Barefoot Landing vs Broadway at the Beach

Myrtle Beach is a vibrant beach town, and it obviously lives up to the “beach” part. Summertime is for soaking up the sun and trying all the splash-filled watersports! But what is there to do aside from making the most of the white sands and the Atlantic Ocean? What about wintertime when it’s too cold to go swimming? Myrtle Beach lives up to the “vibrant” part, too, with its diverse restaurants, family-friendly entertainment, and indoor activities.

The two most popular commercial centers in Myrtle Beach provide easy access to all these types of attractions within a conveniently centralized area. So which one is better: Barefoot Landing or Broadway at the Beach? That depends on your unique interests! Find out for yourself with this side-by-side comparison of the best things to do at Barefoot Landing and Broadway at the Beach.

Things to Do at Barefoot Landing

In North Myrtle Beach, Barefoot Landing makes Lewis Pond its home between North Kings Highway and the Intracoastal Waterway. National retail shops and boutiques like Ron Jon’s Surf Shop, Chico’s, and the Savannah Bee Company dot the palm tree-lined waterfront. Fireworks displays occur weekly throughout the summer and on select dates in the fall and winter.

After an afternoon of shopping in the mild coastal breeze, the well-landscaped pathways and sophisticated boardwalk aesthetic make the perfect atmosphere for waterfront dining, live music, and the Myrtle Beach nightlife. Read on for specifics on these fun things to do at Barefoot Landing!

Dining & Nightlife

When you’re tired of walking around and want to kick back with a cold beer, Dick’s Last Resort is the place to go. Satisfy your hunger cravings with carnivorous American fare like the infamous Dick’s Huge 12″ Wiener, BBQ pulled pork entrées, and baby back ribs – all served with hilarious sass and sarcasm from your waiter! Kick off your nighttime plans with their fun menu of shooters, oversized margaritas, boozy milkshakes, and moonshine mason jar cocktails.

The nightlife in Myrtle Beach is unmatched, thanks to venues like House of Blues. Get your evening started with scratch-made Southern-inspired cuisine, and then turn it up at one of their live concerts. House of Blues hosts musical talent, both famous and up-and-coming, across all genres, not just blues. If dancing late into the night isn’t your thing, you may prefer the interactive comedy dinner show, “Murder Mystery Dinner Theater.” Or, swing by Sunday morning for an all-you-can-eat brunch paired with Gospel music.

Bully’s Pub & Grill is perfect for those evenings when you could eat a horse and also use some decompression time in a casual setting. Take in the lakeside views over a dinner of burgers, sandwiches, and wings before moving inside to the bar games. Bully’s beer list is extensive enough to match all the rounds of pool, darts, Golden T, and bowling you can play in one night!

Entertainment

Known as the #1 Live Entertainment Theater in Myrtle Beach, Alabama Theatre presents “ICONIC,” a brand new show coming in 2023. The show features all-ages comedy and live music spanning country, classic rock, pop, and even Broadway hits. Best of all, this avant-garde production is set to unique visual effects including a state-of-the-art video wall!

Additionally, the theatre frequently invites to the stage guest artists like the Oak Ridge Boys, Josh Turner, the Temptations, and various tribute bands. Oh and if you’re in town for the holidays, don’t miss The South’s Grandest Christmas Show for a festive night of classic and contemporary holiday tunes and comedy.

Meanwhile, just a quick 10-minute drive down Highway 17 at The Carolina Opry is a grand production of throwback songs from the 60s, 70s, and 80s. Time Warp incorporates multimedia screens, special effects, hilarious comedy, and gorgeous costumes in a high-energy show that brings you back to your favorite era of music. Delvin Choice and All That! return to the stage to be part of a world-class cast, including Brad Long, Christie Templeton, Gary Brown, Chas Croft Sorrells, and other nationally renowned performers. Warp back in time and relive the most nostalgic hits in American music!

Things to Do at Broadway at the Beach

Follow Highway 17 even further south, and you’ll eventually hit Broadway at the Beach in the heart of downtown Myrtle Beach. This casual outdoor entertainment complex also surrounds a large pond, a tropical setting for their full calendar of events and discounted shopping opportunities. Between the world-class theater, kid-focused educational activities, rides, and games, there is never a shortage of things to do at Broadway at the Beach!

Live Music

The state-of-the-art Broadway Theater gives Barefoot Landing’s Alabama Theater a run for its money in live entertainment. Make it a family-wide affair at the kid-friendly magic and comedy show, “Magic and Mayhem,” featuring Dizzy, The Illusionists’ lead magician. Or, if you’ll be in town for Christmas, catch “Hot Jersey Nights” for holiday music from Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons!

Play

You have exactly 60 minutes to navigate the Temple of Poseidon and find the power crystals of Atlantis. Alternatively, you might be the only heroes capable of recovering the stolen Christmas gifts from a half-goat, half-demon’s cabin. Perhaps, you’re lost on a haunted house tour and only find your way out after helping the spirit of Isabella to reunite with her doll. At Backstage Escape Games, only synchronized teamwork and quick-witted thinking will release you from these exciting fantasy worlds!

Broadway at the Beach is an excellent choice if you have kids with curious minds or thrill-seeking hearts:

• Take a high-speed cruise across the pond on the Beach Rider Jet Boat, then go for a spin on the Broadway Carousel.
• Spend the entire day on the water rides at Myrtle Waves Water Park or the adrenaline-pumping amusement rides at Pavilion.
• Explore the interactive science exhibits at WonderWorks, ending your tour with a 1,000-foot-long plunge along the WonderWorks zipline.
• Keep up the educational theme with an adventure through fascinating oceanic exhibits at Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach.

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If you have spent any amount of time exploring Myrtle Beach, whether in person or virtually, you have probably come across Barefoot Landing and Broadway at the Beach. As bustling entertainment centers with top-notch dining, shopping, live performances, amusement rides, and attractions, the two are very similar. Yet, you won’t find the exact same things to do at Broadway at the Beach as you will at Barefoot Landing. The best choice for you depends on what you feel most called to do!

Still looking for things to do in Myrtle Beach? Discover more with these kid-friendly activities, shops, restaurants, and games!

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