friends beach tripLooking for a unique vacation spot to meet up with a big group of friends? Or maybe you’re in need of a weekend trip with your significant other? North Myrtle Beach is your answer for adventure, relaxation and fun this fall. There are seemingly endless places to stay, from full-service hotels and resorts to camping. Get everyone to pitch in and rent a condo for the week. Most lodging comes with Instagram-able views of the ocean that can be shared with #nofilter.

 

 

When you reserve a vacation rental property online, you get plenty of communal space for your group with enough privacy, plus a full kitchen. Most accommodations are dog-friendly and feature easy access to free Wi-Fi.

Enjoy the view from your porch by picking up a bottle or two of wine from the local wineries. When you get hungry, cook in your own kitchen for a meal that is easy on the wallet. If you've got the whole gang, prepare a large low-country boil. If you've cooking up a romantic meal, pick up seafood to cook at Boulineaus FoodsBut when you’re ready to let someone else do the cooking, North Myrtle Beach restaurants serve something for every taste, from fried green tomatoes and local seafood platters to giant pancakes and natural Angus burgers.

From adventures on the land to time on the water to great restaurants and nightlife, here are a few great ideas for making unforgettable memories this fall in North Myrtle Beach.

Water Fun

In the fall, the water is beautiful and the temperatures are perfect. Rent a pontoon boat or a kayak, or try standing up paddle boarding, with lessons provided at Kokopelli Surf Camp. If you've never been on a banana boat, be sure to climb aboard the bright yellow inflatable and go hurtling across Atlantic waves. 

Need a unique date idea? Go dolphin watching! Choose from a leisurely boat cruise to a more adventurous jet ski dolphin tour. If you're looking for the thrill of fishing on the high seas, spend an afternoon with Voyager Deep Sea Fishing, where your ‘big game’ catch may include pink snappers, large sea bass or grouper. Be sure to share your pictures on social media using #ExploreNMB, because your family and friends back home will have a lot to say about your day at sea!

If your crew prefers staying on dry land, drop a fishing line off one of the local piers, where you might just spot friendly dolphins looking for their day’s catch. Built in the 1950s, Cherry Grove Fishing Pier features a full service tackle, bait and gift shop where you’ll find the latest brand name rods and reels. If you are trying to show off your skills with some healthy competition? Impress your friends by entering one of several fishing tournaments, scheduled through early fall.

Adventure Lovers

Looking for speed and heights? Fly through the trees with Go Ape Zipline & Treetop Adventure, at North Myrtle Beach Sports and Recreation Complex. Pretend you’re Tarzan as you navigate rope courses and zip lines set amid this forest canopy. For more high-speed adrenaline fun, pilot a jet ski along the coastline, or try cable wake boarding at the recently opened Shark Wake Park.

First-timers and experienced scuba divers will find scuba equipment and PADI dive training at Coastal Scuba. Boat charters are available through Coastal Scuba, offering mapped out views of Civil War and WWII wrecks, as well as manmade dive reefs. For breathtaking views from on high, up to 100 feet above the water, go parasailing, either solo or tandem with your best friend.

Outdoor Relaxation

What’s a beach vacation without the beach? A fall vacation in North Myrtle Beach means fewer crowds than summertime. North Myrtle Beach has nine miles of some of the widest beach on the Grand Strand, making this a terrific place for catching the waves, taking leisurely strolls with your friends, playing bocce ball or going for a bike ride. You'll have plenty of room to spread those beach towels out and catch some rays before winter.

Explore the Land

If you want to explore nature, check out seven acres of walking paths and a nature trail at Heritage Shores Nature Preserve. More beautiful views await you at Vereen Gardens or Inlet Point Plantation. You can even saddle up for horseback riding on the beach and through one of the last maritime forests in the states. Now that’s not something you don't get to do every day!

If shopping is a must on your vacation, there’s everything from antique foraging in specialty stores to bargain hunting at area malls and outlets. Start with an afternoon browsing boutique-filled shops in Main Street Ocean Drive, between Ocean Drive and Highway 17. Then find a deal at one of the area’s larger shopping destinations including Coastal North Town Center, Tanger Outlet Shops or Myrtle Beach Mall.

At Barefoot Landing, a 100-acre complex, there’s shopping, dining and entertainment, as well, so it is a perfect place to keep the whole group happy!

Dinner with a View

After a day of activity, there’s no better way to relax with friends than over a good meal and a bottle of wine. Combine that with a view of the water and you’re living the good life—North Myrtle Beach style.

Known for its incomparable sunset vistas and filling dishes. visit Joe's Bar and Grille for a good time. For gorgeous water views with an enormous selection of South Carolina moonshine and slow-smoked meats, try Smokin’ Hot Grill & BBQ. Combine ocean breezes with a rooftop patio view at the incomparable Flounders Fish House, where we recommend the shrimp & grits and fried green tomatoes. Looking for live music with your meal? Enjoy fine dining at Greg Norman’s Australian Grille, overlooking Barefoot Marina.

For dinner on the water, climb aboard the Barefoot Princess Riverboat, the only tour and dinner riverboat on the Intracoastal Waterway. Or test your luck on the casino entertainment and dinner buffet on the floating Big “M” Casino.

EntertainmentONE Show

When you’re ready for a little nightlife, two of this area’s ‘hottest’ entertainment venues can be found at Barefoot Landing. Join the crowd for live shows at the nationally-praised Alabama Theatre. Savor Southern cuisine and toss your peanut shells on the floor while listening to various musical styles at House of Blues.

Named “Top Attraction in Myrtle Beach” by CNBC, The Carolina Opry, at the highly acclaimed Calvin Gilmore Theatre, features numerous entertainment options, including Good Vibrations Productions’ Time Warp—a blend of music, comedy and special effects reminiscent of the 60s, 70s and 80s.

This fall, come to North Myrtle Beach and spend time making memories with friends or your significant other—on the beach, in the water, enjoying great restaurants, entertaining ‘at home’ or exploring this vibrant seaside community.