2024 Surfside Beach Educational Activities Guide

Myrtle Beach fans may be surprised to learn that this shoreline has a quiet side, but visitors who want to soak up a natural coastal South Carolina landscape will find plenty of pristine and undeveloped room to roam at the Myrtle Beach State Park. Located along the oceanfront, just south of the Grand Strand's famed Ocean Blvd, and just north of the town limits of Surfside Beach, this surprisingly large parcel of maritime forest and quiet ocean beaches is a rare treat and a gem of a find for outdoor lovers who simply want to relax and soak up Myrtle Beaches' definitely quieter natural scene.

Nature and art lovers will find endless winding trails and tranquil gardens to enjoy at Brookgreen Gardens, a sprawling outdoor attraction set on a 9,100 acre property that is a masterpiece of decadent sculpture gardens, wildly natural local habitats, and even the Lowcountry Zoo, a crowd pleaser for visitors of all ages. With millions of ways to spend the day in this enchanted Grand Strand destination, visitors will be treated to breathless landscapes, wild local residents, and an arsenal of incredible experiences and memories to take back home.

Before there was the infamous Jersey Shore crew, or the Southern California surfing hang-outs, there was the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk. A southern icon for beach vacationers of multiple generations, from biker gangs to young families, the boardwalk remains the pinnacle of the Myrtle Beach oceanfront scene, and attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year for its bevy of shops, restaurants, arcades, bars, and of course, its wide stretches of endless ocean views.

It's impossible for oceanfront beach-goers to miss Myrtle Beaches' literal top attraction, the Myrtle Beach Skywheel. The nearly 190' tall Ferris wheel is a relatively new beachside attraction, but is easily one of the Grand Strand's biggest and brightest sites, with an impressive façade that really dazzles at night, when the circular wheel and spokes are lit up in an array of splashing, flashing colors.

North Myrtle Beach locals who want to unwind and relax off the beach head to the gorgeous, centrally located McLean Park. Located in the heart of the city, just 2 blocks west of Ocean Boulevard between 1st and 3rd Avenues, this sprawling natural respite can cater to a wide range of outdoor interests. From active kids and adults to visitors who just want to enjoy a pretty view and a breath of fresh air, this park proves that North Myrtle Beaches' world of outdoor fun extends past the ocean facing beaches.