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Top 10 Reasons Why Canadians Should Visit Myrtle Beach

  By  Visit Myrtle Beach

We are excited to welcome our Canadian friends back to Myrtle Beach! There’s so much going on here at The Beach – and so many new developments to explore since you may have visited. Known as the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach is 60 miles/100km of pristine beaches with 14 unique coastal communities all with their own flavor and style. With so much to see and do, you can find where you belong.

We’re the place where you can let loose, be you and go with your own flow. You can find new adventures and cherish old memories with friends and family. While there are so many reasons to visit Myrtle Beach, we wanted to help narrow it down to ten for those traveling from Canada!

1. The Beach!

The best place to start. White sand, salty ocean waves, and warm sunshine are what the beach is all about here along the Grand Strand. With 60 miles/100km of beaches, you can choose which beach is your favorite – from quiet, relaxing beaches to a beach in the middle of the fun. The entire family can enjoy the beach with lifeguards on duty at many of the beach locations, soft waves perfect for boogie boarding, and wide-open sand begging for a sandcastle. We have a beach chair waiting for you with your name on it! 

If you are traveling for the first time since the pandemic, Myrtle Beach is the place to come and enjoy the fresh air and wide open beaches! With so much beach and sunshine, we have plenty of room to spread out and soak up that vital Vitamin D. 

Play Golf Myrtle Beach golf ball on the tee
2. Hole in One

Myrtle Beach offers 90 golf courses ranging in difficulty, so we can almost guarantee that there is a course for everyone to enjoy. Many of these golf courses have been designed by golf legends, such as Arnold Parmer and Greg Norman, and offer unmatched views of saltwater marshes, the Intracoastal Waterway, or magnificent oak trees. One of our courses, Pine Lakes, even played a pivotal role in the evolution of "Sports Illustrated," hosting the magazine's first sales conference a few weeks before the debut of its first issue in 1954. Choose to become the master of one golf course or see how many courses you can cross off your list – the tee times are endless!

Friends shopping at Hammock Shops Village in Pawleys Island
3. Shop ‘Til You Drop

Take a break from the beach for some retail therapy! With options ranging from local boutiques to large outlet malls like the Tanger Outlets, you can really shop ‘til you drop. Check out Broadway at the BeachBarefoot Landing, or The Market Common for specialty stores perfect for finding a souvenir to take home, along with restaurants, breweries, movie theaters and attractions that will entertain your whole family.

Kayaking through marsh in North Myrtle Beach
4. Explore the Great Outdoors

Whether you are escaping the cold weather or just vacationing in your favorite place, Myrtle Beach boasts over 215 sunny days a year with an average temperature of 25 degrees Celsius. It is easy to get outside and explore the beautiful natural surroundings of the Grand Strand when the weather is perfect! Kayak through the protected creek in Murrells Inlet through saltwater marshes at Huntington Beach State Park. You can also bike along the Waccamaw Neck Bikeway that is approximately 10 miles/16km. For a thrilling adventure, hop aboard a jet ski and cruise around the Intracoastal Waterway. Getting out and exploring the great outdoors is the perfect way to stretch your legs and enjoy the beauty of our area!

5. Small, Coastal Towns

There are 14 charming communities that make up the Grand Strand, all with their unique vibes. Take a day to explore these towns and experience small-town America and the welcoming hospitality. Drive just up the road to Conway, SC where you will find the Horry County Museum, filled with the history of the region, as well as quaint shops and restaurants along the iconic Riverwalk, a boardwalk on the Waccamaw River. Or visit Murrells Inlet, called the “Seafood Capital of South Carolina” for the many boats that bring fresh seafood to the local restaurants. Take a stroll along the MarshWalk and take in the beauty of the saltwater marsh, then stop in for lunch or dinner at one of the 8 local restaurants offering picturesque outdoor dining.

Seafood dish at Drunken Jacks
6. Eat Like a Local

We are masters of coastal, southern cuisine here in Myrtle Beach. In Lowcountry, southern cooking, chefs utilize local ingredients made popular in the southern part of the Grand Strand like stone-ground grits, shrimp, blue crab, grouper, country ham and fresh produce. Seafood is a staple of many restaurants, but there are 1800 eateries to choose from ranging from American to steakhouses to beach bars. You will be well fed at The Beach!

7. Dazzling Entertainment

There’s always a live show to enjoy in the Myrtle Beach area! With classics like the Alabama Theatre and The Carolina Opry, every show you see will feature world-class performers. Enjoy dinner and a show at Pirates Voyage or Medieval Times. Many of these theaters perform multiple shows a day as well as feature holiday-themed shows in November and December. Myrtle Beach also features an excellent Art Museum that offers rotating art exhibits from popular artists from around the world. There’s never a dull moment in Myrtle Beach!

Ocean Blvd. in Surfside Beach with colorful homes and palm trees
8. Don’t Break the Bank

We want you to relax and enjoy your time here in Myrtle Beach, and not worry about the cost of your trip. There are many options for every budget, whether you are staying for the weekend or several months. Myrtle Beach offers many types of accommodation units, so you can find your perfect home away from home. We celebrate Can-Am Days in March each year with special deals for our Canadian visitors that last from January to April.

Exterior of historic Charlies Place in Myrtle Beach
9. A Rich History

The Grand Strand offers a rich history that dates back hundreds of years. Travel back in time at Hopsewee Plantation, located just south of Myrtle Beach in Georgetown, SC. Hopsewee Plantation, built in the mid-1700s, was the birthplace to Thomas Lynch Jr., one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. Then, in the heart of Myrtle Beach, explore Charlie’s Place, a night club owned by Charlie Fitzgerald and his wife, Sarah, where famous musicians such as Dizzy Gillespie and Billie Holiday performed their music.

Crooked Hammock Family Games
10. Southern Hospitality

There’s nothing quite like our southern hospitality! Myrtle Beach is known for its kind people and simple way of life. Our people are friendly and fun, eager to make new friends that will last a lifetime. Myrtle Beach is an eclectic community that thrives on classic beach living and the personalities of the people who love Myrtle Beach. Everyone belongs at The Beach!

Visit Myrtle Beach

We are the area's official online vacation guide which offers everything you need to plan a perfect vacation to the Myrtle Beach Area. Plan your stay online and choose from a wide assortment of accommodation options including Myrtle Beach hotels, resorts, small motels, condos, beach homes, and additional types of vacation rentals. From oceanfront resorts along the entire Grand Strand to cozy beach homes and vacation rentals in North and South Myrtle Beach, including Surfside Beach and Garden City, find the amenities and location perfect for you.