Bars & Nightlife
Top 10 Fall Things to Do in Myrtle Beach
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 offer fall fun as well.
Whether you’re looking for a relaxing getaway or an action-packed trip, Myrtle Beach has something for you this fall. Here are our Top 10 suggestions for your trip.
10. Check Out the Indoor Ripley’s Attractions
Nip in the air? No problem! There is plenty of indoor fun to be had at the Ripley’s attractions around town. Spend a few hours wandering Ripley’s Aquarium where you can pet stingrays and other marine life, get up close and personal with the sharks and fish in the Dangerous Reef tunnel, and learn about Pearl Harbor with an interactive exhibit. Fall draws a smaller crowd, so you’ll get a more intimate experience than during the summertime bustle. Once you’ve had your fill of nature, get your weird on at the Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Odd-itorium. Loosely referred to as a “museum,” this is an oddity-filled attraction on the Myrtle Beach strip with plenty to occupy your crew. The museum contains dozens of galleries and exhibits, and is a great place to spend a fall morning or afternoon! Fall is a good time for spooks and haunts, so you won’t want to miss Ripley’s Haunted Adventure on your trip. Frights and fun lurk around every corner of the adventure, which is suitable for brave souls ages 6 and older.
9. Explore New Restaurants and Fun at Barefoot Landing
Barefoot Landing saw quite a few changes in recent months, and the off-season is the perfect time to see what all the buzz is about. The shopping, dining and entertaining complex has undergone a major transformation, including the addition of Dockside Village with 20 finger docks for boaters to pop in right from the Intracoastal Waterway all year long. (Fall weather is still great boat weather!) Lucy Buffet’s Lulu’s and Taco Mundo Kitchen y Cantina are two relative newcomers to the culinary scene at Barefoot, and they’re drawing a lot of praise from visitors. Avoid the summertime waits, and check them out this fall! Get a jump on your holiday shopping with unique finds at the specialty stores and boutiques throughout the complex before you fill your belly at one of the great eateries.
8. Get Festive
Fall is Festival season around Myrtle Beach. Locals love to get out and about during this lazier time and enjoy fresh air, great food, and lots of family-friendly fun. The Brookgreen Gardens Harvest Home Weekend Festival is a celebration of the changing seasons complete with pumpkin painting, live music, wagon hay rides, and more. Art in the Park is a two-weekend event featuring arts and crafts by renowned local and regional artists. And then there are all the food festivals: ShrimpFest; St. John’s Greek Festival; the Loris Bog-Off (featuring Lowcountry staple Chicken Bog); Lip Smackin Chilyrumpus Chili Cookoff; and The Taste of Georgetown. Our Saturdays are jam-packed with football and festivals from now until December — join us for one!
7. Dine Out
Years ago, when the summer season wound down, most Myrtle Beach restaurants would shutter until spring. Thankfully for foodies, we’re a year-round destination now, and restaurants serve up great food throughout the fall. The choices are so endless that it can be hard to decide where to dine. If you’re looking to enjoy your food with a view, check out the new Tin Roof – a Live Music Joint or ART Burger Sushi Bar — both on the oceanfront in the heart of Myrtle Beach. Fall is also oyster season, so if you’re a fan, stop in at Dirty Don’s Oyster Bar for a delicious un-fussy fall meal. Longtime staple Sea Captain’s House is also a solid off-season choice for a great oceanfront meal.
6. Get Some Fresh Air
Brookgreen Gardens is a hidden gem just south of Myrtle Beach, and it’s worth the drive for a fall excursion. The unique property blends nature, art and history in a charming outdoor adventure. Explore the ever-changing gardens for a look at the Southern fall foliage, including Confederate Rode, Chrysanthemum, Mexican Blush Sage, Spider Lily, and Fragrant Tea Olives. Check out the country’s largest collection of American figurative sculpture in the expansive gardens and galleries. Or visit the native wildlife of the Lowcountry at the Lowcountry Zoo. Brookgreen Gardens is open year-round, and admission is good for 7 days, so you can give yourself plenty of time to see it all.
5. Splash Around
As Myrtle Beach has become a year-round destination, many area hotels have added amenities to maximize your fun no matter the weather. Indoor waterparks and pools are a great way to make a splash during the off-season. Dunes Village is a fan favorite for their massive indoor waterpark, which is free with your stay. Crown Reef Resort & Waterpark also offers a year-round indoor waterpark for guests, and Breakers Resort recently added a park with 5 slides.
4. Hit the Links
With average high temps in the 60s and 70s throughout fall and dozens of golf courses to choose from, Myrtle Beach is an ideal fall golf destination. Golf buddies often make an annual trek to the beach for a week full of golf, sun, and fun. Hotels and courses offer golf packages to streamline the planning and give you more time on the links … and at your favorite 19th hole after a round. If you’re looking to add a little more entertainment to your trip, check out the new Top Golf in Myrtle Beach.
3. Broadway at the Beach
The summertime hangout for shopping, dining and entertainment is actually a year-round hotspot in Myrtle Beach! Broadway at the Beach offers a variety of unique specialty stores and boutiques, perfect for a little early holiday shopping. Stroll around, and leave time for a bite to eat or a cold drink at any of the great restaurants at the complex. Many offer outdoor seating with a view of the 23-acre Lake Broadway, including The Grumpy Monk, Yamato Seafood Steak and Sushi, and Margaritaville. The biggest plus — no summertime wait!
2. Get Into the Holiday Spirit
Myrtle Beach is home to several Broadway-style shows that are open year-round. During the fall, you can catch the debut of their annual Christmas shows. The Carolina Opry Christmas Special begins its 34th season on Nov. 1 with the return of Moses Braxton and comedian Kym “Bogie” Shurbutt. The show features a mix of singers, musicians and dancers, and it’s a great way to get into the holiday spirit. The South’s Grandest Christmas Show kicks off Nov. 1 as well at The Alabama Theatre. The holiday musical blends traditional Christmas classics with contemporary favorites.
1. The Beach
Let’s be honest here. The real draw to Myrtle Beach — whether it’s July or January — is the beach. Fall is no different. You may not be able to sunbathe in your bikini — although we have plenty of fall days where you can do just that! — but you can enjoy the beach all fall long just the same. Wake up to a cup of coffee on your balcony while listening to the waves crash in, take an afternoon walk in the sand, settle in with a good book in your beach chair. Bring your flip-flops and enjoy the beautiful fall!
