The Boardwalk
Stretch your legs walking the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk and Promenade, a 1.2-mile-long pathway that winds along the Atlantic shore. The boardwalk is lined with restaurants, snack stands and shops. It's also home to the SkyWheel, a Ferris wheel that's safe for riders of any age and features air-conditioned glass gondolas instead of open-air seats. Each 8- to 10-minute ride takes you for three smooth revolutions around the wheel where you can snap pictures of 360-degree views. Ride the wheel after dusk, when it's lit with neon colors that brighten up the night sky.
Family Kingdom Amusement Park
Enjoy a seaside amusement park with roller coasters, a lazy river, water slides and other fun rides.
Unlike some amusement parks, Family Kingdom has a pay-as-you-ride system. There's no park admission fee, so buy individual tickets to each ride or purchase all-day unlimited passes. Get your thrills on 35 rides, ranging from the classic Swamp Fox wooden roller coaster to the terrifying 110-foot free fall of the Slingshot Drop Zone. Across the street is Splashes, Family Kingdom's oceanfront water park, where the only ticket option is an all-day unlimited pass that lets you leave and reenter at will. Get soaked as you and your kids enjoy the lazy river, children’s area and heart-stopping speed slides.
The House of Blues
Dark walls, warm lighting, comfort food and Southern rock: when you step into the House of Blues, you'll feel miles away from the sandy shores. The Myrtle Beach location of this chain is located in Barefoot Landing, a collection of shops and restaurants that sit on a small lake and are connected by wooden walkways. Chow down on jambalaya, juicy ribs and cornbread, or catch a live concert or comedy show. The House of Blues also offers family-friendly Murder Mystery dinners and a weekly Gospel brunch. The atmosphere is like that of a chill dive bar with a kids' menu, and without the cigarette smoke.
Myrtle Beach State Park
In a busy tourist town, it can be challenging to find a quiet spot. Myrtle Beach State Park is popular, but if you get there before 10 a.m., you can easily find solitude somewhere in its 312 acres. The park includes a 1-mile stretch of undeveloped beach, a few easy hiking trails, picnic shelters, a nature center, a fishing dock and a swimming area staffed by lifeguards. During the summer, children can enjoy free programs led by nature center staff and learn about geocaching and sea turtle care. Kids who attend three programs receive a free fabric patch; finally, a souvenir that won't break the bank! The park is open year-round and charges a small admission fee.
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