40+ fun things to do in Myrtle Beach in winter
There’s no denying that Myrtle Beach is an awesome summertime destination. The gorgeous sandy beaches along the Grand Strand, fun activities on the boardwalk, and delicious food options combine to make Myrtle Beach a great vacation spot.
But have you ever considered visiting Myrtle Beach in the winter? We spent some time there in December and January during our family gap year travels and, while there were some chilly days, we had a blast. And in the off-season, you can find great deals on places to stay!
What is Myrtle Beach weather like in the winter?
You can expect highs around 60 degrees Fahrenheit and lows around 35 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter in Myrtle Beach. It can be windy but rain is fairly rare and snow is extremely rare.
When we visited in the winter, there were days when we felt comfortable in short-sleeved shirts and shorts, but I also remember a night when we were all bundled up and blowing on our hands to keep them warm!
But whatever the weather throws at you, there’s lots to do in Myrtle Beach, both indoors and out. And, bonus, most of the things I’m about to share can actually be done year-round!
Here are some fun things to do in Myrtle Beach in the winter!
Visiting Myrtle Beach in September, October, or November? Check out this post: Things to do in Myrtle Beach in fall
What to do in Myrtle Beach in the winter
Views From Above
1. Take a helicopter ride over Myrtle Beach
If you’ve never taken a helicopter ride before, here’s your chance! Helicopter rides are a fun way to see Myrtle Beach from above. Rates vary depending on how long and how far your ride goes, but it’s well worth it to pay enough to fly over the beach!
2. Go for a spin on the Myrtle Beach SkyWheel
This was my birthday treat when we visited a few years back and a great attraction in the wintertime because of the climate-controlled gondolas. The wheel moves nice and slowly so, barring any intense fear of heights, it should be fun for the whole family!
Art & Culture
3. Wander through a new museum
Myrtle Beach has a wide selection of museums to suit all tastes. If you love art or history, you can’t go wrong with a visit to the Franklin G. Burroughs-Simeon B. Chapin Art Museum or the Myrtle Beach Colored School Museum and Education Center. For something a little different, head to Wheels of Yesteryear to learn about some of the coolest cars in history.
4. Admire local art
If you want to support local artists, head to the Seacoast Artists Gallery in The Market Common. They host several art shows throughout the year, displaying a variety of mediums, including fiber art, metal engraving, painting, photography, sculpture, and much more.
5. Visit the stars at the Hollywood Wax Museum
Pop culture fans will have fun at the Hollywood Wax Museum where you can visit lifelike recreations of well-known public figures. In addition to the wax figures, there are some fun interactive exhibits.
Food & Drink
6. Stay warm with a delicious, filling meal
There is no shortage of delicious foods to try in Myrtle Beach!
If you’re looking to splurge, SeaBlue Restaurant & Wine Bar offers American cuisine made with French techniques. On our visit to SeaBlue, we enjoyed steak that was cooked and seasoned perfectly!
Other great choices include Greg Norman’s Australian Grille, where you’ll find exceptional service and savory steak. Treat yourself to tasty Italian food and a fun atmosphere at Martini. Or visit 21 Main for expertly cooked seafood and creative cocktails.
And if your purse strings are tight, there are plenty of cheap eats to be found in town. Just follow your nose down the boardwalk and grab something fried and delicious!
7. Sample moonshine at the Kentucky Mist Distillery
This is one of our favorite spots in Myrtle Beach, found at Broadway at the Beach. For $5 or $10, you can sample 5 or 11 mini shots of different flavors of moonshine or vodka. We loved the experience and still talk about our favorite flavors, like the one that tasted like grape jelly and the one that tasted like a green apple Jolly Rancher! They also make slushies for kids, so the whole family can enjoy a visit.
8. Find your favorite pancake house
If there’s one thing we’ve learned about Myrtle Beach and the surrounding towns, it’s that they LOVE their pancake houses and mini-golf. Luckily, we love those things too! Take your pick and sit down for a leisurely breakfast or brunch.
Shopping
9. The Market Common
One of my favorite shopping spots — The Market Common has a large variety of popular stores and restaurants. There’s a Barnes & Noble bookstore, a movie theatre, and a big lake with a walking path and a playground. It’s a great place to just stroll around…and play some giant chess if the mood strikes you!
10. Barefoot Landing
Barefoot Landing is another great shopping area in North Myrtle Beach — the perfect place to find upscale souvenirs and beach-themed home goods. They also have plenty of restaurants, including LuLu’s, House of Blues, and LandShark.
11. The Christmas Mouse
The Christmas Mouse is a Christmas store, open year-round, that has several locations in Myrtle Beach. Visit for a huge selection of Christmas ornaments and decorations.
12. Go antiquing
Into antiques? Check out The Good Stuff Antiques and Fine Art on Todd Street for great prices on vintage goods.
Entertainment
13. See a show
Not only is going to the theatre a great way to spend a winter day, but several venues in Myrtle Beach put on holiday-themed spectaculars!
Check out the Christmas shows at both the Alabama Theatre and the Carolina Opry. Both locals and visitors make it a tradition to attend these shows every year!
14. Take a casino cruise
Looking for some high-rolling action? Head out on The Big “M” casino cruise ship where you can make your bets while enjoying time out on the water!
Kid-Friendly Fun
15. Walk the high ropes or lie on a bed of nails at WonderWorks
Not your average museum (the building is upside down!), you’ll find tons of fun, interactive exhibits at WonderWorks, including a whole ropes course high overhead. They also have an in-house cafe with good food!
16. Play and learn at EdVenture
Head to EdVenture with the kids for lots of fun and learning in their variety of interactive exhibits and play areas. Check their calendar for upcoming events like storytime and cooking classes!
17. Examine the extraordinary at Ripley’s Believe It Or Not Odditorium
There’s nothing normal about Ripley’s Believe It Or Not Odditorium. You’ll walk through room after room of the most amazing, and odd, discoveries — some that you’ll find hard to believe!
18. Visit the penguins at Ripley’s Aquarium
I just mentioned penguins because they are my favorites, but you’ll find a whole ocean full of creatures at Ripley’s Aquarium. Plus, in the winter, you can enjoy the Festival of Trees where they display a themed Christmas tree for each of the USA’s 55 states and territories!
Holiday Celebrations
If you find yourself in Myrtle Beach during the holidays, you can pack your schedule with lots of fun holiday-themed activities!
19. Winter Wonderland at The Beach
A brand-new event in 2021-2022, Winter Wonderland at The Beach included an ice skating rink and walk-through light display, and next year’s plans look to be even bigger and better!
20. Holidays on The Boardwalk
The Myrtle Beach Boardwalk celebrates the holidays with fun character meet-and-greets, train rides, crafts, live music, face painting, and more.
21. Holiday dining
Look for special holiday meal offerings from top-notch restaurants along the Grand Strand, and enjoy a great meal after a day of holiday shopping!
22. Christmas parades
Check event calendars in December to see where and when to catch one of the many local Christmas parades.
23. Christmas tree lightings at Barefoot Landing and The Market Common
Nothing brings the holiday spirit quite like seeing a big Christmas tree lit up! Catch the tree lightings at Barefoot Landing and The Market Common, among other places.
Stay Active Indoors
24. Go for a swim, indoors
The ocean will probably be too cold for wintertime swims, but many local resorts offer heated indoor pools and hot tubs. Our place even had a heated lazy river and the kids had fun floating around on tubes.
25. Jump around at a trampoline park
If you need to work off some extra energy, look no further than the Rockin’ Jump Trampoline Park. Jump for hours and enjoy fun activities like trampoline basketball, dodgeball, and obstacle courses.
26. Go bowling
810 Billiards & Bowling is a great place to head on a chilly day. Enjoy a game or two and get some snacks at their cafe. We even met Santa!
27. Play games at an arcade
Enjoy your favorite arcade games on the boardwalk, or head to Dave & Busters at Broadway at the Beach for hours of indoor fun!
28. Puzzle your way out of an escape room
You’ll find a variety of escape room options along the boardwalk and at Broadway at the Beach — try The Escape Game, Myrtle Beach’s newest escape room with a variety of exciting adventures to choose from!
Outdoor Adventures
29. Stroll the boardwalk
Even in the winter, Myrtle Beach can be sunny and warm, so if you’re blessed with good weather, get out and enjoy it! Walk the length of the boardwalk and enjoy not dealing with the summer crowds.
30. Search for seashells
On those sunny days, head for the beach and walk along the water line to find treasures from the sea!
31. Broadway at the Beach
As you’ve probably already learned from reading this list, Broadway at the Beach is a major entertainment venue with shops, restaurants, and lots of fun activities. It’s all centered around a lake which offers, you guessed it, even more activities. Head here on a sunny day to walk around and enjoy whatever takes your fancy.
32. Have a mini-golf tournament
As I said earlier, Myrtle Beach is the place to go for pancake houses and mini-golf! In fact, they are the self-proclaimed mini-golf capital of the world, and you’ll have your pick from dozens of courses along the strip.
In the winter, there are fewer people in Myrtle Beach and not as much pressure to play the course quickly. This is great for families who need a little extra time to play.
Stay On Theme
33. Plan a themed day
Planning a girls’ day out? A father-son adventure? Want to plan your day around shopping, fishing, music, or the beach? I love this breakdown of themed days you can plan in and around Myrtle Beach!
Annual winter events in Myrtle Beach
There are always special events happening in Myrtle Beach year-round. Here are some annual events that take place in the winter.
Things to do in Myrtle Beach in December
Myrtle Beach weather in December can range from mild to cold, usually in the 40s and 50s Fahrenheit. There isn’t much rain in December, but some days can be very windy. On the sunnier, warmer days you can enjoy time outside with just a sweater or light jacket, but you might need to bundle up on colder evenings. Basically, be sure to check the weather forecast before you leave home, to make sure you’re prepared!
34. Nights Of A Thousand Candles
Head just a bit south of Myrtle Beach to Brookgreen Gardens in Murrell’s Inlet to experience the botanical gardens lit up with thousands of hand-lit candles and sparkling lights. It’s a great way to kick off the holiday season!
35. Noon Year’s Eve at LuLu’s
For the young ones who can’t stay up until midnight, join the Noon Year’s Eve party at LuLu’s for food, crafts, face painting, and the main event — the countdown and beach ball drop at noon!
36. Watch New Year’s Eve fireworks
Catch the amazing fireworks displays at Broadway at the Beach, Barefoot Landing, or The Market Common, as you ring in the new year!
37. Attend a restaurant New Year’s Eve party
Many restaurants and other venues host New Year’s Eve parties that can include a special menu, live music, party favors, a countdown celebration, and other fun activities.
Things to do in Myrtle Beach in January
January is Myrtle Beach’s coldest month of the year, but it’s still pretty rare to see freezing temperatures. Temperatures range from mid-30s to mid-50s, so this is the best month of the year to enjoy indoor activities. You’re still likely to see plenty of sunny days, so open up those curtains and let the sunlight in!
38. South Carolina Restaurant Week
January brings South Carolina’s Restaurant Week and many restaurants across the Grand Strand participate. Look out for special menus, deals, and promotions.
39. MLK Drum Major Parade
On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, catch the Drum Major Parade, featuring local high school bands and floats designed by various community groups.
40. National Shag Dance Championship Preliminaries
When in Myrtle Beach, dance the Shag! And in January you can watch the pros at the National Shag Dance Championship Preliminaries.
Things to do in Myrtle Beach in February
February mirrors December as far as average temperatures, usually between 40 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit. It gets warmer as March approaches and spring brings more comfortable temperatures. There may be an uptick in crowds as some schools take mid-February breaks and families head south to escape less favorable weather in the north.
41. Renew your vows at Romance in the Gardens
On Valentine’s Day, Brookgreen Gardens in Murrell’s Inlet holds a sweet, non-denominational vow renewal ceremony for married couples, followed by cake and champagne!
42. LuLu’s Mardi Gras Golf Cart Parade
Head back to LuLu’s in February for their Mardi Gras Golf Cart Parade. Enjoy watching the brightly-decorated carts — or register and join the fun if you have your own! Either way, be sure to enjoy some king cake before you head home!
Myrtle Beach and the surrounding area is one of our favorite places in the world. You can’t beat the great weather, sandy beaches, delicious food, and (as you’ve seen from this list) endless activities to entertain you at any time of year!
