Top Places to Visit on The Myrtle Beach Arts & Gallery Trail

Downtown Myrtle Beach

Myrtle Beach's historic downtown area has been reborn as the Arts & Innovation District, a creative neighborhood where breweries, restaurants, co-working spaces and galleries come together. First Friday art walks turn the area into a monthly celebration of the area's art scene. Check out murals and public art, strolle through Nance Plaza or pop into artist-run spots like Kaleidescope Artisan Collective, Gallery 320 and William H. Miller Studios. A performing arts center and more creative upgrades are coming, but the district already is a must-stop for any art lover.

1325 Celebrity Circle, Myrtle Beach

As a Mecca of Myrtle Beach shopping, dining and nightlife, it’s no surprise that Broadway at the Beach also features plenty of art. Located within this massive complex are tons of artistic touches including sculptures, murals and monuments. You'll find a fun collection of bronze children’s statues playing in the facility’s plaza and fountains, a powerful 9/11 monument and unique features like the world's largest collection of Pez dispensers — artfully arranged into a huge public art piece — at The Hangout. If you prefer paint and canvas, you can explore Master’s Editions Fine Art Gallery featuring the works of well-known artists Mark Keathley, Abraham Hunter, Rod Chase, and Jess Wathen. 

3100 S Ocean Blvd, Myrtle Beach

Since 1997, the art museum has been dedicated to becoming one of the finest visual arts museums in the Carolinas. With 11 galleries that change throughout the year, Myrtle Beach’s only art museum offers exhibitions featuring paintings, textiles, sculpture, photography, ceramics, collage and more. Depending on how you’d like to explore the art museum is a great first or last stop on your journey. If you’ve signed up for our FREE digital passport, it’s definitely one spot on the trail you won’t want to forget. 

Downtown Myrtle Beach

You probably already know the boardwalk as a spot for sightseeing, shopping and dining, but you may not know this prominent promenade is also full of art. A tour of the boardwalk’s best art includes stops at Art Burger Sushi Bar, a spot littered with colorful local art and artfully-crafted burgers and sushi rolls. You’ll find murals on the exterior of several iconic boardwalk spots, including the Gay Dolphin, a kitschy gift shop filled with souvenirs ranging from delightfully tacky to elegantly artistic. Top it all off with one of the gems of the entire trail, “Goddess of the Sea” a sculpture by renowned artist Kristen Visbal which resides in Plyler Park, dressing up the oceanfront area directly under the SkyWheel.

Myrtle Beach

This area pairs open-air shopping and dining with meaningful public art and green space. Warbird Park honors the area’s Air Force base roots with artful monuments to veterans, a new World War II memorial, and a Vietnam memorial currently in development. Throughout the Market Common complex you’ll find unique boutiques and shops full of local artisan wares, plus the Seacoast Artist Gallery featuring rotating work from area artists. If you’re lucky, you’ll catch “Art in the Park” in Valor Park or a farmers market where makers sell their work.

North Myrtle Beach

Barefoot Landing is a great place to shop, eat, and hang out—and while you’re there, you can also enjoy some cool art along the way. House of Blues Myrtle Beach is filled with colorful folk art throughout the music hall, restaurant, and outdoor Deck, plus a unique “House of Art” gallery inside the venue. Nearby, Crooked Hammock Brewery mixes laid-back vibes with artful murals and creative touches throughout the space, making it an easy stop to grab a beer, relax, and take it all in. You’ll also often find fun, artsy, seasonal displays and selfie-worthy spots scattered around the complex.

Just a short drive north from North Myrtle Beach, you’ll find the quaint fishing village of Little River, known for its fresh seafood and unique waterfront full of local color. In addition to artsy annual festivals such as the Blue Crab Festival and ShrimpFest, the waterfront area also plays host to some great restaurants and interesting local art. A true hidden gem of this area is Pirate’s Treasure House, a unique gallery featuring pirate- and nautical-themed items including jewlery, clothing, decor and the artwork of local artist and proprietor Richard Deegan.

Little River

Another of the many hidden gems on our trail is Vereen Memorial Gardens, located near the N.C. State line. This waterside hiking and nature area features 115 acres of forest and marsh that extends from U.S. 17 all the way to the Intracoastal Waterway. In addition to beautiful views, interesting wildlife and a 2.4-mile trail, one of the highlights of this area is the Wishing Tree. Legend has it that if you make a wish at the tree and hang an oyster shell from one of its limbs your wish will come true. We’re not sure if it’s true, but we are sure there’s only one way to find out.

North Myrtle Beach

Main Street North Myrtle Beach is a lively stretch to shop, eat, and catch live music, with strong ties to the area’s creative and cultural roots. The colorful shagger mural and the Ocean Drive Shagging Walk of Fame celebrate the Carolina shag dance, which originated here and remains a defining part of the community’s identity. Nearby, Brawner Art Gallery showcases work by local artists and adds another creative stop along the corridor, while the North Myrtle Beach Area Historical Museum offers rotating exhibits highlighting local history, art, and culture. Between public art, seasonal displays, and its deep ties to music and dance, Main Street makes an easy and authentic arts trail stop.

Situated off the beaten path and away from the hustle and bustle of The Beach is the quaint “Little Golden Town” of Aynor. A perfect quick stop on your way into or out of town, this western Horry County retreat features two notable pieces of art that make it worth the trip. First, there’s the Aynor Train mural which depicts a locomotive and pays homage to the area’s tobacco-producing history. First dedicated in 1984, this large-scale painting was revitalized in 2018 to ensure it remains vibrant for years to come. Just across the street you’ll also find Ned’s Sandwich Shop, a true hidden gem of a lunch spot with an oversized mural devoted to its locally-famous Ned Burger.

Conway

Located just east of downtown Conway along U.S. 501, the home of the Chanticleers is also home to a ton of great art. A quick tour around campus you’ll find landmarks such as the Graham Bell Tower, the bronze monument to the school’s mascot — Chauncey the Chanticleer — and the artfully-crafted Brooks Stadium, which features bright teal turf on its football field. Dive deeper into the school’s arts programs and you’ll find miniature cube galleries featuring student exhibits, stunning murals painted by the Edwards College of Humanities and Fine Arts and a rotating selection of work at the Rebecca Randall Bryan Art Gallery.

Around Conway

The 15-inch bronze animals will lead visitors on a trip around Downtown Conway, giving children something to do while their parents shop. The critters start at the Conway Alive Visitor Center at Fifth and Main, then tour you around the First United Methodist Church, Kingston Park, City Hall clock and the city’s gorgeous Riverwalk area. The eight critters, the brainchild of Conway City Councilwoman Jean Timbes, were crafted by three Coastal Carolina University students and provide a fun tour of downtown.

Conway's downtown area has quietly become one of the Grand Strand’s most thriving arts districts, with murals, galleries, and creative details woven into its historic streets. Highlights include the bold Teal Alley, a large-scale mural celebrating Coastal Carolina University, Kingston Park, art aftul green space and the F.G. Burroughs Steamship mural honoring Conway’s river and railroad history. You’ll also spot the cheerful messages like the “Conway Makes Me Smile” mural, local art at Terry’s Custom Framing and Art Gallery, and creative touches at spots like Papa’s General Store and The Trestle Bakery. Between the murals, galleries, green spaces and cute shopping spots, downtown Conway feels creative, walkable, and full of small surprises.

Downtown Loris offers an off-the-beaten-path stop with plenty of local personality packed into a few walkable blocks. At the center of it all is a colorful mural paired with a playful, public piano that invites visitors to stop, snap a photo, or play a tune. Just down the street, Mattie Jane’s is a must-visit coffee shop filled with fun artwork, cozy vibes, and friendly faces. While you’re exploring, you can browse shops like Moon Vine Boutique, dig through antique stores, and grab a bite at downhome favorites including Ritchie’s General Store, Shorty’s Grill, and Fowler’s. It’s an easygoing stop where art, food, and small-town charm all come together.

Murrells Inlet

Voted one of the top 10 Best Public Gardens in the U.S. by TripAdvisor, Brookgreen is the area’s most significant and well-known art attraction. A unique melding of art, nature, and history, Brookgreen Gardens is a “must see” stop on any art lover’s journey. Its collection of sculptures contains over 2,000 works by 430 artists, one of the largest collections of its type in the world. There’s also several art galleries on site, a new conservatory that opened in 2026, a children’s play area, a zoo and tons of great events happening throughout the year.

Murrells Inlet

The MarshWalk, located in the heart of the historic fishing village of Murrells Inlet is a half-mile wooden boardwalk along a natural saltwater estuary. Known to many as one of the area’s best places for waterfront dining and live music, it’s also a great spot to find local art. There’s so much to explore across the 0.5-mile boardwalk including large-scale murals, unique wood art, fun statues and colorful public art pieces. You'll often find local artisans selling their wares here or plein air painters creating right on site.

An absolute gem of the south end, Pawleys Island is so filled with art it’s nearly impossible to pick a single spot to highlight. Luckily, you don’t have to choose, as many of the galleries located here are in close proximity and it’s easy to make a day out of touring them all including Floyd Fine Arts, Gray Man Gallery, Island Art Gallery and the Art Box Studio. There’s also tons of artful places to shop in the area including the Hammock Shops Village and the Island Shops at Downtown Pawleys. Top your day off with a meal at spots like Pawleys Island Tavern, Chive Blossom Cafe or Bistro 217, which each combine great food and artsy, eclectic atmosphere.

Litchfield Beach

Perrone’s serves up “world cuisine with a Mediterranean focus” in an atmosphere that combines the feel of an art gallery with that of a fine dining establishment. From the moment you walk in, you’re greeted by colorful music-themed artwork on one side and dry-aging cabinets filled with steaks and local seafood on the other. As you walk through the bar area you can’t help but notice a huge mural of Jazz musicians behind the fully-stocked bar, which leads you to a dining room filled with work by some of the area’s best artists. Combine all this with a menu that’s continuously evolving and changing and you’ve got one of the area’s most unique, exciting and delicious dining experiences.

This town know as an Autism-Friendly "Family Beach" also packs big creative charm into a small seaside town. Around Pier Village you’ll find colorful public art and galleries, plus the iconic Hat Lady mural and the bold Neal & Pam’s mural that make great photo stops. Browse local artisan shops and seaside boutiques, then hunt for hidden treasures at Hudson Flea Market where makers and vintage sellers pop up. Stroll the pier, snap the art, and collect a Myrtle Moment.

Historic downtown Georgetown makes an easy and rewarding arts trail stop, blending Lowcountry history with a growing creative scene. The Rice Museum’s Prevost Gallery anchors the area with rotating exhibits featuring local and regional artists, alongside historic displays that tell the story of the region’s rice culture. Just steps away, you’ll find additional galleries, public murals, and art spaces woven throughout the walkable downtown, many located along the Harborwalk near the Georgetown Art Gallery and S.C. Maritime Museum. Together, they make Georgetown a laid-back day trip where art, history, and waterfront views naturally come together.

Murrells Inlet

Huntington Beach State Park blends natural beauty with one of the most unique artistic landmarks on the Grand Strand: Atalaya. Built in the 1930s as the winter home of philanthropist Archer and sculptor Anna Hyatt Huntington, the Moorish-style structure feels more like a piece of art than a house, with arched walkways, carved details, and a timeless, almost otherworldly presence. The surrounding park adds to the experience with pristine beaches, marsh views, and wildlife-rich trails. Throughout the year, Atalaya continues its creative legacy by hosting events like the Atalaya Arts & Crafts Festival and the colorful Kite Festival, making the park a place where art, history, and nature naturally come together.