Here are 7 activities to try around Myrtle Beach, SC this Labor Day if you’re sick of the beach

Labor Day weekend is always busy in Myrtle Beach and with good reason. As autumn approaches, locals and tourists alike will be out for the long weekend to make the most of summer before it’s gone.

Although the Grand Strand is known for its beaches, there’s plenty to do around Myrtle Beach besides visit the ocean. If sand and sea are not your thing or you’ve just had enough of the ocean, here are seven things to try away from the beach this Labor Day weekend.

Golf

With more than 80 golf courses in the Myrtle Beach area, it’s no wonder why some call Myrtle Beach the “golf capital of the world.” Golfweek’s 2024 “Best You Can Play in South Carolina” ranking featured 13 courses from the Grand Strand area.

If you want to plan tee time around Myrtle Beach, check out courses and packages on the Play Golf Myrtle Beach website.

Mini golf

Home to dozens of courses with immersive themes, the Grand Strand is a certified mini golf hub. North Myrtle Beach is even home to Hawaiian Rumble Minigolf, which hosts the official US ProMiniGolf Master’s every year.

Cheaper than regular golf and accessible to all ages, mini golf is a great option for families and friend groups. From dinosaurs to pirates to minotaurs, local courses offer something for everyone. If you want to take your mini golfing to the max, check out the official Myrtle Beach Mini Golf Trail for perks at more than 30 courses.

Slides and rides

Whether you’re into roller coasters, water slides or go-karts, you can find it in Myrtle Beach. Family Kingdom Amusement Park in downtown Myrtle Beach has more than two dozen rides for all ages and Broadway at the Beach has carnival-style rides and go-kart tracks at the Broadway Grand Prix.

To cool off, check out Myrtle Waves Water Park’s water slides, a lazy river, play areas and more. Lots of rides and parks limit hours or shut down in the fall, so Labor Day weekend is the perfect time to check them out while you can.

Myrtle Beach State Park

Although the maritime forest is along the coastline, there’s plenty to do at Myrtle Beach State Park without hitting the beach. Visitors can connect with nature, observe birds and even geocache.

Bikes are welcome in the park, so long as bikers are careful and obey traffic rules. The park has two trails: Sculptured Oak Trail and Yaupon Trail. Both are about half a mile and are considered easy to traverse.

Breweries

Beer lovers in the Grand Strand can explore the craft brew scene at local breweries. Spots like Tidal Creek Brewhouse offer outdoor areas and games for the whole family and Grand Strand Brewing is hosting an “Oktoberfest Fall Kickoff” during Labor Day weekend.

As with mini golf, there is an official Myrtle Beach Beer Trail that features 10 local breweries. If you plan to visit several breweries, you can get your beer passport here.

Water sports

If you’re looking for an adrenaline rush, Shark Wake Park offers adventure on the water. The park’s family-friendly Obstacle Island, a floating obstacle course complete with towers, monkey bars and slides, is open to people over the age of seven who are at least 45 inches tall and can swim.

The more intense Cable Park lets visitors wake board, knee board, water ski, wake skate and foil board. Adventurous riders can catch air on ramps in the wake park, which open to people 10 years and older who can swim. After Labor Day Shark Wake will close on weekdays and in October the park shuts down for the season.

Fireworks

It wouldn’t be a summer holiday in Myrtle Beach without a lights show. Check out Barefoot Landing’s fireworks display on Saturday, Aug. 31 starting at 10 p.m. If you get to Barefoot before the show, enjoy live music at the LandShark Patio from 6 to 9 p.m. and at the Dockside Village Stage from 7 to 10 p.m.

Broadway at the Beach will host its fireworks show on Sunday, Sept. 1 at 10 p.m. Also on Sunday, Broadway will have live music at The Hangout from 6 to 10 p.m., a character meet and greet for kids from 7 to 9 p.m. in the New England Fishing Village, live music in Center Court from 7 to 9 p.m. and variety shows on the Heroes Harbor stage at 8 and 9 p.m.

This story was originally published August 28, 2024 at 6:00 AM.