach Pelicans Ballpark, home of our minor league baseball team, an affiliate of the Chicago Cubs, where the game itself combines with family-fun entertainment in between innings.
Known for its various miniature golf courses, there are various greens that you can visit. The closest course is Mt. Atlanticus Minotaur Golf, which is within walking distance of the concert grounds. This spot has two 18-hole courses each intertwined with blue streams and tiki huts. It’s an ideal location for two hours of fun at a low price, and the final hole, number 19, is a special treat that very few people accomplish, so let's see if you can pass it! Other nearby mini-golf spots include Captain Hook’s Adventure Golf, Jungle Lagoon Miniature Golf, and Cap’N Cain Miniature Golf.
Stroll along our oceanfront boardwalk that fronts the CCMF grounds and explore a plethora of things to see and do. Shop at a lineup of beach and souvenir stores, like the historic Gay Dolphin, play at any of the nostalgic arcades, stop at any of the cafes for something to eat (like ice cream) or drink, and be amazed at the quirky exhibits in Ripley’s Believe It or Not! just a block off the boardwalk.
Another must-see landmark on the boardwalk is the SkyWheel, a nearly 200-feet-tall observation wheel featuring 42, fully enclosed, air-conditioned gondolas that will give you unbelievable, breathtaking views of the Myrtle Beach coastline (and skyline) day or night. After your flight, take a seat on the ground beneath the SkyWheel at Landshark Grill, where you can get a discount with your ride ticket.
Myrtle Beach’s iconic SkyWheel is directly down the street from the CCMF grounds. This ferris wheel is 200 feet high, offering impeccable views of the beach and city at any time of the day. Up to four people can fit in one gondola and each one is air-conditioned so you don’t have to worry about sitting in the summer heat. One ticket is $20 a person, or you could get a combo price with the SkyWheel and a nearby restaurant, Landshark Grill. This is Myrtle Beach’s cannot-miss attraction!
If you’re craving even more live entertainment during your CCMF weekend getaway, Myrtle Beach will not disappoint. Live theatre and music performance theatres are abundant here, which include The Carolina Opry, Alabama Theatre, Legends in Concert (featuring tribute performers), GTS Theatre, and finally, the Charles Bach Wonders! Magic & Illusion Show, Steve Falcon’s Comedy Hypnosis Hour, and Le Grande Cirque Maximum Velocity shows, all at Broadway at the Beach.
It may seem obvious, but may we remind you that you’re at the beach, so take advantage of the sand and surf that is ranked one of the best in the nation. Soak in the sun, splash in the ocean, or take up a level and rent a Jet Ski, surfboard, fishing charter, or catamaran for extra water fun!
