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.

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

It's tucked away, hidden almost in an industrial section of town. But don't let that deter you. Come by for tastings or tours with their laid-back, friendly brewer masters.

Built with Roman columns, All Saints Church is a grand example of Classical Revival architecture. These hallowed grounds are also home to a haunted cemetery.

It's an enchanting mansion, once the home of famous philanthropists, Archer and Anna Huntington. Explore the ruins and have a picnic in the surrounding state park.

It's an annual BBQ competition where you can taste BBQ from the best pitmasters in the country. Come hungry and ready for ribs, pork, and live music.

Few kids can resist the allure of giant pumpkins. This annual harvest festival at Brookgreen Gardens is good for the little ones and grandma and grandpa too.

It's the best way to end your summer day at the beach. From Jun-Aug, the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk hosts nightly entertainment from 8-11 pm.

Join other Buffet fans for live music, food, and drink in the garden at La Belle Amie vineyard.

On the grounds of the mysterious Atalaya Castle, hundreds of local artists sell their clothes, jewelry, and crafts. Best of all, the beach is just yards away.

Enjoy duck confit and souffle in the quaint town of Little River. Their wine list is excellent and they have a tasting menu too. Oh yeah, and the place is haunted (just the kitchen).

Designed with long bombers in mind, the course has broad landing areas free of bunkers. So take aim and fire away!

Don't be deceived by the first 15 holes, the last three'll getcha. No. 17 is a monster at 576 yards with water hazards and bunkers guarding the green.

Eerie oak trees draped in Spanish moss give it a 'Gone with the Wind' feel. Lush beauty and tough-but-fair playability make it one of the 100 best public courses.

With its famous risk-reward No. 8, this Murrells Inlet Golf Course is also ranked among the "Top 100 Women-Friendly Courses."

Built on an old indigo plantation, next to its sister Caledonia, it's routinely ranked by Golf Digest as one of the best Myrtle Beach Golf Courses for its supreme beauty and playability.

The best course at Barefoot Resort & Golf, this beautiful North Myrtle Beach golf course can be tough. But pick the right tees and most players can get through without undue suffering.

The "Friendliest Course on the Grand Strand," Possum Trot features broad fairways and shortish par-5s. It's great for family play and has a top-ranked golf academy.

Ranked in the top 50 public courses, it's one of the Grand Strand's most difficult courses, playing to 7,450 yards with a course rating of 76.1 and slope rating of 148.

Known as "The Granddaddy," this course was designed by the first president of the PGA. In 1954, executives of Time-Life gathered here to hash out the concept for Sports Illustrated.

Operated by golf legend Raymond Floyd, Arrowhead offer 27 holes on three distinct courses. There's something fun for every skillset.

Great for kids, these 18 par-3 holes, play as short as 69 yards. So you won't be stuck on the course for too long.

This popular three-day school gives junior golfers and adults a crash course at True Blue Golf Course.

It's quieter than Broadway at the Beach and geared more towards nature with tiger and alligator attractions. It's also home to House of Blues.

With tons of shops, restaurants, activities, and a vibrant nightlife, it's similar to Downtown Disney. Just watch out for those catfish in the lake!

Lined with designer shops, restaurants, and a huge movie theater, it's an outdoor mall with condos above.

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

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.

The battle at Ft. Fisher helped seal the Confederacy's fate, cutting off the last supply line to Robert E. Lee's Army.

Sit back in an old mansion for an authentic country buffet on Blue Willow China. Their fried chicken and Buttermilk Pie is some of the best around.

Housed in a large warehouse, you'll find tons of antiques, some of them hundreds of years old, set up in themed displays. It's like exploring Ikea.

It's filled with tons of items from fine China, silverware, and nick knacks to furniture and leather bound books.

Shaded by gorgeous oak trees, these elegant Victorian-style shops are a nice relaxing way to cool down on a hot day away from the action.

It's a little smaller than other Myrtle Beach malls, but it's home to a great kids club hosting frequent events, as well as a brand new movie theater and bowling alley.

Even if you're not buying a boat, the Bass Pro Shop is still fun with its fish tank and kids activities. This large mall has stores, a movie theater, and seasonal skating rink.

Most of the time it's reggae-influenced rock 'n' roll and Americana, but twice a year it turns into Shag Central – a hub for Carolina Beach Music.

With a large concert hall, restaurant stage, and outdoor stage, there are lots of choices. Come Sunday mornings for the Gospel Brunch at Crossroads.

You can listen to live music from your boat. They host a variety of concerts across genres, and most acts are free! Come for their Sunday Funday summer concert series.

They book a wide variety of acts from big names to local stars. On Mondays they host an Acoustic Jam Night for something light and soulful.

Get a sense for all the great local artists. If you come Tuesdays you can even join in and jam with them.

Hop from bar-to-bar for live music, drinks, and food along the water in Murrells Inlet.

This huge 2,000-seat venue rotates its in-house production, "One – The Show" and a guest artist concert series featuring hot names in country music.

For eight summers in the 1970s, Alabama was their house band. Today they carry on the tradition with live country music at this boardwalk venue.

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

You've Family Kingdom amusement park behind you and the beach in front of you. Relax in the adult pool while the kids play on the water playground and lazy river.

There's a great oceanfront restaurant, several winding pools, and plush luxury condos to call your home base.

The pool deck faces the ocean and the beach is just a few feet away, along a path through the dunes. You can get one of the best views of the Atlantic from condos on the two top floors.

Staff go out of their way to treat kids like royalty at this beachfront resort. There's an indoor and an outdoor lazy river, along with a seaside pool overlooking the shore.

This luxury resort boasts classy residences, a great bar and grill, and a water playground with a giant waterslide.

Set on the Intracoastal Waterway, you're right across the street from Myrtle Beach Watersports where you can rent jet skis, kayaks, or go for a banana boat ride.

Relax on the beach or by the oceanfront pool. There's also an indoor kids club stocked with arts n' crafts and games, as well as a seasonal Tiki Bar and snack shack.

Tucked away in a maritime forest you have lots of open space and nature trails to explore. Walk to the private beach or have a personal golf cart take you there.

Located in a quiet neighborhood, you have less crowds on the beach. There's a nice oceanfront pool, and a seaside lawn where kids can run around.

You're right next to the world-class Possum Trot Golf Course. This peaceful golf retreat has a great pool, soothing sauna, clubhouse with games, and tennis courts.

Located right on the beach in North Myrtle Beach's Ocean Drive section, you can walk to the classic rides at Pavilion Amusement Park.

With its one-of-a-kind "treehouse" condos, this resort is set in a quiet, forested neighborhood with an indoor pool, clubhouse, and plenty of nearby golfing.

It's packed with family activities from a giant jungle gym to huge pools, and nightly campfires with 'smores.

Right across the street from the famous Broadway at the Beach, this family-friendly resort boasts a waterpark, mini golf, tennis, and calming lake.

You're right on the beach and walking distance to the restaurants and shops of Main Street in North Myrtle Beach.

It's home to the legendary Ocean Annie's beach bar with live music during the summer months. You’ve got several pools, a lazy river, and the beach at your front door.

It feels like a peaceful Southern oasis, on tranquil creeks away from the crowds. The resort offers a great outdoor pool and lazy river, and hosts daily activities.

You can fish on the river that flows right into the ocean, lounge by the seaside pool, or head down to an uncrowded stretch of beach.

With a world-class golf course, fun bar and grill, and suites with huge living rooms, it makes for a great golfing trip.

You're right next to great golf courses and Myrtle Beach State Park. Or, hang back at the resort with a cooling drink at the bar, surrounded by the gorgeous zero-entry pool.

Walk along the sand to the brand new boardwalk and ride the SkyWheel. This boutique resort features a lazy river and pool, overlooking the ocean.

A kid-friendly resort, you've got a lazy river, multiple pools, and the beach right in front of you fun. Or, grab a book, relax on the sundeck, and let your troubles melt away.

There are two lazy rivers, six pools, 10 hot tubs, and dozens of other activities. And then there's the beach, which is located at the end of the road and free from the crowds.

Away from all the crowds, you're right across from the beach and set along a seaside trail, perfect for a run or stroll. There's also a lazy river and fun bar and grill.

Soak up the sun on the poolside sundeck or lawn. Then walk a few steps to the beach. When your appetite strikes, grab a bite to eat at the ice cream shop and grill.

There's a huge waterslide outside and an indoor water playground for the little ones. Enjoy a romantic sunset dinner at the famous Sea Captain's House restaurant next door.

You can golf along the Intra Coastal Waterway, or take out a boat at the marina. There's also a great riverside bar, perfect for an evening drink.

It's a great family resort, with an indoor water playground and lazy river for the little ones, and a gorgeous lounge area and seaside pool for the grownups.

Located in the less crowded Murrells inlet, there's much more space on the beach.

Set on a historic rice plantation dating back to the 1700s, the course meanders through marshes, woodlands, and natural grasses.

They offer massage treatments, pilates and fitness, and therapeutic rituals. You can also take a soak in their whirlpool Jacuzzi set in an outdoor garden.

Their signature Milk and Honey body wrap uses complex essentials oils and therapeutic mud to rejuvenate the skin.

Treatments include hot stone massages, sugar and salt scrubs, and detoxifying body wraps.

Inspired by the great vineyards of Europe, Silver Coast produces a number of local wines. They also host their own art gallery and seasonal events, like the Purple Feet Festival.

With six pools and two lazy rivers, this action-packed family resort is located right on the beach in North Myrtle Beach. Cruise on one of two lazy rivers that look out over the ocean and le...

Sprawling along the fairways of Myrtlewood Golf Club, Myrtlewood Villas provides a relaxing family retreat away from the crowds. But it’s not just a great Myrtle Beach resort for golfers.

One block from the beach and right next to a peaceful neighborhood, Horizon at 77th is an action-packed family resort. The rooftop pool area features a lazy river stocked with inner tubes, a...

This sleek modern resort is a refreshing change from many of the older resorts in Myrtle Beach. Rising above the sea, Ocean 22 By Hilton Grand Vacations offers a peaceful oceanfront pool sur...

Rising above a prime stretch of beach, North Beach Plantation is an upscale North Myrtle Beach Resort with an oceanfront water park. Located in the very first part of North Myrtle Beach, you...

Kids and grownups alike will love the oceanfront water park, which includes multiple pools, whirlpool spas, a lazy river, and splash pool with a water fountain. Of course you could walk abou...

Right on of the beach, Monterey Bay Suites features an oceanfront pool surrounded by palmetto trees that flows into an indoor water playground. Grab a lounger and enjoy the sunshine or hop o...