Barefoot Bliss! Planning your secret summer in Myrtle Beach

Barefoot Bliss! 

Planning Your Secret Summer in Myrtle Beach

The Myrtle Beach area, fondly known as The Beach, is a true barefoot paradise on the South Carolina coast. Both vibrant and relaxing, this popular destination boasts 100 km of sun-soaked coastline and a diverse, inviting environment tailored to all ages and interests. The joy extends to every season, as travelers and locals alike enjoy a thriving culinary scene, a multitude of beautiful golf courses, plenty of attractions, rich culture, heritage and more. The fall months – aka ‘secret summer in Myrtle Beach’ – are the perfect time for a road trip when the weather is still great and it’s not so busy.

A Myrtle Beach favourite, the almost 2 km long Oceanfront Boardwalk and Promenade provides outstanding oceanfront views and is divided into two sections. The first embraces the serene, natural environment, while the second is all about high intensity fun with beachfront shops, restaurants and the iconic SkyWheel Myrtle Beach standing 187 feet tall. A recent facelift revived the famous boardwalk with a rainbow of recycled plastic boards, making it more accessible and durable for years to come! 

Beyond the boardwalk, music and live entertainment venues give The Beach an exciting vibe all its own. Theatres host a plethora of dinner-and-a-show options ranging from battles between medieval knights, to murder mysteries, to a Polynesian luau. Literally, thousands of restaurants serve up a vast menu of cuisines. Then there are the amusement parks, a fabulous aquarium, more than 90 beautiful golf courses, fishing and a full spectrum of other watersports. Holidayers are truly spoiled for choice when it comes to activities. 

Oh Canada!

Canadians particularly adore Myrtle Beach as a travel destination because they’re made to feel right at home. The weather is fine, the beaches sublime (yes, you can still swim in the Atlantic in the spring and fall) and there are ample things to do, including golf. Thanks to its sub-tropical climate, Canadian snowbirds can play right through the winter. January, The Beach’s “coldest” month, still enjoys average high temps of 14 degrees Celsius.  

Another bonus – Myrtle Beach is affordable with lots of discounted rates for visitors from Canada. Mark your calendar: The Beach’s 64th Annual Can-Am Days will be in March 2025 during Ontario’s winter break and include special events and deals specifically for Canadians. Many deals are available beyond Can-Am Week, so it’s a great site to view year-round. CanAmDays.com 

In the ‘swing’ of things

The one place you don’t want to be playing in the sand is on the golf course. Those sand traps can be tricky but true golfers love the challenge! Home to more than 90 golf courses, more than three million rounds of golf are played annually along the Grand Strand. Not surprisingly, the Myrtle Beach area has earned the moniker “Golf Capital of the World” as the most popular golf destination globally. Its many champion-level courses designed by world renowned architects, such as the Dunes Golf and Beach Club by Robert Trent Jones and Pine Lakes Country Club by Robert White are a huge point of pride for the region.

Myrtle Beach golf courses have invested in restoration efforts to enhance the experience for traveling golfers. Layouts such as Grande Dunes, Pawleys Plantation, Pine Lakes, Rivers Edge and the four courses at Barefoot Resort, among many others, have undergone significant renovation projects to deliver a memorable time on the greens. 

Explore the Great Outdoors

Myrtle Beach basks in over 215 sunny days a year with an average temperature of 25 degrees Celsius. Picture-perfect weather for exploring the beautiful natural surroundings of the Grand Strand! Enjoy an afternoon paddle in your kayak in Murrells Inlet, gliding through saltwater marshes at Huntington Beach State Park. Or cycle the scenic route along the 16 km Waccamaw Neck Bikeway. In the mood for a thrill? Hop aboard a jet ski and cruise around the Intracoastal Waterway. 

Among Myrtle Beach’s 14 unique communities, you’ll find charming, quiet towns that glow with coastal charm and love to share South Carolina’s Lowcountry history and culture. A short drive up the road in Conway, SC is the Horry County Museum, as well as quaint shops and restaurants along the iconic Riverwalk boardwalk on the Waccamaw River. Or visit Murrells Inlet, called the “Seafood Capital of South Carolina” for the many boats that bring fresh seafood to the local restaurants. Take a stroll along the peaceful MarshWalk, then settle in at one of the eight local restaurants for picturesque al fresco dining.

Let us entertain you!  

There’s always a live show to enjoy at The Beach – even holiday-themed shows in November and December! Classics like the Alabama Theatre and The Carolina Opry are sure to please with world-class performers on stage. Enjoy dinner and a show at Pirates Voyage or Medieval Times. Art lovers have lots to smile about too, as the Franklin G. Burroughs – Simeon B. Chapin Art Museum presents rotating exhibits from fine artists around the world. 

The Grand Strand’s rich heritage is centuries old and fascinating. Travel back in time at Hopsewee Plantation, just south of Myrtle Beach in Georgetown, SC. Built in the mid-1700s, it was the birthplace of Thomas Lynch Jr., one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. Then, in the heart of Myrtle Beach, explore Charlie’s Place, a night club owned by Charlie Fitzgerald and his wife, Sarah, where famous musicians such as Dizzy Gillespie and Billie Holiday performed with passion.

Here’s a fun mini adventure! The Tiger Woods backed restaurant, bar and golf-putting course, PopStroke, is located at Broadway at The Beach – a preeminent entertainment, retail and dining venue in Myrtle Beach. The site offers an 18-hole, 54,000 sq. ft miniature golf course, as well as an 11,000 sq. ft clubhouse and 3,500 sq. ft playground. Guests can use special edition TaylorMade golf balls and putters while they play.

With over 2,000 restaurant options, the choices are endless. From chef-driven, locally owned culinary masterpieces to the favourite national chains, no one leaves The Beach hungry. 

Autumn is Awesome!

So many events, so little time. Here are eight greats: 

• SOS Fall Migration – September: Did you know? The shag, a dance style created in North Myrtle Beach, is the official state dance of South Carolina! Thousands of people flock to the Grand Strand several times a year for the SOS (Society of Stranders) migration. Shaggers/Beach Lovers head to North Myrtle Beach to party it up, enjoy the beach music clubs and shag the night away. During the day, catch some bands at Fat Harolds Beach Club. Find an updated schedule of bands, DJ’s and Shag happenings at shagdance.com.
• Aynor Harvest Hoe Down – September: The friendly Grand Strand community of Aynor hosts an annual, day-long festival that showcases over 140 craft booths, entertainment, food and games. The day begins with a parade and finishes with a fantastic street dance. It’s an autumn event that everyone can enjoy!  
• Atalaya Arts and Crafts Festival – September: Featuring nearly 100 exceptional artisans, the Atalaya Arts & Crafts Festival showcases aesthetic beauty against a background of natural beauty. Enjoy fine art, quality crafts and local food, along with performances from amazing musicians.
• Beach ‘n Chili Fest – September: Whet your appetite with a three-day entertainment extravaganza, including a car show, live music, family fun, special guests and, yes, the world’s best chili! In fact, there are hundreds of flavours and recipes on the menu! The 57th Annual World Championship Cook-Off, presented by Bush’s Beans, is the centerpiece of the Beach ‘n Chili Fest.
• Irish-Italian Festival – September: This one-day event brings out approximately 15,000 people to celebrate different cultures. The festival takes place on Main Street in North Myrtle Beach and features food from local restaurants, two stages of live entertainment, street performers, art & craft vendors and dance groups – all steeped in an Irish-Italian International theme. Restaurants compete for the title of Best Entrée, Best Decorated and Best Dessert. Festival goers can also join in a friendly spaghetti eating competition! 
• Little River Shrimp Fest – October: Another fun festival, the annual October ShrimpFest, takes place every Columbus Day weekend along the Little River waterfront. The festival draws thousands of visitors and locals to revel in the fall weather with excellent live jazz music and a mouth-watering shrimp cook-off. 
• Loris Bog Off – October: Every fall, the Grand Strand community of Loris, SC hosts a must-go Bog Off. Their downtown core comes to life with entertainment, vendors, food and fun for all ages. The festival began in 1980 as a chicken bog cooking contest and has evolved into the huge event it is today. In case you’re wondering… chicken bog generally consists of chicken, rice, sausage and spices of your choice, though over the years there have been many creative variations of this basic recipe.
• Brew at the Zoo at Brookgreen Gardens – November: Presented by the Friends of Brookgreen Gardens, Brew at the Zoo is a much-anticipated fall event. Try more than 30 regional and national craft beers, rock out to live entertainment and sample tasty goodies from the food trucks. 

Everyone belongs at The Beach!

There’s nothing quite like The Beach for southern hospitality! Known for its kind people and simple way of life, everyone is welcome to join in the sun and fun. Myrtle Beach is an eclectic community that thrives on classic beach living and the personalities of the people who love being there. Discover the dream for yourself at visitmyrtlebeach.ca .