20 Best Things to Do in North Myrtle Beach, SC: Shag & Piers

Just up the coast from its busier neighbor, North Myrtle Beach is where the Grand Strand takes a deep breath. The city is really four old beach communities, each with its own feel. One is home to the state’s official dance, one has a beautiful stretch of salt marsh, and all of them share the same wide sand. You’ll find it a little quieter, a little more local, and a lot easier to park.

The best things to do in North Myrtle Beach, SC are learning to shag on Main Street, walking Cherry Grove Pier, spending an evening at Barefoot Landing, exploring Heritage Shores Nature Preserve, and enjoying the area’s long, family-friendly beaches.

Most people miss the marsh side of town, so put #4 near the top of your list. If you want the bright lights, Myrtle Beach itself is just a short drive away.

1. Learn to Shag on Main Street

The Carolina Shag, South Carolina’s official state dance, is closely tied to Ocean Drive, and Main Street is its spiritual home. Look for the local clubs and beach music venues, many of which offer lessons. Don’t worry about having two left feet. People here are friendly, and the steps are easier than they look.

2. Walk Cherry Grove Pier

Families love Cherry Grove Pier for fishing and sightseeing. It’s listed at 985 feet, and it was rebuilt in 2022 after a 2020 storm. If you’re not fishing, walk out to the end anyway and start your day there. Ask about current passes and fees at the pier house.

3. Have an Evening at Barefoot Landing

Barefoot Landing on the Intracoastal Waterway brings together shopping, live shows and dining in one easy place. Walk around in the evening, when you’ll find weekly events during the season. Many people find it easier to deal with than the larger complexes farther south.

4. Explore Heritage Shores Nature Preserve

At 5611 Heritage Drive, Heritage Shores Nature Preserve has seven acres of paths on an island in Cherry Grove Marsh. Elevated boardwalks, observation docks and a 40-station interpretive trail let you get close to the marsh. Entry is free, and you won’t find a better place in town to see wading birds. Park at the western end of 53rd Avenue North.

5. See a Show at the Alabama Theatre

Located in Barefoot Landing, the Alabama Theatre is known for ONE the Show and a Christmas show, along with guest artists. This is a classic Grand Strand night out, and several generations can enjoy it together. Book ahead, especially at busy times of year.

6. Catch Live Music at House of Blues

House of Blues, also at Barefoot Landing, has a concert hall, Gospel Brunch and an outdoor deck with local music. You don’t need tickets to a big show to have a good evening, since the deck stays lively and relaxed.

7. Meet the Reptiles at Alligator Adventure

Right by Barefoot Landing, Alligator Adventure has alligators, crocodiles, snakes and tropical birds, plus live shows and demonstrations. Allow about three hours. Kids love getting that close, safely, to a large reptile.

8. Take a Dinner Cruise

The Barefoot Princess Dinner Cruise is a riverboat trip on the Intracoastal Waterway, with sightseeing and dinner. Book it for a slow evening or a special occasion. Go for a sunset departure.

9. Ride Horses on the Beach

Inlet Point Plantation Stables offers horseback rides through the plantation and along a private island beach. You’ll remember this long after the vacation is over. Book in advance, and ask about any rider age and weight limits.

10. Taste Wine at La Belle Amie

La Belle Amie Vineyard has private label wines, gourmet foods and events throughout the year. The drive from the beach is short, so head over on a cloudy afternoon. Look for its calendar of festivals and music.

11. Go Crabbing on the Marsh

At the Russell Burgess Coastal Preserve, a boardwalk over Cherry Grove Marsh is a great place for fishing and crabbing. Families have done this forever, and all you need is a string and some bait. Children tend to love it, and they’ll learn how the tides work along the way.

12. Launch a Boat at Cherry Grove

Cherry Grove Park and Boat Ramp is a popular fishing spot on the marsh, with access to Hog Inlet and the Atlantic. Visitor parking at the ramp is paid from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Go out with someone who knows the area, because the inlet’s currents and shoals can be tricky.

13. Picnic at Cherry Grove Oceanfront Park

For an easy beach day, this oceanfront park has beach access with picnic and common areas. Families who want something more organized than a parking space and a long walk should start here. Ocean Park is a smaller alternative, with paved parking and beach access.

14. Hit the Parks With Kids

McClean Park has a 2-acre lake and plenty of space for family outings, and the North Myrtle Beach Park and Sports Complex has a new disc golf course. Use them to change up a beach week for little money, and you’ll be among the locals on a weekend.

15. Learn the Local History

The North Myrtle Beach Historical Museum covers the area’s culture, history and science, from its first inhabitants to the rise of tourism. You won’t need long, and you’ll learn how four small beach communities became a resort town. Go on a rainy morning.

16. Jump Out of a Plane

If you’re feeling brave, Skydive Myrtle Beach operates from Grand Strand Airport, with tandem jumps for first-timers and a beach drop zone. You won’t get a better view of the coast. If you’d rather stay low, you can try a jetpack ride over the water.

17. Spend Your Mornings on the Sand

The beaches here are wide, flat and family-friendly, and they tend to be less crowded than farther south. Bring your own shade and arrive early for parking in high summer. Pay attention to lifeguards and flag warnings, especially if the surf is up.

18. Try Calabash-Style Seafood

Just up the road across the state line, Calabash, North Carolina is famous for its lightly breaded fried seafood, and many area restaurants serve the same style. Generous portions are the rule. Go early, because the best-known spots get busy at dinner time.

19. Day Trip to Myrtle Beach

A short drive south brings you to the Boardwalk, the SkyWheel and Broadway at the Beach. Treat it as a day out, then come back to the quiet at night. Summer traffic on US 17 can be slow, so don’t try to do too much in one day.

20. Visit Brookgreen Gardens

Keep driving south for about an hour, and you’ll reach Brookgreen Gardens and Huntington Beach State Park, the two most rewarding day trips on the Grand Strand. Sculpture, oak avenues, marsh boardwalks and the odd alligator give you a day nothing like the one you had on the beach.

Best Free Things to Do in North Myrtle Beach

The beach, Heritage Shores Nature Preserve, the Russell Burgess boardwalk and walking around Main Street and Barefoot Landing are all free. Watching shag dancers on a warm evening doesn’t cost much either. Some parking in the area is paid in season.

When to Visit North Myrtle Beach and How Long to Stay

Summer is warm and busy, and May and September offer warm water and fewer visitors. Spring brings shag dancers to town for big gatherings, and fall is great for fishing and golf. A long weekend is plenty for the beach and Barefoot Landing, but a week is the traditional stay, and you’ll have no trouble filling it.

Where to next? Try our guides to Myrtle Beach, Sunset Beach and Ocean Isle Beach, or see the best things to do in South Carolina for the whole state. You can also browse all our travel guides on Decidel.

How we checked this guide: details were checked against official and published sources in November 2026. They can change, so confirm with the venue before you go.