Free things to do · Myrtle Beach · United States
5 free things to do in Myrtle Beach
Myrtle Beach without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Pictured: Broadway at the Beach, Myrtle Beach · Photo: Hlecroy, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
You can fill at least 2 days in Myrtle Beach without paying an entry fee: Myrtle Beach Boardwalk and Promenade, Broadway at the Beach, Murrells Inlet MarshWalk and Barefoot Landing are all free. Prices drop sharply after Labor Day and before Memorial Day; a week in May or September costs far less than July.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 5
- Low-cost extras
- 6
- Cost level
- Affordable
- Lowest hotel prices
- December–February
Plan a trip to Myrtle Beach
Compare flights, places to stay and rental cars, then book with the provider you choose.
Free sights and experiences
Waterfront · Central Myrtle Beach and the Boardwalk
1.Myrtle Beach Boardwalk and Promenade
Walk it early in the morning for quiet and sunrise over the ocean, or after dark when the SkyWheel lights up.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Kids
- After dark
- Food
Neighbourhood · Central Myrtle Beach
2.Broadway at the Beach
Park once and walk the loop around the lake; summer weeknight fireworks are free to watch from the boardwalks.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Shopping
- Kids
- After dark
- Food
Waterfront · Murrells Inlet and Garden City
3.Murrells Inlet MarshWalk
Arrive an hour before sunset, walk the full length, then pick a deck table for dinner.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Food
- Free
- After dark
- Couples
- Nature
Market · North Myrtle Beach
4.Barefoot Landing
Combine an Alligator Adventure feeding show in the afternoon with an evening show at the Alabama Theatre.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Shopping
- Kids
- Food
Street · Market Common
5.The Market Common
Visit on a summer evening for outdoor concerts and events that are often held on the green.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Shopping
- Free
- Food
- Kids
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Central Myrtle Beach and the Boardwalk | Myrtle Beach Boardwalk and Promenade | 1–2 hours |
| Central Myrtle Beach | Broadway at the Beach | Half a day |
| Murrells Inlet and Garden City | Murrells Inlet MarshWalk | 2–3 hours |
| North Myrtle Beach | Barefoot Landing | Half a day |
| Market Common | The Market Common | 2 hours |
Worth a small ticket
Viewpoint · Central Myrtle Beach and the Boardwalk
SkyWheel Myrtle Beach
Ride just before sunset for daylight views up the coast and the lights coming on below.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Views
- Kids
- Couples
- After dark
Theme park · Central Myrtle Beach and the Boardwalk
Family Kingdom Amusement Park
Buy a wristband if your children will ride more than a handful of times.
- Time needed
- 2–4 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- After dark
- Iconic
Experience · Central Myrtle Beach
Mini golf on Kings Highway
Play after dinner in summer, when the courses are cooler and lit up; many offer a cheaper second round the same day.
- Time needed
- 1 hour per course
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- After dark
- Iconic
Beach · Murrells Inlet and Garden City
Huntington Beach State Park and Atalaya
Stop on the causeway and scan the lagoon on the left for alligators and wading birds; it is one of the best birding spots in the state.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Low cost
- Nature
- Outdoors
- History
- Kids
- Photo spot
Park · Market Common
Myrtle Beach State Park
Walk the Sculptured Oak Nature Trail, then fish or watch the sunrise from the pier.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Nature
- Outdoors
- Kids
- Off the beaten path
Waterfront · North Myrtle Beach
Cherry Grove Pier and Marsh
Rent a kayak or paddleboard and explore the marsh channels at high tide.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Views
- Nature
- Outdoors
More ways to save
- Prices drop sharply after Labor Day and before Memorial Day; a week in May or September costs far less than July.
- Weekly condo or beach-house rentals with a kitchen are often cheaper than hotels for families.
- Early-bird dinner specials and lunch menus cut restaurant costs.
- The Boardwalk, beaches, MarshWalk and summer fireworks at Broadway at the Beach are free.
- Green fees are lower in summer and winter and with late-afternoon twilight rates.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Myrtle Beach expensive to visit?
Myrtle Beach is affordable for most visitors, but 5 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Myrtle Beach?
Myrtle Beach Boardwalk and Promenade: Walk it early in the morning for quiet and sunrise over the ocean, or after dark when the SkyWheel lights up.