16 Best Things to Do in Myrtle Beach (by Season)

Few places on the East Coast can match the energy, variety, and sheer fun of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, where 60 miles of coastline come packed with world-class golf, live entertainment, fresh seafood, and sandy shores that belong on any traveler's bucket list. The question was never whether Myrtle Beach has something for you. It's figuring out which season to visit first.

The Caravelle Resort puts you right in the heart of it all, with oceanfront accommodations that make the perfect home base no matter when you visit.

 

Spring Things to Do in Myrtle Beach

As the weather warms and the crowds have yet to arrive, spring is one of the best-kept secrets for visiting the Myrtle Beach area. From blooming gardens and outdoor festivals to ideal golf conditions and wildlife encounters, the Grand Strand comes alive in ways that summer visitors often miss.

1. Explore Brookgreen Gardens

Spring is the perfect season to visit Brookgreen Gardens, where thousands of blooming flowers and lush landscaping create a stunning backdrop for one of the country's most celebrated sculpture gardens.

Located just south of Murrells Inlet, these gardens span over 9,000 acres and blend fine art, nature trails, and a wildlife preserve into one of the most unique attractions in Myrtle Beach.

2. Tee Off on a World-Class Golf Course

Spring brings ideal playing conditions to the Grand Strand, which is home to nearly 80golf courses stretching from North Myrtle Beach to the southern end of the coast.

The mild temperatures and blooming fairways make this one of the best times of year to explore the region's legendary golf scene before summer crowds arrive.

3. Visit Myrtle Beach State Park

Myrtle Beach State Park is one of the area’s most beloved park areas. Tucked on the south end of Myrtle Beach, it offers nature trails through a rare maritime forest, a fishing pier, and one of the quietest stretches of beach in the area.

Spring is ideal for exploring the park's ecology before the summer heat sets in, and admission is free for kids 5 and younger.

4. Stroll Barefoot Landing

Barefoot Landing in North Myrtle Beach comes alive in spring with seasonal events, outdoor shopping, and fresh seafood restaurants lining the Intracoastal Waterway.

It's a relaxed, family friendly atmosphere that makes for a great afternoon of browsing, dining, and taking in the waterfront views without the peak-season crowds.

5. Attend the World Famous Blue Crab Festival

Held each May along the historic Little River waterfront just north of North Myrtle Beach, the World Famous Blue Crab Festival is one of the largest and longest-running street festivals in the entire Southeast.

Fresh local seafood, live music, and hundreds of arts and crafts vendors line the Intracoastal Waterway for a weekend that routinely draws over 50,000 visitors to the Grand Strand.

 

Summer Things to Do in Myrtle Beach

Summer is peak season on the Grand Strand for good reason, with warm water, long days, and a packed calendar of events that give families, couples, and groups more to do than any single trip can cover.

From the iconic Myrtle Beach Boardwalk to world-class entertainment and open-air festivals, summer here is a full-on experience.

6. Hit the Beach

Summer is the quintessential season for soaking up the sun on Myrtle Beach's iconic stretch of coastline, with warm Atlantic waters perfect for swimming, boogie boarding, and building sandcastles with the kids. The beach is free, wide, and welcoming, making it the ultimate anchor for any summer family vacation on the Grand Strand.

7. Shop the Farmers Markets

Summer is farmers market season on the Grand Strand, with weekly outdoor markets popping up across the Myrtle Beach area offering locally grown produce, handmade goods, and artisan food products.

North Myrtle Beach, at The Market Common's Valor Park, and along Mr. Joe White Avenue in Myrtle Beach, are popular weekly markets that make for a fun, free morning outing before heading to the beach for the day.

8. Spend a Day at Family Kingdom Amusement Park

Family Kingdom Amusement Park is one of the most beloved amusement parks on the Grand Strand, featuring classic rides, a wooden roller coaster, right near the ocean.

It's one of the best spots on the south end of the Boardwalk, and kids of all ages will find something fun to do.

9. Walk the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk

The Myrtle Beach Boardwalk stretches 1.2 miles along the ocean promenade, connecting the area just north of the SkyWheel to the southern end of the strip past a lively atmosphere of shops, restaurants, seasonal live music, and street performers. It's one of the most fun and nostalgic things to do in the summer in Myrtle Beach.

Summer evenings on the boardwalk are a Myrtle Beach tradition, and the ocean breeze makes every walk feel like a vacation highlight.

10. Play Mini Golf

Myrtle Beach is the undisputed mini golf capital of the world, with over 50 courses packed into the Grand Strand area.

From pirate-themed adventures to lush tropical courses, mini golf is one of those things to do in Myrtle Beach that the whole family can enjoy, regardless of age or skill level.

11. Spend a Day at Broadway at the Beach

Broadway at the Beach is Myrtle Beach's premier outdoor entertainment complex, covering 350 acres with restaurants, attractions, boutique shops, and live performances throughout the summer season.

It's home to some of the top attractions in Myrtle Beach, including Ripley's Aquarium, and serves as a hub of fun for families and groups visiting the area.

12. Catch the Carolina Country Music Fest

The Carolina Country Music Fest is one of the biggest events on the entire Grand Strand, drawing tens of thousands of country music fans to Myrtle Beach each June for a multi-day festival featuring some of the genre's biggest names. Past lineups have included Kenny Chesney, Morgan Wallen, and Carrie Underwood, making it a bucket-list event for country fans planning a summer visit.

 

Fall Things to Do in Myrtle Beach

Fall is when the Grand Strand settles into one of its most enjoyable rhythms, with more mild temperatures, thinner crowds, and a calendar full of festivals and events that rival anything summer has to offer.

It's a favorite season for return visitors who know that Myrtle Beach things get even better when the peak-season rush fades.

13. Catch a Show at the Alabama Theatre

The Alabama Theatre at Barefoot Landing is one of North Myrtle Beach's most celebrated entertainment venues, hosting world-class live performances ranging from country music and comedy to Broadway-style productions.

Fall is a great time to catch a show, as the seasonal calendar fills up and the summer rush gives way to a more relaxed visit.

14. Explore Nature Trails at Huntington Beach State Park

A scenic drive from The Caravelle Resort, Huntington Beach State Park offers some of the most rewarding nature trails and birdwatching opportunities on the entire East Coast.

Fall migration season turns the park into a hotspot for birders and outdoor enthusiasts looking to explore nature at its finest along the South Carolina coast. Be sure to stop by Atalaya Castle, a true hidden gem in Murrells Inlet.

 

Winter Things to Do in Myrtle Beach

Winter along the Grand Strand is quieter, more affordable, and full of surprises for visitors willing to trade beach umbrellas for holiday lights and cozy waterfront dinners.

The Myrtle Beach area transforms into a season of festive events, peaceful shoreline walks, and a lively atmosphere that never fully goes off season.

15. Visit Brookgreen Gardens for Nights of a Thousand Candles

Brookgreen Gardens transforms into a breathtaking winter wonderland each December during its annual Nights of a Thousand Candles event, featuring over 2,700 hand-lit candles, holiday lights, live music, and warm cider throughout the gardens. It's one of the most memorable seasonal events in the entire Myrtle Beach area and routinely sells out, so planning ahead is essential.

16. Walk the Winter Wonderland at the Beach

The Myrtle Beach Boardwalk becomes a free holiday destination each winter during Winter Wonderland at the Beach, featuring dazzling light installations, artificial snow, and vendors right along the promenade.

It's one of the best free things to do in Myrtle Beach during the holiday season and a magical way to experience the Boardwalk in a completely different light.

 

Plan Your Myrtle Beach Getaway at The Caravelle Resort

No matter when you visit, the Grand Strand delivers something worth the trip, and where you stay makes all the difference. The Caravelle Resort offers a range of oceanfront efficiencies and condos across nine buildings, putting you steps from the beach and minutes from the Boardwalk, Broadway at the Beach, world-class golf, and every seasonal event on this list. Book your stay at The Caravelle Resort and start planning the trip you'll be talking about all year long.