You may not expect it, but one of the best times to visit North Myrtle Beach is in the winter. Escape your everyday routine and find an unexpected way to make sweet memories that you’ll cherish for years to come.

We’ve pulled together some of our favorite things to do during the winter, so what are you waiting for? Pack up the family for a long weekend in North Myrtle Beach!

 

 

DAY 1:

Explore by Horseback

After you check into your accommodations, don’t waste any time: get your adventure started on Waites Island with a horseback tour. There’s truly no better way to see North Myrtle Beach’s wide, beautiful beaches, especially in the winter when it’s less crowded and temperatures are mild. Inlet Point Plantation is a family-owned business that was built in 1995 and began operating in 1996, giving visitors (and locals) the one-of-a-kind opportunity to ride horseback year-round.

Light it up

Get in the holiday spirit at The Great Christmas Light Show. Between November 25 and December 30, over two million lights create a mile-and-a-half drive full of festive animated figures and holiday scenes. Once you’ve driven through the lights, park the car and visit Santa’s Village. Your family will love riding the Santa Express Train Ride, drinking hot chocolate, and—on select nights—meeting Santa himself! So, press “play” on that holiday playlist and jingle all the way on over to the North Myrtle Beach Park and Sports Complex.

 

DAY 2:

Make a Stingray Friend

The next morning, head down the road to one of the area’s most popular attractions, Ripley’s Aquarium, where there are a variety of animal exhibits and interactive experiences to choose from. If you and the kids are feeling extra adventurous, jump in and swim with stingrays at Ripley’s Stingray experience. A professionally-trained diver will guide you as you snorkel and get up close and personal with different stingray species, including spotted eagle rays and cownose rays. Children must be over the age of six for this experience. Just don’t forget to BYOBS (that’s “Bring Your Own Bathing Suit”) and towel.

Side of Hush Puppies, Please

After you’ve watched feeding time at Ripley’s Aquarium, you might realize your stomach is growling! Take a breather and spend some quality family time at one of the many restaurants in the North Myrtle Beach. After such an exhilarating adventure at Ripley’s, we suggest a laid-back spot, like Bar-B-Que House right on Highway 17. Boasting one of the largest kid’s menus in the area, this casual establishment is known for “generous portions of lip-smackin’, mouth-waterin’ hickory-smoked BBQ.” All plates are served with two homemade sides like fried okra and mac and cheese, plus an order of hush puppies.

A Fun Knight!

If you’re looking for dinner and a show, take the group to Medieval Times and watch a night in medieval Spain unfold before your eyes. Tickets include a four-course meal (featuring the Queen’s current favorite dish) and select beverages. There are alcoholic beverages available for the adults, too. Vegetarians and those with special allergy requests don’t need to fret: they can accommodate your needs here. Just ask!

The entertainment includes six different knights battling it out for the title of Queen’s Champion. Be prepared for an exhilarating evening of jousting and displays of weaponry, falconry and horsemanship. This is a show that’s sure to capture everyone’s imagination…just make sure the kids don’t try some of the moves at home!

 

DAY 3:

Go Barefoot

We don’t mean taking off your shoes—we mean taking a trip to Barefoot Landing! You could truly spend the whole day exploring this expansive dining and shopping complex. Start the day with a big breakfast at Blueberry’s Grill, where you can enjoy pancakes, eggs, pastries, granola and more. The adults can even sip on a mimosa or two—it’s a getaway, after all!

Then, take a walk over to Alligator Adventure to see one of the largest collections of reptile life in the world. If you go to a live show, you can even touch a real alligator. The best part? Alligator Adventure has so many more animals than just reptiles—you can see bobcats, hyenas, flamingos, owls and more.

If you have more time to spare after you’ve seen everything, go across Barefoot Landing towards the Intracoastal Waterway to Lucy Buffet’s Lulu’s, where you can play arcade games and try to win fabulous prizes. If you’re hungry again, you can always grab a bite to eat here, too! 

Mini Golf Par-Tee

Even in the winter, no trip to North Myrtle Beach is complete without some friendly competition. Play a round or two of mini golf at one of the many top-rated courses in North Myrtle Beach, like Hawaiian Rumble Mini Golf or Aloha Mini Golf. Both of these courses are open year-round, including holidays like Christmas Day. 

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