To the budget-conscious vacationer, nothing says good times on a getaway quite like a fun activity that keeps the whole crew entertained — without spending a dime. And on the Grand Strand, the opportunities to enjoy some time out and about without dipping into the vacation funds run up and down our picturesque stretch of the coast.
Next time you and your party are looking for something fun to do in the Myrtle Beach area without putting a strain on the wallet, consider one of these six free and fun Grand Strand activities:
Hit the beach: With 60-plus miles of Carolina coastline, the Grand Strand offers plenty of opportunities for a sandy escape from the everyday routine. And even better, there’s no charge to take a walk on the beach, sink your toes in the sand, or even to take a swim in the ocean. To find some of the best spots to hit the local beaches, check out these top 10 beach accesses in the Myrtle Beach area.
Find a festival: As a world-class travel destination, the Myrtle Beach area enjoys a festival and event calendar that stays busy throughout the year. And from the Little River ShrimpFest on the Grand Strand’s northern end to the Conway Riverfest a bit inland to the Pawleys Island Festival of Music & Art on the Grand Strand’s southern end, many of the associated events and activities are free of charge. Learn more and check out the festival lineup at visitmyrtlebeach.com.
Visit Broadway at the Beach: Home to over 75 stores and shops, more than 40 restaurants, sweets shops, bakeries and nightlife destinations, and 20-plus fun family attractions, sprawling Myrtle Beach shopping/dining/entertainment hot spot Broadway at the Beach offers a little something for everyone — and admission to the complex is totally free of charge.
Explore the Murrells Inlet MarshWalk: Located on the southern Strand in the historic fishing village of Murrells Inlet, the MarshWalk features a half-mile wooden boardwalk overlooking a salt marsh and lined with waterfront restaurants and bars. And, while the views of the surrounding natural saltwater estuary are breathtaking, the cost to visit — zero dollars and zero cents — definitely won’t take your breath away.
Head for Barefoot Landing at dusk: Surrounding a 27-acre lake and located less than a mile inland from North Beach Plantation, the Barefoot Landing shopping/dining/entertainment complex features more than 40 retail shops, 25-plus restaurants, bars and snack shops, and a range of entertainment venues. It’s also a great place to catch a sunset over the Intracoastal Waterway, and getting in won’t cost you a dime.
Watch some fireworks at the beach: Not much adds spark to a beach vacation like watching fireworks from the shoreline. And in the Myrtle Beach area, free fireworks shows light up the skies throughout the summer and beyond — at multiple places up and down the coast. Among them: Barefoot Landing, Broadway at the Beach and the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk.
Of course, beyond these six great free picks, the list of gratis activities on the Grand Strand keeps going for miles. To learn about more free finds in the area, don’t hesitate to ask the friendly staff at North Beach Plantation — we’re always glad to help.
And, after having some free-of-charge fun on the Grand Strand, head back to North Beach Plantation to relax in your comfortable oceanfront accommodations and enjoy some of the resort's wide-ranging, on-property amenities. Book your North Myrtle Beach getaway today — and get ready to make some priceless vacation memories on the Grand Strand.
