Myrtle Beach: A Beach Lover’s Winter Paradise

Myrtle Beach, also known as the Grand Strand, is 60 miles of fine white-sand beaches with family attractions and entertainment along the coast. It welcomes around 17 million visitors each year. Lynn Topel

As the coldest months of winter come upon us, travelers may want to consider a trip to the beach. This is not a typo; a trip to the beach is very feasible during the winter months, and it doesn’t need to involve Florida or the Caribbean islands.

Myrtle Beach in South Carolina is one such destination where there are still many things to see and do during wintertime. While most beach towns shut down for the season and become something close to ghost towns, Myrtle Beach continues to offer travelers varied experiences without the more expensive winter rates that can be found farther south.

With average air temperature highs of 57 degrees, 61 degrees, and 68 degrees F in January, February, and March, respectively, the South Carolina coast, also called the Grand Strand, is the ideal spot to visit for those who wish to be outdoors—comfortably—during the coldest winter months.

Though taking a dive into the ocean waters is out of the question (average water temperature highs will be in the 50 degrees Fahrenheit during these three months), there are other things that can keep visitors busy and occupied as they try to shake off the winter blues. Here are a few things to see and do.

Myrtle Beach, also known as the Grand Strand, is 60 miles of fine white-sand beaches with family attractions and entertainment along the coast. It welcomes around 17 million visitors each year. Lynn Topel

All Golf, All the Time

Often referred to as the “Golf Capital of the World,” Myrtle Beach alone is home to over 80 golf courses, many award-winning. Weather permitting, golf is a year-round sport at this locale.

Located on the southern end of the Grand Strand, Caledonia Golf & Fish Club’s 18-hole course is graced with centuries-old live oaks and brightly colored azaleas overlooking streams and marshes, making it one of the more picturesque links in the area.

Near the top end of the Strand is Barefoot Resort & Golf. With the tagline “Myrtle Beach’s Fantastic Four” (a tribute to its architects: Greg Norman, Davis Love III, Tom Fazio, and Pete Dye), its “stay-and-play” packages are among the more popular options in the area.

Traveling with kids? The “putt-putt” scene is vibrant and, best of all, uncrowded during the winter months. There are over 50 mini-golf courses to choose from. The newest addition, the Red Dragon Cove Adventure Golf, opened in July 2023. Its Asian theme showcases a pagoda, junk ship, and water feature, adding to the many other over-the-top landscapes along King’s Highway.

Red Dragon Cove Adventure Golf is the latest addition to Myrtle Beach’s 50-plus miniature golf courses that make this area of South Carolina a fun family getaway. Courtesy of Red Dragon Cove Adventure Golf

Parks and Art Spaces

Walking on the fine sand right by the water, beachcombers will love the winter months as their search for shells and other ocean treasures will not be impeded by colorful beach towels and folding chairs. Should the ocean breeze become too strong, there are two beach state parks where visitors can opt to take their walks instead: Myrtle Beach State Park and Huntington Beach State Park. The former is South Carolina’s first state park and includes a maritime forest and a mile of the coastline.

Huntington Beach State Park is adjacent to Brookgreen Gardens, previously owned by poet and industrialist Archer Huntington and his wife Anna, a famed sculptor. When Anna was diagnosed with tuberculosis, a property by the ocean was built for her. With its collection of sculptures, surrounded by the flora and fauna of the Lowcountry, Brookgreen Gardens was the first sculpture garden established in America. Today, it’s a National Historic Landmark.

While the aforementioned state parks will require an admission ticket, there is one park that is free to enter, and that is the Vereen Historical Memorial Gardens. Located just as you enter the South Carolina border from the north on U.S. Highway 17, the park used to be part of a vast plantation of 400 acres owned by Jeremiah Vereen Jr. in 1797. It is said that George Washington traveled through the gardens during his Southern Tour. Its easy three-mile sand-covered trail is perfect for those who need to stretch their legs or for those who prefer scenic hikes. The trails will take visitors through marshes and swamplands as well as a beautiful maritime forest with swaying reeds in the foreground. It is well worth the stop.

Considered a hidden gem, the Vereen Historical Memorial Gardens is a great place to be for a short hike across sand paths and wooden bridges. Lynn Topel

Another free-to-visit space is the Franklin G. Burroughs-Simeon B. Chapin Art Museum. Located in a 100-year-old historic home called the Villa, it showcases contemporary visual art in its rotating exhibits and even includes a cozy tearoom for visitors to enjoy a cuppa. It is the only art museum in Myrtle Beach and frequently offers art classes as well.

Extreme Weather Backup

It is totally plausible for unseasonably cold temperatures to hit during your vacation time. When traveling with kids and teens, WonderWorks is the best place to seek refuge. The hard-to-miss “upside-down building” is a mishmash of indoor amusement park and hands-on science museum. It offers a plethora of extreme rides and interactive games, a ropes course, and laser tag, which will keep youngsters and the young-at-heart engaged all day.

WonderWorks (L) describes itself as an indoor amusement park with a bent on science. Young visitors can get a sense of what a shark sees, hears, and feels underwater in this simulation (R). WonderWorks

If travelers prefer a chill stay-in, most hotels have indoor pools, hot tubs, and even a mini-lazy river within their premises. The nice thing about booking during the winter season is that there will be more vacancies at very affordable rates. and visitors can choose the right hotel with the amenities they are looking for.

Eat Local

When by the beach, seafood is a no-brainer. And, when you order your fried fish, make sure to order a side of hush puppies, a fried cornmeal bite—crisp on the outside, soft on the inside—that has deep roots in South Carolina.

Another local flavor is the chicken bog. Historically, rice was one of the Lowcountry’s main crops, grown in its swamps-turned-ricefields. Chicken, sausage, rice, and onions are cooked together in chicken broth for a mild-flavored one-pot meal.

Save some space for soft-serve ice cream, because, at Myrtle Beach, it’s available year-round.

Chicken bog, a South Carolina must-try specialty, is usually cooked with chicken and sausages. Here it is served with collard greens, corn, and cornbread. Lynn Topel

Crispy-fried cornmeal bites, hush puppies are a local favorite. Lynn Topel

Good to Know

As an international destination of the golfing community, Myrtle Beach has its own award-winning airport should one wish to fly in instead of driving. Big-name carriers like Delta and United all fly through this small airport.

Hotels offer coupons and discount bookings, which may come in very handy when paying for some of the pricier admission for indoor amusement venues, miniature golf, and dining.

For those who want to be out and about in the evenings, check out the live shows available at The Carolina Opry and the Alabama Theatre. They have something for everyone.