Beachin’ on a budget? Try these free things to do in the Myrtle Beach area
Between hotels, gas mileage and meals, a trip to the beach can leave wallets looking leaner.
But while it seems easy to blow your savings on the numerous tourist attractions in the Myrtle Beach area, a Grand Strand vacation doesn’t need to break the bank.
Hidden among often pricey excursions, shows and amusements, Myrtle Beach and its neighboring communities offer a litany of free ways to enjoy your stay.
Of course, the Grand Strand is made up of more than 60 miles of sandy beaches with hundreds of access points free to the public. However, there are plenty more free ways to spend the day just a little bit inland.
Next time you’re planning your Grand Strand stay, try some of these free attractions.
1. Take a walk by the water
Many vacationers to the Myrtle Beach area are seeking ways to make the most out of the warm, sunny weather. There are plenty of spots nearby to take a leisurely waterfront stroll. Whether you’re looking for a view of waves, wildlife or boats cruising by, there’s a walk for you.
Murrell’s Inlet MarshWalk. The Murrell’s Inlet MarshWalk is a popular local spot to grab drinks, listen to some music and walk along the water.
The half-mile wooden boardwalk is located in the historic fishing village of Murrell’s Inlet. For those who want to spend money on drinks, food or entertainment, the option is there, but money isn’t required to have a good time.
There’s never a cover charge on the MarshWalk, where live music is played nightly and sweeping views of water, marsh grasses and wildlife like herons and cranes keep tourists and locals coming back.
The MarshWalk is located in nearby Georgetown County, at 4025 Highway 17 Business.
Conway Riverwalk. Enjoy a walk canopied by Spanish moss and lined with the spikes of cypress knees at the Conway Riverwalk.
The Riverwalk winds through the heart of historic Conway, offering waterfront views of the Waccamaw River. The trail includes benches and playgrounds along the way, allowing visitors to lounge and play among the lush greenery. The walk is about 1.5 miles round trip, according to SC Trails.
The Conway Riverwalk is located at 2nd Avenue in Conway.
Myrtle Beach Boardwalk. The 1.2 mile oceanfront Myrtle Beach Boardwalk is a well-known tourist attraction, lined with shops and restaurants.
The Boardwalk stretches from the 2nd Avenue Pier to the 14th Avenue Pier. While paid attractions and eats abound along the boardwalk, it also offers the opportunity for a beachfront walk without all the sand.
2. See a free show
Throughout the summer and beyond, local venues offer free live shows highlighting a variety of local artists.
Surfside Beach Hula & Fire Dancer Show. The Surfside Beach Hula & Fire Dancer Show is a free show taking place every Monday from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Surfside Beach Fishing Pier.
The hour-long show is a chance to learn about the cultures of Hawai’i, New Zealand, Tahiti and Samoa, featuring thrilling shows using fire and dance. Visitors are welcome to bring their own beach chairs and enjoy the show.
The Surfside Beach Fishing Pier is located at 11 Ocean Boulevard South in Surfside Beach.
SummerFest. SummerFest at Barefoot Landing brings live music to the shopping center every night, for free, through Aug. 25.
Performances take place across three stages throughout the complex, as long as weather permits. Strolling performers such as stilt walkers can also be seen throughout the summer, as well as weekly firework shows.
Barefoot Landing is located at 4898 Highway 17 South in North Myrtle Beach.
Broadway’s Summer Nights. Similar to SummerFest, Broadway’s Summer Nights at Broadway at the Beach offers free entertainment nightly through Aug. 24.
Free live music performances take place throughout the week, along with comedy shows and other kinds of entertainment. Many venues within the complex will also be hosting their own shows.
Broadway at the Beach is located at 1325 Celebrity Circle in Myrtle Beach.
Landing at the Boathouse. The Landing at the Boathouse is a restaurant offering comforting Southern food, but also a music venue offering free performances with views of the Intracoastal Waterway.
The venue features numerous music groups, with platforms on the local, regional and even national scale. They have offered “Free Show Fridays” for the past 12 years, and also have free “Sunday Funday” shows throughout the summer. On Saturdays, the venue features tribute artists.
This venue is located at 201 Fantasy Harbour Boulevard in Myrtle Beach.
Hot Summer Nights. Hot Summer Nights at Plyler Park offers free concerts every Wednesday and Friday night from 6 to 8 p.m.
The concert series features local bands from throughout the region, with genres ranging from reggae to country to rock.
Seating at the concerts is limited, but viewers are welcome to bring their lawn chairs to set up for a night of fun.
Plyler Park is located at 1000 North Ocean Boulevard in Myrtle Beach.
3. Visit a museum
For those seeking a dose of history or art, there is a lineup of local museums in the Myrtle Beach area where visitors can spend a leisurely day soaking in a wealth of local knowledge.
Charlie’s Place. Charlie’s Place offers a look into local civil rights history. The restored nightclub and adjacent motel were once a spot where Black music icons such as Billie Holiday, Ray Charles and Little Richard performed.
Visitors can tour the venue on Tuesdays and Fridays from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.
Charlie’s Place is located at 1420 Carver St. in Myrtle Beach.
Historic Myrtle Beach Colored School Museum. Just a few blocks from Charlie’s Place, the Historic Myrtle Beach Colored School Museum allows visitors to learn about segregated education from the 1930s to the 1950s.
The museum is open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to noon. It is located at 900 Dunbar St. in Myrtle Beach.
Horry County Museum. The Horry County Museum and L.W. Paul Living History Farm offer a gateway into the history, pre-history and natural history of Horry County.
The museum features an array of local history exhibits, including a large aquarium.
This museum is located at 805 N. Main St. in Conway. The farm is located at 2279 Harris Short Cut Road in Conway.
North Myrtle Beach Museum. The North Myrtle Beach Area Historical Museum uses its exhibits to tell the story from the region’s first inhabitants to today’s tourism industry in the area.
The museum is in the former North Myrtle Beach library building, and is focused on collecting and sharing everything “remarkable” about the area, according to its website.
The museum is located at 799 2nd Avenue North in North Myrtle Beach.
