It’s no secret that Myrtle Beach is one of America’s most popular East Coast beach destinations. This bustling stretch along the South Carolina coast has spacious beaches and mild weather almost year-round, making it a great stop at just about any time of year.
But so many people come here and only hit the beaches, souvenir shops, and mini golf when there are tons of awesome activities in the area. You can find quirky, active, relaxing, entertaining–whatever you like, it’s probably in Myrtle Beach. There’s really something for everyone, from families and couples to solo travelers.
Now, as someone who can only handle so much beach time without becoming a lobster, I always make it a mission to discover fun, non-beach activities for our beach vacations. I did a lot of research, and I was pretty excited about what we were able to try.
So today, I want to tell you about 5 of the unique experiences we had in Myrtle Beach! From nature cruises to dog-friendly shopping and even a luau, we packed in the fun!
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Experience the Magic of a Polynesian Luau
The first thing on my list (and my favorite activity overall) is a Polynesian Luau! A luau is a traditional feast in Polynesian culture and includes lots of food, music, and dancing. The perfect elements for a good party!
I found this local luau on Viator, and although I was a bit skeptical at first of the $67 per person pricing, it ended up being worth every penny. The company has 3 locations, one here and two in Florida, so it seemed like it would be a really unique experience.
The luau lasted approximately 2 hours and included an all-you-can-eat buffet, plus professional music, dancing, and fire juggling. It was absolutely incredible!
When we arrived, they took a picture of our group and then led us to our reserved seating. We had about 45 minutes to load up on the buffet, which included classics like Huli Huli Chicken, Kalua Pulled Pork, salad, sticky rice, and lots of desserts.
Eventually, the MC and a couple of musicians started playing some chill music with a ukelele and drums while we finished our meal, and then the show really picked up at the 1-hour mark. From then on, we were absolutely wowed by various traditional Polynesian dances from different islands. The dancers were all so graceful and talented, and they kept my attention from start to finish! The night’s highlight was definitely the fire knife juggling finale, though!
At two points during the show, they incorporated the audience as well. Daniel and I both got to go on stage to learn elements of traditional dances, including the Hula and the Haka. At the end of the evening, the audience also had the opportunity to go on stage and take a picture with some of the dancers, free of charge!
Tips for This Myrtle Beach Activity:
- Book your tickets well in advance because the luau can sell out quickly.
- Be sure to arrive early to ensure you don’t get turned away for being late.
- Dress comfortably to enjoy your meal and possibly get up on stage.
Explore Dinoland Cafe
If you like dinosaurs (or have kids that do), the Dinoland Cafe is a must! This dinosaur-themed restaurant features a large collection of life-size animatronic dinosaurs in an Ice Age setting that’s equal parts cheesy and fantastic.
Once you’ve been seated, guests are free to get up and roam the restaurant, getting a closer look at the many animatronic creatures, including dinos, dragons, a mammoth, and more. There’s even a large Scrat in one corner! There are tons of little hidden elements to check out, so it’s definitely worth taking a lap or two.
Every few minutes, all of the dinosaurs turn on, moving their heads, legs, and tails and making lots of noise. It’s really fun and a little crazy, but overall enjoyable.
There’s also a worker dressed as a velociraptor who goes around to every table and takes pictures with guests while pretending to bite their heads off. It’s wonderfully cheesy, and I took pics with him twice, haha!
The Dinoland Cafe also has quite a large and tasty menu, although it was a bit pricier. However, they gave good portions, and you’re technically paying for the experience, not just the food. We ended up getting the roasted chicken and the Pinosaur Chicken with Pineapple and finished it off with a chocolate dragon egg and fruit. The meal was delicious, and it was out in less than 15 minutes (which they promised when they took our order).
There’s also an extensive gift shop at the exit, where you can shop for all sorts of dino-themed merch, from toys and plushes to jewelry, stickers, and more!
My biggest tip here is to make a reservation in advance to ensure you have minimal wait times.
Stroll Through Barefoot Landing in Myrtle Beach
If you’re in the mood for shopping, dining, or entertainment in a dog-friendly atmosphere, be sure to visit Barefoot Landing! This adorable complex is set up on the water with plenty of chic storefronts, nice paths, and green spaces for people and dogs alike!
You’ll find all sorts of boutique shops with unique souvenirs, from clothing to specialty jerky. There’s even an Alligator encounter for the brave-hearted!
Barefoot Landing also has an outdoor amphitheater where they hold concerts and other entertainment, so it’s always a good idea to check their schedule and see what’s happening on any given day.
We loved how cute everything was and the unique vibe of the boardwalk connecting different parts of the complex across the water. Atlas also loved the chance to go out with us and socialize, and it was so convenient, thanks to the many green spaces with trash cans and poop bag dispensers, too.
In my opinion, this is the perfect spot to get away for a morning or chill evening and enjoy some leisurely exploration and dining!
Discover Nature on a Waccamaw River Cruise
If you’re looking for nature in Myrtle Beach, you have to check out the Waccamaw River Cruise! This is another experience that I discovered on Viator, and I was so glad we checked it out!
This 2-hour cruise takes you up and down the quiet waters of the Waccamaw River, where you can see all sorts of wildlife, including turtles, alligators, and many kinds of birds. We saw osprey, herons, an owl, an alligator, and more on our trip, and every cruise has the opportunity to discover something else.
Our guide was also absolutely incredible and so knowledgeable about the area. It seemed that she had a general script to follow, but it left plenty of room for her to point out wildlife as we saw it and share more information about them, along with the different plants in the area. However, beyond that, she knew all of the local osprey by name and could identify them in the sky and their nests, which was amazing. She shared several of their stories with us, and it really helped personalize the experience.
I have a full blog post about this particular experience, and I encourage you to check that out if you’re interested in learning more! It’s absolutely perfect for anyone trying to escape the bustle of the beach and find some peace and quiet in nature.
Tips for This Myrtle Beach Activity:
- Wear breathable clothing and sunscreen (the boat does have an awning, but you will be outside for two hours)
- Bring a camera (with a telephoto lens if possible)
- Bring plenty of water to stay hydrated
Soak in the Atmosphere on the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk
Last but not least, carve out some time to explore Myrtle Beach’s 1.2-mile boardwalk and promenade! This is the go-to spot for endless entertainment in the area, with restaurants, shops, arcades, live performances, and amusement parks galore! Not to mention the chance to book pretty much any excursion you can think of for the beach.
If you’re looking for souvenirs, I highly recommend the Gay Dolphin, a multi-story shop with countless nooks and crannies just waiting to be discovered. They had every kind of souvenir imaginable, and the prices were pretty decent for such a hot tourist spot.
The SkyWheel, Myrtle Beach’s Ferris Wheel, is also an iconic stop, but we had an awesome time at the Myrtle Beach Funplex! This small amusement park has some pretty impressive rides for a boardwalk location, including a roller coaster with rolling, wheel-shaped cars, a scrambler, and a pendulum ride. Each ride takes a certain amount of credits, which you can load onto a card and use as you go.
Don’t forget to check out some of the classic boardwalk delicacies, like ice cream and saltwater taffy, and hit up one of the piers at sunrise or sunset for fantastic ocean views.
Watch the Fun on YouTube!
Closing Thoughts on Myrtle Beach
Myrtle Beach just has so much to offer beyond its beaches–it would be a shame if you missed out! Whether you’re looking for family fun or something a little more intense, there’s something for everyone on land here, so be sure to step off the sand every once in a while and explore.
Which of these activities would you try first? Let me know in the comments below, and don’t be afraid to ask any questions you might have as well!
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Thanks for taking the time to stop by and read this post today, and I hope you have a wonderful time exploring Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Happy travels!
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