03/17/2023
If you’re looking for a list of free things to do in Myrtle Beach, you’ve come to the right place. Saving money on vacation entertainment means you can stay an extra day or splurge on something special without breaking the bank. We’re here to show you that taking a beach vacation can be affordable, especially when you find special offers for your stay near a variety of budget-friendly activities. From beach days to local events, an easy way to save money during your vacation is to enjoy some of the area’s top free and inexpensive things to do. Consult this list of our favorite free (and cheap) activities in Myrtle Beach, and start planning the perfect family vacation today.
There’s no shortage of interesting, yet inexpensive places to visit, things to see, and areas to explore in and around Myrtle Beach. You won’t need to travel far to find historic sites or memorials, you’ll be surrounded by parks and beaches, and if more flashy attractions appeal to you, there are loads of entertainment districts with live music, shops, and festivals that are totally free to check out.
Save money on attractions by visiting free Myrtle Beach museums available to the public. Take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city, escape the sun for a while and enjoy an enriching (and affordable) experience. Whether you’re into art or history, you’ll find fascinating, free attractions to visit in Myrtle Beach.
3100 S Ocean Blvd, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
Dive headfirst into cultural exploration at the Simeon B. Chapin Art Museum. This is one of the finest visual arts museums around, yet admission to this attraction is free. With continuous exhibits and interactive educational programs, the Simeon Art Museum offers something for everyone in the family to enjoy. The museum is open from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Sundays. The museum is closed on Mondays.
Museum: 805 N Main St, Conway, SC 29526
Farm: 2279 Harris Short Cut Rd, Conway, SC 29526
Enjoy free admission to the Horry County Museum and learn about the history, culture, and heritage the county is known for. Step back in time at the L.W. Paul Living History Farm to experience what it was like to live on a one-horse farm in South Carolina from the 1900s to the 1950s. The museum is open Tuesday to Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and the Living History Farm closes at 4:00 p.m. Both are closed Sundays and Mondays.
2101 North Oak Street, Myrtle Beach SC 29577
The official South Carolina Hall of Fame is another free educational site in Myrtle Beach. The Hall of Fame was established in 1973 and has continued to recognize current and past citizens who have contributed to the state’s heritage and progress. The Hall of Fame honors contemporary and deceased artists, war heroes, community figures, and many others.
Farrow Parkway & Business 17, Myrtle Beach, SC
Though this attraction is a cross between a park and a museum, it is a fascinating historical spot in Myrtle Beach that’s free to visit. Warbird Park features many memorials to celebrate veterans and civilians who have shaped our country’s history. Discover placard posts describing key moments in history and the personnel involved. A 9/11 memorial is on this site as is a Wall of Service honoring anyone who honorably served at the former Myrtle Beach Air Force Base.
Another budget-friendly activity to add to your vacation itinerary is visiting the beautiful parks and gardens located along the Grand Strand. Whether you’re looking for an energizing hike, a relaxing stroll, or a place to enjoy a picnic, Myrtle Beach offers a variety of greenspaces that afford free and low-cost activities for families.
1120 Farrow Parkway, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
Valor Memorial Garden is located in The Market Common and features a lush little garden and mini maze. Valor Memorial Garden often serves as a dedicated venue for free events like Art in the Park and Market Common’s Movies Under the Stars. Enjoy its green spaces and walking paths.
2250 SC-179, Little River, SC 29566
Hit the natural and boardwalk trail at Vereen Memorial Historical Gardens. This 3-mile trail is one of the best free family activities in Myrtle Beach—perfect for nature watching, hiking, or admiring the Intracoastal Waterway views with a stroller in tow.
4401 S Kings Hwy, Myrtle Beach, SC 29575
Myrtle Beach State Park deserves a spot on our list of budget-friendly attractions in Myrtle Beach. Admission costs $8 per adult and $5 for kids ages 6 to 15, and children 5 and under are free. This gives you all-day access to the beautiful park with a variety of hiking trails and picnic areas. Try the self-led scavenger hunt, and walk the shore to look for seashells or sharks’ teeth.
93 Oak Dr, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582
McLean Park is the perfect setting to enjoy a day with the family outdoors engaged in all your favorite activities. You’ll find playgrounds, picnic shelters, tennis courts, and a two-acre lake to enjoy for free!
16148 Ocean Highway, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576
The Huntington Beach State Park grounds are home to the mysterious historic gem, Atalaya Castle. The State Park requires a pass that costs $8 for entry, but once you’re in, you can enjoy the day fishing, swimming, or hiking. The castle is a budget-friendly option at only $8 per adult, $4 for kids ages 6 to 15, and children 5 and under are free.
1901 Ocean Boulevard, Myrtle Beach, SC29577
Anderson Park is a hidden gem along the shore in Myrtle Beach that’s free to visit and offers laid-back outdoor entertainment. You’ll find beach access here, plus built-in chess and checkers games so your family can enjoy table games while spending time outdoors.
Horry Dr. & Bus. Hwy. 17, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576
Wooded scenery, golf course greens, and wetlands are just some of the sights to take in along this free exercise path. Choose to loop the three-mile section or continue and do all 16 miles of the Waccamaw Neck Bikeway which runs from Murrells Inlet to Pawleys Island. The entire distance is paved for bikers, hikers, walkers, and joggers to enjoy.
Escape the beach and step into one of Myrtle Beach’s open-air entertainment and shopping complexes to find loads of inexpensive activities for families. All year long, each district hosts its own celebrations and events worth checking out, and the daily offerings for live music and entertainment give everyone options to enjoy. Whether you’re looking to fill a few hours or most of a day, the people watching, window shopping, and entertainment offered at these Myrtle Beach locations are some of the best free things to do along the Grand Strand.
4017 Deville St, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
Strolling around The Market Common is a free, fun activity your entire family will enjoy. This lively shopping area hosts musical performances, festivals, and events like complimentary carriage rides (seasonal) or free movies under the stars. The Market Common also features many boutiques and yummy restaurants, plus a kids’ playground that’s one of the best in the area.
4898 Hwy 17 S, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582
Visit Barefoot Landing, an open-air complex built on winding boardwalks, for a day full of free entertainment. Here you can enjoy the marsh views, walk the boardwalks, or listen to music at the Dockside Village stage. Watch the Barefoot Landing calendar throughout the year to find free festivals, events, fireworks displays, and family activities.
1325 Celebrity Cir, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
Broadway at the Beach is a must-see 360-acre outdoor entertainment and shopping complex. This family-friendly area hosts free fireworks in the summer and other festive free events, activities, and parades year-round. Many of the restaurants here feature live music on certain evenings too. The small amusement park has rides for kids and often offers discount coupons on all-day passes.
4025 Hwy 17 Business, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576
If you’re looking for inexpensive evening entertainment, head just a bit south to Murrells Inlet MarshWalk. Locals love the MarshWalk for its row of restaurants, gorgeous inlet views, and free live entertainment all summer long.
2nd Ave, Conway, SC 29526
Conway Riverwalk is a quaint trail that meanders along the Waccamaw River. The 1.5-mile path is forged in a mix of paved and boardwalk surfaces so it’s easy terrain that’s stroller-friendly. There are plenty of benches or grassy spots to enjoy a picnic lunch or grab-and-go fare from a nearby restaurant. The playground here is a favorite place for families—kids can burn off extra energy while parents relax.
Because we’re a Myrtle Beach Boardwalk hotel, we think exploring the promenade is one of the best free things to do in Myrtle Beach. This 1.2-mile promenade hugs the beach and is conveniently situated right outside our back doors! Though the Boardwalk is open year round, it really comes alive in the summer, hosting free entertainment, festivals, and lots of family activities. Go for a leisurely stroll, attend a Boardwalk event, or catch a happy hour special at an area restaurant.
Visiting fishing piers is an inexpensive activity to enjoy in Myrtle Beach. Some piers are free to walk and others cost a nominal fee. Anglers will love the chance to net a trophy flounder, Spanish mackerel, or winter trout. Most locations offer fishing gear for rent so you won’t need to pack your rod and tackle. Even if you don’t fish, walking the pier, listening to live bands and taking in unbelievable views of the ocean are worth the price of admission. Check out these local piers during your trip for a cheap day of family fun on the water.
1306 North Ocean Blvd, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
Another budget-friendly activity is fishing at Pier 14 Restaurant & Lounge. It’s only $7 to fish and they offer affordable rod rentals and fishing bait. This historic location has been part of the oceanfront in Myrtle Beach since 1926.
110 S Waccamaw Dr, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576
The Garden City Pier is completely free to fish from and features live bands nightly in the summer. If the kids get bored, send them to the huge arcade at the start of the pier or grab a bite to eat at the cafe.
9700 Kings Road, Myrtle Beach, SC 29572
The Apache Pier is the East Coast’s longest wooden pier and is open every day, year-round. A visit costs $2 or $3 during live entertainment and is offered nightly in the summer. If you want to fish, the daily rate is $10.50, and rates for kids 10 and under are discounted, as are multi-day passes.
Get the biggest bang for your buck when you choose a resort that provides entertainment on-site. There are plenty of free things to do in the city, but don’t forget you can enjoy complimentary activities right at your fingertips, too. *Holiday Inn “At the Pavilion’s” location and amenities offer families instant access to plenty of free things to do.
*Not affiliated with the national chain.
The beach is one of the best free things to do in Myrtle Beach and it’s located right behind your resort. Choose an oceanfront room to be wowed by the waves crashing on the shore, and enjoy a walk along the beach anytime. Hunt for seashells and sharks’ teeth, sunbathe or read a book, build countless sandcastles, boogie board the waves, or enjoy a friendly game of cornhole or bocce ball.
When you stay at Our Resort, you have an all-access pass to some of the best family-friendly entertainment along the Grand Strand. Our pool and spa amenities are included with your stay and provide hours of entertainment for any age. Young kids love our activity pool that’s shallow enough for them to splash and play in, and adults and teens find our indoor and outdoor oceanfront pools perfect for cooling off and having fun. Hop aboard an inner tube and cruise through our on-site lazy river or settle into a comfortable lounge chair. Our indoor water features are open all year for entertainment in any season.
Our on-site cafe and convenient boardwalk location mean walking is always an option. Book your stay at Myrtle Beach *Holiday Inn “At the Pavilion” today and make your dreams of a carefree vacation at the beach a reality.
