Outdoors · Myrtle Beach · United States
7 best outdoor things to do in Myrtle Beach
Parks, viewpoints and open-air sights for the dry, bright days.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Pictured: Broadway at the Beach, Myrtle Beach · Photo: Hlecroy, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Start with Ripley's Aquarium of Myrtle Beach, Brookgreen Gardens and Huntington Beach State Park and Atalaya. Together the 7 picks below take roughly 17–23 hours across 5 areas; 1 is free.
Key facts
- Places in this guide
- 7
- Free entry
- 1
- Time to see them all
- 17–23 hours
- Areas
- Broadway at the Beach, Murrells Inlet and Garden City and Market Common
Plan a trip to Myrtle Beach
Compare flights, places to stay and rental cars, then book with the provider you choose.
Outdoors in Myrtle Beach
Aquarium · Broadway at the Beach
1.Ripley's Aquarium of Myrtle Beach
Go on a rainy beach day as early as possible; that is when everyone else has the same idea.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Rainy day
- Nature
Garden · Murrells Inlet and Garden City
2.Brookgreen Gardens
Admission is usually valid for several consecutive days; save the creek boat tour for a second visit.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Art
- Nature
- Couples
- History
- Photo spot
Beach · Murrells Inlet and Garden City
3.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
4.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 · Murrells Inlet and Garden City
5.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
Experience · Grand Strand
6.Golf on the Grand Strand
Late-afternoon twilight rates and summer rates are much lower than spring and autumn peak green fees.
- Time needed
- 4–5 hours
- Cost
- Expensive
- Active
- Outdoors
Waterfront · North Myrtle Beach
7.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
Grouped by area
| Area | Places | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Broadway at the Beach | Ripley's Aquarium of Myrtle Beach | 2 hours |
| Murrells Inlet and Garden City | Brookgreen Gardens, Huntington Beach State Park and Atalaya and Murrells Inlet MarshWalk | Half a day + Half a day + 2–3 hours |
| Market Common | Myrtle Beach State Park | 2–3 hours |
| Grand Strand | Golf on the Grand Strand | 4–5 hours |
| North Myrtle Beach | Cherry Grove Pier and Marsh | 1–2 hours |
Booking and timing
Of these 7, 1 free, 3 low cost, 2 mid-priced, 1 expensive. Book ahead for Golf on the Grand Strand. The longest visit is Golf on the Grand Strand; group the rest by area to save travel time.
- Golf on the Grand Strand: Book tee times ahead in spring and autumn, especially for weekend mornings.
How to fit them into 7 half-days
Grouped by area and kept to about four hours each, so you walk more than you ride.
- Half-day 1 (Broadway at the Beach): Ripley's Aquarium of Myrtle Beach, at least 2 hours.
- Half-day 2 (Murrells Inlet and Garden City): Brookgreen Gardens, at least 3 hours.
- Half-day 3 (Murrells Inlet and Garden City): Huntington Beach State Park and Atalaya, at least 3 hours.
- Half-day 4 (Murrells Inlet and Garden City): Murrells Inlet MarshWalk, at least 2 hours.
- Half-day 5 (Market Common): Myrtle Beach State Park, at least 2 hours.
- Half-day 6 (Grand Strand): Golf on the Grand Strand, at least 4 hours.
- Half-day 7 (North Myrtle Beach): Cherry Grove Pier and Marsh, at least 1 hour.
The best months to be outside
- October: highs of 24°C (75°F), about 6 rainy days, moderate crowds. Dry, sunny and comfortable; the autumn golf season is in full swing and hotel prices drop.
- April: highs of 23°C (73°F), about 7 rainy days, moderate crowds. Warm, sunny days and blooming azaleas; the sea is still cool for most swimmers.
- November: highs of 19°C (66°F), about 7 rainy days, quiet crowds. Cool and calm, with Christmas variety shows starting and Thanksgiving week busy.
The neighbourhoods they are in
- North Myrtle Beach — Low-rise beach city, shag-dancing clubs on Main Street and Cherry Grove's marsh
- Market Common — Planned town centre on the former Air Force base, near the airport
- Surfside Beach — A small town south of Myrtle Beach that markets itself as 'The Family Beach'
- Murrells Inlet and Garden City — Fishing village restaurants on a salt-marsh boardwalk, with a beach town next door
- Pawleys Island — Old summer cottages, rope hammocks and no high-rises at the south end of the Strand
More of Myrtle Beach
All things to do in Myrtle Beach · Where to stay · When to go.
Questions travellers ask
+Where should I start in Myrtle Beach?
Ripley's Aquarium of Myrtle Beach. The aquarium's highlight is Dangerous Reef, an underwater tunnel with a moving walkway where sand tiger sharks, sawfish and sea turtles pass overhead.
+Which of these are free in Myrtle Beach?
Murrells Inlet MarshWalk.