Located along South Carolina’s Atlantic coast, Myrtle Beach is a popular destination for beach-lovers, outdoorsmen and women, and golfers from all over the country.
For golfers, it’s considered one of the American meccas, in league with Florida and Arizona.
Though Myrtle Beach is glitzy and full of tourists during the high season, there are also plenty of rural beaches and inland areas that are much less crowded, if a little peace and quiet is really what you’re after.
It is home to world-class fishing too, and an eclectic assortment of sites and activities.
Below are 15 of the best tours in and around Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
1. Guided Stand-Up Paddleboard Tour
Source: viator.comStand-up paddleboarding is a great way to see lots of amazing scenery, spend some time on the water, and burn a lot of calories.
This two-hour guided tour will cruise Myrtle Beach’s Murrells Inlet and Waccamaw River.
You’ll get all the training and gear you’ll need to have a safe and exhilarating time. The guide will tailor the level of exertion to the fitness of the group, so nobody will be left behind.
You’ll have time to rest for a drink and breather, see lots of wetland animals, and even take a dip if you’d like to cool off.
2. Medieval Times Dinner and Show
Source: viator.comThough the Myrtle Beach area wasn’t known for its castles, knights, and damsels in the medieval era, it’s still a place where you and your travel companions can experience the Medieval Times dinner and show that is popular all over the country.
It’s family-friendly fun that includes food, drink, and entertainment, and is the perfect way to end a long day of frolicking in the sun and surf.
The meals are hearty; as you’re dining, you’ll enjoy watching feats of horsemanship and falconry that might surprise you.
The crowd favorite is usually the jousting competition, which is surprisingly realistic.
3. Ripley’s Aquarium Admission Ticket
Source: viator.comRipley’s has numerous attractions in the Myrtle Beach area. This admission ticket will give you access to the region’s most complete aquarium.
It’s a fun and educational way to spend a few hours. The aquarium is home to fish, invertebrates, crustaceans, and mollusks from all over the world; there are lots of interactive activities designed to keep the little ones amused and engaged.
The shark tunnel will make you feel like Jules Verne, and you’ll wonder how in the world they got such big sharks inside.
The aquarium is open every day and is a great way to escape the brutal afternoon sun.
4. 1 or 2-Hour Surf Lessons with Board
Source: viator.comSurfing is probably the hippest watersport out there, and it’s also one of the most difficult.
These surf lessons are offered in one and two hour lengths; you’ll get a crash course in all the basics from a seasoned local surfer.
Lessons are available for all ages and abilities. After your lesson, you’ll head into the surf to put what you learned into action.
Don’t expect to shred-it right away, but you may be surprised at how quickly you take to it.
The lessons are a great date idea. Advanced lessons are available too if you progress quickly.
5. Charleston Sightseeing Day-Trip from Myrtle Beach
Source: f11photo / shutterstockNearby Charleston is one of the Old South’s most historic and eccentric cities. In an easy day-trip from Myrtle Beach, you’ll be able to enjoy its history and quaintness.
The tour includes a horse-and-carriage ride through the town’s historic area, a harbor boat tour, and a guided tour of the Boone Hall Plantation.
The tour is an excellent escape for those who’ve grown weary of Myrtle Beach’s crowds and chaos. It’s all-inclusive; you won’t need to worry about the pesky details because they’ve already been taken care of.
This tour is a must for Civil War and early American history buffs.
6. Hollywood Wax Museum Admission
Source: viator.comMyrtle Beach’s wax museum has been a favorite with visitors for years; it’s full of amazingly lifelike wax figures of famous movie stars and historical icons.
It may be the closest you’ll ever get to having your picture taken with Mark Wahlberg or Carlos Santana.
The museum is great for kids and adults, and it’s conveniently located near lots of great shops, restaurants, and bars.
An admission ticket lets you explore at your own pace and spend time on the things that interest you the most.
The museum is air-conditioned and accessible to those confined to wheelchairs.
7. Guided Myrtle Beach Kayak Tour
Source: viator.comWith countless miles of beaches, harbors and inland waterways, the Myrtle Beach area is prime real estate for those interested in seeing the sights via kayak.
On this tour, you’ll feel like you’re a million miles away from the crowded beach and boardwalk. Depending on your schedule, you can book the tour for either sunrise or sunset.
Your guide will inform you about the area’s history and wildlife as you paddle along the calm waters of Murrells Inlet. With a little luck, you may see sea turtles, fish, and the many birds that call the area home.
8. Small Group Haunted History Walking Tour of Charleston
Source: viator.comCharleston is one of the state’s oldest and most historic cities; with all that age and history comes a lot of hauntings.
This tour is limited in size, so you’ll get an up-close and intimate look at the dark and eerie side of the city. And since it all kicks-off after dark, it’s a certainty that you’ll spend a good portion of your evening peering over your shoulder.
You may get a glimpse of the restless souls of long-dead Civil War soldiers, and though the tour is spooky, you’ll have a few laughs too, so don’t miss out.
9. City Quest Scavenger Hunt
Source: viator.comWith the advent of the smart-phone, scavenger hunt tours have exploded in popularity. They’re great ways to bond with your companions, see lots of great sights, and have a little friendly competition.
Operation City Quest is remotely guided; you’ll use your phone and wits to locate more than 150 items, many of which are hidden near the city’s monuments and historic sites, so it’ll be educational as well as fun.
Trivia is a big part of the scavenger hunt, so be sure to bring along your know-it-all Uncle Joe.
The tour takes about two hours and covers a few miles.
10. Zip Line and Treetop Adventure
Source: viator.comZip-lining is one of the most exhilarating ways to get a bird’s eye view of the area you’re visiting. Since there’s at least a chance that you’ll fall to your death, it always includes a healthy dose of adrenaline too.
All kidding aside, zip-lining is very safe; before you take your first plunge, you’ll get all the training and safety gear you’ll need.
This three-hour tour is open to children 10 years old and older. It will get you out and away from the tourist traps, and you’ll see some amazing animals along the way as well.
11. Motor City – A Musical Tribute to Motown
Source: viator.comDetroit, Michigan is often referred to as the Motor City or Motown. In many ways, it couldn’t be further from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina – geographically and otherwise.
This show is full of lively singing and dancing and will take you and your companions back in time to the decades of the ‘60s and ’70s when headliners like Diana Ross, Aretha Franklin, and Stevie Wonder were all the rage.
The performers are professionals and the producers didn’t skimp on the swank. In fact, you may feel like you’re in Las Vegas. Your ticket will let you skip the line, which will come in handy if it’s a busy night.
12. Legends in Concert Admission Ticket
Source: viator.comDespite its draw as a popular beach town, Myrtle Beach has more than its fair share of swanky shows and concerts.
This show is full of celebrity lookalikes, like Elvis and Dolly Parton, to name a few.
You’ll be surprised how similar their voices and dance moves are too.
The evening includes at least five acts. The theatre is state of the art, so no matter where you sit you’ll feel like you’re front and center.
The acts are constantly changing, and you’ll get the opportunity to have your picture taken with a few of the performers as well.
13. Wonder Works All-Access Admission Ticket
Source: viator.comIf you’re vacationing with little ones and they’re growing restless with the same-old-same-old, then a trip to Wonder Works should get them excited and engaged, all while teaching them plenty of interesting things about science and the natural world.
There are hundreds of interactive exhibits; some perennial favorites are based on natural disasters, space exploration, and a 6-D theatre with moving seats.
The anti-gravity room and hurricane shack are popular as well; they will make you feel like you’ve landed in hurricane alley or taken a voyage on a spacecraft.
It’s wholesome and reasonably priced fun for the whole family, so don’t miss out.
14. Walking Dead Escape Room
Source: viator.comEscape rooms are becoming popular forms of entertainment and it’s no wonder, they’re exciting, fun and affordable.
They’re great team building and date activities too, and lend a sense of urgency and impending doom to an afternoon or evening.
The idea is to beat the clock before you’re devoured by the hordes of zombies that are looming on the horizon.
You’ll have to decipher puzzles and figure out clues, so it requires more brains than brawn. It’s a particularly good way of showing off your cerebral nature to your significant other.
Escape Room is conveniently located in the heart of Myrtle Beach.
15. Ripley’s Haunted Adventure
Source: viator.comIf you’re an adrenaline junky and like being scared out of your socks, then Ripley’s Haunted Adventure will put your nerves to the test.
It’s like laser tag and a haunted house all in one. For 30 minutes you’ll attempt to zap the human-devouring monsters that lurk around every corner, and if you don’t get them first, they’ll get you.
Many guests get so hooked that they book multiple times in the same day. It’s great for most ages, but probably not for the youngest little ones who scare easily.
It’s a great way to get your heart rate up and have a lot of fun in the process.