The 5 best family-friendly things to do around Myrtle Beach, SC this spring under $20

Spring is here and with warm weather and sunny skies, it’s one of the best times of year to explore Myrtle Beach. But if you’re watching your wallet, it can be difficult to plan a full day of fun with activities to keep the whole family entertained.

But these five budget-friendly activities are great for all ages and, at less than $20 per person, they won’t break the bank.

Play a round of mini-golf

You don’t have to be in the Grand Strand long to notice the abundance of mini-golf. The area features dozens of courses with unique themes and gimmicks, which typically run between $10 to $20 per person.

If you want to play like a professional, check out Hawaiian Rumble Minigolf in North Myrtle Beach. The tropically themed course has hosted the official US ProMiniGolf Master’s for 28 years. Entrance is free for kids under 4, $11 for kids between 4 and 10 years old, $13 for adults before 5 p.m. and $14 for adults in the evening.

Located near the Myrtle Beach International Airport, Red Dragon Cove Adventure Golf is the top-rated mini-golf course in the Grand Strand, according to Yelp. The course is $11.25 for children ages 4 through 10 and seniors, and $13 for adults.

Learn about local history

If you’ve always visited Myrtle Beach but don’t know much about the area, check out the Horry County Museum in downtown Conway. The museum is free to the public and visitors can learn about Horry’s wildlife, indigenous people, military past, history as a beach destination and so much more.

The museum also operates the L.W. Paul Living History Farm, where you can see firsthand what life was like on a typical family farm in the area between 1900 to 1955. If you’re planning a visit to the farm, consider going around Saturday at 10 a.m. for the free guided tour.

Play at an arcade

These days cellphones function as mobile arcades, but if you miss the kind of game that requires tokens and tickets, check out one of the Grand Strand’s classic arcades. The Myrtle Beach Boardwalk and Promenade has several old-school arcades just steps from the beach, so you can mix indoor and outdoor fun.

If you want to get retro, you can even check out the Myrtle Beach Pinball Museum. With more than 25 pinball machines dating back to the 1970s, the Pinball Museum is packed with old-fashioned fun.

Admission to the museum is $12 for an hour of unlimited playtime, but be sure to reserve a spot online ahead of time. Unlike some of the other entries on this list, pricing is pretty variable for standard arcades. Still, if you’re trying to stay on a budget, you can get plenty of play under $20.

Enjoy art

Beyond pinball, Myrtle Beach is also home to the Franklin G. Burroughs-Simeon B. Chapin Art Museum. The Grand Strand’s free art museum showcases regional, national and international art in a historic beach house on the south end of Myrtle Beach.

The museum houses 11 galleries and changes collections frequently, so even if you’ve visited before, chances are you can find new art to appreciate.

Visit a park

If you want to connect with nature, the Grand Strand is home to two stunning state parks. Myrtle Beach State Park and Huntington Beach State Park feature trails for hiking or biking and piers that are great spots for fishing and bird watching. Visitors can also take a swim, have a picnic or check out the geocaches around the park.

Both parks charge $5 for seniors, $8 for adults, $4 for kids between 6 and 15 years old and are free for kids 5 and under. For $2 more, you can also see Atalaya Castle, a mansion on the National Register of Historic Places. Made up of 30 rooms inspired by Spanish and Moorish architecture, Atalaya served as U.S. Air Force barracks in World War II.

Closer to the Carolinas state line, Heritage Shores Nature Preserve in Cherry Grove and Vereen Memorial Gardens in Little River are both free and open to the public. Both parks’ trails feature marsh boardwalks and beautiful views. You can check out more spots for a great hike here.

This story was originally published March 25, 2025 at 6:00 AM.