How to Spend 3 Days in Myrtle Beach

A popular beach destination for families, and a mecca for golfers, Myrtle Beach offers enough attractions, restaurants, entertainment options, and fun in the sun to easily fill three days. And with mild weather year-round, there’s really no bad time to visit. Here are some ideas for your itinerary.

Day 1: Head to the Water

The 60-odd miles (almost 100 kilometers) of uninterrupted coastline that make up Myrtle Beach’s Grand Strand are the main attraction for most visitors, drawing beachgoers from all around the world. So, grab your swimsuit and head to the sand. (Or, see the sights on a Jeep tour first, and then hit the beach.) Water sports such as jet-skiing and kayaking are big—and because the waves tend to be smaller, Myrtle Beach is the ideal location for a starter surf lesson. Or, explore the area’s other waterways on a stand-up paddleboard or kayak tour of the Murrells Inlet or Waccamaw River.

Day 2: Stroll the Boardwalk

Both a shopping extravaganza and kid-friendly entertainment destination, the 1.2-mile-long (2-kilometer-long) Myrtle Beach boardwalk and promenade has it all: an aquarium, bowling, miniature golf, ziplines, old-fashioned carousels, Ferris wheels—and dozens of outlets, boutiques, restaurants, and nightclubs. Alternatively, pose with likenesses of celebrities at the Hollywood Wax Museum (about a 10-minute drive from the boardwalk), catch a film at Ripley’s 5D Moving Theater, or watch celebrity look-alikes perform at the Legends in Concert show.

Day 3: Go Golfing

Golfing might not be a must-do on everyone’s vacation itinerary, but Myrtle Beach does offer more than 100 courses, many of which were designed by legends such as Arnold Palmer. Typically, it’s easier to make reservations in groups of four—and if you’re there in summer, set your tee time for early in the morning to avoid the hot afternoon sun. A standout among many, Pawleys Plantation Golf & Country Club is one of the oldest summer resorts on the East Coast, with beautiful, challenging greens in an island country setting. If golfing isn’t your thing, book a fishing charter and venture offshore to try your luck at snagging sharks, tuna, and sailfish.