Family Vacation GuideMyrtle Beach

Find alligators, snakes, and egrets in the area's largest state park. Explore the old mysterious mansion at Atalaya Castle or just hang out on the calm beach.

Parasailing is one of those bucket list things. You get an amazing view of everything, as you fly in a parachute, solo or with friends and family.

Finished in 2010, the boardwalk is filled with beachside restaurants, souvenir shops and the iconic Skywheel. It also hosts concerts and summer events.

The longest wooden pier on the East Coast is also part of Apache Family Campground. Join in the family fun with themed dance parties and karaoke.

Some crazy fisherman caught a 1,780-bls tiger shark here. This North Myrtle Beach pier is home to yearly tournaments and has some of the best Myrtle Beach fishing.

Enjoy live music at the Paradise Cafe Deck and a band pavilion with a full-service bar at the end of the pier. There's also a large video game arcade.

If you don't want to catch your own dinner, sit down for fresh seafood at Pier 14 Restaurant. There's a large outdoor deck with panoramic views of the Atlantic.

What used to be a bait shop is now a sleek, modern eatery. Stop by Pier House Restaurant for delicious seafood on a wrap-around deck.

At the southern tip of Myrtle Beach this pier is home to fishing tournaments. There's also Barnacle Bill's Bar and Grill, and a bait and tackle shop.

Within Myrtle Beach State park, this quiet pier is a prime spot for fishing and crabbing.

It's a great place for fishing on the south strand. Head to a number of great restaurants nearby, whether or not you catch the 'big one.'

Each climate-controlled car is a comfy place to escape the heat and admire the view from above.

It's what you think of when you think of Myrtle Beach. Warm sands, a boardwalk with restaurants and attractions, and tons of energy.

In this quiet maritime forest behind the dunes, you'll find picnic benches and a few trails. Admire the wildlife, and come for the kid-friendly nature classes.

Slightly less crowded than Myrtle Beach, this beach mixes homes and smaller resorts for a quieter experience.

South of Myrtle Beach, the beach continues along the inlets and islands of the Southern Strand. You're away from loud music and free to relax.

It's what Myrtle Beach used be like before all the high-rise hotels. This laid-back beach town is a nice place to unwind. Take a stroll on its newly refurbished boardwalk.

Get a snapshot of old-school Myrtle with beach houses, seafood shacks, and souvenirs. Make sure you eat at Duffy's Seafood Shack for a true beachy meal.

With 1/2, 3/4, and full-day fishing trips you can get a sense for inshore, offshore, and deep sea fishing. Their fleet can accommodate large groups.

Hop aboard the Sea Gypsy with the little ones ones, as they dress in pirate outfits and shoot water cannons off the starboard. This boat cruise is a delight for young kids.

You can get up close to the area's majestic dolphins, on a boat cruise or guided jet ski tour.

Starting at a plantation, you ride to the beach for a stroll along the ocean. Come during the day or a romantic sunset.

Instead of 1-3 people on a tube, the entire family is towed on the back of an inflatable banana. Hold on around the turns, you might all fall off at once.

You can fish from the piers, on the river, or take a deep sea fishing charter and venture offshore. You might just catch the next record-breaking tarpon.

Pull a lever and fly 15 feet in the air on jetpack. Or, pull tricks on a water-powered hoverboard. This one's for grown ups and big kids.

It's like riding a motorcycle on water. Zip through the network of rivers or head out to sea and ride with the dolphins.

You just can't get the same experience with wildlife in a motor boat. Paddle close to egrets and seals, as you explore the rivers and inlets of the Grand Strand.

Paddle with the family through calm, glass-like waterways or explore the small islands of Murrells Inlet.

The waves may be smaller than at most surfing hotspots, but Myrtle Beach does get some sets of its own. Head to Surfside Beach when conditions are right.

Myrtle Beach boating is unique. You can rip through the ocean on a speedboat, or take it easy on a leisurely pontoon boat cruise.