What’s Open in Myrtle Beach?

By Cassidy Moore
September 10, 2020

*Editor’s Note: All information is subject to change as the situation with COVID-19 is rapidly evolving. 

Myrtle Beach is open for business. 

Hotels and resorts are open as are beach accesses. Most restaurants are open, and many attractions are open. Some municipalities have passed ordinances requiring people to wear masks when in public spaces. 

Hotels and Vacation Rentals Are Open

Hotels are open, and many are offering flexible cancellation policies and vacation deals for worry-free trip planning. Increased sanitation and cleaning protocols are in place at most hotels, which may affect check-in procedures and housekeeping frequency. Check with your specific hotel for information regarding changes. 

Campgrounds, vacation rentals, and condos are all open. 

Some amenities may be unavailable at this time, so check with your specific property regarding open amenities. 

Beaches Are Open

All area municipalities have reopened public beach accesses. Click here for the locations of public beach accesses throughout the area. Social distancing guidelines and restrictions on groups of 3 or more people apply.  

Myrtle Beach Restaurants Are Open 

Most Myrtle Beach restaurants are open for dine-in service with guidelines in place to encourage social distancing and increased sanitation. Alcohol sales are not allowed past 11 p.m.

Some of the guidelines include: 

  • Posting signage on at entrances informing employees and guests that they should not enter if they are ill and that they should maintain a minimim 6-foot distance from others. 
  • Create, execute and post a reopening protocol for cleaning and sanitizing the restaurants. 
  • Train staff to comply with covid-19 safety protocols
  • Clean high-touch surfaces and restrooms frequently
  • Limit condiments on table and use single-use condiments when possible
  • Space tables at least six to eight feet apart
  • Reduce occupancy inside restaurants by 50 percent

Outdoor dining and takeout options are available at many area restaurants, as well. Check with your specific restaurant to see if they’re open and what dining options they’re currently offering.

Seafood buffets are open

Many readers have emailed us to ask specifically about seafood buffets. Most of the seafood buffets are open with restrictions, such as wearing masks and gloves in the buffet line, in place. Many are currently only open for dinner service, which begins around 4 p.m. Check with your specific buffet for hours of operations and restrictions. 

Crabby Mike’s, Captain George’s, Bennett’s Calabash Seafood, Seafood World, and The Original Benjamin’s Calabash Seafood are among the buffets open as of Sept. 10. 

 

Many attractions are open

Attractions such as zoos, museums, and aquariums were allowed to reopen beginning May 22 at reduced capacity. Cleaning protocols and social distancing requirements are recommended by the State Department of Health and Environmental Control.

Open attractions include:

Theaters and entertainment venues were allowed to reopen in August with limited capacity, and many are in the process of reopening to guests. Here is what we know about theater openings at this time. 

Check out our list of 102 Things to Do in Myrtle Beach! Check with individual attractions for information on current operating hours or restrictions. 

Retail Stores Are Open

Retail stores such as clothing stores, beachwear stores, and shoe stores are allowed to be open. Big box stores such as Target, Walmart, and Lowe’s Home Improvement are all open, though their hours may differ from normal operating hours.

Some restrictions are in place on the number of shoppers who may be in a store at one time, so guests may be asked to wait outside if the stores are too crowded. Social distancing measures are in place, and many stores are either requiring or encouraging guests and employees to wear face masks or facial coverings. 

Check with individual stores for current hours and rules for shopping.  

Close-contact Providers Open

Close-contact providers such as hair salons and tattoo parlors were allowed to reopen beginning May 18. Gyms and public pools were also allowed to reopen with restrictions; however, some pools remain closed at the discretion of HOAs that manage and maintain them. 

Myrtle Beach Hotel Deals

Only 4 Days left!
< Grande Cayman Resort Myrtle Beach
All New! Now Open!
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< Ocean Reef Myrtle Beach
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< Bay View on the Boardwalk
The Caravelle Resort Myrtle Beach
"Worry Free Booking" cancellation policy
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< Compass Cove Resort Myrtle Beach
Crown Reef Beach Resort and Waterpark
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< Dayton House Resort Myrtle Beach
Landmark Resort Myrtle Beach
"Worry Free Booking" cancellation policy
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< Paradise Resort Myrtle Beach
Captain’s Quarters Resort Myrtle Beach
"Worry Free Booking" cancellation policy
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< Caribbean Resort & Villas Myrtle Beach
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< The Strand

Is Myrtle Beach open?

Myrtle Beach and the surrounding beaches are open. Read more here. 

I heard that Myrtle Beach is closing back up. Is that true?

The Myrtle Beach area, including hotels, restaurants and many attractions, is open. Visitors are encouraged to practice social distancing throughout their stay. 

What is there to do in Myrtle Beach? 

Myrtle Beach is full of fun things to do. We’ve made a list of 102 of them here! 

Which hotels in Myrtle Beach are the best? 

Myrtle Beach is home to many beautiful hotels and resorts. Many hotels are oceanfront and offer tons of indoor and outdoor amenities. We’ve made handy lists of our favorite family-friendly hotels, luxury resorts, and more!