With over 60 miles of beautiful beaches, an array of family-friendly attractions, excellent shopping and dining, and plenty of affordable accommodations, Myrtle Beach has long been one of the most popular vacation destinations on the East Coast. Each year, over 19 million visitors flock to the Grand Strand area to enjoy the sunny weather, sandy beaches, and endless things to see and do.
But is Myrtle Beach really all it’s cracked up to be? Is it a good choice for your next family vacation or romantic getaway? Here, we’ll take an in-depth look at the pros and cons of visiting Myrtle Beach to help you decide if it’s the right destination for you.
Pros of Visiting Myrtle Beach
Beautiful Beaches
Without a doubt, the biggest draw of Myrtle Beach is its stunning beaches. The coastline here features wide sandy beaches dotted with beach access points, fishing piers, beachfront resorts, beach houses, and more. Popular beaches include Myrtle Beach State Park, Surfside Beach, Garden City Beach, and Huntington Beach State Park.
The beaches are very family-friendly with lifeguards on duty during peak season. The warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean stay relatively calm thanks to offshore reefs, making swimming and playing in the waves safe for kids. Beachcombers will delight in combing the sandy shores for seashells washed ashore.
Family Entertainment and Attractions
From exciting amusement and water parks to interactive museums, aquariums, and zoos, Myrtle Beach offers no shortage of family-friendly things to do. Top attractions include the SkyWheel at The Myrtle Beach Boardwalk, Ripley’s Aquarium, Brookgreen Gardens, Myrtle Waves water park, and Wild Water & Wheels amusement park.
Mini-golf is also hugely popular in Myrtle Beach, with nearly 50 courses to choose from. Kids and kids-at-heart will love putting their way through tropical jungles, erupting volcanoes, Egyptian deserts, and more.
Delicious Dining
Seafood lovers will be in heaven with the abundance of fresh local catch like shrimp, mahi mahi, grouper, flounder, and more on menus throughout Myrtle Beach. The city also has over 1,900 restaurants ranging from oceanfront fine dining to family-friendly chains to charming mom and pop diners and burger joints.
You can fuel up on Southern comfort food, feast on barbecue ribs, enjoy pizza and pasta, sample global cuisines, and more. No matter what you’re craving, Myrtle Beach has plenty of tasty dining options to satisfy your appetite morning, noon, and night.
Great Shopping
Whether you love strolling the boardwalk, exploring outlet malls, or browsing charming downtown boutiques, Myrtle Beach serves up outstanding shopping. The boardwalk features restaurants, amusement rides, gift shops, and arcades. Nearby Barefoot Landing has over 100 shops and attractions located along scenic waterways.
Tanger Outlets has two locations in the area offering savings on designer brands. And the streets of downtown Myrtle Beach are lined with hip galleries, gift stores, and more. Hunt for seashells and souvenirs to remember your trip by.
Affordable Accommodations
From budget motels to luxury oceanfront resorts, there are over 90,000 accommodations options in Myrtle Beach fitting a wide range of travel styles and budgets. Peak summer nights can be costly right on the oceanfront. But travel a few blocks inland and you’ll find perfectly nice hotels, motels, condos, and vacation home rentals for under $100/night.
Campgrounds in the area also offer affordable family lodging. The sheer number and variety of places to stay give you flexibility to find something that matches your needs and budget.
Cons of Visiting Myrtle Beach
Crowds
With upwards of 19 million annual visitors concentrated largely during the summer months, things can get extremely crowded in Myrtle Beach. Families flock here for the warm weather, beaches, attractions, and entertainment…making for long lines and packed schedules.
Be prepared for heavy traffic congestion, especially on and around Highway 17 which runs parallel to the coastline. Restaurants and attractions will have waits during peak times. And snagging a parking spot near popular beach accesses can be challenging.
Tourist Traps
The Myrtle Beach area has built itself up primarily as a budget beach destination for families and spring breakers. And with such massive numbers of visitors, there are certainly some “tourist trap” type attractions and dining options catering to the masses.
Think wax museums, second-rate mini golf courses, chain restaurants you can find anywhere, and endless shops selling beach kitsch. While this can be part of the area’s charm, some travelers prefer less commercialized destinations.
Weather Extremes
Situated in a humid subtropical climate zone, Myrtle Beach can get extremely hot and humid during the summer. Air temperatures frequently climb over 90°F from June through September. The abundant moisture makes the high temps feel even hotter through the heat index.
Conversely, ocean water and air stay quite cold off-season between October and May with average highs in the 50s and 60s. Frigid winds whip across the beaches making swimming unbearable for most. Pack for extreme weather shifts between seasons.
Hurricane Vulnerability
The Southeastern Atlantic Coast has its fair share of storms. And Myrtle Beach’s location directly on the ocean makes it vulnerable to tropical storms and hurricanes during the season lasting from June through November.
While direct hurricane hits are infrequent, heavy rains, storm surge flooding, high winds, and erosion can cause damage. Storms hundreds of miles offshore can even stir up dangerous rip currents along the Grand Strand beaches.
Is Myrtle Beach For You?
Myrtle Beach offers the quintessential fun-in-the-sun family beach vacation with beautiful sandy shores, endless attractions and entertainment, excellent dining, great shopping, and affordable lodging. Families, couples, and groups of friends will delight in the vibrant energy and activities.
While summer crowds, tourist traps, weather extremes, and hurricane vulnerability can be drawbacks, they come with the territory of a popular seaside resort town. Traveling off-peak and avoiding the most touristy areas leads to a more relaxing trip.
If you set proper expectations, there are 60 miles of beautiful beaches, warm hospitality, and Southern charm to experience in Myrtle Beach…making it a fabulous vacation spot for so many visitors every year. The Grand Strand has something for just about everyone seeking sun, surf, and smiles.
