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.

Take out a go-cart on a former NASCAR track. There's also a mini golf course, arcade, rock wall, and the thrilling Sky Coaster.

Home to one of the biggest wooden coasters in the South, this park has 37 rides for all ages. There's also a waterpark located conveniently across the street.

Great for families with older kids, you'll get to traverse ropes courses and fly down ziplines.

You get a beautiful view of the Atlantic (for a few seconds that is), until you drop down on a bungee cord. This one's for the adrenaline junkie in your family.

Strap in for a behind-the-wheel stock car experience at the Myrtle Beach Speedway. Or, you can always just sit back and watch the professionals do the racing.

Starting at $20 per person, you can ride a helicopter over the ocean and see the entire beach in its full glory.

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

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.

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.

Offering lessons, summer golf camps, and junior league tournaments this organization helps kids improve their skills.

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

It's a renowned teaching facility for ages 5-17, perfect for young players just taking up the sport, as well as those fine tuning their game for elite competitions.

It's the safest way to watch 15-foot gators leap from the water to devour their dinner. This reptile sanctuary features gators, snakes, and other animals.

Stroll through the world's largest outdoor sculpture collection amid beautiful gardens.

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!

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

No forks here! It's a 3-course dinner show out of the middle ages. Guests are greeted as "My Lord, Lady, Prince, and Princess," and knights duel and joust below.

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.

People come here to take wedding photos. This breathtaking boardwalk path weaves past oak trees, historic buildings, and the glass-like reflection on the river.

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

Dark corners, scariest noises, and that guy with a chainsaw make this haunted house show fun for the whole family.

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.

This dual mirror maze and laser vault challenge will put your sense of reality to the test.

You put on glasses and watch a dazzling wrap-around screen while your seats move to the movie.

Take your family's holiday photo next to the world's tallest and shortest man. These exhibits of oddity will peak your curiosity.

Next door to Ripley's Museum, this mirror puts you in a labyrinth of mirrors and LED lights.

Kids get to see how electricity works, experience a hurricane, and explore a 3D version of Google Earth. There's even a zipline going into the building and lazer tag inside.

With moving seats that buzz with different physical effects and even smells, you're immersed in a multi-sensory cinema experience.

In the first half, you chase bank robbers through a mind-bending maze. In the second part, kids get to dodge lasers in a spy mission.

Turquoise blue water cascades into crystal-clear seas in this version of the Mayan Riviera. The course plays into a Mayan temple that erupts with thunder and lightening.

It's great for young kids because they get to play the story of Peter Pan. You can also buy a $35 package here to play Dragon's Lair, Jungle Safari, Jurassic Golf, and Shipwreck Island.

Journey back to the time of knights, castles, and dragons. Watch out for the firebreathing dragon! It's at Broadway at the Beach so you're next to tons of fun.

Every year, the best mini golfers in the world gather here for a face off. It may well be the most famous mini golf course in the world.

Putt through a misty prehistoric jungle with challenging hills and tricky lies. Then do the Ice Age course and test your skills in the fog.

You crash land on a tropical island with nothing but your putters. All that's left to do is play until you're rescued.

It's the world's only volcano with air conditioning inside. So when the weather is hot, the best place to play is inside a magma chamber.

Purists might scoff at the ridiculous theming that mixes the Loch Ness Monster, minotaurs, and aliens with Elvis and Einstein. But nobody said it wasn't entertaining.

It's the only course overlooking the ocean, right above the boardwalk. You putt around a small lagoon where a shark takes a bite out of a fisherman's boat every 15 minutes.

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

It's a day on a farm from the early 1900's. Watch blacksmiths hammer out tools and farmers plow the fields. It's a great educational activity for the kids.

The Grand Strand's best zoo – you get to see otters, foxes, eagles, and more. Then take a pontoon boat ride to see gators and native animals in their natural habitats.

Think non-corporate Chuck E. Cheese's, but with top-notch pizza. There's an amazing playspace for kids and a sports bar for parents.

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.

Take a ferry to this uninhabited barrier island to explore 16 miles of trails. The highlight is Boneyard Beach with it's skeletonized trees, jutting out of the sand.

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

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...

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