15 Fun Things to Do in Myrtle Beach Beyond the Beach

Myrtle Beach is famous for its wide sandy beaches, but there is a whole lot more to do once you put down the beach towel.

You can cruise the coast looking for dolphins, explore the Waccamaw River, learn to surf, head offshore for a fishing trip, ride high above the Boardwalk on the SkyWheel, spend a rainy afternoon at Ripley’s Aquarium, or finish the day with a live show.

If you’re planning your first trip, the hardest part may be deciding which Myrtle Beach attractions and experiences are actually worth fitting into your vacation. These 15 choices give you a good mix of outdoor adventures, family activities, sightseeing and evening entertainment.

Planning the whole trip? Start with my Myrtle Beach Vacation Guide for more help deciding where to go and what to do.

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1. Explore the Waccamaw River on a Nature and Wildlife Tour

Myrtle Beach can feel busy, so one of the nicest ways to see another side of the area is to get out on the Waccamaw River. This guided nature and wildlife tour takes you away from the oceanfront attractions and into a quieter landscape where the river and surrounding wildlife are the main event.

It is a good choice when you want sightseeing without spending another afternoon walking through a crowded attraction.

Best for: Couples, families, nature lovers and photographers.

Check Waccamaw River Nature and Wildlife Tour availability

2. Take a Catamaran Dolphin Cruise With a Barrier Island Stop

A dolphin cruise is one of those coastal experiences that works for several generations. This catamaran trip combines time on the water looking for dolphins with a barrier-island stop, giving you more to do than simply ride offshore and back.

If seeing dolphins is high on your Myrtle Beach list, I would reserve this one rather than assuming you can find the time you want after you arrive.

Best for: Families, couples and wildlife lovers.

Check Catamaran Dolphin Cruise times and prices

3. Spend an Evening at the Polynesian Fire Luau and Dinner Show

When you want dinner and entertainment handled in one reservation, the Polynesian Fire Luau is an easy option. The evening combines dinner with Polynesian music, dancing and a fire-knife performance.

It is also something you can reserve ahead of the trip instead of reaching dinnertime and trying to figure out what everyone wants to do.

Best for: Families, couples and groups.

Check Polynesian Fire Luau tickets and availability

4. See Legends in Concert

Myrtle Beach has a long history of live entertainment, and Legends in Concert remains one of the area’s recognizable show choices. The production features tribute performers portraying well-known music stars, with the lineup changing over time.

This is a particularly handy evening option after a full day of beach, boating or sightseeing because you can sit down in the air conditioning and let somebody else entertain you.

Best for: Couples, adults and multigenerational families.

Check Legends in Concert tickets

5. Visit the Hollywood Wax Museum Entertainment Center

You may notice the Hollywood Wax Museum before you ever decide to visit it thanks to the giant ape climbing the building. Inside, the emphasis is on interactive fun and photo opportunities with wax versions of famous people.

For this post, I prefer the all-access option because it gives you more to do than basic museum admission alone.

Best for: Families, teens and rainy afternoons.

Check Hollywood Wax Museum All-Access Passes

6. Learn to Surf in Myrtle Beach

Watching people surf is one thing. Trying it yourself makes a much better vacation story. A beginner surf lesson can be especially fun for older kids and adults who would rather do something than spend another couple of hours walking around an attraction.

No experience is the point. You are there to learn.

Best for: Teens, adults and active families.

Check Myrtle Beach surf lesson availability

7. Take a Thrillseeker Jet Boat Ride

If a slow sightseeing boat is not quite exciting enough for your group, a jet boat gives you a completely different kind of ride. Expect more speed, more splashing and a lot less sitting quietly watching the shoreline go past.

I would choose this for the travelers in the family who want an activity rather than a relaxing cruise.

Best for: Teens, adults and adventure seekers.

Check Thrillseeker Jet Boat Ride availability

8. Go Deep-Sea Fishing

Fishing could easily become an entire Myrtle Beach vacation day by itself. The mid-day fishing trip we selected gives visitors a chance to head offshore without committing to a full-day charter.

Before you book, check the departure point, trip length, what equipment is provided, age requirements and the cancellation policy for bad weather.

Best for: Adults, older children and fishing enthusiasts.

Check Myrtle Beach Mid-Day Deep Sea Fishing trips

9. Try The Escape Game at Broadway at the Beach

Every beach vacation needs at least one rainy-day backup plan. The Escape Game at Broadway at the Beach works for families with older children, teens and adults, and you can easily combine it with dinner, shopping or another Broadway at the Beach attraction.

An escape room is also useful when everybody has had enough sun for the day.

Best for: Teens, adults, families and rainy days.

Check The Escape Game Myrtle Beach availability

10. See Charles Bach Wonders

If you enjoy stage magic and illusions, Charles Bach Wonders gives you another indoor evening option. The Las Vegas-style production combines magic, illusions, comedy and performance in a show that works for different ages.

This is another attraction I would keep in mind when the weather is not cooperating.

Best for: Families, couples and evening entertainment.

Check Charles Bach Wonders tickets

11. Ride the Myrtle Beach SkyWheel

The SkyWheel is one of the landmarks most people immediately associate with Myrtle Beach. The enclosed gondolas take you high above the oceanfront for views of the Boardwalk, beach and Atlantic Ocean.

This is easy to combine with dinner or a Boardwalk walk because it doesn’t require you to devote half the day to it.

Best for: Couples, families and first-time visitors.

Check SkyWheel Myrtle Beach tickets

12. Visit Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach

Ripley’s Aquarium is one of the better choices for an extremely hot afternoon or a rainy day. Because it is at Broadway at the Beach, you can combine the aquarium with restaurants, shopping and other entertainment instead of driving all over town.

It is also one of the easier attractions for families traveling with several age groups.

Best for: Families, grandparents with grandkids and rainy days.

Check Ripley’s Aquarium Myrtle Beach tickets

13. Compare the Ripley’s Aquarium + SkyWheel Combo

If Ripley’s Aquarium and the SkyWheel are both already on your vacation list, check the combination ticket before buying two separate tickets.

Packages and prices can change, so do the math when you book rather than assuming the bundle will always be cheaper. The real advantage may simply be having both reservations handled in one place.

Best for: First-time visitors and families planning to do both attractions.

Check the Ripley’s Aquarium + SkyWheel combination ticket

14. Explore Huntington Beach State Park by Segway

This one gets you away from the traditional Myrtle Beach attraction strip. The guided Segway experience takes place at Huntington Beach State Park south of Myrtle Beach. After instruction on how to operate the Segway, you explore part of the park while learning more about the area.

Huntington Beach State Park is also home to Atalaya, the former winter home of Archer and Anna Hyatt Huntington, so this part of the Grand Strand is worth exploring beyond the tour itself.

Best for: Adults, couples and active travelers.

Check Huntington Beach State Park Segway Tour availability

15. Hear the Original Motown Tribute Show

If your musical tastes run more toward Motown, Myrtle Beach has an evening for that too. The Original Motown Tribute Show gives you another indoor entertainment choice after a day outside and is a good alternative for visitors who aren’t interested in magic or a luau.

Best for: Couples, adults and music lovers.

Check Original Motown Tribute Show tickets

Which Myrtle Beach Attractions Should You Book First?

You do not need to do all 15. For a first trip, choose the handful that match the people you are traveling with.

A family with younger children may prefer Ripley’s Aquarium, SkyWheel and the dolphin cruise. Older kids and teenagers might get more excited about surfing, the jet boat or The Escape Game. Couples might prefer the Waccamaw River tour, Huntington Beach State Park Segway tour and an evening show.

I would be most inclined to reserve tours, boat trips and shows ahead of time because those activities operate at specific times and can fill up.

What Are the Best Things to Do in Myrtle Beach With Kids?

Ripley’s Aquarium, SkyWheel, Hollywood Wax Museum and the dolphin cruise are good places to start. For older children and teenagers, consider surfing, the jet boat ride, fishing or The Escape Game.

What Can You Do in Myrtle Beach When It Rains?

Rain does not have to wreck the day. Ripley’s Aquarium, Hollywood Wax Museum, The Escape Game, Legends in Concert, Charles Bach Wonders and the Motown Tribute Show are all indoor options.

This is one reason I would keep at least one indoor activity in mind before the forecast turns bad.

What About the Beach?

Leave time for it. It is easy to get carried away making attraction reservations because Myrtle Beach has so much to do.

But one of the best parts of being here is still walking the shoreline, swimming, reading under an umbrella or watching the sun come up over the Atlantic. Do not turn your vacation into another work schedule.

Explore Beyond Myrtle Beach

Myrtle Beach is only part of the Grand Strand. North Myrtle Beach and Little River have their own activities, and heading south brings you to Surfside Beach, Garden City and Murrells Inlet.

Then you can continue toward Pawleys Island and Georgetown for marsh scenery, history, beaches and more of the Lowcountry. We already found enough activities to build separate posts on Myrtle Beach fishing, dolphin cruises, shows, Murrells Inlet and kayaking.