Once you’ve requested time off and booked the perfect place to stay, the next challenge is finding the best ways to keep the whole family entertained. Luckily, North Myrtle Beach is packed with classic family-friendly activities that everyone will love.
From action-packed, on-the-water adventures to fun-filled attractions, we’ve rounded up the top 8 family activities in North Myrtle Beach to make your trip unforgettable. Dive into these favorites and become the ultimate MVP of your family beach vacation!
1. Go Sightseeing on a Dolphin Cruise
Take in the sights and sounds of the open water with a dolphin cruise. Your family will love the excitement of being up close and personal with friendly dolphins that swim alongside the boat. If you are feeling more adventurous, hop on a jet ski dolphin tour and experience the thrill of spotting dolphins up close. Pictures and videos just don’t do it justice - you have to see it to believe it!
2. Explore Barefoot Landing
No matter what season you visit, you can easily spend an entire day with the whole family exploring Barefoot Landing. Top attractions include Alligator Adventure, a reptile-themed zoo that is home to a wide range of species.
Work up an appetite and wander the shops to find the perfect souvenir before taking a seat at one of the dozens of restaurants. Barefoot Landing has it all, ranging from Australian (Greg Norman Australian Grille) to Italian (Umberto’s) to seafood (Flying Fish Market and Grill). If your family still has an appetite after dinner, finish the night off with ice cream while you talk about all the fun tomorrow has in store.
3. Get Dinner and a Show at One of our Dinner Theater's
Multitask by feeding the family and keeping the kids entertained at one of the popular dinner theaters. Whether your family chooses to get treated like royalty and joust with knights at Medieval Times or watch pirates walk the plank and perform acrobatics at Pirates Voyage, our dinner theatres are guaranteed to be fun and interactive. Sit back, eat a four-course meal, and enjoy the show.
4. Deep Dive Into the Crazy World of Ripley's Aquarium
For ultimate animal lovers, Ripley’s Aquarium offers one-of-a-kind experiences that will allow your family to connect closely with some of the ocean’s most beloved creatures. Visit Ripley’s largest and most popular exhibit, Dangerous Reef, where you can travel on a 340-foot-long glidepath and feel like you are immersed in the ocean as you’re surrounded by thousands of fish. Venture into the heart of the shark tank with the Glass Bottom Boat Adventure, get the VIP treatment with a behind-the-scenes tour, or take a risk and dive with the sharks. Live shows including animal feedings, diving performances, and mermaids are also featured all day long.
5. Test Your Skills In Mini Golf
Entertain dad’s ego by saying he’s good enough to play in the U.S. Open of Mini Golf. Or give your kids 9, 18, or 36 chances to score that coveted hole-in-one. While North Myrtle Beach might be famous for its golf courses, there are plenty of family-friendly mini golf courses to choose from.
Some highlights include Hawaiian Rumble Minigolf and Mayday Golf, which was named the top survival-themed course by the Travel Channel. No matter which course you choose, we know you’re in for tons of competitive family fun with a round, or two.
6. Have Some Indoor Fun at a Museum
The museums in the North Myrtle Beach area are anything but boring. Located just down the road from North Myrtle Beach, Hollywood Wax Museum is an experience like no other, where your family can become A-list stars and pose with all of your favorite celebrities. The wax figures are so lifelike, all your friends will be wondering how you were able to meet so many stars on vacation.
After the wax museum, let your imaginations run wild at Myrtle Beach’s WonderWorks, a museum featuring over 100 hands-on exhibits that will challenge the mind. Your kids will be having fun AND learning at the same time (we won’t tell them if you don’t).
7. Check out Seasonal Events
Local events are always popping up around North Myrtle Beach, so always check the events calendar to see what new and fun things are taking place while you’re here! No matter what events your family decides to check out, we guarantee you will have an incredible time.
8. Enjoy Nine Miles of Pristine Beaches
What’s a family beach vacation without a day (or two or three) on the beach? With nine miles of shoreline and 200 public access beach points, take advantage of the beautiful weather and enjoy some of our favorite family-friendly beach games like bocce ball, spike ball, Frisbee, beach volleyball or sandcastle building.
What are you waiting for? Book your stay, pack your bags, and tell your family to get ready for the time of their lives. And while you’re planning your vacation, be sure to sign up for our newsletter to get exciting news and the best deals right to your inbox.