Myrtle Beach

State: South Carolina. Type: coastal resort city in Horry County, at the center of the 60-mile "Grand Strand." 2020 census population: 35,682 (13th-most-populous city in South Carolina); metro area approximately 479,426 (2024). Incorporated as a town March 12, 1938; became a city in 1957. Named for the local wax myrtle shrub; developed as a resort by Franklin Burroughs around 1900.

Myrtle Beach sits at the center of the Grand Strand, a roughly 60-mile run of beach along South Carolina's northeastern coast, and functions as the anchor city of one of the East Coast's largest beach-vacation regions, drawing an estimated 20 million-plus visitors a year. What began around 1900 as a resort venture developed by Franklin Burroughs grew through the 20th century into a full-scale tourism economy built on its beach, boardwalk and a dense concentration of golf courses, amusement attractions and entertainment venues. The Myrtle Beach Boardwalk and the SkyWheel observation wheel anchor the oceanfront core, while more than 80 golf courses and roughly 1,900-2,000 restaurants spread across the wider area reflect just how large the visitor economy has become. The city incorporated in 1938 and became a city in 1957, but its identity as a beach resort dates back further, and today Myrtle Beach markets itself heavily on family entertainment, from dinner theaters to water parks, alongside its long stretch of Atlantic beachfront.

Myrtle Beach is in Horry County in the northeastern corner of South Carolina, along the Atlantic Coast, at the center of the 60-mile Grand Strand. The city itself covers a portion of that coastline, with Myrtle Beach State Park providing public beach access just south of downtown.

Myrtle Beach has a humid subtropical climate with over 2,800 hours of sunshine annually. Summers are long, hot and humid; winters are mild. The area sees occasional tropical storm activity during Atlantic hurricane season, though direct major hurricane strikes are relatively infrequent compared with more exposed parts of the coast.

Late spring and early fall generally offer warm, swimmable water with somewhat smaller crowds than the height of summer, when school-holiday visitors peak. Summer remains the most popular season despite heat, humidity and higher hotel rates; winter is mild but too cool for most beachgoers and sees the fewest visitors.

The Myrtle Beach area was developed as a resort destination starting around 1900 under Franklin Burroughs, whose family's land and timber interests helped shape the area's early growth. The community was named for the wax myrtle shrubs common along the coast. It incorporated as a town on March 12, 1938, and was chartered as a city in 1957, reflecting decades of steady tourism-driven growth through the 20th century as beach access improved and the Grand Strand's reputation as a family vacation destination spread.

The Myrtle Beach Boardwalk and the SkyWheel observation wheel anchor the oceanfront entertainment district. Visitors can choose from dinner shows (Medieval Times, Pirates Voyage, Polynesian Fire Luau), live theaters (the Alabama Theatre, Carolina Opry, Broadway Theater), water parks such as Myrtle Waves, and more than 30 mini-golf courses that support the area's self-styled claim as the "Mini Golf Capital of the World." Water-based activities including jet skiing, parasailing, dolphin cruises and deep-sea fishing are widely available, and the region has over 80-90 championship golf courses.

The Myrtle Beach Boardwalk and SkyWheel, Ripley's Aquarium of Myrtle Beach, Myrtle Beach State Park's beach and pier, and the area's various dinner-show theaters (Alabama Theatre, Carolina Opry) are among the top-billed attractions. Broadway at the Beach, a large shopping-and-entertainment complex, is another commonly visited hub within the wider city.

Myrtle Beach International Airport, about three miles southwest of downtown, offers regular domestic and seasonal international flights, making it the most direct way in by air. Driving in via US-501 or US-17 from inland South Carolina and North Carolina is also common, since the Grand Strand is a popular regional drive-to destination.

The beach itself has no set opening hours and is generally accessible around the clock, though individual attractions, theaters, water parks and Myrtle Beach State Park each keep their own posted hours that vary seasonally; confirm specific venue hours before visiting.

Public beach access in Myrtle Beach is generally free. Myrtle Beach State Park charges its own admission/parking fee as with other South Carolina state parks. Individual attractions (SkyWheel, Ripley's Aquarium, dinner shows, water parks, golf courses) each set their own separate ticket prices, which were not independently confirmed here and should be checked on each operator's site.

Most visitors plan a multi-day stay, commonly a long weekend to a full week, to make use of the beach alongside the area's many attractions, golf courses and entertainment venues.

Myrtle Beach has an extensive lodging inventory concentrated along the oceanfront, from high-rise resort condos and beachfront hotels to smaller motels and vacation-rental homes, reflecting its position as one of the East Coast's largest beach-vacation markets. Rates and availability vary heavily by season, peaking in summer.

The wider Myrtle Beach area has roughly 1,900-2,000 restaurants, spanning fresh seafood, oceanfront dining and a broad range of other cuisines, concentrated along the Boardwalk, Broadway at the Beach and the main commercial corridors running parallel to the coast.

The Grand Strand's other towns, including North Myrtle Beach and Murrells Inlet (known for its seafood-restaurant "MarshWalk"), sit within a short drive along the same 60-mile stretch of coast. Myrtle Beach State Park, just south of downtown, offers a more natural beach and pier setting.

Myrtle Beach International Airport, about three miles from downtown, is the primary air gateway with domestic and seasonal international service. A personal or rental vehicle is the most practical way to get around the spread-out Grand Strand, though local trolley and shuttle services operate in the main tourist corridor.

As with any ocean beach, watch for posted rip-current advisories and lifeguard flag warnings before swimming. Hurricane season (June-November) can bring storm activity to the coast, so monitor forecasts if visiting during those months. For any emergency, dial 911.

Sunscreen, a hat and plenty of water are essential given the area's long, hot, humid summers and abundant sunshine. Comfortable footwear for the Boardwalk and casual clothing suited to a beach-resort atmosphere cover most of what's needed for a typical visit.

Booking accommodations well ahead of summer weekends is wise given how large and popular the market is. Because the Grand Strand stretches roughly 60 miles, having a car (or using local shuttle/trolley options) helps in reaching attractions spread beyond the immediate Boardwalk area. Many visitors combine a beach day with one of the area's dinner shows or a round of mini-golf in the evening.

Dial 911 for any emergency.

Visit Myrtle Beach (official visitors guide) - https://www.visitmyrtlebeach.com ; Visitor Center: 1200 North Oak Street, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.