Bars & Nightlife
Top 10 Falls Things To Do in Myrtle Beach
Make plans now to visit Myrtle Beach in the fall to see why everyone in the know agrees this time of year is ideal for a Grand Strand getaway. Fall is a fabulous time to visit Myrtle Beach! The crowds are small, the weather is usually mild and pleasant, and many of your favorite summertime attractions remain open, plus the fall festivals in Myrtle Beach give you all-new things to do.
Fall in Myrtle Beach offers respite from the summer heat and humidity, so spending long days outside in the 70-degree weather at events and festivals, lounging on the sand, or hitting the links is as enjoyable as ever. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing getaway or an action-packed trip, visit Myrtle Beach in September, October, or November to cash in on hotel deals, a quieter shoreline, and all the best attractions, with less waiting.
Here’s a countdown of the top 10 things to do in Myrtle Beach in the fall:
10. Check Out the Indoor Ripley’s Attractions
901 North Ocean Boulevard, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
Nip in the air? No problem! Have indoor fun at any of the Ripley attractions around town. Spend a few hours wandering Ripley’s Aquarium where you can pet stingrays, get close to sharks and fish in the Dangerous Reef tunnel, and watch penguins at play. Fall draws smaller crowds, so you’ll get a more intimate experience than during the summertime. Once you’ve had your fill of nature, get your weird on at Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Odd-itorium. Loosely referred to as a “museum,” this oddity-filled attraction on the Myrtle Beach strip can occupy any crew. The museum features dozens of galleries and exhibits to spend a fall morning or afternoon. And because this time of year brings out all kinds of spooks and haunts, Ripley’s Haunted Adventure is a must-see Myrtle Beach attraction in the fall; it offers plenty of frights, so brave souls must be age eight or older to participate.
9. Explore New Restaurants and Fun at Barefoot Landing
4898 Hwy 17 South, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582
Barefoot Landing gets new additions every year and the lighter fall crowds make seeing what all the buzz is about a treat. This shopping, dining, and entertaining complex features a 20-slip dock for boaters to pop in from the Intracoastal Waterway—fall weather is great for boating, so if you’ve rented a boat during your stay, take advantage of a slip! While you’re there, check out the culinary scene at Barefoot. These restaurants always draw a lot of praise from visitors and locals alike. After summer dies down, wait times are shorter, even for waterside dining. The interesting specialty stores and boutiques help you get a jump on your holiday shopping, too.
8. Get Festive
Get out and about during this relaxed time of year and enjoy fresh air, great food, and lots of family-friendly fun at fall festivals in Myrtle Beach. The Brookgreen Gardens Harvest Home Weekend Festival is a celebration of the changing seasons complete with a pumpkin patch, scarecrow building, and live music. The Cruisin’ the Coast car show features all kinds of modern and vintage cars at Broadway at the Beach in October. And don’t forget about all the fall food festivals around Myrtle Beach: ShrimpFest; St. John’s Greek Festival; the Loris Bog-Off (featuring the Lowcountry staple, Chicken Bog); and The Taste of Georgetown. Saturdays are jam-packed with football and festivals from fall until winter—join us for one!
7. Dine Out
806 Sea Mountain Highway, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582
The days of Myrtle Beach restaurants shuttering at the turn of fall are long gone. Thankfully for foodies, we’re a year-round destination now, and eateries serve delectable bites throughout the fall. The cooler temps in autumn let you dine al fresco with a waterfront view, without overheating. Roca Roja Cantina is one of the most scenic restaurants around, and the interior paintings are just as jaw-dropping as the marsh views. Longtime staple Sea Captain’s House is also a solid off-season choice for an outstanding meal on the oceanfront. Wicked Tuna on the 2nd Avenue Pier offers fresh, artful sushi and unbelievable vistas.
6. Get Some Fresh Air
Brookgreen Gardens is a hidden outdoor gem just south of Myrtle Beach, ideal for fall excursions. Though it is a bit of a drive, there is less traffic this time of year. Nature, art, and history meet on this fascinating property. Explore the ever-changing gardens for a look at Southern fall foliage, including Confederate Rode, Chrysanthemum, Mexican Bush Sage, Spider Lily, and Ginger Lily. Home to the country’s largest collection of American figurative sculpture, Brookgreen Gardens offers abundant opportunities for strolling in the fall and serves as a highlight of any trip. Brookgreen Gardens is also home to the Lowcountry Zoo, so if wildlife is more your interest, add it to your fall itinerary. This attraction is open year-round, and admission is good for seven days, so you can give yourself plenty of time to see it all during a fall visit.
5. Splash Around
No vacation is complete without some pool time, and Myrtle Beach hotels’ fantastic amenities maximize your fall fun. Resorts with indoor waterparks and pools impress vacationers with myriad splash pads and water features for young kids, teens, and adults at any age. Walking just steps from your suite to spend the day lounging in a hot tub, riding a lazy river, or laying in a lounge chair on a sprawling pool deck is a luxury you’ll appreciate even more in the fall.
4. Hit the Links
Golfing is one of the top activities in Myrtle Beach in the fall. With average high temps in the 60s and 70s and dozens of tee times at area golf courses to choose from, the off-season is a premier time to arrive. Golf buddies often make an annual fall trek to the beach for a week of play, sun, and fun. Check out the hotels with golf packages to streamline planning and give you more time on the links and at your favorite 19th hole: the sports bar.
3. Visit Broadway at the Beach
1325 Celebrity Circle, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
The summertime hangout for shopping, dining, and entertainment in Myrtle Beach is even better in the fall. Broadway at the Beach offers a variety of unique specialty stores and boutiques for early holiday shopping. Stroll around and grab a bite to eat or a cold drink at any of the great restaurants at the complex. You’ll find some of the best restaurants in Myrtle Beach for kids here along with many bar-and-grill eateries to satisfy any appetite. Enjoy outdoor seating with a view of the 23-acre Lake Broadway at The Grumpy Monk, Yamato Japanese Steakhouse, Landry’s Seafood, or Margaritaville. The biggest plus—no long wait times!
2. Get Into the Holiday Spirit
The holiday shows are fall events in Myrtle Beach that get you primed for Christmas. While Broadway-style shows happen year-round, these specialty performances are reserved for the off-season. The Carolina Opry Christmas Special begins its 38th season on November 1. Get ready to hear loads of top talent perform holiday tunes. The venue is decorated to perfection with 75 wreaths, a forest of Christmas trees, and more than 25,000 lights. Also kicking off this fall is The Alabama Theatre’s South’s Grandest Christmas Show, a holiday musical that blends traditional Christmas classics with contemporary favorites.
1. Hang at the Beach
Let’s be honest: The real draw to Myrtle Beach—whether it’s July or January—is the beach, and this truth doesn’t change in the fall. You may not be able to sunbathe in your bikini (pack one in case—it has been warm enough), but you can hang out at the beach all fall. Bring your flip-flops because you’ll want to spend time walking this beautiful, tranquil shoreline. The view from your balcony and from your beach chair is much more serene when the sand isn’t filled with rowdy beachgoers. Spend the day walking the shore and searching for Myrtle Beach seashells, or settle in with a good book.
