Myrtle Beach, S.C.

10 Ways to Beat the Summer Heat in Myrtle Beach

It’s no secret that Myrtle Beach gets pretty hot in the summertime, but that’s what people love about vacationing here! Summer is an awesome time to bask in the sun, play in the water, and have tons of fun. Sometimes, though, you need to take a break from outdoors and chill out inside, relax in the shade, or take a refreshing dip in a pool.

Here are 10 great ways to beat the summer heat in Myrtle Beach:

Arcades

No matter how old you are, playing arcade games is always fun! Lucky for you, there are tons of arcades in the Myrtle Beach area where you can have a blast and beat the heat at the same time. You can find arcades along the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk, at Dave & Buster’s, at the Coastal Grand Mall, at Broadway at the Beach, and even at a fun location of Ultimate California Pizza.

Boat Tours

Sit back, relax, and enjoy the shade on an entertaining and informational boat tour! Crazy Sister Marina offers a variety of family-friendly excursions, including the Saltwater Marsh Eco Excursion and the Inlet Sunset Cruise. Both tours take place on boats equipped with shaded decks and modern restrooms, ensuring a comfortable experience for all ages. If you happen to be keeping cool under the shady trees at Brookgreen Gardens, then you can also look into the Pontoon Boat Rides where you will learn about the nature and history of the area.

For another memorable maritime adventure, consider the Hurricane Fleet Dolphin Cruise. Operating since 1948, Hurricane Fleet offers a family-friendly, 2-hour dolphin tour departing from the closest port to the Atlantic Ocean. Their 90-foot tour boat features an air-conditioned cabin, shaded decks, and modern restrooms, ensuring a comfortable experience for all ages. During the cruise, guests can enjoy narrated insights into local marine life, and children receive a complimentary shark tooth souvenir. The tour often includes close-up views of dolphins feeding near shrimp boats, providing both entertainment and education. Snacks and beverages are available for purchase onboard.

Broadway at the Beach

While Broadway at the Beach is technically an outdoor entertainment center, you can easily keep cool by jumping from store to store and browsing unique items and souvenirs in an air conditioned space. You can also keep cool by using your problem solving skills at The Escape Game, Backstage Escape Games and Backstage Mirror Maze!

Myrtle Waves

What better way to beat the heat than by spending the day at a waterpark? Myrtle Waves is a family-friendly attraction that offers more than 30 waterslides and water features that will keep you cool and entertained throughout the day. The park has 1.2 million gallons of water, so you’re sure to find plenty of places to beat the heat!

Museums

Of course, one of the easiest ways to keep cool in the summer is to stay indoors. There are a few museums in Myrtle Beach where you can stay inside and enjoy the A/C while learning new things. The Art Museum of Myrtle Beach is a free attraction that features a variety of artwork and interesting exhibits, and even some programs for kids and adults. On the other hand, there is also the Hollywood Wax Museum Entertainment Complex where the family can enjoy three different exhibits: the Hollywood Wax Museum, Hannah’s Mirror Maze, and Outbreak. Another museum that will help keep you cool and entertained is WonderWorks. This museum, which can easily be spotted as the upside-down house” at Broadway at the Beach, is home to several unique exhibits, games, rides, an arcade, a ropes course, and more!

Ice Cream Shops

Ice cream is not only one of the tastiest desserts in creation, but it is also a delicious way to keep cool in the summer. Myrtle Beach is home to tons of fantastic ice cream and frozen yogurt shops that serve up a variety of flavors, toppings, and frozen concoctions. Grab a cone, shake, milkshake, or another ice cream treat to lower your body temperature and make your taste buds happy.

Here are some top spots to check out:

  • The Ole Fashion Ice Cream Parlor in Surfside Beach offers a nostalgic experience with a wide selection of flavors, including Blue Bell ice cream.

  • Sweet Molly’s Creamery, a family-run business, specializes in small-batch, super-premium ice cream made with fresh, high-quality ingredients.

  • Dairy Queen has multiple locations in Myrtle Beach, serving up classic soft-serve treats like Blizzards, sundaes, and cones.

  • Häagen-Dazs at Tanger Outlets on Hwy 501 offers a variety of rich and creamy ice cream flavors, perfect for a sweet treat during your shopping trip.

  • Ben & Jerry’s at Broadway at the Beach serves up their famous chunky and funky flavors, including Cherry Garcia and Chunky Monkey.

  • The Crafty Cow in North Myrtle Beach crafts super-premium ice cream fresh daily, with hand-swirled mix-ins for a delightful treat.

Whether you’re in the mood for a classic cone or an adventurous new flavor, Myrtle Beach’s ice cream shops have something to satisfy every sweet tooth.

Restaurants

Myrtle Beach boasts hundreds of amazing award-winning restaurants; so when you find yourself getting too hot outside, why not sit down for a meal? From fresh seafood to top-notch Mexican, Italian, Asian, French, and other cuisines, there is a restaurant in the area to suit the taste buds of every vacationer. Whether you choose to sit down in an air-conditioned dining room or enjoy a meal on a covered deck, treating yourself to a delicious meal is a great way to stay cool while in Myrtle Beach.

Here are some standout dining options to consider:

  • Bennett’s Calabash Seafood: A Myrtle Beach staple since 1978, Bennett’s is credited with introducing the area’s first all-you-can-eat seafood buffet. With three locations along the Grand Strand, guests can indulge in a wide array of Calabash-style seafood, including crab legs, shrimp, and oysters.

  • Craft Taco: Located in the Tanger Outlets on U.S. 17, Craft Taco offers a fast-casual dining experience specializing in tacos and craft beer. Their menu features burritos, nachos, taco salads, and burrito bowls, making it a perfect spot for a quick and flavorful meal during your shopping trip.
  • DinoLand Cafe: This family-friendly, dinosaur-themed restaurant provides a unique dining experience with life-sized animatronic dinosaurs and a lava mountain. Located in central Myrtle Beach, DinoLand Cafe offers a varied menu, including lava mountain ribs, dino-steaks, and burgers, ensuring fun for the whole family.
  • Hard Rock Cafe: Situated at Broadway at the Beach, Hard Rock Cafe offers a vibrant atmosphere filled with rock ‘n’ roll memorabilia. Guests can enjoy classic American cuisine, including burgers, steaks, and salads, either indoors or on the spacious outdoor patios.
  • Hooks Calabash Seafood Buffet: Known for its extensive buffet featuring over 100 items, Hooks offers a variety of seafood and land food options. The beachy and fun atmosphere makes it a great spot for families looking to indulge in all-you-can-eat crab legs, shrimp, oysters, and more.
  • Lobster House Seafood Restaurant: Located near Myrtle Beach State Park, Lobster House is renowned for its fresh and local seafood, live lobster, and juicy steaks. Guests can even select their own live North Atlantic lobster from the aquarium, ensuring a memorable dining experience.

Whether you’re in the mood for a seafood feast, a quick taco, or a themed dining adventure, Myrtle Beach offers a plethora of options to satisfy every palate while providing a cool and comfortable respite from the summer heat.

Theaters

After spending the day having a good time outside under the South Carolina sun, book tickets to an early evening or night show at one of the many theaters in the area. Catch tribute acts to some of your favorite singers at Legends in Concert, see that band you love at the House of Blues, or see a family-friendly variety show at the Alabama Theatre, the Carolina Opry Theatre, GTS Theatre, or Greg Rowles Legacy Theatre. Whichever theater you chose, you will definitely have a memorable time being entertained while cooling off from the day’s heat.

Watersports

Be adventurous and beat the heat at the same time by trying out an awesome watersport while in Myrtle Beach! Places like Express Watersports and Aloha Watersports offer services such as parasailing, jet skiing, sailboat rides, eco tours, banana boating, and much more. 

Going to the Beach at Night

So the beach may not seem like the ideal place to go to beat the summer heat in Myrtle Beach, but you’d be surprised how great the beach can be in the evening. After the sun goes down, find your favorite spot on the beach and listen to the waves while feeling the sand between your toes. You’ll be thankful that you can enjoy Myrtle Beach’s best attraction and stay cool at the same time.

Save with the Monster Coupon Book

When planning your Myrtle Beach getaway, don’t forget to grab the Monster Coupon Book—your ultimate companion for saving money while enjoying all the Grand Strand has to offer. This free, 144-page coupon book is packed with hundreds of discounts on local restaurants, attractions, shopping destinations, golf courses, and more.

Whether you’re indulging in a seafood feast, exploring family-friendly attractions, or shopping for beachwear, the Monster Coupon Book helps you stretch your vacation budget further. You can pick up a physical copy at various locations throughout Myrtle Beach or access digital coupons via their website or mobile app.

For added convenience, download the Monster Coupons App on your smartphone. The app allows you to browse and clip coupons, get directions to participating businesses, and receive notifications about new deals and events.

Make the most of your Myrtle Beach vacation by taking advantage of the incredible savings offered by the Monster Coupon Book. It’s an easy and effective way to enjoy more while spending less.

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