If you’re visiting Myrtle Beach and are longing for a change of pace, take a day trip to one of the endearing coastal towns in the surrounding areas. Drive to Surfside Beach for a quieter waterfront experience, or head to Murrells Inlet – the Seafood Capital of South Carolina! No matter what you choose, these rich and vibrant communities will nourish your stay in Myrtle Beach unlike anything else.
Places to Visit for Adults
Red Hare Brewing Company
Into craft beer? Head out to Red Hare Brewing Company’s 34° N Experiment Station! It is well worth a short trip across the border to their Shallotte, NC taproom to visit this highly rated independent micro-brewery to enjoy some of Red Hare’s award-winning suds. Cheers!
Things To Do For Nature Lovers
Brookgreen Gardens
Calling all floraphiles, green-thumbs, and natural historians! Brookgreen Gardens is part nature reserve, part exhibition of American figurative sculpture, and part educational resource for the community. The botanical gardens preserve 9,127 acres of natural ecology, dotted with exquisite sculpture art and exhibits such as Live Oak Alley, home to 250-year-old oak trees, the Palmetto Garden, honoring South Carolina’s state tree, and a magical butterfly garden. The sculpture collection at Brookgreen Gardens complements the natural setting with over 2,000 pieces by 430 artists, while the indoor art galleries incorporate paintings, etchings, and smaller-scale sculpture from artists all over the world. As a sanctuary for wild animals with disabilities or bred in captivity, Lowcountry Zoo upholds their mission to conserve and educate about plant and animal species. Brookgreen Gardens is a National Historic Landmark, where natural beauty and educational programs make an ideal venue for weddings and events, eye-opening outings with the kids, or just a pleasant morning hike.
Waccamaw Cooter Airboat Tours
See how many gators, turtles and ospreys you can spot while gliding through the backwaters on an impressive airboat. On this unique tour of the Waccamaw, Black and Pee Dee Rivers, you’ll learn not only about the natural habitat, but about the local lore and legends of the surrounding lands.
Sea Screamer & Sea Thunder Dolphin Cruises
All are welcome aboard the Sea Screamer or the Sea Thunder from Myrtle Beach Watersports for a pleasant seaborne afternoon of dolphin spotting. No matter which boat you embark on, you’ll get to experience the ocean in three ways throughout the 1.5- to 2-hour tour. The cruise begins in the Intracoastal Waterway with some interesting facts about dolphins and other sea creatures native to Myrtle Beach. Upon reaching the ocean, you’ll feel the wind rushing through your hair and the cooling sea spray on your face as the boat speeds up toward dolphin-country. You won’t want to miss out on the photo opportunities of adorable dolphins splashing and diving in the waves, but make sure you bring a dry bag. Lastly, you’ll get a chance to admire the beautiful sun-kissed beaches and shoreline as the cruise speeds back home. You’re bound to see lots of vivacious dolphins on this all-ages voyage, but if you don’t you’ll receive a free pass to ride again!
Things To Do For Adventurers
Battery Park Off Road
Located in Nesmith, SC, Battery Park Off Road takes you through beautiful deciduous forest trails on your preferred set of wheels! Bring your own rig, or rent a motorcycle or ATV to explore 34 miles of enduro-style trails through the woods. Their property also features 15 combined miles of three unique loops specifically for ATVs, Jeeps and side-by-sides, plus four motocross trails for varying skill levels and ages. Rentals come with full gear protection, and ATV tours include a safety course at the start. Plan to spend anywhere from 90 minutes on a guided tour or up to a full day of freestyle riding to your heart’s content!
Express Watersports
Express Watersports in Murrells Inlet is your one-stop-shop for water sport activities, guided tours, and equipment rentals. Feel the rush of wind and sea spray as you zoom through the waves on a jet ski or trail behind one on a gigantic banana boat. Or, spread your wings and fly while parasailing over breathtaking views of the ocean. Their seven different types of charter cruises include a July 4th fireworks-watching cruise, a Happy Hour cruise, and their most popular dolphin-watching tour. Their expert staff has 18 years of water sports experience to keep you safe during your excursions, whether you will be diving dozens of feet under the sea to a scuba diving shipwreck site or cooling off on a kayaking sightseeing trip.
Places To Visit For Foodies
The Brentwood
Indulge in the flavor of perfectly prepared cuisine at The Brentwood in Little River, SC. Chef Eric Masson of Brittany, France brings to bear the extensive culinary education and experience that he earned in Paris and London to create masterpieces of the European culinary arts here in South Carolina.
Drunken Jack’s
Drunken Jack’s is one of the most scenic restaurant settings you’ll find in Murrells Inlet. From the vantage point of their outdoor patio, you’ll take in the incredible scenery of the inlet and of Goat Island. The restaurant owners placed goats on the island to treat the overgrown underbrush, and now, the charming goats happily co-mingle with vibrant peacocks, egrets, pelicans and other wildlife. From a menu crafted by South Carolina’s 2015 Chef of the Year, fresh seafood like Alaskan king crab legs, shrimp platters, oysters on the half shell, and crab cakes pair well with these unbeatable views. Landlubbers will love their cheeseburgers, grilled chicken, sirloin steaks, and famous slow-roasted prime rib. Named for the legendary pirate crewman Jack, who was accidentally marooned on an island with nothing other than 32 casks of rum, Drunken Jack’s is a superb dining experience that will convince you that the pirate life is for you.