The Best Thrill Rides and Amusement Parks in Myrtle Beach
If you're looking for a little extra excitement on your next Myrtle Beach vacation, you're in luck.
The Grand Strand is home to some seriously fun amusement parks and thrill rides that are perfect for families, friends, or anyone chasing that adrenaline rush. From classic coasters and log flumes to high-flying swings and splashy water slides, there’s no shortage of action-packed attractions to check out.
Some spots have been local favorites for years, while others are bringing new energy to the scene. Here's a look at some of our favorite amusements and thrill rides:
1820 21st Ave N., Myrtle Beach
Test your driving skills at the track to see just how fast is fast enough! Broadway Grand Prix is a go-kart heaven that offers seven unique tracks for all skill sets. Whether it’s the Speed Racer, High Bank Oval Track, or the Junior Racer, see if you can twist and turn past the finish line before your family and friends! Once you’re wiped out from driving, visit the other attractions the Grand Prix has available, like an 18-hole miniature golf course, bumper cars, the max flight simulator, or an arcade with all your favorite games.
Murrells Inlet Marshwalk
For a thrill-filled day on the water, Express Watersports in Murrells Inlet delivers big-time fun with banana boat rides, high-speed jet skis, and parasailing adventures that take you soaring up to 500 feet above the ocean. Each activity offers a unique way to get your heart racing, whether you're bouncing across waves or flying high with panoramic views of the coastline. It’s the perfect mix of splash, speed, and sky for adrenaline junkies of all ages.
300 S Ocean Blvd, Myrtle Beach
Family Kingdom Amusement Park has been perched on the Myrtle Beach shore since the 1960s, and just reopened again for its new season! Here you can find everything: stimulating rides that spin you around, flip you upside down, and go at a pace so fast you feel as if you can’t move! But, also, the bumper cars, tilt machines, log ride, and ample things for young ones. Also, it’s a must that you ride the legendary Swamp Fox, the park’s original all-wooden rollercoaster that was created when the park first opened its doors. It gives you the charm and experience you can’t get with other modern-day attractions!
1201 N. Ocean Blvd., Myrtle Beach
This hangout spot is surely not for the faint-hearted, literally and metaphorically. Down on Ocean Boulevard, across from the gigantic SkyWheel, you’ll find the Sling Shot, Air Strike, Sun Dance, and Screaming Swing. You can decide whether you want to be slung 300 feet into the sky and then dropped straight afterwards, or put on a strapped-in bench with nothing underneath you, which brings you up, nice and slow, then drops you at 175 feet, gaining momentum up to 120 mph. Or, ride swings or roller coasters to have a different kind of experience. Regardless, this park was made to defy the rules of gravity and offer you an experience at The Beach you definitely won’t forget.
Barefoot Landing, North Myrtle Beach
Lulu’s, isn’t only known for its great food & fun times. Right next to the establishment is Lulu’s Ropes Course, which is hard to miss with its bright pink, yellow, and blue colors. Standing 48 feet tall with 26 different obstacles, this ropes course is a great way to test your skills after wallowing in a bowl of shrimp and grits or a plate of nachos. The course is constructed on a plot of sand and is alongside the Intracoastal Waterway, so you already know the views are immaculate! If you want something less stimulating, play games in the Lulu’s Beach Arcade to win prizes and compete with friends.
3000 Mr. Joe White Ave, Myrtle Beach
As one of the few water parks native to South Carolina, Myrtle Waves has been running its slides since 1985. This splash zone has changed over the years, consistently adding new rides and renovations to make attractions bigger, better, and more thrilling than ever. Between gushing water slides, mat slides that send you into the dark before you plummet into a pool of water, and slides that require a tube, like The Rockin Ray that sends two riders down a half pipe, there isn’t a shortage of things to do. The park also has numerous classic and family-friendly attractions such as a wave pool, lazy river, and two kids’ play areas.
1701 S Ocean Blvd, North Myrtle Beach
Ready to take your thrill-seeking to the skies? Head to New Wave Watersports in North Myrtle Beach for a heart-pounding parasailing or banana boat adventure! Soar above the Atlantic Ocean and take in panoramic views of the coastline as you fly hundreds of feet in the air—solo or with a buddy (or two!) If you're more of a sea-level speedster, let one of their jet ski captains pull you on a banana boat where you are guaranteed some thrills! With a professional and friendly crew ensuring your safety, it’s the perfect mix of high-flying excitement and saltwater fun. Whether you're chasing your next thrill or just looking for a splashy memory, New Wave delivers.
Broadway at the Beach, Myrtle Beach
You’ll be hit with nostalgia or feel as if you’ve walked onto the set of an 80s movie when you visit Pavilion Park! This part of Broadway at the Beach turns into a colorful wonderland in the evenings, full of classic games and rides such as a Ferris wheel, merry-go-round, teacups, and stomach-dropping fun. The theme park is divided into two sections: one full of family fun, the other for those seeking action. With over 20 rides, it’s an exhilarating way to spend a few hours with your group or treat the kids to some fun without paying for an all-day ticket. Afterward, you can walk around the shopping district or grab some grub at one of the local restaurants.
Crazy Sister Marina, Murrells Inlet Marshwalk
Looking for something totally different? SeaKart Adventure in Murrells Inlet lets you drive a hybrid between a jet ski and a speedboat—no captain required. After a quick orientation, you’ll hit the water and carve through waves at your own pace. It’s fast, fun, and a great way to explore the coastline with a little splash of adrenaline.
150 Citizens Circle, Little River (NMB Sports & Rec Park)
Known as obstacle island, Shark Wake Park is unlike anything else on the Grand Strand. Offering various activities, it mainly attracts visitors with its inflatable obstacle course that floats on a lake. The course is large, encompassing slides, climbing walls, handlebars, and so many other activities that you need to go over and under in order to complete the challenge. The hardest part is trying to do it without falling off! The Park also has thrill-invoking excursions such as cable wakeboarding, kneeboarding, climbing towers, and more. There is no shortage of fun at Shark Wake, and you’ll definitely be kept on your toes.
Myrtle Beach Boardwalk
Towering nearly 200 feet above the oceanfront, the SkyWheel is a must-do for thrill seekers and sightseers alike. Each climate-controlled gondola offers a bird’s-eye view of the beach, boardwalk, and beyond. While not exactly a heart-racing ride, the height alone is enough to give you butterflies—especially if you ride at night when the wheel lights up the skyline.
9589 N Kings Hwy, Myrtle Beach
If you’re feeling extra frisky, you can visit Myrtle Beach’s other race track with two courses, the Mighty Myrtle and Wild Woody, which are elevated with various spiral tracks! Zoom up and down and go around corners in eco-friendly, electric-based go-karts as a single or double rider to maximize your fun. Afterward, you can spend another few hours touring the blaster boats, shark party coaster, arcade, or kiddie rides if you’re visiting with young ones.
Cherry Grove Marina, North Myrtle Beach
Strap in for a high-speed adventure aboard Thrill Seeker, a custom 24-passenger jet boat that’s all about sharp spins, sudden stops, and salty spray. This turbo-charged ride departs from Barefoot Marina in North Myrtle Beach and delivers a heart-racing rush on the Intracoastal Waterway. Looking for something a little more laid-back? Southern Shores also offers dolphin cruises, private charters, and scenic sunset tours perfect for soaking up the coastal views.
Broadway at The Beach, Myrtle Beach
Step into this upside-down frenzy where you can learn information about space, experience extreme weather, lie on a bed of nails, and immerse yourself in illusional pieces of art. WonderWorks, at Broadway at the Beach, is a multistory attraction that combines fun and learning in a way that’s engaging for all ages. In addition to the various rooms, the top floor is a three-story obstacle course with different levels and a black-lit laser tag room. So, make sure you wear your sneakers! Outside, across from WonderWorks is their Soar + Explore zip line and ropes course. Soar 50 feet above water after completing a 33-challenge obstacle course that’s comprised of 3,000 ropes and cables! The course increases in intensity as you go through it, so families have the opportunity to tackle it together!
