Top 10 Things to do in Myrtle Beach

If your student group is planning a trip to Myrtle Beach, chances are you are looking for some fun and possibly educational destinations to add to your itinerary. Here’s a list of ten different things your group can do in Myrtle Beach and where you can do them.

 

Shopping:

Everyone loves to shop on vacation whether you’re in South Carolina for a school trip or a graduation getaway. The Barefoot Landing is a spectacular choice if you want to do something in Myrtle Beach that you couldn’t do in, say, Kansas City. Walk along the Waterway and grab some lunch at Joe’s Crab Shack in between shopping for unique, handmade accessories or some clothes at your favorite stores. The Landing is also known for some excellent nightlife at the House of Blues and Wild Wings Cafe.

 

Eating:

When you are in South Carolina, it would be a crime not to sample some of the fantastic seafood. Whatever your budget, Myrtle Beach has a restaurant to fit the bill. From the Flamingo Grill and Captain George’s Seafood Restaurant to Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville, there’s a plate of fresh seafood with your name on it. If you don’t like seafood, try one of their excellent Italian bistros or other award-winning restaurants.

Beach Fun:

Sitting along 60 miles of beaches, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina is full of sandy possibilities. Grab a picnic basket, an umbrella, your swimsuit, and some sunscreen then head on down to Surfside Beach, Huntington Beach, or the original Myrtle Beach for some fun in the sun.

Wildlife:

If you are an animal lover, be sure to check out the TIGERS Preservation Station located on the Barefoot Landing. Also a fundraising project for the Rare Species Fund, TIGERS is an open tiger exhibit. TIGERS doesn’t only house big cats though. Here you’ll meet orangutans, elephants, chimpanzees, alligators, rare bird species, and even a liger.

Cultural Spots:

If you are an art enthusiast, art major, or are simply interested, the Burroughs and Chapin Museum features art from a multitude of Southern artists both modern and otherwise. Exhibitions on antique maps meet collections from emerging artists and sculptors. For more of a natural cultural experience, visit Brookgreen Gardens and its over 9,000 acres of South Carolina flora and fauna highlighted with sculptures, fountains, art and architecture making it a gorgeous walk in the park.

Historical Sites:

Being a southern city, Myrtle Beach is home to many antebellum plantations. Take a tour of the Hopsewee Plantation, built-in 1740. Originally used for low-country rice production,  Hopsewee is still a private residence but is open to the public for tours and general viewing as well as rentals for private events. Stay for tea or lunch at the beautiful River Oak Cottage to experience true southern hospitality or take a sweetgrass basket-making class.

Live music/entertainment:

For some nightlife after a day of touring, head to The Bowery where live music is a certainty. The place where country superband Alabama began the road to fame, The Bowery is known for its house band The Bounty Hunters and its show of southern hospitality. For more than live music, step on down to Broadway at the Beach or the House of Blues, a premier destination for nightlife including dining, live music and touring concerts, entertainment, and more.

Adrenaline Rush:

For those of you with nerves of steel and crave heart-pounding excitement look into the Myrtle Beach Speedway where you can drive or ride in a former NASCAR Sprint cup car. Watch as the tires devour the track and feel the roar of the engines. Zip lining and free falls are also available if you would prefer to fly down the cables at 40 miles per hour or free fall 60 feet before being caught near the ground.

Large Group Entertainment:

With large student groups, it’s sometimes hard to find something that everyone will enjoy. If you are part of such a group, spend a day at the Family Kingdom theme park, one of the many water parks in the area, or take a walk down the MarshWalk. Broadway at the Beach is recommended for its variety of entertainment locations including shopping, dining, live music, and even arcades.

Top Tours:

If you choose to visit one or several of these locations, utilize the tour options. Hopsewee Plantation, TIGERS, and more offer in-house group tours. For multi-location tours, look to the Myrtle Beach Segway Tours or the helicopter tours for an aerial, ocean view of the city and its beautiful beaches. You may also take a tour of Huntington Beach State Park including the Atalaya Castle or one of the Plantation River.

Myrtle Beach is a gorgeous destination when visiting South Carolina and has a multitude of attractions for any group dynamic. Check out some of these destinations for your next student group trip.