There’s an art to spending a weekend in Myrtle Beach! There’s a lot to do: sixty miles of coastline, tons of options to realize your inner foodie, and enough miniature golf courses to possibly spark a whole new obsession.
Two or three days is actually a good amount of time to get a Myrtle Beach sampler. You can spend a few hours doing absolutely nothing by the water, and still have time for the Boardwalk, a memorable seafood dinner, and at least one glorious vacation indulgence.
Rather than sending you ricocheting from one end of the Grand Strand to the other, this Myrtle Beach weekend itinerary will help you make a game plan. It’s a little beach, a little bit classic Myrtle Beach, a few local gems, and enough downtime to remember that you did, in fact, come here on vacation.
Book your stay and let’s get going!
Friday: Arrive, Unpack, and Get to the Boardwalk
Photo Credit: tokar
First things first: check in to Landmark Resort, plant your suitcase, and go see the ocean. Just get the itch out of the way right at the start.
You don’t have to go far. Landmark sits right on the beach at the south end of Myrtle Beach. It is ideal for strolling, swimming, shell hunting, or just setting up camp for a few hours and patting yourself on the back for the excellent choice you’ve made for a vacation destination.
If you arrive early enough, give yourself a couple of hours to enjoy the resort before getting cleaned up for the evening. You’ll have plenty of time to explore Myrtle Beach tomorrow.
Evening: The Boardwalk
Your first destination is just a short drive up Ocean Boulevard: the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk. This mile long oceanfront promenade is one of those quintessential places to embrace the Myrtle Beach vibe, with the ocean on one side and arcades, restaurants, souvenir shops, and old school attractions on the other.
There are plenty of family friendly attractions to check out before dinner. Ripley’s Believe It or Not, Crazy Golf, and Skee Ball at Fun Plaza Arcade (the oldest arcade in Myrtle Beach) are all great options. Then wander through the iconic Gay Dolphin Gift Cove, and accept that you may return to Landmark with a shark tooth, hermit crab T-shirt, or some other gem to tuck into your suitcase.
For dinner, Pier 14 is a great spot to celebrate the beginning of the weekend with a view. It sits over the Atlantic at the 14th Avenue Pier – you may even see a weekend fisherman pulling in the big one!
Save one of the best views for last. The Myrtle Beach SkyWheel will bring you 200 feet above the Boardwalk – a great way to catch the sunset and then the lights turn on above Myrtle Beach.
Saturday: The Big Myrtle Beach Day
Photo Credit: Lee O
Saturday is your one full day in Myrtle Beach, so let’s make it count!
Morning: Hit the Water
If you’re awake early enough, start with a sunrise walk on the beach. The Landmark Resort faces east over the Atlantic, and there’s something particularly lovely about seeing Myrtle Beach wake up with a coffee in hand.
Speaking of coffee, breakfast plans are in order. You can keep things wonderfully convenient at Gazebo Restaurant, Landmark’s on-site breakfast spot.
Traveling with kids? You know you aren’t going far today until they get their pool fix in. Float between the sand and Landmark’s pools and lazy rivers. Make time for the seasonal H2OASIS Waterpark, with three 40-foot-tall waterslides, a kids’ slide and splash area.
Afternoon: Broadway at the Beach or Nature
After lunch, it’s time to choose your adventure.
For the full Myrtle Beach vacation experience with family, head to Broadway at the Beach. This enormous entertainment district wraps around Lake Broadway and is home to shops, restaurants, and attractions including Ripley’s Aquarium, WonderWorks,, and plenty of other places to duck into with kids.
Alternatively, for couples or a more low key way to really immerse yourself in the other side of Myrtle Beach, head south to Myrtle Beach State Park. Walk the pier, explore the maritime forest, and get some amazing ocean views.
Evening: Murrells Inlet
After cleaning up back at your oceanfront room, head south to Murrells Inlet. This is one of South Carolina’s oldest fishing villages and one of the Grand Strand’s best places to eat fresh seafood, drink, wander, and watch the sun go down.
Your main destination is the Murrells Inlet MarshWalk, a half-mile wooden boardwalk along a natural saltwater estuary lined with restaurants and bars. Pro tip: arrive before sunset to take in the views before dinner.
For seafood and sushi with a view, try The Wicked Tuna. Dead Dog Saloon is a longtime favorite for a more casual evening.
It’s your last night – so don’t be too quick to leave after dinner. Live music is a big part of the MarshWalk experience, particularly during the warmer months, and you can wander from place to place until you find something that sounds good.
Sunday: Enjoy the Resort and Beach
On your last morning, enjoy the resort, have a later brunch, and a relaxing game of mini golf: a Myrtle Beach tradition.
Morning: Market Common
Market Common is very close to Landmark and easy for departure day. Walk around, browse the shops, grab coffee, and have a relaxed brunch. Nothing gives “Sunday Brunch in Myrtle Beach” energy like Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen & Bar’s Banana Pudding Dream Griddle.
Afternoon
Head to one of Myrtle Beach’s famously elaborate mini-golf courses. Courses come complete with pirate ships, waterfalls, caves, dinosaurs, and volcanoes.
Cancun Lagoon Adventure Golf is just down the road from Landmark Resort and has 27 (!) holes spread across three nine-hole courses, all built around a giant Mayan pyramid. Just a bit of last minute whimsy before heading back to your 9 to 5!
When to Schedule Your Myrtle Beach Weekend
There’s really no bad season for a Myrtle Beach weekend, but each one comes with a different personality.
- Summer is Myrtle Beach in full swing. June through August brings warm beach weather and ocean temps but also a few more crowds.
- Spring is a sweet spot if you prefer warm days sans the summer traffic. It’s a great time for golf and exploring the Grand Strand.
- Fall may be the local favorite. Temperatures are in the sweet spot, the crowds are smaller, and it’s perfect for easy sea shelling days.
- Winter is quieter, but that’s part of the appeal. You’ll find fewer crowds with holiday lights and seasonal events around the Grand Strand.
Where to Stay for a Myrtle Beach Weekend
When you only have a weekend, where you stay matters! You don’t want to spend half of Saturday driving back and forth across Myrtle Beach because your hotel, the beach, and everything you want to do have you bouncing around.
Landmark Resort makes for a particularly handy home base. You’re right on the ocean and just a short drive from all the good stuff. Accommodations range from rooms and efficiencies to one-bedroom condos and penthouses, so there are options whether you’re planning a couples’ escape or bringing the whole crew.
Book your stay at Landmark Resort and start planning your Myrtle Beach weekend.